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The pace of truck traffic on the Island’s paving projects picked up quite a bit yesterday with a parade of 18-wheeler’s hauling underlayment material for the East Side Drive project. After the material was dumped, graders spread it and rollers rolled it getting ready for paving to begin next week.
Meantime, the Chamber released additional details about this weekend’s Lilacs and Lyrics Festival with details on prize give aways at the Beaver Island Gift Shop and the Art of Scenery. Both stores have put together of Island themed gifts that you can enter to win when you drop by this weekend. Also on tap are specials at local eateries including pan seared wild sable mushroom spring onion risotto and lilac infuse white chocolate mousse at the Beaver Island Lodge. The Beachcomber will have music Friday and Saturday night from Lucky Penny and Leaving Lifted.
Interlochen Public Radio reports today that nurses at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City have reached a tentative contract agreement after months of negotiations. One key issue was the growing use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. Union leaders say they support technology that helps patients and reduces paperwork, but wanted safeguards to ensure AI does not replace nursing judgment or lead to unsafe decisions. Details of the agreement will be released after union members vote, but the Michigan Nurses Association told I-P-R that it includes wage increases and new guardrails governing the use of AI and other technology.
Looking to buy a theater? There’s one on the market in Boyne City. Bidding is now open for the historic Boyne Theater, a downtown landmark that began life as the Bellamy Opera House more than a century ago. Boyne City Main Street is seeking proposals from developers or community-minded investors interested in restoring the building and putting it back into use. The group says it would like to see the property remain a theater or event space. Proposals are due by July 15th. The Boyne Theater bears a city historical marker. Phot by Joel Seewald from The Historical Market Database (HMdb.org) Down in T-C, commissioners there are considering new limits on short-term rentals as part of the city’s strategic action plan. The Traverse Ticker reports that a proposal on the table would significantly reduce the number of vacation rentals allowed in several zoning districts, including eliminating them entirely in some industrial areas. City leaders told the Ticker that residents have made housing availability a priority and want stronger action on short-term rentals. Commissioners are also exploring other regulatory and enforcement options while working with other Michigan tourism communities to seek changes in state law. There’s a link to the full Ticker story in today’s script online.
As part of our look at where Michigan’s gubernatorial candidates stand on key issues, today we turn to the issue of climate change. Democratic candidate Jocelyn Benson says Michigan should lead the nation in clean energy manufacturing, climate resilience, and pollution reduction. Democrat Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson also supports a broad approach involving government, businesses, and environmental groups. Among Republicans, John James and Aric Nesbitt say the state should focus on adapting to changing weather patterns, strengthening infrastructure, supporting agriculture, and expanding nuclear power. Republican candidates Ralph Rebandt and Tudor Dixon ally Anthony Cox reject the scientific consensus that human activity is driving climate change.
Finally in our news, a reminder that the Beaver Island Retreat and the Beaver Island Archipelago Trails Association are looking for volunteers for Step Up for the Trails, which gets underway tomorrow and runs through the 10th. Participants will spend a few hours helping maintain and protect Beaver Island’s trail system while enjoying a complimentary breakfast, trail snacks and drinks, and a free three-month AllTrails Plus membership. You don’t have to be staying at the Retreat to take part. Breakfast begins at 7:30 each morning, with volunteer crews heading out at 9. To sign up or learn more, visit Beaver Island Retreat dot com and click on Promotions and Events. |
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Now here’s a look at other upcoming events on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets this evening and Saturday at 6:00. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front…
Thursday, the COA has a double feature at Peaine Twp Hall — Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00. Meanwhile, 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. And, Thursday evening is Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock.
[Thursday evening on the radio, drop in for W-V-B-I’s newest music show. It’s The Underground with Leila Freijy. It’s the underground sound of grunge and more from the 80s and 90s with special features every week. Tune in at 7:00 for two hours Underground.]
Friday, the Island’s Lilacs and Lyrics weekend gets underway. There’ll be music, an Irish Currach Workshop, restaurant specials, guided lilac tours and raffle prizes at local gift shops. Also on Friday, there’s Senior and Vets Coffee and Donuts from 9:00 to 11:00 in the Welcome Center at the BIC Center, plus Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at 9:30. And, the library has afterschool board game fun starting at 3:30. [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.]
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Saturday, is Graduation for the B-I-C-S Class of 2026. There’ll be a graduation parade down Main Street starting at 12:30 followed by graduation ceremonies on the lawn behind school at 1:00, unless it rains ich which case no parade and the ceremony will be in the gym. Right now, though, the weather looks perfect. Also Saturday, the Artisan’s Market is on at the Point starting at 10:00. Fiero Code Club is at the library at 1:00. 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, 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 Missiojn at 9:00 and at the Christian Church at 10:00. Mass is at Holy Cross at 12:15.
Highlights for next week include…
Monday, Open Hands has breakfast at the GFC from 8:00 to 11:00. B-I-C-S has a half day for students with final exams. COA has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and Art Therapy at 11:00 at Peaine Township Hall. The Beachcomber has All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night. In our Dark Skies, tonight might be a good night to check what is perhaps the most famous asterism, a group of stars in Ursa Major called the Big Dipper. You’ll find it high over head tonight with the two outer stars in its bowl pointing to Polaris, the North Star, which is the endpoint of the handle of the Little Dipper. There’s more about it at Dark Sky Island dot org.
Tuesday at 9:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout at the BIC Center. B-I-C-S has another half day for students with final exams—and it is the last day for the 2025-26 school year. At 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library and there is Pickleball outside on the township courts. At 2:15 there’s a Home School Meet-up at the library.
Wednesday, the Open Hands Café: Breakfast Club runs 8:00 until 10:00 a.m. at Gregg Fellowship Center. At 1:00, there’s Seniors BINGO at the BIC Center. In our Dark Skies just before dawn today you might catch some Arietids meteor shower activity. The shower is most active during the day and not visible then, but you might catch it just as it peaks this morning in the north east sky just above the horizon. There’s more about it at Dark Sky Island dot org. |
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On our Birthday List: Richie Gillespie, Jack Hallahan, Hadly McCafferty, Ben Mach and Carsten Dabakey are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Carsten, Ben, Hadly, Jack and Richie, 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: As construction traffic picks up, you’ll find occasional delays in and out to both airports with some closures on East Side drive requiring the long way around from town to Welke Airport. Seasonal traffic is picking up as well, and the kids will soon be out of school for the summer. Fawns are dropping and tutles are crossing. So, let’s be careful out there. |
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On this day in 1896, Henry Ford test drives the Quadricycle, his first gasoline-powered automobile, on the streets of Detroit. The success of the little vehicle led to the founding of the Detroit Automobile Company in 1899, followed by the Henry Ford Company in 1901 and then later the Ford Motor Company in 1903.
Henry Ford sits in his first automobile, the Ford Quadricycle, in 1896. Image from wikippedia.org |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is redolent (adjective) [RED-uh-lunt]. Something that is redolent is filled with a particular scent or aroma. You might describe a room as redolent of fresh-baked bread or a garden as redolent with the fragrance of roses. The word can also mean suggestive or evocative of something, especially a memory or a past time. A song might be redolent of the 1980s, or the smell of campfire smoke might be redolent of childhood summers. Redolent comes from a Latin word meaning “to smell” and is related to the word olfactory, which has to do with the sense of smell. |
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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 Henry Ford: “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” |
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On a lighter note… There are so many degrees. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Thursday, June 4th, 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 Mostly sunny, with a high near 65 by the water and 81 inland. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Tonight A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 52. Southwest wind 5 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Friday A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2pm, then a slight chance of showers between 2pm and 5pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 62/75. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Friday Night A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers between 11pm and 2am, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Saturday Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8am, then a slight chance of showers between 8am and 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 67/81. West wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 69/84. Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 56. Monday Sunny, with a high near 70/78. Monday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Tuesday Partly sunny, with a high near 69/78. Tuesday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Wednesday Partly sunny, with a high near 69/78. |
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Air Quality Index at 6:30 was 23. |
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Fire Danger Level: Very High |
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Today SSW wind around 10 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Friday SW wind around 10 kt. A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10am, then a chance of showers between 10am and 1pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Saturday Variable winds 5 kt or less. A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7am, then a chance of showers between 7am and 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
Paving work on East Side Drive shifts into high gear, final details for this weekend’s Lilacs and Lyrics Festival are out, Traverse City nurses reach a tentative contract with new safeguards on artificial intelligence, and a historic Northern Michigan theater is looking for a new owner. Plus, Traverse City considers new limits on short-term rentals, we continue our look at where Michigan’s governor candidates stand on the issues.
…those stories and more regional news plus a run-down of local events, birthdays, this dat ein history, a word of the day and more are coming up after this global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
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Today’s featured image: As we begin to celebrate Lilacs, the Island’s annual display of Trillium is starting fade. Photo by Kevin Boyle |
