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The Island underwent big change yesterday as paving work got underway. Work on Freesoil Road and Lake Drive was completed, and there is now pavement stretching from the Four Corners to the Low Flying Aircraft Duck sign on East Side. The work on East Side will continue today.
…and on Freesoil. Photos by Kevin Boyle
In other work along the roads, the B-I-robot B-I-C-S team was out yesterday finishing up removal of the above ground fiber optic cable that served the school before installation of the buried fiber last summer. The cable ran from the Font Lake tower to the back of the school.
The bIrobot team finishes up is cable removal project with the last coil of material gathered ready to be hauled away. Photo by Kevin Boyle
Since Beaver Island became Michigan’s first Dark Sky Sanctuary, local advocates have urged mainland communities to reduce the light pollution that creates bright domes on the Island’s horizon. Now Petoskey has taken a major step, becoming the first city in the nation to adopt a DarkSky-recognized lighting ordinance. The new rules require new development to use shielded fixtures, limit brightness, and turn many outdoor lights off by 11 p.m. City officials say the changes will help preserve views of the night sky while reducing unnecessary light pollution.
The Island’s Lilacs and Lyrics Festival gets underway this weekend. The Beachcomber has music this evening from Lucky Penny and Leaving Lifted. They’ll be there Saturday evening as well. There are special dishes at Island restaurants including some special drinks at the Beaver Lodge Bar, raffles and deals at stores around town and, of course, Lilac Tours.
As part of our look at where Michigan’s gubernatorial candidates stand on key issues, today we turn to the issue of the Great Lakes. Democrats Jocelyn Benson and Chris Swanson point to pollution, aging water systems, toxic runoff, and the Line 5 pipeline, calling for stronger enforcement against polluters and major infrastructure upgrades. Republicans John James, Mike Cox, and Aric Nesbitt support moving Line 5 into a tunnel beneath the Straits and say the state should focus on modernizing sewers, protecting fisheries, and fighting invasive species. Candidates from both parties also agree that Great Lakes water must be protected from diversion outside the basin. There’s a link to the full Bridge Michigan report on candidate positions on this and other issues in today’s script online.
Want to go to the circus…one that isn’t a political race. There’s real circus up at Sault Ste. Marie this Sunday with two shows, one at 3:00 and another at 7:00. Visit spectacular circus com for more info.
Or maybe you’d like to tag along on a dive to the deepest point in the deepest of the Great Lakes. Researchers and filmmakers are preparing a livestreamed expedition to the deepest point in Lake Superior, known as Superior Maximus. Using a remotely operated underwater vehicle equipped with high-resolution cameras, the team hopes to capture images from one of the Great Lakes’ least-explored locations. The dive is planned for Saturday afternoon, weather permitting, with backup dates through June 9th if conditions on Lake Superior prove challenging. There’s a link to get to signup for the livestream in today’s script online.
The latest episode of The Tides That Tie podcast is out. It tells the story of Patrick Bonner and the Donegal tunes he kept alive on Beaver Island. It’s a story of memory, migration, and music – a cultural bridge spanning an ocean and more than a century of history. There’s a link to it in today’s script online.
And, as a reminder about how much our Islands have in common, a new poster for Arranmore Island in Donegal lists the following things to do there: Scenic walks, cycling, fishing, kayaking, lighthouse, beaches, wildlife spotting (they have dolphins and seals; we have beavers and deer), Ceol [KEE-yohl] & Craic [KRACK], sunsets and island life. You can check out the poster and a version for Beaver In today’s script online.
The list of things to do on Arranmore looks pretty familiar. Poster from Owen’s of Arranmore Bed & Breakfast
And, a Beaver Island version. Graphic created by ChatGPT
In our signs of Summer Department, the Harbour Market is now open seven days a week from 8:00 until 7:00.
Finally in our news, a reminder that the Beaver Island Retreat and the Beaver Island Archipelago Trails Association are looking for volunteers for Step Up for the Trails, now through next Wednesday.. Participants will spend a few hours helping maintain and protect Beaver Island’s trail system while enjoying a complimentary breakfast, trail snacks and drinks, and a free three-month AllTrails Plus membership. To sign up or learn more, visit Beaver Island Retreat dot com and click on Promotions and Events. |
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Now here’s a look at other upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets this evening and Saturday at 6:00. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front…
Friday, the Island’s Lilacs and Lyrics weekend gets underway. There’ll be music, an Irish Currach Workshop, restaurant specials, guided lilac tours and raffle prizes at local gift shops. Also on Friday, there’s Senior and Vets Coffee and Donuts from 9:00 to 11:00 in the Welcome Center at the BIC Center, plus Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at 9:30. And, the library has afterschool board game fun starting at 3:30. [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, is Graduation for the B-I-C-S Class of 2026. There’ll be a graduation parade down Main Street starting at 12:30 followed by graduation ceremonies on the lawn behind school at 1:00, unless it rains ich which case no parade and the ceremony will be in the gym. Right now, though, the weather looks perfect. Also Saturday, the Artisan’s Market is on at the Point starting at 10:00. Fiero Code Club is at the library at 1:00. It’s 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 Missiojn at 9:00 and at the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass is at Holy Cross at 12:15.
Highlights for next week include…
Monday, Open Hands has breakfast at the GFC from 8:00 to 11:00. B-I-C-S has a half day for students with final exams. COA has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00 at Peaine Township Hall. The Beachcomber has All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night. In our Dark Skies, tonight might be a good night to check what is perhaps the most famous asterism, a group of stars in Ursa Major called the Big Dipper. You’ll find it high over head tonight with the two outer stars in its bowl pointing to Polaris, the North Star, which is the endpoint of the handle of the Little Dipper. There’s more about it at Dark Sky Island dot org.
Tuesday at 9:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at the BIC Center. B-I-C-S has another half day for students with final exams—and it is the last day for the 2025-26 school year. At 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library and there is Pickleball outside on the township courts. At 2:15 there’s a Home School Meet-up at the library.
Wednesday, the Open Hands Café: Breakfast Club runs 8:00 until 10:00 a.m. at Gregg Fellowship Center. At 1:00, there’s Seniors BINGO at the BIC Center. In our Dark Skies just before dawn today you might catch some Arietids meteor shower activity. The shower is most active during the day and not visible then, but you might catch it just as it peaks this morning in the north east sky just above the horizon. There’s more about it at Dark Sky Island dot org.
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. And, Thursday evening is Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock.
[Thursday evening on the radio, drop in for W-V-B-I’s newest music show. It’s The Underground with Leila Freijy. It’s the underground sound of grunge and more from the 80s and 90s with special features every week. Tune in at 7:00 for two hours Underground.] |
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On our Birthday List: Mary Kay McPherson and Sally Stebbins are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Sally and Mary Kay and, if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at WVBI and your Beaver Island Community Center! |
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TRAFFIC: As road building work continues, you’ll find occasional delays in and out to both airports with some closures on East Side drive requiring the long way around from town to Welke Airport. Seasonal traffic is picking up as well, and the kids will soon be out of school for the summer. Visitors are biking and deer are crossing. So, let’s be careful out there. |
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On this day in 1968, Presidential candidate Robert Kennedy is shot three times as he departs the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles after giving a victory speech following his California Democratic Primary win. He will die the next day from his wounds, almost five years after his brother John was assassinated.
Robert Kennedy speaking to reporters just before he was shot. |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is interloper (noun) [in-ter-LOH-per]. An interloper is someone who intrudes where they’re not wanted or welcome. The word comes from roots meaning “to run” or “leap,” so an interloper is literally someone who jumps in among others without an invitation. You might call an uninvited guest—or a coyote wandering into a chicken coop—an interloper. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Friday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day Robert Kennedy: “The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.” |
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On a lighter note… |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, June 5th, 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…] |
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Today A 50 percent chance of showers, mainly before 5pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63 by the water and 76 inland. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the morning. Tonight A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 8pm and 2am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 67/80. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 52. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 70/86. East wind around 5 mph. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71/87. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Tuesday A chance of showers after 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70/81. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Wednesday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70/81. Wednesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 71/82. |
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Air Quality Index at 6:30 was 47 up from 23. |
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Fire Danger Level: Very High |
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Today SSW wind around 10 kt. Showers likely, mainly before 11am. Waves around 1 ft. Saturday WSW wind 5 to 10 kt. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am. Waves 1 ft or less. Sunday NE wind 5 to 10 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Monday ESE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming NE in the afternoon. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Tuesday SE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming ENE in the afternoon. A chance of showers. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Coming up on WVBI News, paving is underway on East Side Drive with fresh pavement now stretching from Four Corners toward the Low Flying Aircraft Duck sign. Petoskey takes a major step to protect dark skies, the Lilacs and Lyrics Festival gets underway this weekend, and we’ll look at where Michigan’s gubernatorial candidates stand on Great Lakes issues. Plus, a livestream dive to the deepest point in Lake Superior.
…those stories and more regional news plus a run-down of local events, birthdays, this dat ein history, a word of the day and more are coming up after this global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
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Today’s featured image: New asphalt is going down on Island roads. Pavement now stretches over the old dirt road from the Four Corners to the Low Flying Aircraft Duck sign on East Side. Work continues today. Photo by Kevin Boyle |
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