🌱 Why did Mackinac planners block Grand Hotel’s new employee housing plan?

Good morning Mackinac Island! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why did Mackinac planners block Grand Hotel’s new employee housing plan?
• How a new grant keeps Mackinac Island lesson horses training all winter
• See how Mackinac Island–style fudge inspires this easier holiday recipe

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Mackinac Island? Post it to Mackinac Island photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Cloudy; breezy, not as cold, with a high of 37 and low of 28 degrees.
• Wednesday: Windy; low clouds may break, temps: high: 34, low: 30.
• Thursday: Windy with rain, then snow, with a high of 40 and low of 12 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!

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📰 News we're reading

• Mackinac Island Planning Commission rejects Grand Hotel's plan for new employee housing (mlive.com) — Mackinac Island’s Planning Commission has unanimously rejected Grand Hotel’s request to build a 12‑unit boardinghouse for seasonal managers in Harrisonville, citing zoning conflicts with multi-family rules. The decision follows strong neighbor opposition and underscores the island’s broader struggle to create affordable, close-to-town workforce housing while most land remains state park or high-priced private property.
   

• Mackinac Horsemen's Association secures grant for winter horse training (upnorthlive.com) — Mackinac Island’s own community foundation has awarded more than $11,000 to the Mackinac Horsemen’s Association, ensuring lesson horses can keep training even after the island’s riding season ends. The grant covers transporting horses like Lucy, Tate, and Ellie to downstate barns for weekly winter sessions and helps fund hard‑to‑access veterinary care during the cold months.
   

• 31 Irresistible Holiday Desserts Everyone Will Love (midwestliving.com) — One holiday dessert roundup gives a nod to Mackinac Island by highlighting classic marble‑slab fudge like you’d see in local candy shops, then offers an easier “cheater’s” version. Beyond that reference, the piece is a broad collection of festive cakes, cookies, bars, and candies home bakers can try anywhere.
   

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📸 Around Mackinac Island

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📣 Mackinac Island Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 16

• Sewing Class
  Cheboygan Area Public Library , 100 S Bailey St. , Cheboygan
  3:30 pm
• Traditional Native American Teachings
  Museum of Ojibwa Culture at Old Mission Saint-Ignace , 500 N State St , St Ignace
  6:00 pm
• Holiday Concert
  Alanson Public Schools Alanson, MI 49706
  6:00 pm

Wednesday December 17

• Hobby Hangout
  Indian River Area Library , 3546 S Straits Hwy , Indian River
  1:00 pm
• Playgroup Pajama Party!
  Cheboygan Area Public Library , 100 S Bailey St. , Cheboygan
  4:30 pm
• Adult Fiction Book Club
  Indian River Area Library , 3546 S Straits Hwy , Indian River
  5:30 pm
• EUP Conference #2
  St. Ignace LaSalle High School , W443 Portage St , St Ignace
  5:30 pm
• Poets and Prose
  St Ignace Public Library , 110 W Spruce St , Saint Ignace
  6:30 pm
• Planning Commission Meeting
  Cheboygan Opera House , 403 N Huron St , Cheboygan
  7:00 pm
• KofC Meeting
  Knights of Columbus Hall , 9840 N Straits Hwy , Cheboygan
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 18

• After School Lego Club
  St Ignace Public Library , 110 W Spruce St , Saint Ignace
  3:30 pm
• Varsity Girls @ Home vs. TC Christian
  Alanson Public Schools Alanson, MI 49706
  5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Furnaces and water heaters are common carbon monoxide or CO poisoning sources.
  Have a professional inspect heating systems, water heaters and any other fuel-burning appliances and equipment every year. Learn more about CO at… (Nextdoor )

• Davidson Hospitality Group posted a job opening for Housekeeping Attendant in Mackinac Island. Apply here.
• Michigan Staffing posted a job opening for Cook/Chef in Mackinaw City. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Mackinac Island here.

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🗞 Nearby News

St. Ignace

• Michigan faces critical shortage of youth care facilities, forcing out-of-state placements (upnorthlive.com)

Cheboygan

• $1M Powerball ticket sold in Cheboygan (detroitnews.com)
• Vote! Who should be Daily Tribune's Athlete of the Week for Dec. 8-13? (cheboygannews.com)
• Rep. Cavitt recognizes Cheboygan intern for his contributions to the 106th district (gophouse.org)

Harbor Springs

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Ok Mackinac Island! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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