|
We start with some sad news. The Shamrock has shared word that Chuck Carpenter has passed away. Chuck manned the bar at the Shamrock for 20 years and has probably served up something at some point with just about every Islander along with many visitors. He will be missed by many.
Down in T-C, the backlash against data centers continues. More than 100 people packed a Garfield Township Planning Commission meeting Wednesday to support a pause on future data center development. While no data center has been proposed for the township, residents raised concerns about water use, energy demand and environmental impacts. The commission voted to recommend changing the township’s zoning ordinance to allow temporary development moratoriums when needed. The proposal now heads to the township board, with a vote expected later this summer.
In Lansing, the effort to recall Antrim County Clerk Victoria Bishop heads to a hearing before the Michigan Board of State Canvassers on July 24. If the petition is approved, supporters will have 60 days to collect about 4,000 signatures to put the recall before county voters.
If you are headed down to T-C next week, you should plan on even worse traffic than has become normal for summer there. Drivers should expect major backups Tuesday and Wednesday at South Airport and Cass roads in Traverse City. Emergency sewer repairs will close several lanes while crews stabilize a damaged, 15-foot-deep main. Traffic will still get through, but officials warn of tight turns and significant delays. More extensive repairs are expected after Labor Day.
Over on High Island, the Piping Plovers are doing well this season. There were seven nests producing a bevy of chicks. Four of them have successfully fledged, which means they have grown feathers and are ready to take flight. Six more are currently on their way to fledging. Island birding expert Pam Grassmick says that marks a very successful year so far for the endangered species.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is asking the public to report sightings of the elusive gray fox after new research suggests it’s much rarer than once believed. Gray foxes have grizzled gray fur, a black stripe down the tail, and unlike red foxes, they can climb trees. They have been seen on the Island in the past. If you’ve spotted one recently—or have trail camera or doorbell camera footage—the DNR wants your report to help researchers better understand and protect Michigan’s gray fox population. There’s a link to do that in today’s script online. https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/ors/Survey/44
Is that fox gray or red. Here’s a spotter’s guide from the DNR. Photos from Michigan DNR
And we conclude the news today with yet another political debate, but this one about history. Jackson is pushing back after some Kalamazoo Republicans claimed their city—not Jackson—is the true birthplace of the Republican Party. Jackson historians say the party was officially founded there on July 6, 1854, when delegates adopted a platform and nominated candidates. Kalamazoo argues the movement actually began weeks earlier with an anti-slavery convention there. |
|
Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets Saturday at 6 PM at the Christian Church. Next week they meet Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, same place and time. Also next week, the Irish Heritage Group meets at 5:30 on Tuesday, and the J-TAC and library board both have meetings set for Thursday afternoon at 4:30. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online. That’s it on the meeting front through the end of the week.
On the fun front today…
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 burger 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.]
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.
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. After Musci On the Porch, head up to Redeer for the last night of Redeer Unplugged. John McCafferty starts playing in the cabin at 9:00. 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. The Museum Week Art Show opens at 11:00 and runs to 4:00 at the G-F-C. 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.
Thursday, there’s Pickleball at Peaine Township Park at 9:00. 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. At 11:00, the Museum Week Art Show opens up at the G-F-C. It runs to 4:00. At 7:00, the Historical Society has another Incredible Islanders Night with a look at Native American Fisherman on the Island, part 2. And, Thursday evenings are Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock. |
|
Those are the highlights. Find a full listing of events at calendar dot W-V-B-I dot net. |
|
|
|
On our Birthday List today are Trevor Gorlewski and Robin Broder. Happy Birthday to Trevor and Robin, 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 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. |
|
On this date in 1776, news of the Declaration of Independence continued spreading across the colonies. After its first public reading in Philadelphia on July 8, copies were arriving in towns and military camps by horseback and ship. As the Declaration reached more communities, local officials gathered citizens to hear it read aloud, turning Congress’s vote into a growing public commitment to independence. Also on this date in 1890, President Benjamin Harrison signs legislation making Wyoming the 44th state. The eastern part of the region had been acquired from France in the Louisiana Purchase, and the western portion ceded to the United States at the end of the Mexican-American War.
Wyoming’s state flag features a buffalo. Image from Wikipedia |
|
Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is effulgence (noun) [ih-FULL-junss]. It’s a noun meaning radiant splendor or brilliant light. The word comes from a Latin verb meaning “to shine,” but effulgence isn’t just ordinary brightness. It’s the kind of dazzling glow that leaves you in awe—whether it’s fireworks lighting up the sky, the northern lights, or a spectacular sunrise over Lake Michigan. |
|
Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Friday… |
|
Here’s a thought for the day from Winston Churchill: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” |
|
On a lighter note… Why did the light bulb apply for a promotion? Because its effulgence was finally getting the recognition it deserved! |
|
That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, July 10th, 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. |
|
### |
|
WEATHER |
|
[Current Condition Report, then…] |
|
Today Sunny, with a high near 80. North wind around 5 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 84 on the beach, 83 in the woods. East wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 67. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the evening. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 84/83. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Monday Sunny, with a high near 78/90. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 68. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 81/87. Breezy. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 79/85. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 79/85. |
|
|
|
Air Quality Index at 7:00am was 53. |
|
Fire Danger: Moderate |
|
Out on the Big Drink…
Photo from the North Lake Michigan Buoy. Provided by the National Data Buoy Center |
|
Today 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 SW wind around 10 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Monday SW wind around 15 kt. Sunny. Waves around 2 ft. Tuesday WSW wind 15 to 20 kt, with gusts as high as 30 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 3 to 4 ft. |
|
Water Temps: 68 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 69 at Sleeping Bear, in Little Traverse Bay and in the Straits. |
|
|
|
Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Sad news of the passing of a familiar Island face as the Shamrock. We’ll also have the latest on growing opposition to data centers in northern Michigan, major traffic delays coming to Traverse City next week, good news for High Island’s piping plovers, a call to help track Michigan’s elusive gray fox, and a political debate over where the Republican Party was really born …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.] |
|
Today’s featured image: Longtime Shamrock bar tender and friend Chuck Carpenter has passed away. He will be missed. Photo provided by the Shamrock via Facebook |
