The big news is Arnold Line made the first trip of the season Monday, March 15. It was an absolutely gorgeous day with bright sunshine, and the Straits of Mackinac was like glass with hardly any ice when the mighty Huron steamed into the dock on Mackinac. It picked up passengers and then returned to the mainland. There was a nice crowd on the boat, taking advantage of a day off the Island. The temperature was 60 degrees, unbelievable for mid-March. Taking advantage of the weather, Sara Chambers hit a bucket of golf balls Saturday, March 13, on the Little Jewel, and two people were seen playing golf Sunday, March 14. Nancy LaFerier reports seeing several robins, and Tim Horn said the pussy willows are starting to bud. Trish Martin has snowdrops and crocuses blooming in her yard. It is definitely an early spring on Mackinac, but we will probably get another snowstorm.

Great Lakes Air, Paul Fullerton, Pete Freier, Andy Enos, and Sheryl Schairer, provided great service to the Island this winter. Enjoy some rest and relaxation. Clark Smith of the crew was on medical leave all winter.

Saturday evening, March 13, leprechauns decorated the Community Hall with shamrocks, Irish hats, and other festive green decorations. It was great to see so many residents enjoying a beautiful Mackinac evening and visiting with friends and neighbors. It was truly the “showing of the green.” Chef Tim Leeper and his helpers, Jason and April Meade, Bruce and Patty LaPine, and Nancy Pfeiffelman, served a delicious dinner. The raffles were attended by Chief Jim and Nancy Marks, Dean and Vicki Hermann, and Armand “Smi” Horn. Raffles were won by: Ellen Putnam, Easter bunny; Gwen Bagbey, lunch at The Gate House; Lily Schoenborn, Irish dog; Dean Hermann, gift certificate from Doud’s Market; Virginia LaFerier, Gift certificate from Ste. Anne’s Gift Shop, Elaine Bunker, dinner for two at Yankee Rebel; Sheri Gough, dinner for two at Horn’s Bar; Heather Chambers, 50/50 drawing; Matt Seely of Grosse Pointe, $5,000; Mark Runkel, $2,000; Steve Moskwa: $2,000, and Bob and Maryann Gale, $1,000.

Many donated, including Candy Smith for door prizes, and Jennifer Karhoff for all the goodies she sent from Findlay, Ohio. It truly reflects the Mackinac spirit. Ticket sellers were Trish Bunker, Kay Hoppenrath, Nancy Marks, and Steve and Patti Ann Moskwa. All 300 tickets were sold.

The dishwashers, Gene Hagenbaugh, Steve Zacharais, Jamie Bynoe, Karl Stuber, Richard Bolander, and Ray Kriss, did a great job. Jody Chambers, Mike Carley, and Kevin Leveille decorated the hall.

It was so nice to see Elaine Bunker at the St. Patrick’s dinner. She has made a great recovery from her recent illness.

Gary and Anna Mary Cusack of Petoskey had a great time at the St. Patrick’s dinner. They just returned from a cruise in the Gulf of Mexico.

Tammy and Cassie Frazier of Cheboygan joined Candy Smith and her family for the weekend. Tammy had a great time at the St. Patrick’s dinner, and she had a wonderful time spoiling little Brady Hardy. Cassie celebrated her 16th birthday March 11. It was nice to see her back on Mackinac.

We send get well wishes to Joe Kompsi, who received a pacemaker Thursday, March 11. He is doing well and would love to hear from his many Island friends. His address is as follows: 6796 Gasparilla Pines Blvd. #37, Englewood, Florida 34224.

Vanessa Hardy received great news this week. Desiree Nordstrom made the dean’s list at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City.

Happy belated birthday to Glenn St. Onge March 10. Hope you’re having fun in the sun.

Happy birthday to Jean LaBorde March 22. Jean and Nancy returned to Crivitz, Wisconsin, Monday, March 15, after spending 2.5 months in Tucson, Arizona. They had a great time golfing and meeting new friends in Arizona. Traveling back to Wisconsin, they stopped in New Orleans and Mississippi to visit their son, Thomas, who is working there for a year.

Beau Belinski, James Chambers, Jr., Matt Bazinaw, and Annemarie Horn will celebrate their birthdays March 24. Enjoy your day.

Jamie Bynoe will host a hockey game in front of Patrick Sinclair’s Irish Pub Saturday, March 20. Come and join in the fun.

A very special happy birthday to Jackie Bradley and Jesse Straight March 23. Have a wonderful day.

Kelly Bean and Beau Belinski attended district basketball finals in Baraga over the weekend.

Happy birthday to John Chambers March 16. Hope you enjoyed your day.

Mellie Hagenbaugh returned to Lapeer Thursday, March 11, with her son, Jim. She came back to Mackinac Monday, March 15.

A very happy birthday to Sylvia Perault and Ben Horn March 25. Have a great day. We missed seeing Sylvia at the St. Patrick’s dinner. She always did an excellent job selling raffle tickets.

Armand “Smi” Horn attended the memorial service for the late Betty McGreevy Bur Friday, March 12, at Scared Heart Church in Riggsville. Betty was born on Mackinac and spent her early years on the Island. May she rest in peace.

Grand Hotel will open The Gate House and the east wing of the hotel Friday, April 23. Horn’s will open Friday, April 16, and Yankee Rebel will open Thursday, April 29.

Candi and James Dunnigan spent Tuesday night, March 9, visiting Alice and Trish Martin at Bogan Lane Inn. Candi attended the Mackinac Island Planning Commission meeting Tuesday at City Hall. James was on his spring break from Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois.

We send get well wishes to Betty Vieau of Mackinaw City, former employee of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, who is recovering at her home following major surgery at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City. Please remember Betty with a card at the following address: 808 Cadillac Street, Mackinaw City, Michigan 49701.

Happy birthday to T.J. Massaway March 16. Hope you had a great day.

Emma Chambers left Mackinac Thursday, March 11, to attend a retreat at Camp Daggett. Emma has been a leader there for several years. On her way back to Ferris State University Sunday, March 14, she stopped by Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City to have dinner with her brother, Robert.

Folks who gather at the Community Hall every Sunday afternoon have been impressed by Mackinac Island School Superintendent Dave Wasso’s dart ball skills. He put on a display of how to pitch a dart underhanded at a baseball schematic, three feet diamondshaped board, 21 feet away. When it was his turn to bat, during the first two games, he made eight hits out of 13 attempts. Many were surprised with his success, since he was asked in the beginning if he wanted to practice and he said no, and then threw a dart for a base hit. All are welcome to join in the fun every Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. throughout March.

Island friends send best wishes to Joe Porcaro, father of Jay Porcaro from Weber’s Floral, who has not been feeling his best. He is receiving treatments at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, and living with his daughter. Friends may remember him with a card at the following address: Joe Porcaro, c/o Jenette Miller, 10370 Post Oak Court, Marshall, Virginia 20115.

Enjoy the beautiful weather!