Four Students To Fill Mackinac Island’s EMT Ranks



Mackinac Island is in desperate need of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and, by this summer, four residents hope to become licensed and help assist the three men who have covered the Island’s needs since fall. Mark Bielinsk, Molly Green, Brandy Shunk, and Lorie Sturm travel to St. Ignace every Monday and Thursday night for EMT classes. They also have a […]

Time for Skiing!



Second-grader Christopher Riggs leads a small band of elementary skiers toward Cadotte Avenue during a physical education session at Mackinac Island Public School Thursday, February 1. Following him are classmate Talon Greenlee (left), ski instructor Kris Clark, and, in tow, third-grader Keely Johnson. Because of a mild December, this was the first time this winter the students were able to […]

Island State Park Works To Repair Fort Mackinac Wall



The white limestone walls that protect Fort Mackinac have begun to deteriorate again. Built by British soldiers in 1780-81, the fort walls were restored five years ago for $4.1 million and are the oldest structure in the state.But the mortar is crumbling prematurely, and the Mackinac Island State Park Commission is concerned. “This was a major project and it is […]

Board Discusses How To Improve School

School Infrastructure, Adding Foreign Language Classes Top of Priority List

Finding a “musical, Spanish speaking, special education teacher” was an idea teacher Karen Allen had to improve Mackinac Island Public School, one of many discussed in an informal meeting involving the school’s Board of Education, teachers, and parents Monday, February 5. Fixing the exterior of the school building, however, was considered the highest priority by the board. While Ms. Allen’s […]

Island Community Enjoys Cold 31st Winter Festival



Urvana Morse and her three-year-old son, Dominic, enjoy some sledding at Great Turtle Park, which was one of the many family events held at Great Turtle Park during Mackinac Island’s annual Winter Festival Saturday, February 3 and Sunday, February 4. Sunday’s events were held at the school. (See story and more photographs on pages 12 and 13)

Opening of Doud’s Market Continues Family Legacy

Long-time Family-owned Grocery Store To Re-open in Mid-April Under New Name

The grocery store at the corner of Main Street and Fort Street on Mackinac Island, set to open in mid-April, may have a new name and a new look, but owner Andrew Doud hopes to establish Doud’s Market as a reliable grocery store that reaches out to its customers, supporting the Island community. “It’s going to be more grocery store […]

Recollections of President Ford on Mackinac



Editor’s Note: Grand Hotel decorator Carleton Varney, president of Dorothy Draper and Company in New York, published the following recollections of President Gerald Ford in his column in the Palm Beach Daily News January 5. He has offered it to the Town Crier. President Ford visited Mackinac Island in 1975 as the guest of Governor William Milliken. Pres. Ford passed […]

Edison Sault Customers Favored in Legal Opinion

Island Case Next Goes to PSC

An administrative law judge says that Edison Sault Electric Company should return $2,124,000 to its 23,000 EUP customers, and her decision will be taken into consideration by the Public Service Commission (PSC) when it makes the final ruling on the case. The judge, who sides with Mackinac Island in its protest over 2005 power recovery costs Edison is saying it […]

Chili Champ To Seek Repeat Success at This Year’s Contest

Annual Island Chili Cook-off Set for Feb. 17

Hot and cold are the two main elements for fun in the 14th annual Mackinac Island Chili Cook-off and Postcard Poker Ski and Walk Rally Saturday, February 17. Apoker rally, in which participants can either cross-country ski or walk at their own pace to each designated stop, will begin at 9 a.m., with the starting point at Village Inn Restaurant […]

Posters To Commemorate Mackinac Bridge Milestone



Four commemorative posters are being sold by the Michigan Department of Transportation to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Mackinac Bridge. Two of the posters are in a landscape format, with one poster in color and the other a black and white print. They are 30 inches wide by 12 inches tall and depict three photographs of the bridge. A […]