Midsummer is probably my favorite time in Brevort. There is a flurry of preparation in getting the pole ready, and thinking of what dish one can bring to the potluck. This year the lyncher was visiting Pastor Robert Sutherland of Negaunee. We had a good crowd attending and, of course, the food was extraordinary. Brevorters of Aland extraction bring the Swedish meatballs, potato sausage, and smoked fish to complement the dishes brought by the guests from near and far. The weather was as near perfect as it could be. Don Dickmann, Dave Movalson, and Dave Movalson, Jr. drove to the woods to gather the poplar leaves used as greenery to decorate the pole. There were many hands stripping, stuffing, and tying leaves. Pastor Sutherland addressed the gathering with a message in Swedish, and then in English. The Swedish Girls Chorus sang the traditional "Children of the Heavenly Father" in Swedish. The food was blessed with a Swedish blessing and then we sat down to eat. Everyone had a chance to visit with friends. Linda Nordstrom asked about my brother, Ed Heenan, who lives in Austin, Texas.

Many people are responsible for the festivities, including Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Association for organizing the food, men and women of the congregation for setting up tables and chairs, Dave Movalson for making sure the pole is painted and repaired, and Tom Gustafson for setting up the "leaf" tent. At the end, everyone pitches in to take down tables and chairs and store them away until next year. I try to coerce a young person to pass the guest book and the Mitchinson girls, Grace and Clara, were the chosen ones this year. Reverend Jim Balfour and his wife, Mary, of St. Ignace United Methodist Church, delivered a public address system for us to use, and it was much appreciated.

The 2009 Midsummer Pole Raising took place Sunday, June 21, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brevort with Pastor Robert Sutherland (far right, pictured with David Movalson, Sr. assisting him). We always think the present pole raising is the best ever. They are all good in their own way, with people getting together to break bread and share stories. Next year will be the 100th anniversary of Trinity Lutheran Church. Pega Kennedy already has many pages of suggestions and plans, as do we all.

Joyce Gustafson, with her granddaughters, Morgan and Kristi, have been enjoying feeding the swans on the beach. There are five of them swimming around the waters of Lake Michigan.

Marilyn Smith of Livonia enjoys reading The St. Ignace News every week. She is the sister-in-law of the late Harriet Lawson of St. Ignace and Don Lawson's aunt.

Gordon and Pat Knight are at their home on Wildwood Lane for an extended time this summer.

Ellen Coffey and her son, Tom, are vacationing with her parents, Tom and Taffy Coffey. Ellen and Tom are from California.

Susie and Russ Nesberg have named their ice cream shop in Brevort the "Brain Freeze."

Penny Rose, a Brittany, gave birth to three pups this past weekend. Penny is the pet of Jim and Jerri Rose.

Joe Chalmers, Scottish by birth, who lived in Scotland during his boyhood, had a conversation with Pastor Sutherland, who is of Scottish descent himself. Pastor Sutherland knew of many places in Scotland that Joe was familiar with.

Greg and Dawn Mitchinson and their children, Griffin, Clara, and Grace, along with Greg's mother, Shirley Mitchinson, are enjoying a week's vacation at the family cottage on Worth Road.

Enjoy the summer.