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First some news… (wild sound from boring machine up and under…) The sounds of a lateral boring machine are ringing in the air as work presses along on the fiber project for the library, school, health center and other key Island locations. It’s being used to install conduit, essentially a tube that fiber will eventually be pulled through. The conduit for the library’s drop was installed yesterday. Fiber laying on the ground has been providing service to the school, and with a short microwave link, the BIC Center since late fall in 2023. The fiber being stalled this year will also bring service—some of it using short local microwave hops– to both the municipal docks, both township halls, the Print Shop and Marine Museums, the C-M-U campus and boat house and the Governmental Center. The system will distribute service brought from the mainland using microwave links to the L-P and U-P for now, but stratin gin 2027 by under lake fiber as soon as P-FG-N completes that project. The supplies in the field along King’s highway just south of town will be used as the installation moves down King’s highway to the East side tower and the C-M-U campus. It is a field of dreams.
A field of fiber dreams soon to become reality. Photo by Kevin Boyle Islanders gathered for a Community Forum on Wave Energy at the BIC Center yesterday afternoon. Scientists researching options for collecting energy from the power of waves in the lake explained the technology and then sought input on various technology demonstration sites on the island. |
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Some possible uses on the Island were suggested including running the bubblers at the municipal docks, power to light the beacon in the old Fresnel lens at the Saint James Township hall, powering the fog house on the south end. These would just be small scale tests. Attendees had the opportunity to comment on all of the ideas and suggest others. There’s another session today at 5:00 at the BIC Center.
Possible Island wave energy demonstration projects. Image from Beaver Island Wave Energy Research Team On the mainland, the North Lake Correctional Facility is now open as Michigan’s newest ICE detention center — but I-P-R News Radio reports that exactly how many people are inside remains unclear. That’s because ICE reports only average daily populations starting from last October. Analysts say the numbers suggest fewer than 38 detainees so far, even as local advocates push for more transparency and oversight. Over in Charlevoix, the 95th Venetian Festival starts on Saturday and runs for a week. It includes concerts, carnivals, kids’ events, sports, two nights of fireworks, and the famous boat parade. Be prepared for crowds if you head over next week. And back here on the Island, the Beaver Island Music Festival gets underway on Thursday. We’ve got a rundown on that in our events listing…speaking of which… |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle… First your meeting planner. A-A meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00 at the Christian Church. BIA Board meets Tuesday at 4:00. JTAC meets Thursday at 4:30. BITA meets Thursday at 5:30. On the fun front today… 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. At 11:00, there’s Plein Air watercolor painting at the Beaver Island Gallery. Meet there to get supplies and then head out. Afterwards, display your work at the museum week art show. Call the gallery to sign up. At 1:00, drop by the BIC Center Hangout to play Mah Jongg [mah jawng]. At 5:00, the BIC Center will host a Community Forum on Marine Energy, energy from waves and how it might be possible to capture that in our waters. It’s a second session of the forum we covered in the news, so if you missed it yesterday and want to learn more here’s your chance. At 7:00 at the Print Shop Museum there’ll be a live reading of Act I of David Hill’s play Beaver Isle The Musical including performances of the songs in the play. It’s a tale of the Island with characters that include Protar, Patrick Bonner, Vesty McDonough and Maggie Boyle. Then stay up late to see Saturn right next to the Moon at about 3:00 A-M Wednesday morning. Wednesday, Summer Yoga is on at the BIC Center at 9:30 with a restorative session. At the library, there’s Kids Storytime, Crafts and Art for three years and up at 10:00 and then for 10 years and up at 11:00. At the BIC Center, there’s Bingo at 1:00 in the Hangout. At 3:00 C-O-A has Fun & Gamers out at Peaine Township Hall. Wednesday evening there’s a benefit event for the Beaver Island Music Festival and the BIC Center to kick off the Music Festival. It’s a presentation of North Country Opera at 6:00 in the BIC Center Theater. It’s the movie that captured a live performance of the beloved musical about life up north in Michigan. It stars performers you’ve seen on stage at the Festival and the BIC Center. And it will be presented with the BIC Center’s new projection system. All proceeds will go to benefit the Beaver Island Music Festival and the BIC Center. At 7:00, you can catch Act 2 of Beaver Isle the Musical at the Print Shop. Also at 7:00, there’s BINGO at the Gregg Fellowship Center. Doors open at 6:15 for fellowship. At 9:00 in town Music Festival performances kick off with The Real Ingredients at the Shamrock and, at 9:30, The Whiskey Charmers at the Circle M…plus campfire music with Chris Winkleman out on the Festival Grounds. Highlights for the rest of the week include… Thursday, at 9:00, there’s Pickleball on the Peaine Township Courts. Also at 9:00, the Trails Association presents a guided mushroom hike with island mushroom expert Gina Mangra. Meet at the BIC Center with plans to be hiking until about 1:00. At 10:00 a trifecta 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. Again, all those events starting at 10:00. At 11:00, the COA has a Crafter’s Social at the Peaine Township Hall. AT noon the Music Festival presents Dave & Krisit at the Wild Strawberry Café, Andy Dupris with a mini concet at the BIC Center in the Hangout that will be broadcast live on WVBI, and at 2:00 the Real Ingredients playing at Daddy Franks. At 4:00 head over to the Beaver Island Gallery for a free workshop to make ornaments for display at the Museum Week Art Show. Call 2115 to register. At 6:00, the Music Festival stage light sup with Chris Winkleman and non-stop music until midnight with Katy Gullien and the Drive taking the stage at 11:00. And don’t forget Thursdays are Burger and a Beer Night at the Shamrock. Friday, kicks off live with the Omlette radio show featuring interviews with Music Festival performers at the Wild Strawberry from 5:00 to 7:00 a.m. There’s Senior + Vets Coffee + Donuts is on at the BIC Center from 8:30 to 11:30. At 9:00, there’s Chair Strength Training in the Hangout at the BIC Center and Pickleball on the Peaine Township Courts. Summer Yoga is at 9:30 with a basic flow session 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 noon there’s another mini-concert in the Hangout at the BIC Center with Smilo & the Ghost. That’ll be broadcast live on WVBI. AT 1:00 Nathon Walton plays live at the Print Shop Museum. AT 2:00, Audrey Dupris will be at Whiskey Point. And the Festival Stage comes alive at 5:00 with Dave and Krisit and non-stop music until 1:00 A-M, with Nathan Walton & the Remedy coming on stage at midnight. [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, there’s Pickleball outdoors at 9:00. The Music Festival grounds will have Dave & Kristi for the Breakfast Club and a musical start to the day. The Artisan’s Market is on out by the lighthouse at Whiskey Point. That starts at 10:00. At noon, Heat Above plays on the porch at the Wild Strawberry. At 1:00, there’s a mini concert in the Hangout at the BIC Center with Jonathan Plevyak. That’ll be broadcast live on WVBI. At 2:00, Chris Michaels plays at Daddy Franks. The Festival Stage comes alive at 3:00 with an Open Mic session and Audrey Dupris takes to the stage at 3:30. AT 4:00 on the festival grounds there’ll be kids time with jugglers, games, crafts, screen printing and prizes. The music continues through the evening wrapping up with the Distant Stars taking the stage at 12:30. [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 and Episcopal Mission at 9:00 and the Christian Church at 10:00, and Mass at Holy Cross at 12:15. There’ll be some Music Festival afterglow with Dave & Kristi playing at Whiskey Point at 6:00 and Paul Lamb playing at the Beachcomber at 9:00. Looking ahead to highlights for next week… Monday is the first day of Kids Camps at the Historical Society. Summer Yoga is at the BIC Center at 9:30 in the Theater with a Basic Flow session followed by a Therapeutic Chair session at 11:00 . C-O-A has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and a Crafter’s Social at 11:00, both out at Peaine Township Hall. Also at 11:00, Anne Pritchett will be at the library to talk about her book crazy French girl. And Monday wraps up with a magic show at the BIC Center. Trino’s Magic House Party will be in the theater with great fun fro the whole family. There’s no charge for admission, but you do need to reserve a seat at tickets dot bic center dot org. And, for a meal after, remember that Monday evening is all you can eat pizza night at the Beachcomber. |
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NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Marie. If that’s your name, come on into the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: Marie LaFreniere is on our list today. Happy Birthday to Marie 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 there are lots of folks arriving for the Museum Week and the Music Festival. 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. Plus, baby turtles are busy crossing. So, let’s be careful out there. |
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On this day in 1799 a large slab inscribed with three different languages, including hieroglyphics and Ancient Greek, is discovered by a soldier in Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign. Once part of a monument from 196 B-C-E, the Rosetta Stone will be the modern world’s key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. Also on this date in 1929, Michigan Wilbur M. Brucker rules that Livingston County does not have the authority to prohibit women in suits from riding in cars. The Livingston Stone explaining why women in suits in cars was a problem has yet to be found.
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is tantalize (verb) [TAN-tuh-lyze] means to cause someone to feel interest or excitement about something that is very attractive or appealing. Today’s word has a tantalizing source: poor King Tantalus of Lydia. The mythic monarch offended the ancient Greek gods, and was sentenced, according to Homer’s Odyssey, to stand neck-deep in water, beneath overhanging boughs of a tree heavily laden with ripe, juicy fruit. But though he was always hungry and thirsty, Tantalus could neither drink the water nor eat the fruit: anytime he moved to get them, they would retreat from his reach. Our word tantalize is taken from the name of the eternally tormented king. |
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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 Alan Turing, who working with a team, cracked the German Enigma machine that was first used by the German Army on this date in 1928: “We can only see a short distance ahead, but we can see plenty there that needs to be done.” |
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On a lighter note… Have you heard about the time they had to evacuate the music festival when a band did a cover of Boogie Wonderland. It set off the Earth, Wind & Fire alarm. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Monday, July 14th, 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 Widespread haze before 2pm. Patchy fog before 10am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 79 at the beach, 87 in the woods. Southeast wind 5 to 15 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon. Tonight A 20 percent chance of showers. Widespread haze before 9pm, then widespread haze after 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South wind 5 to 15 mph. Wednesday Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 73/78. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Wednesday Night Isolated showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of rain and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am, then rain and possibly a thunderstorm after 2am. Low around 58. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Thursday Rain and thunderstorms before 11am, then a chance of rain between 11am and 2pm. High near 73/78. Breezy, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 58. Friday Sunny, with a high near 74/81. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Saturday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 74/81. Saturday Night A chance of showers before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 76/83. Sunday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Monday Mostly sunny, with a high near 77/83. |
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Fire Danger Level on the Island set at Low. |
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Today S wind 10 to 15 kt becoming SW in the afternoon. Sunny. Waves 1 to 2 ft. Wednesday SSW wind 5 to 10 kt becoming N in the afternoon. A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday N wind around 15 kt. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10am, then a slight chance of showers between 10am and 1pm. Waves 1 to 2 ft. |
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Water Temperature: It’s 66 in Little Traverse Bay. The North Lake Michigan buoy southwest of Gull is reporting 66 with one to two 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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🚜 Fiber conduit is going in across Beaver Island, bringing high-speed service to schools, libraries, museums and more — it’s a real field of dreams. 🌊 Islanders also got to weigh in on small-scale wave energy projects at a community forum. 🏢 Meanwhile, Michigan’s newest ICE detention center near Baldwin is open, but how many are inside remains murky. 🎆 And over in Charlevoix, the Venetian Festival kicks off Saturday so be prepared for traffic if you go across — the better plan is to stay Island-side and enjoy the Beaver Island Music Festival, which starts Thursday. A complete look the festival along with other Island and local news is coming up after a Global and national news update from F-S-N. |
