News About People On Mackinac Island
By Jeannette Doud

Chance Rushing, a fourth grader at Harrington Elementary School in Plano, Texas, and grandson of Gracie Francis of Mackinac, has received the President’s Educational Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence from First Lady Laura Bush. In addition, Chance received the Principal’s Award for Outstanding Citizenship and received an honor roll certificate for all A’s in all subjects all year. Chance loves Mackinac and comes to visit every year. Nana Gracie is very proud of him.

The Reverend Ron Smith and his wife, Kay, of Austin, Texas, are vacationing at their East Bluff cottage. Nice to see them back on Mackinac.

Rita Sue and Elliot Cohen are on the Island enjoying all of their many friends. Rita Sue always has a winning smile and it’s wonderful to have them back on Mackinac.

Best get well wishes to Jay Stingel, who suffered injuries in an accident and was transported to Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey Sunday, July 10.

Warmest get well wishes to Jill Sawatzki, who is in Lansing with her parents. Everyone misses you, Jill. Hurry back to Mackinac.

Walt North brought his little granddaughter over to the Island on Friday, where they attended the children’s concert at Mission Point. Michaela’s dad, Mike North, is captain on the Star Line, so she was thrilled to ride to the Island with her father. They later stopped at the Windermere Dog House for lunch.

The Mackinac Island Medical Center was extremely busy over the Fourth of July holiday with the dedicated staff working day and night. Jason St. Onge brought lunch to them on Saturday. Many accident victims and those who became ill were treated with the finest of medical care.

Kay Berke received an e-mail Saturday, July 9, from her cousin, Cynthia Terwilliger, telling her that her mom, Harriet, is back in the hospital with an infection, a complication from hip replacement surgery. Friends may write Harriet at: Room 386, Pardee Hospital, 800 Justice Street, Hendersonville, NC 28791. Everyone on Mackinac sends special greetings to the Terwilligers.

Chuckie Truscott and his wife from Lansing spent Thursday, July 7, at Market Street Inn. Market Street Inn was Chuckie’s former home. Lots of wonderful memories. Chuckie celebrated his 60th birthday July 7. Nice to see you back on Mackinac.

Happy birthday to Dan Seeley July 9. Dan is the night manager at Windermere Hotel.

My lifelong friend, Jean Coyne, celebrated her 87th birthday Friday, July 8, at her farm in Garrett, Indiana. Following the early death of Jean’s mother, Esther Davis, Jean made her home with her aunt, Flo Davis, and her grandmother, the late Mrs. Ray Davis, part owner of the Davis Store on Main Street, now known as the Big Store. Jean and I were always inseparable. I went along with Jean the day her late husband, Kennie Coyne, proposed to her. Lots of wonderful memories. Happy birthday, Jean, and may you have many more blessed with good health and happiness.

Julie Kristin Barch, daughter of Joan Barch and the late James John Barch, will become the bride of James Michael Fisher, son of William Joseph and Debra Ellen Fisher. The happy couple will be married at Ste. Anne’s August 5 by Father James Williams. Congratulations to Julie and James on their forthcoming marriage.

July is the month for birthdays. Happy birthday to Joseph Rogers July 8, Jimmy Francis, Doris Bradley, W.T. Gough, and Shelly McLean July 9, Jack Dehring III and Justin Frick July 10, Sidney Rae Klienhenz July 11, Gloria St. Onge Borland July 12, and Erin Lewand July 14. All of you folks are being wished a very happy birthday.

Welcome home to their Easterly Cottage, on the shore of Mackinac, to Candi, James, and Claire Dunnigan from their winter home in Grass Lake. This is a bit late in the season for their arrival as Candi had surgery at the University of Michigan Hospital and is now recuperating on her favorite island. She is doing very well and feeling stronger each day. On Tuesday, James and Claire will be welcoming their favorite horses from their farm. Happy birthday to Brian Dunnigan July 11.

On Sunday, July 10, and the warm, balmy summer weather once again welcomed visitors to Mackinac. Many could be seen taking the popular carriage ride up through our beautiful Island. The well groomed horses pulling the buggies with the fringe on top was an unusual sight to see, quite different from city life with automobiles.

The bells at Little Stone Church could be heard in the distance Saturday, July 9, welcoming brides on their wedding day. The historic church is also so very attractive in the winter season as bright lights shine through the stained glass windows as sparkling snowflakes fall gently to the ground outside. It’s truly a picturesque winter scene.

The Tom Corrigans of Glenview, Illinois, are enjoying their Bogan Cottage on the lakeshore. Their major renovation project, which took place during the winter months, is pleasing them greatly.

On Mahoney Avenue is the Corrigan family cottage, dating back to Mike’s ancestors, where family members are enjoying Mackinac once again. Mike has rebuilt the cottage, which is very attractive, keeping it truly Mackinac. They’re from the Detroit area.

We’re very happy to learn that Alice Myron and her daughter, Sue, are enjoying a vacation at their East Bluff Cottage. Alice has been ill and taking treatments. She is really enjoying the peace and beauty which the Island has to offer. Please continue to keep in touch with Alice at the following address: 3130 Monticello Drive, Port Huron, MI 48060. Sue is spending the summer with her mother, so we miss her voice over the radio as she welcomes yachters at the state marina.

Everyone enjoyed a fabulous Fourth of July on the Island. The weather was ideal, which brought crowds of visitors. Main Street was very heavy with traffic. Many members of the police department were on hand to control a very busy time. The games and fun on Windermere Point for the children was great. Local firemen deserve much credit for making the little tots so full of energy. There was a $10 bill on the top of the grease pole, so one can imagine the enthusiasm trying to reach the top. Just as darkness fell over the Island, the parade began through Main Street led by five members of the Mackinac Island American Legion Post, Paul Wandrie, Roy Bessel, Donald Andress, Glen St. Onge, and Ron O’Neil. They were followed by Island firemen driving the firetruck with Army Specialist Sunshine Woodard home from Iraq, riding high on the top with firefighter Joe Gugin. Joe escorted Sunshine to the flag pole on Windermere Point, where they both hoisted Old Glory to the top. It was a very impressive and moving sight. Many folks stood at attention prepared to salute. Thanks to all who participated.

Great to learn that Skip and Mary Warp have been on the Island vacationing at their lovely West Bluff cottage. Skip gave me happy news about his daughter, Becky, who will be married to Jan vanderWoerd Saturday, July 16, in Oak Brook, Illinois. The couple will be living in Chicago, where Becky teaches first grade at Chicago Public Schools and Jan is working for a real estate appraiser. Congratulations and best wishes to Becky and Jan.

It’s a very happy family reunion at the Bev and Bob Benjamin residence as they’re entertaining the Mike Benjamins of Boston, the Tom Benjamins of Detroit, and daughter, Jane Young and family of Petoskey and Mackinac. Only one member is missing and he is Mile Benjamin, who is an exchange student in France. Over the Fourth of July holiday, Bev and Bob entertained all their neighbors, too, at a cookout in their yard on their green lawn and pots of geraniums here and there. A fun time was enjoyed by everyone.

Just a few words to describe the decorative Fourth of July shop windows, which attracted customers, be it for fudge or interesting gift merchandise. Shopkeepers really had the spirit.

Brooke Cassibo, 10-year-old daughter of Hope and Alex Cassibo, is vacationing with Reese and Amy Callaweart on the Island. Brooke is the granddaughter of Jeannie Cassibo Fuller of St. Ignace. Jeannie was born on Mackinac from one of the old-time families. She is recuperating at her home from recent surgery. She is very proud of her grandson, Ken, who is employed at the casino in St. Ignace.

Sad news reached the Island this week. Donald Visnaw of California, son of Lucille Visnaw of St. Ignace, died at age 48 of a heart attack. Deepest sympathy to the family from Island friends.

Happy birthday to the mayor’s assistant, Kelly Bean, July 13. Enjoy the best ever.

Dave and Pat Ramsay of St. Ignace are mourning the death of Dave’s beloved father this past week in Traverse City. Island friends send their deepest sympathy. Both Dave and Pat are two of the most accommodating members of Star Line Mackinac Island Ferry, always there to assist everyone with their gracious personality.

The blooming plants in the City Park and those decorating the Veteran’s Memorial are very beautiful, as are those at the historic City Hall. Thanks to those who give them tender loving care.

Linda McKee of North Carolina is visiting her sister, Jody Chambers and family.

Virginia and Dan Riordan of Marietta, Georgia, and Mackinac enjoyed sailing with Mark Chambers Sunday, July 10, a beautiful summer day.

Dr. and Mrs. Richard Hodgman of Kalkaska are truly enjoying their stay on the Island, where the doctor has been in charge of the Mackinac Island Medical Center while Dr. Don Weersing was on vacation. Dr. Hodgman was a young resident when Miss Stella King was the health nurse on the Island.

Nice to see lights on at the Cable Cottage on Lakeshore Drive. Jane Winston and her family are having a vacation and sitting on the porch of the home with its magical view of the Straits of Mackinac.

Special thanks to Brian Schoenborn’s parents, Bonnie and Emmet, who sent deluxe boxes of sweet cherries grown right on their farm to Judy Bynoe, who generously shared them with friends and neighbors. They were delicious. The Schoenborns’ fruit farms are the greatest and one of the biggest in Michigan.

Jesuit Fathers are having a retreat on Mackinac residing at Haan’s Cottage and Ste. Anne’s Rectory. We give them a warm welcome along with Father Rey Garcia and Brother Jim Boynton of Ste. Anne’s.

A very happy 7th wedding anniversary to Doug and Davina Dietrich July 4. Davina is employed at 7th Heaven Beauty Salon and Doug is one of the managers at Lake View Hotel. Best wishes to Davina and Doug for continued years of good health and happiness.

Happy birthday July 11 to Mike Iles, hair stylist at 7th Heaven Beauty Salon. Mike spent the weekend in Lansing and Marshall.

Mary Runkel of Lansing is back home on Mackinac enjoying her condominium at Lesley Court.

There was a very happy family reunion at Susie and Bob Raisch’s Star Cottage in Hubbard’s Annex as all of their four daughters and their families were here over the Fourth of July.

The Frank Pompas of Washington were at their Pte. Aux Pins cottage over the holiday. It is here where one gets a magnificent view of the setting sun.

Dr. Dave Armour of Grove City, Pennsylvania, celebrated his birthday July 12, and we wish him a very happy one.

The Chicago Yacht Fleet will be leaving for Mackinac Saturday, July 16. It will be a very busy time on the Island when the fleets fill the local marina and Arnold piers. Hopefully, the weather will prove favorable and they will come sailing along. The finish line is at Windermere Point, where the judges will be housed in the big white trailer. The boats cross at the Old Round Island lighthouse causing a great bit of joy and excitement for the owners. It will be a very busy time on Mackinac.

Don Kramer of Rogers City visited the Island this past week and stopped by with friends at Windermere Doghouse to have one of his favorite brats. Always good to see Don.

There is a big family gathering at Bud Bourisaw’s home on Bourisaw Lane. His nephew, Rick Schadel, and friends came from Buffalo, New York, to help him put up a new storage shed. His friend, Sherry Rayha, from Cheboygan is spending the summer and Bud’s sister, Kitty Schadel of Arcade, New York, is also here bringing friends and relatives. They’re all having a wonderful time.

The geranium plants all over the Island are the biggest and best ever. Walking along, one can hear visitors admiring their beauty.

Mother Robin, who built her nest on the Windermere fire escape, is very busy once again. The first time, it laid four eggs that hatched into four little robins that soon flew the nest. The latest news is that it’s using the nest once again. So far, there’s one egg laid and possibly more Monday, July 11.

Best wishes to Heather May, daughter of Marvin and Christy, who is recuperating from recent surgery. We miss seeing you, Heather, and wish you a very speedy recovery.

Weber’s new flower and gift shop on historic Market Street is a very nice addition to one more of the unusual shops on the Island. Best wishes for a successful season.

Enjoy the hot, humid weather on Mackinac.