NEWS ABOUT PEOPLE ON MACKINAC ISLAND
BY JEANNETTE DOUD

Once again, Saturday, July 14, weddings were performed in many places on Mackinac. A familiar sound could be heard at the Little Stone Church as the historic bell sounded, reminding me of years past, when as small children, we would go to see the beautiful brides. Unfortunately, the weather was not the best, as rain showers prevailed.

At Ste. Anne's, Rachael and Michael Young Jr. were married with Father Jim Williams officiating. The historic church was beautifully decorated for the occasion. As the guests arrived, they were greeted by the sounds of music provided by Peggy Bynoe. The church was filled for the impressive ceremony. Congratulations to Rachael and Michael "Skip" from Island friends. Skip, the son of Wendy and Mike Young, worked on the Island for several summers when he was a porter for Arnold Transit. The wedding party was driven to the church and reception in stately enclosed carriages drawn by prancing hackney horses and drivers dressed in red coats and top hats. It was truly a storybook scene. A reception and dinner followed at Grand Hotel.

As Jason St. Onge was riding his bicycle on Annex Road, he noticed an old stump, where a mother redheaded woodpecker was sitting, along with her three babies. Mama was busy gathering worms and bugs out of the stump to feed the little ones.

Dr. Cathy Rellinger of Bon Secour Hospital in Grosse Pointe assisted at the Mackinac Island Medical Center for a week during the Fourth of July holiday, which was a busy time. Dr. Cathy and her family left Sunday and will return in October.

It's nice to see Nancy Keogh out and about following her recent accident. She and Larry, along with Jane Haggarty of the East Bluff, enjoyed the concert Sunday afternoon at Ste. Anne's.

Happy birthday to Brett Horn July 22. Enjoy your day.

Father Rey Garcia of Ste. Anne's is visiting Spain and France. Great to see Father Rey looking so good after his recent surgery. In France he will visit the Shrine of Lourdes.

Happy birthday to Helen Wolfgang July 16 and Kay Berke July 19. Island friends send best wishes to you both.

Mike Doud and a group of friends from St. Ignace visited the Island Sunday night, July 15, aboard Mike's boat, the Sandra K.

A surprise 40th birthday party was held Sunday, July 15, at the Astor Street Café to honor Frank Bloswick Jr. He was, indeed, very surprised. Family and friends enjoyed great food and a festive time.

Little Jack Kaminen will celebrate his second birthday July 26. Happy birthday from Island friends.

Mary Dennany Plunkett of Chicago, Illinois, is enjoying a vacation on Mackinac. Happy birthday, Mary, July 24.

The seventh annual Bois Blanc Island Fishing Tournament was held Saturday, June 30, through Wednesday, July 4. Participants caught pike, perch, small mouth bass, bluegills, and large mouth bass. Enjoying the tournament were Tymon and Tim Horn of Mackinac and Larry Kwiatkowski of Canton. Tim won a prize for the biggest and longest fish. Everyone had a great time.

A baby girl, Kelly Mil McVeigh, was born Saturday, June 30, at Cedar Sinai Hospital under the shadow of the Santa Monica Mountains, just as the sun was coming up. Proud parents are Dave and Mardy McVeigh. Grandmother is Kate McVeigh. Congratulations from Island friends.

Happy birthday July 15 to Cyndi Kutsop of Mountainside, New Jersey. I know you had fun celebrating your special day on Mackinac.

Congratulations to Alan and Erika Arbib on the birth of their new baby daughter, Rachel Catheryn, born Tuesday, June 26. She weighed 9 pounds and measured 21 inches in length at birth. Best wishes from Island friends.

Guests at Cecelia Flanagan's 100th birthday party in St. Ignace, which I mentioned previously in this column, also included Marian Welcher, Jack Welcher's wife.

The best news! Debra and Sandra Orr's aunt, Lou Riley, will be arriving soon for several days. It will be wonderful to see her.

The Tom Corrigan family of Glenview, Illinois, is enjoying a vacation in their home on Lakeshore Drive. It has a wonderful view of the Straits of Mackinac.

Mackinac Associates hosted a fun event at Fort Mackinac Friday evening, July 13. It was a costumed colonial ball, where the guests danced under the stars and dined. A great time was enjoyed by all.

Warmest and best wishes to Dr. Chris LaTocha as he continues to recuperate from his recent stem cell transplant performed at the University of Chicago Hospital. Island friends send special greetings.

As Aileen Koehler continues to progress at a hospital in California, we send love and best wishes for her recovery.

Happy birthday July 23 to Emma Chambers. Have a wonderful day. I'm sure Clara will help you blow out your candles.

Come to Ste. Anne's each Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. to enjoy a very nice concert put on by the Mackinac Island Community Foundation.

Peggy and Charlie Barthold and family of Darrien, Connecticut, were here for their annual visit to Mackinac during the Chicago to Mackinac Race.

Governor Jennifer Granholm, with family and friends, spent the weekend at the Governor's residence on Mackinac Island and attended Mass at Ste. Anne's.

Matt Myers will celebrate his birthday July 23. Enjoy your day.

Guests of Phil and Val Porter over the weekend were Will, Steffanie, and Liam Porter.

Happy birthday July 25 to Ellen Putnam. Island friends send special greetings.

Dr. Michael Bacon and family spent the weekend on the Island.

It was a perfect Mackinac summer day Tuesday, July 17, as the Chicago yacht racers enjoyed a cocktail party in the tea garden at Grand Hotel.

Star Clark Crane, with her daughter, Stephanie, and her grandson, Brandon Miyakoshi, from Los Angeles, California, spent two days visiting Bob and Annette Gillespie before moving up to the Puttkammer house in Hubbard's Annex. They were joined there by Star's cousin, Charlie, and Gwen, from Ohio. Nice to see everyone back on Mackinac.

Jason St. Onge visited his parents in Remus Tuesday and helped his brother, Eric, celebrate his birthday by attending a concert at the Palace in Detroit.

Marquette Park is a heavenly green in color, and many folks enjoy resting or playing games in the park. People enjoy sitting on the curb, watching the yachts at the marina.

If by chance you're walking on the brick walkway, notice the huge flower pot near the entrance to the public restrooms, as it's a wonderful sight of geraniums in an array of different colors. City employee Mike Lee makes certain that the flowers get special care.

Fire Chief Dennis Bradley and his wife, Jackie, traveled to Toronto Saturday, July 14, where they met their son, Dennis Jr. and family. They returned to Mackinac with their two grandchildren for a summer vacation.

Lynelle Doud and sons, Franc and James, of St. Clair Shores enjoyed the weekend on the Island visiting family members.

Our deepest sympathy to Adele Lypsinmaa, whose beloved mother passed away this past week in Hancock. Adele has spent many summers on Mackinac, where she greets her many friends at the Mustang Lounge. Island friends send you best wishes.

Brian, Patty, and Lily Schoenborn visited Brian's family in Grand Rapids last week.

Walking at the west end of Market Street, you will find the rock garden at Cloghaun Cottage ablaze with attractive flowers, while next door at Metivier Inn, you will find that the magic wand of Diane Neyer has turned the garden into a wonderful display of pink flowers and hanging baskets.

The Robert Spitzer family of Detroit is at their cottage at Woodbluff with its magnificent view of the Straits of Mackinac.

It was nice to see Rosemary Gustin and her daughter, Kayla, of St. Ignace on Mackinac over the weekend. They enjoyed visiting all the different shops.

Kathi and Dan Wightman attended the wedding of Michelle and Jim Reitman's daughter, Libby, in Detroit over the weekend. Congratulations to Libby from Island friends.

Dan Bloomfield, who spent his youth growing up on Mackinac, and wife, Pat, came to Mackinac for the Fourth of July festivities from their home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and to spend time with friends, including lifelong resident Kathy Andress, who was the gracious host who provided a tasty cookout for all. Dan and Pat took a leisurely carriage ride along the shoreline and interior. With Dan providing much of Mackinac's history, and reminiscing of days long past growing up on Mackinac, the Bloomfields spent several days on the Island shopping and enjoying a picnic in Marquette Park, enjoying the sights and sounds of a Mackinac summer day. The Bloomfields hope to return next year for more of the Island's beauty and the traditional fudge.

Red sails in the sunset gave an excellent view of the Chicago to Mackinac yachts as they approached the Mackinac Bridge. It was indeed a magnificent sight.

Enjoy the beautiful summer weather.