News About People On Mackinac Island
By Jeannette Doud

At 11:30 a.m., Monday, May 30, at the Veterans Memorial in the City Park, an impressive service was held in honor of all the men and women who have served, or are serving our country in the military. Traditional military music was provided by soldiers from Fort Mackinac. Armand “Smi” Horn introduced Walter North of St. Ignace, who was the master of ceremonies. The national anthem was sung by Mary McGuire Slevin and the invocation was offered by the Reverend Vince Carroll of the Little Stone Church, a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Mayor Doud welcomed the group and reminded everyone that we still have Sunshine Woodard from Mackinac serving in Iraq. William Porter, veteran of World War II, gave a moving speech about serving our country. Post Commander Paul Wandrie of Post 299 from Mackinac gave a detailed account of the men and women who have served our country, past and present. Benediction was offered by Reverend Carroll, taps were sounded by a Fort Mackinac soldier, and Chief Bill Lenaghan and Smi Horn raised the flag ending the ceremony. We’re proud of Post 299 and the excellent job they do on Mackinac. It was a great way to honor all our veterans. Wonderful news is that Staff Sgt. Ben Horn, who served his country for 7.5 years in Germany and Iraq, is safely back home on Mackinac with his family.

Budding tulips welcomed guests at Grand Hotel Monday, May 30.

On this Memorial Day, a tradition was being carried on by Father Rey Garcia, as he joined Island residents in blessing the graves in the Island cemeteries, where many of our soldiers rest in peace. It was a beautiful day and the spring flowers covered the area.

Happy belated birthday May 27 to Jim Pettit. Even though you’re a dedicated worker with Mackinac Island Service Company, and a busy person, we sincerely hope that you took time to enjoy your birthday. We hope it was a great one.

At the historic Mission Church Saturday, May 28, Kathleen Green of Montana became the bride of Larry Rickley Jr. of Mackinac. A complete account of the wedding will follow. Attending the wedding were dear friends from Sarnia, Ontario, Barbara Fraser with son, Rick, and grandsons, David and Ryan. Barb is the widow of the late Hilt Fraser. They visited their favorite Island, where over the years they’ve made a host of friends, one being Dennis Brodeur. Barb is the mother of Kerry Fraser, referee for the NHL, who is often seen on television. It was so nice to have you back on Mackinac.

Veronica Massaway of St. Ignace will be celebrating her 70th birthday June 4 and we wish her a very happy one. She was born on Mackinac.

Graduation exercises were held Friday evening, May 27, at Mackinac Island Public School. Superintendent Jack Dehring gave impressive opening remarks about each student. Even though it was a happy time for Mr. Dehring, it was also an emotional one, as he had known each student from kindergarten through 12 grade. Valedictorian Blisse Beardsley gave a moving speech about her life and experiences of living and attending school on Mackinac. Emma Chambers introduced the guest speaker, Father Jim Williams, pastor of Ste. Anne’s Church, who explained to the graduates what a different world we’re living in today. Father Jim knew each graduate from kindergarten, so he had a personal touch with each one. Diplomas were presented by the president of the Board of Education, Ben Mosley, and Superintendent Dehring. Jamie Andress, the son of Donald Andress of Mackinac Island and Diane Andress of Mackinaw City, will be attending a trade school in Gaylord this fall. Blisse Beardsley, daughter of Theresa Butler and the late Doug Beardsley, will be attending the University of Michigan. Emma Chambers, daughter of Mark and Jody Chambers, will be attending Ferris State University. Richard Chaffee, son of Scott Chaffee and Barbara Shulman, will attend Central Michigan University. Congratulations and best wishes to the graduates from all your Island friends. A nice reception followed the ceremony in the school gymnasium.

Special hello to Captain Danny Gallagher, master of the beautiful ship American Spirit , who blew the Douds a salute on Sunday as it was eastbound through Round Island Passage.

The Tom Lewand family had a reunion over the weekend at their lovely home on the East Bluff. Saturday, May 28, they had a surprise birthday party for their daughter, Kristi Graham, who celebrates her 30th birthday June 3. Happy birthday, Kristi, from Island friends.

A special lady, Rosie Charnes, will celebrate her birthday June 7. Rosie will arrive on Mackinac about June 10 from her home in Indianapolis, Indiana. Happy birthday, Rosie, from your friends on Mackinac.

Out-of-town guests at the Green/Rickley wedding were Donna and Mark Makowski and family from Gaylord, Ed and Linda Horn from Indian River, and Tony, Tammy, and Cassie Frazier and Tammy’s parents, Doris and Richard LaPine, from Mackinaw City. The Jeff Bunkers and the Louie Bunkers attended the wedding from St. Ignace.

Spending the Memorial Day weekend at their Island homes were Barb and Sam Kovalak from Grand Rapids, Mike and Wendy Young from Frankenmuth, Nancy and Larry Keogh from Northfield, Illinois, Candi, Brian, Claire, and James Dunnigan of Grass Lake, Alice Myron of Port Huron, the Tom Lewands of Birmingham, and Joan Barch from her home in Lansing. It was a beautiful weekend.

Dr. Richard Hodgman and family of Kalkaska enjoyed the Memorial Day weekend at the Windermere while Dr. Hodgman and his wife, Karen, were at the Mackinac Island Medical Center. Dr. Hodgman was the doctor in charge while Dr. Don Weersing had the weekend off.

Blisse Beardsley’s Aunt Veronica of New York City attended her graduation Friday, May 27.

Jen Glashaw of St. Ignace paid a visit to her family and friends on Mackinac last week.

Mrs. Dorothy Bawks of Pickford attended the graduation of her grandson, Jamie Andress, Friday, May 27. She also visited her granddaughter, Sherry Gough, and great-granddaughter, Ashley.

Betty BeDour will celebrate her birthday June 7. Have a special day, Betty, and share some cake with Buddy.

According to word received from Lee Finkel, there will only be two cruise ships visiting Mackinac this season. They will be the Grand Caribbean in June, July, August, and September and the MV Columbus in September and October.

Relatives of Jody Chambers attending Emma’s graduation were her father, Dick Johnson from Clarklake, and her brother, Coley, and family from Brooklyn.

A familiar figure, Leo Krzeminski, is back working at Doud’s Grocery. He loves visiting with his many friends. Leo spends the winter months with his daughters in the Detroit area, but always returns to his home on McGulpin Street in the spring.

Lorna and Dr. Fran Straus entertained their family over the Memorial Day weekend at their cottage in Hubbard’s Annex. They also planted their beautiful gardens for the summer.

George and Judith Goodman of Ann Arbor are enjoying a visit to their home on Mackinac.

David Roe of the Detroit area, along with his two beautiful golden retrievers, are on his boat at the marina. David attended Emma Chambers’ graduation Friday evening.

Jean and Nancy LaBorde of Appleton, Wisconsin, with son, Joseph Gerbyshak, attended Emma Chambers’ graduation Friday evening. Nancy is Emma’s aunt, and they enjoyed visiting Mackinac for this special occasion.

Mary Patay is back home on the Island from college in Colorado.

We welcome back to Mackinac, State Trooper Jim Lang and his family from Bay City.

John and Beth Chambers are here for the summer months residing in the Chambers residence on Cadotte Avenue. Beth is busy studying for her Michigan Bar exam.

Beautiful landscaping has taken place on the grounds of the popular bed and breakfast, Cloghaun. Soon we shall see the spring flowers in the rock garden at the entryway in full bloom.

Congressman Bart and Laurie Stupak spent Friday night on the Island. Congratulations to Laurie on her recent appointment to the Mackinac Island State Park Commission. She attended her first meeting Friday, May 27.

Lynelle, Franc, and James Doud of St. Clair Shores were guests of Franc Sr. and Helga Doud over the Memorial Day weekend. They attended the Green/Rickley wedding.

Mary Jane and Willie Barnwell of Petoskey spent the weekend on Mackinac and will soon be moving to the Island for the summer.

Many folks are seen taking the shuttle to Woods Restaurant at Stonecliffe for dinner. The horse and buggy ride through the wooded area gives the guests a thrill to see the woods filled with wildflowers, especially trilliums.

Congratulations to Katie Porter on her graduation from Cheboygan High School Sunday, May 29. She is the daughter of Phil and Val Porter and the granddaughter of Bill and Lornie Porter of Mackinac.

Cal and Mary Rogers visited the Island over the weekend. It was nice to see Cal at the memorial service.

Judy Bynoe entertained family and friends Monday evening, May 30, at a dinner party at the Jockey Club in honor of her son, Jamie, who was celebrating his birthday. Everyone had a great time.

Melinda Porter of Harbor Springs and a friend attended the reception for the Manoogian art collection Monday evening, May 30.

Jack and Emory Barnwell are visiting their mother, Becki, and brother, Sam, on the Island. Both boys attend college in Montana.

Emily and Paul Fullerton attended the Manoogian art reception Monday evening at Grand Hotel.

Dennis and Cynthia Cawthorne spent the weekend on Mackinac from their home in Lansing.

Frank and Carole Pompa were on Mackinac over the Memorial Day weekend.

The Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce will be at Grand Hotel Thursday, June 2, through Saturday, June 4.

It was great to see John Barnwell on Mackinac last week. John and his lovely wife, Judy, make their home in Alanson. Judy is postmistress at the Oden post office. They’re enjoying their home, which is on farmland where they grow vegetables and lots of flowers.

Lydia Porter, daughter of Matt and Melinda Porter of Harbor Springs, will be graduated with honors Sunday, June 5, from Harbor Springs High School. She is the granddaughter of Smi and Mickey Horn and Bill and Lornie Porter of Mackinac. Lydia attended Mackinac Island Public School for several years and has a host of friends on the Island. Congratulations to Lydia from Island friends and family.

Enjoy the beautiful spring flowers in the woods on Mackinac.