News About People On Mackinac Island

Summer breezes off the Straits of Mackinac blew gently Sunday afternoon, June 26, as Ann and Tim Timmons hosted a delightful party at their home on Lakeshore Drive honoring major donors to the Mackinac Island Medical Center. It was a wonderful gathering where friends met friends, many who had been off the Island for the winter months. There is always such a warm and happy atmosphere at the Timmons’ cottage, be it on the verandah with its magnificent view of Round Island and its surroundings, or inside their cottage, being welcomed by their gracious hospitality. A most enjoyable time was had by all. Monday, July 4, a very special lady, Cecelia Flanagan, will be celebrating her 98th birthday. She lives with her daughter, Kay Hoppenrath, in her comfortable home on Market Street. Cecelia is an expert on Mackinac history and loves to visit with her friends. Please remember Cecelia on her special birthday. Years back, Miss Stella King planted a small bush in the yard known as the Hildreth Cottage on French Lane. Now it has become a thing of beauty each summer, when it bursts into full bloom covered with yellow roses. Each time while passing by daily, I’ve come to remember Stella and admire the tree as one of my favorite Mackinac memories. While writing my weekly column for The St. Ignace News and Mackinac Island Town Crier , I’ve met and heard from so many folks who thoroughly enjoy hearing about our much loved Island and its people. Several weeks ago, I had the pleasure of a visit with six lovely ladies from Columbus, Ohio, Ruth Schietzinger, Marie Travis, Rosemary Conroy, Carol Barkow, Mary Jo Holbrook, and Cathy Taris, who were enjoying a get-together at their summer cottage in the Les Cheneaux Islands. It so happened while visiting with them, I learned they were personal friends of the late Margaret and Wes Maurer Sr. It was a most delightful time, since I could relate many happy stories to them about my good friends, too. They love the Island and enjoy reading the news each week.

Members of Mackinac Island’s 2005 Lilac Queen and Court participated in the annual Antique Auto Show Parade inSt.Ignace Thursday,June 23. From left are former Lilac Queen Jennifer Wightman, reigning Queen Blisse Beardsley, and Princess Shelbie Mosley.

Happy birthday to Jody Chambers July 1. I’m sure your six children will help you blow out your candles. Have a great day.

Attending the donors party at the home of Ann and Tim Timmons Sunday, June 26, were (from left) Barbara Hellis, Jeannette Doud, Lorabeth Fitzgerald, Beverly Benjamin, Ann Timmons, and Amelia Musser.

We give a special welcome back to Mackinac to Lorabeth and John Fitzgerald of Grand Ledge, who are in their cottage on the East Bluff and among their many caring Island friends. Lorabeth enjoyed Ann and Tim Timmons’ party on Sunday, where she was greeted by many friends.

Candi Dunnigan is recuperating well at her home in Grass Lake after surgery performed at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Friday, June 24. It’s always a joy to hear Candi’s voice over the phone, as she has such a positive and happy attitude. She would love to hear from her friends. Her address is: 4531 North Maute Road, Grass Lake, Michigan 49240. Hopefully, Candi and Brian and family will soon be on Mackinac at their Easterly Cottage on the shore. Hurry and get well, Candi. We miss you on Mackinac.

Kathi (Mrs. Dan) Wightman entered Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey Tuesday, June 28, where she underwent a hip replacement. Following a few days in the hospital, she will be recuperating at her Island home. Friends, please remember her with cards and get well wishes.

Great news! Gary LaPine of the Island, who has been critically ill in the Intensive Care Unit at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey, is much improved, for which everyone is most thankful. Everyone on Mackinac sends special greetings to Gary.

Mother Nature sent us a flock of beautiful little yellow finches to our thistle feeder and we thoroughly enjoyed watching them. Suddenly, we’ve not seen them for the past two weeks, but we learned from Judy Bynoe that they built a nest in her geranium hanging basket on her front porch, where the little eggs have hatched into tiny finches. Bird watching is so much fun.

Please pray for our good friend, Bruce LaPine, who is a patient at Cheboygan Community Hospital. Bruce is a special member of our community who always responds with a smile when asked to help with the Christmas Bazaar and many different functions during the year. He is also a dedicated employee of the Island House Hotel, where he is head of maintenance. Get well soon, Bruce, we miss you.

This has been the week of parties on the Island. Heather Fisher Ogle was guest of honor at a pink and blue shower at Ste. Anne’s Hall Saturday, June 25, where she received many beautiful gifts.

Friends of Carrie Kaminen hosted a baby shower Sunday evening, June 26, at the Hagenbaugh residence on Lakeshore Drive. Melly is always a gracious host and loves a party. Outside the picket fence at the exterior of the residence, a bed of beautiful peonies are in full bloom. They brought back happy memories to me as her late parents, Thelma and Jim Alford, who were great gardeners, planted the beautiful plants.

Our American Legion post received a nice letter from Gordon Graham of VFW Post 7439 in Cheboygan raving about the hospitality he and other veterans received during the Lilac Parade.

“During my 36-year business career I have been to some pretty fancy outings and to some remote, out-of-the-way places, but I am hard pressed at the moment to remember any that have been so much fun as my annual trip to the Lilac Parade on Mackinac Island,” he wrote. “It seems each year it gets just a little bit better than the last.”

He continued, “The parade, in itself, is fun to participate in, with all the people applauding as the colors go by and a few who say ‘thanks for serving’ as you pass. It always gives this old man a sense of pride in having done his small part, oh so many years ago. But nothing surpasses the camaraderie that takes place at the Mustang after the parade is over!”

Vivian and Pat McTigue of Detroit are enjoying their lakefront condominium at the Mission, with its great view of the Straits of Mackinac. They return home on Monday to await the arrival of their first grandchild. The McTigues and Don and Gracie Francis enjoyed dinner Saturday night and several rounds of golf.

Karl and Isle Schmidt of Birmingham were the houseguests of Barbara and Brian Hellis over the weekend, where they attended the G. Mennen Williams Memorial dinner Saturday night at Grand Hotel. One of the highlights of the evening was the tour of the David and Ann Levy home on the East Bluff. It was a very enjoyable evening.

Clark Bloswick, an avid dog lover, warmed my heart this past week when he brought his 11-week old new dog named “Pal,” a darling black and tan beagle. Having lost his special dog, Ranger, last year, I’m thrilled that Clark has found his new “Pal.”

Guests of Margaret Doud over the weekend were longtime friends Nancy and Tom Cripe of Indianapolis and Elaine Noffze and her sister, Helen, from Lansing. Everyone had a great time.

Donna, Amanda, and Donald Makowski of Gaylord spent a great time visiting Don and Gracie Francis. Since the weather was warm and beautiful, they all enjoyed swimming in the lake and a great cookout.

Warmest and best wishes to Bill Porter, who is back home following a visit to Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. Take it slow and easy.

Guests at the Windermere Hotel over the weekend have been Jack Parel and his wife, Paige, of Augusta, Georgia. It’s always a pleasure to see them and have a good visit. Jack’s roots are on Mackinac, where he has many relatives and a host of friends. While attending Central Michigan University, he met his wife, Paige. Jack made a career of the U.S. Army. He is now retired and lives in Augusta, where his wife is employed at St. Mary School. They have two sons and several grandchildren.

Jack and Paige’s granddaughter, Kayla, 13, along with her grandmother, Paige, will travel to Vienna, Salzburg, and Prague in July. Kayla sings with the Augusta Children’s Chorale in Augusta. They will be performing five concerts in Eastern Europe.

A special happy birthday to Brother Jim Boynton July 3. Have a great day.

Welcome back to Mackinac to Joyce and David Dodge, who make their winter home in Naples, Florida. They recently made a trip to Jackson to celebrate a new grandchild June 25. Samantha Joan Boobyer was born to Kim and David, who were married last year on the Island. Samantha was born on her grandmother’s birthday. Congratulations to David and Kim.

Dottie Sharer has arrived at her West Bluff cottage for the summer season, coming from her home in Bloomfield Hills.

To Rita and Elliot Cohen, we miss you and hope to see you soon on Mackinac.

At Dwight LaPine’s garden, there is an array of colored peonies in full bloom. They’re magnificent and add beauty to the whole area.

Our lovely Lilac Queen, Blisse Beardsley, and Princess, Shelbie Mosley, along with last year’s queen, Jennifer Wightman, were driven in the St. Ignace car show parade by Jason St. Onge.

Megan Winkel of Missouri is visiting her mother, Marti, brother, Alex, and the McIntires at the Iroquois. Nice to see you, Megan.

Ray Stefanski of Alpena has returned for another summer in Hubbards’ Annex.

Happy birthday to Dean Gillespie Jr. July 1, Bette Emmons and Joann Bagbey July 2, George Bodwin Sr. and Bobby Joe Horn July 4, Jennifer Putnam July 5, and Brita Rogers July 7. I hope each of you have a great day.

Ellen Ruddle and Jody Chambers hosted a delightful pink and blue shower at the Chippewa Hotel Monday, June 27, honoring Jessica Fox, who received many lovely gifts.

Aunt Lou Riley of Naples, Florida, has arrived to visit her nieces, Debra and Sandra Orr. We heard that Aunt Lou is not feeling her best, so we send her special greetings.

Bruce and Jill Lynn, summer residents of Mackinac Island, hosted Jean Layton and family for an “Ohio Roots” reunion on the Island Friday, June 24, through Sunday, June 26. Family members came from Chicago, Springfield, Ohio, Philadelphia, Angola, Indiana, Kalamazoo, and Wisconsin. Guests stayed at the Windermere, Lakeview, and Island House. Jean Layton has been a guest at the Windermere for many years and really enjoys visiting Mackinac. Everyone had a wonderful time.

We give a warm welcome to our new priest at Ste. Anne’s, Father Rey Garcia. Father Rey loves the Island and really enjoys the beautiful rectory. He is a gardener, so he is planting many gardens in the yard. He has a marvelous laugh and a very gracious personality. He is having fun with Brother Jim Boynton, even though he took Father Rey on a little journey in his boat and they ran into trouble. It was quite an adventure.

Choir practice has begun for the Ste. Anne’s Summer Concert. Everyone is welcome to join. Practice is every Sunday night at 9 p.m. at Ste. Anne’s. Come and join in the fun.

Karen Allen has added a new addition to her family, a new Bichon white puppy named “Soapy.” Soapy is joined at home by an older Bichon named “Suds.” Karen and her daughter, Lindsay, will have a fun time.

Nancy and Rod Nelson, Wes and Mary Maurer, Tom Pfeiffelmann and Linda Bennett, all of St. Ignace, and Marian Petersen of St. Martin Bay enjoyed the party at the Timmons’ Sunday afternoon.

Just a few words of appreciation for our wonderful new modern Mackinac Island Medical Center. Tuesday, June 28, was an unusually busy day as numerous accidents occurred. Special thanks to the emergency medical team, who respond at once to the call of duty, be it during the day or into the wee hours of the morning, and to the great staff of doctors, nurses, X-ray technicians, and office personnel. Special thanks to Jason St. Onge (105), who was working in the area of Grand Hotel when he came upon a very serious bicycle accident. The patient was first rushed to the medical center before being air evacuated to a hospital. A short time later, the doctor called out over the radio to commend Jason and EMT members for the expertise in handling such a major emergency.

Welcome home to Mackinac, Ann Bronfman and Janey Hart, who are comfortably settled in Ann’s beautiful Lakewood Cottage on the lakeshore. We’re delighted to see them again. Your light means much in the neighborhood.

While walking Tuesday morning, June 28, I met a very charming couple, who stopped to inquire as to whether or not I was a reporter for the Town Crier . I immediately asked how they knew me and they responded they knew me by seeing my picture in the Town Crier . We truly had a great conversation about the Island. They are Larry and Maria Hiatt from Portand, Indiana. Having visited the Island for the past five years, they now return twice each summer, describing Mackinac as a “wonderful place.” Nice to meet so many interesting folks and avid readers of the Town Crier.

Bud Bourisaw is happy to be settled back in his Island home following his serious illness throughout the winter months. He looks and feels great and is busily engaged in painting the fence around his property. His friend, Sherry Rayha, of Cheboygan, is now retired and enjoying relaxing on the Island for the summer.

Summer cottagers of Hubbard’s Annex are Muffin Ernster and her sister, Diane Shea, who are both enjoying their lovely homes. Muffin is from Monroe, Wisconsin, and Diane is from Atlanta, Georgia.

Guest of Barbara and Brian Hellis at their Island cottage on Market Street is Barbara’s grandson, David McIntyre Culliton, of Livonia, who will spend a week on Mackinac.

Enjoy a wonderful Fourth of July weekend.