As we enter January, we’ve experienced some very cold temperatures, but not much snow. We could really use more snow for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and sledding. The mighty Huron was forced to end operations for the season Friday morning, January 8, owing to heavy ice that blew into the St. Ignace harbor. We wish Captain Keith Duffton and crew a restful vacation. Air service is provided to the Island by Great Lakes Air, with Paul Fullerton and his pilots, from the Mackinac County Airport in St. Ignace.

Wednesday morning, January 6, a fire broke out on North State Street in St. Ignace and the Mackinac Island Fire Department was called to assist the St. Ignace Fire Department with manpower. The first alarm company sent to help was Lieutenant Jason St. Onge, Sergeant Larry Rickley, Corporal Ben Mosley, and firefighters Sam Barnwell and Bobby Roach. They were transported by airplane. They entered the building twice, before general concern of building collapse moved all operations outdoors. The second alarm company to respond was Chief Dennis Bradley, firefighters Travis Vartanian, James Bazinaw, and Steve Zacharis, and auxiliary firefighter Bob Winskas. The first company returned to the Island on the 11 a.m. boat and the second company stayed until noon. The remaining members of the department stayed on Mackinac Island. We are proud of our firefighters who are always available to answer the call.

A very happy 90th birthday to Kay Williams, who celebrated January 9. Kay is Father Jim Williams’ mother. Best wishes from Island friends.

Teen night will be every Saturday at Ste. Anne’s Hall from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Students in eighth through 12th grade are welcome to attend.

Christmas was celebrated Saturday, December 26, at George and Almeda Bodwin’s home in Manton, with more than 46 people in attendance. A wonderful time was enjoyed by all.

Mark your calendar for the annual Winter Festival Saturday, February 6, and Sunday, February 7. A variety of activities are planned.

Happy birthday January 16 to Justin Barber of Mackinaw City. Enjoy your day.

Dr. Bill and Sue Chambers left Mackinac Saturday, January 9, for Minnesota. They will spend several days there.

Jennifer Bloswick, director of Human Resources at Grand Hotel, left Mackinac Sunday, January 10, for Utah, where she will recruit employees for the 2010 season.

Friday, January 8, the Lakers had a home game with Hannahville from Escanaba. Dennis Brodeur attended the game to watch his granddaughter, Morgan Brodeur-Bunker, play on the girls team. The girls won both games. Dennis later stopped by the Mustang Lounge to enjoy a fish fry. It was great to see him out.

Mary Ball will celebrate her birthday January 17. Enjoy your day.

The Michael Straus family from East Lansing arrived Friday, January 8, to enjoy the weekend at their lovely home in Hubbard’s Annex and to visit Dr. Fran and Lorna Straus.

Peggy Cowell didn’t go to Green Bay, Wisconsin, for the winter. She is enjoying her home on Mackinac.

We send best wishes to Larry Parel, who has not been feeling his best.

Harold Jonas, head of security at Mission Point Resort, will celebrate his birthday January 21. Have a great day.

The Mackinac Island Lions Club bingo is every Tuesday night at the Community Hall.

Happy birthday to Willie Fisher and Mary Dufina January 16. Have a great day.

Betty BeDour and her faithful companion, Buddy, departed Mackinac Thursday, January 7, for Harrison, where she will spend the winter.

Bob Gale enjoyed visiting the Island this past weekend.

Friday, January 15, the Soo Locks will close for the season, so many freighters are passing through the Round Island Passage to meet the deadline.

Kathi Wightman left Mackinac Saturday, January 9, to take her daughter, Danielle, and Arial Leeper back to Michigan State University. Kathi will then travel to Detroit to spend a week with her sister.

Students returning to college after the holidays are Emma Chambers and Fuller Cowell to Ferris State University, Kyle Sweet and Tyler Finkel to Michigan State University, Eric Cowell and Michael Gamble to Saginaw Valley State University, Robert Chambers, Darcy Brodeur- Bunker, and Caleb Straight to Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, and Roxanne and Jason Pettit to Grand Valley State University. Good luck in your spring semester.

Happy birthday to Kitty Horn January 19. Enjoy your day.

Everyone is invited to a spaghetti dinner Wednesday, January 20, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Community Hall. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children age 12 and younger. The dinner will benefit the Stained Glass Restoration Fund at Ste. Anne’s Church. Come and enjoy great food and fun.

Ed and Nancy Pfeiffelman returned to Mackinac Thursday, January 7, after Nancy’s knee surgery and visiting their son, Edson, in Colorado. It’s nice to see you back on the Island.

We wish a very happy birthday January 20 to Nancy Clifton Cripe of Indianapolis, Indiana. Have a wonderful day.

We send get well wishes to Clark Smith of St. Ignace, who assists passengers at Great Lakes Air. Clark is recovering from surgery at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. Please remember him with a card. Special greetings from Island friends.

Donald “Duck” Andress will celebrate his birthday January 21. Have a great day.

The Jim Morse family has a new addition, a new German short-hair pointer named Lola. I’m sure the boys are thrilled.

The Discovery Channel will broadcast three “Dirty Jobs” episodes featuring Michigan, Mackinac Island, and Grand Hotel as follows: Tuesday, January 26, Soo Locks; Tuesday, February 9, Grand Hotel, and Tuesday, February 23, Dirty Jobs on Mackinac Island.

One of my greatest pleasures during the winter is to provide a daily meal for the large flock of ducks that come to feed at our back deck. They are beautiful birds and I enjoy watching them each day.

Let it snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!