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NEWS ABOUT PEOPLE ON MACKINAC ISLAND
There's stillness in the air And excitement in the shining eyes Of children everywhere. There's a miracle in Christmas As each silent night unfolds And we see again the promise That this Holy season holds. There's a wonder in traditions In the stories passed along In our thoughtfulness toward others And in voices raised in song. The beautiful, huge city Christmas white pine tree, which was donated by Henry Dombroski, father of building inspector Dennis Dombroski, was the largest tree from the tree farm in Cheboygan. Standing stately and proud in the center of Main Street, with its magnificent star high atop, the tree can be seen across the Island harbor. Friends and Islanders surrounded the evergreen and sang Christmas carols as three-year-old Harry Myers flipped the switch, which illuminated the tree as everyone cheered. In the east, a 1,000-foot ore carrier approached en route to the steel mills in Gary, Indiana. It was a perfect Mackinac night, and a wonderful way to usher in the holiday season. A special thanks to Mark Chambers and Dan Wightman for assisting with the lighting of the tree.
Sadly, her husband, Francis, and son, Stephen, are deceased. She first came to Mackinac in 1935 from her home in Hibbing, Minnesota, to join her sister, Olga, and brother-inlaw, Eric Wickman, at their East Bluff cottage for a visit to the Island. She returned in 1936 and was employed with the Angel and Phillips candy store in the Chippewa Hotel. It was right across the street from Doud Mercantile where she met her future husband, Francis Doud. They were married in 1937 in Hibbing, Minnesota.
Now, Helga's days are filled with her beautiful knitting, reading, watching her favorite Detroit Red Wings, and enjoying the beautiful view from her lovely home on Lakeshore Drive.
As you entered the Community Hall for the Christmas Bazaar, a decorated tree, lighted garlands, and wreaths greeted the happy shoppers. The decorations were done by the city crew under the direction of Robert Massaway. Saturday, December 2, the eager crowd was ready to check out the bargains. It is truly the big social event of the holiday season. In the plant booth, Trish Martin had centerpieces, handpainted ornaments, wreaths, and lots of Christmas items. The aroma of fresh-baked goodies was very inviting as the shoppers purchased homemade marshmallows, Caroline Lapine's walnut pie, jams, and a very special feature this year, homemade dog biscuits made by baker Marc Bobinsky. Kathi Wightman, Janis Early, and Kathy Wightman of St. Ignace were very busy in this booth.
Wonderful brownie sundaes, malts, and other goodies were enjoyed by all the people. The Reverend Ken Straight, his wife, Laurie, and members of the Mackinac Island Bible Church were kept very busy. The raffles are always very popular. People were taking chances on a new snowmobile, 50/50, and many other items. Sylvia Perault, Patty Satterlee, and Judy Bynoe were very helpful. Bidding was spirited on the silent auction table. Assisting the bidders were Loretta Spata, Betty BeDour, Tracie Mardock, Chris Clark, and Nancy LaFerier. The happy shoppers enjoyed a roast pork dinner Saturday and a prime rib dinner Sunday, with late afternoon snacks of nachos and hot dogs. Homemade cake was made by Lori Myers. The kitchen crew consisted of Deb Carley, Donna Killips, Jewel Geyer, Irene Rickley, Chris Szabo, Dan Seeley, Ed Chambers, Jamie Bynoe, Brenda Bunker, Trish Bunker, and many other helpers. Kelly Bean organized the salad bar.
The big auction was very lively. Auctioneer Mike Carley did an excellent job and was assisted by Tony Spata, Bruce LaPine, and Smi Horn. Items ranged from a snowmobile caboose to lunch at Grand Hotel. There was something for every age. Kay Hoppenrath, Lorna Straus, Jennifer Bloswick, and Melly Hagenbaugh helped the eager buyers. Thanks to Karen Lennard for typing the auction list. It was all very entertaining.
Monday, December 4, at 2:30 p.m. the lucky winners of the raffles were announced. They are as follows: Plant booth (handpainted glasses) Kathy Trilla; white elephant (Frosty) Mike Carley; bake sale (Santa dish) Stella Grzymala; sundae booth (Christmas moose) Mike Gamble Jr.; Caroline's booth (Frosty), Kathy Wightman of St. Ignace; 50 gallons of gas, Jim Fisher. Diane Sprengel won $1,051 in the 50/50 raffle. The Christmas Raffle: $1,000, Mike Gamble Jr.; $500, Tilly Musser; $500, Jacob Chambers; $500, Kathy McBride, and $500, Pat and Dave Ramsay. Jeannette Doud won the Ski-Doo snowmobile, Smi Horn won $500, and Andrew Chambers won $100. A great time was enjoyed by all. It represents the true spirit of Christmas. The event grossed $42,000. A big thank you to all the people who worked, donated, and attended the bazaar. We would like to thank our neighbors in St. Ignace for attending, and for their generous donations. A special thanks to the D.P.W. crew for all their help. Happy birthday to Ada Mae Chambers December 21 and to her husband, Bud, December 27. Enjoy your day. Great to have Island-born Ruby Bloswick back home on Mackinac, if only for a few hours, as she enjoyed the Christmas Bazaar. Ruby looks great, and it was a pleasure seeing her. She was accompanied by her grandson, Chris. She and I went to the Thomas W. Ferry School. Ruby now lives in St. Ignace. Happy birthday to Lornie Porter December 27. Have a wonderful day. Those seen attending the Christmas Bazaar from the mainland were Phyllis Massey, Dottie Glashaw, Angie Bunker, Roger Horn, Rosemary Kompsi, Brother Jim Boynton and his nephew, Val and Lilly Porter, Jim and Kathy Smith, Jerry and Reinette Murray, Wes and Mary Maurer, Roberta Droskie, Karen Gould, Tom Pfeiffelmann, Linda Bennett, Mary Jane Barnwell, Gary McDonald, Robert W. and Sharon Smith, Buck and Alice Sharrow, Patricia Horn, John and Beth Chambers, Brian and Patty Schoenborn, John Hulett, Rod and Nancy Nelson, and the crew from the mighty Huron. I'm sorry if I missed anyone. It was great to see Bob and Lorraine O'Keefe from Oakbrook, Illinois, and Woodbluff. Hannah Chambers and Jerry Horn will celebrate their birthdays Christmas Day, December 25. Have a merry Christmas. Fred and Carol Entwhistle from Afton, Minnesota, were here for the Mackinac College reunion. Happy birthday to Dr. Carol December 31. The wonderful crew of Al and Jim's Tree Service are finished with their good work. They began in the cedar grove below Grand Hotel, which will be beautiful come spring, making the area more open and improved. Little chipmunks make their home both winter and summer there, storing up their food. Come springtime, the grounds are delightful with blooming daffodils, tulips, and narcissus. All over town, including the Windermere, many trees needed trimming, especially those hanging over the sidewalks. The men were so pleased with their many customers that they sent a $200 donation to the Christmas Bazaar, which was greatly appreciated. Just another mention of Jane and Richard Manoogian for having the new stairs built from the West Bluff to the shore below. They're enjoyed by everyone. The Mackinac Island State Park did major improvements to Pontiac Trail along the bluff. It's wonderful for so many to enjoy this area. Debra and Sandra Orr of Naples, Florida, and Mackinac are on a cruise to Puerto Rico, after which they will be spending Christmas with their aunt, Lou Riley, and her daughter in North Carolina. A very merry Christmas to my dear friend, Aunt Lou. Enjoy a nice winter. We look forward to seeing you all in the spring. During the magical Christmas season, a call from Skip Warp from his home in Wood Dale, Illinois, brought tidings of great joy as he became a grandfather for the first time. Sunday, November 5, his daughter, Melissa, and son-in-law, Chris, of Elmhurst, Illinois, became the proud parents of a baby girl named Emily Ryan. She weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces at birth. Congratulations to the family from Island friends. Let us not forget Skip, as he celebrated his 60th birthday December 6. We look forward to seeing you and Mary back on Mackinac next summer. I have fond memories of Skip's late parents, who were very good customers in our Windermere Imports gift shop. The Warp cottage stands proudly on the West Bluff with its magnificent view of the Straits of Mackinac. Island friends send their deepest sympathy to Lois Chambers of Mendota Heights, Minnesota, on the recent death of her beloved mother, Marie Smola, who passed away Sunday, November 12, at the age of 100. A memorial mass was held Friday, December 1, at the Church of the Assumption in St. Paul, Minnesota. Survivors include her daughter, Lois, grandsons and their wives, Jeff and Tammy of Minnesota and Brad and Nancy of Mackinac, great-granddaughters Elizabeth, Katherine, Hannah, Eleanor, Emily, and Sydney Chambers. Lois' address is: 999 Kay Avenue, Mendota Heights, MN 55118. It could only happen on Mackinac. Vic Callewaert, while overseeing his building project on Main Street, was spending his days at his home on Lakeshore Drive. Since his wife, Rena, and other family members were touring in Africa, Vic was not only dog sitting but also taking care of Rena's cat, "Kitty." Kitty turned up missing, and Vic was very concerned that something serious had happened to her. Everyone had been alerted and was on the lookout for Kitty. Almost two weeks to the day that she disappeared, a call from Judy Bynoe related the story that she could hear a cat crying and saw it jumping in the loft of Mike Carley's shop between French Lane and Bourisaw Lane. Kevin Leveille and Deb Carley immediately went to the back of the Windermere, where they met Judy and Rob Bynoe. Kevin went in the shop and rescued the cat. In the meantime, Margaret Doud found Vic and sent him to the back of the hotel, where he was reunited with Kitty. The cat was extremely hungry and thirsty. Vic returned to Detroit for Thanksgiving with his two dogs and Kitty. Just another happy ending to a missing pet story on Mackinac. Happy 60th birthday December 27 to Alan King, who is a special friend of Patty Prendergast. Have a wonderful day, Alan, with many good wishes for years to come. Patty is employed at Grand Hotel's Margaret's Garden, where she greets the many customers with her warm smile and gracious personality. Alan, who is a world traveler, was invited many years ago by Chef Hans Burtscher of Grand Hotel to assist him in his work. It was the very first time that he ever saw the beautiful Island. It was on Mackinac that Alan met Patty, and together they've made their home here year-around. Happy birthday to Lou Clark December 9. Enjoy your day.
Cynthia Cawthorne's mother, Margaret "Peg" Knoth, of Shelby, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, November 23, at the age of 82. She was a frequent visitor to Mackinac. Services for Mrs. Knoth were held Sunday, November 26. Island friends send their deepest sympathy to the family. Cynthia's address is: 1351 Foxcroft, East Lansing, MI 48823. Island friends mourn the loss of a very dear friend, Ken Gilbert, of Boyne City, who passed away Sunday, November 26, following complications from knee surgery. Ken and his beloved wife, Katherine, have a host of friends on Mackinac, where they enjoyed many summers on the Island. Ken and Katherine loved sailing and lived on their boat during the summer months. Katherine worked at the Landing Gull shop in the Orphan Corner Mall. Services for Ken were Friday, December 1, at the Charlevoix Congregational Church. Katherine's address is: 520 West Michigan Avenue, Boyne City, MI 49712. Deepest sympathy to the family from your many Island friends. Ken's warm smile and gracious personality will long be remembered.
Lisa Meneguzzo suffered a massive heart attack Thanksgiving morning at her home in Arcadia, Florida. She remains in critical condition at the hospital in Punta Gorda, Florida. Friends wishing to send her a card may do so at the following address: 12865 SW Hwy 17, Lot #64A, Arcadia, FL34269. Friends, please remember our good friend and summer waiter at the Jockey Club, Garfield Slowly. He was critically injured in an automobile accident in Jamaica, where his eight-year-old son was killed. A fund has been established at the Mackinac Island Community Foundation to help with Garfield's medical expenses. If you would like to send him a card, the address is as follows: Garfield Slowly, Tower Hill, Tower Hill PA, Montego Bay, St. James, Jamaica, West Indies. Best wishes from his many Island friends. Jeannie McGreevy, Jennifer Wightman, and Brevin St. Onge will celebrate their birthdays December 12. Have a great day. Happy birthday to Nancy Pfeiffelman December 13. Hopefully, Ed will bake you a special cake.
Pat Leveille of St. Ignace celebrated her birthday December 6. Hope you had a wonderful day. Big holiday news. Irene and Larry Rickley Sr. will be spending Christmas in beautiful Orlando, Florida, as guests of their daughter and son-in-law, Sara and Greg Sutherland. They're looking forward to a Bunker family reunion. Larry Jr. and Kathleen Rickley with son Anthony and daughter Makayla will join Kathleen's family in Montana for the holidays. Have a wonderful time.
Happy birthday December 15 to Mandy Wandrie and Herbie St. Onge. Enjoy your day. Betty Wandrie, mother of Paul Wandrie, suffered a massive stroke in Florida Friday, December 1. She remains in very critical condition. Island friends send her very best wishes. Joan Barch of Woodbluff, with daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Jim Fisher, and son, Jay, and Jay's girlfriend, will drive to Florida for Christmas to spend the holiday with Joan's 91-year-old mother. They will be joined by Joan's brother from San Diego and Joan's son, Jon, and family from Marquette. Jon is in charge of the leadership program at Northern Michigan University.
We miss Susan Sanderson, wife of Dave Sanderson, general manager of Mission Point Resort. She is in Savannah, Georgia, awaiting the arrival of triplet grandchildren. The David Karhoff family of Findlay, Ohio, came bearing gifts for the Christmas Bazaar auction. They had a wonderful time visiting their many friends on the Island. Happy 6th anniversary to Jennifer and Frank Bloswick December 2. They just returned from a two-week Caribbean cruise. While walking each day we find special beauty here and there. The magnificent rose bushes near the pool at Grand Hotel have continued to delight many with fall blooms. Margaret Doud has picked two bouquets of the deep pink roses. They were just beautiful, and reminded me of the Christmas roses.
Happy birthday December 8 to my school friend at Thomas W. Ferry School, Dennis Brodeur, who is spending the winter in Naples, Florida. We miss seeing you, Dennis, but glad that you're enjoying the southern climate. Keep well, and come spring, I will have a banana cream pie waiting for you. Ste. Anne's has undergone major exterior renovations under the supervision of local contractor Mike Gamble, who could be seen daily high up in a lift repairing the tower and putting on a new roof. There were many days when Mike worked under adverse weather conditions. He and his crew have done a wonderful job. Father Rey Garcia, S.J. is delighted with the new kitchen, which has been installed in the rectory. Father Rey loves the living room, which has a magnificent view of the harbor and Straits of Mackinac. Happy birthday to Jane Finkel December 16. Have a great day. Lydia Porter and Robbie Bynoe will celebrate their birthdays December 17. Enjoy your day. Happy news to report. Ann Bronfman and Janey Hart will be spending Christmas at Ann's beautiful Island residence, "Lakewood," on Lakeshore Drive with its great view of the Straits of Mackinac. More lights in the neighborhood. We give
Ann and Janey a warm welcome. Prominent cottager of Hubbard's Annex, Harry Griffith, husband of Nicki, passed away Friday, December 1, at his home in Ann Arbor. Nicki and Harry could often be seen taking their daily walk to town from their cottage. Deepest sympathy to the family from Island friends. Happy birthday to Sara Chambers and Lance Greenlee December 20. Have a special day. Lorna and Frank Straus just returned from a three-week trip to China. They arrived on Mackinac Friday, December 1, to spend a long weekend on the Island. Lorna attended the Mackinac Island Community Foundation meeting and they both enjoyed the Christmas Bazaar.
Our good friend, Roy Bissell, left his Island home Friday, December 1, for Uruguay, where he will spend a month working with rehabilitation ministry. Roy is a member of the Mackinac Island Bible Church. Best wishes to Jack Ryerse of St. Ignace, who is a patient at Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. Hurry and get well, Jack, are the wishes of your many Island friends.
Greetings to Marilyn McCready of Cheboygan, who is recovering from major surgery. Marilyn would love to hear from her many Island friends. Her address is: 520 Cleveland Avenue, Cheboygan, MI 49721. To enjoy a beautiful evening, take a stroll on the boardwalk, only to see the Mackinac Bridge all bedecked in red and green lights, along with those of St. Ignace and Mackinaw City. It's an unforgettable sight. Warmest and best wishes to all Island residents who are away for the winter. Enjoy a healthy, happy Christmas. Christmas greetings to Father Milton Vanitvelt of Menominee, former pastor of Ste. Anne's, who enjoys reading the Island column in the Town Crier. Island friends send their best to you. We give a warm welcome to Dr. Roger Schrock and his wife, Linda. Dr. Schrock is the new superintendent at Mackinac Island Public School. Christmas greetings to everyone from the jewel of the north, Mackinac Island, which is beautifully nestled beneath a blanket of heavenly snow. The sounds of snowmobiles can be heard in the distance as the glistening snowflakes fell gently to the ground. The season of reflection is when everyone has time to enjoy the beauty of Mackinac, the full moon shining down on the Straits, and the glorious sunrises and sunsets.
I would like to wish my two friends a very Merry Christmas, Charlotte Schmidt of Burr Ridge, Illinois, and Jean Coyne of Oxford. A note received from Carol and Doug Rearick from Stuart, Florida, told about the wonderful Thanksgiving feast they had with Ann and Tim Timmons and Fritz and Lindsay George. Mary and Ron Dufina returned recently from a month's vacation in Florida. Mary's nephew, Sean McCourt, is in the new musical, "Mary Poppins," playing in New York.
While writing the column, my thoughts turn to the wonderful memories of growing up on Mackinac. One of the highlights was stopping by the Benjamin Blacksmith Shop and watching Bob's dad, Herbert, sharpen the runners on our sleds. Lots of wonderful memories. Captain Paul and Betsy Allers will be celebrating their wedding anniversary December 28. Have a wonderful day. It's Christmas on Mackinac and we're going to enjoy an oldfashioned sleigh ride. As the sleigh bells jingle, we see the beautiful tree standing stately on Main Street, the street lights adorned with lighted wreaths, and the quiet manger scene at the head of the Arnold dock, as the mighty Huron arrives decorated for the season. Looking to the east, a 1,000-foot freighter approaches with a lighted star high above its pilot house and a decorated tree on the deck. The Christmas tree lighted high on the hill of history at Fort Mackinac guides the passing ships through the Straits of Mackinac. On Fort Hill, Trinity Church graces a wreath, welcoming worshippers to the Christmas Eve service of lessons and carols at 4 p.m. Continuing on to the Mission, homes are lighted for the holiday season, sparkling in the crisp winter night. Historic Ste. Anne's Church, bedecked with garlands, wreaths, and twinkling lights, will celebrate Christmas Eve mass at 8 p.m. The bell will peal, welcoming all the parishioners on this Holy night. Going up Mission Hill, and looking out at the Mackinac Bridge lighted with red and green lights for the season, is a breathtaking sight. Entering Harrisonville, it's a winter wonderland, with a lighted tree in front of the Harrisonville General Store, holiday scenes and twinkling lights in the frosty air. It's a magical scene. As we tour Stonecliffe, Woodbluff, Trillium Heights, and Stonebrook, candles dance in the windows spreading yuletide cheer to all the people passing by. Going down Cadotte Avenue, Market Street, and the west end of Main Street, we see all the homes and businesses bedecked for the season. It's Christmas time on Mackinac, a special time of the year. Happy anniversary to Fire Chief Dennis Bradley and his wife, Jackie, December 28. You will have a wonderful day with all your grandchildren. Dee Czapek of Grand Rapids will celebrate her birthday December 22. We miss you on Mackinac. Have a good winter. Stella Grzymala and Julie and Larry Kwiatkowski of the Detroit area spent the weekend visiting the Candy Smith family and attending the Christmas Bazaar. We send special greetings to Alice Myron of Port Huron. We miss you and look forward to seeing you on Mackinac in the spring. Merry Christmas to all the Island residents in the long term care facility in St. Ignace: Cecelia Flanagan, Gary and Larry LaPine, Letha Brodeur, Marian Welcher, and Bette Emmons. Judy Bynoe will celebrate her birthday December 23. The Bynoe family will be in Chassell with the McKay family for Christmas. Andrew McGreevy, Jason St. Onge, and Tim Leeper will celebrate their birthdays Christmas Eve, December 24. Saturday evening, December 2, there was a welcome home gathering at the Mustang Lounge. Jason St. Onge's band "Tricky Dickie and the Spoonman" played, and all the Islanders and folks on Mackinac for the Christmas Bazaar enjoyed a very festive evening. Jason's parents, Glenn and Deana St. Onge, had a great time, as well as Bob St. Onge of St. Ignace. Barb Kovalak, Jan Antor from Rockford, Bonnie Foltz, Jill Sawatzki, Joan Barch from Lansing, Diane Sprengel, and the Pompas from Washington enjoyed the Christmas Bazaar. Carl Hartman of the Detroit area and Mackinac attended the funeral for Ken Gilbert Friday, December 1, and spent the weekend on the Island. Nice to see you. Charlie Lilliquist of St. Ignace enjoyed the auction at the Christmas Bazaar Sunday, December 3. Little Dakota Horn will celebrate his 1st birthday December 29. Happy birthday, Dakota. A very special couple, Mike and Deb Carley, will be celebrating their anniversary December 31. Have a great day. Jim Chambers Sr. and Mary Patay will celebrate their birthdays December 29. Enjoy your day.
Last evening, I received a call from Mary Jane Newman from Royal Oak, guest of the Windermere Hotel, reporting that her husband, Bob, fell Thanksgiving night and fractured his hip. Bob would love to hear from his many friends on the Island. His address is: 2807 Ardmore, Royal Oak, MI 48073. |
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