|
Community Calendar Report for Thursday, October 29th, 2026
Photo by Greg Doig
|
|
First some news…
Saab is launching a new $115 million munitions factory near Grayling, Michigan, with production scheduled to begin in
May 2027
Production Focus: The facility will handle the final assembly, integration, and testing of 84 mm shoulder-fired rifles and precision strike weapon systems for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Facility Status: A soft opening was held on October 27, 2026. While the building is complete, it is currently awaiting the delivery of equipment and supplies.
Future Growth: The plant is located on a 445-acre site and represents only the first phase of Saab’s long-term plans for the location.
The U.S. Military has announced the temporary closure of more than 20,000 acres within Northern Michigan’s Camp Grayling during the deer firearm season to accommodate large-scale drone testing . As one of four sites selected by the Department of Defense for
rapid experimentation, the complex will host the evaluation of tens of thousands of combat-ready drones designed for modern warfare . While the closure affects roughly 10% of the facility’s total area, officials state the restriction is vital for public safety
during active testing zones as the military pivots toward defense technologies currently being utilized in global conflicts like the war in Ukraine .
Photo from wreathsacrossamerica.org
Finally, a reminder about the Friends of Beaver Island AmVets and their Wreaths Across America campaign, which places wreaths on the graves of vets for the holidays. Seventeen dollars will cover one wreath or thirty-four gets three. Make checks payable to W-A-A
and mail to Box Eight, Beaver Island, to arrive before Thanksgiving, or donate online. to donate go to wreaths across America dot org and use the map to locate the Island. There’s a link in today’s script online.
|
|
Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First, your meeting planner for the week…
A-A meets Thursday and Saturday at 6:00.
Locations and more details for meetings are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
Thursday
Women’s Bible Study starts at 10:00 at the Christian Church. Chair Yoga follows at 11:00 at the BIC Center. Burger and a Beer Night starts at 5:00 at the Shamrock. Euchre at Whiskey Point Brewing Company starts at 7:00.
Friday
At school, the annual grade school Halloween Costume Parade starts at 8:15 in the morning. Kids should arrive in costume, and parents should plan to take costumes home afterward. No toy weapons. The BIC Center’s fourth annual Pumpkin Walk runs from all day from 9:00 to 7:00. Senior and Veterans Coffee and Donuts runs from 9:00 to 11:00 in the lobby. Pickleball starts at 10:00 at Peaine Township Park, and Chair Strength Training follows at 10:30 in the BIC Center Hangout. Back at school, the Student Council’s Haunted Hallway runs from 6:00 to 7:00 for all students. Admission is one dollar for kindergarten through sixth grade and five dollars for seventh through twelfth. The older students’ admission includes an after-party from 7:00 to 9:00. Wear your costumes. Face painting is available for three dollars. Candy donations for the haunt can be dropped off this week at the school’s front desk during school hours.
Saturday
The BIC Center’s Pumpkin Walk continues from 11:00 to 7:00. The library’s Halloween party runs from 3:00 to 5:00, with spooky snacks, games and prizes. All are welcome. TUNES hosts a Halloween open house at its studio next to the hardware, with a look inside, cider and sweet treats. Trick-or-treaters can pick up treat bags from 4:30 to 7:30. Everyone is welcome. Trunk or Treat runs from 5:00 to 6:30 at the Gregg Fellowship Center. Prime Rib Night starts at 5:00 at the Shamrock. And, the annual Circle M Halloween Party starts at 8:00. Appetizers appreciated. Costumes encouraged but not required.
Sunday
The Episcopal Mission has services at 9:00 and the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass is at Holy Cross at 12:15.
Looking ahead to coming items of note…
Apex Insurance Services’ Medicare enrollment appointments, postponed because of fog, are now November 5th and 6th. Call 888-858-2739 to schedule. And, mark your calendars now for the Christmas Bazaar on Sunday November 8th from 11 to two at the G-F-C.
Winter is coming and so is Christmas. Get ready with the Annual Christmas Bazaar at the GFC on Sunday, November 8th from 11:00 to 2:00. Graphic from
Beaver
Island Christian Church
|
|
Those are the highlights. Find a full listing of events at calendar dot W-V-B-I dot net.
|
|
Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Josephine. If that’s your name, come on down to the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice.
|
|
On our Birthday List: On our list today is Nancy Butler. Happy Birthday to
Nancy 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 airports. The Island Beltway is running smoothly. There are no bridge delays but. Let’s be careful out there. Especially in the school zone.
|
|
On this date in 1929 Following a period of instability, the stock market collapsed on a day named Black Tuesday, marking a major turning point in the U.S. economy.
While the crash was a symptom of broader economic instability, it accelerated the onset of the Great Depression, during which stock values plummeted and nearly half of American banks failed by 1933.
The United States remained in a decade-long economic crisis characterized by high unemployment until the massive armaments production required for World War II finally spurred recovery.
Photo by Picryl
|
|
Our Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is Shindig (noun) is an informal word for a big party.
// Our friends are in town this weekend, so we’re hosting a shindig at our place on Saturday night.
|
|
Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Thursday…
|
|
Here’s a thought for the day from ― John Kenneth Galbraith (Book -The Great Crash 1929) “Wisdom, itself, is often an abstraction associated not with fact or reality but with the man who asserts it and the manner of its assertion.”
|
|
And on a lighter note, what happens when you stay up all night on Halloween?
Wait for it—it will dawn on you.
|
|
That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Thursday, October 29th, 2026. I’m Greg Doig 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.
|
|
###
|
|
WEATHER
|
|
[Current Condition Report, then…]
|
|
Thursday
Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a temperature falling to around 54 by 9am. West wind around 15 mph.
Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind around 15 mph.
Friday
Partly sunny, with a high near 52. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph.
Friday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming east after midnight.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 55.
Saturday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Sunday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57.
Sunday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Monday
Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59.
Monday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
Tuesday
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58.
Tuesday Night
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 48.
Wednesday
A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56.
|
|
|
Air Quality Index this morning is 69.
|
|
Fire Danger: Low
|
|
Out on the Big Drink…
Photo from the North Lake Michigan Buoy. Provided by the National
Data Buoy Center
|
|
Thursday
WSW wind 10 to 20 kt becoming WNW in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny. Waves 5 ft subsiding to 2 ft.
Friday
WNW wind 10 to 15 kt. Partly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.
Saturday
S wind 5 to 10 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.
Sunday
S wind 5 to 10 kt. Mostly cloudy. Waves 1 ft or less.
Monday
Variable winds 5 kt or less. Mostly cloudy. Waves 1 ft or less.
|
|
Water Temps: 56 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 56 in the Straits. Sleeping Bear and Little Traverse Bay not reporting.
|
Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org
|
|
Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
[Time check.]
|