The Frog Fest held Friday, July 16, through Sunday, July 18, seemed to be a big success, with frogs decorating businesses and homes all over Cedarville and Hessel. The goal is to educate the public about the watershed and its wildlife. It’s wonderful to see a project like the Les Cheneaux Watershed Council’s Frog Fest bring a whole community into its effort.

It was very nice for me to welcome my brother, Jack Demmink, for a long weekend visit. Jack is from Grand Rapids and Englewood, Florida, and we don’t see each other often enough. We enjoyed the display of amphibians, the wonderful whitefish sandwiches in the Autore/ Chamber of Commerce yard, and the many decorated frogs that were displayed around town.

At the antiques appraisal event at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island last week, my daughter and I went, armed with a couple of things that we were sure were worth a lot of money, but disappointment is part of living, and we were definitely disappointed. It was fun, however, and we did enjoy going to the Island and, of course, buying fudge.

Michael Fick of Lansing received a certificate of completion for After School Math Plus, a project that teaches students how to scale buildings in their communities. He is the grandson of Bobby and Audrey Hutchison of Hessel. Pictured (from left) are Christian Fick, Bobby Hutchison, Michael Fick, and Julie Fick. (Photograph by Audrey Hutchison) The Les Cheneaux Education Foundation will have its annual silent auction fundraiser. This year Adirondack chairs have been handdecorated by local artists for auction. The auction will end Tuesday, August 10, and bids are accepted at the library in Cedarville. The Les Cheneaux Education Foundation accomplishes many things for young people throughout the year, including music camp, Summer Theater, field trips, and other educational activities.

Cedarville and Hessel seem to be teeming with happy people during the past few weeks and it’s nice to see such busy activity in the stores and shops around town. Happy anniversary to Tony and Ethel Autore, Ken and Joni Izzard, and Kathy and Sandy Sherlund.

It was a beautiful week of sunny weather, and we’ve also been fortunate to have rain, coming mostly at night and keeping everything lush and green.

The grocery store is the place to go if one hopes to see old friends. Last week it was such a pleasure to run in to Tim Parris, who helped me so much a few years ago, and Cara Trefry Perkins who, with her late brother, John, were frequent companions of our children when they were growing up. Cara is now a proud new grandmother, although her baby grandson lives in London, England, making it difficult to visit very often. Cara’s parents, John and Barbara Trefry, were the proprietors of the first drugstore in Cedarville, the present Arfstrom Pharmacy.

It has been pleasant for me to have my son, Richard, and his wife here from New York for several days. The quiet woods and water are a pleasant change for them from the noisy traffic of Manhattan Island.

It was a beautiful, sunny day Saturday, July 24, for the memorial service dedicating the cross that was placed on the gravestone of Jutta and Charles Letts. The memorial service was attended by summer residents, guests, and many local citizens who have known Jutta through the years. Jutta was a dedicated and hard worker in several community organizations and became well acquainted with many. Chuck Letts and his sons each took part in the ceremony, and the cross, designed and made by Randy Dunn, was dedicated by the Reverend Jeffrey Meyers of First Union Church. This was followed by a hymn, sung by Emily Pieri.

Michael Fick, son of Christian Fick. formerly of Pickford, recently was awarded a certificate of completion in Lansing, where he participated in a group exhibit named “After School Math Plus.” This project is one that his mother, Julie Fick, is involved in. She is the director of the Capitol Area Science and Math Center. The project taught the students how to scale buildings in their community to exhibit size. Michael, 10, is an active young man who is involved with football, baseball, tennis, golf, a senior green belt in Tae-kwon-do, and is currently learning the theory of music and piano. Michael took third with a group of five at the regional competition in mid-Michigan: Destination Imagination, a project that solves problems by constructing a device that would move from one point to another. Michael’s father, Chris, keeps Michael busy with his egg route, which he has had for two years. This includes feeding the chickens, cleaning their coop, and delivering the eggs weekly. He banks his money and buys a young steer to fatten for market, saving the proceeds for his college degree. His grandparents are Bobby and Audrey Hutchison of Hessel.

The Arts Council will have its annual student and members’ exhibition during August. Exhibitors who are students or members of the council may bring their work to the Cedarville Inn Sunday, August 1, between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The exhibit will be open to the public there for the entire month.