It has been quite a summer. Blueberries and blackberries are in abundance. Gardens about town are doing really well, the hens at the farm are laying, and the mosquitoes are at a minimum. (What are the bats eating?)

Tuesday, August 24, Al and Karen Sanborn had a surprise visit from their godson, Andrew Hemple, and his fiancée, Heather, of Sydney, Australia. It was more than 30 years ago when Bill and Pam Hemple with their sons, Andrew and Timothy, moved from St. Ignace to Sydney, and pursued their careers in education. Pam has retired, but Bill continues guiding young people in planning their careers and futures. Andrew and Timothy own and operate two successful coffee shops in Sydney. Andrew and Heather are touring the United States from coast to coast, starting in California and planning to end up on the East Coast, heading south before returning to Sydney this fall.

Al and Karen Sanborn have become the happy grandparents of a new baby girl, Peyton Alice Sanborn, born Saturday, August 28, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Proud parents are Ben and Jessi Sanborn. Congratulations to all.

Arthur Daemmrich and his three-year-old daughter, Ji Lan of Watertown, Massachusetts, vacationed with Horst and Ingrid Daemmrich of Brevort this past week. Arthur visited old friends, Mike Gustafson and Michael Shepard, while here. Ji Lan especially liked the beach and Lake Michigan. Arthur’s wife, Si Ping, was unable to accompany the family to Brevort.

Front porch visitors this past week were Greg Mitchinson and his mother, Shirley Mitchinson, of Williamston and Grand Ledge. Billy Milford joined us to share his good news. After all tests and exams, he is now cancer free. It has been a long time coming and Billy is appreciative of all the support and prayers he received while he was fighting the battle. He is looking good in his ’97 white Ford Mustang convertible with his signature license plate beginning with MBM, meaning Mustang Billy Milford. Way to go, Billy.

Joe and Sharon Chalmers joined a family reunion hosted by their daughter, Lisa Chalmers, of Ann Arbor. Fifty relatives of Sharon attended plus Joe’s brother, Murray Chalmers, of Grass Lake.

The Flora family gathered at the Flora home on Wildwood Lane this past weekend. Maria and Hank Boots of Denver, Colorado, Kot and Larry Granahan of Iowa City, Iowa, Mike and Judy Flora of Homer, Alaska, and John and Ann Flora Ryan of Tecumseh all gathered for a brief summer respite and visit.

Thursday evening guests called to celebrate Gio Giordani’s long-awaited retirement from the Mackinac Bridge. Lucy and John Evashevski, Lois and Dave Movalson, Tracy Movalson, and Betty Giordani joined in wishing Gio a happy retirement.

Joyce and Tom Gustafson with Kristi Gustafson returned home last week after attending the August 8 wedding of Katie Gustafson and Curtis Wills of Glouster, Virginia. Katie is the daughter of Nate and Ginger Gustafson of Glouster.

Joyce Gustafson and Sharon Chalmers meet during the week for quilting.

Kristi Gustafson, along with her aunt, Lynn Yoder, and cousin, Lauren Yoder, did extensive school shopping last week. This past weekend, the Yoder and Gustafson families spent time swimming at the Sand Dunes.

Morgan Gustafson starts volleyball practice this week.

We’ve been in touch with Denny and Jackie Rippett this week and Denny is recovering nicely from his procedure. They hope to be back in Brevort in September.

Lorie Quigley and Joe Stewart are great and consistent beach walkers. This week a sister, Candy Quigley, and Kay Allott have joined them. Lorie discovered a wounded juvenile eagle on one of her walks. When returning later in the day, she found the eagle had died. Tribal members Tony Grondin and Dick Sterk arrived and performed the Native American ceremony for a fallen eagle. They wrapped it with yarrow and hopefully will find the cause of its death. They were thankful that the walkers, upon discovering the bird, had gathered yarrow and laid it on the bird’s body.

Gary Parish was a Sunday evening, August 29, guest at the home of Lorie Quigley and Joe Stewart on Lake Michigan.

Jack and Thora Shepard were in Traverse City Monday, August 30.

Carol Orlando of Dayton, Ohio, is with her parents, Jim and Ann Dyer of Cut River Road. They are dealing with health problems. Please keep all of them in your hearts and prayers.

Happy birthday to Joan Spencer, who will be 72 years old, along with her twin, Joyce, of Traverse City. Joan hopes to travel to Traverse City to celebrate with her sister.

Pega Kennedy received word that our former pastor, Glenn Anderson, passed away June 22. He served our Trinity Lutheran parish and Zion Lutheran’s in St. Ignace from 1951 to 1953.

Happy birthday to Marilyn DuMond September 1 and Lorie Quigley September 10.

Happy 50th wedding anniversary to Ken and Sharon Smith September 3. Anniversary wishes to Joe and Sharon Chalmers September 5 and Eric and Kelli Movalson September 7.