News About People On Mackinac Island
By Jeannette Doud

After a long winter’s nap, our little Island blossomed into a beautiful flower. Suddenly, everything came alive again. Grand Hotel, sparkling under a fresh coat of paint, colorful new awnings, and most of all, the bright American flags flying across the front of this historic building waving in the soft breezes of the Straits of Mackinac and the famous front porch lined with red geraniums. Saturday, May 7, was a perfect Mackinac day with bright warm sunshine and lots of visitors. Tourists were seen taking the carriage ride, riding bicycles, and walking all over the Island. Even brides chose this early date in the season to be married on Mackinac and ride in the famous wedding carriages drawn by prancing hackneys.

My favorite walk is under the grove, by Grand Hotel’s tennis courts and swimming pool. It is here you find great beauty, blooming yellow daffodils and white narcissius, so tranquil and peaceful in the wooded area. There are benches along the way for a bit of rest and relaxation.

Krystal Weiger Taylor was graduated Friday, April 29, from Delta College with an Associate’s Degree in small business management. She received an award for being an outstanding Native American graduate with a high grade point average. She had been on the dean’s list for the past two semesters. Krystal is the daughter of Nancy and John Ellison and the late Bill Weiger. They attended the graduation along with her husband, Josh Taylor, grandmother Peg Cowell from Mackinac, her Aunt Lori and Uncle Jim Bradley from Wisconsin, and Aunt Cathy Frick from Boyne City. Krystal will be working on Mackinac this summer and in the fall, they will be moving to Gaylord or Cheboygan. She plans to open a cleaning business called “Krystal Klean.” Congratulations to Krystal from Island friends.

Once again our new medical center, with its outstanding and dedicated staff and EMT’s, headed by Dr. Don Weersing, responded just in time Friday, May 6, saving the life of a critically ill patient who was suffering from a severe asthma attack. The patient was a tourist who was enjoying a ride in an hourly carriage when stricken. Mackinac Island can be very proud of its beautiful medical center, the most important facility on the Island.

The blooming spring flowers warm the hearts of everyone who view them. At the Musser’s Corner Cottage on Lakeshore Drive, their side yard is a carpet of crocuses in many different colors, a most breathtaking sight. The hundreds of tulips at Grand Hotel and Mission Point Resort will be bursting into bloom very soon. The hope of spring is at hand.

Sunday, May 8, was Mother’s Day, and many folks enjoyed brunch or dinner at various restaurants. Grand Hotel served their famous buffet in the main dining room. Wes and Mary Maurer with Debra and Sandra Orr, Jason St. Onge and Jennie Shanku with Jason’s parents, Glen and Deanna St. Onge, and the McIntire family all enjoyed the many goodies. Guests of Becki Barnwell were Mary Jane Barnwell and her son, Willie. Happy birthday to Willie May 14.

Guests of Grand Hotel over Mother’s Day weekend were Congressman Bart Stupak and his lovely wife, Laurie. We joined them for dinner Sunday night at the Jockey Club, which was very enjoyable.

A big project on Cadotte Avenue began Monday, May 9. A new pavement is being laid from Mahoney Avenue to the intersection of Cadotte and Market Street by H & D Pavers of Petoskey. Early this morning, the crew started preparing the street for the new pavement. It will be a great improvement when finished.

Friends filled Ste. Anne’s Sunday, May 8, to join Father Jim Williams, our pastor for 15 years, who was celebrating his last mass. Peggy Bynoe, a senior at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, drove up on Sunday to play at the mass. Carolyn May, with her lovely voice, joined Peggy. Every respect was given to Father Jim. Cake and coffee was served in Ste. Anne’s Hall following the service. While he still remains the pastor, he has been appointed administrator of St. Ignatius Loyola Church in St. Ignace and Immaculate Conception Church in Moran, owing to the illness of Father Mike Rhoades. Father Jim will return to the Island to help out with masses and weddings. Father Ray Garcia, S.J. will become our new associate pastor, arriving on Wednesday. He will be accompanied by Brother Jim Boynton, S.J. We give Father Ray a warm welcome. Since Father Jim arrived on Mackinac 15 years ago, he restored Ste. Anne’s Church, enlarged and renovated Ste. Anne’s Hall, opened Ste. Anne’s Museum, upgraded the rectory, and just recently put a new sound system in the church. Best wishes to Father Jim on his new assignment.

Happy birthday to Patricia Horn of St. Ignace May 11. Enjoy your day.

Mackinac Island’s fire chief, Dennis Bradley, will celebrate his birthday May 12. Have a great day.

Many of the shops on Market and Main Street are open for the summer, displaying fine merchandise in their display windows. Stop by and view all the new spring arrivals. The sweet odor of homemade fudge permeated the air as fudge makers created their delicious product. From the popular Jessie’s Chuckwagon one soon knows that fresh coffee and breakfast is being served. At the Jantzen Shop we find very beautiful clothing for the spring and summer. It is here that Kate, Jessica, Alex, and Betsy give you a warm welcome and are eager to show off their lovely merchandise.

Happy birthday to City Foreman Cub Horn May 12. Have a good day.

Our good friend, Cindy Gough, will celebrate her birthday May 13. Hope to see you on Mackinac this summer.

Margaret Kappa of Wheeling, West Virginia, former consultant at Grand Hotel, will celebrate her birthday May 14. Margaret, we look forward to seeing you on the Island this summer. All your bingo friends send you birthday greetings.

Jay Porcaro of Weber’s Floral was one floral company that participated in the bridal show at Mission Point Resort Sunday, May 8. There were many beautiful arrangements on display. Weber’s Floral will open a shop on Mackinac Island Wednesday, June 1. It will be located in the former Ivey Abitz Gallery on Market Street.

Ann and Tim Timmons arrived Tuesday from their winter home in Palm City, Florida. Welcome back to Mackinac.

Congratulations to Abigail Martin, granddaughter of Alice Martin and niece of Trish Martin, on her graduation from the University of Toledo, where she was awarded a Master of Science degree in industrial engineering. Abigail is the daughter of James Martin of Alma.

Kathy Wightman of St. Ignace is once again employed in the Balsam Shop on Main Street.

Barbara and Sam Kovalak are happy to be back enjoying their lovely home at the Mission, with its magnificent view of the Island harbor and the Straits of Mackinac.

It is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the wooded section of our Island, where the wildflowers grow abundantly covering many areas. There are the tiny hepaticas, better known as mayflowers, in delicate colors of pink, blue, and white, the purple myrtle, wild violets, and white trilliums. Just take a walk and see what Mother Nature has created for all to enjoy.

Vic Callewaert spent five days on the Island getting around on his Amigo following knee replacement surgery. Good to see you back on Mackinac.

Buck Sharrow is seen exercising Mike Young’s beautiful team of horses. His wife, Alice, was here for the weekend. They’re very excited about the birth of their new granddaughter.

It seems like old times to see Dick Rulison of Pelkie back on the streets keeping track of the carriages for Mackinac Island Carriage Tours.

Buzz Waggoner of Wyandotte has his La Galerie Gift Shop open for the 2005 season.

Happy birthday on May 12 to little James Doud of St. Clair Shores. Have a great day.

Richard and Barbara Wilson of Pasadena, California, owners of the former Bennett Cottage in Hubbard’s Annex, are spending 10 days on the Island. They love Mackinac and come often for a visit. On Wednesday evening, they enjoyed dinner with Betty and Barry BeDour at the Jockey Club.

Barry BeDour is out and about checking on his many jobs of construction and the opening of cottages. Great to see Barry riding his bike.

Adam Fisher and Judy Wruk are celebrating their birthdays May 15. I hope your day is special.

Charlie and Mary Thompson have returned to Mackinac from Rockledge, Florida, where they spent the winter. Mary is busy getting her Lilac House ready for the 2005 season.

Lois and John Findley are back at their summer cottage, Smallpointe, on Lakeshore Drive, where they welcome guests each summer.

We’re happy to see Ada Mae Chambers back on the Island looking well following the automobile accident she and Bud suffered during the winter.

A special happy birthday to Melly Hagenbaugh May 16. I hope Sadie and Cassie give you something special.

James Shannon of Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinac Island received his Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, magna cum laude, from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor Saturday, April 30. While at Michigan, James was named to the dean’s list and was a member of the nursing honors program. He participated in the health science scholars program and was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. James, the son of Patrick and Mary Anne Shannon, is a 2001 graduate of Sault Ste. Marie High School.

Happy birthday to Franc Doud May 16. Enjoy your day.

Pat and Louie Leveille of St. Ignace will celebrate their wedding anniversary May 18. I hope you have a special day.

Mary Ann Shannon of Sault Ste. Marie and Mackinac Island received her Ph.D in education from Michigan State University at commencement ceremonies, Friday, May 6, in East Lansing. Mary Anne is a professor of nursing at Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. Marie. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science degree in nursing from Wayne State University. Mary Anne is a clinical nurse specialist in geriatric nursing. She is married to Patrick Shannon. They have two children, Thomas, a dental student at the University of Michigan, and James, a recent graduate of the University of Michigan School of Nursing. Congratulations to Mary Anne from all your Island friends.

Nice to see Bob Green getting around on his little Amigo following his recent hip replacement surgery.

Best get well wishes to Janis Wightman Early of Arizona, who recently underwent eye surgery. Janis has been on the Island making her home with her mother, Esther Wightman, but went back to Arizona to consult with her doctor. Hurry and get well are the wishes of your friends and family.

Glen Woulfe of Sarasota, Florida, has returned to the Windermere Hotel for the 2005 season.

Marvin, Christy, Marvin Lee, and Carolyn May are in their lovely home on Cadotte Avenue. Their daughter, Heather, will be home soon from her studies at Central Michigan University.

Glen and Deanna St. Onge have arrived on the Island for the summer months. They spent the winter in Jacksonville, Florida.

Bob Traxler and friend enjoyed the weekend at his home in Woodbluff.

Take a leisurely walk to the end of the boardwalk in the evening, just to see the setting sun, which is a glorious sight as its crimson rays slowly descend in the west beyond the Mackinac Bridge.

Freighter traffic through the Round Island Passage continues to be very busy, not only with the American ships but Canadian and foreign as well.

The Mission Point gala party was very well attended and enjoyed by all. As usual Chef Phil Kromer served many special goodies to the guests.

Helga Doud enjoyed a visit from her granddaugher, Marge Coolman and family from Petoskey over Mother’s Day. Helga is now visiting her daughter and son-in-law, Anna Mary and Gary Cusack in Petoskey.

The Peter Olsons spent the weekend at their cottage on Mackinac. Marta’s mother, Marian Petersen, visited the Island on Sunday with her two sons, Jay and Todd.

Don and Barbara Libby of Grand Rapids accompanied Alice Martin to a reunion of Kuling American School over Mother’s Day weekend. The school was located in Lushana, in central China, and closed in 1937. Both Alice and Don attended grade school there. Driving them out to Connecticut, where the reunion was held, were Bill and Kate McClaurey, old friends and former Island residents. One of the highlights of the reunion was a visit to the archives of Yale Divinity School, where many of the China missionary papers and documents are being preserved, including those of the Libby family.

Phyllis Dunham and friend, Wayne Gungham are enjoying Mackinac and Phyllis’s cottage on French Lane.

Lake Sweet is back on Mackinac after completing her first year at Albion College. Jennifer Wightman is also home from her studies at Bay Mills Community College.

The new paving project on Cadotte is progressing nicely and should be completed by Thursday. It will be very nice when finished.

The weather remains on the cool side. It would be nice to have some warm sunshine.

The new 2005 bicycle licenses are on sale at the Mackinac Island Police Department.

The Louis Putz family from the Detroit area are comfortably settled in their East Bluff cottage known as the “Baby Grand.”

The Vernon Haans of Wisconsin are here preparing their Haan’s 1830 Inn Bed & Breakfast for the 2005 opening.

Dr. Mike and Jane Bacon attended Father Jim’s mass Sunday, May 8.

Enjoy the opening of the 2005 season.