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Michigan’s three Republican candidates for governor squared off in their first primary debate Wednesday evening in Detroit. Congressman John James, former Attorney General Mike Cox and businessman Perry Johnson largely agreed on taxes and smaller government but repeatedly clashed over electability, integrity and President Donald Trump’s endorsement of James. A second debate is scheduled before next the primary election on August 4th.
For that primary, the U.S. Department of Justice plans to send election monitors to polling places in Detroit, Lansing and East Lansing. State officials say federal observers have monitored past elections, but Attorney General Dana Nessel criticized the move, saying sending observers to Democrat stronghold locations is about baseless accusations.
Here on the Island, there was a full house crowd at the BIC Center Tuesday evening as the Historical Society kicked off its Incredible Islanders series with a session on Walt Wojan. Michelle LaFreniere made a presentation covering Walt’s Island work, including his efforts against seemingly incredible odds and many doubters to build a tourist economy on the Island. After Michelle finished, family members and friends told many stories about Walt’s life and service in the Army in World War II. The series continues next Tuesday with a look at other Islanders who’ve served in the armed forces.
Meantime, the Historical Society has announced yesterday that Lori Taylor-Blitz, their executive director, is leaving to take a position as Upper Peninsula District Director for Junior Achievement. During her time on Beaver Island, Lori oversaw the Print Shop Museum expansion, secured major grant funding, modernized the Society’s historic collections, and led long-range planning efforts. She’ll remain on the Island for a time to help with the transition before returning to the U-P to be closer to family.
Lori stands in front of the Print Shop Museum. She led its expansion project making a new home for the Sepeshy mural the restoration of which she also organized. She is leaving to lead Junior Achievement in the U.P. Photo provided by the Beaver Island Historical Society
With President Trump’s disaster declaration in place, residents of Charlevoix and 26 other Michigan counties who suffered damage during April’s severe storms and flooding may now qualify for federal disaster assistance. If your primary home or personal property was damaged, you can apply through FEMA after first filing any insurance claim. FEMA says help is available for uninsured or underinsured losses, with applications accepted online or by phone. The News Review has an article today with a full rundown on how to apply. It’s linked in today’s script online.
Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission is considering an “earn-a-second-buck” pilot program that could affect Beaver Island hunters. Starting in 2027, Lower Peninsula hunters—including those on Beaver Island—will be limited to one buck unless they first harvest an antlerless deer in one of five designated southern Michigan counties. The commission is expected to vote on the proposal next month.
Back on the Island, the Running Club is bringing back the Lighthouse to Lighthouse Run for the first time since 2023. The race is set for July 25, starting at 8:30 a.m. at the South Lighthouse. Organizers are also adding a parallel bike ride for the first time and will offer limited transportation to the start on a first-come, first-served basis.
Yesterday we had word that TUNES Music Makers and the Northwoods Music Collaborative will be hosting a week of free music workshops, but the date we had was wrong. The workshops are scheduled for August 13th through 17th. There’s complete info including registration information in the calendar online. |
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Now here’s a look at other upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets Thursday and 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…
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. The Eve McDonough Music School gets underway today at Redeer at 11:30 with a class for beginners. At 1:00 there’s a session for intermediate players. Same schedule tomorrow. The classes are free. You just need to show up. 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. Friday is another Elks Burger Night. Drive through service at the G-F-C. Ten bucks for a charcoal grilled burger. Sides available. Get yours from 5:00 to 6:30. Order in advance today from 1:00 to 5:00 with a call to 448-2450 or just show up. Grab yours and head to the BIC Center where , Duke Tumatoe takes to the stage at 7:30 with high-energy blues, rock, and R&B in a style all his own. There’s Cabaret seating so you can bring that birger in with other food snacks and beverages. 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.]
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
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…
Monday, 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 Summer 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. At 7:00 Monday evening Museum Week kicks off with Music on the Porch. There’ll be chairs set up, but bring one of your own if you can and, if you like, some snacks and beverages to enjoy. 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, the Historical Society continues its series on Incredible Islanders with a look at Military Service of Islanders. And, at 7:30 in the Theater at the BIC Center, its Decades of Drag Trivia with Eleganza and Fierce Fun for adults. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org.
Wednesday, there’s Summer Restorative Yoga BIC Center at 9:30, Seniors BINGO at 1:00 also at the BIC Center. Protar’s House will be open from 1:00 to 4:00. At 3:00 the Book Club meet sat the library to discuss The Correspondent by Virginia Evans and at 4:00 Anne Pritchett will be there to talk about her new book called Pickleball Wars!. Also 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. The Historical Society has its next session on Incredible Islanders. This one will focus on Native American Fishermen. It starts at 7:00 at the Print Shop Museum. |
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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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On our Birthday List today are Brad Coffell, Jr., Kim Mitchell, Connie Boyle and Ellen Newman. Happy Birthday to Ellen, Connie, Kim 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. Still some delays getting to Welke airport as shoulder and other finishing work continues on the East Side Drive paving work. 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 1776, General George Washington assembles the Continental Army in New York City and has the newly adopted Declaration of Independence read aloud to his troops for the first time. The reading transforms the conflict from a fight over colonial rights into a war for independence. Inspired soldiers and citizens then head to Bowling Green, where they pull down the towering statue of King George III, melting much of the lead into musket balls that will soon be fired at the British. Reading the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Army. Color lantern slide, produced by Edward Van Altena from Tennessee Virtual Archive |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is tacit (adjective) [TASS-it]. Tacit means understood without being spoken or implied rather than stated. You might have a tacit agreement with a friend—you both know the plan without ever saying it out loud. Tacit comes from the Latin word meaning “to be silent,” the same root that gives us taciturn, describing someone who doesn’t say much. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Thursday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from George Washington: “99% of failures come from people who make excuses.” |
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On a lighter note… Don’t give me excuses, I wrote the book on excuses! Well, I started to, I mean, it’s hard, and I’ve got a lot to do… |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Thursday, July 9th, 2026. I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios wishing you a great day: why not go ahead and make today the best day 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, mainly before 8am. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 75 island-wide. East wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 61. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 78/79. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 66. North wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 82/83. East wind around 5 mph. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 76 by the water, 89 inland. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 67. Monday Sunny, with a high near 80/87. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 68. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 81/87. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 80/87. |
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Air Quality Index at 6:35 AM was 29. |
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Fire Danger: Moderate |
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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 NNE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming NNW in the afternoon. A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11am, then a slight chance of showers between 11am and noon. Patchy fog before 10am. Waves 1 ft or less. Friday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Patchy fog before 8am. Waves 1 ft or less. Saturday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Sunday S wind 5 to 10 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Monday SW wind 10 to 15 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 to 2 ft. |
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Water Temps: 68 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island and at Sleeping Bear. 69 in Little Traverse Bay and in the Straits. |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Michigan’s Republican candidates for governor clash in their first debate. We have some details as the Agust 4 primary approaches. Plus word that the U-S Justice Department plans monitors in three Michigan cities for that election. On the Island, the Historical Society announces Executive Director Lori Taylor-Blitz is heading to a new job in the U.P., FEMA disaster aid is now available for Islanders affected by April’s storms, and the Lighthouse to Lighthouse Run is back after a two-year hiatus…
…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: Lori Taylor-Blitz stands in front of the Print Shop Museum. She led its expansion project making a new home for the Sepeshy mural, the restoration of which she also organized. She is leaving to lead Junior Achievement in the U.P. Photo provided by the Beaver Island Historical Society |
