Indian summer has finally reached Mackinac. Our weather has been beautiful, with bright sunshine, warm temperatures, and calm winds. The sunsets have been awesome, with vibrant colors of red, yellow, and pinks visible behind the Mackinac Bridge. The reflection on the Straits of Mackinac is breathtaking. The nice weather is expected to continue for at least another week. It is so enjoyable after the terrible weather we experienced in October.

We extend deepest sympathy to the family of Adelaide Donnelly Oenning of Chicago, who passed away this past week. She was an aunt to Kay Hoppenrath of Mackinac and Jack Welcher of Rudyard.

The mighty Huron of Arnold Transit has been providing service to Mackinac Island since Monday, November 2. It’s great to see it all painted and ready for the fall and winter season.

We send special get well wishes to Lulabelle D’Arce, who is a patient at Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace. She would love to hear from her many friends on Mackinac.

Tables were packed as St. Ignace residents sat down to an early Thanksgiving dinner at LaSalle High School Thursday, November 5, at the 94th annual turkey dinner the United Methodist Church prepared. Happy birthday to Katrina Platzke November 15. I’m sure Dakota will help you blow your candles out.

Congratulations to Wendy Crowley, manager of Seabiscuit, who gave birth to Nolan Wilson Crowley, Thursday, November 5, at Otsego Memorial Hospital in Gaylord. He weighed 10 pounds, 3 ounces at birth and measured 21.5 inches in length. Little Nolan will be welcomed home by his two-yearold sister, Grace.

Morgan Brodeur-Bunker celebrated her birthday November 9. Hope you had a great day.

The Chapman, St. Onge, Dankowski Post 299 will hold a Veterans Day service Wednesday, November 11, at 11 a.m. at Mackinac Island Public School. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Happy birthday to Dr. Mike Bacon November 11. Enjoy your day.

Jody, Maggie, Clara, and Emma Chambers traveled to Chicago to visit Richard, who is employed by Echo Global Logistics. They had a great time, especially visiting the Lincoln Park Zoo. The temperature was 75 degrees. They also stopped to visit Robert at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City. He is anxious to start playing hockey.

Savannah Smith, granddaughter of Rosemary Kompsi, will celebrate her birthday November 20. Have a great day.

Trish Martin is taking pre-orders for wreaths and garland for the Christmas Bazaar. Call Trish at (906) 847-3439 and leave your order.

Ed and Nona Chambers attended the Penn Street reunion in Dearborn over the weekend. The Chambers family lived on Penn Street for many years.

Sandra and Debra Orr left Mackinac this past week for their winter home in Naples, Florida. They plan to fly to Australia to visit their sister, Marsha, who is teaching there. Have a nice winter.

Many Island men are traveling to Bois Blanc Island, preparing their hunting camps for opening day Sunday, November 15. Others will go to the mainland to hunt. We wish everyone good luck, and please be safe.

R.D. Musser, chairman of Grand Hotel, spent Thursday, November 5, touring Grand Hotel in preparation for the 2010 season. He left Mackinac Friday, November 6, for his home in Laingsburg.

Jason St. Onge and his friend, Shannon Tort, are enjoying a vacation in Marco Island, Florida.

Howard and Jane Burdette sold their home in Hubbard’s Annex and will be leaving Mackinac. We extend best wishes to them from many Island friends.

Many Grand Hotel employees are once again spending the winter on Mackinac. It is so nice to have them on the Island.

Friday evening, December 4, after the community Christmas tree lighting, join us at the fire hall for the presale for our annual Christmas Bazzar rummage sale. Hot dogs, hot chocolate, and cookies will be available for sale. Used clothing, used furniture, books, toys, and other items will be available for sale. Cost of items is by donation. If you have items to be dropped off for the sale, contact Kelly Bean at 847-6556.

Father Rey Garcia, pastor at Ste. Anne’s, left Mackinac Monday, November 9, to visit his sister in Dallas, Texas.

With the warm temperatures and sunny days, contractors are taking advantage of the weather to catch up on many outdoor projects. Monday, November 9, Mike Gamble’s crew could be seen putting a new roof on the Mussers’ Corner Cottage.

Andrew Doud, Nicole Smith, Sam Barnwell, and his friend, Lisa Wilson, are enjoying a vacation in Mexico.

Sunday evening, November 8, Dennis Brodeur joined friends at the Mustang Lounge for food, music, and lots of story-telling. Father Rey Garcia joined the group and played many songs on his guitar. A great time was enjoyed by everyone.

Jack Landress is moving his Lilacs and Lace gift shop into the former Mackinac Lapidary shop in the Carrousel Mall. He has made many improvements and is looking forward to displaying many different forms of art in his new store in the spring.

At a Halloween party Saturday, October 24, at the Moose Lodge in St. Ignace, Brady William Hardy was named a contest winner for his costume. Little Brady was dressed as a Michigan State Police trooper. He is the son of Vanessa and Ken Hardy, Jr. of Mackinac and grandson of Ken and Nancy Hardy of St. Ignace and Candy Smith and the late William Smith of Mackinac.

While on the dock in St. Ignace Monday afternoon, November 9, I had the pleasure of meeting my cousin, Bud Chambers, whom I had not seen in a long time.We had a great visit, talking about old times on Mackinac with his brothers, Jim and Bill, and sister, Sally. It was so nice to see Bud.

Friday, November 6, Tony, Tammy, and Cassie Frazier of Cheboygan traveled to Mackinac to visit Ken, Vanessa, and Brady Hardy for the weekend. They celebrated Ken’s 40th birthday Saturday, November 7.

Good luck to all hunters!