Our weather has been very wet and cool. It feels more like fall than the end of June. We are hopeful that July will bring lots of sunshine and warm weather.

The Bill Rabe Stone Skipping Contest was held Sunday, July 4, on the beach off Windermere Point starting at 10 a.m. There were games on Windermere Point from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and the Mackinac Island Fire Department had a truck on display for the children to enjoy. Prior to the fireworks, members of American Legion Post 299 and the Mackinac Island Fire Department paraded through Main Street to the Mackinac Island Public School. Fireworks were displayed off a barge at dusk in the Straits of Mackinac.

Thursday, June 24, folks were welcomed to the Community Hall by Robin Dorman, director of the Mackinac Island Community Foundation. Kathy Lewand, chairperson of the Foundation, thanked everyone for their contributions and participation. It was a great gathering with friends meeting friends and food.

Congratulations to Patrick and Stephanie McManus on the birth of twins Sunday, June 27, at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey. Little Logan Magnus weighed 4 pounds, 14 ounces, and Maura Sloane weighed 5 pounds, 3 ounces. They are joined at home by big brother, Keagan, and big sister, Kiera.

Congratulations to Eli Urman and Amy Handwerk, who were married Saturday, June 26, in Petoskey. Eli grew up on Mackinac when his father, Gary, was superintendent of the Mackinac Island Public School, and his mother, Vicki, was the first and second grade teacher. Eli is now employed by Wolverine Electric. Best wishes from Island friends.

A delightful craft sale was held Sunday afternoon, June 27, at Trinity vicarage. There were paintings, handmade baby items, Christmas ornaments painted by Trish Martin, rugs, and many other attractive items. It was a great event.

Island friends send deepest sympathy to the family of Charles “Chuckie” Truscott of Lansing, who died Tuesday, June 29. He was born and reared on Mackinac, and his former home is now the Market Street Inn. He will be laid to rest on the Island at a later date.

The Michael Riordan family, with Jack, 6, and Reese, 2, of Marietta, Georgia, spent the Fourth of July holiday visiting Dan and Virginia Riordan.

Brother Jim Boynton celebrated his birthday July 3. Hope you had a wonderful day.

The P.J. Pulte family of Colorado have been visiting Pat, Alice, and Mar Pulte. Everyone is enjoying a great time.

Happy birthday to Bobby Joe Horn July 4. Hope you had a great day.

Kevin Leveille and his brother, Tim, along with David North and another friend, are enjoying a twoweek vacation touring Alaska. It should be a wonderful adventure.

Jennifer Putnam and Luke Shellhorne, with little Owen Richard, joined Ellen Putnam and Sarah Wessel for the holiday weekend. Happy birthday to Jennifer July 5. I’m sure Owen Richard helped you blow your candles out.

Mike Gamble and his crew recently constructed a very attractive new porch at the home of Anna Mary and Gary Cusack on Lakeshore Drive. It will be a great spot to watch the boats go through the Straits of Mackinac.

It’s nice to see Captain Edward Lee Pfeiffelman sailing the Star Line boats again this season. Ed enjoys being on the water and meeting people.

Brita Rogers will celebrate her birthday July 7, and her son, Joseph, will celebrate his birthday July 8. Hope you both have a great day.

We send best wishes to Lornie Porter, who has not been feeling her best.

Tom Corrigan of Glenview, Illinois, along with his daughter, Emily, and two granddaughters, Shannon and Kaylee, enjoyed a few days at their lovely home on Lakeshore Drive.

Lake Sweet of Colorado is spending a week visiting family and friends on Mackinac. It’s nice to see you back on the Island.

We send best get well wishes to Molly Carroll, who recently underwent surgery in Detroit.

Cathy Schadel of Chicago is visiting her mother, Kitty Schadel, at her home on Bourisaw Lane. It’s nice to see you on the Island.

Richard Chambers and his friend, Megan, of Chicago, attended Eli Urman and Amy Handwerk’s wedding in Petoskey Saturday, June 26, and visited family and friends on Mackinac.

Happy birthday July 9 to Jimmy Francis, W.T. and Teddy Gough, Doris Bradley, Ann Hart, Dan Seeley, and Shelly McLean. Hope you all have a great day.

A dinner is served every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ste. Anne’s Hall to summer workers. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Mary Rogers, Justin Frick, and Jack Dehring III will celebrate their birthdays July 10. Hope you all enjoy your day.

Marti Carey of the Cloghaun will spend July, August, and part of September on Mackinac. It’s great to see you back on the Island.

Jack Welcher and his friend, Juanita, are enjoying a week aboard the 1,000-foot freighter Edwin H. Gott. Juanita’s son-inlaw is the captain. It will be a wonderful trip.

I heard a salute recently and it was the Wilfred Sykes going through the Straits of Mackinac. I believe our friend, Jeff Gamble from St. Ignace, is a crew member on that ship. It was so good seeing the ship sailing again.

Mark, Jody, and Emma Chambers attended the wedding of Eli Urman and Amy Handwerk in Petoskey Saturday, June 26.

Blisse Beardsley of Ann Arbor is enjoying a few days on Mackinac visiting family and friends.

Hope everyone had a wonderful Fourth of July!