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The Courrier is reporting today about the local impact of President Trump’s order seeking to eliminate the Department of Education. Char-Em I-S-D Superintendent Scott Koziol says it’s unclear how this could impact local students, but reassures families that essential services—like special education—remain funded for now. Koziol says area educators are working with state lawmakers and focusing on what’s best for kids, despite the political tension. Trump administration officials say that want to eliminate bureaucracy and return control of education to the states while maintaining programs that benefit students. The full shutdown would require Congressional approval, and in the meantime, districts are bracing for potential changes in research, curriculum, and federal oversight.
The Mackinac Bridge is one of 68 U.S. spans flagged in a new report by the National Transportation Safety Board for potential vessel collision risk. The report urges the Mackinac Bridge Authority to assess whether the iconic five-mile bridge meets current safety guidelines. Though there’s no immediate danger, the bridge was once struck by a Greek freighter in 1968, causing minor damage and in 2021 by a crane being moved on a barge. The warning follows last year’s deadly collapse of Baltimore’s Key Bridge after it was hit by a cargo ship. Officials say safety remains the top priority for Michigan’s busiest bridge.
There’s more legal trouble between Manitou Island Transit and the National Park Service. The Mishe-Mokwa ferry will only run to South Manitou Island this summer, as North Manitou remains closed for dock construction. Ferry owners Megan and Jimmy Munoz are suing the Park Service, claiming contract violations and $700,000 in lost revenue. They say unsafe docking and staggered island closures are pushing their century-old business toward insolvency.
Meantime, down in T-C, left leaning Traverse and Leelanau Indivisible hosted a townhall meeting to which they invited 1st District U-S Congressman Jack Bergman. He didn’t appear, so organizers put a cardboard cutout of him on the stage and, after an introduction, allowed attendees to speak. They voiced frustration over his absence and concerns about federal cuts under the Trump administration.
Also in T-C, Good news for Meijer fans— a third store could be coming to Chums Corner. Blair Township will review plans April 1 for a new supercenter with gas, pharmacy, and garden center. No opening date has been announced.
If you are looking for funding for your non-profit, here ‘s something to note: Great Lakes Energy’s People Fund is now accepting letters of interest from nonprofits for its spring grant cycle. Letters are due by April 1, with full applications due April 15. There’s an application link in today’s script online. |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner for the week…
A-A meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. That’s it on the meeting front. More details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
Tuesday, Talking Threads is on at Peaine Township Hall at 9:30. Babes and Todlers mix it up at the library at 10:00. There’s Pickleball at 10:00 in the theater at the BIC Center and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program at 10:30 in the Hangout followed by Senior Tai Chi at 11:30. At noon, there’s Spring Break Kids Week Teen Trivia up in the Hangout with prizes, snacks and lots of fun. It’s Story Time at the library at 2:30. And Tuesday evening, it’s time to get quizzical. It’s the Beaver Island Trivia Game starting at 6:00 in the Hangout. Sign up at tickets dot bic center dot org.
Wednesday C-O-A BINGO is at the BIC Center at 1 PM. Time for Art at the BIC Center also at 5:00. This week its Tie Dye time. Catherine and Joel Meintsma have will share their talents with this very popular art-form. Medical First Responder Class begins at 7 PM.
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Thursday, Cardio Drumming starts at 10 AM at the BIC Center, but no Pickleball today because of Spring Break activities in the theater. Women’s Bible Study meets at the Christian Church at the same time. Chair Yoga begins at 11 AM at the BIC Center. There’s a Games Galore Pizza party at 1:00 on the Theater. And this isn’t just any pizza party. It’s See No, Hear No, Speak No Pizza Making Game, where teams of three work together to make the prettiest pizza. Kids can then enjoy their creation while they play other games including Ping Pong, Basketball hoop shoot, cornhole, Mario Kart, and more! In the evening, enjoy Burger & a Beer at the Shamrock at 5 PM and Euchre Night at WPBC at 7, and there’s another session of the Medical First Responder Class at the School at 7.
Friday, seniors and veterans can enjoy Coffee & Donuts at the BIC Center starting at 9 AM. Pickleball is back at 10 at the BIC Center, and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program meets again at 10:30.
[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 Fiero Code Club is at the Library at 2 PM. Then it’s movie day at the BIC Center with a double feature. At 3 PM, catch Sonic the Hedgehog 3 with non-stop snark and action as our heroes join forces in an unlikely alliance to take on a new villain. Rated PG. At 6:00, it’s A Complete Unknown, the award winning docudrama about Bob Dylan. It’s rated R. Saturday evening, it’s Prime Rib Night at the Shamrock. And, in our Dark Skies, the moon will be new tonight, so if the clouds stay away. [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 brings folks together for worship, with services at the Christian Church at 10:00 and Mass at Holy Cross at 12:15.
Looking ahead to next week…
Monday, Cardio Drumming is at 10:00 in the theater at the BIC Center. Then at 5:00, there’s Qigong Practice lead by Tina Carlton. Qigong [chi gong], is a traditional, ancient Chinese medicine practice using gentle movement, meditation, and breathing to promote mental, physical, and spiritual health.
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NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Rocky. If that’s your name, head on down to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice.
BIRTHDAYS: Kathy Tidmore and Violet Walsh are celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Violet and Kathy, and if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you, too, from everyone at WVBI and your Beaver Island Community Center! [And, here’s a way to send special birthday wishes to someone on the island: The B-I-C-S National Honor Society will put up a sign in their yard in exchange for a donation of $10 or more to the Build a Cure for Cancer fund. Contact N-H-S president Alyssa Martin for more details. You can reach her through the front desk at school.] |
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TRAFFIC: None. No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. Island Beltway running smoothly. No bridge delays. But all the new slow is making it slick. So, let’s be careful out there. |
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On this day in 1807, the British Empire ends its slave trade with the Slave Trade Act. Championed by religious groups and slavery abolitionist William Wilberforce, it becomes law in Great Britain and its colonies, ending the trading of slaves throughout the empire. It will be another 26 years before slavery itself will be abolished in the United Kingdom.
Drawing of William Wilberforce from bing.com. |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is Hobbit (noun) [HAH-bit], which is member of a fictitious peaceful and friendly race of small humanlike creatures that dwell underground. “What is a hobbit?” wrote J.R.R. Tolkien in the 1937 fantasy novel that introduced Mr. Bilbo Baggins. The author then answered himself: “They are (or were) little people, about half our height, and smaller than the bearded Dwarves. … There is little or no magic about them, except the ordinary everyday sort which helps them to disappear when large stupid folk like you and me come blundering along …” Tolkien tells us that hobbits “are inclined to be fat,” and that they “dress in bright colours”; they “have good-natured faces, and deep fruity laughs (especially after dinner).” Tolkien, a professional linguist who taught at Oxford, coined the word hobbit (and many other terms—in fact, a whole new language) for The Hobbit and for his enormously popular three-part novel The Lord of the Rings. |
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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 J. R.R. Tolkien: “It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit.” |
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On a lighter note… What do you call a hobbit playing the fiddle? Lord of the Strings. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar for this Beaver Island Tuesday, March 25th, 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 Scattered snow showers, mainly before 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a steady temperature around 31. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Tonight Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. West wind around 10 mph. Thursday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Friday A chance of snow showers before 2pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Friday Night Rain showers, snow showers, and freezing rain, becoming all freezing rain after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25. Saturday Freezing rain likely before 8am, then rain or freezing rain likely between 8am and 2pm, then rain and snow showers likely after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 34. Saturday Night Rain and snow showers likely before 8pm, then rain showers, snow showers, and freezing rain likely between 8pm and 2am, then snow showers and freezing rain likely after 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 26. Sunday Rain showers, snow showers, and freezing rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Sunday Night A chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. Monday A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
