We are experiencing unusual weather for this time of the year, with mild temperatures, blue skies, no wind, and bright sunshine. Reports are that the tulips in front of Grand Hotel are about an inch out of the ground. Kay Hoppenrath reports that her snow drops are in bloom in her yard. This week people were still trying to ride snowmobiles, as well as walk, or ride bikes. The sunrises and sunsets have been breathtaking, with beams shining down on the iceshrouded Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge. Nights remain cold, so there is still a lot of ice between Mackinac and St. Ignace. Spring is certainly in the air early this year. We always get a storm around St. Patrick’s Day, so we will probably have some more winter weather.

Big news! The Soo Locks will open four days early this year, in response to requests by shippers eager to meet increased demands because of an improved business climate, the U.S. Corps of Engineers announced Friday, March 5. The Poe Lock will open Sunday, March 21, at 7 a.m. to officially start the commercial shipping season for 2010.

We extend deepest sympathy to Susan Horn on the death of her beloved mother, Marie Falconer, Sunday, March 7, in Kalamazoo. Island friends send best wishes to Susan and her family.

We received word Tuesday morning, March 9, of the death of Betty McGreevy Bur, who died at her home in Cheboygan Monday evening, March 8. Island friends send deepest sympathy to the family. A complete obituary will be published in an upcoming issue of The St. Ignace News.

Hope to see everyone at the St. Patrick’s dinner Saturday, March 13, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Community Hall. There will be raffles, door prizes, lots of laughs, and plenty of fun.

Island friends congratulate Phil Porter on his appointment as chairman of the Bicentennial Commission for the Commemoration of the War of 1812.

Happy birthday to Melissa Bunker March 14. Have a great day.

Father Rey Garcia left Mackinac Monday, March 8, for a three-week trip to the Philippines to visit his family.

Dr. Karen Miljour, Betty BeDour, and Urvana Morse returned Monday, March 8, from a week in Sarasota, Florida. Dr. Karen attended a continuing education conference.

A very happy birthday to Alice Myron March 20. Have a wonderful day.

“Armin’s Army,” featuring Jason St. Onge, Myke Rise, and Tom Chambers, entertained folks Saturday evening, March 6, at the Mustang Lounge. A great time was enjoyed by all.

Dr. Fran Straus will celebrate his birthday March 16. Best wishes from Island friends.

Students home for spring break are Woody Beardsley from Michigan Technological University, Arial Leeper, Danielle Wightman, Tyler Finkel, and Kyle Sweet from Michigan State University, Emma Chambers from Ferris State University, and Roxanne and Jason Pettit from Grand Valley State University. Enjoy your vacation.

Brenda Bunker and Clay Fuller left Mackinac Saturday, March 6, for a month’s vacation in Florida visiting Clay’s father. Jennifer Bloswick will join them Thursday, March 11, for a long weekend. Have fun in the sun.

Val Porter celebrated her birthday March 4, and what a present she received, a new grandson. Little Evan Joseph Porter was born Thursday, March 4, weighing 7 pounds, 15 ounces. Proud parents are Will and Steffanie Porter. Proud grandparents are Val and Phil Porter and great-grandparents are Bill and Lornie Porter. Evan is joined at home by his big brother, Liam. Congratulations from Island friends.

Trish Bunker, Pat Shannon, David Lapine, and Pat Driscoll will celebrate their birthdays March 17. Enjoy your day.

We will begin to see more freighter traffic through the Round Island Passage as boats come out of layup. The tug Joyce Van Enkevort and barge Great Lakes Trader and the Joseph L. Block left Escanaba the first week in March, heading down Lake Michigan loaded with iron ore. It will be exciting to see more vessels passing through the Straits of Mackinac.

We are very proud of the Mackinac Island Lakers girls and boys basketball teams and the coaching staff. They had a great season. Jason St. Onge entertained everyone at a pizza party Sunday evening, March 7, at the Mustang Lounge. A good time was enjoyed by all.

A very happy birthday to Steve Moskwa March 19. Have a great day.

Gabriel Hepker celebrated his birthday March 5 with a party at Ste. Anne’s Hall. He and his brother, Jeremy, built a wonderful snowman by the Grand Hotel apartments on Market Street. It caught everyone’s attention.

Congratulations to Colton Fisher for being mentioned in the UP Catholic newspaper about his dedication as an altar server at Ste. Anne’s Church.

It is so nice to see Dennis Brodeur visiting with friends and enjoying the fish fry at the Mustang Lounge Friday evenings.

Patty Satterlee and Jane Simmons will celebrate their birthdays March 20. Enjoy your day.

Walter Kitter, a private tour driver for Mackinac Island Carriage Tours in the summer, was a guest at Bogan Lane Inn for three nights. It was the first time that he had visited Mackinac in the winter and he enjoyed visiting all his friends on the Island. He is house-sitting for Dr. Al Sibinic in Charlevoix and will return to Mackinac in mid-April.

Dan Seeley joined family members in celebrating his grandmother’s 100th birthday February 22 in Hillsdale. Everyone had a great time.

Mike Iles, Jay Porcaro, and Nancy LaFerier spent the weekend in Grand Rapids visiting Michelle Dean.

Dan Wightman and Mark Chambers have been busy installing new transformers behind Grand Hotel.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!