Monday, evening, August 10, the sunset was absolutely beautiful with various shades of red illuminating the sky behind Grand Hotel. It was a breathtaking sight with reflections off the calm Straits of Mackinac. People lined the boardwalk as the sun descended behind the Mackinac Bridge. The weather finally feels like summer, with warm, sunny days and comfortable evenings.

Everyone was thrilled to see the mega yacht Linda Lou tied up at the Arnold Dock. Linda Lou is a 197-foot Lurrsen. She has a crew of 14 and was built in 2006, and is one of 27 largest yachts in the world. It truly was a sight to see such a magnificent ship docked at Mackinac. Linda Lou departed Mackinac Tuesday morning, Au - gust 11, bound for Chicago.

Happy anniversary to Bob and Molly Green August 20. Enjoy the day.

Carl and Mary Doolen of Chi - cago are enjoying their cottage at British Landing. It’s nice to see them on Mackinac.

Dick Moehl (right) of Mackinaw City and Pinckney, brought his German cousin, Michael Möhl, and his son, Manuel, 13, on a day trip to Mackinac Island Monday, August 10. This was the teenager’s first Mackinac Island visit and he was curious to see how a community functions without automobiles. The group also planned to bicycle around the Island and take a carriage ride. The father and son live near Frankfort, Germany, and use the German spelling of the last name, although it is pronounced the same as Mr. Moehl’s. Happy anniversary to Jack and Dorothy Dehring August 16. Hope you had a wonderful day.

The new Round Island Light - house in the Straits of Mackinac looks great with the new paint job.

Candi and James Dunnigan left Mackinac Tuesday, August 11, for their home in Grass Lake. They will continue on to Lake Forest, Illinois, where James will be a sophomore at Lake Forest College. James was employed by Inn at Stonecliffe this summer.

Sunday afternoon, August 9, a garden party was held on the waterfront behind Ste. Anne’s Rectory. It was an absolutely beautiful day and Father Rey Garcia’s flowers were spectacular and the view of the harbor was magnificent. Folks were bidding on art items, tasting food and wine, and visiting with many people. It was a special gathering to raise money to repair the stained glass windows in the church.

Happy birthday to Geraldine Wellington and Marsha Orr August 19. Have a great day.

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of talking to Robert Denzers and his wife, Jean, of Bay City. He had an interesting story to tell. His grandfather, Jacob, with his family, came to Mackinac in 1910 to run the power plant for the Mackinac Power and Light Company, which was owned by the Doherty family from Clare. Robert’s father, Orlo, was seven years old when the family moved to the Island and attended school with Robert Doud, Herbert Pfeiffelman, and many other Island children. Robert was born on Mackinac in 1929 in the house next to the power house. The family left the Island the same year when Edison Sault Electric bought the Mackinac Power and Light Company. They moved to Saginaw, but in 1935 Robert’s father, Orlo, came back and ran a boat for Arnold Line for the summer.

What a fascinating story. He brought me many old pictures of Mackinac and the power house. I appreciate him sharing his story and remembering me with old pictures of the Island.

Pat and Peggy McCourt recently visited Pat’s sister, Mary Dufina, and family.

Happy birthday to Almeda Bodwin August 16. Hope you had a great day.

I have some wildlife news. The blue heron that always spends the summer on the Little Jewel golf course has returned. He is a magnificent bird and is fascinating to watch. He literally follows you around the course.

The Black Crown Night Heron has returned to the tree behind the Windermere Hotel.

Happy anniversary to Larry and Nancy Keogh August 19. Have a wonderful day.

Island friends send best wishes to Bart Huthwaite, who was seriously injured in a bicycle accident Sunday evening, August 9. He was airlifted to Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey,

Happy birthday to Lulabelle D’Arce August 21, and to her son, Bobby Green, Jr. August 17.

Friends and family came from far and near to join in the celebration of Robert “Porky” and Caroline LaPine’s 60th wedding anniversary Saturday, August 8, at Mackinac Island Community Hall. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful time greeting friends and neighbors, dining on great food, and enjoying the special anniversary cake made by their daughter, Millie, and transported to Mac - kinac from North Carolina. Best wishes to Porky and Caroline for many more years of good health and happiness.

Dr. Don and Karen Weersing of Grand Haven attended the 60th wedding anniversary for Porky and Caroline LaPine.

Mackinac Island was once again well represented on the mainland in golf tournaments. Dan Dickens and Ron Steensma won their flight in the 2009 Highlander Golf Invitational at Boyne High - lands in Harbor Springs Wednes - day, August 5, through Sunday, August 9, competing with players from around the Midwest. In the same tournament, Jamie Dickens and her partner, Barbara Niech - wadowiz, finished third in the championship flight and first in the Saturday Special Tourney. Con - grat ulations from Island friends.

The annual Mackinac Island Medical Center Auction will be Sunday, August 30, at Grand Hotel. Any donations for the auction would be greatly appreciated and may be dropped off at the medical center.

The annual Cowell family re - union was recently held in Carp Lake. Family members came from far and near to join in the festivities.

Visiting Gary and Karen Len - nard have been Karen’s father, Sharon Hudson, Jr. from Lamber - tville, and their daughter, Shannon, and granddaughter, Megan.

The annual Guns and Hoses Softball Game will be Sunday, August 23, at Great Turtle Park. All proceeds will benefit the Mark Gal lag - her Scholarship Fund at the Mackinac Island Community Foundation. Come and join in the fun.

In the early hours of Sunday morning, August 9, a severe thunder and lightning storm struck the Island. The rain was torrential, causing Patrick Sinclair’s Irish Pub to flood, streets were flooded, and everything on Mackinac was soaked. Monday, August 10, every thing was a lush green and the flowers are just beautiful.

Daniel and Eileen Hruska, with Elizabeth Barbara and Daniel, Jr. of Northville, have been visiting Eileen’s mother and family, Bar - bara and Brian Hellis, at their home on Market Street. Elizabeth and Daniel had a great time on Mackinac.

The last concert in Mackinac Island Community Foundation’s summer concert series, Summer - time Notes, was Sunday afternoon, August 9, at Ste. Anne’s Church. It featured Peggy Bynoe, Heather May, Melissa Straus, Roger Hum - phrey, and Tess Miller. About 100 people enjoyed beautiful music in a special setting.

Steffi Schuetze and Norbert Mueller, professors at Michigan State University, are spending the summer on Mackinac at the Michalke house on Market Street. Susanne Mueller, Norbert’s mother from Spain, is visiting for the month of August. They all enjoyed a great sail Monday afternoon, August 10, with Mark Chambers on his boat Windermere. They love the Island.

There was a memorial service for Lorabeth Fitzgerald Tuesday, August 18, at 11 a.m. at the Little Stone Church. Lorabeth passed away Friday, July 31, on Mackinac Island. An obituary was published in The St. Ignace News August 6.

Everyone enjoyed a great time at the Jammin’ at the Arts Tuesday, August 11, at the Pines Cottage on the West Bluff. All proceeds benefit the Mackinac Island Music Festival.

Enjoy the summer weather on Mackinac!