NEWS ABOUT PEOPLE ON MACKINAC ISLAND
BY JEANNETTE DOUD

The Magnificent Budweiser Clydesdales, sponsored by Griffin Beverage of St. Ignace, visited Mackinac Island Tuesday, July 24. At 6 p.m., they paraded from the Mackinac Island Public School through town to Mission Point Resort, returning via Main Street to an audience of onlookers cheering them on. The eight horses, ranging in age from five years to 11 years old, stood proudly as cameras clicked for many pictures. It was wonderful for our many visitors to have this unique opportunity to see these awesome horses from San Antonio, Texas. The Clydesdales will be in St. Ignace to help celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Mackinac Bridge.

On Saturday evening, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Mackinac Bridge, St. Ignace, Mackinaw City, and Mackinac Island will have fireworks displays at dusk. Come and enjoy the tribute to the Mackinac Bridge.

The warm, balmy days of summer continue to be perfect for outdoor activities as visitors are seen daily biking, enjoying a ride in a surrey with the fringe on top, or horseback riding. Often times, we hear folks exclaiming about the beauty of Mackinac.

Residents from Mackinac Straits Hospital Long Term Care Facility spent a beautiful afternoon on Mackinac Island Friday, July 13. While on the Island, residents and their escorts had lunch in the park, toured the marina, and stopped to buy fudge. The group finished the afternoon by enjoying hot dogs and lemonade while visiting with Mayor Margaret Doud at Windermere Point. Pictured (back row, from left) are hospital staff members Jenna Eggebrecht, Carla Smith, Debbie McCord, Treasa Paquin, and Marian King, volunteer; (front) Gary LaPine, Larry LaPine, Marilyn Marsee, Elwood Lewis, and Jozefa Gburzynski. (Photograph courtesy of Mackinac Straits Hospital)

Happy birthday wishes to Dillon Szabo Monday, July 23. He enjoyed his party Sunday, July 22, with all his friends.

The sailors in the Port Huron to Mackinac race really had a slow sail, with little wind and warm temperatures. A few boats had still not finished the race Tuesday afternoon. All those that crossed the finish line at Mission Point created a very beautiful sight for everyone to see. In 2008, Chicago will be celebrating its 100th race to Mackinac. It will be a very exciting time, bringing lots of excitement.

Lynn and John Leone of Macomb are enjoying their 26th year as guests of the Windermere, where they can be seen relaxing on the front porch. Mrs. Leone has had the privilege of having several of her photographs appear in Mackinac Island Recreational Development's Season's of Mackinac calendar over the years. It was and always is a joy to have the Leone's as our guests. They truly love the Island.

Jill Sawatzki will celebrate her birthday Saturday, July 28. Have a wonderful day.

Our good friends, Jennifer and Lucas Karhoff of Findlay, Ohio, are comfortably settled in their cottage on Bourisaw Lane with David joining the family next week. We are very happy to see them.

Happy birthday to Stanley Gugin, who celebrated his birthday Friday, July 26, and to Robert St. Onge Tuesday, July 31. Have a great day.

Friday, July 20, was a perfect summer evening for a cruise on the Straits of Mackinac aboard the Lady Jane, the beautiful yacht owned by Richard and Jane Manoogian, summer cottagers of the West Bluff. Guests were members of the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, Director Phil and Val Porter, and Mayor Margaret Doud. It was a night to remember, especially when the brilliant moon ascended high in the sky, sending its beams on the water. A special dinner was prepared by Mrs. Manoogian and enjoyed by all. On Sunday evening, the staff of the Mackinac Island Medical Center was treated to a wonderful cruise aboard the Lady Jane.

Our good friend, Max Clifton of Munice, Indiana, will celebrate his birthday July 29. Special greetings from all your Mackinac friends.

Marilyn Waggoner of Wyandotte has joined her husband, Buzz, in the operation of their lovely shop, La Galerie, on Market Street.

Happy anniversary to Richard and Jackie Bolander Monday, July 30. We wish you many more years of good health and happiness.

Best wishes to my good friend, Jim Brown Sr. of St. Ignace, who recently suffered an injured leg. Island friends send you greetings.

On Monday, July 30, Captain Paul Allers of Mackinaw City will celebrate his birthday. We look forward to your Island visits. Special greetings to Betsy.

On the morning of Sunday, July 29, Ste. Anne's will hold a pancake breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Our Mackinac Island Medical Center continues to be a very busy place. On Tuesday, July 24, there were eight ambulance runs.

Will St. Onge will celebrate his birthday Sunday, July 29. Have a great day.

On Saturday, July 28, at 5 p.m., Suzanne Plunkett, daughter of Mary Dennany Plunkett, will become the bride of Timothy Donovan at Uncle Henry's Beach on Mackinac.

The concert at 2 p.m. at Ste. Anne's Sunday, July 29, will feature pianist Peggy Bynoe of Mackinac.

Tuesday, July 31, there will be an open house and local artist silent auction at the Stuart House from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come and tour this historic building.

Mark your calendar for the Mackinac Island Medical Center Auction Sunday, August 26, at Grand Hotel. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.

Tuesday, July 31, Roxanne Pettit will celebrate her birthday. Have a wonderful day.

Spending a week of family fun with Larry and Kay Berke at Tamarack Cottage were all of their children, Jeff, Christine, Hunter, and Tristan Berke of Kalispell, Montana, Andrew, Pam Kirby and Cora Berke of Denver, Colorado, and Matt, Kendra, and Declan Thornton of Chicago. The Reverend Vincent Carroll baptized Cora Leigh Berke, seven months old, during the Sunday, July 8, morning worship service at Little Stone Church. A family gathering was held at the Mackinac Island Yacht Club following the church service.

Saturday evening, July 21, family and friends gathered at the Brodeur-Bunker home in the Mission to celebrate Mark Bunker's 40th birthday. Happy birthday from Island friends.

Taking a bike ride around the shore of the Island, you will see many beautiful wildflowers in full bloom. Look carefully and you will see wild raspberries growing along the roadside.

Karen and Gary Lennard are enjoying a visit from their grandson, Raymond, who lives in Sylvania, Ohio. Ray will attend basketball camp on the Island.

What a picturesque sight it was this past Sunday morning to see the Mackinac Island Marina filled with beautiful pleasure boats. It was nice to see so many people enjoying the Island.

Sixty-two members of the Lapine families gathered in St. Ignace July 21 to celebrate their 2007 family reunion. The party began at 11 a.m. with a party at the Sand Dunes and continued onto Sunday at the American Legion Park, where a delicious lunch was served. The highlight of this year's reunion was the wedding uniting Pamela Musick and Frank Morley Saturday, July 21, at 5:30 p.m., at the home of Jim and Colleen Horn in Hessel. Pamela's grandfather, Armand "Smi" Horn, officiated. Congratulations from Island friends.

What a pleasant surprise last week to receive a visit from Gary and Larry LaPine, who are patients at the long term care facility in St. Ignace. Other residents and several aids joined them, including a special friend, Marian King. They all enjoyed refreshments at the Windermere Doghouse.

Larry and Gary, longtime residents of the Island, were dedicated workers, Larry at the Windermere Hotel and Gary at the Mackinac Island State Park. Both young men are highly thought of in the community.

We send best wishes to Ron and Gwen O'Neil, who now reside in Naples, Florida. Ron is recovering from open-heart surgery. Island friends send special greetings.

Sandra and Debra Orr hosted a family reunion this past week. Among the participants was Aunt Lou (Louina) Riley of Hendersonville, North Carolina, aunt of Debra, Sandra, and Marsha Orr, and the sister of the late Dr. Rex Orr, a delightful woman who at age 94 loves life and all that it has to offer. While on Mackinac, she enjoyed a game of bridge and a wonderful carriage ride with Dan Mitchell, compliments of Dr. Bill and Sue Chambers. Other family members attending the reunion were Tom Cartmell, brother of the late Elizabeth "Betty" Orr, and his wife, Mae, and daughter, Vicky, from Wapaheoneta, Ohio. Tom and Aunt Lou have been coming to Mackinac since 1935. It was a wonderful gathering, and it was great to see Aunt Lou back on Mackinac.

Cathy Andress, local gardener, did an excellent design of the flower beds in the McGreevy garden on Market Street.

There is much enthusiasm on Mackinac for the new Harry Potter book. Young Joe Rogers came to the Windermere to visit his Aunt Deb Carley. He was clutching the Harry Potter book in his hand and had already read half of the book with great excitement.

Happy birthday to Cal Rogers of St. Ignace Wednesday, August 1, and to his grandson, Josh Carley, Thursday, August 2. We hope you both enjoy your day.

Enjoy the Mackinac Bridge celebration!