Saturday evening, November 7, Lee Kerridge was guest of honor at his 75th birthday party, hosted by his family. He was told he would be attending a firemen’s dinner, but as the door opened and friends and family were singing “Happy Birthday,” he was overwhelmed, to put it mildly. The venture, undertaken by his daughter-in-law, Deb, was handled easily with help from his daughters, JoAnn Kerridge Kinkella and her husband, Curt, of Higgins Lake, Sue Crittenden of Alpena, Deb Kerridge Carlson and her husband, Bill, of Manistique, and Cindy Niskala of Garnet. Also lending a hand were his sons, Don, Larry, and Steve. Guests included grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and sisters and brothers-in-law. Among that group were Jennifer and Elizabeth Barnhill of Alpena, Lee Barnhill of Alpena, Whitney and Lance Kerridge of Escanaba, Brad and Stephanie Carlson of Manistique, Chuck and Christie Mattson, Dale and Becky Mattson of Germfask, Bev Hoerz Archambeau and family of Paradise, Eugene and Carol Peters and John and Jennifer Peters, all of Escanaba, Lee’s sisters, Lil Hoerz and a friend, Nial, of Manistique, Gay Mattson of Germfask, and a brother-in-law, Dee Peters, of Escanaba. There was still room for friends and neighbors from the surrounding areas. His wife, Lenora, said it wasn’t easy trying to convince Lee they didn’t have to be there right at the opening bell.

Enjoying some getaway time were Chris and Yvonne Maison, who traveled to Georgia to the home of Yvonne’s brother and sister in-law, Larry and Julie Derusha.

Hello to Wayne and Barb Riley, who are here for a short time from Wisconsin.

A few area folks are headed south, even before the snow flies. Happy wintering to Ron and Frances Jones and Don and Diane Conrad.

Continued get well wishes to Don Kerridge and Al Garavaglia, who reported a quick response from Kelly Nightlinger, Deputy Dustin Stempki, and Al Dyer, when he had the misfortune of falling from his roof. He says he is on the mend, although it may take some time.

Jeannie Donovan also had the misfortune of taking a tumble off her porch, and a neighbor stopped to help her.

There will be a fish fry and donkey basketball game Friday evening, November 13, at Engadine High School. The game begins at 7 p.m. to benefit the band program.

There will be a hunters dinner Saturday, November 14, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hudson Township Hall. Cost is $7, with proceeds going to the “Rock for Life” concert to be held next summer.

There will be a benefit spaghetti dinner Saturday, November 14, in Manistique for Sophia Stephenson, infant daughter of Junior and Cindy (nee Montgomery) Stephenson. The dinner will begin at 2 p.m. and will feature an auction, raffle, and karaoke. Cost is $5 for adults and $2.50 for children age 12 and younger. Sophia was born in September, weighing just 1 pound, 6 ounces. She is still hospitalized. Her grandmother is Mary Ellen Stephenson of Rexton.

According to Hudson Township Supervisor Alan Garavaglia, the contract for the 9.9 miles of road to be redone, which includes South Borgstrom Road and Hiawatha Trail, has been signed, resulting in much needed improvements to be done next year.

Birthday wishes, some belated, to Harold Benoit, Zeak DeWyse, and David Slack, who celebrated their birthdays November 8, Bob Konle and Tim Mast November 9, Mark Livermore November 11, neighborhood jewels, Chris Maison and Lee Kerridge, November 12, Rosie Prater November 13, and Bernice Hood November 14.

Anniversary wishes to Bob and Sandy Quinn, who celebrated November 9.

A reminder if you are involved in the Shoebox Ministry for the children at Christmas, the boxes must be ready by Sunday, November 15, at the Rexton Mennonite Church.

Condolences to the family of Avis Sanders Skeens, who passed away last week at the home of her sister, Lorraine Carter, in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Avis and her sister, Evelyn Selby, were visiting with Lorraine, whom Avis had not seen in 37 years. Here for the memorial service Monday, November 9, were sisters Darlene Underhill and Lola Carter, and her nieces, Kathy Underhill and Rachel Johnston, and a friend, Kevin, all here from Mecosta County.

Condolences also to the family members of my uncle, Dick Cornell, whose folks were Plinny and Bertha (nee Marshall) Cornell, who long ago lived in Allenville. Aunt Loreta Cornell, whom Uncle Dick married 64 years ago, resides in Auburn Hills.