St. Ives Gazette #1

St. Ives, MI — Local Horse-Whisperer and B&B owner Tori Reynolds is donating some of her time this weekend to the St. Ives “Save the Saint” project, a collaboration of local residents to rescue the St. Ives’ long-time statue and patron of prayer.

“This town is built around this particular woman,” says Reynolds, “and the statue is a tribute to her. We need to save it.”

Last month’s tornado ripped up the grounds on the hill where the town’s namesake has stood for many years. The St. Ives statue is now in danger of toppling down the dune and into the water.

“That would be tragic,” says Reynolds.

St. Ives is named after Mary Ives, a mother and wife who lost her husband and son when an unexpected storm ravished the mighty great lake, and their fishing boat never returned. She was said to go stand on this one particular dune every day and pray for their safe return. While she was there, she also prayed over all the other fishermen and sailors who were out on Lake Michigan’s tricky waters.

“Mary became a well-known figure and there wasn’t a day that went by that townspeople couldn’t look up on the hill and see her praying and pleading with God,” says Reynolds. “It comforted those who had loved ones out on the water. If people were lost during the storms, she’d take their grieving widows and children baskets of food.”

Sadly, Mary Ives’ husband and son never returned from Lake Michigan’s dark depths.

To save the statue, a bulldozer is being brought in, along with a crane to hold the statue while dirt is being packed in and around it, restoring the integrity of the dune upon with it sits. Local firefighters will be on hand with the ladder truck, and local EMS in case anybody gets hurt.

“Really, the whole town just wants to be there to help save our saint!” says Reynolds.

Reynolds is offering free housing at Hopeful Farm Bed and Breakfast for the crew while they work. She is also hosting a “St. Ives’ Historical Brunch” on Sunday, after the project is complete, with guest speaker and town historian Emmy Baker. For those looking for a special keepsake, Camilla Williams will be on hand selling her famous lavender-scented candles in a limited edition St. Ives’ glass jar.

“It’s going to be a fun weekend,” says Reynolds. “God bless St. Ives!”