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Beaver Island’s fourth annual Harvest on the Harbor festival drew what may have been its largest crowd yet this weekend. Organizers report strong mainland attendance, with about 120 ferry passengers and another 100 arriving by air—many of them visiting the Island for the first time. Saturday’s sunshine brought crowds to the BIC Center for fresh-pressed cider, live music, local vendors, pumpkin picking, hayrides and family activities. The festival also gave island businesses a welcome shoulder-season boost. Later at the Shamrock, Deputy Neal Green pulled the winner for the BIC Center’s annual art raffle. Karen Petersmark took home Lois Stipp’s painting of Donegal Bay.
#LocalEconomy
Harvest on the Harbor was enjoyed by locals and visitors. Danny and Tim provided the music as folks enjoyed snacks and cider in front of the BIC Center. Photo by Rob Cole
Two wildfires burned nearly 300 acres in the Upper Peninsula over the weekend. The larger Ridge Fire, northwest of Marquette, forced three home evacuations. A second fire burns near Craig Lake State Park in Baraga County. More than 50 D-N-R firefighters are battling the blazes, assisted by aircraft.
#Environment
Beaver Island’s Fogg Towing and Marine has won a $273,000 contract to dredge Petoskey’s Municipal Marina next year. The project will remove nearly 2,900 cubic
yards of sediment deposited largely by the Bear River. Officials say buildup already causes some sailboats to drag bottom. Petoskey and the Michigan D-N-R will split the cost, with work expected by spring.
The Peaine Township Board has a meeting set for tomorrow evening at 5:30. Among the topics of discussion will be the future of fiber delivered internet on the Island.
#Broadband
The Open Hands Breakfast Café will start up again on the 26th of the month. It had been running on Mondays and Wednesdays each week, but took a break when
Lonnie Allen had to head off for surgery.
#Foodies
The Queen still hides at the Elks Lodge. Becky Gerace won the draw on Saturday, but found the King of Diamonds. She takes home $250 as a consolation prize. The pot is now $19,310.
#Fundraising
The sneaky Queen of Hearts is still hiding at the Elks Lodge. The next draw is this coming Saturday. Photo by Beaver Island Elks
In sports, the Islanders young soccer squad put up a good fight at the Northern Lights Soccer tourney on Saturday, but fell to Munising Baptist. That closes out their 2026 season that included a win over arch rival Mackinac.
#Sports
The Detroit Lions head into their bye week at three and two after routing the Arizona Cardinals 45-21 Sunday. Jahmyr Gibbs rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Jared Goff threw for 271 yards and three scores, including two to Jameson Williams. Detroit scored on seven straight possessions after a slow start.
#Sports
Finally, sad news to pass along. Jimmy McCafferty has passed away unexpectedly at his home. Plans for arrangements are still underway. Jimmy was a volunteer at the BIC Center in years past where he presented fitness and self-defense training.
#Memorials
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Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner for the coming week…
Tuesday, the Peaine Township Board meets at 5:30. Wednesday, the Beaver Island Transportation Authority Board meets at noon. The St. James Township Board meets Wednesday at 5:30. Thursday, the District Library Board and the Telecommunications Advisory Committee will both meet at 4:30. A-A meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00.
That’s the meeting lineup we have through the weekend. Locations and more details will be in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
Today is quiet on the calendar, the first day we’ve had like that since last winter.
Tuesday, the Babies and Toddlers Mix-Up will bring little ones and their grownups together at the library at 10:00. Pickleball gets underway at 10:00 at Peaine Township Park. At 10:30, Chair Strength Training meets upstairs in the Hangout at the BIC Center. Tuesday afternoon, the Islander volleyball squad travels to Boyne Falls for a match at 4:00.
In our Dark Sky, the Moon, Jupiter and Twin Stars will be visible during the early morning hours Tuesday and Wednesday, from 3:00 to 7:00. More details at dark sky island dot org.
Looking ahead to highlights for the rest of the week…
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 Pendant Necklaces with Cindy Ricksgers.
Thursday, pickleball is at 10:00 at Peaine Township Park. Women’s Bible Study meets at 10:00 at the Christian Church. It’ll be Burger and a Beer day at the Shamrock, and Euchre is on at Whiskey Point Brewing Company. Cards hit the table at 7:00.
Friday, Senior and Veterans Coffee and Donuts is on at the BIC Center in the morning.
[On the radio, Friday’s 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.]
Saturday, its Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock.
[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. 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, the Episcopal Mission has services at 9:00 and the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass will be at Holy Cross at 12:15.
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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 Cillian. 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: Chuck Pop is celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Chuck, 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 1973, President Richard Nixon nominates Michigan Congressman Gerald R. Ford to become vice president of the United States, following the resignation of Spiro Agnew two days earlier. Ford, who represents the Grand Rapids area and serves as House minority leader, becomes the first person nominated for vice president under the 25th Amendment. Congress confirms him in December. Less than a year later, Nixon resigns over the Watergate scandal, and Ford becomes the nation’s 38th president — the only person to hold both offices without being elected to either one.
President and Mrs. Richard M. Nixon with Representative and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford in the Blue Room following the nomination of Gerald Ford as the President’s choice to succeed Spiro T. Agnew as Vice President. Photo from National Archives via Wikimedia
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is nexus [NEK-sus], a noun meaning a connection or relationship between people or things, or a central point where several things come together. It comes from Latin, where it originally referred to a binding or fastening. A transportation hub can be a nexus of roads and railways, while a community center can be a nexus of cultural and social activity. The word is particularly appropriate for island communities, where a handful of gathering places often connect many different aspects of daily life.
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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 Gerald R. Ford: “A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have.”
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And on a lighter note…
Pumpkin π
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Monday, October 12th, 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 43.
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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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Columbus Day
SSW wind 5 to 10 kt becoming E in the afternoon. A slight chance of showers between 11am and 1pm. Waves 1 to 2 ft.
Tuesday
E wind 10 to 15 kt becoming W in the morning. Showers and thunderstorms likely before 10am, then a slight chance of showers between 10am and 11am. Waves 1 to 2 ft.
Wednesday
NNW wind around 10 kt. Partly sunny. Waves around 1 ft.
Thursday
ESE wind 5 to 10 kt. A chance of showers after 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less.
Friday
NNW wind around 30 kt, with gusts as high as 40 kt. Showers likely. Waves 5 to 7 ft.
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Water Temps: 59 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island in the Straits. 60 at Sleeping Bear. Little Traverse Bay not reporting.
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Harvest on the Harbor draws a big crowd to Beaver Island. Two wildfires force evacuations in the U.P. Island-based Fogg Towing wins a major dredging contract. And Peaine Township takes up the future of fiber internet.
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: Harvest on the Harbor was enjoyed by locals and visitors. Danny and Tim provided the music as folks enjoyed snacks and cider in front of the BIC Center. Photo by Rob Cole
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