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WVBI Community Calendar Report |
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The Petoskey News-Review reports today that a Charlevoix Township man has been charged in connection with the fire that destroyed the Belvedere Club’s historic casino building. Police say 44-year-old Michael Jeffrey Ricks was arraigned Friday on two felony counts of arson after the early-morning blaze on October 23rd. The building was closed for the season and no one was inside. Ricks pleaded not guilty and remains held on $500,000 bond. Investigators are asking anyone with security video showing a white Hyundai Kona between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. that night to contact Charlevoix Police. Fire burns at the Belvedere Club Casino in Charlevoix. Photo from Charlevoix City Police Downstate, the first Republican debate in Michigan’s 2026 governor’s race takes place Wednesday. Party leaders say the early debates will help candidates sharpen their messages ahead of next year’s election. Six of seven GOP hopefuls have confirmed — but front-runner John James has not. And, from DC comes word that FEMA has denied Michigan’s appeal for more aid after March’s devastating ice storm in northern Michigan. Federal help for individuals, utilities, and long-term repairs was rejected, though mitigation funding is still under review. Cleanup continues seven months later, with state lawmakers now weighing $100 million in storm recovery funds. Also in D-C, two Michigan members of Congress are urging President Trump to send one of the nation’s new icebreaker ships to the Great Lakes. Representatives Tom Barrett and Hillary Scholten say the vessels are vital for winter navigation and border security. The request follows a $3.5 billion U.S. deal with Finland to build 11 new Arctic Security Cutters for the Coast Guard. On the Island, the Beaver Island Fire Department Auxiliary is putting its new hospital bed program to good use. Two electric beds were purchased so island residents could recover comfortably at home — and four people have already benefited. The beds are free to use and not limited to hospice care. One bed is in use now, and the other needs assembly and transport help. Volunteers are welcome to join in setting up beds stored at the Eastside Fire Hall. For help or to volunteer, contact Donna Stambaugh. A reminder that funding for this comes from Island Treasures Resale. They are open Thursday through Saturday from noon to 4:00 always with new items including holiday decoration. McDonough’s has installed new produce display coolers that allow greater variety and make items more accessible. Check them out the next time you stop by.
New produce coolers at the market. Image from McDonough’s Market And speaking of markets, Maplewood Farm has a self-serve table for acorn squash and eggs. It’s outside the pro shop at the golf course. Our sister island is dealing with heavy seas this morning…bad enough to shut down ferry service. Reports are of winds gusting to 40 mph. The ticket drawn tonight was Mary Beth Kur she picked envelope #5 and found the Jack of Hearts. The Queen is still hiding for next week’s raffle. Mary Beth took home a $250 consolation prize. The pot now stands at $44,330.
That Queen is still hiding. Image from Beaver Island Elks |
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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… Monday, it’s all you can eat pizza and salad night at the Shamrock from 5:00 to 7:00. After dinner head outside to search for Comet Lemmon in our night skies. It came closest to Earth last week, but is supposed to be its brightest and most visible this week. It will be visible in the Northern sky underneath the giant ladle shape of the Big Dipper in Ursa Major. Best viewing is said to be just before sunrise. There’s more info at Dark Sky Island dot org. Tuesday, there’s Chair Strength Training at the BIC Center at 9:00. Pickleball is now inside at the BIC Center at 10:00, and Babes and Toddlers mix it up at the library at 10:00. Also, Tuesday is a make-up day for S-A-Ts at school. Wednesday, there’s bingo at the BIC Center at 1:00 in the Hangout and Wednesday evening, It’s Time for Art at 5:00 at the BIC Center. This week the session will focus on Halloween. The canvas will be pumpkins, carve a traditional one or make a pumpkin fairy house design. Then display your creation in the annual BIC Center Pumpkin Walk. Thursday, at 9:00 in the morning the BIC Center Theater will open for a pumpkin walk. It’s the third annual bit of Halloween fun. You can bring a pumpkin in for display earlier in the week or, as we noted, carve one as part of time for art on Wednesday. At 10:00, Tai Chi is in the Hangout at the BIC Center and there is Women’s Bible Study at the Christian Church. Also at the Christian Church at 5:00, there’s Cantata Choir practice. Thursday evenings are Burger & a Beer Night at the Shamrock, plus Thursday Night is time for Euchre at Whiskey Point Brewery. Cards hit the table at 7:00.
It’s Pumpkin Walk time Thursday and Friday from 9:00 to 7:00 at the BIC Center. Image from WVBI Community Calendar Friday, gets underway with Senior + Vets Coffee + Donuts is on at the BIC Center from 9:00 to 11:00. The pumpkin walk at the BIC Center will be open from 9:00 to 7:00. There’s Trunk or Treat at the GFC from 5:00 to 7:00. Also on Friday at 9:00, there’s Chair Strength Training in the Hangout at the BIC Center. [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, the B-I-C-S volleyball squad heads to Mackinaw City for tournament play. There’s a Halloween party at the library at 1:00 plus Fiero Coding club activities, too. Movies at the BIC Center are E.T. The Extra-Terrestril at 3:00. It’s the Spielberg classic in digitally restored glory. It’s rated PG-13 and shows at 3:00. At 6:00 get ready for an All Saints Day scare with the new thriller Presence. It’s rated R. And it’s 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. And at 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning we fall back to Standard time, so plan on a long early-winter’s night nap. Looking ahead to highlights for next week… |
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NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Sandy. If that’s your name, come on into the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: Michelle Dreffs is celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Michelle and, 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 1904, More than 100,000 New Yorkers paid a nickel to ride the newly opened underground train system of the Interborough Rapid Transit Company beneath Manhattan’s streets. The line’s showpiece was the elegant City Hall Station, and this first-day plunge into subterranean transit signaled a new era for the city’s commuters. Also, on this date in 1878, Michigan’s first telephone company is formed. Not in Detroit or Grand Rapids — but in tiny Rockland, up in the U-P. After hearing Alexander Graham Bell unveil his invention at the 1876 Centennial Exposition, Linus Stannard returned home and built a private line from Greenland through Rockland to Ontonagon — the start of the Ontonagon County Telephone Company.
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is acerbic (adjective) [uh-SER-bik]. Something described as acerbic is sharply or bitingly critical, sarcastic, or ironic in temper, mood, or tone. Acerbic ultimately come from the Latin adjective acerbus, which can mean “harsh” or “unpleasant.” Another English word that comes from acerbus is exacerbate, which means “to make more violent or severe.” |
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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 John Cleese, who was born on this day in 1939: “Nothing will stop you being creative more effectively as the fear of making a mistake.” |
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On a lighter note… Why do demons and ghouls hang out together? Because demons are a ghoul’s best friend! |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Monday, October 27th, 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 54/56. Southeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 43/39. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 55/58. Breezy, with a southeast wind 15 to 20 mph. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 44/41. Breezy, with an east wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 54/56. East wind around 15 mph. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 41/39. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 52/54. Thursday Night A chance of showers after 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42/39. Friday Showers likely, mainly after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 50/52. Friday Night Showers likely, mainly before 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 40/37. Saturday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 50/52. Saturday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 40/37. Sunday Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 51/53. |
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Fire Danger Level on the Island set at Low. AQI this morning 7:00 a.m. was 22.
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Today SE wind 10 to 15 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Tuesday E wind around 15 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Wednesday E wind 10 to 15 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 to 2 ft. |
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Water Temperature: No report from Little Traverse Bay. The North Lake Michigan buoy southwest of Gull is reporting 57 with two to three 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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Coming up in today’s Community Calendar Report: A Charlevoix man faces arson charges after the fire that destroyed the Belvedere Club’s historic casino building. Michigan Republicans get set for their first governor’s debate — but one big name may skip it. FEMA denies more aid after last spring’s ice storm, and Beaver Island’s Fire Department Auxiliary puts new hospital beds to work helping islanders heal at home. Plus, fresh produce upgrades at McDonough’s and this week’s Queen of Hearts results… Those stories plus a look at this date in history, Saturday coding and sushi making, birthdays, a word of the day and a bad joke…all after a global and national news update from FSN. [timecheck] |
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Today’s featured image: Fire burns at the Belvedere Club Casino in Charlevoix. Photo from Charlevoix City Police |
