December Town Crier Was a Joy
To the Editor:

I was stunned by the December 8 issue of the Town Crier in countless positive and joyous ways.

If we were placing items in a time capsule for opening many years in the future, this issue should be included as a magnificent sharing of the history of our time on the Island. I was all but overwhelmed by the breadth and depth of coverage and information. This may have been the most valuable issue of the Town Crier in the 20 years Marsha and I have been coming to the Island and since we decided to retire and live here year-around.

I want to express high appreciation for the ongoing Town Crier as an extraordinary community newspaper, for the dedication of you and your staff, and for the Town Crier as a model of honesty, credibility, exemplary ethics, and uncommon accuracy.

Let me touch on some of the ways the December 8 Town Crier can be appreciated. Karen Gould's island "Update" feature was excellent, and, I feel, should be included in future issues to reflect ongoing useful activity updates. The Cecelia Flanagan obituary and eulogy celebrated her 100 years and the Island history she reflected. The photos and coverage of the Island school students and staff extend your annual coverage of current youth and many future Island residents. And your December 8 editorial on the Bridge Authority manifested uncommon good thinking and community leadership. Your Mackinac Island Community Foundation coverage was helpful.

We readers also are much enriched by your many valuable and appreciated regular columnists. Beginning, of course, with the inestimable and indispensable Jeannette Doud, reflecting her remarkable range of contacts, gracious writing, and history-bookmemories. And we appreciate other regulars, including Candi Dunnigan, Trish Martin, Yvan Silva, and Frank Straus.

Jeannette and they add so much to our sense of the uniqueness of this place and what we who live here call "the Island adventure," our cheerful (mostly) acceptance as normal challenges what many offislanders consider unacceptable or intolerable problems or objections to living here. (Islanders will know to what I am referring.)

Finally, let's celebrate one of the most remarkable and unforgettable photos I have ever seen, your December 8 color cover photo of the five cousins, ages 2 to 5, marching in the snow, in the middle of Market Street, holding hands, each with a scarf covering much of his face. Heartwarming beyond description.

Chuck Kleber Mackinac Island