Fall is definitely in the air, with crisp nights and bright days filled with all the colors of autumn. The view from Point Lookout overlooking Sugar Loaf is spectacular. The hill below Fort Mackinac is just beautiful with brilliant red and gold colors. Cornstalks and pumpkins grace Main Street as folks gather this weekend for the annual Halloween parties.

Island friends send deepest sympathy to the family of Henry Dombroski of Cheboygan, who passed away Wednesday, October 7. He was the father of Dennis, the City of Mackinac Island Building Inspector/ Engineer. He will always be remembered for his generous donation of the beautiful city Christmas tree that graced Main Street. May he rest in peace.

Saturday, October 10, on a bright, fall Mackinac day, Charlotte Sweeney Schmitt was laid to rest in the Mackinac Island Cemetery. The Reverend Ron Smith officiated as the sun filtered through the colored leaves and family and friends gathered to pay their last respects. A luncheon followed at Grand Hotel. Deepest sympathy to the family.

In 1980, Karen Positan (left) of Springfield, New Jersey, fell in love with Grand Hotel when she saw the film, "Somewhere In Time." Since then, she has wanted to stay at the hotel and this year she did, inviting her mother, Ruth, (far right) to join her during the hotel's weekend that celebrates the movie filmed here in 1979. Standing on the porch Saturday afternoon, October 17, she was joined by other event participants dressed in period clothing reminiscent of the time-travel film set in 1912. Pictured are (from left) Ms. Positan, Pat Fifarek of Marinette, Wisconsin, John Barnes of Detroit, Harriet Newbury of Oconto, Wisconsin, and Ruth Positan. “Sadie,” the Musser’s Scottish terrier with the registered name of CH Round Town Mercedes of Mary Scot, started the month of October in a big way by winning three shows in Pennsylvania, Hatboro, Devon, and best of all, Montgomery County. The last show is the terrier’s most treasured win, and it was here Sadie was judged best of 800 terriers. This past weekend, Dan Musser joined Sadie, her handler, Gabriel Raugel, and assistant Nobuhest Imazumi in Springfield, Illinois. Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17, she won her 90th and 91st “Best In Show.” Sadie is the #1 dog in America, all breed, all systems. Congratulations from Island friends.

Mark your calendars for the Christmas Bazaar Saturday, December 5, Sunday, December 6, and Monday, December 7. The Polaris snowmobile arrived Monday, October 19, and is on display at Doud’s Market. Tickets are available there and at the Mackinac Island Medical Center and First National Bank. You may also purchase tickets from Sylvia Perault. Any donations for the bazaar would be greatly appreciated, and may be mailed to or dropped off at the Mackinac Island Medical Center.

Mark Rensel and Jenny Silvernale left Mackinac Monday, October 12, for their winter home in the state of Washington.

We send best wishes to Judy Bynoe, who is a patient at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey. Island friends are thinking of you.

Alice Martin joined her brother, Don Libby, and his wife, Barbara, for a week’s vacation visiting relatives in Oregon.

Our good friend, Dick Ruilson, has left Mackinac for his winter home in Pelkie. Enjoy some rest and relaxation.

Virginia and Dan Riordan left the Island Friday, October 16, for their winter home in Marietta, Georgia. Bushy will miss his friend, Annie.

Michigan State Police Trooper Matt Waters with his wife, Sara, and daughter, Violet, left Mackinac Tuesday, October 13, for their home in Bridgman. Matt has served on the Mackinac detail for the Michigan State Police for the last two years, and Sara, who is a paramedic, worked on the ambulance and at the Mackinac Island Medical Center. Have a good winter.

Sunday afternoon, October 11, a delightful reception was held at the Carriage House honoring Jack and Karen Barnwell, who were married December 19, 2008, in Colorado. Friends and family gathered to toast the happy couple, visit with friends, and enjoy great food. Best wishes from Island friends.

The Windermere Hotel closed for the season Sunday, October 18. An employee party followed with good food, lots of laughs, and great memories. We will miss Patsy LaPine’s homemade soup and bread.

Sunday, October 11, at the 11 a.m. Mass at Ste. Anne’s Church, Bishop Alex Sample of the Diocese of Marquette administered the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation. A reception followed in Ste. Anne’s Hall.

We send best wishes to Jack Parel, who has been very ill at his home in Augusta, Georgia. Please send him a card at the following address: 3577 Oakmont Court, Augusta, GA 30907. He would enjoy hearing from his many friends on Mackinac.

The weekend of October 16 and 17 was the clean up/fix it gathering at the Mackinac Island Yacht Club. People came from Chicago and other areas to help put the club to bed for the winter. They gathered for the last dinner of the season Saturday evening, October 17.

Richard Andress of Arizona visited family and friends over the weekend. Richard grew up on Mackinac and attended the Thomas W. Ferry School. It was nice to see you back on the Island.

Many businesses closed this past weekend, including The Island House, Lake View Hotel, La Galerie gift shop, Yankee Rebel, and Mary’s Bistro.

Gary and Marilyn Hanson departed Mackinac Sunday, October 18, after spending a month at the Windermere Hotel. Have a great winter.

The feeling of Halloween is in the air at the Gough “Big House” on Cadotte Avenue. Lining the front steps are pumpkins of every size and description, all carved with faces in different expressions. It’s a great scene.

Robert Chambers was home for the weekend from Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, and his sister, Emma Chambers, was also home from Ferris State University in Big Rapids. Robert attended the soccer game with the Mackinac Island Lakers hosting the Beaver Island team. Go Lakers!

Thursday, October 15, my good friend, Albert “Buck” Sharrow, took Mike Young’s beautiful hackneys, Willie, Charlie, Prince, and Lady, to their winter home in Frankenmuth. I had a wonderful summer going on carriage rides with Buck and Alice and the beautiful horses. Our last ride was on Leslie Avenue with the trees in a blaze of autumn glory. It truly was a great time.

Anna and Tim Timmons left Mackinac Tuesday, October 13, for their winter home in Palm City, Florida. We wish you a restful, healthy winter.

We extend deepest sympathy to Pat Ramsay of St. Ignace on the recent death of her father, who lived in Traverse City.

We send best wishes to Gloria Davenport of St. Ignace, who suffered a bad fall at her home and is a patient at Mackinac Straits Hospital.

Over the last few weeks we’ve had some very windy weather, which caused three big trees on Cadotte Avenue to blow down. It’s a shame to see these old trees destroyed. In front of The Island House, a large tree was also damaged by the heavy winds. The gales of November have come early this year.

I was very pleased Saturday, October 17, to meet Louie Bunker of St. Ignace, who was spending the day on Mackinac. He was on his way to meet his friends at The Gate House.

I received a phone call Sunday, October 18, from my good friend, Captain Paul Allers, who was under the Mackinac Bridge aboard the John Sherwin along with Captain John Wellington, Preston Allers, and Mike Nichols. The ship was being towed by the tug, Mary Page Hannah, from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, to DeTour. They passed through Round Island Passage at 3 p.m. It was great to hear from the sailors.

Enjoy your week!