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First some news… The Irish Feile got underway yesterday with open events for the community on the Parish Green and at the Hall with the Irish Mummers, Irish Dance and Gaelic Football. There was a great turnout with the streets full of parked cars.
Irish Dance in the pavilion on the Parish Green. Photo by Katie Johnson Earlier in the day, the Irish Currach Club launched it two new boats in fairly rough seas on Paradise Bay. The boats named Robert Jewell and Amy Langford performed well and are all set for use during the Feile. They were built over the summer by a team of volunteers led by Island boat builder Dan Burton. We’ll have a look at Feile events coming up in our Calendar Segment.
The currachs Robert Jewell and Amy Langford get ready for their first launch. Photos by Dan Burton And, speaking of rough seas, the Boat Company has canceled all departures for today due to forecasted southwest gales up to 40 knots and waves as high as 21 feet. They’re working to add extra runs Saturday and Sunday to move vehicles and passengers as quickly as possible, with an 8:30 a.m. trip planned for Saturday if conditions improve. Officials say safety comes first. For updates on cancellations or delays, sign up for text alerts by texting “BIBCO” to 844-661-0033. If you are looking to do some shopping during the Feile, there will be a number of pop up shops open down by the Hall with vendors from the Island and Ireland. Also, the St. James Pottery Studio will have special hours on Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 2:00 each day while the Beaver Island Gallery will be open 11 to 4 today and 1 to 4 on Sunday. Also open is Island Treasures, the Island’s resale shop from noon to 4:00 today and tomorrow. And, if you are looking to do some hunting this fall, The Beaver Island Wildlife Club and DNR will host a Hunter Safety Field Day on September 28th. Participants must first complete the online course at Michigan dot gov slash D-N-R, then let Levi Connor know to be included. Both the online course and field day are required for a hunting license. Open to kids and adults. Meanwhile, back in America down in Lansing, budget talks remain stalled less than a month from the deadline. House Republicans and Senate Democrats are clashing over billions in proposed cuts and road funding. Each side says they’re willing to negotiate, but warns the other’s plan risks Michigan families and key services. Without a deal by October 1st, parts of state government could shut down. And the wild weather we are facing will also be an issue on the mainland and lakes. The National Weather Service has gale warnings today for Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron, with winds up to 45 miles per hour creating dangerous marine conditions. A strong cold front will bring falling temperatures — highs only in the 50s and 60s across much of Northern Michigan, with lake-effect rain possible. The chill will last into the weekend, with even frost possible Sunday night inland. Forecasters say a gradual warm-up should arrive early next week, with southern Michigan back near 80 on the mainland by Wednesday. |
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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, B-I-C-S Soccer and Volley squads are in Hanahville for games. On the Island, Senior + Vets Coffee + Donuts is on at the BIC Center from 8:30 to 11:30. Also Friday 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. Basic Flow Yoga is at 9:30 in the theater at the BIC Center. C-O-A has a Walkersize session at 10:30, a walk from Heritage Park to the St. James Campground and back. Irish Feile registration opens up at 10:30 at the Bic Center. Friday evening the BIC Center stage is alive again with the Byrnes Brothers at 6:00 and Crossbow at 8:00. Both are Feile events with a Feile Wristband required for entry and first come first served seating. [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, there’s Pickleball outdoors at 9:00. The Elks have a Bake Sale planned for the porch at their lodge starting at 9:30, but the Artisan’s Market is off dor this weekend. They plan to return nest weekend and continue into the fall so long as weather permits. At 10:00, Feile Registration opens up at the BIC Center ahead of a full line up of Feile events at the BIC Center: At 10:30 is the Beaver Island Irish-American Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. At 12:30, there’s a presentation on Arranmore: The Rest of the Story. At 2:30, there’s an Irish Language Workshop with Catriona Kenndy. There’ll be songs and stories with Jerry Early and Arranmore friends at 5:00. And, two more concerts. At 7:00 Rory Makem takes to the stage and at 9:00 it’s the Tartan terrors. Of course, there’s also music at the Hall, the Shamrock, the Beachcomber, Wild Strawberry Cafe and Whiskey Point Brewing Company along with Currach Races, contests and more. Check a festival schedule online or available at the BIC Center front desk for details. 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 Summer Yoga at the BIC Center. 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. And, in our Dark Skies, look for Jupiter in the early morning hours to the east. It will rise higher in the sky each night as we head to the end of the month. There’s more at dark sky island dot org. Wednesday, yoga is on at the BIC Center at 9:30 with a restorative session. Also at the BIC Center, there’s Bingo at 1:00 in the Hangout. Thursday, at 9:00, there’s Pickleball on the Peaine Township Courts. At 10:00 a trio of activities: Tai Chi in the Hangout at the BIC Center, C-O-A Cardio Drumming out at the Peaine Township Hall and Women’s Bible Study at the Christian Church. Thursday evening at the library, poet Steve Brown will be there to share his work as the library wraps up its Artist/Naturalist in Residence program for the season. Also Thursday evening, it’s Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock. |
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NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Catriona. If that’s your name, come on into the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: Trace Butler, Paul Welke, Brendyn Oliver, Ryan Duffing, Christie Perdue, Brian Schild and Shelly Myers are on our list today. Happy Birthday to Shelly, Christie, Brian, Ryan, Brendyn, Paula and Trace, 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: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The island beltway is running smoothly with no bridge delays. But it is very busy in town when the ferry arrives, main street will be closed from the print shop to the hall this afternoon and evening as well as tomorrow, and the Feile will have lots of visitors exploring the island. So, let’s be careful out there. |
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On this date in 1881, the Great Thumb Fire swept across Michigan. Gale-force winds drove flames through Huron, Sanilac, Tuscola, and Lapeer counties, burning a million acres and wiping out entire towns. At least 282 lives were lost, thousands left homeless, and damage topped $2.3 million—more than $70 million today. Smoke was so thick it darkened skies as far away as New York and Pennsylvania. Top of Form Bottom of Form
“Chart of the Burnt District” from the official Report on the Michigan Forest Fires of 1881 by William O. Bailey. Image of painting by George Winters from legendsofamerica.com. Image of map from https://thumbwind.com/2021/09/04/1881-michigan-fire/ |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is histrionic (adjective) [hiss-tree-AH-nik] a word used disapprovingly to describe someone or something that is too emotional or dramatic. The word histrionic comes from the Latin for “actor.” It often means dramatic or exaggerated—like a scene out of a melodrama. But it can also simply mean related to acting, as in “histrionic talent.” The noun histrionics usually refers to emotional outbursts staged for effect. |
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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 Queen front man Freddie Mercury who was born on this date in 1946: “Life is too short to sit around doing nothing.” |
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On a lighter note… I saw a guy at the Shamrock who said he was a big rock star in the 80’s. I didn’t believe him, but he was Adamant. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Friday, September 5th, 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-Swim Risk Warning Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11am, then a chance of showers between 11am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. High near 59. Windy, with a south wind 25 to 30 mph becoming west in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 51. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Saturday-Swim Risk Warning until noon A 30 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph. Saturday Night A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49/47. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Sunday A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 61/64. Northwest wind around 15 mph. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 51/47. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 66/69. Monday Night A chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56/53. Tuesday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68/72. Breezy. Tuesday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56/53. Wednesday Partly sunny, with a high near 66/70. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 51/48. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 63/66. |
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Fire Danger Level on the Island set at Low. AQI this morning was 78.
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Today-Gale Warning until 10:00 a.m. SW wind 25 to 30 kt becoming WNW in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 40 kt. Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 1pm and 4pm, then a chance of showers after 4pm. A chance of waterspouts. Waves 11 ft subsiding to 7 ft. Saturday WNW wind 10 to 15 kt. A chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. A chance of waterspouts, mainly after 1pm. Waves 1 to 3 ft. Sunday NW wind around 10 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Waves around 1 ft. |
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Water Temperature: It’s 65 in Little Traverse Bay. The North Lake Michigan buoy southwest of Gull is reporting 67 with than nine to ten-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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The Irish Féile is in full swing with new boats launched, dancing on the Green, and shops open for special across town. And music. Music everywhere. But rough seas mean canceled ferries, and gale warnings stretch across the Great Lakes. Plus, Lansing’s budget battle drags on. Those stories plus the BIC Center name of the day, birthdays, a look at this date in history, a word of the day and a bad joke for the day are all on the way next after a global and national news update from FSN. [timecheck] |
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Today’s featured images: Irish Dance in the pavilion on the Parish Green and the currachs Robert Jewell and Amy Langford get ready for their first launch. Photos by Katie Johnson (dancing) and Dan Burton (boats) |
