The weather on Christmas Eve, as folks attended the 5 p.m. service of Lessons and Carols at Trinity and the 8 p.m. Mass at Ste. Anne’s, was a mixture of half rain and half snow. The roads were icy. In spite of the conditions outdoors, the warm Christmas spirit was alive on Mackinac.

Both church services were well attended. Peggy Bynoe provided the music at Trinity and Ste. Anne’s. During the 8 p.m. Mass, Robin Dorman sang “O Holy Night,” and the altars were bedecked for the holy season as Father Rey Garcia and Deacon Dean Hermann officiated. At the beginning of the service, little Dominic Morse played Joseph, and Lily Schoenborn portrayed Mary, as they brought the baby Jesus to the manger. Nearing the end of the Mass, bells rang and a special guest appeared, Santa Claus. The little ones were just thrilled to have a visit from him as he made his rounds on Christmas Eve. Refreshments followed in the church hall.

Mackinac Island students traveled to Put-in-Bay, Ohio, to compete against the Panthers in basketball Friday, December 11. Standing in front of the Put-in-Bay School are (front, from left) Todd Fridline, Colton Fisher, Adrienne Rilenge, Jessica Beaune, Amelia Roe, Halee Tokarz; (back) Hailey Bean, Paul Fisher, Zhan’e Nash, Coach Jim Fisher, Maggie Chambers, Anthony Rickley, Morgan Brodeur-Bunker, Collin Armstrong, Marie Bunker, Thomas Rilenge, Tymon Horn, Hailey Armstrong, Tyler Joseph, Jane Finkel, Ashley Gough, Holly Leedke, and Coach Mary Patay. (Photograph courtesy of Barb Fridline) Christmas Day brought terrific rain, which made the roads almost impassable. It was truly a terrible day, with a strong southeast wind. The only way we could get out to Mark Chamber’s house for Christmas dinner was on the snowmobile. The police car couldn’t even travel the roads. Coming home about 9:30 p.m., a downpour made for more difficult traveling. It was quite an adventure.

Kathleen, Larry, Makayla, and Anthony Rickley traveled to Montana to spend the holidays with Kathleen’s family.

John Shelton, the husband of Margie Maurer Shelton, who grew up during the summers on Mackinac Island, passed away Saturday, December 26. He was 68 and had cancer. The couple have a home in the Ann Arbor area.

Island friends send special greetings to Mr. and Mrs. Steve Harper, who will celebrate their wedding anniversary January 1.

Jennifer and Frank Bloswick, Jr. spent Christmas in Traverse City with Jennifer’s parents. They will also join Jennifer’s family for the New Year’s festivities.

Happy birthday to Louie Bunker of St. Ignace January 2, and to his sister, Alice Bloswick, January 3. Enjoy your day.

Nicole Smith and Andrew Doud enjoyed celebrating Christmas with Nicole’s family in St. Johns. Nicole and Andrew have a new addition to their family, Charlie, an eight-week-old yellow Labrador and huskie mix. He is really a cute little puppy.

Ste. Anne’s Church is in the process of restoring some of the antique stained glass windows. Full Spectrum Stained Glass from Colon was awarded the contract and workers came to the Island and removed several windows, which they will restore over the winter.

Happy birthday January 3 to Dean Gillespie, Sr. Have a great day.

Pat and Audrey Chambers of Muskegon visited his brother and sister-in-law, Ed and Nona Chambers, Wednesday, December 23. They were on their way to Alpena to spend Christmas with Audrey’parents.

Sarah Dehring joined her parents, Jack and Dorothy, for the holidays. Sarah is an assistant volleyball coach in Indiana.

We extend deepest sympathy to Louie Leveille of St. Ignace on the recent death of his brother, William, in Oregon.

Ron and Mary Dufina traveled to Detroit to join the McCourt family for Christmas.

Dan Wightman and Caleb Kolatski of Mackinac and Deana St. Onge of Remus will celebrate their birthdays January 6. Enjoy your day.

Eric Weber of Traverse City spent the holidays on Mackinac visiting family and friends.

The Brad Chambers family of Petoskey joined Dr. Bill and Sue Chambers Tuesday, December 22, for an early Christmas celebration.

Dennis and Jackie Bradley entertained all three of their children, David and family from Kentucky, Dennis, Jr. and family from New York, and Doris and family from Grand Rapids for the Christmas holiday. Saturday, December 26, the whole group joined Jackie’s parents, Almeda and George Bodwin, in Manton for more Christmas festivities.

Everyone had a wonderful time.

Dr. Fran and Lorna Straus arrived on Mackinac Monday, December 28, for the New Year holiday. They will be joined by their son, Francis, and the Michael Straus family.

Pat and Mary Anne Shannon of Sault Ste. Marie entertained their sons at their lovely cottage in Trillium Heights for the holidays.

Ellen Putnam and Sara Putnam had a great time visiting Jennifer Putnam, Luke Shellhorne, and little Owen Richard in Echo Bay, Ontario, for Christmas. They have a new addition to the family, a yellow Labrador named “Blue,” which Owen just loves. Everyone had a great time.

Many folks are arriving to celebrate New Year’s on Mackinac. Folks are staying at the Bogan Lane Inn, Cottage Inn, Mission Point Resort, Pontiac Lodge, and other accommodations. Special menus and music will be provided at the Village Inn, Mustang Lounge, and Patrick Sinclair’s Irish Pub. There will be lots of festivities on the Island.

Dr. Tom McGovern and family of Fort Wayne, Indiana, are enjoying their beautiful home in Forest Bluff.

Paul, Amy, Jackson, and Parker Ellinger of Canton enjoyed the Christmas holiday with Amy’s parents, Richard and Jackie Bolander. Jackson and Parker had a great time visiting Santa at Ste. Anne’s Christmas Eve and sledding on the Mission Hill.

Blisse Beardsley of Ann Arbor joined her mother, Tess Beardsley, and family for the Christmas holiday.

Lornie Porter celebrated her birthday Sunday, December 27, surrounded by her three sons, Armin, Phil, and Matt, and daughter, Julie, and their families. A special time was enjoyed by everyone.

The Tom Lockwoods were happy spending the holidays at their cottage in Woodbluff.

Happy birthday to Robert “Porky” Lapine January 8. Have a wonderful day.

Lake Sweet of Denver, Colorado, joined her family on Mackinac for the holidays.

We send special greetings to Marilyn and Chris McCready in Cheboygan. Chris will return in the spring to her position in the office on the Arnold Dock. Have a healthy, happy winter and a great New Year.

Roxanne Pettit joined the Jim Pettit family for the holidays. Roxanne will return to Grand Valley State University in January.

Anna Mary and Gary Cusack of Petoskey are enjoying the New Year holiday at their home on Lakeshore Drive.

Tim Hickey of Green Bay, Wisconsin, is visiting Mel and Gene Hagenbaugh on Mackinac.

A delightful holiday gathering was held Monday evening, December 28, at the Brodeur- Bunker home in the Mission. It was wonderful to see Dennis Brodeur visiting with his many friends.

We send special get well wishes to Clayton St. Onge, who is a patient at Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care facility in St. Ignace.

Bob St. Onge of St. Ignace was the guest of the Paul Wandrie family for the Christmas holiday.

There will be a 5 p.m. Mass at Ste. Anne’s Friday, January 1.

May your New Year be filled with good health, happiness, and peace!