Mackinac Island
By Jeannette Doud 847-6298

What a glorious Fourth of July! It was enjoyed by everyone who visited our Island over the holiday weekend. The weather was picture perfect, bringing bright sunshine and a radiant blue sky, perfect for hiking, biking, taking a ride in a carriage with the fringe on top, or just relaxing and watching the boats pass through Round Island Passage. Old Glory flew proudly, high from the ramparts of Old Fort Mackinac, City Hall, and the highest part of Grand Hotel. Let us not forget the flowerlined Veterans Memorial Park on Market Street, where the memorial and the engraved bricks bring to mind those who proudly served their country during the wars.

Crowds of visitors made the Fourth of July a day to remember. People came over on the ferries, bringing brisk business to the Island. Main Street was the busiest day of the season. The odor of fudge permeated the air. No one could leave Mackinac without a taste of the sweet delicacy. Many folks gathered on Windermere Point, just to see the children have loads of fun and great excitement. Dan Wightman, Larry Rickley Jr., Rodney Meyers, Smi Horn, and Bobby Roach, members of the Mackinac Island Fire Department, provided great entertainment for the little ones by allowing them to spray the hose. Leanne Brodeur, of the Mackinac Island Recreation Department, held various games and face painting, and the highlight of the day was the grease pole. The children squealed with delight as they tried to climb to the top. It was truly a great afternoon. At dusk, the delightful display of fireworks was enjoyed by all. Fireworks could also be seen from Cheboygan, Mackinaw City, and St. Ignace. It was a wonderful way to end a beautiful day.

Happy birthday July 11 to Sidney Klienhenz, granddaughter of Annette and Bob Gillespie. Hope you had a great day.

Thursday morning, July 3, the Mackinac Island Stone Skipping was featured on the Today Show, as a festivity to enjoy on the Fourth of July. Great publicity for Mackinac.

Happy birthday to Dr. Dave Armour July 12. Hope you enjoyed your day.

Wednesday, July 9, we said goodbye to a very lovely lady, Mary Jane Neuman of Royal Oak, who with her late husband, Bob, called Mackinac their summer vacation home for many years. Mary Jane loves to sit on the front porch of the Windermere. She has made many friends on the Island, who will miss her at the Tuesday night bingo game.

Kelly Bean celebrated her birthday July 13. Hope you had a wonderful day.

Monday, July 7, Louie Leveille of St. Ignace proudly brought his threeyear old granddaughter, Addie, to the Island on his boat Pat IV, where she visited her Uncle Kevin at the Windermere. Addie's dad, Tim, also came along for a fun day. Tim and his family make their home in Savage, Minnesota, where Tim is employed with the C.H. Robinson Trucking Company. Even though they live in Minnesota, Addie is a Michigan fan, and can sing the Michigan fight song.

Happy 13th birthday July 10 to Diana Dupre. Hope you had a great day.

The past few years, I've written about the rare birds, Black Crown Night Herons, that make their home in one of our big maple trees in the backyard of the Windermere Hotel. Kevin Leveille, head of maintenance at the hotel, informs me that they've returned and are once again perched high in the tree. They rest during the day and fish at night. Mother Nature is fascinating.

We wish a happy birthday to Ken Sawatzki of Lansing July 15. He is the father of Jill. Also, happy birthday July 15 to Jim Murray of Petoskey. Hope you enjoyed your day.

Monday, July 7, it was nice to see Captain Edward Lee Pfeiffelman sailing the boat out of Mackinaw City. He thoroughly enjoys working on the water.

Dr. Bill Chambers is out and about following his recent surgery. He comes to town each day on his scooter. Dr. Jeff Chambers of Minnesota visited his dad and brother, Brad, over the Fourth of July weekend.

Joe Kompsi recently visited the Island. He continues to make a great recovery from his recent surgery. Best wishes from Island friends.

Happy birthday July 17 to Frank Bloswick Jr. and Eric St. Onge. Have a great day.

Guest of Barbara and Brian Hellis of Market Street is their grandson, Raymond David McIntyre Culliton of Livonia, who is enjoying his annual visit, and more especially to play ball with the Hellis's goldendoodle puppy, "Rusty." David is also the grandson of the late Raymond David McIntyre of Mackinac.

Prayers and good wishes are being sent to Glenn St. Onge, who underwent open-heart surgery Wednesday, July 9, in Midland. Jason St. Onge left the Island Tuesday, July 8, to be with his mother, Deana, and brother, Eric, for the surgery. Glenn would appreciate hearing from his many friends on Mackinac. His address is: P.O. Box 276, Remus, MI 49340.

Happy birthday to Nona Tacey July 18. I'm sure Ed will bake you a cake.

Dr. Fran and Lorna Straus were joined by the Michael Straus family, Dr. Christopher Straus from Chicago, Illinois, and Frances Straus from Springfield, Illinois, over the holiday weekend.

The building that was formerly the old medical center on Market Street has been completely remodeled by Mike Gamble and his crew. It houses one Michigan State Police trooper and his family, and other Mackinac Island Police Department personnel.

Welcome home to Janey Hart and Ann Bronfman, who are comfortably settled in Ann's lovely home, Lakewood. Clyde Hart of Pennsylvania joined the family for the holiday weekend. We enjoy seeing another light in the neighborhood.

Dr. Don and Karen Weersing of Grand Haven flew to Mackinac Saturday, July 5, to visit their children, who are working on Mackinac. They were guests of Margaret McIntire at the Iroquois Hotel.

Mark Chambers and David Rowe have been enjoying sailing on Mark's sailboat, the Windermere. The weather has been ideal.

The Robert Agnew family of Ann Arbor joined the R.D. Musser Jr. family, Mimi Cunningham, and R.D. Musser III family for the Fourth of July weekend.

A very happy 50th birthday was enjoyed by Marti McIntire at the Carriage House Wednesday, July 2. Family and friends gathered for a special dinner, followed by birthday cake, prepared by Pastry Chef Laurie Meyers. Best wishes to Marti.

Allison Jones of Lansing visited Emma Chambers over the Fourth of July. Allison enjoyed visiting all of her friends on Mackinac.

We send best wishes to Robert "Porky" LaPine, who recently spent several days in Cheboygan Memorial Hospital. Porky is back home and doing well.

Fred and Dr. Carol Entwistle of Afton, Minnesota, recently spent 10 days at their condominium on Mission Hill. They love visiting Mackinac and seeing all their friends.

Tony and Loretta Spata were joined over the holiday weekend by the Joe Brodeur family, Dr. Fred Brodeur and family, and Loretta's mother, Jay Vehicco of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They all had a great time.

Colonel and Mrs. Lynn Carroll and Clayton Carroll, brothers of the Reverend Vincent Carroll, recently enjoyed a week on Mackinac. Col. Carroll engaged in several book signings, and a presentation with four other authors at this year's Arts Festival at Little Stone Church. Col. and Mrs. Carroll reside in Phoenix, Arizona, and Clayton, who is with Hawkeye Foods, lives in Davenport, Iowa.

Happy safe sailing to all the sailors of the Chicago to Mackinac yacht race.