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T-D-S service was out again last evening, this time from about 7:13 until 1:30 in the morning. The outage follows another last week that ran for 18 hours. Once again unofficial sources say the problem was an outage in services T-D-S buys from AT&T on the mainland. T-D-S has cited that cause officially for almost all of its recent outages that occurred before these two.
Beaver Island Community School celebrated a year of athletic achievement last night at its annual sports awards ceremony, recognizing student-athletes not just for performance, but for teamwork, growth, and sportsmanship across the board.
In soccer, Lucas Pease earned the All-Around Excellence Award, while Lysander McGinnity was recognized with the Team Impact Award and Leif McGinnity was named Most Improved. Alexis Pease received the Coach’s Award, and Haley Pease was honored as Unsung Hero. On the volleyball court, Zia Duffing took Rookie of the Year, Kira Turner earned the Human Whistle Award, and Alexis Pease picked up the Iron Woman Award. Izzabella DeLaat and Sophie McDonough were also recognized for teamwork and spirit.
Girls basketball honors highlighted Izzabella DeLaat, Sophie McDonough, Kira Turner, Alexis Pease, and Madeline McGee, while boys basketball saw the entire team named Most Improved, with individual honors going to Lucas Pease, Nathan Huttenlocker, and Lysander McGinnity as MVP.
Athletes were also recognized beyond the island through Northern Lights League honors—awards voted on by coaches from opposing teams. Lysander McGinnity earned First Team honors in soccer, joined by Haley Pease in volleyball, while several others were recognized across sports with second team and honorable mention selections. The league’s Sportsmanship Award went to Sophie McDonough and Parker DeLaat.
Finally, among a strong group of nominees, this year’s Bill Burns Memorial Outstanding Sportsmanship Award went to Sophie McDonough.
And, while we are on the topic of student awards, last week a group of Beaver Island Community School students were among those honored at this year’s regional Career and Technical Education banquet held on the mainland. Leif McGinnity, Shawnee Hoernke, Xandra Duffing, and Leona Walsh—were recognized for outstanding achievement in business and health programs. The event brought together 11 school districts and honored more than 100 students overall.
Photos from the CTE Awards night feature Shawnee Hoernke, Leif McGinnity (left to right top) Xandra Duffing and Violet Walsh (botom) with their teacher Nicole Olson and principal Wil Cwikiel. Photos from Charm-Em ISD CTE Program via the Norther Islander
Aside from all the awards, another sign that spring is here is the Currach Club getting organized for another season of action on the water. They are kicking off their 2026 with an informational meeting next Wednesday, May 6 at 5:30 p.m. at the Beaver Island Community Center. New and returning members are all invited. A virtual option is also available for those who can’t attend in person.
Beaver Island’s Currach Club prepares to get its boats back in the water with an informational meeting next Wednesday ta the BIC Center at 5:30. Photo provided by Beaver Island Currach Club on Facebook
And, finally, in another sign of spring, Island Energies has extended its opening hours. Weekdays, they are open 7:30 to 7:00. Saturdays 8:00 to 6:00 and Sundays 11:oo to 4:00. The extended hours start today.
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Now here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…
First your meeting planner…
A-A meets Thursday and Saturday at 6:00. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.
On the fun front today…
Wednesday, there’s BINGO at 1:00 at the BIC Center. And at 5:00 it’s Time for Art, at the BIC Center. Also Wednesday evening at school, the Nathinal Honor Society will induct new members. The ceremony will be in the high school commons and all are welcome to attend.
Thursday Women’s Bible Study is on at 10:00 at the Christian Church. There’s Pickleball at the BIC Center at 10:00 in the Theater. At 10:30 up in the Hangout there’s Senior Tai Chi. At 11:00 at the BIC Center, there’ll be a Microgreens Luncheon with ham, mashed potatoes, vegetables, a microgreen salad and desert. Three bucks for seniors and six for others. Thursday evening, there’s Pickleball at 5:00 in the Theater at the BIC Center. Afterwards, you can grab the burger & a beer special at the Shamrock starting at 5:00, and its Euchre Night down at Whiskey Point Brewing. Cards hit the table at 7:00.
[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.]
Highlights for the rest of the week include…
Friday, Senior + Vets Coffee & Donuts is at the BIC Center from 9:00 to 11:00. There’s Pickleball at 10:00 and Chair Strength Training at 10:30. Friday evening the Flower Full Moon will shine over Paradise Bay. There’s more info at Dark Sky Island dot org.
[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, the Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 1:00. And, remember, Saturdays are 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 Christian Church at 10:00 and mass at Holy Cross at 12:15.
Looking ahead to highlights for next week…
Monday kicks off a new series of Monday Funday programs start at the BIC Center. There’ll be afterschool crafting at 3:30, and an artist’s workshop at 5:00. This week the workshop will be on Fairy Doors and Seed Sharing led by Christine McKenna and Monica Longlett. After fun at the BIC Center, head over to the Shamrock where Monday’s are All You Can Eat Pizza and Salad night.
Tuesday at 10:00, Babes & Toddlers mix it up at the library and there is Pickleball in the Theater at the BIC Center and, at 10:30, there’s Chair Strength Training up in the Hangout. At 2:15 there’s a Home School Meet-up at the library. |
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Today’s BIC Center Name of the Day is Sutton. If that’s your name, come on it to the BIC Center to pick out a free drink of your choice. |
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On our Birthday List today: It’s empty, but 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: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. The Island Beltway is running smoothly. There are no bridge delays. Still, let’s be careful out there, especially in the school zone. |
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On this date in 1997, the Chemical Weapons Convention takes effect—banning the production, storage, and use of chemical weapons. 193 countries are now parties to the treaty, including the United States, marking a major global effort to eliminate these weapons. The Chemical Weapons Convention is implemented by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons OPCW. In this photo, OPCW inspectors conduct a training exercise donning and using elf-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). Screen capture from OPCW B-roll |
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Our Merriam-Webster Word of the Day is speculate (verb) [SPEK-yuh-layt]. It means to form ideas or theories when not all the facts are known… or in finance, to invest with high risk and potential reward. The word dates back to the 1500s, originally meaning to observe or consider. It comes from the Latin specere [SPEK-eh-reh] meaning “to look,” the same root behind words like spectrum and perspective. |
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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 English Philosopher Bertrand Russell: “War does not determine who is right—only who is left.” |
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On a lighter note: I tried to make a list of power outage jokes… but none of them were very current. Honestly, the whole situation was pretty shocking—I just couldn’t find the energy to keep going. |
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That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, April 29th, 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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Today Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43/48. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Northwest wind around 10 mph. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 42/45. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Thursday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Northwest wind around 15 mph. Friday Mostly sunny, with a high near 41/44. Northwest wind around 15 mph. Friday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Saturday Mostly sunny, with a high near 42/45. Saturday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Sunday Partly sunny, with a high near 45/48. Sunday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. Monday Partly sunny, with a high near 46/49. Monday Night Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. Tuesday A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 47/51. |
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Town: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-85.52&lat=45.748 |
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Out on the Big Drink … |
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Today N wind 5 to 10 kt becoming WNW in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy. Waves 1 ft or less. Thursday NW wind around 10 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less. Friday NW wind 10 to 15 kt. Mostly sunny. Waves around 1 ft. |
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Midway to Charlevoix: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lon=-85.384&lat=45.532 |
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Air Quality Index at 7:00 this morning was 0. |
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Coming up in our Community Calendar Report…
TDS customers experience another outage overnight, following last weekend’s lengthy disruption. Beaver Island Community School celebrates a year of athletics with major honors handed out—and more students recognized at a regional career and technical education banquet. Plus, the Curragh Club gets ready for a new season on the water, and Island Energies expands hours for spring…
…those stories plus a run-down of local meetings and events, birthdays, our word of the day and more after global and national news from F-S-N. [Time check.] |
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Today’s Featured Image: Beaver Island’s Currach Club prepares to get its boats back in the water with an informational meeting next Wednesday ta the BIC Center at 5:30. Photo provided by Beaver Island Currach Club on Facebook |
