News About People On Mackinac Island

By Jeannette Doud

Gorgeous and magnificent were the words best to describe the weekend of October 1 and 2. Not a single day in midsummer could have been more beautiful. The fall attire of colors was beginning a canopy on the trees. One special maple at the head of the City Park is laden with fire colors becoming radiant in reds, yellows, crimsons, and bronzes. The sun was warm and delightful while the water in the Straits was sparkling and heavenly blue in color. Gardens are sporting mums of various colors and marigolds as well. Wandering here and there, folks saw the beauty of the sky.

Business was brisk. Many brides enjoyed exchanging vows at the Little Stone Church, Mission Point, Stonecliffe, and Ste. Anne’s. Shops were busy as customers browsed, looking over the nice line of merchandise they had to offer. Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, the hourly buggies, and bicycle shops were busy as well. It was a perfect fall weekend on Mackinac and we’re very proud to share it with the many visitors.

Friday evening, September 30, the famous antique sale at Grand Hotel was very well attended. Booths of great items were on display, pleasing to the crowd who attended. Many St. Ignace, Curtis, and Mackinaw City folks joined in the fun. It was a gala evening with friends meeting old friends following a busy summer season. It was a pleasure to greet Carleton Varney, famous New York decorator and friend of the Musser families.

A very special little Island boy will be celebrating his 3rd birthday October 7, and we know that he will have a very happy day. Dominic Morse is the son of Urvana and Jim of Trillium Heights and he is joined at home by his younger brother, Wyatt. Have a very special day, Dominic.

Two Island girls joined together Saturday in East Lansing for the big football game between Michigan State and the University of Michigan. Blisse Beardsley, daughter of Tess and the late Doug Beardsley, is a freshman at the University of Michigan, where she is doing great and enjoying her studies. Allison Jones, daughter of Donna and Larry of Grand Ledge, is a high school senior this year and will be in college next year.

At around 4:30 a.m. Monday, October 3, thunder and lightning, accompanied by heavy winds, caused a bit of a scare while it lasted. Fortunately, little damage was done. Surrounding areas were hit much harder.

Barbara and Brian Hellis closed their home on Market Street and left for their winter home in Northville. They were driving to Baltimore Thursday to visit friends.

Johnny Mayorov returned to Mackinac Island Sunday, August 28, where he sang gospel and played piano at the French Outpost. He journeyed up the hill to stay for the weekend at his favorite place, Grand Hotel. Once again, he entertained the hotel guests Tuesday, August 30, in the main dining room. Johnny can’t wait to return, bringing others to this beautiful Island.

After six years of summer residency on the Island, Terry and Kelly Rayment are very happy to return to Mackinac, where they’ve decided to make their year-around home. They hope to return to Grace Cottage at the north gate of Stonebrook in mid-October and are extremely eager to enjoy sunsets on the porch and the fellowship of their fellow Islanders at Ste. Anne’s parish.

Welcome to Mackinac, Bruce Bentgen and Dr. Glenn Heynig of Harbor Springs, who enjoyed attending the antique show at Grand Hotel. They always make it an annual visit.

It’s Monday night, October 3, just another warm evening. The sunset was very spectacular to the west with clouds trimmed in silver overhead. Many senior citizens are having a great time at Grand Hotel.

Congressman Bart Stupak and his wife, Laurie, attended the football game between Michigan State and the University of Michigan Saturday, October 1, in East Lansing and came to Mackinac later to spend the weekend at Grand Hotel.

Mike and Wendy Young of Frankenmuth and Mackinac were seen having an enjoyable time at the antique show.

Andrew Doud was on the Island over the weekend, returning to Detroit Monday, October 3. He will return to attend the Shanku/St. Onge wedding at Ste. Anne’s Saturday, October 8.

Eli Urman, a student at Alma College, and Josh Carley, from Saginaw Valley State University, were at the big game in East Lansing Saturday, October 1.

Patty and Brian Schoenborn spent the weekend in Grand Rapids, where they attended the baptism of Brian’s new niece. They also visited Patty’s sister, Peggy, who is a music teacher in Grand Rapids.

The Little Stone Church celebrated its final service of the season Sunday, October 2, by inviting members of Trinity Episcopal Church to join them. Pastor Vince Carroll and his wife, Molly, left Monday for their winter home in Florida. After leaving the Island, Molly received word that her sister-in-law had passed away in Massachusetts. Island friends send deepest sympathy to Molly.

A service for the late Patty Gallagher will be held Friday, October 7, at Ste. Anne’s with Father Rey Garcia officiating.

A very happy Halloween display of smiling pumpkins can be seen welcoming guests to the Market Street Inn.

Many of Jim Chambers’ horses have left the Island and are now in the pasture at his farm near Sault Ste. Marie. They looked fat and healthy after the summer on the Island.

The Bart Huthwaites departed their Island cottage Monday, leaving for their winter home in Florida. Their friend, Nancy Marstiller, who worked this summer at the French Outpost, returned to her Detroit residence.

Donations are needed for the annual Christmas Bazaar to be held Saturday, December 3, through Monday, December 5. They may be left or sent to the Mackinac Island Medical Center, where they will be greatly received.

Muffin Ernster has been enjoying her cottage in Hubbard’s Annex, where she was joined by her son, Michael, and his family.

The Dean Schulers of Ann Arbor spent the weekend at their cottage in Hubbard’s Annex.

The marina had many yachts moored over the weekend, reminding one of the good old summertime.

It was a very busy weekend, with hotels and bed and breakfasts filled. As long as the summer-like weather continues, many are visiting the Island each day. Shops and restaurants will remain open until the closing of Grand Hotel Sunday, October 23. Open late in the season and throughout the winter months are the Mustang Lounge, Village Inn, and Irish Pub.

Happy wedding anniversary to Patty and Bruce LaPine October 6.

A very happy birthday October 7 to our good friend, Carol Clifton, of Muncie, Indiana. Have a wonderful day, Carol. We enjoyed seeing you and Max in September. Come again soon.

Happy wedding anniversary to Nancy and Brad Chambers October 6. They’re making their winter home in Petoskey.

Virginia McIntyre Riordan will be celebrating her birthday October 10 and we wish her the best ever at her home in Marietta, Georgia. She and her husband, Dan, spent a very fun summer on Mackinac. We miss them so much and so does Bushy. Wonderful memories of Windermere Dog House and golf games at the Little Jewel.

Happy birthday October 13 to Alex Gillespie, who is now employed in Florida.

Frank and Agnes Wood of De Pere, Wisconsin, were guests of the Windermere Hotel Sunday and Monday.

Autumn is one of the nicest times of the year on Mackinac. Just to ride up and through the trails and roads with the peace and quiet and the changing colors of the leaves. A beautiful spot is at Point Lookout looking down on Sugar Loaf, surrounded by magnificent colors. It is truly a breathtaking sight for everyone to enjoy.

A big 50th birthday October 10 to Kathy Wightman of St. Ignace. Kathy loves Mackinac

and comes each December to help at the Christmas Bazaar. She also works on the Island, where she is employed at Mary and Ron Dufina’s gift shops.

Warmest get well wishes to Roger Dixon of Rockton, Illinois, husband of Helen Bunker Dixon. Everyone here at home sends greetings to you both. We missed your visit this summer. Hopefully, we shall see you in 2006.

Dr. and Mrs. Fran Straus attended the football game between Michigan State and the University of Michigan this past Saturday. Their youngest son, Michael, is a physician assistant at the university.

Happy belated 5th birthday greetings to Nicholas Davis, son of Jay Davis and Marion Bunker, who celebrated his birthday September 12, and to his cousin, Marie Bunker, daughter of Jennifer Bunker, who celebrated her big 12th October 6. They’re the grandchildren of Elaine and Ike Bunker. Elaine took Marie and her good friend, Maggie Chambers, on a shopping trip to the mainland, which was great fun for the girls.

Nancy and Tom Cripe of Indianapolis, Indiana, were married on their favorite Island and now they will be enjoying their wedding anniversary October 10.

Our Island received some great publicity in the September 19 issue of Forbes magazine. The caption of the article, in color, is, “Windy City Sailing - Try Tacking from Chicago to Mackinac Island.” The first page shows the Chicago yachts departing the Chicago harbor en route to Mackinac, a fantastic photograph. Another picture shows one of the yachts sailing under the Mackinac Bridge. Still another is a member of the Old Goat’s Society, Gene McCarthy, 77, who completed 55 Mackinac races. In recognition of the Old Goat’s Society, a large red buoy is displayed in their honor on Windermere Point. Each year the society sends a check to the Mackinac Island Medical Center, which is deeply appreciated.

Mary Alice Wellington of Kalamazoo is visiting Island family and friends.

Gary Cusack of Petoskey attended a meeting on the Island Monday, October 3.

It’s Tuesday, October 4, an unusually warm beautiful day. Folks are seen wearing their summer clothing

October is the month of many Island birthdays. Happy day to Rosemary Kompsi October 6, Ashley Gough and Frank Bloswick Sr. October 7, McKenzie Bean October 18, and Mike Bradley and Paul Fisher October 14. I hope you all enjoy your day.

Very nice to see Susie and Bob Raisch attending the antique sale and enjoying their Star Cottage in Hubbard’s Annex. Happy wedding anniversary to them October 16.

Audrey Gallery of Chicago, Illinois, is at her cottage in Hubbard’s Annex for three weeks, where she is entertaining her niece, Debbie Gallery, from Denver, Colorado.

Jen Glashaw and Linda Belonga visited their uncle and aunt, Frank and Aileen Allen, of Denver, Colorado. The ladies had a fun time.

We’re so proud of the Island young ladies and men, who were graduated from the Island school and are all in the college of their choice, doing very well.

Melanie Hagenbaugh joined her husband, Gene, in Lansing, where they helped their son, Jim, celebrate his 21st birthday October 4. Happy birthday, Jim.

Welcome to Mackinac, residents of Stonebrook, Barbara and Dave Fridline, from Fraser. They enjoy the Island, especially the Somewhere-in-Time weekend at Grand Hotel.

Anne and Bill Taylor of Delta, Ohio, are guests of the Windermere, enjoying the fall colors and good sales on Mackinac. They visited Mackinac last winter and snowmobiled over the ice with Dennis and Jackie Bradley.

Family and friends joined Mary Thompson on her porch at Lilac House to celebrate her birthday Tuesday, October 4. Her niece, Dorothy Dehring, had a special birthday cake made for the occasion. It was a beautiful day on Mackinac and Mary really enjoyed her party. Mary and Charlie left Wednesday for Florida.

Monday evening, October 10, Grand Hotel will be hosting their annual appreciation night for residents who serve the Island community.

Happy 1st wedding anniversary October 10 to Joan and Wayne Zwolinski of Petoskey. Island friends send best wishes.

Dr. and Mrs. Louis Putz, summer cottagers of the East Bluff, continue to enjoy their Baby Grand home for the beautiful autumn season.

Father Jim Williams has been officially appointed administrator of St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in St. Ignace by Bishop James Garland of the Diocese of Marquette, and Father Rey Garcia has been appointed administrator of Ste. Anne’s on Mackinac. We wish both of them all the best in their new assignments.

Saturday, October 8, at Ste. Anne’s, Jennie Shanku and Jason St. Onge will be married by Father Jim Williams. Best wishes to Jennie and Jason from Island friends.

Metivier Inn is gaily decorated for the Halloween season, welcoming their many guests.

Cottage Inn on Market Street is also open for the autumn season.

Best wishes to Father Mike Rhoades of St. Ignace. Island friends send warmest greetings to him.

The grass in Marquette Park is as green as any day in summer, very beautiful, and the trees behind the Indian dormitory are taking on their autumn colors.

Lorabeth and John Fitzgerald have closed their lovely East Bluff cottage with its magnificent view of the Straits of Mackinac and have returned to their winter home in Grand Ledge.

Cornstalks and pumpkins decorate the exterior of the Chippewa Hotel on Main Street.

Stop in and see the very attractive new Sea Biscuit Restaurant on Main Street, owned by Debra and Sandra Orr.

The Orr sisters brought wonderful news about their aunt, Lou Riley, of Naples, Florida. She is completely recovered from her fall of last summer and is up and ready for a bridge game.

Many visitors continue to take the scenic carriage ride through the Island in the autumn.

Mary K. McIntire spent the weekend on the Island, coming from her home in Bay Harbor.

Tess Beardsley and family are happily back in the Riordan Cottage on Market Street for the winter months.

The Iroquois Carriage House dining room is open until Saturday, October 22.

Brad and Sheryl Conkey of Sylvan Lake celebrated their wedding anniversary on Mackinac October 3. They enjoyed riding their tandem all over the Island.

Happy birthday to Megan Winkel October 19 and Charlie Lilliquist of St. Ignace October 15. Have a good day.

Mark D. Goodman, son of George and Judith, who spend summers on Mackinac, has been named executive vice president of marketing and membership for Sam’s Club. He assumed his new duties October 1. Mark was married on Mackinac in Grand Hotel’s tea garden by Mayor Margaret Doud. Congratulations to Mark from his many Island friends.

Former summer cottagers of Mackinac, John and Dolores Pinter, returned to their home in Dearborn following four weeks in Valencia, Spain, where they studied Spanish at the university. Happy they were to find the Town Crier waiting for them. John writes, “We are always interested in the activities of the Island, one of the most beautiful vacation spots in the world.” One time, while Dolores and John were in their condominium at Surrey Ridge, John visited the Island medical center, where Nurse Ed Chambers recognized him as a staff member of the Edsel Ford High School in Dearborn, where Ed attended school. John was very happy and pleased to meet an Edsel Ford graduate, even though Ed was not in one of his classes. A small world! The Pinters enjoyed a five-day stay August 8 at Grand Hotel. Forty-nine years ago, August 1, they spent their honeymoon on the Island. An unforgettable and most enjoyable week. Great memories not soon to be forgotten. The City of Dearborn sponsors two bus trips to the “Big Turtle” in the fall, where many friends from Dearborn take advantage of the opportunity. Best wishes to the Pinters from Island friends.

Our good friend, Janey Hart, will be celebrating her birthday October 20. Have a great day.

The Poor Man’s Ball will be held Wednesday, October 12, at the Mackinac Island Public School starting at 5:30 p.m. Come and join in the fun.

Congratulations to the Mackinac Island Lakers soccer team on a big win over Big Bay in Escanaba Tuesday, October 4. We’re very proud of you.

Tim and Erin Leveille of Newburgh, Indiana, are the parents of a baby daughter, Addison Elizabeth, born Tuesday, October 4. She weighed 8 pounds, 4 ounces at birth. Proud grandparents are Louie and Pat Leveille of St. Ignace. Congratulations from Island friends.

Last March 1, Grand Hotel opened a section of the hotel and the Jockey Club. Coming from Jamaica’s warm climate to winter on Mackinac were four Jamaican gentlemen, Headley Eubanks, Clive Simms, Steadley Pinnock, and Garfield Slowley. Everyone on Mackinac provided them with warm clothing. The Jockey Club was opened and what fun we had. Imagine driving up on our snowmobiles for dinner. Dr. Don Weersing took the men for a plane ride over the frozen Straits and even took them over the snowmobile trail to St. Ignace. They loved the fun. They will be leaving for Jamaica Sunday, October 23. Pictures hang in the Jockey Club of their winter adventures on Mackinac. We wish to give the men a hearty thanks for making winter on Mackinac so pleasant.

Enjoy the autumn days on Mackinac.