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After making many stops at all the yard and garage sales, we arrived in Sebewaing and noticed the banners across the roadway teasing us to stay for the Sugar Festival.

If there's a festival, there must be a parade and possibly a king or queen of something and so we decided to stay. We found the grocery store (better than a bartender for information) and garnered a list of events happening over the weekend and a general idea where the Bed and Breakfast was, and the motel for back up.

Everyone was very concerned that we would not find a room; after all, "It is Sugar Festival (this weekend)," they all said.

That's when the man at the counter made his pronouncement. "You probably won't get a room, so why don't you come over to our house and let me show you some Sebewaing hospitality."

We were not too sure about this, but after dismissing all thoughts of "axe murderer" movies and then being told there was no room in the inn, we headed over to Tom and Ida Haag's home where we were greeted like old friends.

We said we didn't want to impose, but Ida and Tom assured us that they have people drop in all the time. It was, after all, Sugar Festival weekend.

They treated us to the most wonderful barbequed steaks prepared by Uncle Freddy, salads and other delicious foods prepared for all the "drop ins and relatives" who were sure to show up for the festivities. As we ate with Maudie, Jack, Kaylene and son James, Tom and Ida graciously offered us a room for the night.

All evening long as we were introduced to friends and family, we were assured we would find no better home to stay in nor anyone who would show us any better hospitality. Each and every one of them was right!

Tom and Ida treated us like honored guests. In the morning, there was a hearty breakfast before we were escorted over to the front of Jack and Kaylene's carpet store to watch the parade. It was followed by a lovely lunch back at the Haag home, before getting back on the road.

As we were leaving town, we talked about these wonderful, gracious people and how we could not have planned a better time than we had in Sebewaing that weekend. We may even come back with our children. They would love it!

What a marvelous town filled with lovely people. And the nicest were Tom and Ida Haag.