Engadine
By Julie Freeman 477-6959 engadinenews@sbcglobal.net

Camping season has begun. A little birdie told me there will be an open house for Rudy Kleeman, Saturday, May 17, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at his home on M-117 in Engadine. All of his family, friends, and neighbors are welcome, in celebration of his 80th birthday, which is Monday, May 19.

It's spring clean-up time at the Woodlawn and Sandtown cemeteries in Portage Township. All artificial and natural flowers and wreaths that have become withered, soiled, and unsightly are requested to be removed by Wednesday, May 14. Workers will be removing all of the remaining soiled or damaged flowers and wreaths Thursday, May 15, and Friday, May 16. Memorial items may be put out again after May 16. If you have questions, contact Portage Township Clerk Marcia McDonald.

Garfield Township Cemetery clean-up will be Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17, at the Naubinway and Engadine cemeteries. Please bring your own rakes, garbage bags, or any other tools needed. Old wreaths, flowers, or similar items that are not removed by Wednesday, May 21, will be discarded. If you have questions, contact Garfield Township Clerk Linda Bennett at (906) 477-6481.

The Village of Newberry will be picking up brush, leaves, and grass clippings in alleys beginning Monday, May 19. Leave brush, leaves, and grass clippings in a pile in the alley so the crew can remove them efficiently. The village will only be making one trip through each alley this spring. The following items will not be picked up: Tires, batteries, building materials, televisions, furniture, appliances, paint cans, and household refuse. The village will begin pick-up on the northwest side of the village, and continue until crews have been through all the alleys once.

American Legion West Mackinac Post 290 will have a breakfast Sunday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Engadine American Legion Hall. Cost is $6 for adults and children age 10 and older, $3 for children age six to nine, and free for children age five and younger. There also will be a 50/50 raffle. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Children's Fishing Day is Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Fish for free, participate in games and activities, and join in for a fish dinner. A limited supply of bait and rods will be available.

The Engadine VFW Auxiliary will meet for memorial services Wednesday, May 21, at 7 p.m. at the hall in Engadine. Members should wear their uniforms.

Condolences to the family of lifelong Newberry resident Frank Duflo, 74, who passed away Friday morning, May 9, at his residence, surrounded by his loving family and in the care of North Woods Hospice. One of the fond memories we have of Frank is when our son, Travis, won a fishing trip with him. Our son was approximately 11 years old, and never ventured out like this before. As a mom, I had a hard time letting him go, but Frank assured me everything would be all right. That evening, an unexpected thunderstorm hit the area. I didn't sleep at all, and worried until the next evening, when they came back home. When we saw smiles from ear to ear on both faces, along with a cooler full of fish, I knew our son was well taken care of. Frank loved family and kids. He always had a smile, and a story to tell. He will be greatly missed by all. Please keep his family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Happy birthday to Melanie Chaffin and Briana Edwards May 15, Hunter Dennis, Larry McEvers, and Katelyn Leveille May 16, Bob Hartwig and Howard Smith May 17, Lynzee Bigelow and Jim Ramelis May 18, Jason Ott, Rudy Kleeman, and Donald Clark Sr. May 19, Harold Frazier and Koreen Troyer May 20, Dolan Chaffin, Avery Dailey, Laura Frisch, Nicole Butkovich, and Jeremiah Clark II May 21, and Travis Weger, Sandy Frazier, Steve Zimmerman, Ron Leveille, and my sister, Jan Pershinske, May 22.

Happy anniversary to Jerry and Carolyn Reynolds and Mike and Shannon Leveille May 17, Dave and Mary Frazier, Tony and Kari Frazier, and Don and Marilyn McArthur May 18, and Wayne and Elizabeth Clemens May 21.

If you have news you would like to share with the readers of this column, please e-mail or mail me your information. My address is: P.O. Box 45, Engadine, MI 49827.

Until next time, take care.