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Michigan’s record outbreak of cyclosporiasis continues to grow, with reported cases jumping nearly 78 percent over the past week to more than 7,600. While six northern Michigan counties have now reported their first cases, the vast majority of illnesses remain concentrated downstate. Wayne County leads with more than 1,200 cases, followed by Washtenaw, Oakland and Ingham. Health officials say the best protection is to wash fresh produce thoroughly and practice good hand hygiene.
President Donald Trump returns to Michigan Monday for an appearance at General Motors’ Milford Proving Ground, where the White House says he’ll discuss the economy and manufacturing. The visit comes just one day before Tuesday’s Michigan primary election. Polls on Beaver Island will be open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Our skies were mostly clear of smoke yesterday with some haze developing at the end of the day. Forecasters say today will be clear and tomorrow as well until early evening when some light haze will move in. It will clear by morning, but come back midday on Sunday…but nothing like what we saw last week is in the forecast.
The Beaver Island Dark Sky Project has a moon viewing planned for this evening at 6:30 at the Harbour Market. Moonrise is at 6:38. Bring some snacks to enjoy while you watch the waxing gibbous moon come up over Paradise Bay.
The latest episode of The Tides That Tie, highlighting performers coming to this year’s Beaver Island Irish Feile, is now online. This installment features The Kreellers, a Detroit-based Celtic roots rock band blending traditional Irish music with a modern rock sound. Band member Paul Wikarski says no two festival performances are ever the same, with crowd interaction helping shape every show. You’ll find a link to the latest episode in today’s script online. https://www.biihg.com/podcast-the-tides-that-tie/
The C-O-A has a change up in hours starting next week. Monday and Thursday they’ll be open 9:00 to 9:30 and noon to 2:00. Tuesday and Friday, 9:00 to 11:00 and noon to 2:00. Wednesday noon to 2:30. Activities at Peaine Township Hall will not be held, so no Cardio Drumming or Art Therapy. The new hours will run through August 14th with regular hours and activities resuming on August 17th.
If you are headed across, remember that the Venetian Festival is on in Charlevoix. Main street through town is closed with detours taking traffic on State Street. There’s a map in today’s script online.
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Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
Peaine Township Planning Commission has meets today at 9:00 in the morning at the township hall. A-A meets Saturday at 6:00. Next week A-A meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00.
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. And, at 11:00, the Rita Gillespie Memorial Blood Drive gets underway at the G-F-C. Every year, almost, the Island does better than the last. Help make that true by signing up to give the gift of life at versiti dot org slash M-I. That’s V-E-R-S-I-T-I dot org slash M-I.
[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. Saturday night, Baroque on Beaver concerts launch with their Opening Night Benefit this year featuring Island favorite Martha Guth with Erika Switzer and Andrea Yun. They’ll perform a selection of Schubert songs alongside contemporary works including the recently commissioned Love, Loss, and Exile by Juhi Bansal. Showtime is 7:30. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org. 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. And the Amik Cultural Center is open 1 to 3 PM.
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 10:00, the first day of the Historical Society Kids Camp kicks off with a day of Tie Dyeing. At 11:00, there’s Summer Therapeutic Chair Yoga at the BIC Center. Baroque on Beaver events continue with Brass on the Grass out at Whiskey Point. Bring a chair and something to enjoy with music from the Great American Songbook. Then at 7:30, get a taste of the latest in classical music with New & Next on stage at the BIC Center. Brass on the Grass is a free-will donation event. Tickets for New & Next are at tickets dot bic center dot org. And, don’t forget, Monday evenings are All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Beachcomber.
Tuesday, at 9:00 there is Pickleball on the Peaine Township Courts. 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. Baroque on Beaver continues with Chamber Music Waterside at the C-M-U Biological Station. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org.
Wednesday, there’s Summer Restorative Yoga BIC Center at 9:30. At 10:00 there’s American Mah Jongg at the BIC Center in the Hangout, and at 1:00 there is Afternoon Bingo. Protar’s House will be open from 1:00 to 4:00. Also at 4:00 the Amik Cultural Preservation Center will be open. Wednesday evening Baroque heads out to C-M-U for Chamber Music Waterside. Journey through centuries of music in one unforgettable evening — from the elegance of Telemann to the vibrant contemporary sounds of Michael Torke. Showtime is 7:30. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org.
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 1:00, Baroque on Beaver continues with Music al Fresco at the Beaver Island Gallery featuring the Donegal Bay Winds. At 3:00, Whiskey Point Brewing Company comes alive with jazz with the St. James Jazz Ensemble playing there a spart of Baroque. And at 7:30 it’s the Baroque on Beaver Founders Concert at the Biological Station featuring Vox G-R. Chamber Music al Fresco is open to all with a free-will donation. Tickets are necessary for the St. James Jazz Ensemble and Vox G-R. Get them and make donations at tickets dot bic center dot org. And, Thursday evenings are 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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Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is George. If that’s your name, come on in to the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. |
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On our Birthday List today are John Jannson and Avery Gerace [jehr-ACE]. Happy Birthday to Avery and John, 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 airports. The Island Beltway is running smoothly with no bridge delays. Still some heavy truck traffic coming up and down West Side Drive, and there is some project paving still ongoing with heavy equipment moving around. So, let’s be careful out there especially in town when the ferries arrive. |
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On this date in 1847, Brigham Young and the first company of Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley after their 1,300-mile trek west. Earlier, Young had been part of the same Latter-day Saint movement as James Strang, but the two backed different successors after Joseph Smith’s death. Young led most followers west to Utah, while Strang gathered his supporters in Wisconsin before eventually establishing his headquarters here on Beaver Island, where he crowned himself king in 1850. Also on this date, in 1969, Apollo 11 splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean, bringing Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins home after humanity’s first landing on the Moon—ending one of the greatest voyages in American history.
James Strang and Brigham Young lead Mormon settlers in different directions. One was more successful. The other picked a prettier place. Photos from Wikimedia |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is maverick (noun) [MAV-rik]. A maverick is someone who thinks and acts independently, refusing to follow the crowd or the usual rules. You might call an inventor with unconventional ideas a maverick, or a politician who regularly breaks with their own party. The word has a uniquely American origin. In the 1800s, Texas rancher Samuel Maverick refused to brand his cattle. As a result, any unbranded cow came to be known as a maverick, and before long the word was applied to people who wouldn’t be “branded” by convention or expected ways of thinking. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Friday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from Brigham Young: “Remember, a chip on the shoulder is a sure sign of wood higher up.” |
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On a lighter note… What do you call an astronaut that lifts weights? Neil Armstrong. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, July 24th, 2026. I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios wishing you a great day and asking you: 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 Sunny, with a high near 72 at the beach and 78 in the woods. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 66. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Saturday A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 72/82. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Saturday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Sunday A slight chance of showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 77/86. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Sunday Night Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Monday A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77/87. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Monday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 76/80. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 62. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 76/80. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 65. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 77/81. |
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Air Quality Index at 7:22am was 33. |
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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 SW wind around 10 kt. Sunny. Waves around 1 ft. Saturday SSW wind 15 to 20 kt, with gusts as high as 30 kt. Partly sunny. Waves around 3 ft. Sunday Variable winds 5 kt or less. A slight chance of showers between 1pm and 4pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Waves 1 ft or less. Monday WSW wind around 10 kt. A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less. Tuesday N wind around 10 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves around 1 ft. |
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Water Temps: 61 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 68 at Sleeping Bear and in the Straits, and 69 in Little Traverse Bay. |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Michigan’s record outbreak of cyclosporiasis continues to grow, but most cases remain downstate. President Trump returns to Michigan Monday ahead of Tuesday’s primary. We’ll also check the latest smoke forecast, tell you about tonight’s Dark Sky moon viewing, a new Feile podcast featuring The Kreellers, changes at the C-O-A next week, and traffic impacts if you’re headed to Charlevoix for the Venetian Festival.
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 BIC Center/WVBI Summer Gala is fast approaching. The Auction catalog is available online as are tickets. Visit tickets.biccenter.org. Graphic from BIC Center |
