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Main Street was packed on Saturday as the Island celebrated 250 years of Independence with its annual parade. Several tons of candy were thrown and some water cannons were fired. And Levi Connor was climbing a tree sprouting from a trailer. Ahead of the parade, TUNES held a mini concert at their studio and the BIC Center had free hot dogs. Then, Sunday evening, large crowds turned out again to enjoy fireworks over Paradise Bay. The skies were clear and the temperature perfect. The public beach was packed and viewers rung the harbor all the way out to Whiskey Point.
Levi Conor climbs a moving tree in the Parade on Saturday. Photo by Ryan Boyle
Michigan lawmakers approved an $84 billion bipartisan state budget Friday morning after working through the night and missing the July 1 deadline for the second straight year. The spending plan increases per-pupil school funding by $250, continues free school meals, expands literacy programs, and avoids new taxes. It now heads to Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who called it a balanced budget that delivers for Michigan families.
In other pre-holiday work, the Michigan Senate approved a bill giving the state greater oversight of some federally licensed dams. The measure would require more inspections, stronger emergency plans, and allow the state to remove dams at risk of failure. The bill now heads to the House where a competing measure also passed Thursday. The two chambers will now need to reconcile the differences before any final legislation can be sent to the governor.
State Senator Mallory McMorrow has suspended her campaign for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, leaving Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed to compete for the Democratic nomination in next month’s primary.
The Census Bureau has released fertility data for the U0S that includes county by county info for Michigan. Charlevoix County ranks 58th in the state with a rate of 49.7 births per 1,000 women. Oscoda County is number one with 91.5 births per thousand.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will survey several Charlevoix County waterways for invasive sea lampreys July 14th through the 23rd. Crews will sample the Boyne and Jordan rivers, along with Horton, Monroe and Porter creeks, to measure lamprey populations and determine whether additional control measures are needed to protect Great Lakes fisheries.
The Waste Management Committee wants to remind visitors that the trash containers in town are not for dumping household waste. Household waste needs to go to the transfer station either in the recycle bins when it is recyclable or in the trash bins there in a green bag. You can get those at the Hardware or the Market.
A new Chair Yoga class begins today at 11:00 a.m. at the BIC Center. It will repeat each Monday through the summer. The class is designed for all ability levels, with seated and standing options using a chair for support. Mats and all other equipment are provided. Please arrive 10 minutes early.
The Queen of Hearts is still in Hidign at the Elks Lodge. Larry Birch won the draw, but picked the joker. The pot is now $7250 and Larry won a $500 consolation prize.
The Queen of Hearts remains elusive at the Elks. Photo from the Elks Lodge via the Forum
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 Wednesday. |
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Now here’s a look at other upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
Peaine Township Planning Commission has a meeting set for this evening at 5:00.A-A meets Tuesday, Thursday Saturday at 6 PM at the Christian Church. That’s it on the meeting front through the end of the week.
On the fun front today…
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, 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. Highlights for the rest of the week include…
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.
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. And Friday evening at the BIC Center, Duke Tumatoe takes to the stage at 7:30 with high-energy blues, rock, and R&B in a style all his own. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org.
Duke Tuumatoe lights up the BIC Center stage Friday at 7:30. Image from BIC Center via WVBI Community Calendar
[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. And Saturday nights are Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock. AT 7:30, its time for the Glen McDonough Memorial Concert. Music in the pines starting at 7:30 at Reddeer, the little cabin on the woods as you head south out of town on Kings Highway.
[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. And the Amik Cultural Center is open 1 to 3 PM. Sunday evening, there’s Redeer Unplugged with Shawn McDonough playing at 9:00. Come back Monday evening same time to hear John McCafferty.
The Glenn McDonough Concerts are coming up this weekend. Image from The Red Deer Folk Society via Facebook
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
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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 Andy Glynn and Chad Hart. Happy Birthday to Chad and Andy, 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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On this date in 1775, the Continental Congress issues its Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms, explaining to the world why the American colonies believe they have no choice but to fight for their rights while still expressing hope for peace. Then, on this date in 1776, Americans first begin reading the newly adopted Declaration of Independence in newspapers as printers rushed copies into circulation. Those printed words carry the message of liberty across the colonies, helping unite thirteen separate colonies into one new nation.
Broadside of the Declaration of Taking Up Arms printed in Portsmouth. Image from Library of Congress |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is deepfake (noun) [DEEP-fayk]. A deepfake is a photo, video, or audio recording that’s been altered with artificial intelligence to make it appear someone said or did something they never actually said or did. The name combines deep, from deep learning using artificial neural networks with multiple layers of algorithms—with fake. As deepfakes become more convincing, they remind us to think twice before believing everything we see or hear online. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Monday, July 6th… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from Declaration of the Causes and Necessity of Taking Up Arms: “Honour, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us.” |
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On a lighter note… Did you hear about the fellow who was upset that his neighbor set of fireworks on July 5th. He said it set his Christmas decorations on fire. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Monday, July 6th, 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 Sunny, with a high near 81 by the water, 83 inland. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 65. East wind around 5 mph. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 82/82. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Tuesday Night A chance of showers between 2am and 5am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5am. Mostly clear during the early evening, then becoming mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Wednesday A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then a chance of showers between 11am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77/77. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Wednesday Night Showers likely before 8pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am, then showers after 2am. Low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Thursday Showers, mainly before 2pm. High near 77/78. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Friday Sunny, with a high near 78/80. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 64. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 79/81. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 79/81. |
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Air Quality Index at 7:06 AM was 11. |
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Fire Danger: High |
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Out on the Big Drink…
Photo from the North Lake Michigan Buoy. Provided by the National Data Buoy Center |
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Today N wind 5 to 10 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Tuesday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Wednesday SW wind 5 to 10 kt. A chance of showers, mainly before 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday SW wind 5 to 10 kt becoming NW in the afternoon. Showers likely before 1pm. Waves around 1 ft. Friday N wind around 10 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Water Temps: 66 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island and in the Straits. 66 in Little Traverse Bay. 66 at Sleeping Bear. |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Beaver Island wrapped up a picture-perfect Independence Day weekend with packed crowds for the parade and fireworks. Michigan lawmakers approved a new state budget after an overnight session, a major dam safety bill advances, and a new Chair Yoga class gets underway today at the BIC Center. …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: The parade Saturday was so bright and fantastic that sun glasses were required to cut the glare. Gratuitous grandson photo by Kevin Boyle |
