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Michigan’s U-S Senate candidates clashed over health care, immigration and President Trump’s policies last night in Grand Rapids, while finding some agreement on lowering fuel costs. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed backed Medicare for All. Republican Mike Rogers argued it would raise taxes and threaten private coverage. El-Sayed also reaffirmed his call to abolish ICE, while Rogers defended the agency but criticized some enforcement tactics. Rogers faced questions about his reversal on Canadian tariffs. Once a supporter, he now wants the trade dispute ended and says he’s contacted the administration. El-Sayed accused him of changing positions because of polling, while saying he supports targeted tariffs to protect manufacturing. Both candidates called for ending the Iran war and supported temporary gas-tax relief. They also expressed concerns about surveillance cameras, though Rogers favored state decisions on their use.
Personal attacks repeatedly interrupted the discussion. Their next debate will be October 21st in Detroit. You can watch the full debate on BridgeMI using the link in today’s script online.
#Election 2026
The Wild Strawberry Café has announced some Harvest on the Harbor specials this weekend, including Autumn Harvest soup made with island apples and pears provided by Jennifer Holman-Welch. They also have a quiche special and some spiced island apple French toast. The Shamrock has Harvest specials as well, including Maple Chicken Pasta, Pork Chops and a steak filet. Plus. Mosty Island shops have special hours and special offers on tap for the weekend. There’s a full rundown in today’s script online. And of course, lots of activities. We’ll have a full look at those in our event review coming up, but if you have kids (or are a kid at heart), you’ll want to take note of the Pumpkin Picking Hayride that departs the BIC Center Saturday at 1:00.
#LocalEvents
The Shamrock and Wild Strawberry both have Harvest on the Harbor specials for the weekend. And, the festival includes special shopping hours and offers from Island stores. Graphics from Wild Strawberry Café, the Shamrock and WVBI
If you are a Northern Lights fan, word is that tonight should have significant activity. There’s more info at Dark Sky Island dot org.
Finally, sad news to pass along. Terry Mooney died Monday at her Arizona home after battling A-L-S. A celebration of her life will be held on Beaver Island next summer, with details to come.
#Memorials
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Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A will meet Saturday at 6:00, and next week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at the same time. Also next week, the Beaver Island Transportation Authority Board will meet Wednesday, October 14, at noon. Thursday, October 15, the District Library Board and the Telecommunications Advisory Committee will both meet at 4:30.
That’s it through the end of next week. Locations and more details will be in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
Today and tomorrow will bring the third annual Harvest on the Harbor, with local vendors, cider pressing, crafts and more fall fun.
Today will begin with free Harvest Coffee and Donuts at the BIC Center from 8:30 to 10:30. Apple cider will be on offer, too, and the whole community will be welcome, whatever your age. Pickleball will start at 10:00 at Peaine Township Park, and Chair Strength Training will follow at 10:30 in the BIC Center Hangout. From noon to 4:00, the library will offer a drop-in perspective tree painting craft for all ages. Supplies will be provided, and no registration will be needed. Then, from 4:00 to 6:00, Kate Eisenmann and Pete Haak will lead the Great Apple Cut-Up in the BIC Center lobby. They’ll provide the tools to get apples ready for Saturday’s cider pressing. Bring yourself, a friend, and your favorite nibbles and sips.
[On the radio, our Friday lineup will kick off after the 6:00 news with “That Thing with Rich Appel,” featuring top forty hits from the 70s. At 9:00, “The Titus Jennings Experience” will offer music from all genres, followed by “The Midnight Special” with Marilyn Rea Beyer at 11:00 for music, farce, comedy and late-night escape.]
Saturday, the Islander soccer squad will compete in the Northern Lights League tournament. The Artisan Market at the Point will run from 10:00 to noon at Whiskey Point Lighthouse. From noon to 4:00, Harvest on the Harbor will feature Artisan Alley at the BIC Center, with handmade goods, art, crafts and other creations from local makers. Johnny Applesqueeze will run during those same hours, with Kate and Pete pressing fresh cider for you to enjoy on site. There won’t be packaged cider to take home, so come enjoy a cup at the festival. Saturday is Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock at 5:00, and at 7:30 there, the BIC Center’s art raffle drawing will determine who will take home “McCauley’s Point,” an oil painting by Lois Stipp. Tickets are available at the front desk or online at tickets dot bic center dot org. They are five dollars each or five for twenty. Proceeds will support children’s and family activities at the Center.
[On the radio, Country Classics will start at 5:00 Saturday evening with host Sheri Timsak. At 7:00, WVBI’s Adam Pettigrew will take you 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. Mark Beltaire will take over at 9:00 with Rockin’ the Boat and continue at 10:00 with the Blues Cruise. Cousin Dan will wrap up the evening with the Too Good Radio Show starting at 11:00.]
Sunday, services will be at the Episcopal Mission at 9:00 and at the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass will be at Holy Cross at 12:15.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday is quiet on calendar.
Tuesday, Babies and Toddlers Mix-Up will bring little ones and their grownups together at the library at 10:00. Pickleball will also get underway at 10:00 at Peaine Township Park. At 10:30, Chair Strength Training will meet upstairs in the Hangout at the BIC Center. Tuesday afternoon, the Islander volleyball squad will travel to Boyne Falls for a match at 4:00.
In our Dark Sky, you’ll be able to see the Moon, Jupiter and Twin Stars from 3:00 to 7:00 Wednesday morning. You’ll find more details at dark sky island dot org.
Wednesday, American Mah Jongg will start at 10:00 in the BIC Center Hangout. All skill levels will be welcome; bring your 2026 Mah Jongg card if you have one. Afternoon Bingo will follow at 1:00. The Amik Cultural Preservation Center will open from 4:00 to 7:00 for tours and discussions. At 5:00, Time for Art at the BIC Center will feature a session on Pendant Necklaces led by Cindy Ricksgers.
Thursday, there’s pickleball at 10:00 at Peaine Township Park. There’s Women’s Bible Study at 10:00, as well, at the Christian Church. It’s Burger and a Beer day at the Shamrock and Euchre is on at Whiskey Point Brewing Company. Cards hit the table at 7:00.
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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 Cody. 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: Judy Boyle, Mason Howard and Paul Lamb are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Judy, Paul and Mason, 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 ferry arrives and there are folks soon be out leaf peeping. So, let’s be careful out there.
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On this date in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson carry on a telephone conversation over roughly two miles of wire between Boston and Cambridgeport, Massachusetts. Their experiment uses an existing telegraph line. At first, Watson hears nothing. After bypassing a piece of telegraph equipment, he hears Bell calling “Ahoy!” The telephone is moving beyond the laboratory—and long-distance conversation is taking its first steps. The Island’s first phone connection to the mainland used a cable built by the weather service and eventually transferred to the Coast Guard. In 1957, the Coast Guard announced it would disconiotnue the service resulting in Islanders creating their own local exchange service connected to the mainland by radio link.
An early Bell telephone associated with Bell’s 1876 patent. Photo by National Museum of American History via Wikimedia
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is inscrutable [in-SKROO-tuh-bul], an adjective describing something mysterious or difficult to understand. A poker player’s expression might be inscrutable—or the instructions that came with your new coffee maker. It shares a Latin root meaning “to search or examine” with scrutiny and scrutinize. And yes, scrutable is a word, too. It means understandable, although it gets considerably less work.
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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 Alexander Grahm Bell: “Concentrate all your thoughts upon the work at hand. The sun’s rays do not burn until brought to a focus.”
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And on a lighter note…
He wanted to make a long distance caw.
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, October 9th, 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
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Air Quality Index this morning was 22.
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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
NW wind 5 to 10 kt becoming SW in the afternoon. Partly sunny, then gradually becoming sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.
Saturday
SSE wind around 15 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves around 2 ft.
Sunday
S wind 10 to 15 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 to 2 ft.
Columbus Day
SSW wind around 15 kt becoming W in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 25 kt. A chance of showers after 1pm. Waves 1 to 3 ft.
Tuesday
N wind around 15 kt. Mostly cloudy. Waves 2 to 3 ft.
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Water Temps: 59 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island. 60 at Sleeping Bear. Little Traverse Bay not reporting. 59 in the Straits.
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Candidates clash in Michigan’s governor’s debate, Traverse City adopts a controversial prowling ordinance, and Munson tests drone deliveries. Plus, McDonough’s Fall Sale starts today, and the BIC Center ditches spiders, but needs your apples.
Those stories along with more local and state news, a run down of local events, 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 boat heads out on Paradise Bay in the dawn’s early light. Photo provided by Beaver Island Marina South.
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