DeTour Elementary School celebrated the start of the school year with a back-to-school barbecue Tuesday, September 8. This group of students took a break from the fun to pose for this picture. (Photograph courtesy of Sara Galarowi) School has started and DeTour students are ready to work, but before they began, the elementary students had some fun on the first day of school with a back-to-school barbecue, hosted by the elementary teachers for the students and their families. The weather cooperated, the youngsters had a good time, and parents and teachers had the opportunity to visit in the relaxed atmosphere of the school lawn and playground. Lucky winners of the popcorn boxes filled with a movie rental coupon and snacks for an evening were Grant Fountain and Luke Bailey from kindergarten/first grade; Edyn Nettleton and Leo Dudeck from second/third grade, and Moriah Reed and Kayleb Ross from fourth/fifth grade.

It often seems when the schedule is set and everything is ready, something comes along to create a change. This certainly has been true in planning for the DeTour Village Happy Apple Scarecrow Festival. First, the Antique Appraisals were moved from the Village Hall to the school so persons waiting their turn with the appraisers could enjoy the antique sales, demonstrations of “lost crafts” like spinning and weaving, watch the judging of the Apple Pie and Dessert Contest, see the students’ logo contest entries, and browse the used book sale. Now, owing to the renovations at the Fine Arts Cultural Center, the raffle drawings, contest awards, homemakers sloppy joe supper, and the auction, have been moved to the Village Hall. Organizers report that the scarecrow building, crafters, vendors, and farmers market planned for the pavilion, tennis court, and playground have no change in location, and businesses are planning a variety of specials centered on the apple theme of the day.

The Chamber of Commerce meeting Wednesday, September 9, was informative. The report from marina harbormaster Richard Rathke on the planned remodeling was that there has been some delay owing to Army Corps of Engineers approval not arriving as expected, but that work will begin as soon as this paperwork is received. The other, more encouraging, report was that fuel sales for the season have been up and slip rentals were about the same. Fuel cost was also down from last year.

The EUP Fine Arts Council will host its second annual Fashion Show and Luncheon Saturday, October 3, at the Cultural Center. The luncheon this year will be a salad and dessert potluck buffet created by Arts Council members. Clothing from Drummond Island, Sault Ste. Marie, and Cheboygan shops will be modeled following the luncheon. For ticket information, call 297-2787 and leave a message.

The St. Stanislaus community birthday party will be Saturday, October 10. This is always a great event with lots of good food. For more information, call the church at 297-5211.

The newly formed Lower St. Marys River Chapter of Habitat for Humanity raised more than $2,000 at its Flea Market Fun Day during Labor Day weekend.

A cookbook is being prepared by the DeTour Nutrition Center, and I understand that almost every senior citizen who participates in the noon luncheons submitted a recipe.