A November-like gale hit Mackinac Monday, September 28. It was truly a fall day with rain and wind. Up until today, the weather has been absolutely spectacular, with warm temperatures, bright sun, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. The nights have been so clear, with the lights of the Mackinac Bridge shining down on the Straits of Mackinac and the stars twinkling in the sky. An evening stroll on the boardwalk is special. The flowers around City Hall and Metiever Inn are beautiful, so colorful and fresh. The weather has been perfect for gardens on Mackinac. We are beginning to see some fall colors, but this will not peak for another couple of weeks.

We understand that the otters were seen playing down by the Shepler dock. They love to slide into the water. They’re fascinating to watch.

The white swans have returned to the Straits of Mackinac. They are so graceful and beautiful as they glide through the water. Standing on the boardwalk one day last week and looking out over the water, we saw what looked like two chunks of floating ice in the Straits. It was the two swans, upside down.

Happy anniversary to Matt and Anneke Myers October 2. Enjoy your day.

Richard Chambers spent several days visiting the Mark Chambers family.

Chef Tim Leeper prepared a delightful lasagna dinner Tuesday, September 22, at Ste. Anne’s Hall. It was a great gathering of parishioners, friends, and many visitors to the Island. Folks had fun bidding on silent auction items. Ste. Anne’s raised about $3,500.

Happy birthday to our good friend, Ernie Glashaw, of St. Ignace October 2. Have a great day.

Larry and Kay Berke have closed their Tamarack Cottage for the season and have returned to their home in De Kalb, Illinois. Have a good winter.

Family and friends gathered at Stonecliffe Saturday, September 26, for the wedding of Brevin Cawthorne and Heather Hiaeshutter. It was a beautiful fall day with warm temperatures and blue skies as the happy couple exchanged vows on the grounds of Stonecliffe. Congratulations from Island friends.

The City of Mackinac Island received an $800 grant from the Mackinac Island Community Foundation for new benches. Jim Horn of the city maintenance crew made 13 absolutely beautiful benches, which are distributed around town. Many people have been seen enjoying them. Jim did an excellent job.

As the season begins to wind down, our thoughts turn to the annual Christmas Bazaar, which will be Saturday, December 5, Sunday, December 6, and Monday, December 7. Any donations would be greatly appreciated and may be dropped off at the Mackinac Island Medical Center. The Christmas Bazaar benefits the Mackinac Island Medical Center, Ste. Anne’s Church, Little Stone Church, Mackinac Island Bible Church, and Trinity Church.

Mark and Jody Chambers will celebrate their wedding anniversary October 5. Have a wonderful day.

Our good friend, Alice Myron, departed Mackinac Saturday, September 26, for her winter home in Port Huron. We wish her a safe and healthy winter.

Ed and Karen Clark from Fortsville, Indiana, are spending their annual fall vacation at the Windermere Hotel.

The popular Woods Restaurant closed for the season Sunday, September 27. We wish the staff some rest and relaxation.

Pauline and Dan Mitchell will celebrate their wedding anniversary October 3. Enjoy your day.

The Mackinac Island State Park Commission met Friday, September 25, at Fort Mackinac.

Bill and Ann Taylor of Delta, Ohio, are spending their annual vacation at the Windermere Hotel. Their daughter, Tammie, and granddaughter, Jacqulyn, joined them on Mackinac for the weekend. They plan to attend the Christmas Bazaar in December.

Happy birthday to Jimmy Hagenbaugh October 4. Have a great day.

Michigan State Police Trooper Matt Waters and his wife, Sara, entertained friends at a cookout Sunday afternoon, September 27, at their apartment at Fort Mackinac. Sgt. Mike Powell and Trooper Fred Strich of St. Ignace joined in the festivities. Trooper Jeff Hunger and family, who spent the summer on Mackinac, returned to their home in Bay City Monday, September 28. Everyone had a great time at the picnic, which ended with an oldfashioned hayride.

Happy anniversary October 6 to Bruce and Patty LaPine and Brad and Nancy Chambers. Have a wonderful day.

Eric St. Onge attended the Michigan Republican Convention on Mackinac over the weekend.

Happy birthday October 7 to Debra Orr, Laura Eisler, little Dominic Morse, and our good friend, Carol Clifton, in Muncie, Indiana.

We send special greetings to Kathi Wightman, who underwent knee replacement surgery Tuesday, September 22, in Lansing. She returned to her home on Mackinac Friday, September 25, and is recuperating very well.

Happy birthday to little Addison Leveille October 4. She is the granddaughter of Louie and Pat Leveille and niece of Kevin Leveille, all of St. Ignace. Enjoy your day.

Rosie Charnes and her son, Bob, enjoyed a 10-day vacation at their home in Harrisonville. They returned to their home in Indianapolis, Indiana, Tuesday, September 29.

Rosemary Kompsi and Marie Bunker will celebrate their birthdays October 6. Have a great day.

Congratulations to Lydia Porter and Troy Spierling, who were united in marriage Saturday, September 26, in Mackinaw City. Lydia is the daughter of Matt and Melinda Porter of Harbor Springs and the granddaughter of Bill and Lornie Porter and Armand “Smi” and Mickey Horn, all of Mackinac.

Many sale signs are in store windows all over town. It’s a great time to do some Christmas shopping.

More than 1,600 Boy Scouts from all over Michigan visited Mackinac Saturday, September 26. They had a great time exploring the Island. There were also more than 200 Girl Scouts from many cities in Michigan visiting the Island. They were staying at the Murray Hotel and the Inn on Mackinac.

Happy 90th birthday October 6 to Georgiana Gustafson of St. Ignace. There will be a special party for her Sunday, October 4, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care, Dining Room 3. Friends and family will enjoy cake and refreshments. Island friends send special greetings.

Joe Abbey of Traverse City was the guest of Margaret McIntire last weekend and attended the antique show at Grand Hotel.

Bob and Lorraine O’Keefe closed their cottage in Woodbluff and will return for a visit in late October.

Mike and Wendy Young visited their lovely cottage on the West Bluff over the weekend.

We send special greetings to Robert “Porky” LaPine, who underwent back surgery Monday, September 28, at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey. Best wishes from Island friends.

Pat and Maryann Shannon spent the weekend at their cottage in Trillium Heights.

Keith and Mariann Hahn of Big Rapids, cousins of Bob Benjamin, enjoyed a few days on their favorite Island relaxing on the front porch of the Herbert Benjamin home. Mariann has not been feeling her best, so we send special greetings from Island friends.

A knitting workshop was held Monday, September 21, and Tuesday, September 22, at the Iroquois Hotel. The knitters learned lots of techniques.

Happy first wedding anniversary to Mike and Denise Beaudoin September 28. Their dog, Scouter, enjoyed living on Mackinac for the summer.

Enjoy the fall colors on Mackinac!