On the warm and muggy summer afternoon of Sunday, August 16, at least 150 people gathered on the highest point of Mackinac Island for the dedication of Fort Holmes. The reconstructed redoubt to Fort Mackinac is the newest addition to Mackinac State Historic Parks and is open free to the public. The horseshoe-shaped earthworks are sheathed on the outside by […]
Dreyer Tows 19-ton Barge in Swim to Mackinac Island
Jim Dreyer, an athlete who performs feats of strength, swam from American Legion Park in St. Ignace to the British Landing dock on Mackinac Island Saturday, August 15. For most of the distance, he towed a car on a barge, which he said weighed 19 tons, and he planned to load the car up with fudge when he got to […]
Construction Must Be Done With Permit or Risk Fine, HDC Says
Construction in the historic districts without prior approval may soon be subject to fines of $1,000 to $5,000. The Mackinac Island Historic District Commission (HDC) considered such a fine structure Tuesday, August 11, after reviewing two small projects that were completed without approval this summer. The HDC also discussed design guidelines, which it hopes to adopt at its September 8 […]
Michigan Politics
Stabenow, Peters Push Great Lakes ProtectionsMichigan’s current Democratic U.S. senators, as well as some of their predecessors such as Carl Levin, are leaders in pushing for federal action in protecting the Great Lakes on a wide range of issues. Underscoring their latest thrust, third-term Senator Debbie Stabenow Friday announced in Traverse City legislation to require international review of Canadian plans to store nuclear waste on […]
Sculpture and Garden Deserve Respect
To the Editor: We recently visited the beautiful Peace Garden in Marquette Park on Mackinac Island, and what did we see? Kids climbing all over the sculpture. Here on the Island, we don’t ask much of our visitors, but it seems to us that the vision and skill of the sculptor, Gareth Curtiss, and the subtle serenity of its surroundings […]
Public Fundraising Campaign Will Help to Aid Hospital
The Mackinac Straits Health Foundation is completing its latest fundraising campaign to benefit Mackinac Straits Health System by asking the public to participate. The foundation already has raised just over $2 million of its $2.5 million goal this past year, and local residents can show their support for the facility by contributing to its development. Funding will finance the new […]
New Septic, Water Drainage Plan to Come at Huron Road Housing Unit
A new septic system and water drainage plan for employee housing on Huron Road will be presented to the Planning Commission next month, after engineer Glen Hampton reconfigures the designs. Improved water drainage also planned at nearby Mackinac Island Carriage Tours barns is hoped to alleviate runoff and basement flooding in the neighborhood. The project was one of many topics […]
Young Equestrians Demonstrate Skill at Little Barn Fun Show
Young equestrians from the Mackinac Island Children’s Riding Academy took to the turnout pen at the Little Barn on Mission Hill to demonstrate the skills that they worked hard to refine throughout the summer Thursday, August 13, during the Little Barn Fun Show. Gretchen Colman, the instructor at the Little Barn, believes that the show was a great way for […]
Equestrian Center Continues Horse Education With Summer Camp
Festival of the Horse Displays CultureMackinac Island horse culture will be on display at the 7th annual Festival of the Horse Friday, August 28, and Saturday, August 29, at Grand Hotel Horse Council Arena, hosted by the Mackinac Horsemen’s Association (MHA). The highlight of the festival will be the Breeds of Mackinac Presentation and Musical Performances Saturday, August 29, beginning at 2 p.m. About 15 […]
Buoy to Be Key Component in Research on Complex Currents
A bright yellow buoy loaded with electronic monitors will help scientists understand the complex currents in the Straits of Mackinac. It was deployed near St. Ignace, about two miles off shore in Lake Michigan, Tuesday, August 18, and in about a week, the information it collects will be available in real time and will be useful to recreational boaters, commercial […]