News About People On Mackinac Island
By Jeannette Doud

Beauty! Beauty! This is the best way to describe our magical Island as this is lilactime, where the shrubs and trees, many of which are centuries old, are at their peak. What a magnificent sight for our many visitors to see. Everywhere one looks, the delicate sweetness of lilac permeates the air. The trees are laden with the best crop in years, their branches bending under the weight. The colors range from delicate white to pinks, lavenders, and deep purple. During the long winter months, we see these trees laden with blankets of white snow. Now that the season of spring is at hand, it’s a miracle to see them produce such rare beauty.

At the Governor’s Reception, Reinette Murray, Cynthia Cawthorne, Sandra Orr, and Jerry Murray.

Great interesting news for golf fans. Just read the following, which was sent to me by Scott’s father, Jack Parel, who was born on Mackinac: Scott Parel, son of Jack and Paige Parel of Augusta, Georgia, will again be playing in the U.S. Open Golf Championship beginning Monday, June 13, at the famous Pinehurst #2 Golf Course in North Carolina. He last played in the tournament in 2002 at Bethpage. Scott is a member of the PGA nationwide tour. A graduate of the University of Georgia, Scott and his wife have two children, Kayla and Cory. Scott has many relatives who were born and raised on Mackinac Island, including the Bazinaws, LaPines, Pfeiffelmans, St. Onges, Greens, Fraziers, Dufinas, Francis’, and Gallaghers and, of course, his favorite uncle, Larry Parel. The entire Parel family in Georgia will be at the tournament, including his brother, Dr. Rob Parel of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and his wife and children. Scott’s brother-in-law, Bill Wood, a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, will be his caddy. Everyone on Mackinac wishes Scott good luck.

At right:Maeve Croghan, First Gentleman Daniel Mulhern, and Governor Jennifer Granholm.

Our fair city has taken on a delightful summer look as each lamppost is decorated with hanging baskets filled with red geraniums and other flowers. They’re very attractive and beautiful. Joe Porcaro, father of Jay, who owns Weber’s Floral, does an excellent job giving them all tender loving care.

The Island and surrounding area suffered a dreadful electrical storm Saturday afternoon, June 11, with heavy chain lightning and torrential rain. Dan Wightman and Mark Chambers of Edison Sault Electric were kept very busy with power outages. It was quite an unusual storm for the Island, as the intense lightning was so dangerous.

Welcome home to Mackinac to Elaine and Toby Murray of Vermont, who are enjoying their condominium in Lesley Court, which has a beautiful view of the harbor. Toby is happy to be back working at the Michigan Waterways Marina for the summer. Elaine brought her father along so that he could see Mackinac at lilactime.

Helga Doud is recuperating well from her recent illness and be will be home on Mackinac very soon.

The benefit party Thursday, June 9, at Great Turtle Park for the Frank Horn Scholarship Fund was well attended and very successful. Special thanks to everyone who joined in keeping alive the name of one of the younger and much loved members of our community.

Our deepest sympathy to Bill and Lois Lenaghan on the recent death of Lois’ brother, who died this past week in Garden City. Island friends are thinking of you.

Mayor Bruce Dodson of St. Ignace attended the spring meeting of the Michigan Association of Sheriffs Sunday evening, June 12, at Mission Point Resort.

On the warm spring morning of Sunday, June 12, members of the Island community were invited by Governor Jennifer Granholm and her husband, Dan Mulhern, to a garden reception at the governor’s summer residence. Everyone enjoyed a very nice time. The home has a magnificent panoramic view of the Straits and the Island.

Jeff Shaffer’s dad, Jack, celebrated his 70th birthday Friday, June 10, and we wish him a very happy one. The Shaffers, of Gwinn, are avid visitors to Mackinac. The family enjoyed a birthday dinner at the Carriage House Dining Room. Their son, Jeff, and Dwight LaPine are the owners of the London Square gift shop on Market Street.

Today, Monday, June 13, Gary LaPine of Mackinac remains critically ill at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. All of Gary’s many friends on the Island are praying for his recovery. Gary is the identical twin brother to Larry, members of an old Mackinac family.

Mar Pulte is back on Mackinac and recovering well after recent surgery in Ann Arbor. Everyone is so pleased that Mar is feeling well.

A note received from Alice Myron reports that she is doing well. Alice spent Memorial weekend on Mackinac planting flowers at her cottage on the East Bluff. She and her daughter, Sue, will spend the summer in Port Huron, so we will miss seeing them on Mackinac. Everyone on the Island sends special greetings to Alice and certainly hope to see you on Mackinac sometime this summer. Please remember Alice with notes at her home in Port Huron. Her address is: 3130 Monticello Drive, Port Huron, Michigan 48060.

Happy horseback riders can be seen daily from Jack’s and Cindy’s Riding Stables.

Our column is not without sadness this week. Keith Leverton, longtime porter at the Iroquois Hotel, has been unable to work owing to a badly fractured foot. We’ve just learned that his beloved father, who lived in Dearborn, died suddenly over the weekend. Everyone on Mackinac sends deepest sympathy to Keith. Keith’s address is: 22121 West Village Drive, Dearborn, Michigan 48124.

Weber’s Floral of St. Ignace and Sault Ste. Marie has now opened an attractive shop on Market Street. We wish them much success.

Jack Purvis and his wife of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, recently visited the Island. Jack has many friends on the Island and it was great seeing them again.

Great to see Vic Callewaert feeling fine riding around on his Amigo. Vic, who recently had a knee replacement, receives therapy at Mackinac Straits Hospital in St. Ignace

Deepest sympathy to the John Massaway family of St. Ignace on the sudden death of their 29-year-old son.

A very happy birthday to Gary and Larry LaPine June 17. I hope you have a special day.

Welcome back to Mackinac, Janet and Jay Stingel of Biltmore Forest, North Carolina, who have opened their beautiful summer cottage, Brigadoon. They’ve brought along four beautiful black Friesian horses, which are being driven each day all around the Island.

Loretta and Tony Spata have been in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, attending the memorial service for Loretta’s sister, who died recently in California. Deepest sympathy to the family from Island friends.

Clara Hart Chambers will celebrate her first birthday Saturday, June 18. She will be surrounded by her three sisters and two brothers, who will help her blow the birthday candles out. Her father, Mark, celebrated his birthday June 13.

Rosie Charnes has arrived on the Island for the summer, coming from her winter home in Indianapolis, Indiana. It’s so nice to have Rosie back on Mackinac.

Happy birthday to Miranda McMahon June 18, Richard Chambers, Will Porter, and Mona Carley, Mike’s mother, June 19, Dennis Bradley Jr. June 20, and Robert McGreevy June 21. I hope that you have a great day.

Diane Neyer has waved her gardening wand at Metivier Inn, where one will see loads of pink and white flowers in the gardens and pink geraniums adorning the window boxes.

Marvin Lee May of Ann Arbor, along with his friends, had a fun weekend on the Island. Lee is employed in the graphics art department at the University of Michigan.

Pat Pulte celebrated his birthday June 9. I hope your day was special.

Welcome back to his home on Bourisaw Lane, Bud Bourisaw and his friend, Sherry Rayha of Cheboygan. Nice to see lights on in the neighborhood.

Hope to see everyone at the Lilac Parade Sunday, June 19.