On the count of three, the directions were to yell “surprise.” They did, and he was. Ray Derusha was under the impression he was going to his daughter’s house for a cookout. He was, but it included some 50 guests, as well, for a birthday surprise. Those in attendance besides his daughter, Yvonne, and family, Chris, Sami, Jamie, Ben, and Brad, were his son, Larry, his wife, Julie, and their son, Brewer, who traveled north from Acworth, Georgia. They were joined by his son, Leon, and his wife, Brenda, their granddaughter, Jenna, and her children, from Brimley, and his youngest son, Jerry, and his family, Susan, Elicia, Kristen, and Meghan from Escanaba. Ray’s siblings were also in on the surprise, including Harold and Dove, who live in the neighborhood, his sister, Jean Derusha Bentley and her husband, Dick, of St. Ignace, his sister, Jan Derusha Clark of Gladstone and a friend, Wally, and his sister Arlene Derusha Eastman of Bisbee, Arizona. Other family members attending included a cousin, Bob Derusha, of St. Ignace, his sister, Bev, and her husband, Ory, along with Harvey and Susan Bentley of St. Ignace. The Newberry contingent of Jack and Sandy Derusha attended. I may have missed a few family members, as well. Ray’s wife, Ruth, enjoyed the company of family members, including her mother, Opal Underhill, her brother, Frank, his wife, Lou, and their grandchildren from Stanton.

Visitors saying hello after church included long ago Rexton residents, the children and their spouses of “Blueberry” Johnson, Harold and Evelyn Johnson of Tolar, Texas, Bill and Evelyn Johnson of Wall, New Jersey, and Virginia Johnson Butkovich and her husband, Tony, who have a summer home in Engadine. Many of the same visitors traveled to Epoufette to the home of Esther Bigelow for the annual church picnic and fish fry. Even the rain held off for an enjoyable afternoon.

Dropping by for a short visit at the home of John and Louella Snow was Harold Rupright of Clio, who used to be a neighbor of Lou’s in Germfask when they were youngsters.

A guest at the home of Evelyn and Dale Burgess is Sue Lefler, a friend and co-worker of Evelyn’s, visiting from Florida.

Dave Albrecht’s folks, Vi and Daryl, are here for a few days from Iowa.

Birthday wishes to Dylan Formolo and Andrea Everhart August 17, Rick Kerridge August 19, Billy Belonga August 20, Leta Standring and Hana Belonga August 22, and Desirae Derusha and Drake DeWyse August 23.

Anniversary wishes to Penny and Daryl Browning and Al and Laurie Spencer August 19, and Elmer and Diane Albright and Fred and Sarah Burton August 22.

Continued get well wishes to Mary Hart, who was a patient at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey.

Looking ahead, a Christian Rock Concert has been given a date of July 31, 2010, hosted by the Rexton Mennonite Church family.