Well, I’ve officially missed another Christmas Bazaar on the island. Doggone it. And I’ve been hard-pressed to find anyone I know who attended and took pictures (maybe by next week I’ll have some available). So . . . we’ll just move on to the other exciting thing that happened since last week on the island – the lighting of the Christmas Tree on Main Street. Show of hands – how many of you tuned in on Friday afternoon to watch via www.mackinaclive.com? My hand’s UP! It was so cool watching everyone gather around the tree and sing – especially since there was no sound! BUT – Greg Main, bless him, was there with his camera and sent me these two great shots after night had fallen.
The crowd gathers downtown on Main Street, before the lighting.
- Looks like there was quite a turn-out. Even from the webcam, I was able to spot several folks I knew. So much fun to sit in Georgia and watch friends in Michigan!
Christmas Bazaar weekend is really the kickoff for the whole holiday season on the island. Besides the Bazaar, Christmas decorations are sold throughout the weekend, with wreaths and garlands for sale at the Community Hall and Christmas trees on sale at Chambers Riding Stable. The trees come across by ferry from the Dombroski Tree Farm of Cheboygan – white pines, Fraser firs, and balsams. The sale of the trees helps support the 4-H community club on the island. The proceeds from the craft show and live auctions go to benefit the Mackinac Island Medical Center, St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Trinity Episcopal Church, Little Stone Congregational Church, and Mackinac Island Bible Church.
Do you remember the huge snowstorm that blew onto the island last year during the Bazaar weekend? Same thing this weekend – only it went a little south of the island. My blogging friend, Hilde, from Minooka, Illinois send this pic from her backyard on Friday.
Hilde said it was the perfect snow for snowball fights!
Last week I mentioned ordering fudge online as a Christmas gift. This week’s gift tip is to give a book about the history of Mackinac Island. Mackinac State Historic Parks is well known for writing and publishing books and vignettes which depict life in the Straits of Mackinac region from past to present, including topics such as its two historic military forts and the region’s fur trading past. The following web site offers a list of available books for purchase from the State Parks: http://www.mackinacparks.com/history/index.aspx?l=0%2C1%2C4%2C36.
I saw this great suggestion from the Star Ferry Line this week on Facebook and wanted to share it with you. When filling out your Christmas cards this year, take one card and send it to this address: A Recovering American Soldier, c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 6900 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20307-5001. If we pass this on and everyone sends one card, think of how many cards these wonderful, brave and special people who have sacrificed so much would receive. NOTE: These cards must be postmarked by December 10th, or they will be returned.
Shepler’s Ferry posted two videos this week that are incredible and show just some of the challenges of living on Mackinac Island. The videos show the process of moving a pre-fab house to the island – first the trip over on the ferry (yes, the house is on the ferry) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NJcnZpkg4U and then the trip from the ferry to the house’s foundation http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzRUpGE3tO8. Believe me, you will be awed by these two videos!
That’s all I have this week folks. News was a little slow coming in, and it will probably remain that way for December. But, whatever I can hear, and whatever I can find – you will be the first to know.
Personal Note: Blake flew out to Ft. Collins, Colorado this afternoon for a job interview. Please lift him up this week as he goes through this process there.
From Chris Ann - a photo of the Mackinac Bridge, wearing its Christmas finery.
Have a great week, stay safe and well, and God bless.
I just subscribed to Shepler’s YouTube site and marked down the address for the soldiers. I love the “back stage” look at the Island!
By: Lauri on December 5, 2010
at 10:54 pm
One day I am going to get there in the winter, wouldn’t the lighting of the tree be the perfect time. Didn’t think as an alternative to hop on line to watch it. will have to remember that next year, if I am not there. Looks as if Thanksgiving went well for you and you had a great time being around the family.
By: steve on December 6, 2010
at 7:05 am
Thanks for the reminder about the Christmas cards-I also saw it on Facebook but forgot to write down the info.
Love the photos of the tree lighting-thanks Greg! I’d fully intended to watch on Friday afternoon but work got in the way and I missed it.
And, thanks for the link to the ferry videos. Have a great week and good luck to Blake with his interview.
By: Annie R on December 6, 2010
at 7:13 am
Shepler’s videos of the house are awesome. I can’t wait for the 3rd part! I wish my computer had sound. I would love to hear what they are saying.
Love Greg’s pictures of the tree lighting. Seems that there was more people this year then last?
Funny you should mention books for Christmas because that was my plan for Bud. I got him one last year too! Of course they are just as much for me as they are for him
Snow finally stopped in the afternoon at a little over 5″. Trees are beautiful dressed in white.
By: Hilde on December 6, 2010
at 7:58 am
It’s been so long since I’ve seen the red and green lights on the bridge. Thanks for that!
I attended a dinner on Friday night and couldn’t see the tree lighting. I’m tickled to see how many people were there! Looks like a lot of fun was had by all. Thanks for those pictures, Greg!
By: Barbara Blem on December 6, 2010
at 11:46 am
I was out of town but took my laptop so I could log on and watch the tree lighting. Did I get the time wrong….I thought it was 5:00 but it was almost 6:00 by the time it happened. I will certainly send off a card to the address you listed….great idea. Snowing like a big dog here in our SW corner of Michigan too…..still coming down in sheets! I think we have more than the Island but I’m sure that will change soon. Thanks to all for sharing the pictures, thoughts and ideas.
By: Karen Snyder (Niles, MI) on December 6, 2010
at 2:11 pm
Hi Karen. The time scheduled was 5:30, but by the time they sang a few Christmas carols, it was almost six before the tree was “turned on”. Sorry you had to wait so long!
By: bree1972 on December 6, 2010
at 4:32 pm
Thanks. I was just curious plus I didn’t mind just sitting there watching all the people gather. I’d love to go sometime too!
By: Karen Snyder (Niles, MI) on December 9, 2010
at 5:56 pm
HI Bree! Great idea on sending a card out for Christmas! I love the tree lighting also! Thanks to Greg for the awesome pictures and to you for all the time you put into your blog to keep us updated throughout the winter!!
By: Michelle on December 7, 2010
at 7:13 pm
Hi Bree,
I found your blog a few weeks ago and just love it. I’m also a Mackinac Island fan. I’ve been going up there for about 5 years and always find something new to do. I got to watch the lighting of the Christmas tree and that was exciting to watch. I would love to go up there in the winter. I just have to convince my husband it would be fun. We’ll see. Anyways thanks for sharing all the news. I look forward to reading them every week.
By: Freda on December 7, 2010
at 10:20 pm
Hi Bree:
I want to tell you what a blessing you have been to me since I started reading your blog. I went back one day and read every one since the very beginning!! There is something inside me that is like an interior becon to the Island and the feeling I get there–kind of like I am close to God and his will for me. I have been praying and struggling about what my retirement will include. I bought a cottage on Paradise Lake a year ago and want to work again (part time) on the Island when I retire in a couple of years. FL in the winter and MI in the summer. You inspire me and I have learned more about the Island from you than I did in spending 4 summers there!! Thanks so much for the time and love you put into your blog. I get confirmation every time I read it that the Island has a huge piece of my heart. Merry Christmas! Anne
PS: I remember Don Andres from the summers in the 70′s when he made an entrance everywhere he went on his horse. Seems like the same some 30 years later! I also met and chatted with Jill at the bookstore a couple of times before I knew about your blog. I hope I can meet you sometime!
By: Anne on December 8, 2010
at 10:29 am
Hello Anne, and thanks so much for writing! Sounds like you are where I was a few years ago – longing to follow my heart to Mackinac Island, and not quite sure how that was going to happen. Lifting up prayers that you find your true heart’s home in your retirement years. Never give up on your dreams. Please let me know next summer if you come to the island, so we can have a cup of coffee somewhere and chat about “our favorite rock”. Merry Christmas to you and yours, and many wishes that the new year is a good one. B.
By: bree1972 on December 9, 2010
at 9:57 am
Thanks for the tree photo. The live cam shot comes thru to me as very blurry. Now I can see what that tree really looks like!!
By: Judy, Ann Arbor on December 9, 2010
at 12:37 pm
Brenda – I was at the Christmas Bazaar this year. You can email me your address and I will send you pictures. Can you get my email address from the information required to post a comment or will I need to post it publicly in the comments?
By: Joanne on December 9, 2010
at 10:22 pm
Just wanted to let you know that sending Christmas Cards to injured soilders at the address you provided, does NOT work!
Please read the following link to verify and to obtain the correct address to send cards to.
Thank you and Happy Holiday’s!
http://www.snopes.com/politics/christmas/soldiercards.asp
By: Leslie on December 14, 2010
at 5:01 pm