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Friday’s Independence Day celebrations went well with what many called a record turnout for the parade and a spectacular fireworks display that evening. Facebook posts are full of photos and videos. There was music at Red Deer with the Glen McDonough Memorial Concert and at the BIC Center with the Orbitsuns, with crowds for both shows. Today’s script has a shot of the fireworks from Taffy Raphael.
In Washington, President Trump signed his Big Beautiful Bill. What does that mean for Michiganders? Bridge Michigan has a report today that goes through it item by item, and it includes some big changes. Most folks will avoid a tax hike, with extensions of Trump’s 2017 cuts and new breaks on tips, overtime, and even Social Security. Families will see a higher child tax credit, and car buyers could snag up to $10,000 in deductions for U.S.-built vehicles. But Medicaid eligibility will tighten with work rules coming into place, though contrary to claims by many, the budget for Medicaid will continue to increase. Federal spending on SNAP food aid will be cut with caps on annual benefit increases and limits on administrative costs. Rural hospitals could struggle under new funding caps, clean energy tax credits vanish, and Biden’s student loan repayment plans will be scrapped. The Bridge article with a complete rundown is linked in today’s script online. Also over the weekend, a tragedy on Burt Lake: a father and son from Levering drowned near Maple Bay Campground Saturday afternoon. Police say the 54-year-old man tried to save his 16-year-old son, who’d been underwater for about seven minutes. Despite rescue efforts, both were later pronounced dead. On the Island, the Beaver Island Transportation Authority will give Islanders a detailed briefing on new ferry options on Tuesday evening, including a look at decision-making considerations, grant activities, and the timeline ahead. The session will be in the auditorium out at the C-M-U Biological Station starting at 5 p.m. Consultants from Synergist Mobility Accelerator will be there to present their findings on one next-generation vessel option, followed by a panel discussion with BITA, local ferry operator BIBCO, and other community stakeholders. Board Chair Bobbi Welke will also outline the next steps in the ferry selection process. There’ll also be time for public comment, giving islanders a chance to weigh in as planning moves forward. No final vessel choice will be made at the meeting. In other island developments, McDonough Construction has an Aero Park planned for land just south of the municipal Airport. There’ll be 10 lots for homes all with through the fence access to the airport. Ed Wojan has more information and is handling sales. Sign announcing Aero Park at the Municipal Airport. Photo by Kevin Boyle |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle… First your meeting planner. A-A meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00 at the Christian Church. St. James Township Board meets Wednesday at 5:30. On the fun front today… Monday, Summer Yoga is at the BIC Center at 9:30 in the Theater with a Basic Flow session. C-O-A has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and a Crafter’s Social at 11:00, both out at Peaine Township Hall. B-I-Robot, the B-I-C-S had planned a robot film festival at the BIC Center today, but the projector is on the fritz. So, that has been postponed until a new date scheduled after the replacement arrives. Monday evening, Red Deer Unplugged is on for a second night featuring Ruby John. Showtime is 9:00, again in the cabin at Red Deer. And, Monday evening is all you can eat pizza night at the Beachcomber. This evening in our Dark Skies, the waxing gibbous moon will hang near the bright red star Antares. It’s the brightest star in the constellation of Scorpius. Tuesday, there’s Chair Strength Training at the BIC Center at 9:00. Pickleball has changed to summer days and times. Today at 9:00, Thursday at 9:00 and Saturday at 9:00. Babes and Toddlers mix it up at the library at 10:00. At 10:30, there’s C-O-A Walkersize with a walk from Heritage Park out to the St. James Campground and back. At 1:00, drop by the BIC Center Hangout to play Mah Jongg [mah jawng]. Tuesday evening the Beaver Island Jazz Series takes to the BIC Center stage with the first of its events for the season. Edye & Mike will be here as a voice and guitar duo performing tunes from the American songbook and more…all on a stage lit with candles. It’s candlelit jazz at the BIC Center. Showtime is 7:30. Tickets are at tickets.biccenter.org. Wednesday, Summer Yoga is on at the BIC Center at 9:30 with a restorative session. At the library, there’s Kids Storytime, Crafts and Art for three years and up at 10:00 and then for 10 years and up at 11:00. At the BIC Center, there’s Bingo at 1:00 in the Hangout. At 3:00 C-O-A has Fun & Gamers out at Peaine Township Hall. At 7:00, there’s BINGO at the Gregg Fellowship Center. Doors open at 6:15 for fellowship. Thursday, the Trails Association has a trail maintenance day planned. Meet at the BIC Center with your tools, bug spray and gloves. At 9:00, there’s Pickleball on the Peaine Township Courts and at 10:00 a trifecta 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. Again, all those events starting at 10:00. At 11:00, the COA has a Crafter’s Social at the Peaine Township Hall. At 5:00 the BIC Center will host another National Security Seminar with Tom Ehrhard and John Manza. At 7:30, artist Paddy Aidan will have a presentation at the library. She works in oil, charcoal and graphite to create works related to weather, natural places and movement of air. She’ll talk about here approach and show some works she has created while on Beaver Island. It’s Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock. 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 and Pickleball on the Peaine Township Courts. Summer Yoga is at 9:30 with a basic flow session 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. [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 Artisan’s Market is on out by the lighthouse at Whiskey Point. That starts at 10:00. At the BIC Center, the Celebrate Good Times season continues with Jennifer Westwood with Dylan Dunbar and thier band. The music will range from Texas blues to Stax and sounds from Muscle Shoals-era artists all with ties to the sounds of Appalachia. Jennifer and Dylan along with a band of A-listers and underdogs from Detroit bars to the Grammy stage have built a family of fans from New York to Texas and soon here mon the Island. Showtime is 7:30. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org. [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 and Episcopal Mission at 9:00 and the Christian Church at 10:00, and Mass at Holy Cross at 12:15. At 1:30, the Eve McDonough Music School is back in session for its second and final day. Then at 9:00, it’s Red Deer Unplugged with Shaker Hites playing inside at the cabin. Looking ahead to highlights for next week… |
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NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Mark. If that’s your name, come on into the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: Judy Gallagher, Zack Manship and Cadance Oswold are on our list today. Happy Birthday to Cadance, Judy and Zack 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. Still, let’s be careful out there. |
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On this day in 1845 the Detroit Daily News is published for the first time. It will become the Evening News in 1873 and, in 1905 after a merger with the Detroit Tribune, it becomes The Detroit News. In 1852, the Marquette Iron Company makes the first shipment of iron ore down the Great Lakes to New Castle, Pennsylvania. In 1865, U-S Army Captain Christian Rath, from Jackson Michigan, supervises the execution of four Lincoln assassination conspirators. And, in 1928 Missouri’s Chillicothe Baking Company offers up machine-sliced bread for the first time.
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is procrastinate (verb) [pruh-KRASS-tuh-nayt] which means to be slow or late about doing something that should be done or about doing or attending to things in general. Procrastinate comes from the Latin prefix pro-, meaning “forward,” and crastinus, meaning “of tomorrow.” Procrastinate implies blameworthy delay especially through laziness or apathy. It is also a malleable word: English speakers have wasted no time creating clever variations, most of them delightfully self-explanatory. Don’t let coinages like procrastibake, procrastinetflix, and procrasticlean pass you by. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Monday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from journalist and T-V personality Dorothy Kilgallen, who some is reported to be the first person to have used the phrase “the best thing since sliced bread”: “The world is grand, awfully big and astonishingly beautiful, frequently thrilling.” |
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On a lighter note… What did the slice of bread say to the cheese? You’re the best thing since me! |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Monday, July 7th, 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 Sunny, with a high near 69 by the beach, 74 inland. North wind around 5 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Northwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71 on the shore, 77 inland. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph in the afternoon. Tuesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Southeast wind around 5 mph. Wednesday A slight chance of showers before 8am, then a slight chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 74 by the shore, 81 mid-island. North wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Wednesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 59. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 76 by the beach, 83 inland. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 78 on the beach, 85 mid-island, . Friday Night A chance of showers after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. Saturday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 76, 84 inland. Saturday Night A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 76, 83 inland. |
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Fire Danger Level on the Island set at Low. |
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Today Variable winds 5 kt or less. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Tuesday Variable winds 5 kt or less. A slight chance of showers after 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less. Wednesday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Water Temperature: It’s 61 in Little Traverse Bay. The North Lake Michigan buoy southwest of Gull is reporting 60 with 2-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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Huge turnout for Friday’s 4th of July fun — packed parade, stunning fireworks, and live music at Red Deer & the BIC Center. Meanwhile, Trump signed his “Big Beautiful Bill,” keeping tax cuts and adding breaks for tips & overtime, but tightening Medicaid & SNAP, scrapping EV credits and student loan plans. We have details for Michitganders. On the Island, there’s a chance to get a look at new ferry options at a meeting at the C-M-U Bio Station — see drawings of possible new boats, timelines, and have your say. Plus, a new Aero Park is planned near the airport. |
