Halloween time!

As the season draws to a close this will become my final entry for the summer 2006 blog. The last month and a half went by fast. I finally got a chance to go to Traverse City with Carolyn - which I promised her earlier in the summer. It was a nice trip to get ideas for Christmas gifts and take a short break from the island. We even rode on the carousel which was weird yet fun. It was also the last days for our summer employees. The last ones to leave were Viola, Paulina, Silvia, and Mina. It was a pleasure working with them

She loves the Cat.	Me and my horse with seatbelts.
What was your Cat's name again?

 

I also got a chance to check out the Grand Hotel's Island Appreciation Dinner. Free dinner and drinks all night long - can't beat that! And during the month of October, I got a chance to work with the Michigan's Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA). Pretty much Carolyn and I gave them some ballroom lessons for the older folks. It was fun and rewarding to see the people having a good time. There was also Big Band weekend (huge dance floor in the Theater at the Grand), Somwhere in Time Convention (lots of interesting costumes), and of course, Halloween! There was the big party last Saturday and kids and adults dressed up Saturday evening. I was Jack Skellington from "Nightmare before Christmas". My sister's friend Kim came up to visit and Peggy & Heather also made a nice surprise to come up for the weekend. Better yet Katie and Stephanie came too so the weekend I was just thrilled! We had dinner at the Gate House, visited the Pink Pony, and stopped by Horn's. Then we stopped back at the Gate House (love the dancing - eh?) and back to Horn's to end the evening. It was a great weekend to end the season.

Now how lucky can you be to find not one, not three, but ten!	Sally and I at the Pony - I'd never believe to find another charachter!
Transformers! Robots in disguise!	< Pretzel Wenches! Gotta love them!
Peggy as a flapper, Carolyn as Snow White, and Heather as a disco lady.	Oh Lindsay I love you too. Gotta love Pirates!
Look! I found Alice!	Isn't he just a Bozo?!
Carolyn got hungry for some pretzels!

 

It was great seeing old friends and meeting new ones! Hope to see you again soon and keep in touch! Till next year ;)

Bridgewalk & Demolition

The summer is winding down to a close. Lots and lots of things happening in September. Had a mini party the night before Labor day, hence the silly hat I was wearing for the party. And of course there was the annual Mackinac Bridgewalk on Labor day. So of course I had to go with my fort buddies. The trek was fun and glad it wasn't sunny since the morning was already warm. Stef, Trace, Kris, Jen, Katie, and I made the 5 mile hike across. We got to see passing frieghters and state troopers. Whoa that rhymes.

The hat of all hats, so it seems.	But Lily looks great, doesn't she?
The bridge + many people = lots of walking.	Jen and I looking like the bridge walk was easy.

 

And there is the whole situation in downtown Mackinac Island. The Silver Mine gift shop was been demolished for a future coffee house by Ryba's. So it was an interesting spectacle to watch while they brought in a crane and tore the building down. We were very concerned of course and dad made sure our candy shop (which is right next to it) didn't fall down as well. It still stands but there are some repairs to be done on our side and the foundation. It should be an interesting way to end the season.

And it comes tumbling down...	There was several large crowds during the demolition. Popcorn anyone?
The crane operator did a good job though.	Our building's wall at night.
Last part: ripping off the floor...	CRUNCH!

More pics to come, more adventures on the way as the summer of 2006 is slowly coming to a close...

Last Horray at NJ!

The candy show at NJ was a lot of fun! Carolyn and I showed the true Mackinac spirit and gave it our 110% at the show. And being a newbie, we got some orders! (Very impressive when the vet booths tell you that your first candy show you normally don't get any sales.) We attended a beach party at the boardwalk and had fun celebrating our first sales. However, It was sad to leave Atlantic City. We got souviners and of course, candy samples from the new friends we met at the candy show.

The view from the beach party.	Looking cool with the older folks in the background.
Carolyn and the dance floor behind her.	Too bad he wasn't around...
Horses frozen in time... I'm not much of a gambler though.	Looking suave and cool.
Yum yum - Pecan Rolls! Come and get'm!

 

Philadelphia National Candy Gift & Gourmet Show!

On Tuesday late afternoon on the island, I thought I was going to Petoskey to watch my sister and dad off for their trip and I could do some dry cleaning at the same time. Two hours later, I was packing my bags and catching the last ferry to Mackinac City. I got a four-hour drill of what to do and my schedule and BAM - I'm driving to Atlantic City, NJ the next day! So Carolyn and I left Wednesday morning and made it to New Castle, Pennsylvania that evening. We arrived at Philly later Thursday afternoon and met my sister's friend, Chou, at her place. Chou and her b/f Peter treated us to a Vietnamese dinner in China town - somewhere in south central Philly. Just have to say Chou was a great hostess!

Woohoo! We're in Philly!	Nice city eh?
Carolyn and Chou enjoying dinner.	Peter and I digging into our noodle special.
China town at night.	Isn't Chou just great?!

 

The next day, Peter recommended a place with the best Philly sandwiches in Philadelphia. So what did my stomach crave? A Philly cheese steak sandwich! It was very tasty while I drove through the Atlantic City Expressway. By 2pm we made it to our final destination. Carolyn got a bit crazy with the camera but she took some decent shots of the city. We dropped off all our boxes there and took it easy that night by doing a bit of shopping at the outlet stores nearby (H&M, Ralph Lauren, Borders, Banana Republic, etc) and a nice Applebee’s dinner. We started the rest of the booth setup today and got to see the other vendors: Jelly Belly’s, Ashtor’s Chocolates, Mod Pac, and more. By 5pm we were satisfied with our booth. All that's left was to make fudge samples tomorrow for the big opening day. Wish us luck!

The best joint for a philly sandwhich!	Multi-tasking as always.
The welcome sign on the expressway.	Caesars Palace - poker anyone?
Wonder if Mr. Trump is in town this weekend...	Where the party is at!
Our home away from home.	Looking official with my id tag.
Thought I'd skip the pyramid of boxes.	The finished booth - almost.
Checking and re-checking the arrangement.	Booth done - hope the candy show goes well!

 

 

Pub Runners and Lee the Blacksmith!

The last few days have been busy. It was the Pub Runner's last weekend on the island and it was the day before my day off. Earlier, work was tough that day but I was able to make all that fudge (we usually have twice as much on the day before my day off - go figure). Then a few of us went to Father Rey's dinner at St. Anne's. It was a small feast but I think he just wanted people to come and have a good time. Played some games afterward - lost to Dave at Pool and lost (purposley) in foosball to Katie.

Steph, Sandy, and Dave enjoying their meal.	Another pic of hungry people.
Heath can go tipsey with those drinks!	Now thats a funny look Father!

 

We then headed to the VI to meet some more people who were having their dinner: Stephanie, Jenny, Marie, Trace, Craig, and more. Father, Katie, and I had dessert - couldn't believe I can still eat after that huge dinner! At least I had my coffee. Then we all slowly headed to the Irish Pub for the party. Katie handed out our special shirts that the Pub Runner's made. I'm glad to be an honorary Pub Runner fan! And of course the nite took off like there was no tomorrow.

The Pub Runners working hard to make everyone happy!	Um Katie, what song were you doing this to?
Don't we just look cute together?	Craig and Paul getting crazy at the back.
Let's get this party started...	Doing the hokey pokey of course!
Half of these people were drunk - I think.	Who loves the Blacksmith?
Oh Jenny I miss you.	Ben as the seventh old lady.
Ben dancing while Trace is showing his pearly whites.	I think we were just getting ridiculous toward the end.
Final pic before we left.

Sunday was my day off. I was glad it was a sunny day. Didn't do much but hung around the island. This was also the last day of the Blacksmith shop being open. So of course I went to visit and next thing you know it, I'm pounding away on a hot metal piece on an anvil! Actually it was a lot of fun working with the hammer and dressing up. You fort people are so lucky!

Trace and I debating what socks will go well with our suspenders.	These coals are hot.
Trying to make a point (literally).	Heating the metal - like this serious look?
"Whistle while we work..."	It's actually easy once you get into it. Right Dave?