Maryanke Alexander Hosts Sr. Citizen Mystery Tour

It was a nice surprise for 43 people on the Maryanke Tour and Travel two-day mystery tour to Mackinac Island Thursday, September 30, and Friday, October 1, as company owner Maryanke Alexander hosted the senior citizen group at the East Bluff cottage she owns with her husband, Paul.

Mrs. Alexander, originally from Zutphen, Holland, started her company in 1978 and has scheduled two tours each year since. Most of the 43 members visiting the Island this fall are regular travelers with the company, including Millie Dibble of Lansing, who has been a dedicated tour member for 20 years. Also on the tour was Mrs. Alexander’s mother, Tony Van Denberg of Amsterdam.

Above photo:A group of 43 on the Maryanke Tour and Travel two-day mystery tour. At right: Included with the host (center) were Mrs. Alexander’s mother, Tony Van Denberg (left) and Millie Dibble (right).

Maryanke Tour and Travel’s headquarters is in Mt. Pleasant.

The mystery tour began in Lansing and the group was unsure of where it was going, even as its bus made a stop at Historic Mill Creek and Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City. Bus driver Bob DeCatur, a 20-year veteran on Mrs. Alexander’s tours, made the group continue guessing as he took them across the Mackinac Bridge. The bus finally pulled into Shepler’s ferry dock in St. Ignace and the group headed to the Island. Mrs. Alexander asked dock porters, Carriage Tours drivers, and Shepler’s employees not to provide any information to the guests as to where they were going.

“We had no idea where we were going pretty much the whole trip,” said Mrs. Dibble. “I thought we might be going to Traverse City, but then we made a stop in Mackinaw City, so I assumed we might be going to the Island. I had no clue that Maryanke would be on the Island. This is a wonderful surprise.”

The Alexander cottage was built in 1893 by Elstner Fisher and the Alexanders purchased it last fall from Cynthia Hawkins.

The group enjoyed fudge and other delicacies at the Alexander cottage when they arrived. They stayed the night at The Island House and toured Fort Mackinac and had lunch at Grand Hotel during their stay.