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The future of the Beaver Head Light and the old Lighthouse School facilities nearby were the main topic at last evening’s Peaine Township Board meeting. Supervisor Maria Dal Pra explained that while she had first wondered about using the property there for emergency water access, that idea was quickly dismissed, but exploring it lead to an offer from Charlevoix County to sell the facilities to Peaine for one dollar. Concerned about the ability of the township to properly care for the Lighthouse and Fog station, Dal Pra and other township officials explored the idea of the historic buildings going to the Historical Society and the school grounds to the township. But the county said they wanted to sell it all together, not in pieces, and they gave a one-month deadline to finish a deal. Dal Pra told them that was not possible and was given until the end of the year to work something out. Hence last evening’s discussion.
Board members all expressed strong interest in Island control of the property and preservation of the Lighthouse, but expressed concern about raising the funds necessary for the Lighthouse and the tax burden it might create. There was general acceptance that some of the school facilities are so dilapidated, that they would have to be removed—the two dorms and dining hall on that list. But there was intertest in converting the classroom facilities to public use as meeting and gathering space. As for the Historical Society takin on the Lighthouse and Fog Station, Historical Society board chair Angel Welke said the society did not have the funds and, while she thought they could be raised, was very concerned about taking on the project without a well thought out roadmap.
One concern is the old coastguard tower on the site. That was recognized as a potentially valuable community assets and source of revenue, but its current condition is unknown and it likely needs maintenance after years of neglect.
About 15 members of the community attended the meeting and, given the opportunity to join the discussion, expressed overwhelming support for Island control of the properties, but shared concerns about raising the needed funds. The ideas of renting the keepers quarters and establishing a gift shop there were discussed as revenue sources, recognizing that perhaps a half million-dollar investment would be needed to make those ideas work.
After nearly two hours of discussion of varying proposals, the board decided to meet again soon to establish a committee or working group to develop proposals for moving forward. #IslandHeritage #EconomicDevelopment
Future ownership of the Beaver Head Light and adjacent facilities and grounds was the main topic of discussion at last evening’s Peaine Township Board Meeting. Photo by Becca Foli
Meantime, Jessica Anderson reports that she is still awaiting a response from EGLE on the community funded FOIA request she made to them. It is for documents about the issue of the Car Wash drive on the north end of the Island. EGLE now says that she will have a response by the 23rd of this month.
The Dark Sky Festival continues through the end of this week with numerous events each day. Organizer Tony Miller says the forecast is looking pretty good for one of the highlights for today, which is Milky Way Core stargazing. The location has changed to the Donegal Bay Pavillion, and the equipment is set up there and ready to go. There is no charge to participate. #DarkSky
The scopes are all set up for an evening of Milky Way Core Stargazing at the Donegal Bay Pavillion this evening. Photo by Tony Miller
Some have been wondering about the tarp covered monument in the Holy Cross cemetery. It was unveiled as part of the Feile this weekend. It’s a Celtic Cross memorializing Paidin Og Boyle and his wife, Ellen (ODonnell) Boyle. There’s a photo of the reveal in today’s script online. #IslandHeritage
A Celtic Cross monument recognizing Paidin Og Boyle and Ellen (ODonnell) Boyle now stands in the Holy Cross Cemetery honoring two of the Island’s immigrants from Arranmore Island in Ireland. Photo provided by Nean Smith via Facebook
Down in Ann Arbor, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell has come out in opposition to the University of Michigan’s proposed $1.2 billion Los Alamos computing center in Ypsilanti Township. Dingell says the university has failed to answer basic questions about funding, environmental risks and local zoning. She wants the project agreement released and stronger state and federal rules established before large computing centers are built.
In the U-P, opponents of the proposed Copperwood Mine are suing to block a $50 million Michigan grant for the project. Protect the Porkies argues state officials improperly redirected economic-development money without another legislative vote. Supporters say the western U.P. copper mine would create 380 jobs. Critics cite its proximity to Lake Superior and the Porcupine Mountains. #Environment #EconomicDevelopment
Lake Erie is seeing what fisheries managers call its best walleye fishing ever, with an estimated 57 million fish age two and older after strong hatches. Yellow perch there are struggling, prompting harvest cuts. But closer to home, DNR surveys found above-average numbers of young yellow perch in Lake Michigan last year—a hopeful sign for future fishing.
Dave DuBois captured a neat shelf cloud off the east side yesterday. There are a photo and a link to his video in today’s script online.
A shelf cloud slides in from the north captured in a video by David DuBois. Screen grab from video by David DuBois via Facebook |
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Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. Library Board meets Thursday at 4:30. JTAC has postponed its meeting until next week on Thursday at 4:30.
…and that is it for the week. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
Wednesday, the Open Hands Breakfast Club is at the G-F-C from 8:00 until 10:00. It will be the last of the breakfasts for a while as organizer Lonnie Allen takes a break for some medical procedures. There’s Summer Restorative Yoga at 9:00 and Summer Therapeutic Chair Yoga at 11:00, and at 1:00 there is Afternoon Bingo all of those at the BIC Center up in the Hangout. At 2:00, the Dark Sky Festival has Solar Telescope viewing at Whiskey Point Brewing Company. At 3:30, the Lego Club is on at the library. At 4:00 the Amik Cultural Preservation Center will be open. At 5:00, there’s a Dark Sky Festival Session on Telescope Basics at the Retreat followed by Family Stargazing at 7:00 and Milky Way Core Stargazing at 9:15 at the Donegal Bay Pavillion. And evening Pickleball remains on the calendar. That starts at 7:00 on the outdoor courts at Peaine Township Park.
The Dark Sky Festival offers an opportunity to explore our home galaxy this evening from the shores of Donegal Bay. The event is open to all with no charge. Graphic from WVBI Community Calendar
Thursday, there’s Pickleball at Peaine Township Park at 9:00. There’s COA Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00, both at Peaine Township Hall. 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 2:00 at the BIC Center there’ll be a solar telescope presentation and viewing opportunity as part of the Dark Sky Festival. The Weekly Bocce Ball roll is on at 4:00 on the courts at the Peaine Township Park. At 5:00, the festival has a presentation on protecting dark skies at the Retreat at 5:00. At 7:00 at the library, Michigan Poet Laureate Joyce Boyd will appear for a presentation. Out at the Retreat, there’ll be a presentation on Black Holes. What do they tell us and how are they observed. And then Stargazing with music at 9:00.
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Friday, there’s Senior and Vets Coffee and Donuts from 8:30 to 10:30 in the Welcome Center at the BIC Center. At 9:00 A-M Pickleball Outdoors on the Peaine Township courts. Back at the BIC Center at 9:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout. At 2:00, the Dark Sky Festival has a final Solar Telescope Viewing at the Shamrock. Then at 4:00 in the theater at the BIC Center, learn about fun places to view via telescope on the Moon. At 7:00, there’s a short hike at Little Sand Bay with a presentation about observing the changes in the sky as day turns to night…or Dusking. Then at the Retreat at 9:00, learn the basics of night sky photography as you enjoy the field of stars overhead. Also, Friday evening at B-I-C-S, the Islander volleyball and soccer squads take on Big Bay De Noc in games starting at 5:00.
[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 Islanders take on Big Bay De Noc in volleyball and soccer matches at school. The Artisan’s Market is on at the Point starting at 10:00. At 5:00, the Dark Sky Festival wraps up with a session on the importance of dark skies to bird migration. Saturday nights are Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock. And there’s Pickleball outside starting at 7:00 on the township courts.
[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, there’s Summer Gentle Flow Yoga in the theater at the BIC Center at 9:30. COA has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00 at Peaine Township Hall. At 11:00, the Senior Digital Café at the library has a session on Canva, a powerful but easy to use graphic design program. Use it to make a great poster or custom card. Also at 11:00, Summer Chair Yoga in the Hangout at the BIC Center, and at 5:00 Monday Funday at the BIC Center is an Artist Workshop on Needle Felting. 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. C-O-A has COA Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00 at Peaine Township Hall. Also, at 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library. And, at 8:05m P-M, the sun will pass above the Earth’s equator marking the Fall Equinox. |
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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 Judith. If that’s your name, come on down to the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. |
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On our Birthday List: Emily Burton and Nancy Tritsch are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Nancy and Emily, 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. There are no bridge delays. But it is busy in town when the ferries arrive and there are lots of folks out hiking and biking, and Star Gazing as the Dark Sky Festival gets underway. So, let’s be careful out there. |
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On this date in 1908, General Motors is founded in Flint, Michigan, by carriage maker and Buick executive William “Billy” Durant. Durant creates G-M as a holding company that brings several automakers under one corporate roof. The company eventually grows into one of the world’s largest automakers, with brands today including Chevrolet, Buick, Cadillac and G-M-C.
William “Billy” Durant, founder of General Motors, pictured around 1916. Public-domain image from the History of Genesee County, via Wikimedia. |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is facsimile (fak-SIM-uh-lee), a noun meaning an exact copy of something. It comes from the Latin phrase fac simile [fahk SEE-mee-leh], meaning “make alike.” Facsimile later becomes the formal name for technology that transmits copies of documents over telephone lines—eventually shortened to the word “fax.” |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Wednesday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from G-M founder William Durant: “Science gives us knowledge, but only philosophy can give us wisdom.” |
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And on a lighter note… Hailing taxis! |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, September 16th, 2026. I’m Kevin Boyle reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios wishing you a great day and asking: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And thanks for listening. |
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WEATHER |
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[Current Condition Report, then…] Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 68/71. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southeast in the afternoon. Tonight Thursday Thursday Night Friday Friday Night Saturday Saturday Night Sunday Sunday Night Monday Monday Night Tuesday |
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Air Quality Index this morning was 0. |
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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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Wednesday N wind 5 to 10 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Friday ENE wind 5 to 10 kt. Mostly cloudy. Waves 1 ft or less. Saturday ESE wind around 15 kt. A chance of showers. Waves around 1 ft. Sunday NE wind around 15 kt. Partly sunny. Waves 1 to 2 ft. |
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Water Temps: 66 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 64 in the Straits. 67 at Sleeping Bear and 69 in Little Traverse Bay. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Peaine Township considers Island ownership of the Beaver Head Light and former Lighthouse School property. Also, telescopes are ready for tonight’s Milky Way stargazing, a Celtic Cross honors two Arranmore immigrants, and Lake Michigan perch surveys look good.
Those stories along with more local and state news, a run down of local events including the Dark Sky Festival, birthdays, this date in history and more are up after this global and national news… [Time check.] |
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Today’s featured image: A Celtic Cross monument recognizing Paidin Og Boyle and Ellen (ODonnell) Boyle now stands in the Holy Cross Cemetery honoring two of the Island’s immigrants from Arranmore Island in Ireland. Photo provided by Nean Smith via Facebook |
