Thursday, April 8, Old Man Winter played a joke on us and gave us several inches of snow. We could hear snowmobiles in the distance, but the snow didn’t last long; however, walking for a few days was slippery. It has been bright, sunny, and mild, but Saturday, April 17, we had snow showers again. Walkingby the tennis courts at Grand Hotel, one sees the ground is covered with blooming little purple violets, and many of the daffodils are starting to blossom in the grove by the pool at Grand Hotel. The lawn in the tea garden is like a green velvet carpet. It is fascinating to watch the Island blossom in the spring. The sunset Saturday, April 17, was breathtaking behind the Mackinac Bridge.

Several 1,000-foot freighters have been passing through the Round Island Passage. The USS Roger Blough went eastbound Friday, April 16.

Friends and family came from far and near to attend the funeral of Geraldine Wellington Wednesday, April 7, at Ste. Anne’s Church, including John Wellington and his daughter, Mary Wellington, Mike Doud and Kathy Sliva, Captain Paul Allers, Jennifer Putnam and son, Owen, and many other friends.

Bill and Kathy Lake have returned to Mackinac for the season. Bill is employed by Orr Kid’s Bike Shop, and Kathy works at Doud’s Market.

Bill and Lornie Porter are vacationing in Naples, Florida. Have fun in the sun.

Happy birthday to Liz Burt April 21. Liz just returned from visiting her mother in Egypt.

There was an open house Friday, April 9, at the new Mackinac Straits Health System and Sault Tribal Health and Human Services. Many people viewed the new facility, which is absolutely beautiful. It’s a tremendous addition to the Straits area.

Game night, which is held every Thursday night at Ste. Anne’s Hall, ended for the season Thursday, April 8. It was a great winter with lots of fun and many laughs. Congratulations to the winners, Father Rey Garcia and Jamie Bynoe.

Amelia Roe, Tim Horn, and Dorothy Dehring of Mackinac, Jeff Davenport of St. Ignace, and Wayne Drost of Charlevoix will all celebrate their birthdays April 22. Have a great day.

There will be a spaghetti dinner Thursday, April 22, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Community Hall to benefit the Frank Horn Scholarship Fund at the Mackinac Island Community Foundation.

Tim and Margaret Horn were walking on the bicycle trail by Mission Point and spotted three beautiful eastern meadowlarks and two pairs of northern flickers. Bird watching is fascinating on Mackinac.

Everyone is busy preparing for the opening of the Millennium Wing and The Gate House at Grand Hotel Friday, April 23. R.D. Musser returned to Mackinac Friday, April 16, for the season. Happy birthday to Mr. Musser April 29. John Hulett and Susie Ashby have returned for the season.

Smi and Mickey Horn are visiting their son, Lyle, in Denver, Colorado. Enjoy your vacation.

Nancy Marks has returned to Mackinac after her recent knee replacement surgery in Lansing. She is making a nice recovery.

Happy birthday to Paul Brown and Mila Horn April 23 and Joanna Tamlyn and Jim Gillespie April 24. Have a great day.

We welcome Marge and Rich Linde and their dog, Joe, back to Mackinac. Marge and Rich, who are the managers of Cottage Inn on Market Street, spent a month in Arizona. It’s nice to have them back.

When you stop by the Arnold Transit office Monday, April 26, wish Chris McCready a happy birthday. Enjoy your day, Chris.

Debra Orr has arrived for the season. The Seabiscuit opened Tuesday, April 13.

Tony and Loretta Spata are busy getting their businesses open for the season.

Happy birthday to Susie Raisch April 26. Enjoy your day.

Marsha Kleber returned to Mackinac Friday, April 16, following knee replacement surgery in Lansing. She is recuperating at her home in Woodbluff.

Kevin Leveille was walking his faithful friend, Bushy, on Pontiac Trail Thursday, April 15. He looked up at Dr. Fran and Lorna Straus’ Pontiac Lookout cottage, and was amazed to see six turkey vultures sitting on the roof. It was quite a sight.

The annual Friends of Mackinac gathering will be Wednesday, April 21, in Lansing.

Dr. Mike and Jane Bacon and Ken and Diane Neyer spent last week on Mackinac getting the Metivier Inn and Hart’s Haven ready for the season.

Blisse Beardsley will celebrate her birthday April 27. Have a great day.

Goodfellows Bar in the Lake View Hotel has opened for the season, and Horn’s Bar opened its doors for the season Friday, April 16.

Patti Ann Moskwa attended a Michigan Restaurant meeting in Washington, D.C., Thursday, April 15.

Emory Barnwell celebrated his 27th birthday Friday, April 16, with a family dinner at Horn’s, followed by birthday cake at the home of his grandmother, Margaret McIntire.

Gwen Bagbey and Frank Massaway will celebrate their birthdays April 28. Enjoy your day.

It is so nice to see Mimi Cunningham back on Mackinac, enjoying her lovely home on Lakeshore Drive. Mimi is busy preparing the shops at Grand Hotel for the season.

Tom Corrigan of Glenview, Illinois, spent the weekend at his home on Lakeshore Drive.

Sam and Barbara Kovalak of Grand Rapids enjoyed the weekend on Mackinac.

Friday, April 16, I received a wonderful surprise. My friends, Peggy and Dennis O’Keefe of LaSalle, Illinois, sent me a beautiful bouquet of lilacs. They were so fragrant and pretty. I thoroughly enjoyed them.

A very happy birthday to Stephanie McGreevy and Jerry Toney April 29. Jerry is the reservation manager at Grand Hotel. Hope you both have a wonderful day.

The Pancake House will open for the season Friday, April 23.

Anna Mary and Gary Cusack and Kate and Jack Koboski of Petoskey enjoyed the weekend at their home on Lakeshore Drive.

Candy Smith entertained family and friends at a gathering at her home following the 11 a.m. Mass at Ste. Anne’s. Everyone enjoyed great food, good company, and lots of laughs.

Paul Carey has returned to Mackinac and is busy preparing the Cloghaun for an early opening.

Enjoy your week!