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Petoskey city officials, in their first meeting since the ice storm, say recovery will be long — and costly. The city has already spent over $600,000 on debris cleanup, with total recovery costs projected to top $2.2 million. That includes grinding, chipping, and tree removal, with work expected to continue for weeks. FEMA is set to visit next week to assess the damage as the city pushes for a federal disaster declaration. Even with federal help, Petoskey will face significant out-of-pocket costs. Meantime, Bridge Michigan reports today that black bears are becoming a more common sight across northern Michigan on the mainland. The DNR says the Lower Peninsula’s bear population—once concentrated in the northeast—is expanding southwest into areas like Traverse City, Charlevoix, Petoskey and Glen Arbor. That shift follows years of growth driven by hunting restrictions and increased habitat. With more bears in populated areas, complaints are rising. Charlevoix County saw 19 last year alone. Experts say most conflicts are food-related and urge residents to secure garbage, clean grills, and swap bird feeders for bird baths, especially as bears emerge from hibernation. A Michigan Black Bear. Photo from Michigan DNR In Lansing, the Board of State Canvassers has approved petition language from a group called “Prove It, Michigan” to require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in Michigan. The approval starts a 180-day window to collect nearly 450,000 signatures. Supporters say it will protect elections; critics warn it could disenfranchise voters lacking documentation. If enough signatures are gathered, the proposal will appear on Michigan’s 2026 ballot as a constitutional amendment. |
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In Island news, the Beaver Island Wildlife Club’s annual tree and shrub giveaway is set for May 3rd and 4th at Levi’s shed on Paid Een Ogs Road. They’ll have 300 shrubs — including elderberry, dogwood, cranberry, hazelnut, and serviceberry — plus 150 trees like domestic apple, wild pear, and hybrid chestnut. Each tree comes with a protective tube and stake. May 3rd is for members only — and you can join for just $25. Supplies are limited and must be picked up in person. B-I-C-S is accepting bids to replace flooring in the school. The work includes replacement of almost all the flooring in building, which is about 18-thousand square feet. Bids are due by 3:30 on May 16th. There’s a link to the bid document in today’s script online. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B9gR7D5z7yHKdKVZxZI-KEJaDHxDBjdi/edit?tab=t.0 With warm weather in the forecast for today, you might be tempted to head out to the yard to do some spring clean-up —but experts say wait a bit. Insects like the Luna Moth are still developing in last year’s leaf litter, and birds rely on those insects to feed their young. Morels, salamanders, and wild garlic also need several warm days to emerge. So enjoy the sunshine—but hold off on raking for nature’s sake. |
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Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle… First your meeting planner for the week… Medical First Responders Class meets tonight and Thursday at 7:00. AA meets 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… Wednesday, there’s C-O-A bingo at 1:00 in the Hangout at the BIC Center. And at 5:00 at the BIC Center, it’s Time for Art. This week a bit of art history and a project that will explore painting in the Eastern Woodland style of Ojibwe art. And, in our Dark Skies, the Lyrids Meteor Shower continues its peak tonight. Thursday, there’s Pickleball at 10:00 in the Theater at the BIC Center and Women’s Bible Study at the Christian Church also at 10:00. Thursday evening it’s Burger & a Beer at the Shamrock at 5 PM and Euchre Night at Whiskey Point Brewing Company at 7. Highlights for the rest of the week include… Friday, seniors and veterans can enjoy Coffee & Donuts at the BIC Center starting at 9 AM. Pickleball at 10:00 and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program at 10:30 are at the BIC Center in the Theater and Hangout, respectively. [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 an Edible Book Party at the library at 1:00. Choose a book, character, or scene and create a treat, dish or snack to share with others. Then catch the food-themed movies at the BIC Center afterward, as part of our Read It & Reel It Book & Movie program. Showing at 2:00 is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. It’s raining food in Swallow Falls which may be too much of a good thing. Rated PG. At 6:00, it’s Julie and Julia, the story of a blogger cooking her way through Julia Child’s famous recipe book. Rate PG-13. And, the Fiero Code Club is also on Saturday. That’s at the library at 2 PM. [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. And, Dark Sky Week wraps up with a new moon making for a beautiful night of star gazing (if the clouds stay away). Looking ahead to highlights for next week… Monday, at 5:00, there’s Qigong [chi gong] Practice at the BIC Center lead by Tina Carlton. Qigong, is a traditional, ancient Chinese medicine practice using gentle movement, meditation, and breathing to promote mental, physical, and spiritual health. Tuesday, Talking Threads is on at Peaine Township Hall at 9:30. Babes and Toddlers 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. At 2:30, it’s Story Time at the library. |
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NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Franklin. If that’s your name, head on down to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice. BIRTHDAYS: Becca Foli is celebrating today. Happy Birthday to Becca 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. But the down Island roads are still in rough shape with the road crews are out working on them…picking up debris and grading. So, watch out for them and let’s be careful out there. |
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On this day in 1878 Lansing dentist George Richmond is granted a patent for his “speaking-telephone transmitter.” He had been working on the device for years and had a working version of his telephone three years before Alexander Grahm Bell, but he worked on perfecting it allowing Bell to win the initial patent race. His version worked better, especially over long distances, and he got a lucrative employment offer from Bell. He declined that, counting on local business owners who promised to help him start his own company. Their support never materialized, and Richmond became a historical footnote.
Image of rural lines. Photo from flickr.com |
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Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is Slough (verb) [SLUFF] which is a formal verb used for the action of getting rid of something unwanted. It is usually used with off. Slough can also mean “to lose a dead layer of (skin)” or “to become shed or cast off.” There are two verbs spelled s-l-o-u-g-h in English, as well as two nouns, and both sets have different pronunciations. The first noun, referring to a swamp or a discouraged state of mind, is pronounced to rhyme with either blue or cow. Its related verb, which can mean “to plod through mud,” has the same pronunciation. The second noun, pronounced to rhyme with cuff, refers to the shed skin of a snake (as well as anything else that has been cast off). Its related verb, our word today, describes the action of shedding or eliminating something, just like a snake sheds its skin. This slough comes from Middle English that is related to slūch [sloo-ck], a Middle High German word meaning “snakeskin.” |
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Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Wednesday… |
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Here’s a thought for the day from William Shakespeare who died on this day in 1616 at the age of 52: “The eye sees all, but the mind shows us what we want to see.” |
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On a lighter note… Did you know that Shakespeare died before completing the final act of his last play. It was a real tragedy. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, April 23rd, 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 after 2pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 56. East wind around 5 mph. Tonight A 50 percent chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Thursday Scattered showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. Calm wind becoming northwest around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Thursday Night Scattered showers before 2am, then a chance of rain after 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Friday Rain likely, mainly between 8am and 2pm, then scattered showers after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 48. Northeast wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Friday Night Scattered showers before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 51. Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. Sunday Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. Monday Partly sunny, with a high near 58. Monday Night Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. Tuesday Showers likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. |
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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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Today ESE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming ENE in the afternoon. A chance of showers, mainly after 1pm. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday Variable winds 5 kt or less. A chance of showers. Patchy fog before 8am. Waves 1 ft or less. Friday ENE wind around 15 kt becoming N in the afternoon. Showers likely, mainly before 1pm. Waves 1 to 2 ft. |
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Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org |
