Islanders Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Ice

Ron Dufina hosted a St. Patrick’s Day party on the ice off Mackinac Island Thursday, March 17, serving green beer, hot dogs, and brats and college basketball on television, which was powered by a portable generator. It was the first St. Patrick’s Day party on Lake Huron since 1995, said Mr. Dufina. Residents enjoyed the naturally formed ice bridge on Lake Huron between St. Ignace and Mackinac Island. Paul Fullerton landed his plane on the ice to visit the St. Patrick’s Day party. A couple of men skied from the mainland to the party, and a freighter passed by only a few hundred yards from the party. Mr. Dufina said the ice was about 20 inches thick.