The spirit of the new year reigned on Mackinac as crowds of people arrived to celebrate on the Island. The weather cooperated, providing snow for skiing, snowmobiling, and to enhance the winter beauty of Mackinac, decorated in its holiday splendor. With the crowds, it resembled a day in summer on the Arnold dock and the main street. Many shops opened, and the Village Inn, Patrick Sinclair’s Irish Pub, and the Mustang Lounge provided food and entertainment. Doud’s Market had extended hours for the long weekend. Pontiac Lodge, Bogan Lane Inn, Cottage Inn, Mission Point Resort, and many other rental units were filled for the long weekend. Three weddings were held on the Island, with one holding their reception at the Mustang Lounge. Thursday, December 31, as the mighty Huron was entering the harbor carrying a crowd of visitors, a salute was heard in the Round Island Passage as the ore carrier Roger Blough was eastbound. The Huron was decorated for the season with a tree in the bow and colored lights lining the deck. It was an amazing sight. More than 30 people gathered at Fort Holmes New Year’s Eve at midnight to watch the new year come in and to view the beautiful blue moon. The temperature dipped to 10 degrees below zero Saturday, January 2. The Huron had difficulty getting out of the St. Ignace harbor Sunday, January 3. It is winter on Mackinac.

Having lived on Mackinac my entire life, the holidays here are a special time for me. During the Christmas season, I received a call from my dear friend, Judge Ned Fenlon, and his son, Dr. Michael Fenlon, from Long Beach, California. We were talking on a speaker phone, so I was able to tell him about his many friends on the Island and in the area where he was circuit court judge for many years. He is now 107 years old. It was a wonderful visit.

Jason St. Onge’s band, Tricky Dickie and the Spoonmen, played at the Mustang Lounge Wednesday, December 30, and Thursday, December 31. Everyone had a great time.

Ann and Les Parrish and their daughters spent several days enjoying winter on Mackinac.

Mike Iles of 7th Heaven Salon is spending 10 days in Lansing. The shop will reopen Thursday, January 14.

Happy belated birthday to Richard Bolander December 27.

Karen and Jack Barnwell celebrated their first wedding anniversary December 19.

The proceeds of the Christmas Bazaar were divided among Ste. Anne’s, Mackinac Island Bible Church, Trinity Church, Little Stone Church, and the Mackinac Island Medical Center, and I am happy to report that they each received $8,000.

Chief Jim and Nancy Marks entertained members of their family between Christmas and New Year’s.

Meals on Snowmobiles deliveries began Tuesday, January 5. This is a great service for many senior citizens who live on the Island. Anyone wishing to donate to this program may send a contribution to: Nancy Marks, Ste. Anne’s Church, Mackinac Island, Michigan 49757.

Between Christmas and New Year’s, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from Bill Chambers and his wife, Helen, from Northbrook, Illinois. I’ve not heard from him in 35 years. Bill is the son of the late Edward Chambers of Chicago and a brother of the late Jack Chambers of Mackinac. He is now retired from Schwinn Bicycle Company. Bill is the grandson of the late “Cannonball Bill Chambers,” who was the owner of the famous Cannonball Restaurant at British Landing, which was known for its home-cooked chicken dinners and fresh vegetables he grew in the garden by the restaurant. Wonderful memories!

The Mike Carley family enjoyed the Christmas holiday with Deb’s parents, Cal and Mary Rogers, in St. Ignace. They also visited Mona Carley in Sault Ste. Marie.

Karen Allen traveled to Florida to visit her mother for the holidays. I’m sure she had fun in the sun.

Bob and Bev Benjamin celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary December 27. Their daughter, Jane, and her family visited them over Christmas in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Kelly Bean, with her daughters, Hailey and Mackenzie, and Beau Bielinski visited Beau’s family in Denmark, Wisconsin, for the New Year holiday. Happy birthday to Hailey January 12. Have a great day.

We’ve had several wildlife sightings. Betty BeDour reports seeing a very large Arctic owl near her home on the East Bluff. Eagles are seen daily flying over the Island.

Joan Barch has returned to her home in Woodbluff after spending time with her mother in Palm City, Florida. Joan had many nice visits with Tim and Ann Timmons during her stay in Florida.

Tami Erskine of Weber’s Floral in St. Ignace will celebrate her birthday January 10. Have a wonderful day.

There was an art show Tuesday, December 29, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Mackinac Island Public Library. The featured artists were Becki Barnwell, Pam Finkel, Tim Leeper, and Claudette Roth. Refreshments were served as folks viewed the art pieces.

Dr. Karen Miljour spent the New Year holiday with her husband in Powers doing what they both enjoy, ice fishing. Dr. Richard Hodgman from Kalkaska was the doctor in residence here. He and his family had a great time celebrating New Year’s on Mackinac.

School resumed Monday, January 4, and we give the new superintendent, David Waaso, a warm welcome. Mr. Waaso came to Mackinac from South Haven. Interim Superintendent Michael Bootz of Mackinaw City will assist Mr. Waaso for the time being.

Happy birthday to Greg Main January 3. Hope you enjoyed your day.

Margaret and Mary K. McIntire traveled to Mexico for the Christmas holiday and spent New Year’s in Key West, Florida. I’m sure they’re enjoying the warm weather.

Anna Mary and Gary Cusack of Petoskey entertained Gary’s sisters and their families, Gordon and Kay Robke of East Lansing and Keith and Mary Jo Singles of Auburn Hills. Kate Koboski and family of Petoskey joined her parents in the New Year’s festivities.

Many summer residents seen enjoying the New Year’s holiday here were Sam and Barb Kovalak, Dr. Tom McGovern and family, Tim and Sherri Plutchak, Dr. Don Goeckel and Dr. Diane Weidner, Dr. Robert Spitzer and family, the Tom Lockwoods, Carol Erbel, Mary Jane Barnwell, Willie Barnwell, Nancy Marsteller, the Joe Brandonisio family, and Jim and Michelle Reitman.

Marsha and Chuck Kleber enjoyed having nine houseguests with them for a week over the Christmas holiday, coming from New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Florida, and Michigan. Three of their four children were with them, Drexel and Kendra Kleber and Kari Martin, along with five grandchildren, Hadley, Justis, Kellson, Lyrik, and Macklin, and Kendra’s friend, Katie Oppenheim. They all enjoyed good food, sledding, and spending time with family. It’s the first Christmas Marsha and Chuck have spent on Mackinac in 17 years. They have usually traveled to see the grandchildren, so this was extra special to have the group on Mackinac.

Larry Parel entertained the ladies of Mackinac Friday, January 1, at his home in Edgewood. It was a nice gathering with wonderful food and lots of laughs. Everyone had a great time.

Tom Pfeiffelmann and Linda Bennett of St. Ignace spent several days on Mackinac between Christmas and New Year’s. The Mike North family joined them for one night at their home in the Mission.

We send special get well wishes to Carrie Wellington, who has not been feeling her best.

Game night will be Thursday nights at 7 p.m. at Ste. Anne’s Hall. Come and join in the fun.

Craft night will be Wednesday nights at 7 p.m. at the Mackinac Island Public Library. Everyone is welcome.

Tim Leeper left Mackinac Sunday, January 3, for California. He started his cross-country bicycle trip Monday, January 4, from California to Florida, to raise money for breast cancer research. It’s an exciting adventure and everyone on the Island wishes him safe travels.

Mass was celebrated Friday, January 1, at 5 p.m. at Ste. Anne’s Church. Father Don Libby of Traverse City was among those involved in officiating, and John Kissane provided beautiful music. The service was very well attended.

Trish and Alice Martin entertained many family members over the Christmas holiday, including Alice’s brother and his family, Don and Barbara Libby from Grand Rapids. It was a wonderful family gathering to celebrate the holidays.

Craig and Paula Starkweather entertained family and friends at Mission Point Resort New Year’s Eve at a gathering with wonderful food and great conversation. Everyone enjoyed a super time.

Tony Doud and his sister, Lisa, and family spent the New Year’s holiday on Mackinac visiting family and friends.

Sara Wessel is visiting friends in Dallas, Houston, and Galveston, Texas. She attended the football game Sunday, January 3, against the Texans and Patriots in Houston at Reliant Stadium. She had tickets for seats on the 50-yard line. What a thrill.

We send get well wishes to Jeff “Beef” Gamble, who has returned to his home in St. Ignace. He has a long recovery ahead from his serious accident he suffered aboard the Wilfred Sykes. Island friends send special greetings.

There is euchre every Monday night at the Mustang Lounge.

Keep warm!