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Paving work continues today on East Side Drive. They are getting into the final stages now, but you may experience delays on the southern stretch of the work.
The Island is loaded up with visitors ready to celebrate 250 years of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The Elks have a cookout and soccer watch party planned this afternoon to celebrate 250. That starts at 3:00 and all are invited. Paul Lamb and the Sowa Brothers play at the Beachcomber tonight at 9:00. The BIC Center will be open for pre-parade snacks and treats from 9:30 until noon with free popcorn and Light Bites and drinks. Tunes has a special pre-parade concert planned tomorrow starting at noon. The parade steps off at 1:00 with float-by-float coverage here on W-V-B-I with your hosts Leila Freijy and Adam Pettigrew. Sunday, the E-M-S crew has a pancake breakfast starting at 8:00. And the fireworks display begins Sunday evening at dusk.
Federal disaster aid is on the way for Michigan communities hit by April’s severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes. President Trump has approved a major disaster declaration, unlocking federal assistance for affected residents, businesses, and local governments in 43 counties. Governor Gretchen Whitmer says homeowners should apply through FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration as communities continue the long recovery process.
Promethient, the Traverse City company behind heated and cooled seats at Comerica Park, is expanding into office furniture. The startup has already installed its technology for the Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Cleveland Guardians, Seattle Seahawks, and the University of Missouri. Its new ThermaXis brand will offer heated and cooled office chair systems, with consumer sales planned for early next year. The company is also exploring manufacturing the products in Traverse City, a move that could create new jobs in northern Michigan.
And we wrap our news segment with word about a chance to experience some Island history. The Protar House will be opening for tours on Wednesday and Saturday from 1:00 to 4:00 starting this coming Wednesday. |
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Now here’s a look at other upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets Saturday at 6 PM at the Christian Church. A reminder that the school office is closed this week. That’s it on the meeting front through the end of the week.
On the fun front today…
Friday, there’s Senior and Vets Coffee and Donuts from 8:30 to 10:30 in the Welcome Center at the BIC Center, plus Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at 9:30. Also at 9:30, there’s Summer Yoga in the Theater. And at 10:00 A-M Pickleball Outdoors on the Peaine Township courts. Also starting at 10:00 and running until 2:00 today Heidi Bearss is holding a garage sale with stars & stripes themed Polish pottery. The Elks Lodge will be open today starting at 3:00 with brats and dogs on the grill and Soccer on the big screen. All are invited to celebrate Independence 250 with the Elks. And this evening, Paul Lamb and the Sowa Brothers will be playing at the Beachcomber starting at 9.
Paul Lamb and the Sowa Brothers light up the Beachcomber this evening. Photo by Becca Foli
[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, the Artisan’s Market is on at the Point starting at 10:00. The Tunes Music Program will rock their studio with music ahead of the parade. That will run from Noon to 12:45. The Independence Day Parade steps off at 1:00 on Saturday featuring an Island Airways Flyover, AMVETs, and lots of floats. Tune in to W-V-B-I for Float by Float coverage on hosted by Leila Freijy and Adam Pettigrew. And Saturday nights are 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 Mission at 9:00 and at the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass is at Holy Cross at 12:15. The E-M-S team is hosting a pancake breakfast at the Parish Hall from 8:00 until 11:00. And the Amik Cultural Center is open 1 to 3 PM.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday, at 8:40 Vacation Bible School gets underway at the G-F-C. [There’s still time to sign up with just an email. Send it to beaver island Christian church at g-mail dot com.] At 9:30, summer yoga is on at the BIC Center. It’ll be a session on Basic Flow. COA has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00 at Peaine Township Hall. At the library, the Senior Digital Social Café with Greg Doig is at 11:00. Also, at 11:00, there’s Therapeutic Chair Yoga at the BIC Center. And Monday Funday at the BIC Center is a movie day this week. The 3:00 show is Hoppers. A young animal lover uses technology that places her consciousness into a robotic beaver to uncover mysteries within the animal world beyond her imagination. It’s the latest from Pixar, rated PG. At 6:00 it’s Remarkably Bright Creatures, based on the best-selling book, telling the story of an Octopus and its relationship with two caregivers at an aquarium. Sally Field stars. Rated PG-13. And, don’t forget, Monday evenings are All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Beachcomber.
Tuesday at 9:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at the BIC Center. At 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library and there is Pickleball outside on the township courts. At 7:00 at the library Acia Warmerdam will be there for a book launch for her latest novel. It’s entitled “If You had Chosen Me.” Also at 7:00 at the Print Shop Museum, the Historical Society will Kick-off of their Incredible Islanders series. As part of the celebration of American’s 250th birthday, it’s a look at special Islanders who have made a difference in the history of our home. The first session will feature Walt Wojan with a presentation by Michelle LaFreniere.
Wednesday, there’s Summer Restorative Yoga BIC Center at 9:30, Seniors BINGO at 1:00 also at the BIC Center. At 4:00 the Amik Cultural Preservation Center will be open to the public with a member of the Amik Circle Society present for tours and discussions. At 7:00 at the Print Shop, learn more about the namesake of St. James with a presentation on the Life and Leadership of James Strang presented by John Hajicek.
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, this evening is Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock. |
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Those are the highlights. Find a full listing of events at calendar dot W-V-B-I dot net. |
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Our Birthday List today are Brad McDonough, Drew McDonough, K.K. Antkoviak and Sydney Butler. Happy Birthday to Sydney, K.K, Drew and Brad, and if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at the BIC Center and WVBI. |
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TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the municipal airport. Occasional slight delays on the way to Welke Airport and note that again today you can only get there headed south on East Side Drive. Otherwise, the Island Beltway is running smoothly. There will continue to be heavy truck traffic on Kings Highway, McCauley and East Side Drive between them as part of the paving project. So, the Island is busier than ever with all the construction traffic, bikers and hikers, walkers and phone gawkers, fawns and turtles and traffic in town when the ferry arrives, so let’s be careful out there. |
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In our countdown to 250, on this date in 1775, George Washington arrives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and takes command of the Continental Army. Made up of volunteers from across the colonies, the army begins its transformation into the disciplined force that will eventually win American independence. Also on this date in 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg reaches its climax as Pickett’s Charge ends in disaster for the Confederacy, marking a major turning point in the Civil War. And in 1985, Back to the Future premieres in theaters, launching one of America’s most iconic and enduring films.
Back to the Future Delorean at the Petersen Automotive Museum.Photo by Zombieite from Wikimedia |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is corrode (verb) [kuh-ROHD]. To corrode means to slowly eat away or destroy something, especially metal, through a chemical reaction. It can also mean to gradually weaken something less tangible, like trust or confidence. The word comes from a Latin verb meaning “to gnaw completely,” the same root that gives us rodent. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Friday, July 3rd… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from Dr. Emmett Brown in Back to the Future : “ Your future is whatever you make it. So make it a good one. “ |
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On a lighter note… I tried to come up with a Back to the Future joke… but you wouldn’t get it until next week. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, July 3rd, 2026. I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios wishing you a Happy 250 and asking: why not go ahead and make today and Independence Day the best days ever? And thanks for listening. |
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WEATHER |
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[Current Condition Report, then…] |
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Today A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 69 by the water and 74 inland. Southwest wind around 10 mph. Tonight A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. West wind around 5 mph becoming north after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Independence Day A 20 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 75/85. East wind around 10 mph. Saturday Night A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms, then a chance of showers after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 75/89. East wind around 15 mph. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 77/91. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 79/87. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 79/88. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Thursday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 79/87. |
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Air Quality Index at 8:45 AM was 25. |
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Fire Danger: Moderate |
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Out on the Big Drink…
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Today SW wind 5 to 10 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Patchy fog after 7am. Waves 1 ft or less. Independence Day NE wind around 10 kt. A chance of showers, mainly between 3pm and 4pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Waves 1 ft or less. Sunday ENE wind around 10 kt. A chance of showers, mainly before 1pm. Waves around 1 ft. Monday NNE wind 5 to 10 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Tuesday SE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Water Temps: 64 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island and in the Straits. 63 in Little Traverse Bay. 65 at Sleeping Bear. |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Holiday weekend celebrations are gearing up the Island as visitors arrive for America 250 festivities. We’ll have a complete rundown of this weekend’s events, including tomorrow’s parade, live Float-by-Float coverage on WVBI, Tunes’ pre-parade concert, Sunday’s pancake breakfast, and fireworks at dusk.
We’ll also have the latest on East Side Drive paving, word that federal disaster aid is on the way for Michigan communities hit by April’s storms, a northern Michigan company expanding its heated-and-cooled seat technology into office furniture, and the Protar House reopening for summer tours.
…those stories, more local news, a run-down of local events, birthdays and more after this global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
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Today’s featured image: Paul Lamb and the Sowa Brothers light up the Beachcomber this evening starting at 9:00. Photo by Becca Foli |
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