Our weather has been very mild with above normal temperatures. We are fortunate that we did receive enough snow to ride snowmobiles again. In spite of the lack of snow, the sunrises and the sunsets have been breathtaking, with a variety of colors reflecting off the ice and water in the Round Island Passage. At night it’s wonderful to see the light in the Round Island Lighthouse, still guiding the way for ships. We hope that “Old Man Winter” will visit Mackinac soon. I wonder if the groundhog will see his shadow Thursday, February 2. If he does, that would mean six more weeks of winter.

Friday, January 27, about 4:30 p.m. Arnold Line’s mighty Huron became beset in wind-driven ice just offshore from the Mackinac Island Public School. The Coast Guard Cutter Biscayne Bay was called to assist, and about 6:30 p.m. the Huron was freed and on her way into Mackinac Island. The basketball team from Grand Marais was aboard, as well as many folks from the Island. People lined the boardwalk taking pictures and watching the boats work in the ice. Dr. Fran and Lorna Straus had a great view of all the activities from their lovely Pontiac Lookout cottage. It was just another winter adventure on Mackinac.

A community potluck was attended by more than 125 people Sunday, January 29, at the Mackinac Island Community Hall. Folks enjoyed great food, good conversation, and a real sense of community. Three large cards were signed by everyone for Karen McCabe’s birthday and get well wishes for Jeff Shaffer and Snapper Bazinaw. It truly was a wonderful way to get to know new people who are spending the winter on Mackinac and taking time to visit with neighbors.

We send deepest sympathy to the family of William “Bill” Terwilliger, who died at his home in North Carolina Thursday, January 26. Bill and his wife, Harriet, with their son, John, and daughter, Cynthia, spent many summers on Mackinac at their cottage on the East Bluff. For several years he had a shop on Mackinac. Bill’s sister was Mary Miller. He was very active in the Wawashkamo Golf Club and Little Stone Church on the Island. A complete obituary is published in this issue of The St. Ignace News and will be published in the February 11 edition of the Mackinac Island Town Crier.

Dr. Steve and Kathy Ledtke, owners of the former Alan Sawyer cottage on the East Bluff, were passengers on the Costa Concordia in Italy. They are safe and back at their home in St. Clair after a horrific experience. An account of their ordeal will be published in the Mackinac Island Town Crier February 11.

Best wishes to Walter North of St. Ignace, who celebrated his birthday January 31. Bushy sends special greetings. Hope your day was great.

Don’t forget all the activities for the Winter Carnival Saturday, February 4, and Sunday, February 5. There will be all kinds of activities for the kids, a silent auction, bake sale, and brunch Sunday. Come and join in the fun.

Bob Benser celebrated his birthday January 31. Hope your day was special.

Larry Parel entertained the Lakers boys basketball team at lunch at Cawthorne’s Village Inn. Everyone had a great time.

Happy belated birthday to Phil Porter January 29. Hope you had a wonderful day.

The annual Mark Gallagher dinner will be Wednesday, February 22, at the Mackinac Island Community Hall. All proceeds will benefit the Mark Gallagher Scholarship at the Mackinac Island Community Foundation.

We wish a very happy birthday to little Makayla Rickley February 11. Have a wonderful celebration.

Ed and Nona Chambers enjoyed a few days in Grand Rapids visiting Megan and Eric Weber.

Jason St. Onge, of St. Onge Latex and Groove, entertained the girls and boys Mackinac Island Lakers basketball teams at the Mustang Lounge for pizza Sunday, January 29. A great time was enjoyed by all.

Karen Cowell Smith will celebrate her birthday February 4. Enjoy your day.

Jody Chambers traveled to Chicago Friday, January 27, to attend the Pink Pony party at the Chicago Yacht Club Saturday, January 28. She also visited her son, Richard, who lives in Chicago.

Thursday, January 26, in the Detroit Free Press, there was an article entitled “Historic Michigan” in honor of the 175th birthday of Michigan. In the story there was an old picture of Grand Hotel with many guests sitting on the longest porch in the world. The caption under the picture said, “The hotel has been a vacation getaway for generations of Michiganders.” What great publicity for Mackinac.

Happy birthday to Sandra Orr February 6. We hope you’re enjoying the Florida sunshine.

Glenn and Deana St. Onge will celebrate their anniversary February 7. Enjoy your day.

The Mackinac Island Lakers boys basketball team defeated Paradise Friday, January 20, and Saturday, January 21. They played Grand Marais Friday, January 27, and Saturday, January 28. They won the first game and lost the second game. Go Lakers!

The 18th annual chili cook-off will be Saturday, February 11, from noon to 5 p.m. at Cawthorne’s Village Inn. Come and enjoy some great chili.

Margaret McIntire called recently to tell us that she is enjoying the California sunshine. She was looking forward to having lunch with Penny Rudolph Adams.

There is always some wildlife to watch. Kevin Leveille reported seeing a very large eagle sitting in a tree at Corner Cottage and two eagles on the ice by Margaret McIntire’s house. They’re watching the open water, where they can catch fish.

John Kissane will perform a concert Saturday, February 11, at 7:30 p.m. at Ste. Anne’s Church. Come and enjoy an evening of beautiful music. Refreshments will be served in the church hall following the concert.

Happy first birthday February 4 to little Peyton McNulty, daughter of Megan and Ed McNulty. Have a great celebration.

Happy birthday to Paula Starkweather February 2, Michelle Dean February 9, Jordan Cope, Maggie Chambers, and Kate Koboski February 10, Claire Dunnigan February 11, and Lisa Dziobak and Dennis Dufina February 12. Hope you all have a great day.

We send best wishes to Kevin Hughey, who is a patient at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey.

Franc and James Doud visited their father, Franc, over the weekend.

I had a nice visit with Susie Raisch last week. She is doing well and looking forward to returning to Mackinac in the spring.

Trinity Movie Night will be Wednesday, February 1. There will be an optional potluck at 6 p.m. and the movie entitled “Miss Potter” (2006), a romantic love story about the author and illustrator of Beatrix Potter children’s stories, including animated sequences featuring Peter Rabbit and other characters, will begin at 7 p.m.

The Class of 2013 is selling carnations for Valentine’s Day. Cost is $2 each or $20 for a dozen. Call the Mackinac Island Public School at 847-3376 to place an order or drop it in the decorated Valentine boxes around town.

Skip and Cindi Kutsop of Mountainside, New Jersey, enjoyed last weekend on Mackinac. They attended the community potluck Sunday, January 29.

We wish all the ferry crew members some rest and relaxation. Great Lakes Air is now providing daily service to the Island.

The first guest at the Windermere Hotel for the 2012 season was Kevin Leveille, head of maintenance. He comes over Monday and leaves Thursday.

Hope to see everyone at the Winter Carnival this weekend!