A Lilac a Day, Day Twenty One

After today's parade, the 2024 Mackinac Island Lilac Festival will be in the books. If you've never attended a Lilac Festival Parade, I highly recommend it.  Mackinac Island may be a tiny town, but we know how to throw a parade!

A Lilac a Day, Day Twenty

As beautiful as these lilacs were, they had absolutely no smell. (This bush was down next to the Harbor View Inn.) For me, the scent of lilacs is very bit as important as how they look!

A Lilac a Day, Day Nineteen

I have absolutely no idea how I managed to take this picture today. Town was packed and yet Market Street looks deserted. Trust me, it most certainly was not this quiet.

A Lilac a Day, Day Eighteen

As I walked to town the other day I managed to catch one of the cruise ships stopping to visit the Island. Several ships pass through, multiple times, throughout the summer. It makes me wonder what it's like for those folks to see Mackinac for the first time...

A Lilac a Day, Day Seventeen

This just might be my favorite lilac photo of 2024. There's just something perfect about the lilacs in Marquette Park with Fort Mackinac in the background. It's the kind of picture that sums up summer on Mackinac Island...

A Lilac a Day, Day Sixteen

Lilac trees love the sun. This tree, growing on Fort Hill, can soak up all the sun it needs.

A Lilac a Day, Day Fifteen

I walk by this lilac tree every day as I pass through that gate to go into and out of work. The building where it grows was built in 1902 and there's a good chance that tree was planted at the same time.

A Lilac a Day, Day Fourteen

Lilacs in full bloom and the Mackinac Bridge - what's not to love!

A Lilac a Day, Day Thirteen

I couldn't resist snapping a picture of the lilacs next to one of my favorite houses on the Island. I've never been inside, but I just love that turquoise color.

A Lilac a Day, Day Twelve

Nothing like a little bit of sun after a rainy day, but I'd be smiling even if it was still raining. Today is the last day of school on Mackinac - my summer begins tomorrow!

A Lilac a Day, Day Eleven

It rained on Mackinac today. Luckily the lilacs seem none the worse for wear.

A Lilac a Day, Day Ten

I had a few extra minutes on my way to school today, so I stopped to smell the flowers. And snap some pictures...

A Lilac a Day, Day Nine

I love this picture. When I look at it I can almost smell the lilacs and hear the freighter's horn; three long and two short blasts (signaling a salute.)

A Lilac a Day, Day Eight

These lilacs are growing on "Doud's Corner," also known as the corner of Main and Fort Streets. There use to be a large elm tree growing in this very spot, but the State Park took it down citing safety issues. (See Josh Carley's picture below.) I miss the shade offered by that tree, but the new sign and lilacs do look nice on the corner.

A Lilac a Day, Day Seven

 Gorgeous.

A Lilac a Day, Day Six

The lilac trees on Market Street, heading up to Grand Hotel, are in full bloom and look amazing. They smell pretty incredible, too.

A Lilac a Day, Day Five

There's just something about purple lilac flowers against a backdrop of green leaves that says, "Spring." Even when it's chilly or rainy outside, it's hard not to smile when you see those blossoms.

 

A Lilac a Day, Day Four

I think these pink lilacs are some of the prettiest on the Island. They also seem to be opening a little faster than the other varieties.

 

Graduation 2024

My daughter is now a proud alumna of the Mackinac Island Public School. Graduation was very special this year - not only because my youngest was graduating, but also because of a special guest.

Yep, Michigan's Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, took time out of her busy schedule to speak at our little school's graduation. Not only did she speak, but she met with the nine graduates before the ceremony. They were all so excited! And when there are only nine graduates, the commencement address gets quite personal.

Both the Governor and the Valedictorian (way to go Bela!) spoke about each of the graduates. Bela told his classmates the three words he would always associate with them. He told my daughter he would always remember her creativity, uniqueness, and resilience. (That was the moment I couldn't hold back the tears any longer, by the way.) 

After graduation there was a reception for the graduates at school. Each student had a table full of pictures.

Here they are: the nine members of Mackinac Island's Class of 2024.

Thank you Governor Whitmer, Mrs. Lipovsky, and all the senior parents for making graduation so memorable

A Lilac a Day, Day Three

I'm not sure if it's just me or if other people think this way, too - the white lilacs don't seem to be as fragrant to me as the other colors are. I wonder is that a common thing, or just the white varieties we happen to have here...