Ste. Anne's Church Hosts Weekly Employee Dinner
By Sean Ely

Horn's Gaslight Bar cooks (from left) Clyde Ogle, Steve Quast, and Sam Ike stand behind the chicken, rice and beans, potato salad, and rolls they helped prepare for the employees on Mackinac Island at the May 17 dinner.

Free Thursday night dinners at Ste. Anne's Church are designed with Island employees in mind. They break the routine, promote social interaction, and save money.

The church, on Main Street just east of Mission Street, serves a meal to all summer employees on the Island at 5 p.m. in the parish hall basement. A different restaurant provides the food each week.

Thursday, May 17, Horn's Gaslight Bar catered the event, bringing chicken, rice and beans, potato salad, and rolls. There were also cakes, cookies, and plenty of refreshments. The Mustang Lounge took over May 24, while Patrick Sinclair's Irish Pub will bring the food May 31.

"How much can you get for free on this island? Not a whole lot," Horn's bartender Rockwell Williams said, while enjoying his night off at the church.

It's also an opportunity to sample the food from Mackinac's various restaurants.

"This is a chance for everyone to get some great food," Horn's cook Steve Quast said. "People will see what the restaurants have to offer. This is just a good thing to have here."

Some of the volunteers at May 17's dinner were present to simply help those who work hard during the summer months.

"I like to help out where needed," volunteer Diane Strengel said. "I live on the Island, so whatever I can do to give back is always good."

Mr. Quast feels that being part of something like this will actually help him in the future.

"I, myself, am helping out because I want to get into politics and I like servicing my community on Mackinac Island," he said. "It's rewarding just to meet everyone on the Island. This is all worth it."

The workers on the Island have varied backgrounds, so as they enter the parish hall basement, they are greeted by Frankie Thill, who has them fill out a name tag.

"I like meeting all the different area kids that we get from all over; that's kind of fun," Mrs. Thill said. "I like the enthusiasm here.

"It's nice for them to have a place where they can come to communicate," she added. "They all have something in common, of working on the island, and being able to do that and talk and have a place to eat is really great."

Future dinner providers include Grand Hotel June 7, Yankee Rebel June 14, and Village Inn June 21.