Tuesday, September 22, was the official first day of autumn. The leaves are already changing color.

Our new hospital and Lambert Tribal Center is progressing well. The paving, sidewalks, light poles, and planting of the lawn is completed. Many benches have arrived for the outside area.

Hazel (nee Obeshaw) and Jerry Friday of Prattville, Alabama, arrived in town last week. While here they visited relatives and friends. Cookie Thomas was happy to see his niece, Hazel. They also traveled to Rudyard, where sister, Minnie Piippo, resides. In their travels, the couple noticed many changes in the area just in a year’s time.

Birthday wishes to Clara Boahbedason October 1.

Angela Litzner is happy to announce that her baby grandson, Elijah, was released from the Milwaukee Children’s Hospital Friday, September 11, for the first time since he was born May 19, 2009. Elijah’s parents are Giles and Janel Litzner.

To celebrate National Talk Like a Pirate Day, St. Ignace first grade students came to school in swashbuckling garb Friday, September 18. "Pirates" pictured (front, from left) are Maizey Brown, Benj North, Addison Cheeseman; (back) Justin Tracy, Jackson Ingalls, Avery Fitzgerald, and Matthew Valletta. The students compared and contrasted fact and fiction in pirate stories, read pirate books, worked on pirate-themed crafts, and heard a lecture on the history of piracy from middle school teacher Pat Chargo. The national observance was September 19. Happy wedding anniversary to Fred and Rilla Halberg September 22.

Margaret Peacock was seen watering all the beautiful flowers in town. She tells me they’re watered about once a week.

Tuesday, September 15, while biking on a gravel road in the city, I spotted a nice looking fox crossing the road.

Peg McCarry traveled to St. Ignace one day last week for a little shopping.

I had the opportunity to have lunch with Drew Foster, Carol Spidell, and Mary Edwards at Community Action. Mary was excited and asked me to stay and visit the “Take Five” program, where there were many projects going on, including puzzles, sewing, and painting. Angela Litzner of St. Ignace and Donna Dutcher of Hessel keep the folks busy.

Anyone may volunteer at any time, and if you have a new idea for them, contact the center.

Many colorful lap quilts have been stitched together. Some were sold during truck show weekend, while a few were donated to Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care.

One day last week, a pack of coyotes were reportedly seen in Moran Township by my nephew, Wesley Therrian. There were four in all.

Happy birthday to Christopher Stearns September 24, Tom Krause September 27, and Kathy McLeod September 28. Wishing all of you a good day.

Katherine Babcock’s son, Lee Smith, and family were visitors at the pasty shop for a few days. Their son, Lee, has been here for a month helping out at the pasty shop.

Helen Thompson celebrated her birthday September 5. Her son and daughter-in-law, Tim and Kelly Stevens, made a special dinner of tacos, which Helen had served for Kelly’s birthday.

I met up with Joan (nee Tarnutzer) and Tom Cardiff of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, so we enjoyed lunch with them.

Sunsets are earlier now, but still beautiful.