The July weather in the Straits area has been very comfortable. Our State Street is filled with an abundance of people enjoying our town.

Numerous family members and friends attended the 60th birthday celebration for Al Stempki Saturday, July 24, at the home of Al and Laurie Stempki on Boulevard Drive, overlooking the Mackinac Bridge. Many family photographs were taken, as this was the first time the entire family has been together in eight years. Among those attending were Al and Laurie’s daughter, Elizabeth, of Sault Ste. Marie, and their sons, Andy of Dustin, Florida, Louis of St. Ignace, Michael of New York, and Matt of Midland. Other family members attending the celebration were Al’s sister and brother-in-law, Georgetta and Ted Gunthorp, who traveled from LaGrange, Indiana, and another sister, Anna Savard of St. Ignace. Tex Hamel, his wife, Pat, and daughter, Molly, of Petoskey and St. Ignace also attended the celebration. The cake was made by Brenda Spencley. A great time was enjoyed by all.

The boat Reel Crazy owned by Mark and Liz Merchberger of Cedarville was the winning boat in the Salmon and Trout Tournament Saturday, July 10, in St. Ignace, taking the top prize of a $250 gift certificate. The tournament was a fundraiser for the March of Dimes, sponsored by Farmers Insurance and Jim Wehr’s Mackinaw Outfitters. Members of Reel Crazy are (from left) Mark Merchberger, Tim Hank, and Liz Merchberger. Mrs. Merchberger chose the lure that caught the most fish. Another tournament is planned for August 21. (Photographs by Robert Holmes) Jean Hamel is doing well and still resides at home with her daughter, Carolyn.

Dawn Black and a friend, Tom Spets, of Orlando, Florida, were guests at the home of Dawn’s parents, Gary and Arlene Black in St. Ignace. While here they attended Dawn’s 30th class reunion last weekend.

Jimmie Miller of Moran holds a lake trout and his daughter, Amy, has a salmon. A total of 25 Chinook salmon and lake trout were entered. Billy Milford has finished his chemotherapy treatments and is in good spirits.

Don’t forget the Christmas in July fundraiser dinner Thursday, July 29, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gateway Lanes and Fred’s Pub in St. Ignace, to benefit the Mackinac County Children’s Toy Drive. Santa Claus will be there from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be a silent auction, 50/50 drawing, and bake sale. Participants are asked to bring a toy to donate to enter a special drawing.

Happy anniversary to Jack and Darcy McLean August 7 and John and Debbie Garcia August 10.

Michael Smith and David Pope of Grand Rapids were visitors in St. Ignace this past weekend.

Jerry and Hazel Friday of Prattville, Alabama, traveled to St. Ignace for a visit with family and friends. While here they spent time in Rudyard with sister, Minnie Piippo.

Children are treated to a musical program called “Splash and Spray with Skippy and Dave” Monday, July 19, at the St. Ignace Public Library with professional ventriloquist Dave Parker (right). The program featured skits and summer-themed songs to encourage summer reading. Librarian Gina Kemp is pictured with a group of children playing musical instruments. Former St. Ignace resident Anh Le and his son, Minh Jeffrey, enjoyed visiting St. Ignace last week for Mr. Le’s 40-year LaSalle High School class reunion. They found the Fish Feast and the fireworks show delightful, Mr. Le said, and they consider St. Ignace their hometown. Mr. Le’s father, Vien Van Le, taught French and world geography at LaSalle years ago, and many classmates at the gathering still remembered his lessons. While here, Mr. Le visited with friends pastor Wayne Foote and his family, Steve and Janet Peterson, Jack and Georgia “Punky” Belonga, Phil and Carol Richel, Phyllis Ahlich, Barbara Ahlich Crosby, Monica (Neelis) Sorenson, and Kristine McDonald. Durng their trip, Minh Jeffrey also enjoyed a stay at Interlochen Center for the Arts, where he studied jazz music. “Minh Jeffrey keeps telling me during our stay in St. Ignace, ‘Dad, people in Michigan are so friendly and nice,’” Mr. Le said.

Kayaker Jacob Stachovak is expected to come through the Straits area soon on his “Portage to Portage” kayaking trip, in which he began in Portage, Wisconsin, and will travel 5,000 miles in a route taking in one third of the country. He wants to demonstrate to people, through his trip, that the world is connected by water. He’s now traveling north on Lake Huron, and may stop in St. Ignace, according to his online report, where people can track his journey at portagetoportage.com.

It was nice to visit with Sally and Walt North one day last week. They are both doing well and keeping busy.

United Methodist Church in St. Ignace hosted a picnic Sunday, July 25, to welcome the new pastor and his wife, Reverend Erik and Sheila Alsgaard. There was plenty of good food and a great time was shared by family and friends.

Marion Fenlon is doing well and enjoys having company.

Happy birthday to Jim Kosek August 1, Chase Pierson, Cristina Smith, and Ava Bercot August 2, David St. Andrew August 5, Cheryl Stearns and Richard Sheehy August 6, Paul Brown and Linda Massaway August 7, and Donna Grogan August 8. Belated birthday greetings to Jim Brown, Jr., who celebrated his 60th birthday July 27. Happy birthday to Tammy Lee, who celebrated her birthday the same day.