News About People On Mackinac Island
By Jeannette Doud

Blue skies, warm temperatures, and brilliant sunshine made a perfect day for a parade, and what a parade it was. Hundreds of folks lined the streets from east to west just to have the right seats for viewing the annual lilac parade. In the distance, one could hear the ruffle of drums and sounds of music, which meant that everything was about to begin. Led by Native Americans and Islanders Donald and Carl Andress, in full dress, riding two beautiful horses, the parade was underway from Mission Point to Windermere Point. Colorful floats were very beautiful and attractive. Lilac Queen Blisse Beardsley was high on her throne wearing her sparkling crown. She was a radiant queen on the most beautiful and attractive float built by the Mosley and Kolatski families, surrounded by her court of lovely girls and the Lilac Princess Shelbie Mosley. The queen’s float won first prize. All the entries were wonderful causing much excitement to the viewers. We were so proud of the Mackinac Island American Legion Post and Island veterans who marched in the parade. The bands were perfect, adding much joy to the parade. Mayor Margaret Doud rode with Congressman Bart Stupak and his wife, Laurie, who is the newest member of the Mackinac State Park Commission. State Representative Gary McDowell also participated in the parade. It was so nice to see the National Cherry Festival Queen from Traverse City on the Island. It was truly a wonderful day on Mackinac. A special thanks to Mary McGuire Slevin, director of the Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau, and to Patti Ann Moskwa, chairman of Lilac Day, for their many hours of work and planning. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped with the parade. It takes a community effort to make it happen. Following the parade, the Scottville Clown Band performed a wonderful concert at Windermere Point to a crowd of more than 300 people. It was a perfect finale to a perfect day.

One of the new events of lilac week was held Saturday, June 18, at Windermere Point. It was a dog and pony show. I have a very special four-legged friend, my granddaughter, a wonderful white and brown bassett hound named Carmella that I’ve known since she was six weeks old. Carmella was entered in the show dressed in a full “Elvis” costume and her handler was Paul Martin Wandrie, who did an excellent job. Carmella’s title was “You Ain’t Nothing But a Hound Dog.” Carmella and Paul won the first prize. Carmella belongs to Jason St. Onge and Jennie Shanku. There were many great entries and even some ponies. It was a wonderful show and everyone is looking forward to next year.

Being around the shore of our beautiful Island, one will see so much natural beauty. The water of the Straits is a heavenly blue, the trees and shrubs have taken on their early spring greenery, while the wildflowers are in full bloom, the daisies, buttercups, Indian Paintbrushes, bluebells, and yellow ladyslippers. They’re waving in the summer’s sunlight showing all their glory to those who pass by. Let us not overlook the Queen Anne’s lace, the pink and white blossoms of the apple trees, and the scent of the wild honeysuckle vines. Birds are singing their joyful tunes while the ducks are enjoying a swim in the lake. Carefully scan the roadside, where you just might be lucky enough to find a patch of wild strawberries.

Saturday, June 18, on a bright beautiful Mackinac sunny afternoon, Dr. Fran and Lorna Straus were guests of honor at a delightful cocktail reception celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The entire Straus family and friends joined them in the garden of their summer cottage, Maple Lodge. Congratulations to Dr. Fran and Lorna. May you continue to enjoy many more years of the best of health and happiness.

Peggy and Dennis O’Keefe of LaSalle, Illinois, enjoyed their annual spring visit to their favorite Island and the Windermere Hotel, where they relaxed on the veranda of the hotel with its magnificent view of the Straits of Mackinac and the big freighters passing by. It’s a great pleasure to see them again.

Best get well wishes to my good friend, Joy La Fleur of Trenton, mother of Betsy Allers, who has been in the hospital, but is home now and doing much better. Betsy had been in Trenton with her mother, but has returned to Mackinaw City. Captain Paul Allers has been keeping me posted on the news. Hurry and get well are the wishes of Island friends.

A very happy birthday June 19 to my nephew, Richard Chambers. His baby sister, Clara, celebrated her birthday June 18. Their mom, Jody, entertained at a family dinner and baked Richard his favorite dessert, cherry pie.

Ron O’Neil of Lasting Impressions Gift Shop on Market Street has a very attractive bed of flowering pansies in the front of the shop and a healthy vegetable garden, passing on his fresh rhubarb to his neighbors, Margaret and Jeannette Doud, which was the best ever. Special thanks to Ron and Gwen for their many kind deeds.

The John McGreevy family of Cleveland, Ohio, visited John’s sister, Catherine, over lilac weekend.

Karen Allen, a much loved school teacher at Mackinac Island Public School, had her mother, Margaret McIntosh of Florida, visit last week. Karen and her mother enjoyed the Governor’s reception last Sunday morning.

Happy birthday to Lt. Pete Komblevitz of the Mackinac Island Police Department, who celebrated his birthday June 18. I hope your day was special.

Peggy Bynoe is enjoying a visit to Disney World with her sister and family, Katie and Randy McKay and their four children, Katlyn, Riley, Dawson, and McKenna, of Chassell.

Best wishes to Moie Brown of St. Ignace, who is recuperating at his home after surgery at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. Island friends are thinking about you with hopes that you’re better each day.

Jim and Lora Myers of Cleveland, Ohio, avid readers of The St. Ignace News and Mackinac Island Town Crier , are on their annual visit to Mackinac and the Iroquois. I was able to enjoy a pleasant visit with them. They read our column each week, enjoying news from their favorite Island.

A very special couple, Dan and Kathi Wightman, celebrated 22 years of marriage Saturday, June 18. Year-around residents of the Island, Dan is the foreman for Edison Sault Electric Company on Mackinac and is always around when duty calls. Kathi is a member of the Mackinac Island Library Board and is very active with the Tuesday night Lion’s bingos. Dan and Kathi are the parents of two daughters, Jennifer and Danielle. Best wishes from Island friends.

Once again our deepest sympathy to Keith Leverton, longtime porter at the Iroquois Hotel, whose father died very suddenly this past week in Dearborn. The day of his father’s funeral, Keith learned that his mother had just died. Friends may write to Keith at the following address: 22121 West Village Drive, Dearborn, Michigan 48124. Island friends send best wishes to Keith at this sorrowful time in his life. Hopefully your foot is healing and soon you will be able to return to your second home at the Iroquois on Mackinac.

Welcome back to her summer home on Mackinac, Rosie Charnes of Indianapolis, Indiana. We’re all so happy to see her. Rosie helps out on the front desk at the Windermere Hotel, where she has made many friends. Rosie’s houseguest for two weeks is Suzanne Munger of West Carrollton, Ohio, and her brother and family from Indiana. They all thoroughly enjoyed the lilac parade.

Happy 17th wedding anniversary June 17 to Susan and Harvey Bentley of St. Ignace, who enjoyed dining at Mission Point Resort. Susan is the owner of the 7th Heaven Beauty Salon.

Adam and Tyler Chambers, sons of John and Jane of St. Ignace, were two happy young lads who came over to the Island on Monday to spend the night with their cousin, Robert Chambers. They all had a great time.

Helga Doud is home from the hospital following a bout with pneumonia and was on hand Sunday for the lilac parade. Her granddaughter, Marge Coolman and family from Petoskey, joined her for the weekend.

The wildlife in and around Mackinac is a joy to watch. On Windermere Point, we have a mama goose and nine little goslings that are being taught how to swim. Our robin’s nest on the Windermere fire escape has four baby robins that wait patiently each day for mama to bring them food. The white whistling swans are once again seen swimming in the harbor. At our house, six mallards and several hens have made their home, coming daily for their feast of corn and sunflower seeds. The otter family lives between the Arnold dock and the marina, where people are fascinated watching them play in the water.

Dr. Mary Alban of St. Ignace enjoyed showing the Island to her mother, Judy Alban, of Okemos and viewing the lilac parade. Dr. Mary really enjoyed seeing all the beautiful horses. She will have office hours on the Island Thursday, June 23.

My good friend, Bruce Bentgen, and Dr. Glen Heynig of Harbor Springs were on the Island Sunday for the lilac parade.

Guests of Bud Bourisaw and Sherry Rayha over the weekend were Sherry’s sister and husband, Dr. Jay and Debbie Klein of Traverse City. Dr. Jay attended a medical conference at Mission Point Resort.

Best wishes to Father Mike Rhoades of St. Ignace, who recently spent a week in New York City, where he received special medical treatment. He is back home in St. Ignace and doing well.

Marvin Lee May, son of Marvin and Christy, drove all the way home from Ann Arbor Sunday, June 19, just to be with his dad on Father’s Day.

It was wonderful to see Jack Ryerse and his daughter and her husband of St. Ignace here for the lilac parade. We miss you, Jack, but so glad that you’re doing so well.

Alice Myron and her daughter, Sue of Port Huron and Mackinac, attended the Straus anniversary party Saturday, June 18. So good to see you both on the Island.

Melinda Porter and family of Harbor Springs enjoyed the lilac parade Sunday, June 19.

Paul and Emily Fullerton of St. Ignace, with their two sons, enjoyed Lilac Day on Mackinac.

The Dennis Cawthorne family of Lansing spent the weekend on the Island enjoying the lilac festivities. This is Dennis’ 45th summer on the Island, where he spent his first year working for Mackinac Island Carriage Tours while attending Albion College. Dennis also was the one who introduced Mackinac to the Scottsville Clown Band, which is such a hit every year in the parade.

If you’re walking up or down French Lane, take time to view Dwight LaPine’s beautiful garden behind his home on Market Street. It’s very healthy and beautiful with a wide variety of blooming flowers.

Crowds of visitors can be seen walking or biking each day up Cadotte Avenue, just to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Grand Hotel and its surrounding gardens.

Wayne Drost Jr. and sons, Isaac and Jesse of Charlevoix, visited their mother and grandmother, Lulu Belle De Arce, recently at her Island home.

Ken Hardy and family of St. Ignace enjoyed the lilac parade Sunday afternoon.

Windows in the shops all over the Island, from gifts to fudge, displayed the lilac theme decorating so artistically and attractively. We’re very proud to have everyone participate in the theme of Lilac Day.

The local marina was a magnificent sight over the weekend with the most beautiful yachts imaginable, many of which were decorated with lilac colored lights.

One of our favorite ships, which the captain often blows us a salute as they pass Windermere Point, is the Edgar B. Speer , which was recently honored as the sesquecentennial ship to pass through the Soo Locks. June 18, 1885, the first ship traveled the Soo Locks, marking the anniversary of that special occasion.

Happy birthday June 23 to Lois Griffin, mother of Jennifer Karhoff of Findlay, Ohio. Hope your day is special.

Happy 25th wedding anniversary June 21 to Gene and Melly Hagenbaugh. They’re on a three-day vacation visiting friends in Wisconsin. Congratulations to Melly and Gene from Island friends.

Walt North of St. Ignace never fails to attend any function that we may have on the Island. He and his son, Dave, were here at the lilac parade Sunday.

Dr. and Mrs. Vince Carroll of Little Stone Church hosted friends Bibby and Tom Terry from Cincinnati/Bay View and Venice, Florida. Dr. Carroll’s mother and two brothers, Lynn and Clay, were here last week coming from Phoenix, Arizona, and Iowa.

The annual Little Stone Church parsonage coffee was held this past Sunday, June 19. Dr. and Mrs. Carroll welcomed more than 75 guests after the morning service.

Kitty Schadel of Arcadia, New York, will be celebrating her birthday June 24. Kitty is a sister to Bud Bourisaw. Great to see you on the Island in May. Hope to see you again this summer on Mackinac.

Our wonderful new medical center continues to be one of the busiest places in town. Over the weekend, the great staff nursed many patients back to health.

What a pleasure to see Joan and Wayne Zwolinski of Petoskey attending the lilac parade. They thoroughly enjoyed seeing many of their Island friends.

Candy Smith has a birthday June 27. Candy is a special person who is always there to help someone. I hope your day is great.

Welcome home to Mackinac to Virginia and Dan Riordan of Marietta, Georgia, who will be spending the summer on the Island. Virginia recently retired from her teaching position in the Marietta school system. They’re comfortably settled in their McIntyre cottage on Market Street, the home where Virginia was born. Great to have them back on the Island.

Mary Jane and Bob Neuman of Royal Oak are spending their annual vacation at the Windermere Hotel. Great to see them back on the Island.

Dick and Dee Czapek of Grand Rapids are visiting Dee’s sister, Candy Smith and family. It’s so nice to see them back on Mackinac.

Brother Jim Boynton, S.J. is back at Ste. Anne’s for six weeks. It’s great to have Brother Jim on the Island.

Dr. John and Ann Killinger visited Mackinac over the weekend. They were guests of Margaret McIntire at her Boardwalk Cottage. Dr. John was the former minister at Little Stone Church.

Enjoy the beautiful summer weather.