Erica Laysell (left) and Lily Freel heft the fish they caught near Cedarville Saturday, March 6. Mrs. Laysell's whopper of a pike measured at 33-7/8 inches. Miss Freel also caught a 28.5-pound smallmouth bass that day. A much needed rain and strong winds enveloped the Eastern Upper Peninsula over the weekend, getting rid of much of the dirty snow and really opening up Cedarville Channel. What fun it is to see the swans swimming out there once again. It won’t be long before someone will launch a boat. I remember the days when my husband, Con, launched a metal boat as soon as the ice moved from our docks. It was a “rite of spring” for him each year, when he helped Mother Nature move the ice out of Cedarville Bay. We always found that the ice left the bay around April 15 each year, and always planned to open our cottages at that time. This year it’s at least a month early.

We hope all fishermen have removed their ice shanties from the ice. I did hear of one that blew off the ice and into the open water last week.

News from Pickerington, Ohio, came from Phyllis DeLooff, who now lives in that city, telling of an honor that was bestowed upon her brother, Bill Ackerman, whom most of us remember. Bill and Marge Ackerman owned and operated that wonderful Hessel Bakery several years ago. It seems that Bill, during the past 10 years, has been busy in Ohio delivering Meals on Wheels in the county where he lives. Bill has recently retired from that job and is now facing health issues. Everyone loves Bill down there, as they did here, and our prayers go out to Bill and Marge. You may send greetings to Bill at the following address: 972 Clayton Drive, Lancaster, Ohio 43130.

The next soup and sandwich luncheon will be Thursday, March 18, at noon at First Union Church. There is no charge for this homemade luncheon and all are welcome. If one wishes to contribute, or help, please call Rose Miller at (906) 484-2519.

News from the John Duncan family is that John is slowly improving and everyone is happy to hear that. We’re all thinking and praying for John and Carol.

Happy anniversary wishes to Tom and Karen Moore March 18 and Ken and Sue Drenth March 20. Both of these couples have contributed so much to our community.