All over Mackinac, the signs of fall can be seen. There are pumpkins, cornstalks, Halloween decorations, and colored leaves decorating many businesses on Main Street. The weather has felt like Halloween, cold, raw, windy, and wet. Squirrels and chipmunks are busy storing chestnuts for the winter. The leaves are starting to change colors, but they will not peak until next week.

Diane Sprenel of Breakwater Point Condominiums welcomed home her husband, Jim, from a northern Newfoundland archery hunt. Jim successfully harvested a moose, a woodland caribou, and a black bear with his bow – the grand slam of Newfoundland big game hunting. Congratulations from Island friends.

Doug and Carol Rearick have closed their cottage on Lakeshore Drive and returned to their home in Brighton. We will miss your light out our back door.

We give a warm welcome to Michael Bootz of Mackinaw City, interim superintendent of Mackinac Island Public School.

Belgian draft horses Naw (left) and Dick help prepare Mackinac Island for winter as they pull a load of hay down Main Street during the late morning of Wednesday, September 30. Over the next few months, the two Mackinac Island Service Company horses, driven by Island resident Jim Pettit, along with other horses, will help deliver winter hay to the storage barn on Cadotte Avenue. Through the cold months, approximately 14 horses will remain on the Island, using about 50 tons of hay and pulling taxis and drays that carry food and supplies to Island residents. Happy anniversary to Dan and Marlee Musser October 9. Hope you enjoyed your day.

We send very special 106th birthday greetings to Judge Ned Fenlon October 7. Island friends may send him birthday greetings at the following address: 6259 E. 6th Street, Long Beach, CA 90803. Ned called us on his birthday to say he was thinking of Mackinac. He sounded wonderful, and it was great to hear from him.

Saturday, October 3, Bishop Patrick Cooney of Gaylord celebrated a special Irish Mass at Ste. Anne’s Church at 4 p.m. Jerry Ballenger and his family provided the beautiful music. The Pub Runners held a concert at the Lake View Hotel at 7 p.m. It was a great gathering and a wonderful celebration. We send best wishes to Bishop Cooney on his retirement from the Gaylord diocese.

Happy anniversary October 10 to Tom and Nancy Cripe of Indianapolis, Indiana. Hope you had a wonderful day.

Tuesday, October 6, Northern Michigan Regional Hospital held a kickoff party for Tim Leeper, who will ride his bicycle starting January 1, 2010, from San Diego, California, to St. Augustine, Florida, to fight breast cancer. His art was available for sale, with 100% of all proceeds going to Bike 4 Breast Cancer of Charlevoix and Emmet counties. He will participate in a breast cancer fundraiser Thursday, October 22, at the Charlevoix Area Hospital. Good luck to Tim from his many friends on Mackinac.

Happy anniversary to Tom and Virginia Alexander of Mackinaw City, who celebrated October 4. Best wishes from Island friends.

Little Stone Church closed for the season Sunday, October 11. The Reverend Vince and Molly Carroll left Monday, October 12, for their winter home in Sarasota, Florida. Have fun in the sun.

Clareton St. Onge of Oregon is visiting his sister, Caroline La- Pine, and family. It’s nice to see you back on Mackinac.

A very happy 17th birthday to Ashley Gough October 12. Hope you had a great day.

Saturday, October 3, on a bright fall afternoon, George Wellington, Jr. was laid to rest in the family plot in Ste. Anne’s Cemetery. Family and friends gathered as Father Rey Garcia officiated at the graveside service. May he rest in peace.

Jeff Shaffer suffered an accident Monday, October 5, at his parents’ home in Gwinn. He was treated at Marquette General Hospital. Best wishes from Island friends.

As the season winds down, we start to think of the 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.

Happy anniversary to Carl and Sandy Ellis October 6. Hope you had a wonderful day.

We send special get well wishes to Larry Parel, who was transported to Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey Monday, October 5.

The Carriage House Dining Room closed for the season Sunday evening, October 11. Best wishes to the staff for some rest and relaxation.

Happy birthday to Virginia McIntyre Riordan October 10. Bushy, who has been wearing a bright Halloween scarf given him by a guest at the Windermere, sends special greetings.

Brenda Topham and Mac Armstrong of Southampton, Ontario, enjoyed a few days visiting friends on Mackinac. It was so good to see them back on the Island.

We send special get well wishes to Pam St. Onge of St. Ignace, who is a patient at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey.

Happy birthday to Frank Bloswick, Sr. October 12, Alex Gillespie and Mackenzie Bean October 13, and Mike Bradley and Paul Fisher October 14.

Jennifer Karhoff of Findlay, Ohio, recently spent a weekend at her cottage on Bourisaw Lane.

We send best wishes to Marti Carey, manager of the Cloghaun, who is recuperating from recent surgery. Friends may send her a card at the following address: 4641 Pine Village Drive, West Bloomfield, MI 48323.

Candi and Brian Dunnigan of Grass Lake closed their Easterly Cottage Sunday, October 4.

Nancy and Jean LaBorde of Crivitz, Wisconsin, brought five couples to the Island Wednesday, October 7. They enjoyed a carriage tour, visiting Fort Mackinac, and taking advantage of the many sales around town. A great time was enjoyed by all.

Chris West and Heather Distasio were united in marriage Saturday, October 3, at Ste. Anne’s Church with Father Rey Garcia officiating. It was a beautiful fall afternoon as the bride and groom toured the Island in the wedding carriage. Congratulations from Island friends.

Robert “Porky” LaPine has returned to his home in Harrisonville following surgery at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey. Take it slow and easy, Porky.

Happy birthday to Levi Porter and Charlie Lilliquist October 15. Have a great day.

Dr. Fran and Lorna Straus left Mackinac Wednesday, October 7, for their home in Chicago. Lorna will return for the Christmas Bazaar.

Brian and Barbara Hellis closed their cottage Monday, October 5, and have returned to their home in Northville. We will miss your lights in the neighborhood.

Happy birthday to Janey Hart October 20. Have a wonderful day.

Jason St. Onge recently took a mini vacation to New Orleans. He enjoyed great food, music, and warm weather.

Happy birthday to Kathleen Rickley October 21. I’m sure Makayla and Anthony will help you blow your candles out.

Lulabelle D’Arce is recuperating at her home in Harrisonville following surgery Monday, October 5, at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey. Best wishes from Island friends.

Happy birthday to Danielle Wightman October 23. Danielle is a freshman at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

Larry and Nancy Keogh closed their Crosstree Cottage on the East Bluff and have returned to their home in Lake Forest, Illinois.

Happy birthday October 25 to Irene Rickley and her daughter, Sara Bunker Sutherland, and to Joe Stakoe and Annette Gillespie. Enjoy your day.

Kate Koboski and her daughter, Mary Michelle, of Petoskey recently enjoyed a weekend on Mackinac.

Happy birthday to Anna Mary Doud Cusack October 29. Have a wonderful day.

Marilyn and Gary Hanson, guests of the Windermere Hotel, traveled to St. Ignace Tuesday, October 6, to visit Gary and Larry LaPine at Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care. They had a great visit.

Happy birthday to Loren Horn and Calvin Rogers October 31. Have a great day.

Kirby Berke earns National

Certificate of Merit

Kirby Berke, an eight-year-old in the third grade at Walnut Hills Elementary School in Centennial, Colorado, earned an award for taking quick action in calling 9-1- 1 to save his father’s life during an insulin reaction. Young Mr. Berke was awarded the National Certificate of Merit from the Boy Scouts of America and the Denver Area Council, upon recommendation from the National Court of Honor September 15 at the Denver Country Club.

He is the grandson of Larry and Kay Berke of DeKalb, Illinois, and Mackinac Island.

Andrew Berke was caring for both of his children December 4, 2008, while his wife, Pam, was out of town. Kirby was watching television when his father planned to leave the house on an errand. Mr. Berke fell to the ground after entering the laundry room off the garage. He tried to get back up but hit his head on the door several times before losing consciousness.

Hearing sounds from the laundry room, Kirby found his father lying on the ground unconscious. He attempted to rouse him by poking him and shaking him, but received no response. He quickly went upstairs and called 9-1-1 to report that his father was in trouble, providing information to dispatchers that his father was having an insulin reaction and provided his address.

Kirby opened the garage door to make it easier for the paramedics to enter. When the paramedics arrived, he explained to them that his father was on insulin and provided them with his meter and logbook for review. Mr. Berke woke up several moments later. The paramedics said Kirby’s quick answers to their questions and knowledge of his father’s condition and equipment saved them valuable time in resolving a serious medical emergency.