Mackinac has started to bloom like a flower, and traffic has increased all over the Island. Over the weekend, Mackinac Island Carriage Tours had tour buggies giving tours to many visitors. Drays have been very busy hauling supplies to Grand Hotel and to people arriving for the season. The warm temperatures of the early spring have brought beauty to many spring gardens at Grand Hotel, Mission Point Resort, in front of the Mackinac Island Police Department, where pink tulips are blooming, and many other colorful gardens. The trilliums, ladyslippers, and lilies of the valley are starting to cover the woods. The lilac trees are filled with buds. It’s wonderful to watch the Island come to life after the long winter.

The beautiful Grand Hotel will officially open for the season Wednesday, May 5. The hotel sparkles with fresh white paint, red geraniums lining the porch, and bright new awnings. The hotel has a magnificent view of the Straits of Mackinac and the Mackinac Bridge.

We extend deepest sympathy to the family of Dr. Dave Armour, who passed away Wednesday, April 28, at his home in Grove City, Pennsylvania. I had the pleasure this past winter of visiting with Dr. Armour and his wife, Grace. His heart was always on Mackinac. A memorial service will be held on Mackinac at a later date. An obituary is published in this issue of The St. Ignace News.

A very happy birthday to Joseph “Snapper” Bazinaw May 8. Have a great day.

Mother’s Day weekend, May 8 and May 9, Ste. Anne’s Church will begin their summer schedule, with a 5:30 p.m. Mass Saturday and 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Masses Sunday.

Jane Elizabeth St. Onge will celebrate her second birthday May 8. Enjoy your day.

College students home for the summer are Robert Chambers, Darcy Brodeur-Bunker, and Caleb Straight from Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Roxanne and Jason Pettit from Grand Valley State University, Michael Gamble and Eric Cowell from Saginaw Valley State University, Woody Beardsley from Michigan Technological University, Fuller Cowell from Ferris State University, and Kyle Sweet, Tyler Finkel, Arial Leeper, and Danielle Wightman from Michigan State University. Hope you all enjoy your summer vacation.

Happy birthday to Marion Bunker May 9. Her boys will have a cake for her. Hope you have a wonderful day, Marion.

The senior class of Mackinac Island Public School left this week for their senior class trip in the Bahamas. Have fun in the sun! Graduation will be Friday, May 28, at the school.

Happy second wedding anniversary to Megan and Ed McNulty May 10. Best wishes from Island friends.

A very happy birthday May 10 to Deb Carley and Patti LaPine. Hope you both have a wonderful day.

Pat and Vivian McTique enjoyed last weekend at their lovely condominium overlooking the Straits of Mackinac.

Albert “Buck” Sharrow has returned to Mackinac for the season. Buck is employed by Mike and Wendy Young. His beautiful horses, Prince, Lady, Charlie, and Willie, will arrive Wednesday, May 5. It will be great to see them prancing again.

Star Line and Shepler’s are both open for the season, as is Arnold Line. A special welcome to Tom Bushman, dockmaster for Star Line. It is so nice to see the Arnold Line catamarans gliding by.

Dr. Fran and Lorna Straus of Chicago are enjoying their lovely cottage, Pontiac Lookout, on the West Bluff.

Congratulations to Sarah Porter, daughter of Armin and Nancy, who was graduated from the University of Michigan Saturday, May 1, with a degree in history. President Barack Obama was the commencement speaker. Blisse Beardsley, a 2009 graduate of the University of Michigan, attended Sarah’s graduation.

A pre-opening fish fry was held at the Windermere Hotel Wednesday, April 28, at noon. Ray Sayles, a member of Mike Gamble’s crew, supplied the wonderful fresh perch and walleye, which were prepared to perfection by chefs Deb Carley and Patsy LaPine. Those in attendance were Margaret and Jeannette Doud, Beth St. Onge, Kevin Leveille, Mike Gamble, Trisha Bunker, Madison Gamble, Dennis Gamble, Ray Sayles, Dave Collins, John Dumas, Bill Belonga, Smi Horn, Mark Chambers, and Josh Carley. Everyone had a great time.

Patricia Horn of St. Ignace and Shelbie Mosley of Mackinac will celebrate their birthday May 11. Hope you both enjoy your day.

Pat, Alice, and Mar Pulte have arrived from Ann Arbor and are busy preparing the Inn on Mackinac and the Murray Hotel for the season.

Martha Johnson and her faithful companion, Tucker, have arrived from Arizona and will spend the summer on Mackinac working at the Village Inn. Martha and Jody Chambers are sisters.

Jack Landress returned to Mackinac Thursday, April 29, and is busy opening his Lilacs and Lace gift shop and Victorian Summer art gallery for the season.

There will be a memorial service for the late Clayton St. Onge Wednesday, May 26, at 11 a.m. at Ste. Anne’s Church, followed by a luncheon at the Community Hall.

The Marvin May family has arrived and they are busy preparing to open May’s Famous Fudge shops for the season.

Fort Mackinac opened its gates for the season Tuesday, May 4, with flags flying high from the ramparts.

Happy birthday May 12 to Fire Chief Dennis Bradley, Cub Horn, and Carrie Wellington. Have a great day.

Saturday, May 1, Kathy Lewand, chairman of the Mackinac Island Community Foundation, hosted a planning session at her home on the East Bluff. It was a productive afternoon. A delicious lasagna dinner was served in the evening. Everyone enjoyed the magnificent view of the Straits of Mackinac and the USS Roger Blough as it headed west to Gary, Indiana. It was truly a beautiful Mackinac evening.

Louie Bunker of St. Ignace visited his family on the Island Saturday, May 1.

The Yankee Rebel is open for the season, as well as many shops on Main Street.

A very happy birthday to Cindy Gough May 13 and Willie Barnwell and Mimi Cunningham May 14. Have a wonderful day.

Mike and Wendy Young spent Saturday evening, May 1, at Grand Hotel. They will return later in the month to their beautiful cottage on the West Bluff.

Doug and Carol Rearick enjoyed a few days at their home on Lakeshore Drive.

Randy and Michelle Stuck enjoyed last weekend at their lovely cottage on the West Bluff.

Happy Mother’s Day!