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With less than a week before Michigan’s October 1 budget deadline — and months past the state’s July 1 legal due date — Governor Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders say they’ve reached a bipartisan agreement to keep government funded. The plan reportedly includes up to two billion dollars in new road funding, supported in part by a revived wholesale marijuana tax. Whitmer calls the deal a path to lower costs, fix roads, and fund schools. Lawmakers now face a sprint to turn the agreement into bills and pass them before Sunday — or risk a partial shutdown. With the Great Lakes Islands Alliance just ended, here’s a story that connects three of the Island’s in the Alliance with a boat that has served them all. The ferry West Shore has reclaimed its historic name. Built in 1947 for Miller Boat Line, it originally served Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie before later providing passenger service to Beaver Island. Sold and renamed the Anna May, it hauled freight and even offered sunset cruises before being restored this year to its original name. Today, the West Shore ferries passengers between St. Ignace and Mackinac Island and is captained by Sean Whelan—who admired the West Shore as a boy—sailing on her to Beaver Island. There’s a detailed story on the history of the boat in a post from the Port Clinton Beacon linked in today’s script online. https://www.thebeacon.net/miller-boat-lines-former-ferry-west-shore-is-the-west-shore-once-more/ Photo of the West Shore taken when it was in service to Put-in-Bay. Image submitted to Port Clinton Beacon The Michigan DNR is reminding waterfowl hunters to take precautions against highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu. The virus, found in geese, eagles and hawks in Michigan this year, is highly contagious in birds and can spread to mammals. While the risk to people is low, hunters should wear gloves, avoid handling sick or dead birds, and cook game to 165 degrees. The DNR also urges reporting of die-offs through its “Eyes in the Field” tool and taking extra steps to protect domestic animals. And here’s some news from the BIC Center: Time for Art is back! The new season starts October 8th at the BIC Center auditorium. Classes run every Wednesday from 5 to 7 in a relaxed, welcoming setting for all skill levels. Ages 60 and up attend free; for others, a $5 donation is suggested. October’s lineup includes Zentangle with Lois Stipp on the 8th, felt pencil cases on the 15th, junk art magnets on the 22nd, and pumpkin creations on the 29th. All materials are provided—just bring your creativity!
Time for Art is back! Image from the BIC Center Facebook feed |
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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… Friday, Senior + Vets Coffee + Donuts is on at the BIC Center from 8:30 to 11:30. At 9:00, there’s Chair Strength Training in the Hangout at the BIC Center. There’s Pickleball at 9:00, too, on the outdoor courts at Peaine Township Park. B-I-C-S Soccer and Volleyball squads head up to that other island for matches on Friday afternoon and Saturday. Friday evening at 7:00, the Historical Society will celebrate Native American Day a presentation by Amanda Weinert, the Kinoomaagewinan (Teachings of the Earth) Coordinator at the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB), Education Department. She’ll introduce Great Lakes Anishnaabe traditions and cultural perspectives. That’s at the Print Shop Museum. And, Friday night in our Dark Skies, the moon pairs up with Scorpius. Rumor is that there will be scopes and binocs out for viewing over at the Donegal Bay Pavillion. There’s more info on what to see and where to look at dark sky island dot org. [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.]
Amanda Weinert, the Kinoomaagewinan (Teachings of the Earth) Coordinator at the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) will present at the Print Shop Friday evening at 7:00. Image from BIHS post Saturday, there’s Pickleball outdoors at 9:00. The Artisan’s Market is on for this weekend starting at 10:00 out at Whiskey Point. Fiero Coding Club is on at the library at 1:00. At 3:00 at the BIC Center, the movie is How to Train Your Dragon. As an ancient threat endangers both Vikings and dragons alike on the isle of Berk, the friendship between Hiccup, an inventive Viking, and Toothless, a Night Fury dragon, becomes the key to both species forging a new future together. It’s rated PG. Then at 6:00 its Superman, Look Up. Superman must reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as reporter Clark Kent. As the embodiment of truth, justice and the human way he soon finds himself in a world that views these as old-fashioned. Rate PG-13. And, Saturdays are 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. Looking ahead to highlights for next week… Monday, there’s a D-N-R Open House at the BIC Center at 3:00. Tuesday, there’s Chair Strength Training at the BIC Center at 9:00. Pickleball is outside on the township courts at 9:00. Babes and Toddlers mix it up at the library at 10:00. At 11:00, Health Department of Northwest Michigan is holding an immunization clinic at the school. Call the Health Department at 800-432-4121 to sign up. Wednesday afternoon. Grand Marais is at Beaver Island to take on the B-I-C-S soccer and Volleyball squads. Games start at 12:30. Wednesday, at the BIC Center, there’s Bingo at 1:00 in the Hangout. And, there is BINGO at the G-F-C. Doors open for fellowship at 6:15. Games start at 7:00. Thursday, at 9:00, there’s Pickleball on the Peaine Township Courts. At 10:00: Tai Chi is in the Hangout at the BIC Center and there is Women’s Bible Study at the Christian Church. Thursday evenings are Burger & a Beer Night at the Shamrock, plus Thursday Night Euchre is back for the season, once again at the Whiskey Point Brewery. Cards hit the table at 7:00. |
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NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Olive. If that’s your name, come on into the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: None on our list today. But, 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 1687, the Parthenon in Athens—standing for more than two thousand years—is nearly destroyed. A Venetian mortar struck the temple, igniting Ottoman gunpowder stored inside. The explosion toppled fourteen columns, collapsed the roof, and destroyed countless ancient sculptures.
Side view of the Parthenon in contemporary times. Image from goodfreephots.com |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is gesundheit (interjection) [guh-ZOONT-hyte], an interjection used to wish good health to one who has just sneezed. The word was borrowed into English from German in the early 1900s, where it literally means “health.” Saying gesundheit or “God bless you” is intended to ward off illness that a sneeze might signal. And though less common today, gesundheit was also once used as a toast—much like “to your health.” |
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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 Sarena Williams, who was born on this date in Saginaw: “I really think a champion is defined not by their wins but by how they can recover when they fall.” |
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On a lighter note… Never date a tennis player. Love means nothing to them. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, September 26th, 2025. I’m Kevin Boyle 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 A slight chance of showers between 8am and 11am. Mostly cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 66/68. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northeast in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 57/54. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming southeast after midnight. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 67/72. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 55/52. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 67/72. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 57/53. Monday Sunny, with a high near 69/72. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 57/53. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68/71. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 53/50. Wednesday Partly sunny, with a high near 62/66. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 53/49. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 65/69. |
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Fire Danger Level on the Island set at Moderate. AQI this morning was 30.
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Today NW wind 5 to 15 kt becoming NNE in the afternoon. A slight chance of showers between 7am and 10am. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Saturday SSE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Sunday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Monday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Tuesday ENE wind around 10 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Water Temperature: It’s 63 in Little Traverse Bay. The North Lake Michigan buoy southwest of Gull is reporting 64 with two-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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Today’s featured image: Photo of the West Shore taken when it was in service to Put-in-Bay. Image submitted to Port Clinton Beacon |
