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Community Calendar Report for Friday, October 31st, 2025. |
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First some news… A group in Michigan has proposed a new system, the “MI Blueprint,” for funding special education. The plan would use a weighted formula based on each student’s needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Implementing it fully would require the state to spend $1.28 billion more per year, phased in over several years. The proposal aims to correct chronic underfunding and inequities, especially between richer and poorer districts. It addresses complaints that schools now sometimes deny needed services due to budget constraints.
Rural Health Center Announces Two New Grants.
The Elks National Foundation has awarded the Rural Health Center (RGHC) a $5,500 grant for the center’s upcoming 2026 dental clinic.
Unlike past RHC dental clinics, which focussed exclusively on school age youth, the 2026 clinic has been expanded to include all year round island residents 80 years of age or older.
This is the fifth consecutive year the Elks have partnered with the island’s rural health center to provide school age youth and now elders, with a free dental checkup, which includes a dental exam, x-rays, cleaning, and related preventive care.
In addition to the Elks award of $5,500, the health center is committed to supplementing the award should demand exceed expectations. There are approximately 52 students enrolled in the community school and about 35 to 40 octogenarians living year round on Beaver Island.
The latest online demographic data estimates the island’s year round population now totals 752, representing a 14.5% increase since 2010.
Frank D’Andraia, the President of the BIRHC Board said, “The members of local Elks lodge #2886 and its Exalted Ruler Lori Taylor Blitz, as well as the RHC board and donors, have all been steadfast proponents of this meaningful collaboration.” He added, ” This purposeful partnership has made a difference to the quality of life on beaver island.”
Additionally D’Andraia announced the health center is a recipient of a C3F Geographic Enrichment Fund grant that allows the health center to stretch its donor dollars and replace a vital piece of operating equipment.
The center is replacing a 20+ year old air handling unit and undertaking related maintenance work. Labor and equipment costs are expected to run about $8,100.
C3F is providing a Geographic Enrichment Fund Award that will cover 30% of the costs, or $2,430. According to the RHC board president, a second grant of equal value is being sought from the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians 2025 2% Fund. The Charlevoix County Community Foundation (C3F) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Charlevoix County, Michigan. Established in 1992, it focuses on building charitable resources and making grants to support various community needs. The Beaver Island Rural Health Center, a nonprofit 501c3 organization, is the primary care facility on Beaver Island. The RHC serves the local community by providing a range of health services aimed at ensuring access to quality healthcare for residents and visitors.
The C-O-A has special take-away hot roast beef meal planned for Island vets. It will be delivered to the municipal airport on November 7th. Sign up with a call to Dawn at 2124. Image from Charlevoix Commission on Aging |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
On the fun front today…
It’s Pumpkin Walk time Thursday and Friday from 9:00 to 7:00 at the BIC Center. Image from WVBI Community Calendar
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Friday, gets underway with Senior + Vets Coffee + Donuts is on at the BIC Center from 9:00 to 11:00. The pumpkin walk at the BIC Center will be open from 9:00 to 7:00. There’s outdoor Trunk or Treat at the GFC from 5:00 to 7:00. Tables will be supplied. The Elks will provide hot dogs and chips, and there will be cider. Also on Friday at 9:00, there’s Chair Strength Training in the Hangout at the BIC Center. [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 B-I-C-S volleyball squad heads to Mackinaw City for tournament play. There’s a Halloween party at the library at 1:00 plus Fiero Coding club activities, too. Movies at the BIC Center are E.T. The Extra-Terrestril at 3:00. It’s the Spielberg classic in digitally restored glory. It’s rated PG-13 and shows at 3:00. At 6:00 get ready for an All Saints Day scare with the new thriller Presence. It’s rated R. And 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, Jackson Smith and Steve Girbach are in with Songs from the Trail. 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 the Christian Church at 10:00, and Mass at Holy Cross at 12:15. And at 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning we fall back to Standard time, so plan on a long early-winter’s night nap.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday, the BICS volleyball squad heads to M-H-S-A-A District Finals (assuming the qualify). it’s all you can eat pizza and salad night at the Shamrock from 5:00 to 7:00.
Tuesday, there’s Chair Strength Training at the BIC Center at 9:00. Pickleball is now inside at the BIC Center at 10:00, and Babes and Toddlers mix it up at the library at 10:00. In our dark skies, the Southern Taurids peak November 4th and 5th—few meteors, but big, bright fireballs that light up the night sky. Look for them to the south-southeast. |
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NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Trick or Treat. If that’s your name, come on into the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice.
BIRTHDAYS: Jordan Marsh celebrating today, Saturday Andrea Moore, Frank Solle, Lucas Pietras and Lucy Niehaus. Happy Birthday to Jordan, Andrea, Frank, Lucas, and Lucy and, if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you from everyone at WVBI and your Beaver Island Community Center! |
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TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The island beltway is running smoothly with no bridge delays. But, let’s be careful out there—especially in the school zone. |
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On this date in 1517, legend has it that the priest and scholar Martin Luther approaches the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, and nails a piece of paper to it containing the 95 revolutionary opinions that would begin the Protestant Reformation.
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day hobgoblin is a mischievous goblin that plays tricks in children’s stories. When used figuratively, hobgoblin refers to something that causes fear or worry. // This Halloween we were greeted at our door by werewolves, mummies, and a wide assortment of sweet-toothed hobgoblins. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Halloween Friday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from C.S. Lewis “Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.” |
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On a lighter note… What’s the problem with twin witches? You never know which witch is which. How do you mend a jack-o’-lantern? With a pumpkin patch. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, October 31st, 2025. I’m Greg Doig reporting from W-V-B-I’s Langford Family Studios, wishing you a great day and asking you: why not go ahead and make it the best day ever? And thanks for listening. |
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Today Mostly cloudy, with a high near 49. North wind around 15 mph. Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Saturday Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. North wind around 10 mph. Saturday Night A 20 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. North wind around 5 mph. Sunday A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Breezy, with a southwest wind 5 to 10 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Sunday Night Showers, mainly after 2am. Low around 44. Windy. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Monday Showers, mainly before 8am. High near 53. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Breezy. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 53. Tuesday Night A chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43. Wednesday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. Wednesday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Thursday Partly sunny, with a high near 48.
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Fire Danger Level on the Island set at Low. AQI this morning 6:30 a.m. was 5. |
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Today N wind around 15 kt. A slight chance of showers after 3pm. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Tonight NNE wind 10 to 15 kt. A chance of showers, mainly between 9pm and 1am. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Saturday NNE wind 5 to 10 kt. A chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less. Saturday Night Variable winds 5 kt or less. A chance of showers before 1am. Waves 1 ft or less. Sunday SW wind 5 to 10 kt increasing to 15 to 20 kt in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 kt. A chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less building to 3 ft.
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Water Temperature: No report from Little Traverse Bay.The North Lake Michigan buoy southwest of Gull is reporting 56 with two-to-three-foot seas.
Mid Lake Michigan photo at time shown. Provided by NWS |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
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Coming up in today’s Community Calendar Report:
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Today’s featured image: It’s Pumpkin Walk time Thursday and Friday from 9:00 to 7:00 at the BIC Center. Image from WVBI Community Calendar |
Community Calendar Report for Friday October 31, 2025
