NEWS ABOUT PEOPLE ON MACKINAC ISLAND
BY JEANNETTE DOUD

The weather on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend played havoc with many activities on the Island. Heavy rain and thick fog prevailed, limiting outdoor fun. The big freighters continued their loud fog signals as they passed through Round Island Passage. At one point, the bright sun poked through for a second or two, suddenly to disappear as a fog bank appeared. The sailors experienced a stressful day.

The Knights of Columbus convention enjoyed beautiful weather, which allowed them to have the living rosary in Grand Hotel's Tea Garden. Dressed in satin-lined capes and plumed hats, it was a very colorful sight. Bishop Alex Sample of the Marquette Diocese celebrated the opening mass at Grand Hotel. Greeting the Knights of Columbus were thousands of blooming tulips in a variety of colors at the east end of the beautiful hotel, which were at their peak. It is a breathtaking sight and is very pleasing to everyone, including the garden crew who planted the bulbs in late October. During the long winter nap, they're protected with fencing to avoid any traffic that should occur. Jennie St. Onge, wife of Jason and a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in horticulture, assists in the planting each fall.

The lilacs! The lilacs! Following the warm rain and several days of sunshine, the many trees, which were brought over by the early missionary fathers, are beginning to burst into bloom with their glorious fragrance permeating the air. I carefully watch all the large trees in the Chambers lot on Cadotte Avenue. It will soon become a magnificent sight. Many yards have trees with the deepest purple flowers, almost black.

Happy belated birthday to Carrie Kaminen May 24. Hope your day was special.

Hannah Bradley will celebrate her birthday June 1. Enjoy your day.

At Grand Hotel Wednesday, May 31, Cadotte Avenue was very busy, as members of the largest convention, the Greater Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce, arrived to convene at their annual visit to the beautiful hotel.

Happy wedding anniversary to Ron and Mary Dufina June 3. Have a great day.

On Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, the marina was filled with magnificent boats of every size and description. It was the beginning of a very busy season. Riding east by the marina, with the lilacs beginning to bloom and the steeple of Ste. Anne's in the distance, it is truly a beautiful sight.

Gene Hagenbaugh will celebrate his birthday June 3. Enjoy your day.

At Mission Point Resort, visitors arriving are met with an unbelievable sight. Thousands of tulips in a variety of colors decorate the grounds, surrounding every tree and shrub. It represents the breath of springtime.

Happy birthday to Kristi Graham June 3. Have a great day.A

very impressive Memorial Day service conducted by members of American Legion Post 299 was held at the Veterans Memorial in the city park Monday, May 29, at 11: 30 a.m. Armand "Smi" Horn, mayor pro-tem, was master of ceremonies, followed by Mary Slevin singing the National Anthem. Father Rey Garcia, S.J. gave the invocation and Mayor Margaret Doud welcomed the crowd and reflected on Mackinac's veterans. American Legion Post 299 Commander Paul Wandrie gave a moving speech about service to our country. Lloyd St. Louis of St. Ignace, Jerry Dyer, and Island mother of five veterans, Catherine Bazinaw, were honored. The American flag was raised to full staff as 'Taps" were played by soldiers from Fort Mackinac. The closing blessing was given by Chuk Kleber of Trinity Church. It was a beautiful service honoring Mackinac's fallen heroes and the dedicated troops serving our country today.

Father Anthony from India, who is a visiting priest at Our Lady of the Snows in Hessel, visited Mackinac on Wednesday for the first time. He enjoyed the Island and was accompanied by Donna House of St. Ignace and Margie Denoyer of Cedarville.

Officer Cory Kaminen will celebrate his birthday June 6. Hope little Jack will help you blow out your candles.

On Memorial Day, Father Rey Garcia, S.J., pastor of Ste.

Anne's, carried on the annual tradition of celebrating mass in the Island cemetery, followed by the blessing of graves. Father Rey was assisted by Brother Jim Boynton and his friend, Father Jim of Akron, Ohio.

The big Island news is that Pat and Alice Pulte, owners of the Murray Hotel, recently became grandparents. The announcement read, "There is a New Kid in Town." Hugo James Pulte, the son of Tatiana Durantez and PJ Pulte, was born Thursday, April 13, in Boulder, Colorado, weighing 8 pounds, 14 ounces and measuring 22.5 inches in length. Proud grandparents in Spain are Querubin Durantez and Irene Gamzukoff. Congratulations to Tatiana and PJ from Island friends.

Richard and Jane Manoogian enjoyed the Memorial Day weekend at their cottage on the West Bluff. Richard attended the Mackinac Island State Park Commission meeting in Saturday.

Congratulations and best wishes to our friends, Mike and Cammie Cavanaugh of Okemos, on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary May 21. We wish you continued years of good health and happiness. Cammie and Mike keep up on the Island news by subscribing to The St. Ignace News and the Town Crier. We hope to see you on Mackinac this summer.

Our good friend, Rosie Charnes, will celebrate her birthday June 7. We look forward to seeing you soon back on Mackinac.

A very important and wonderful friend is missing from Arnold Transit Company's Mackinaw City and St. Ignace ferries. Captain Paul Allers, who has been a dedicated and experienced captain for more than 50 years, has retired. A true and great friend to all of us, we are already missing him. He only lives across the Straits in Mackinaw City with his wife, Betsy, and constant companion, Skipper, a golden retriever. Best wishes to Paul for continued years of good health and happiness. Keep in touch with your many Island friends.

Happy birthday to Betty BeDour June 7. Hope your day is special.

Kevin Graham, son of Nancy and Gordon Graham of Cheboygan, was inducted into the U.S. Army at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where he received his basic training. He went on to Pensacola, Florida, for additional technical training. Good luck to Kevin from Island friends.

Folks passing the Cadotte Avenue residence of Christy and Marvin May will see a beautiful tree in full bloom in their front yard, a flowering crab, in bright pink blossoms. Joining their parents for the summer are their children, Carolyn, a graduate of Oakland University, Heather, a music major at Central Michigan University, and Marvin Lee, a graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in graphic arts. They've come to help their dad, Marvin, in the operation of the family business, May's Famous Fudge. Nice to have you all back on Mackinac.

Anew light on Market Street tells us that Catherine McGreevy is back in her home, where she spends the summer. She spent the winter with her sister, Betty Bur and family in Cheboygan.

I was thrilled to be recently interviewed by some members of the Alma Middle School 7th grade leadership class. They visited the Island Wednesday, May 24, and each group was assigned to interview someone on Mackinac. The students had a great time and enjoyed lunch at Grand Hotel.

Welcome back to Mackinac and Doud Mercantile, Justin Barber, son of Mary Barber. Justin is a dedicated employee who attends a trade school in Gaylord in the winter.

Adam Kiracofe, son of Gary Kiracofe and Dawn Sandusky of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, recently underwent major surgery. Adam attended Mackinac Island Public School and spent several years on the Island. His parents are the owners of the Island Scrimshander shop in the Chippewa Hotel. Friends may write to Adam at the following address: 807 E. Hampton Avenue, Whitefish Bay, WI 53217. Best wishes to Adam and his family from Island friends.

Belated birthday wishes to Brian Hellis May 29 and Barbara Hellis June 4.

Special thanks to Captain John Wellington, who sent me a copy of the book, "Know Your Ships." Now I can keep track of the boats that pass by Windermere Pointe.

As each day passes by, we are most appreciative of our medical facility and its great staff. Over the holiday there were numerous emergencies. The medical center is a vital part of our community. Special thanks to the EMTs for their dedicated service.

Peggy Bynoe of Grand Rapids and Randy and Katie McKay, with children, Katilyn, McKenna, Riley, and Dawson, visited Judy, Jamie, and Robbie Bynoe over the weekend. They celebrated Jamie Bynoe's birthday at a family gathering Sunday evening at The Gate House. They were also joined by Patty, Brian, and Lillian Schoenborn.

The staff at Windermere Hotel are very excited over the mother robin that has returned for the third year to the top of the third floor fire escape. In her nest are four blue eggs waiting to hatch. Mother Nature is truly remarkable.

Recently, Dwight LaPine and Jeff Shaffer noted a strange but colorful bird at their feeder. Checking their bird book, they discovered that it was a European finch, quite unusual for Mackinac.

Ben Mosley is the new redcoated coachman for Grand Hotel. He looks very distinguished driving the prancing hackneys hitched to the private carriage.

Pete and Sonja LaPin, employees of Mackinac Island Carriage Tours, have returned to their home in Champion, where Pete will have a yeararound position. We will miss seeing them on Mackinac.

Returning to their summer homes at the Mission are Pat and Vivian McTique of Detroit and Don and Gracie Francis of Mackinac and Florida. Nice to have you back on the Island.

A very impressive graduation ceremony was held at Mackinac Island Public School Friday evening, May 26. Guest speaker was Gary Urman, the former superintendent of Mackinac Island Public School, who taught most of the seniors when he was on Mackinac. Valedictorian Eric Cowell gave a very moving speech about life, his classmates, Mackinac, and his family. A very large group of family members and friends attended the ceremony. Congratulations to all the graduates from Island friends. Areception for the seniors followed in the all-purpose room.

Almeda and George Bodwin of Manton visited family members and attended the graduation of Eric Cowell and Ben Mosley, Jr. Nice to see you back on Mackinac. Dennis and Jackie Bradley's daughter, Doris, of Grand Rapids, also attended the graduation.

Laurie Stupak, a member of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, attended the meeting Saturday, May 27, at Fort Mackinac. Laurie and her husband, Congressman Bart Stupak, returned Wednesday to attend the Detroit Regional Chamber conference.

Trish Cameron of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, has arrived on her favorite Island and is busy managing McNally Cottage for the 2006 season. Her daughter, Catherine, joined her over the weekend.

The Windermere Doghouse opened for the season Saturday, May 27.

A warm welcome to Michigan State Troopers Delynn Rice of Lakeview and Jim Swain of Flint. They're stationed on the Island for the summer season.

A very handsome new red brick walkway in the city park will welcome the thousands of tourists who will be visiting the Island this summer.

Mary K. McIntire returned Sunday from a delightful visit in France as the guest of Ann Hart.

The Iroquois Carriage House opened for the season Monday, May 22.

The Brian Dunnigans of Grass Lake spent the Memorial Day weekend at their Easterly Cottage. Nice to see you again.

Many new lights appeared on the East Bluff over the weekend. Alice Myron of Port Huron spent the weekend at her cottage and Larry and Nancy Keogh were at their Crosstrees Cottage, coming from their home in Northbrook, Illinois. Tom and Kathy Lewand from Birmingham and Susan and Jim Lenfestey from Minneapolis, Minnesota, also enjoyed their cottages over the weekend.

Governor Jennifer Granholm hosted a delightful reception for the members of the Greater Detroit Chamber of Commerce at the Governor's summer residence. Guests enjoyed the panoramic view of the Straits from the veranda.

Congratulations and best wishes to Trish Bacon, daughter of Dr. Mike and Jane Bacon of Petoskey, who is engaged to Ben Robinson and will be married on Mackinac Saturday, September 23, at Ste. Anne's.

It's nice to see Mary Runkel of Lansing back enjoying her condominium at Lesley Court.

Best wishes to Karen Allen, who suffered a fall in which she chipped her elbow. Hope this finds you feeling much better.

The city crew placed new American and lilac flags on the lampposts. They really dressed up the town.

Lee LaPine has returned from Colorado to spend the summer with his parents, Bruce and Patty. Nice to see you back on the Island.

Greetings to David, Jennifer, and Lucas Karhoff of Findlay, Ohio, and to Jennifer's mother, Lois Griffin. We miss seeing you at your cottage on Bourisaw Lane.

Great to see lights on in the Rearick cottage on Lakeshore Drive. It's great having Carol and Doug back on Mackinac.

Mimi and Pierce Cunningham spent the holiday weekend at their cottage on Lakeshore Drive.

Helen and Richard Wolfgang have their very attractive art gallery on Market Street open for the season, displaying Richard's beautiful paintings of Mackinac. Richard also designs the lilac poster each year.

The colorful rock garden at Cloghaun Cottage is in full bloom and very attractive with early spring flowers.

John and Penny Barr and Randy and Michelle Stuck spent the weekend at their cottages on the West Bluff.

Enjoy the fragrance of lilacs on Mackinac!