|
The Charlevoix County Road Commission has announced several road projects for this week on Beaver Island. Chloride will be applied to Barney’s Lake Road on Friday and Allen’s Lakeview Drive on Saturday. Meanwhile, paving work is about to get underway with work scheduled on Freesoil Avenue and Maple Street next Wednesday, followed by the start of paving on East Side Drive Thursday. East Side Drive will be closed at times between the Four Corners and Welke Airport. When that happens, you can reach the airport via McCauley Road off Kings Highway. Hangar Road cannot be used because it crosses an active runway.
The U.S. Coast Guard and dozens of partner agencies recently met in Traverse City to discuss maritime readiness across the Great Lakes. About forty-two federal, state, tribal, local, academic, industry, and Canadian Coast Guard representatives took part, focusing on new technologies, marine firefighting, and emergency response. A major Coast Guard and Enbridge deployment drill is planned near the Straits of Mackinac this August.
In our continuing look at where Michigan’s candidates for governor stand on key issues, today’s topic is energy. Republicans are united in opposing the state’s clean energy law requiring utilities to reach one hundred percent clean energy by 2040. John James says repealing the mandate would be his first priority and supports an all-of-the-above approach including natural gas, nuclear, hydro, and renewables. Democrats Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson support the clean energy transition. However, Swanson joins Republicans in calling for a review of the law that allows the state to approve large wind and solar projects over local objections.
M-Live reports today that Google is awarding a quarter-million-dollar grant to the Huron River Watershed Council as it prepares to build a major data center in southeast Michigan. The funding will expand projects that capture and manage stormwater using natural infrastructure. Google says the investment is part of its commitment to responsible water use. The company’s planned Van Buren Township data center is expected to use between two and nearly four million gallons of water per day.
In Big Rapids, a Chinese-owned electric vehicle battery company is seeking damages from the township after local officials blocked plans for a proposed two-point-four-billion-dollar factory. Gotion says Green Charter Township unlawfully rescinded approvals after new township leaders took office. The project had already lost state support, and Michigan is now seeking to recover millions of dollars in incentives previously awarded to the company.
The National Weather Service in Gaylord has released its snowfall season map. The Island racked up 97 inches, which is just over eight feet of snow. Petoskey had 171 inches and Whitefish Point in the U-P had the most in the region with 241 inches.
The Island racked up just over eight feet of snow this winter with some of it lingering through Memorial Day. Graphic from NWS Gaylord Office
Island Energies has extended their opening times. You can fill up from 7:30 in the morning to 7:30 at night Monday through Saturday and 8:00 to 6:00 on Sunday.
The Beaver Island Retreat and the Beaver Island Archipelago Trails Association are looking for volunteers for Step Up for the Trails, coming up June 5th through the 10th. Participants will spend a few hours helping maintain and protect Beaver Island’s trail system while enjoying a complimentary breakfast, trail snacks and drinks, and a free three-month AllTrails Plus membership. You don’t have to be staying at the Retreat to take part. Breakfast begins at 7:30 each morning, with volunteer crews heading out at 9. To sign up or learn more, visit Beaver Island Retreat dot com and click on Promotions and Events.
A full outdoor breakfast awaits volunteers in Beaver Island Retreat’s and the Archipelago Trails Association’s Step Up for Trails project. Graphic from Beaver Island Archipelago Trail Association |
|
Now here’s a look at other upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets this evening, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. B-I-C-S Committee of the Whole meets Wednesday at 5:30. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front…
Wednesday, the Open Hands Café: Breakfast Club runs 8:00 until 10:00 a.m. at Gregg Fellowship Center. At 1:00, there’s Seniors BINGO at the BIC Center.
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Thursday, the COA has a double feature at Peaine Twp Hall — Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00. Meanwhile, there’s Women’s Bible Study at 10:00 a.m. at the BI Christian Church and at 10:30, there’s Senior Tai Chi at the BIC Center. And, Thursday evening is Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock.
[Thursday evening on the radio, drop in for W-V-B-I’s newest music show. It’s The Underground with Leila Freijy. It’s the underground sound of grunge and more from the 80s and 90s with special features every week. Tune in at 7:00 for two hours Underground.]
Friday, the Island’s Lilacs and Lyrics weekend gets underway. There’ll be music, an Irish Currach Workshop, restaurant specials, guided lilac tours and raffle prizes at local gift shops. Also on Friday, there’s Senior and Vets Coffee and Donuts from 9:00 to 11:00 in the Welcome Center at the BIC Center, plus Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at 9:30. And, the library has afterschool board game fun starting at 3:30. [On the radio, Kick off your weekend with our fantastic Friday lineup! After the 6:00pm news, enjoy “That Thing with Rich Appel” featuring top forty hits from the 70s. At 9:00pm, tune into “The Titus Jennings Experience” offering music from all genres, followed by “The Midnight Special” with Marilyn Rea Beyer at 11:00pm for music, farce comedy, and late-night escape.]
Saturday, is Graduation for the B-I-C-S Class of 2026. There’ll be a graduation parade down Main Street starting at 12:30 followed by graduation ceremonies on the lawn behind school at 1:00, unless it rains ich which case no parade and the ceremony will be in the gym. Right now, though, the weather looks perfect. Also Saturday, the Artisan’s Market is on at the Point starting at 10:00. Fiero Code Club is at the library at 1:00. It’s Prime Rib night at the Shamrock.
[On the radio, tune in for Country Classics at 5:00 Saturday evening with host Sheri Timsak. At 7:00, take a trip back to the best of the 80s and 90s with the Mix Tape show (that’s a 120-minute TDK cassette tape for those in the know) hosted by WVBI’s Adam Pettigrew. Mark Beltaire takes over at 9:00 with Rockin’ the Boat and continues at 10:00 with the Blues Cruise. Cousin Dan wraps up the evening with the Too Good Radio Show starting at 11:00.]
Sunday, there are services at the Episcopal Missiojn at 9:00 and at the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass is at Holy Cross at 12:15.
Highlights for next week include…
Monday, Open Hands has breakfast at the GFC from 8:00 to 11:00. B-I-C-S has a half day for students with final exams. COA has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00 at Peaine Township Hall. The Beachcomber has All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night.
Tuesday at 9:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at the BIC Center. B-I-C-S has another half day for students with final exams—and it is the last day for the 2025-26 school year. At 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library and there is Pickleball outside on the township courts. At 2:15 there’s a Home School Meet-up at the library. |
|
On our Birthday List: Gary Morgan and Annika Anderson are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Annika and Gary, and if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at the BIC Center and WVBI. |
|
TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The Island Beltway is running smoothly save for occasional culvert digging delays on East Side Drive. There are no bridge delays. But, hey, let’s be careful out there as traffic increases with seasonal residents returning every day and the kids and all out enjoying the warmer weather. |
|
On this date in 1989, Chinese troops move into Tiananmen Square and surrounding streets, and open fire on pro-democracy demonstrators who had gathered for weeks calling for political reform. The exact death toll remains unknown, but the crackdown shocked the world and remains a defining moment in modern Chinese history.
The “Goddess of Democracy” Statue in Washington DC, also known as the “Victims of Communism Memorial” by Thomas Marsh, based on the Tiananmen Square “Goddess of Democracy” that was destroyed in the crackdown on Tiananmen Square. Photo of sculpture by Thomas Marsh from Wikimedia Commons |
|
Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is engender (verb) [in-JEN-der]. It’s a verb that means “to cause,” “to create,” or “to give rise to.” A thoughtful conversation can engender trust, while a shared challenge can engender teamwork. The word comes from a Latin root meaning “to beget” or “to produce,” and it’s related to words like generate, generation, and generic |
|
Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Wednesday… |
|
Here’s a thought for the day from Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo [LEE-oh SHYOW-boh]: “The crux of the matter, is that people don’t understand the true nature of money. It is meant to circulate, not be wrapped up in a stocking.” |
|
On a lighter note… Give me a few months to lay it all out. |
|
That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026. I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios wishing you a great day and asking: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And thanks for listening. |
|
### |
|
WEATHER |
|
[Current Condition Report, then…] |
|
Today Increasing clouds, with a high near 63 at the shore and 76 inland. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 64/78. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Thursday Night A slight chance of showers, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. South wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Friday Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 62/75. Southwest wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Friday Night Showers likely, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday Showers likely, mainly before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 67/81. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 69/78. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Monday Sunny, with a high near 69/79. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 69/77. |
|
|
|
Air Quality Index at 6:30 was 16. |
|
Fire Danger Level: Very High |
|
Out on the Big Drink… |
|
Today Variable winds 5 kt or less. Increasing clouds. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday SSW wind 10 to 15 kt. Partly sunny. Waves 1 to 3 ft. Friday SW wind around 15 kt. Showers likely, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Waves around 2 ft. |
|
Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
|
Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Road paving is about to begin with periodic closures planned for East Side Drive. We’ll also look at where Michigan’s candidates for governor stand on energy policy, find out how much snow fell on the Island this winter, and learn how you can help maintain Island trails while enjoying a free breakfast.
…those stories and more regional news plus a run-down of local events, birthdays, this dat ein history, a word of the day and more are coming up after this global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
|
Today’s featured image: The “Goddess of Democracy” Statue in Washington DC based on the Tiananmen Square “Goddess of Democracy” that was destroyed in the crackdown on Tiananmen Square that began on this day in 1989. Photo of sculpture by Thomas Marsh from Wikimedia Commons |
