News Update

Community Calendar Report for, Wednesday, June 4th, 2025

A new federal report backs Enbridge’s plan to move its Line 5 oil pipeline into a tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says the tunnel would reduce the risk of a spill, but construction would temporarily affect wetlands, wildlife, and recreation. Seven tribal nations withdrew from the review, saying their concerns were ignored. Environmental groups are urging the state to reject the plan. Public comment on the draft report is open until June 30, with a final permit decision expected this fall. State environmental permits are still pending.

 

Island wildlife officials are reminding folks to steer clear of wildlife newborns. Wildlife club leader Jaqueline LaFreniere says they need their space.

I’ve had a couple instances already reported to me that people have picked up fawns they found on the side of the road or trail need to leave those fawns alone. Momma’s there somewhere. She’s keeping an eye on it and you’ll cause undue stress to the phone and to the parent if you pick that fawn up, she’s around. Also loons on the lakes. We’ve got a lot of nesting loons going on right now on the various lakes and stay far, far away from the nest and stay away from the babies when they come out with their mom and dad. And that goes that holds true for a lot of other animals on the island too, that are giving birth right now. Just keep away from the babies. Keep away from the parents, let them do their thing. That’s the best thing to do. That’s what the DNR recommends that we do.

And, as folks break out their side by sides, quads and O-R-V’s, the Sherrif’s office is reminding that island beaches and dunes…and most Island trails are off limits to motorized vehicles. There have been recent reports of O-R-V operation on the beach at Donegal Bay and on Mount Pisgah. Officials say that’s a serious violation that will result in an expensive ticket and possible vehicle impoundment. The Chamber guide has rules and maps for O-R-V operation. You can pick that up at the BIC Center.

 

Meantime, this weekend is Michigan’s summer Free Fishing Weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, you can fish without a license anywhere in the state—including inland lakes and the Great Lakes. Plus, if you are on the mainland, you won’t need a recreation passport for state parks or boating sites, or an O-R-V permit to ride state O-R-V trails.

ORV guidelines from Beaver Island Visitor’s Guide. Beaver Island Chamber image

 

If you’ve been to T-C lately, you may have noticed that Macy’s is closed and gone from the Grand Traverse Mall.  New owner Lormax Stern plans to divide the space into four or five stores, including a gourmet grocer, national bookstore, and popular clothing brands. A new fast-casual restaurant is also planned. Construction could start later this year, with full redevelopment running through 2027.

Now, here’s a look at events happening on your Emerald Isle…

 

First your meeting planner…

 

B-I-C-S Committee of the Whole meets today at 5:30.  Medical First Responder Class is this Evening and tomorrow evening at 7:00. A-A meets Thursday and Friday at 6:00. That’s it on the meeting front. Locations and more details are in the calendar entries online.

 

On the fun front today…

 

Wednesday, there’s Bingo at 1:00 in the Hangout at the BIC Center.

 

Thursday, at 10:00 there’s Elementary Awards and honors plus Kindergarten and 6th grade graduation at school. It’s a half day of school for all students with exams in the morning and study time after. Also at 10:00, Pickleball outdoors on the Peaine Township Courts and Women’s Bible Study at the Christian Church. Thursday evening it’s Burger & a Beer at the Shamrock at 5 PM. 

 

Highlights for the rest of the week include…

 

Friday, is another half day of exams at school and then the start of summer vacation. And Volunteer Week starts at the Beaver Island Retreat.  Volunteer to help with cleanup of Island trails and get reduced rates to stay at the retreat.  Also Friday, Seniors and veterans can enjoy Coffee & Donuts at the BIC Center starting at 9 AM. Also at 9:00, the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program at the BIC Center up in the Hangout. Friday evening at 7:00 the Sugarbush Band plays on the Print Shop Museum Front Porch. They’re a mative Michigan band that will be sure to have you up out of your seats dancing in the road!

 

[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, kicks off with the Artisan’s Market out by the lighthouse at Whiskey Point. There’s Pickleball outdoors at 10:00. At 12:30 a Graduation Parade steps off from the post office and heads down Mainstreet and up Holy Cross hill to school where graduation ceremonies get underway at 1:00. Also Saturday, the Fiero Code Club is on at the library at 2 PM. And 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, 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 evening is pizza night at the Beachcomber.

 

Tuesday, there’s Chair Strength Training at the BIC Center at 9:00. Babes and Todlers mix it up at the library at 10:00. Also at 10:00, pickleball outdoors on the Peaine Township courts. At 2:00 the library kicks off their summer reading party events. Treats, games, and crafts are included, and all ages are welcome! From 4:00 to 6:00 there’s a free workshop at the Beaver Island Gallery. It’s free. You’ll make an ornament for the Museum Week Art Show. Call the Gallery to sign up.

NAME OF DAY: The BIC Center Name of the Day is Leslie.  If that’s your name, come on in to the BIC Center today to pick out a free drink of your choice.

 

BIRTHDAYS: Richie Gillespie, Jack Hallahan, Hadly McCafferty, Ben Mach and Carsten Dabakey are celebrating today Happy Birthday to Carsten, Ben, Hadly, Jack and Richie and, if we missed you on the list, Happy Birthday to you too from everyone at WVBI and your Beaver Island Community Center!

TRAFFIC: No delays inbound or outbound to the airports. Island beltway is running smoothly with no bridge delays.  Still, let’s be careful out there…especially around the school zone

On this day in 1896, Henry Ford test drives the Quadricycle, his first gasoline-powered automobile, on the streets of Detroit. The success of the little vehicle led to the founding of the Detroit Automobile Company in 1899, followed by the Henry Ford Company in 1901 and then later the Ford Motor Company in 1903.

Henry Ford sits in his first automobile, the Ford Quadricycle, in 1896.
Image from wikippedia.org

Our Merriam Webster Word of the Day is bogus (adjective) [BOH-gus] an informal word used to describe something that is not real or genuine, making it a synonym of such words as fake, false, and counterfeit. Bogus was first used in the era of wildcat banks as a noun referring to counterfeit money. It later branched out into adjective use meaning “counterfeit or forged.” Although the noun is now obsolete, the adjective is still used today with the same meaning making it part of a treasury of similar words ranging from the very old (sham) to the fairly new (fugazi).

Now, to wrap up for this Beaver Island Wednesday

Here’s a thought for the day Henry Ford: “Whether you believe you can or not, you’re right.”

On a lighter note…

What type of car does a chicken farmer drive? A coupe.

That’s the W-V-B-I Community Calendar Report for this Beaver Island Wednesday, June 4th, 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. 

###

Today

Showers, mainly before 8am. High near 61. West wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. Calm wind becoming southwest around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47. Calm wind.

Friday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68. Calm wind becoming northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 66.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Sunday

Showers likely, mainly after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 65.

Sunday Night

Showers likely, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 47.

Monday

A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.

Monday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 46.

Tuesday

Partly sunny, with a high near 66.

 

Fire Danger Level on the Island set at Very High.

Out on the Big Drink…

Today

Variable winds 5 kt or less. Rain likely, mainly before 10am. Patchy smoke between 7am and 8am. Patchy fog before 9am. Waves 1 ft or less.

Tonight

Variable winds 5 kt or less. Partly cloudy. Waves 1 ft or less.

Thursday

Variable winds 5 kt or less. Patchy fog before 7am. Waves 1 ft or less.

Thursday Night

Variable winds 5 kt or less. Mostly cloudy. Waves 1 ft or less.

Friday

Variable winds 5 kt or less. Partly sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.

 

Water Temperature: The North Lake Michigan buoy is in southwest of Gull Island. It’s reporting 41 with 2 foot waves.

Photos from Buoy Camera at station 45002

Photos from webcams at wvbi.net and mackinacbridge.org