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After some time getting used to the Spartan-Nash brand after decades of shopping at a “Spartan Store,” Islanders are in for another name change. SpartanNash, formed in 2013 through the merger of Spartan Stores and Nash Finch, is being sold to New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers for $1.77 billion. C&S says the acquisition will improve supply chain efficiency and pricing, potentially benefiting independent stores like McDonough’s Market, which relies on the Spartan Nash distribution network. The sale is expected to close by year’s end. SpartanNash’s headquarters in Bryon Township. SpartanNash photo Over in Harbor Springs, the school board met yesterday to deal with yet more leadership changes. Superintendent Brad Plackemeier and Athletic Director Anna Novak both resigned last week—just weeks after the board chose not to renew contracts for two popular basketball coaches. Now, the board is fast-tracking searches for replacements with hiring plans set for mid-July, and has tapped their C-F-O as interim superintendent. Michigan’s iconic whitefish is disappearing fast from Lakes Michigan and Huron. Once hauled daily to docks like those outside The Cove restaurant in Leland, whitefish are now so scarce the restaurant often buys fish caught hundreds of miles away. Invasive mussels have stripped the lakes of vital nutrients, making survival tough for young whitefish and pushing the species to the brink. Commercial harvests are down nearly 70% since 2009, and scientists warn the fish may vanish entirely from much of the Lower Peninsula’s waters. The crisis threatens both local culture—and the Great Lakes food web. There’s extensive reporting on this in several articles available on Bridge Michigan with links in today’s script online. As whitefish sit on the brink, a decision on bring back the Palisades nuclear plant in southwest Michigan from the brink is expected by the end of July. The NRC says a recent leadership change won’t delay the regulator’s timeline. If approved, Palisades would be the first U.S. nuclear plant to restart after decommissioning. Holtec, the plant’s owner, says work is on track. On the Island, there’s a great opportunity to learn more about events in the Middle East, including the cease fire announced yesterday in action between Iran, Israel and, over the weekend, the U-S. Tom Ehrhard and John Manza, both retired military officers with deep national security experience will conduct a National Security Forum at the BIC center from 4:00 to 6:00. It will be a non-partisan discussion of current national security issues. There’ll be lite bites from Bodega Catering. And the library just announced that it is taking bids to power wash the exterior of the building. Bids are due by noon on Friday. |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle… First your meeting planner. A-A meets tonight, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. All of those are at the Christian Church. On the fun front today… Tuesday, there’s Chair Strength Training at the BIC Center at 9:00. Babes and Toddlers mix it up at the library at 10:00. Also, at 10:00, pickleball outdoors on the Peaine Township courts. At 10:30, there’s C-O-A Walkersize with a walk from Heritage Park out to the St. James Campground and back. At 2:00 the library’s summer reading parties continue. Treats, games, and crafts are included, and all ages are welcome! At 4:00 there’s a free workshop at the Beaver Island Gallery. Come on in and help raise funds for the historical society by making an ornament to donate to the Museum Week Art Shop. Space is limited. Call the Gallery to sign up. At 5:00 at the BIC Cente, there’s a National Security Seminar with Tom Ehrhard and John Manza, both retired military officers with deep national security experience. Come for a non-partisan discussion of current national security issues. Given the events of the last several days, those issues may change in real time. There’ll be lite bites from Bodega Catering. At 7:00, Magnetic North Author Tim Mulhern will be at the library for a book discussion. His book looks at a place so beautiful that people visit and stay. It will be available for sale with a 20% discount. Wednesday, Summer Yoga at the BIC Center is on today at 9:30 with a restorative session. The library has plenty going on. 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 the BIC Center. At 3:00 C-O-A has Fun & Gamers out at Peaine Township Hall. At 7:00, there’s BINGO at the Gregg Fellowship Center. Doors open at 6:15 for fellowship. Highlights for the rest of the week include… Thursday, at 10:00 there’s a lot going on: Pickleball is outdoors on the Peaine Township Courts, Tai Chi in the Hangout at the BIC Center, C-O-A Cardio Drumming is on out at the Peaine Township Hall and Women’s Bible Study is at the Christian Church. Again, all of those events starting at 10:00. In our dark sky, after sunset, the very thin waxing crescent moon will hang above the western horizon and will lie between Mercury and Pollux. And the other twin star of Gemini, Castor, will be nearby. There’s more info at dark sky island dot org. Friday, there’s Senior + Vets Coffee + Donuts at the BIC Center from 9:00 to 11:00. Also at the BIC Center, Chair Strength Training in the Hangout at 9:00 and Basic Flow Yoga at 9:30 in the Theater. And the C-O-A has a Walkersize walk from Heritage Park to the St. James Campground and back. Friday evening the BIC Center stage comes alive with theater as the C-M-U Summer Theater Program kicks off a two-night run. On stage Friday is the comedy Plotters. It’s grave business as a clandestine cabal of misfits attempt their ultimate heist. Will these agents of the night seize the coveted prize – or bury themselves? Then Saturday evening it’s the beloved musical You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown. Follow Charlie Brown and the entire Peanuts gang as they explore life’s great questions as they play baseball, struggle with homework, sing songs, swoon over their crushes and celebrate the joy of friendship. Curtain time is 7:30 both nights. Tickets are at tickets.biccenter.org with special pricing for C-M-U students and kids. [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.] Before the play on Saturday, there’s the Artisan’s Market out by the lighthouse at Whiskey Point. That starts at 10:00. There’s also Pickleball outdoors at 10:00. The Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 2 PM. Saturdays are Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock. And, in our Dark Skies, just after sunset the waxing crescent moon will lie between Mercury and Regulus, with Mars nearby and depending on when you look possibly hidden by the Moon. Details on that occultation and more info are at Dark Sky Island dot org. [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. Looking ahead to highlights for next week… Monday, Summer Yoga is at the BIC Center at 9:30 in the Theater at the BIC Center. C-O-A has Cardio Drumming at 10:00 and a Crafter’s Social at 11:00, both out at Peaine Township Hall. 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 Gus. If that’s your name, come on in to the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: Our list is empty today, but 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. Still, let’s be careful out there…especially around the school zone |
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On this day in 1960, the day before it was to be formally dedicated, the new Houghton-Hancock Bridge over Portage Lake in the Upper Peninsula is almost hit by the steamer J.F. Schoellkopf. Captain Albert Wilhelmy sounds the whistle signal for the bridge to open, but it does not. He orders the engines reversed and drops anchor, which drags over two of six Michigan Bell telephone cables on the bottom of the channel cutting off phone service to 1,000 customers in and around Hancock. The steamer runs aground in shallow water but is soon towed back into the channel to continue her journey. At the time, the Houghton-Hancock Bridge was the only vertical lift bridge in Michigan and the heaviest one in the world. Dedication ceremonies went on as planned on June 25, 1960.
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is litmus test (noun) [LIT-mus-TEST], which is something (such as an opinion about a political or moral issue) that is used to make a judgment about whether someone or something is acceptable. It was in the 14th century that scientists discovered that litmus, a mixture of colored organic compounds obtained from lichen, turns red in acid solutions and blue in alkaline solutions and, thus, can be used as an acid-base indicator. Six centuries later, people began using litmus test figuratively. It can now refer to any single factor that establishes the true character of something or causes something to be assigned to one category or another. |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Tuesday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from Fleetwood Mac namesake Mick Fleetwood, who was born on this day in 1947: “The value of friends has always been a natural thing. I prefer too many to too few.” |
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On a lighter note… Have you heard that really convoluted metaphor about poorly constructed bridges? It’s hard to get across. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Tuesday, June 24th, 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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Tuesday A 20 percent chance of showers before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65 on the shore, 71 inland. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Tuesday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 52. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 67 maybe 70 inland. East wind 5 to 10 mph. Wednesday Night A 30 percent chance of showers, mainly after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. East wind around 10 mph. Thursday A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68 at the beach 75 inland. Thursday Night Showers likely, then showers and possibly a thunderstorm after 11pm. Low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Friday Showers, mainly before 8am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 70 on the shore and 77 inland. Friday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. Sunday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 73. Sunday Night Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 61. Monday Showers likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. |
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Fire Danger Level on the Island set at Moderate. |
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Out on the Big Drink… |
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Tuesday SSW wind 5 to 10 kt becoming N in the afternoon. A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9am, then a chance of showers between 9am and 10am. Waves 1 ft or less. Wednesday NE wind 5 to 10 kt. Increasing clouds. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday E wind around 10 kt. A chance of showers. Waves 1 ft or less. |
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Water Temperature: It’s 55 in Little Traverse Bay. The North Lake Michigan buoy southwest of Gull is reporting 52 with two foot waves.
Mid Lake Michigan photo at time shown. Provided by NWS |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
