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Charlevoix and Petoskey High Schools both landed in Michigan’s top 100 in the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings—Charlevoix at 43, Petoskey at 87. Other area schools scored well, too. Beaver Island Community School wasn’t ranked—not for performance, but because its high school enrollment is too small to qualify. While some Northern Michigan schools earned high marks in the latest U.S. News rankings, statewide results show troubling news. Just 39 percent of Michigan’s third graders were proficient in reading on last spring’s M-STEP test — the lowest in the exam’s 11-year history. State leaders say new literacy and dyslexia laws may help, but for now, six out of ten third graders can’t read at grade level. M-STEP scores on the Island vary quite a bit from year to year because the sample size is so small. The last data available for third graders shows 50% proficiency in 2023. 6th graders were 100% proficient in 2024. The tall ship Inland Seas ended its two-day visit to Paradise Bay yesterday with additional day sails. The Island was their last stop off the summer before heading home to Suttons Bay for the season. |
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CHRIS SYMONS CUT 1: We typically spend all spring and fall running school programs from our home base in Sutton’s Bay, Michigan. And then all summer sailing around the Great Lakes to reach all the people who couldn’t come to us. This this summer was actually really special season with all the tall ship festivals. So we’ve been all over the great lakes. We went across lakes up here to Duluth, Minnesota along the Upper Peninsula in Houghton and Marquette, made a couple great stops in Hessel, Les Cheneaux Islands, Alpena, and we spent a lot of time in Detroit as well. Beaver Island is the last stop of this grand tour. It’s one we’ve all really been looking forward to. |
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The Inland Seas sails taught Islanders more about the cause of declining whitefish populations in Lake Michigan. Meantime, scientists warn Lake Superior may soon lose its unique status as the only Great Lake free of zebra and quagga mussels. Adult mussels and larvae have now been found near Isle Royale. Cold water and low calcium have offered protection so far, but climate change and lax boat cleaning could tip the balance, making vigilance more important than ever. The Irish Féile, celebrating our island’s rich Irish heritage, is just around the corner. It’s next weekend, to be exact. There are still tickets available, but it always sells out—so if you haven’t already, now’s the time to grab your tickets! They’ll get you in to see four concerts at the BIC Center and other Feile events all over the island. There’s a link to get tickets in the BIC Center ticket store at tickets dot bic center dot org. |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle… First your meeting planner. A-A meets this evening and Saturday at 6:00. There’s an orientation meeting for Feile volunteers at 1:00 today. And, that’s it on the meeting front this week. On the fun front today… 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. At 11:00, the COA has a Crafter’s Social at the Peaine Township Hall. Also at 11:00, the Munson Healthcare Hospice Program will have a meet and greet at the BIC Center. You can learn more about the service they provide on the Island and meet members of their hospice team. There’ll also be time for questions and answers. And, at 2:00 at the Library, James Hill will be there to talk about his book The King Must Die, a novel about future events based on the Island’s own King. You can pick up a copy of the book at the Print Shop. Also Thursday evening, 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. 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 10:30 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. At 7:30 Friday evening the BIC Center stage comes alive with Island favorite Zachariah Malachi and the Familiars. The show is sold out, but there are still tickets for Caffeine Patrol, which features Zachariah’s bandmates. They’ll be here October 11th as part of Harvest on the Harbor. Tickets are at tickets dot bic center dot org. [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.]
This week is the last full week for Summer Yoga at the BIC Center. The Yoga coaches are working on a schedule for September. Art by Lucia Hefferman Highlights for the rest of the week include… 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. Also at 10:00, the Holy Cross Altar Society has a Bake Sale planned. They’ll be across from the post office, so you can get some treats while you pick up your mail. Fiero coding club is on at the library at 1:00. And, Saturdays are Prime Rib night at the Shamrock. In our Dark Skies tonight and tomorrow night, the approximately half-lit moon will approach and then pass the bright red star Antares. [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, the BIC Center is closed for the holiday as the Island takes a deep breath after a busy, busy summer. C-O-A is taking the day off as well. But, it’s all you can eat pizza night tonight at the Beachcomber. And, after dark, you can go on a constellations hunt! Aquila the Eagle is home to the star Altair, which is one of the corners of the Summer Triangle. In addition, you can also use Aquila to star hop your way to the Wild Duck Cluster in Scutum. Look straight up in the eastern sky to find them. 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 outside on the township courts 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. Around mid-day, the B-I-C-S volleyball and soccer squads head up to the U-P for matches with Munising Baptist in the first outing for soccer and the second for volleyball. 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. And, there’s BINGO Wednesday evening at the Gregg Fellowship Center. Doors open for fellowship at 6:15. Games start at 7:00. |
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NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Christian. If that’s your name, come on into the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: Brooke Slater, Shelby Meintsma, Aubreanne Brown and Angel Welke are on our list today. Happy Birthday to Angel, Aubreanne, Shelby and Brooke, 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, and the warm weather means lots of folks at the public beach plus hikers and bikers everywhere. So, let’s be careful out there. |
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On this date in 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. standing in front of the Lincoln Memorial, his voice ringing out to some 250,000 listeners, delivers a stirring speech that will galvanize the civil rights movement and be heralded as one of the greatest orations in American history.
Dr. Martin Luther King in front of the Lincoln Memorial on the National Mall. Image from bing.com |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is diminution (noun) [dim-uh-NOO-shun], a formal word that refers to the act or process of becoming less. Diminution [dim-uh-NYOO-shun] came from Anglo-French and earlier Latin deminuere [deh-MIN-oo-ehr-ay], meaning ‘to diminish.’ English adopted it in the 15th century, and its cousin diminishment followed in the 16th.” |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Thursday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from Dr. Martin Luther King: “We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” |
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On a lighter note… The good news is we are all in the same boat. The bad news is that no one remembered to bring the paddles. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Thursday, August 28th, 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 A 30 percent chance of showers before 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 62/61. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 53. North wind 10 to 15 mph. Friday Sunny, with a high near 67/71. Northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west in the afternoon. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 57. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 70/75. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Saturday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Sunday Sunny, with a high near 73/78. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 62. Labor Day Sunny, with a high near 74/78. Monday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 63. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 74/78. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Wednesday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 71/75. |
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Fire Danger Level on the Island set at Low. AQI this morning was 27.
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Today N wind 10 to 20 kt. A slight chance of showers before 7am. Waves 2 to 3 ft. Friday NNE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming WNW in the afternoon. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Saturday W wind 5 to 10 kt. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Water Temperature: It’s 67 in Little Traverse Bay. The North Lake Michigan buoy southwest of Gull is reporting 69 with less than 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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Local schools shine in state rankings, but Michigan’s 3rd graders hit a record reading low. Plus, the tall ship Inland Seas wraps up its tour on Beaver Island, and the Irish Féile is just a week away. |
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Today’s featured image: This week is the last full week for Summer Yoga at the BIC Center. The Yoga coaches are working on a schedule for September. Art by Lucia Hefferman |
