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The Irish Feile wrapped up yesterday with the Arranmore Pipe Band playing ahead of Mass at the Arranmore/ Bear Island Grotto. Graced with spectacular weather, the festival was a huge success. Organizers estimated about 1,200 attendees including volunteers and band members. The paid attendance was over 800. In addition to almost non-sop music at multiple venues, the festival included and induction ceremony for eight new members of the Beaver Island Irish-American Hall of Fame. The class of 2026 included islanders from Beaver and Arranmore. Inducted from Arranmore were Anne Conaghan, Kayla Early and Charlie O’Hara. From Beaver, it was Kevin Green, Marie LaFreniere, John McCann, Bill McDonough and Deb Robert. #LocalEvents #IrishHeritage The 2026 inductees to the Beaver Island Irish American Hall of fame gather for a snapshot after the ceremony. Photo provided by Nean Smith via Facebook
The festival drew the attention of the B-B-C in England, which covered it with a lot of details. There’s a link to there article in today’s script online. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg38xw153jwo
Automatic license-plate cameras are becoming an issue in Michigan’s governor’s race. Democrat Jocelyn Benson wants rules governing access, sharing and deletion of camera data. Republican John James says privacy is nonnegotiable, but the technology can help keep people safe. Neither supports a ban. Bridge Michigan reports more than 125 Michigan communities use the cameras. Police credit them with solving crimes, while critics say they collect data on drivers not suspected of wrongdoing. #Election 2026
A federal appeals court says the Trump administration exceeded its authority when it used emergency powers to keep Consumers Energy’s J-H Campbell coal plant operating past its planned May 2025 retirement. But the plant will stay online for now. The decision applies only to the first of six federal orders. Consumers says it will follow the current order, which runs through November 14th. #Energy #Environment
Down in Detroit, the Lions opened their season with a 31-30 overtime win over New Orleans at Ford Field, stopping a two-point conversion on the game’s final play. #Sports
And, on the Island, the draw Saturday at the Elks turned up a Queen, but not the Queen of Hearts. Wes Leiter found the Queen of Spades for a $250 consolation prize. The pot is now over $15,000. #LocalEvents #LocalFundRaising
The Queen still hides at the Elks, but the pot is now over $15,000. Photo provided by Beaver Island Elks |
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Now here’s a look at upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. Peaine Township Board meets Tuesday at 5:30. Library Board and J-TAC meet Thursday at 4:30.
…and that is it for the week. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
Monday, the Open Hands Breakfast Club is on at the G-F-C until 10:00. COA has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00 at Peaine Township Hall. At 11:30, the Beaver Island Soccer and volleyball squads take on Ojibwe in away action. Dark Sky Festival events continue at 2:00 with a Solar Telescope viewing at the Retreat. At 5:00 at the retreat there’s a session o Light Pollution basics. Learn about the impact of unneeded light in our night skies. At 6:00, the Episcopal Mission has a book study on the book Forgiveness. That’s at the Print Shop Museum. And evening Dark Sky events include a session at 7:00 on Green Laser Stargazing, and at 10:00 the scopes come up for an evening of telescope viewing…both of those activities at the retreat. And, don’t forget, Monday evenings are All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night at the Beachcomber.
Tuesday, at 9:00 there is Pickleball on the Peaine Township Courts. At 9:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at the BIC Center. C-O-A has COA Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00 at Peaine Township Hall. Also, at 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library. At 2:00, the Dark Sky Festival has Solar Telescope viewing at the Retreat. Then there’s Astro Fun Facts at the library at 5:00, a session on Family Stargazing at the Retreat at 7:00, and then Star Themed Music to Stargaze By at 8:00, also at the Retreat.
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Wednesday, the Open Hands Breakfast Club is at the G-F-C from 8:00 until 10:00. It will be the last of the breakfasts for a while as organizer Lonnie Allen takes a break for some medical procedures. There’s Summer Restorative Yoga at 9:00 and Summer Therapeutic Chair Yoga at 11:00, and at 1:00 there is Afternoon Bingo all of those at the BIC Center up in the Hangout. At 2:00, the Dark Sky Festival has Solar Telescope viewing at Whiskey Point Brewing Company. At 3:30, the Lego Club is on at the library. At 4:00 the Amik Cultural Preservation Center will be open. At 5:00, there’s a Dark Sky Festival Session on Telescope Basics at the Retreat followed by Family Stargazing at 7:00 and Milky Way Core Stargazing at 9:15. And evening Pickleball remains on the calendar. That starts at 7:00 on the outdoor courts at Peaine Township Park.
Thursday, there’s Pickleball at Peaine Township Park at 9:00. There’s COA Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00, both at Peaine Township Hall. There’s Women’s Bible Study at 10:00 a.m. at the BI Christian Church and at 10:30, there’s Senior Tai Chi at the BIC Center. At 2:00 at the BIC Center there’ll be a solar telescope presentation and viewing opportunity as part of the Dark Sky Festival. The Weekly Bocce Ball roll is on at 4:00 on the courts at the Peaine Township Park. At 5:00, the festival has a presentation on protecting dark skies at the Retreat at 5:00. At 7:00 at the library, Michigan Poet Laureate Joyce Boyd will appear for a presentation. Out at the Retreat, there’ll be a presentation on Black Holes. What do they tell us and how are they observed. And then Stargazing with music at 9:00.
Friday, there’s Senior and Vets Coffee and Donuts from 8:30 to 10:30 in the Welcome Center at the BIC Center. At 9:00 A-M Pickleball Outdoors on the Peaine Township courts. Back at the BIC Center at 9:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout. At 2:00, the Dark Sky Festival has a final Solar Telescope Viewing at the Shamrock. Then at 4:00 in the theater at the BIC Center, learn about fun places to view via telescope on the Moon. At 7:00, there’s a short hike at Little Sand Bay with a presentation about observing the changes in the sky as day turns to night…or Dusking. Then at the Retreat at 9:00, learn the basics of night sky photography as you enjoy the field of stars overhead. Also, Friday evening at B-I-C-S, the Islander volleyball and soccer squads take on Big Bay De Noc in games starting at 5:00.
[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 Islanders take on Big Bay De Noc in volleyball and soccer matches at school. The Artisan’s Market is on at the Point starting at 10:00. At 5:00, the Dark Sky Festival wraps up with a session on the importance of dark skies to bird migration. Saturday nights are Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock. And there’s Pickleball outside starting at 7:00 on the township courts.
[On the radio, tune in for Country Classics at 5:00 Saturday evening with host Sheri Timsak. At 7:00, take a trip back to the best of the 80s and 90s with the Mix Tape show (that’s a 120-minute TDK cassette tape for those in the know) hosted by WVBI’s Adam Pettigrew. 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 at the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass is at Holy Cross at 12:15. And the Amik Cultural Center is open 1 to 3 PM.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
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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 Marie. 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: Melissa Williams and Rose Spershott are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Rose and Melissa, 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 ferries arrive and there are lots of folks out hiking and biking, and Star Gazing as the Dark Sky Festival gets underway. So, let’s be careful out there. |
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On this date in 1814, Francis Scott Key sees the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry after a nightlong British bombardment. The sight inspires him to write a poem originally titled “Defence of Fort M’Henry.” Its words are later set to music and become “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which Congress officially designates as the national anthem in 1931.
The British bombardment of Fort McHenry inspired the words of the Star-Spangled Banner. Image of hand colored print by John Bower from Wikimedia |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is empirical [em-PEER-ih-kul], and adjective that means based on observation, experience or experiment rather than theory alone. A scientist gathers empirical evidence by testing an idea and recording what actually happens. If someone says a claim lacks empirical support, they mean there is not enough real-world evidence to prove it. It comes from the Greek word empeirikos [em-pie-REE-kohs], meaning “experienced,” and entered English through Latin. |
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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 Francis Scott Key in the fourth verse of the Star-Spangled Banner: “Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just.” |
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And on a lighter note… Hey! You stole my thunder. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Monday, September 14th, 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 Sunny, with a high near 70 at the beach and 72 inland. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south in the afternoon. Tonight-Beach Hazard Statement in effect; life-threatening waves and currents are expected Showers likely, mainly between 11pm and 2am, then rain after 2am. Low around 62 by the water, 57 inland. Breezy, with a south wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible. Tuesday-Beach Hazard Statement in effect; life-threatening waves and currents are expected Rain before 11am, then scattered showers between 11am and 2pm. High near 73/72. Windy, with a south wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 57. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. North wind around 5 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Wednesday Night A 40 percent chance of showers after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Thursday A 30 percent chance of showers before 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70/73. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 58. Friday A chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 70/72. Friday Night A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 59. Saturday A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69/71. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 67/69. |
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Air Quality Index at 6:59 was 6. |
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Fire Danger: High |
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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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Today Variable winds 5 kt or less. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Tonight-Gale Warning starting at 9pm S wind 10 to 15 kt increasing to 20 to 25 kt after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 kt. Showers. Waves 1 ft or less building to 5 ft, and up to 14ft mid-lake. Tuesday-Gale Warning to 1pm S wind 20 to 30 kt becoming WSW in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 kt. Showers likely, mainly before 9am. Waves 5 to 7 ft, and up to 14ft mid-lake.. Tuesday Night W wind 10 to 15 kt becoming N after midnight. Partly cloudy. Waves 1 to 3 ft. Wednesday Variable winds 5 kt or less. Partly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Wednesday Night ENE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming ESE in the evening. A chance of showers after 1am. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday E wind 5 to 10 kt becoming NNW in the afternoon. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday Night N wind 5 to 10 kt becoming NE after midnight. Partly cloudy. Waves 1 ft or less. Friday E wind 5 to 10 kt becoming W in the afternoon. A chance of showers. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Water Temps: 68 at the mid-lake buoy southwest of Gull Island and 66 in the Straits. Sleeping Bear and Little Traverse Bay are both 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…
The Irish Feile wraps up after drawing an estimated 1,200 people—and the celebration attracts international attention from the B-B-C. Now, it’s time for the Dark Sky Festival. Plus, license-plate cameras become an issue in Michigan’s governor’s race, a court ruling targets the Campbell coal plant orders, and the Lions survive an overtime thriller at Ford Field.
Those stories along with more local news, a run down of local events including the Feile, 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: The 2026 inductees to the Beaver Island Irish American Hall of fame gather for a snapshot after the ceremony. From left to right: Anne Conaghan, Kayla Early, Kevin Green, John McCann’s son, Marie LaFreniere, Deb Robert Bill McDonough and Charlie O’Hara represented by Hugh Rodgers. Photo provided by Nean Smith via Facebook |
