B. I. News on the 'Net, April 11-24, 2016

(A very busy two weeks for BINN and BITV)

Mass from Holy Cross Catholic Church

April 24, 2016

View video of the mass HERE

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 25, 2016

Looks like it's going to be a liquid sunshine sort of day. A good day to get all those "indoor" chores done, or if you don't have any jobs, a good day to curl up with a book. Right now I'm showing 38°, feels like 28°, wind is at 18 mph from the east with gusts up to 22 mph, humidity is at 93%, pressure is steady at 1015 mb, visibility is at 4.2 mile and the current pollen level is 5.6, medium. Top allergens are birch, ash, and juniper. Today: Periods of rain showers in the morning and then periods of rain showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 40s. East winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 30 mph. Tonight: Periods of rain showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Breezy. Lows in the mid 30s. East winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts to around 35 mph.

The 52 Lists Project #17

by Cindy Ricksgers

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 24, 2016

It's 39° outside this morning, cloudy skies, wind is at 5 mph from the east, humidity is at 68%, pressure is steady at 1020 mb, visibility is 9.8 miles, pollen is at 5.6 (medium), with the top allergens being birch, ash, and juniper. Today: Cloudy. Rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 40s. East winds at 10 mph. Gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon. Tonight: Periods of rain showers. Lows in the upper 30s. East winds 5 to 15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.

On this date of April 24, 1961 - Bob Dylan earned a $50 session fee for playing harmonica on Harry Belafonte's "Midnight Special." It was his recording debut.

Veteran's Memorial Cermony

April 23, 2016

Shortly after the Bob Banville Funeral Service, many attendees moved down to the Veteran's Memorial to participate in the ceremony planned there.

Here is a gallery of photos of the ceremony.

The ceremony ended with the Missing Man formation by Island Airways.

Here is a gallery of photos of the formation.

Bob Banville Funeral Service

11 a.m., April 23, 2016

Father Pat Cawley and Deacon Jim Siler

Video of the Funeral Mass HERE

Seventy people watched the mass live at http://beaverisland.tv

Canopy Tour Zipline Pictures

from Costa Rica Trip

with Costa Rican Street Music

When the BICS High School students were given the opportunity to participate in a Spanish Language Immersion program, one of the activites offered as an option was the Canopy Tour using a zipline. Several of the students and Mr. Richards decided to participate. The video below is approximately 235 pictures set to the street music from San Jose, Cost Rica.

Vigil Service for Bob Banville

April 22, 2016

Excerpts from this service including the stories HERE

Approximately 70 unique IP viewers watched this Vigil Service when it was live streamed.

The Property on Fox Lake Road

by Cindy Ricksgers

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 23, 2016

A wee bit chilly out this morning at 33°, feels like 27°, wind is at 6 mph from the east, humidity is at 91%, pressure is at 1023 mb and rising, visibility is at 9.5 miles, pollen count for today is 9.6, medium-high, with the top allergens being birch, ash, and juniper. Today: Sunny in the morning then becoming partly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. Light winds becoming north at 10 mph in the afternoon. Tonight: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s. Northeast winds at 10 mph shifting to the southeast after midnight. Gusts up to 20 mph.

On this date of April 23, 1635 - The Boston Public Latin School was established. It was the first public school building in the United States.

Did you know that the word racecar can be spelled the same way backwards?

Word of the day: yerk (yuhrk) which means a sudden movement, kick, jerk, stab, etc. Of undcertain origin. Perhaps imitative. Earliest documented use: 1424.

Cormorant Control Training

Cormorant Control Training will take place April 26, at noon, at St.James Township Hall.
Anyone interested in taking part of this training and subsequent job of helping to control
the cormorant population in the archipelago should attend.

Midwest Invasive Species

FRUSTRATING AND FABULOUS FIRSTS

Written by Joe Moore

Imagine a ten year old child of our local deputy sheriff answering this phone call. 

"Beaver Island Substation," ten year old Linda said into the phone. 

"We have... a person.... not breathing.... with no pulse.....at the intersection of Fox Lake Road...... and West Side Road.  My son.........is doing CPR," the caller gasped.

Read the rest of the story HERE

Slow Down and Look Around

It's pretty obvious that there are plenty of opportunities to view nature here on Beaver Island. Most of us just get so busy working and living that we don't slow down and look around. Here are just a couple of animals seen on one quick trip to the point and out to Gull Harbor. The woodpecker flew off before posing for his/her picture as did the snowy owl, but these two were caught in their natural environment.

Heron

Eagle

State of the School Meeting 7-9 p.m., 4/21/16

Meeting was at the Beaver Island Community Center

Superintendent/Principal Judith Gallagher

The presentation regarding the state of the school was begun shortly after 7 p.m. by Superintendent Gallagher. Her comments were about the report that was made available to all those present. A State of the School Report, 2015-2016, was presented by Judy Gallagher Interim Superintendent-Principal at the Beaver Island Community Center.

The report will be posted on the BICS website. Here is the report if you are interested in seeing the whole thing; HERE

During the gathering, Mr. Adam Richards spoke about the Spanish Language Immersion trip to Costa Rica.

Three student participants in the Spanish Language Immersion trip spoke about the trip, and a video was shown.

Kevin Boyle reported on the BIRobot competitions and a video was shown.

Judy Gallagher finished up the presentation on the report.

View a gallery of photos HERE

View video of the presentation HERE

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 22, 2016

It's 37° outside this morning, feel like 30°, wind is at 12 mph from the NW with gusts up to 16 mph, humidity is at 89%, pressure is rising from 1017 mb, visibility is at 9.6 miles, pollen levels are at 7.8 (medium-high) and the top allergens are birch, ash, and juniper.

On this date of April 22, 1915 - The New York Yankees wore pinstripes and the hat-in-the-ring logo for the first time.

Did you know that the lifespan of a squirrel is 9 years?

Word of the day: biota (bahy-OH-tuh) which means the animals, plants, fungi, etc., of a region or period. Biota finds its roots in the Greek biotḗ meaning "life." It entered English in the early 1900s.

Back to the Farm

by Cindy Ricksgers

BIRHC Early Bird Drawing Announced

Petitions Turned in for Peaine Township Board

Bill Kohls, Supervisor

Larry Kubic, Treasurer

Carla Martin, Clerk

Ernnie Martin, Trustee

Paul Welke, Trustee

Wildlife Around the Island

Link to small gallery HERE

Great Lakes Monthly Lake Levels Report for the Month of April 2016

Every month the Corps of Engineers in Detroit publishes reports on the Great Lakes water level for all five lakes and summarized the inflows to the lakes from rain, snow and  inflows from Canada and the outflows thru the Chicago River and Lake Ontario. 

As Johnny Cash use to sing,

How high's the water, mama?

Two feet high and risin'

How high's the water, papa?

Two feet high and risin'. 

So the water level in Lake Michigan continues to rise.   A ride around the harbor shows  some of the docks are just above the  water and most of the area across the street from the Toy Museum is now flooded.   Officially Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, Erie and Ontario are in the midst of their seasonal rise and are 7 to 10 inches above what they were a month ago.  Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, and Erie are 11 to 16 inches higher, and Lake Ontario 22 inches is higher than they were at this time last year.

We are 15-inches above the average April water level, 11-inches higher than last year, and 18-inches below the high water mark of April 1986.    We can expect the water to rise 3 more inches by next month.

Not quite “2-feet high and rising” but a significant change since last year.

Bob Tidmore

Timeout for Art: Critique

by Cindy Ricksgers

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 21, 2016

It's a liquid sunshine sort of morning. Right now it's 47°, light rain, wind is at 6 mph from the south, humidity is at 79%, pressure is falling from 1012 mb, and visibility is 9 miles. I'm going to add something new here, a pollen/allergy report. Today it is an 8, which is medium-high. Top allergens for today are: maple, juniper and poplar. Today: Rain showers in the morning, then scattered rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 50s. South winds 10 mph in the morning becoming light. Tonight: Cloudy with a 30% chance of rain showers. Lows in the upper 30s. Northwest winds at 10 mph. Gusts up to 30 mph after midnight.

Ospreys Prepare for Nesting

Guarding the nesting site

Changing of the guard

Both in the nest

Delivering nest building materials

Small gallery of osprey pictures HERE

Edwin H. Gott Passes

The freighter's location at 6:00 pm

With east wind today, the mainland looked a lot closer than it has in quite a while. Besides the mainland that looked like it was up in the air, a freighter passed out the mouth of the harbor, but much closer to the mainland and much farther away than it appeared when looking out the mouth of the harbor. The Edwin H. Gott was headed from Chicago, Illinois, to Two Harbors, Minnesota, which is just north or Duluth in Lake Superior. Here are some pictures of the freighter taken from Whiskey Point.

View of the freighter from Whiskey Point.

2016 MEN’S SUMMER GOLF LEAGUE

TENATIVE STARTING DATE

JUNE 1, 2016

I will be back on the island around the 10th of May and will put up a signup sheet in the clubhouse. You can also call me at home to confirm or enter your team. Hopefully we can get everyone signed up early as I will be going off island twice for graduation activities with a grandson down state at the end of May.

Buck

Beaver Island Robotics Team Headed to Nationals

(Picture by MaryRose Doig)

BI Robot Website HERE

Make a Donation or buy a teeshirt HERE

Jeff Powers is helping raise money for this trip to the National competition. See his efforts below:

"Support the BI Robot team http://birobot.org/frc-michigan-championship-results/ and win a Weber Grill Powers Hardware-Gifts is conducting a raffle to benefit the Beaver Island Robotics Team on their miraculous run to the FRC First Robotics World Championship next week. Purchase one ticket for $50.00 or three tickets for $100.00 and the winning ticket will receive a Weber Spirit 310 Propane Gas Gril!!!!! Please purchase tickets at Powers Do It Best Hardware or by calling the hardware at 2314482572 or at 2318814408 or emailing jpowers@powershardware.com, Drawing will be conducted on Wednesday April 27 at 6 pm
http://www.weber.com/grills/series/spirit/spirit-e-310

Support the Robotics Team and win a gas grill !

Congratulations to the Miraculous Beaver Island Robotics Team on their quest for a world championship "

(by Jeff Powers)

Two Michigan Islands Are Close But So Different

By Terri Colby       Chicago Tribune Travel

“In town, there's a small bakery and deli where you can watch the sun rise as you sip a cappuccino on the front porch — no $10 fee required. Don't leave the island without watching a sunset ………………”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/travel/sc-inland-islands-travel-0426-20160419-story.html  

“This is a very nice piece that compares and contrasts McFudge Isle and Beaver Island. It includes a nice set of photos and comes out in the print Chicago Tribune Travel magazine May 1st. It is syndicated for wide distribution and will result in a lot of very good PR for Beaver Island. Thanks Terri Colby, we look forward to her return visit,” said “Chamber Guy”, Steve West. 

.....And What Happened There

by Cindy Ricksgers

National Honor Society Induction

The program began with a Welcome from Mrs. Judy Gallagher, Principal, followed by a brief background of the National Honor Society by Mrs. Connie Boyle, the NHS Adviser. The National Honor Society members and candidates described the NHS emblem and the cardinal principles:

The Emblem was described by Sarah Avery, NHS Senior. Schollarship was described by Simeon Richards, NHS Junior. Leadership was described by Katie LaFreniere. Service was described by Elizabeth Wiser, and Character was described by Forrest Avery.

The students that were inducted into the National Honor Society were Forrest Avery, Katie LaFreniere, and Elizabeth Wiser. These inductees recited the NHS pledge and received their membership cards.

This ceremony was followed by a reception for the new NHS members, parents, faculty, school board members and BICS students.

The three inductees.......the inductees plus Sarah

(Borrowed pictures)

(Pictures by Deb Bousquet)

Video of the Ceremony

Petitions Turned In for St. James Township Board

The governing board for St. James Township has probably the largest slate in its history. With the retirement of Jean Wierenga, Jim Wojan, and Rick Speck, and their decisions to not run again, some in the community were concerned about who would be willing to run for these positions. The deadline for turning in a petition was yesterday, April 19, 2016, at 4 p.m. The following list of those running for these positions was provided by Jean Wierenga, Clerk of St. James Township:

1.  Supervisor - Kitty McNamara and Bill Haggard

2.  Clerk - Dawn Marsh and Alice Belfy

3.  Treasurer - Diane McDonough and Richard Gillespie

4.  Trustees to fill two seats - Elaine West, Travis Martin, Bob Tidmore, and Jeff Powers

Alice Belfy, Kitty McNamara, and Dawn Marsh are running as Democrats and the rest are running as Republicans.

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 20, 2016

These weeks are speeding past, it's already Wednesday! Right now I'm showing that it's 37° outside, clear skies, wind is at 3 mph from the east, humidity is at 83%, pressure is steady at 1026 mb, and visibility is 9.5 miles. Today: Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Rain showers and a chance of thunderstorms after midnight. Lows in the mid 40s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mp.

On this date of April 20, 1916 - Chicago's Wrigley Field held its first Cubs game with the first National League game at the ballpark. The Cubs beat the Cincinnati Reds 7-6 in 11 innings.

Did you know that the original design of Monopoly was circular?

Word of the day: esemplastic (es-em-PLAS-tik) which means having the ability to shape diverse elements or concepts into a unified whole. Esemplastic was coined by Samuel Taylor Coleridge in his seminal work of literary criticism, Biographia Literaria, published in 1817.

BICS Students Trip to Costa Rica

The Spanish Language Immersion and Cultural Studies Program began on March 27, 2016, and the program ran until April 12, 2016 for high school students attending Beaver Island Community School. Below are the pictures of the students returning to Beaver Island taken at Welke Airport.

Students returned to the island

Pictures of the return at Welke Airport HERE

On April 19, 2016, Deb Bousquet interviewed some of the participant in the program of immersion and cultural studies. These were the participants that were at school on the 19th, one week after their return:

Katie Lynn LaFreniere...........Brennan Jones...................Kai Drost

Zack Bousquet................Turner Jones.............Svetlana Stebbins

Mark Engelsman...........Adam Richards

Interviews of Some Participants in the Costa Rica Trip HERE

Waste Management Committee Meeting

April 19, 2016

Members present were Chairman Bill Kohls, Secretary Jean Wierenga, Ernie Martin, Paul Welke, Bill Haggard, and Joe Moore.

First on the agenda was the hiring of a new employee. Discussion of the candidates took place. The committee decided that Joe Timsak would take the position, be paid a starting hourly wage of $14 per hour with a review in six months, and would work approximately 30 hours per week. Discussion took place about whether the other part time, seasonal job would have any conflicts, and it was determined that there should not be any.

Next, the committee has previously realized that the manager/director of the BI Transfer Station had actually received a drop in pay by paying him the starting salary of $32,000. Bob Marsh had actually made more prior to taking the head position when paid an hourly rate. His three month review was positive, so the committee made two decisions. First, the back pay amount of $1000.00 was approved, and then the committee acted on a previous motion to increase Bob's salary, starting with the new fiscal year of April 1, 2016, would be raised to $36,000.

Next, it was determined that the Peaine Township Board had approved the WMC budget, but it had not been presented to St. James Township for approval. The budget will be sent to the committee members and the two board members from St. James Township will present it for approval at the next meeting.

Bob Marsh gave a report on the slight increase in cost for using the barge. He reported that items had been shipped by barge and by BI Boat Company. The staff is ready to begin the spring maintenance, and research on new containers is underway.

The meeting schedule was presented and approved consisting of quarterly meetings the third Tuesday of the month at 9 a.m. for July and October of 2016, January and April of 2017. Any other meetings needed will be posted as special meetings.

Apartment at McCafferty's Hotel

by Cindy Ricksgers

BICS Board Meeting

April 18, 2016, at 7 p.m.

BICS School Board Packet for April 18, 2016

March Meeting Minutes..... Agenda for April 18th

Finance Report for April 2016

Video for most of the meeting is HERE

BICS Community Meeting

(This is event is planned to be live-streamed on the Internet by News on the 'Net.)

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 19, 2016

A bit cooler this morning at 36°, feels like 30°, wind is at 6 mph from the NE, humidity is at 93%, pressure is steady at 1029 mb, and visibility is at 9.5 miles. Today: Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s. East winds 5 to 10 mph.

On this date of April 19, 1775 - The American Revolution began as fighting broke out at Lexington, MA.

Did you know that more people die from falling coconuts then from shark attacks?

Word of the day: slithy (SLY-thee) which means smooth and active; slimy; slithery. Slithy was coined by Lewis Carroll in his 1871 novel "Through the Looking-Glass". A blend of slimy and lithe.

Two Mailed Documents from BICS

Regarding the School Election Millage

Brenna and Tim Wearn's New Addition

Ronan and Conlan are proud to introduce their new baby brother, Eamon Francis, born at 1:38 pm, 7 lbs 9 oz, and 21 inches long! We all love him very much!

Not This Day

by Cindy Ricksgers

Bob Banville Obituary

Robert Matthew Banville “Bondo Bob”, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away Friday morning April 15, 2016 at his home on Beaver Island.

Born February 23, 1942 in Elyria Ohio, Bob was full of life with a larger than life personality. “Can’t do” was not part of his vocabulary.  He was always curious and eager to experience life. Bob completed the 1000 mile Iditarod, rode a camel in Saudi Arabia, drove race cars, and served in the US Army in Ethiopia where some of his favorite stories came from.  He was passionate about his faith, his family, hunting on Garden Island, fishing, boating, flying, cooking and eating, and most of all storytelling or talking!  Bob had a huge presence in so many lives.  It is a void that could never be filled.

Bob started his career as a flight instructor, then a pilot for FedEx.  He also was a Captain for Piedmont Airlines.  Next, Bob opened RMB Automotive Body Shop.  He retired in 1996 and moved to Beaver Island to fulfill his dream of building a log home and opening Shanoule B & B.  In 2000 he married Joan LaFreniere and became a part of a family who loved him dearly.  Bob was the president of the Beaver Island Wildlife Club, a member and usher at Holy Cross Parish, and served 10 years on the Board of Directors at the Beaver Island Community Center where he was instrumental in the reconstruction of the original façade of the building.

Bob was preceded in death by his father Robert Matthew Banville, sister Barbara Banville Acosta, mother Mary Louise (Bolly) Banville, and his beloved dogs Barney and Russell.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Joan LaFreniere of 16 years, son Ian (Holli) Becker, daughter Rachel Becker, grand children Rhiannon Becker and Broghan Becker, honorary grandchildren Nora and Hazel, sister Pat (Banville) Dick, nieces and nephews who were very special to him, countless friends that he loved spending time with, and his beloved cat, Bobbalou.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday April 23, 2016 at Holy Cross Catholic Church on his beloved Beaver Island. A vigil will be held at Holy Cross on Friday April 22, from 6 – 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s name to Forest View Retirement Community or the Beaver Island Community Center.

Please visit Bob's guestbook at www.winchesterfuneralhome.com

From Margo Marks

President of Beaver Island Boat Company

Tim McQueer Retires after 20 Years with US Army

I believe strongly that Tim deserves to be recognized for his service to our country. I don't think many people know he has been working 2 jobs for quite a while.

"We often take for granted the freedoms we enjoy.  It is important to take the time to say "Thank You"  to our dedicated soldiers who have sacrificed so much for our great country, especially when the soldier is one of our own.  Our Operations Manager Tim McQueer is retiring from his post as First Sergeant of the 182nd Transportation Unit of Traverse City, Michigan giving 20 years of service to the U.S. Army.  Please join us in saying thank you to First Sergeant McQueer for his dedication, service, and sacrifice.  Beaver Island Boat Company is proud to support the U.S. Army Reserves and we congratulate First Sergeant McQueer upon his retirement from the U.S. Army."

Osprey Mate Returns

Viewed today are two ospreys in the neighborhood and in the nest on top of the microwave tower on Sloptown Road. Sometime between April, 17, 2016, around 3 p.m., and April 18, 2016, at 9:30 a.m., the two ospreys met and reenforced the nest on top of the tower. Today, April 18th, one osprey was sitting in the dead tree making sounds unique to the osprey, which was the first clue that the mate was back. The osprey in the tree flew off and landed in the nest. Less than three minutes later, the mate landed in the nest with a fish, and then flew back off to the dead tree. Hopefully, these osprey will be successful in raising some chicks in that nest.

Small gallery of pictures HERE

No tripod video clip

A little jumpy.

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 18, 2016

It's 47° outside this morning, feels like 44°, wind is at 7 mph from the SW, humidity is at 71%, pressure is steady at 1028 mb, and visibility is at 9.6 miles. Today: Partly sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Southwest winds at 10 mph shifting to the northwest in the afternoon. Tonight: Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. A 20% chance of rain showers. Lows in the upper 30s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

On this date of April 18, 1775 - American revolutionaries Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott rode though the towns of Massachusetts giving the warning that the Regulars were coming out. Later, the phrase "the British are coming" was attributed to Revere even though it is unlikely he used that wording.

Did you know that Peru has more pyramids than Egypt?

Word of the day: pecuniary (pi-KYOO-nee-er-ee) which means of or relating to money. Pecuniary can be traced to the Latin term pecūnia meaning "property, money" with the root pecū me

Almost A Perfect Sunday

by Joe Moore

The day started quite normally with a couple cups of coffee. The sun was shining, and it looked to be a perfect spring day. The plan for the day was to relax and take it easy, but that doesn't mean sitting around doing nothing to me. I was off to return the emergency response vehicle to the EMS garage since I was not the on-call paramedic this Sunday. My relief for the day is a good friend and colleague. I dropped off the echo car and walked to the church, Holy Cross. There I got out a my violin, checked the tuning, and prepared the music stand and the music for the Communion hymn. I got the video and computer equipment ready to live stream the Mass on the Internet. We were live from Holy Cross Catholic Church on Beaver Island.

The live stream went well. I played the Offertory hymn on the organ, and got to play my violin with one of my former students. I got to sing hymns and enjoyed the readings, the message, and the group in the choir loft until this service ended. I packed up my violin, shut down the organ, and turned off the video live stream and computer equipment. A perfect beginning to a beautiful day was had by all in attendance.

At home, I updated the website, this website, began the processing of the video which can be viewed below on this page. I thawed out some homegrown shredded hash brown potatoes and put them in the oven to cook for brunch. I took the dogs out so they could meander in the back yard in the sunshine and find the new smells of the day. Gizmo even laid down on the grass to soak up the sunshine and its warmth. I contemplated working in the little garden back there, but decided to make sure that the hash browns didn't burn in the oven, so we went back inside. I finished cooking breakfast while chasing the squirrels away from the bird feeder with a pellet gun. Luckily, I didn't kill any of them. It was a delicious breakfast shared with my wife.

I went back to work and finished processing the video of the Mass excerpts for the day. This took quite a while. While the video was converting, I began writing another set of memories of helping people by being an EMS provider on Beaver Island. I looked out the window and saw that the sun was still shining. We had talked about going for a ride on the next nice day, so that decision was made, and off we went.

We purposefully decided to go "Around the Horn" backwards. For those that don't know what that means, we decided to go around the island starting on the West Side, driving down the island to Iron Ore Bay and then coming back up the East Side. We stopped at a few places. We took the time to look. We drove slowly. We took pictures of the places that we stopped. We took the Old Fox Lake Road and stopped at Fox Lake. We continued down the West Side and stopped at Greene's Lake. All in all, it was a beautiful day, good company, and gorgeous views. This trip took about three and a half hours, but it was time well spent with my wife and my mother-in-law.

As we were coming back north on the East Side, we stopped to check out Cable's Creek, and, as I was admiring the quiet, relaxing sounds of the flowing water, I had yet another idea. Getting back in the car, all three of us were obviously worn out from a day of fresh air and sun, so I suggested we have a glass of wine or a beer. This lead to a stop at the Donegal Danny's where I said hello to other friends. It's now well after 6 p.m., so why not go out to dinner? So down we went to the Shamrock to have dinner.

Here are some pictures of the day in the form of a gallery: HERE is the collection.

A few sights and sounds video of the trip

We had a good dinner at the Shamrock. I went up to pay the bill while my wife helped my mother-in-law out to get back in the car to take her to the point. We always take a trip to the point before taking her home. Then came the cause of the word "Almost" in the title. While waiting to pay my bill. I greeted a friend with a smile and a handshake, and was immediately verbally assaulted and accused of something. I valued the friendship. The friendship meant a lot to me, but apparently it didn't to that person. In his anger, he tried to bully me. So much for friendship.

The sun was still shining outside. The day was not over until the trip to the point. It's now 5 a.m., and other than the "almost": it was a Perfect Sunday. It's not such a perfect Monday morning as I mourn the loss of a good friendship with lack of sleep. It was "Almost a Perfect Sunday."

Mass Exerpts from Holy Cross

Catholic Church, April 17, 2016

....................Fr. Mathew Wigton.....Deacon Jim, Fr. Mathew, and Emmalee

Link to Video HERE

Why is BINN live streaming Mass from Holy Cross?

For the three Sundays so far in April, ninety-one (91) unique IP addresses have viewed the live streamed Mass from Holy Cross.

The 52 Lists Project, #16

by Cindy Ricksgers

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 17, 2016

Huge congratulations to the BI Robotics Team (BIROBOTS), who have qualified to continue on to the World Robotics Competition in St. Louis Missouri! Might be a very, very small school, but we also have very, very talented kids!

It's 39° on the island right now, wind is at 3 mph from the SE, humidity is at 86%, pressure is steady at 1031 mb, and visibility is at 9.6 miles. Today: Sunny. Highs around 70°. South winds at 10 mph shifting to the west in the afternoon. Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 40s. South winds at 10 mph.

On this date of April 17, 1492 - Christopher Columbus signed a contract with Spain to find a passage to Asia and the Indies.

Did you know that Hawaii is the only US state that grows coffee commercially?

Word of the day: somaticize (suh-MAT-uh sahyz, SOH-muh-tuh-) which means to convert anxiety into physical symptoms. Somaticize is the verb form of somatic, which stems from the Greek sōmatikós, "of, pertaining to the body." Ultimately both terms derive from the Greek sôma meaning "body."

Osprey on Nest

The osprey is up on the tower on Sloptown Road awaiting its mate. There is no mate around yet, and apparently this osprey is not worried about it. The osprey is not making the normal sounds sent out from the nest to get the mate to return. The happy reunion will hopefully happen in the next week or so.

Video of Osprey

REALLY RELATIVE REASONS

by Joe Moore

(This story is true, not fictional.)

In rural EMS, particularly on an Island in Lake Michigan thirty-two miles from mainland Michigan, we have to take care of patients that we are related to, truly relatives.

My oldest son Philip Michael was in college getting his Master's degree in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts from Central Michigan University.  He and I had discussed the possibility of doing a documentary about BIEMS.  At the time I was the chairperson of BIEMS, and I thought this project would be a great advertisement for rural EMS in general and Beaver Island EMS in particular.  Mike is what we called him since Phillip was his grandfather, and grandpa lived on the island.  He was still called PM by his grandmother and his godmother, but his mother and I called him Mike or Michael.  It must be a little disconcerting to be called by many different names, but our son seemed to make it through okay.  Nowadays he doesn't want to be called Michael Moore because there is a famous one, and our Mike isn't interested in famous.

Philip decided to do this documentary and got his professor's approval to do it as his final project for his Master's degree.  In order to film his documentary, Phil needed to move back home for a while leaving his wife to spend a few weeks on the Island.  There is no way anyone could have predicted the situation that occurred while he was home.  Truth is stranger than fiction.

On a frosty morning in March, the pager went off at 3 am.  "Station 57 EMS, your ambulance is needed at ... Main Street." 

I immediately jump out of bed pulling my pants on as quickly as my groggy head will allow.  I throw on my shirt, and sit down in the family room to pull on my socks and put on my shoes.  "Station 57 EMS, respond to ... Main Street, for an 80 year old man with difficulty breathing..."

 "Central, could we have a name on that residence?" Gerald asks over the radio. 

"This would be the Gregg residence," Central responds. 

Here is one other reason that rural EMS is different.  Who could have predicted that while my son is filming a documentary about BIEMS that his grandfather, my father-in-law, would be having a cardiac emergency?  Fate certainly provides us with challenges.  You think?  I am the only paramedic on the island.  I am responding lights and siren to my wife's father's emergency.  Talk about pressure....Talk about a twist of fate... As I pull up out front with my son's video camera rolling, I try to distance myself from the emotions that are creeping up my spine, threatening my professional and personal judgments. 

Joe, I say to myself, you must forget you are treating your father-in-law.  You must concentrate on the training and protocols that you know.  Take a deep breath and do what you do best.  With my mind clear of the emotion, and with no thought of the camera, I enter the house to find a very pale 80 year old male patient having difficulty breathing.  The first step is to get the patient on oxygen. "You want a non-rebreather at 15, I assume," Gerald states.

 "Yes, go ahead,” I mumble as I listen to crackles in both lungs.  "Let's get the cardiac monitor on him, and then let's get moving to the BIRHC," I spoke with a little more authority. 

I was finally fully awake and finally feeling like I might be able to handle this situation as we load up the patient and prepare him for transportation.  First stop, BIRHC.

I can't be sure of all the specifics of who did what when without looking back at the run report since this happened ten years ago, but some things are very clear.  The weather was not good, and it took extra time to get the aircraft ready.  We would use the local air transport airplane, and we would fly with the aircraft owner.  It was snowing and dark, but I didn't see much of anything past providing patient care.

At the rural health center, we got the IV, gave nitroglycerin, and gave Lasix for this patient in heart failure.  I know we did a 12-lead ECG at the house because I remembered giving this to the FNP.   The 12-lead revealed atrial fibrillation, a condition in which the top two chambers of the heart are not pumping effectively.   I also remember we gave this patient an Albuterol nebulizer breathing treatment.  In calling medical control to give report, I remember the nurse giving me an order for one nitroglycerin tablet.

I remember the look of concern on the entire crew's face as well as the FNP.  I also remember following protocol and giving more than one nitroglycerin.  My mother-in-law accompanied her husband all the way to the hospital.  We flew to Charlevoix and transferred the patient from the airplane to the Charlevoix EMS ambulance, but we kept the patient on the BIEMS ambulance cot all the way to the hospital.   You see, we had organized a whole set of equipment for taking care of this type of patient.  Our cardiac monitor was more than just a monitor/defibrillator.  We had a pulse oximeter, an automatic blood pressure monitor, a carbon dioxide monitor, as well as a 12-lead ECG built into it.  We have a special portable oxygen device called an "Oxi-clip" that holds the oxygen tank on the rail of our ambulance cot.  We also have a special stand that fits over the patient's legs on our cot that will hold the monitor's equipment and supplies.  We were using all the equipment that night or early morning so it was just easier to put our cot into their ambulance.  We can't do this anymore because they switched brand and model of cot.  We try to save money by using the equipment that we have for as long as we can. 

When we arrived at the hospital, I give verbal report to the nurse in the emergency room listing off the total medications given to the patient.  When I give the total doses of nitroglycerin, the nurse snaps back at me, "I only gave you an order for one nitroglycerin."  It's obvious to me that this nurse has not worked with ALS ambulances much, and it's also obvious that she has never been required to read the protocol book that paramedics operate from.

According to the standing orders, I don't need an order from medical control to give nitroglycerin tablets for the first three doses so I respond, "I did give one nitro.  I just gave the one nitro three times spread out according to protocol, as needed to make my patient more comfortable and to allow him to breathe more easily."  After finishing my report, I left the handwritten report on the nurse’s desk, gathered my equipment, and went back into the patient's room. 

"Do you need anymore information about this patient?" I ask. 

The nurse said, "No,” and I sat down next to my mother-in-law to see how she was doing.  I could resume my normal emotions again since the hospital had taken responsibility for the patient.  It was then that the nurse realized from our conversation that I was related to the patient.  The doctor came in and assigned Phil to the Intensive Care Unit with orders to start a nitroglycerin drip and more Lasix.  I guess I didn't do wrong by giving the nitroglycerin. 

Phil was transferred up to Northern Michigan Hospital to be taken care of by his cardiologist.  I went to visit him up there, and talked to the cardiologist.  They provided Phil with excellent care, treated him with blood thinners and cardiac drugs and then used electricity to shock his heart back into normal electrical activity.

If treating your father-in-law isn't different enough for you, what would you think about assessing, treating, and transporting your own daughter?  My wife and I had to take our 16 year old daughter down to have her tonsils removed in Traverse City.  The surgery went fine, but they don't keep people in the hospital for this tonsilectomy like they used to do.  I admit my tonsilectomy was a few years ago, 50 or so, but they kept me in the hospital for three days. 

One week to the day after her tonsilectomy, my 16 year old was bleeding profusely from the area of her tonsils.  We went right across-- I live across the street from the rural health center--to have her assessed.  It was immediately determined that she needed to go to the hospital to be evaluated by her doctor.  She would not stop bleeding.  There was no way to wait the five hours before Northflight would be available.  The local flying service could not fly, so we were required to contact the United States Coast Guard Air Station in Traverse City, Michigan, for an emergency medical evacuation. 

As I was reporting to the flight surgeon that needed to authorize the flight, “We have a 16 year old female with an elevated pulse rate and an elevated respiratory rate who has lost approximately 500 milliliters of blood with active bleeding. The patient has vomited once probably due to swallowing blood and/or blood clots. We request an emergency medivac flight from Beaver Island Township Airport to Traverse City Airport." 

"The flight is authorized.  I will notify Traverse City Air Station."

Two phone calls later a helicopter is dispatched to the other airport on the Island, the township airport.  We load up my daughter onto the cot, and load her into the ambulance.  The Coast Guard is on its way, but they will only take the patient and the paramedic, no family. They did not know that the parent and the paramedic were one and the same person.  As we await the chopper, my daughter's bleeding slows.  I only need to suction her airway every 30 seconds instead of almost constantly. 

The helicopter lands and my daughter is able to step off the BIEMS ambulance cot and slide into the chopper with help from two USCG crew members.  I climb in too, and I help her into a seat.  We place the bucket in her lap, and while she holds the suction catheter, I climb into my seat holding the suction machine, the oxygen tank, and the IV bag.  Without a cot and accessories for the cot, there is no place to put any of the equipment, so it had to go on our laps or on the deck, and the deck was pretty well covered by people parts. 

Andrea doesn't remember the suctioning that I did to help her, but she does remember the good looking (her words) crew member that helped her and who kept checking on her well-being. 

We landed Traverse City Airport and were met there by Northflight ground ambulance.  I want to note some major differences between the island side of this flight and the mainland side of this flight.  Andrea and I both needed to walk carrying all the equipment about 25 yards after we got out of the helicopter with no help from the mainland ambulance service.  Once we walked to them, they helped Andrea onto their cot and loaded her and it into the ambulance.  They did not switch her over to their oxygen or provide any treatment or assessment.  They did not even take a set of vital signs.  With what they did, we could have gotten better service from a taxi cab. 

The charge for this "service" was $560.00.  I gave them a verbal report and a written report, signed their papers as parent, and listened while they reported my vital signs to the hospital.  I used the BIEMS suction and tissues to clean up my daughters face and chin.  After arriving at the hospital they left us in an exam room, and I didn't see them again. 

The Ultimate Trip

THE ULTIMATE TRIP
By Joe Moore

(This story is a true story, and is presented with permission of the patient.)

Here I am sitting down in a restaurant waiting for my teacher colleagues and internationally-known education and brain research expert Larry Brendtro.  He is here on Beaver Island to make a presentation at the Peaine township hall from 7-9 p.m. on "Making Children Respectful."  I have just finished the ultimate emergency run, the most difficult run of my career as a paramedic.  I have just been responsible on an ALS ambulance run with my wife as the patient.

She collapsed into a chair at work.  She managed to call the school where I work, and told the school secretary, "Tell Joe to get over here right now." She came down to my room with that message; I grabbed my coat, and then walked out of the school.  I walked quite quickly to the district library where she was a librarian.  I entered the front door of the library that was being held open by the painter.  The library ceiling was being painted.  I saw my wife, and she looked like she was very sick.  She was very pale.  Her skin was cool, and she was sweating profusely.

"How are you doing, honey?" I asked her while holding her hand with one of my hands while taking her pulse with the other.

"Not so good," she stated matter-of-factly.  "I don't feel so good."

"You don't look so good either," I teased.  "What happened?" I queried.

She had a radial pulse and was breathing a little fast and obviously having some difficulty catching her breath.

I could tell she was sick.  I reached for my radio, and called Central Dispatch, "Central, 5743, can you dispatch an ambulance to the Beaver Island District Library for a 58 year-old female with difficulty breathing?"  The pager went off less than a minute after Central acknowledged my radio traffic, but it seemed like an eternity. 

I had no equipment with me, so I couldn't do much but calm and reassure her.

My thought processes included the fight between my emotional brain (EB) and my logical brain (LB).  The EB seriously wanted to make me a quivering bowl of Jell-O with no ability to think at all.  The LB was fighting its way up to the top.  It was almost like the LB was trapped down in the bottom of an old well clawing its way to the top.  The logical brain had finally fought to the top with the emotional brain quite alert and watchful.  What are you going to do?  Are you going to become that bowl of Jell-O or are you going to think through this and participate in your wife's assessment and treatment?

When the ambulance crew, my friends and neighbors, arrived, thank God I had control of my emotions, and my normal self came to the surface.

"Okay, guys and gals, we have a 58-year-old female who needs oxygen by nonrebreather mask.  This is a load-and-go medical. There is no trauma involved.  Let's get the oxygen on and get moving to the rural health center."

I could tell that I was losing the logical-emotional battle of my brain. There did not happen to be another paramedic available on Beaver Island at the time, so I had to keep it together at least until we got the patient to the rural health center.  We loaded my wife into the back of the ambulance, and I rode in the back and gathered a pertinent past history from my patient.  I did not have to ask her the questions in SAMPLE, but I did for the other provider's knowledge. 

We loaded my wife on the cot, and quickly the crew loaded her into the back of the ambulance.   “Do you want the cardiac monitor?” Gerald asked. 

“Not now, we can wait until we get to the rural health center,” I replied, trying to sound unconcerned, but truly worried.  I can tell you that I was not as calm, cool, and collected on the inside as I was able to show on the outside.  I didn’t know what was causing this problem, and I was really worried.  “Could this be a heart attack?” I wondered.  “An allergic reaction since she has allergies to shellfish, bee stings, and all nuts?  A COPD attack with hypoxia (difficulty breathing caused by lung damage from smoking)? 

To be honest here, I was quite relieved when we arrived at the Beaver Island Rural Health Center, and I could turn responsibility for the patient over to another provider.  I knew that we would be shipping my wife off the Island on an emergency evacuation flight.  I also knew that I could not be paramedic and husband at the same time.  Since there was not other paramedic on the Island, I had to make a tough choice.  I had to wear my paramedic hat, and I had to explain that to my wife.  That was more difficult than anything else that I have ever done.  Phyllis was more understanding that I thought she would be when I told her that I was going to call her mother to be her support person.  I told her that I was going to have to remove my emotions as much as possible and try to be the person who would provide objective patient care to my patient.  I had to try to be rational instead of emotional.  I had to be the paramedic and not the husband.  If you have never tried to wear two or more hats at the same time, you will not understand how difficult this was.

Once Phyllis’ mother arrived at the BIRHC, I was able to move back into my paramedic role, knowing full well that her emotional needs were being met.  I could then concentrate on the many details that needed to be accomplished to arrange the air transport.  “Do you want to transport her by Northflight or Island Airways?” Gerald asked.  “The difference, as you well know, is that insurance will pay for Northflight, and not Island Airways.” (This was years before Island Airways and BIEMS licensed the aircraft transport operation.)

“I’m not interested or worried about my insurance right now.  Let’s arrange the quickest way off the Island, Island Airways,” I said both as paramedic and as husband.  “If they can fly right now, let’s get this moving,” I concluded.

“You’re sure, “he asked.

“Absolutely,” I answered.  “Besides, we have to get one patient transported right away because I was just informed we might have another patient with a possible stroke down at Lake Generserath.  It looks like I’m going to have to do a quick turn-around at Charlevoix Hospital and come right back leaving Phyllis and her mom there.  This run is obviously ALS and the next one probably will be also.”

“Okay,” Gerald said, “we’ll get the ball rolling with Island Airways.”

The nurse practitioner started an IV of Normal Saline, continued the oxygen therapy, and placed my wife on the cardiac monitor.  She said, “Her vitals are stable now.  We’re not sure what could have caused this, but it’s serious enough to ship her off the Island and get her evaluated in Charlevoix.  I know you’ll feel better about this if we do send her.”

I had to give up my husband hat, finally put on the paramedic hat.  “Okay, what kind of problems do you think we might encounter on the flight to Charlevoix.  I would like to be prepared for anything that might happen in the plane,” I spoke clearly, but my voice was breaking almost like when I was an adolescent with my voice changing. 

“We’re not sure whether this is an allergic reaction or a heart attack.  Make sure you are prepared for either.  Have some nitro out to give it, if necessary, if she has more chest pain or more difficulty breathing. She's already on oxygen and get her to the hospital.”

We loaded the patient (my wife) onto the BIEMS ambulance cot, hooked her to our cardiac monitor, pulse oximeter, and automatic BP monitor, and loaded her into the ambulance.  The trip to the mainland of Michigan was uneventful, except for the bumpy airplane ride, the loading into and out of the aircraft, and the patient report given to Charlevoix EMS, “This patient is my wife.  She is having difficulty breathing and chest pain.  Her vital signs are all stable.  Let’s get her to the hospital.”

The Charlevoix EMS crew gave a HEARN radio report using my vital signs, and I continued patient care in the back of their ambulance.  We were at the hospital in about five minutes after loading the patient into the back of their ambulance.  They wheeled her into the Emergency Room, and I gave another patient report to the RNs there who were to take over patient care.  I walked back behind the counter and said to the two physicians on-call, “Take good care of this patient.  She is my wife.  Please take good care of her while I go back to the Island, and see about a possible stroke patient.”  We gathered the equipment quickly and loaded back into the ambulance, to the airport, and on a quick flight back to Beaver Island where we thought we might have yet one more patient in need of help.

I flew quickly back to Beaver Island on the aircraft that we brought the patient in, but my mind was still in Charlevoix, hoping that this situation would not be too serious.  Upon arrival back on the Island, we had the typical cleanup, stocking, and computer MerMAID report to complete, fax to the hospital and rural health center, and then check into the status of our second patient.  Wow, this run had taken less than two-and-one-half hours!  That is pretty amazing for our rural Island EMS group.  My partner and I waited at the rural health center until the FNP was able to talk to us.  We discussed the previous run, and found out that the second run would not be necessary.  The possible stroke patient was having TIAs and these were common with her.  There was no need to transport her to the hospital.  She was treated and released at the rural health center.

The belief of the physicians and the patient as well as the paramedic is that the patient was having an allergic reaction to the latex paint fumes.  The patient was fine prior to the opening of the can of paint.  The patient returned to normal after a night spent in a motel in Charlevoix, returned home, but stayed away from the library until the painting was done and the library aired out to remove the fumes of the latex paint.  No further issues were experienced at the library after returning to work.

Here's the Thing

by Cindy Ricksgers

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 16, 2016

It's 37° outside this morning, clear skies, wind is at 4 mph from the SE, humidity is at 78%, pressure is rising from 1029 mb, and visibility is 9.9 miles. Today: Sunny. Highs in the upper 60s. Southeast winds at 10 mph. Tonight: Clear. Lows in the lower 40s. Light winds.

On this date of April 16, 1982 - Queen Elizabeth proclaimed Canada's new constitution in effect. The act severed the last colonial links with Britain.

Did you know that Hawaii was originally called the Sandwich Islands?

Word of the day: endemic (en-DEM-ik) which means natural to or characteristic of a specific people or place. Endemic stems from the New Latin endēmicus, which in turn is formed on the basis of the Greek dêmos meaning "people." It entered English in the mid-1600s.

Bob Banville Passed Away

Bob Banville passed away this morning at home on Beaver Island. Visitation will be Friday, April 22, 2016, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm with the Rosary at 7:45 p.m. at Holy Cross Church. The Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Holy Cross Church with Fr. Pat Cawley officiating. There will be a Tribute to Bob at Amvets Park immediately following Mass. A luncheon will follow at Holy Cross Parish Hall.

More information will be posted when available.

Osprey is Back at the Nest

One osprey is back at the nest on April 15, 2016.

Lost Days

by Cindy Ricksgers

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 15, 2016

It's 39° this morning and feels like 33°. Wind is at 8 mph from the SE with gusts to 17 mph, humidity is at 68%, pressure is steady at 1027 mb, and visibility is 9.8 miles. Today: Sunny! Highs around 60°. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. SPRING IS HERE! Tonight: Clear. Lows int he upper 30s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph.

On this date of April 15, 1912 - The ocean liner Titanic sank in the North Atlantic after hitting an iceberg the evening before. 1,517 people died and more than 700 people survived.

Did you know that the Titanic was built in Belfast, Ireland?

Word of the day: blet (blet) which means to overripen to the point of rotting. Blet was coined by the botanist John Lindley in 1835, from the French blettir (to overripen).

Professional Study of Air Transportation from 2011

by Joe Moore

Are you aware that the two townships, BIEMS, and BIRHC participated in a professional study of the Air Medical Evacualtion Transportation of emergency patients back in 2011. "The Feasibility Evaluation for Establishing a Fixed Wing Medical Evacuation Capability for Beaver Island EMS" was completed by Leading Edge Aviation Consulting in July 2011. This evaluation contains statistics for the years of 2007-May 2011. These facts include the number of evacuations for each year, the method of evacuation, and the comparison of day and night evacuations. This report also contains the typical wait time for off-Island evacuation aircraft. All of this data is accurate even today, five years after the report was published.

The continuation of the data might be interesting to show that would provide the numbers of evacuations for June 2011-April 2016, the method of evacuation, and the typical times for the evaucation departure, but first this student should be reviewed by those that may have questions about this issue. The evaluation is available from at least two locations.

http://www.charlevoixcounty.org/downloads/feasibility_evaluation_2011.pdf and http://beaverislandnewsarchives.com/Beaver%20Island%20News/122312%20BIEMS%20FW%20AA%20Evaluation.pdf

The professionally prepared report will provide a great deal of insight into the need to maintain a locally licensed emergency air transport service for the Island residents and visitors. There may be some who believe that they know more than the EMS providers and this professional, but, looking closely at the thoroughness of this evaluation, should easily provide factual information instead of simple opinions about this necessity. This report also provides the actual legislation and administrative rules for this operation. Perhaps those interested in having another flying service provide this kind of emergency evacuation service can use this evaluation to help them get where it needs to go.

Some of the advertising on Beaver Island is not truthful, and emergency medical transport is one of those areas. If any emergency medical evacuation is necessary to get a patient from anywhere on Beaver Island to any hospital on the mainland, Beaver Island Emergency Medical Services should be involved in that emergency medical transportation since it is the only licensed and certified agency on Beaver Island for providing this service. If an emergency is taking place due to a medical illness and/or injury, and the patient needs to get to the hospital on the mainland, Beaver Island EMS will professionally handle the transport arrangements.

The following numbers are approximate and not official, but they a very close approximation to the reality of the number of patients transported by air evacuation:

Just like the statistics shown in the original report found at the links above, these statistics provide some interesting facts. The percentage of flights made by Island Airways, this time licensed by Beaver Island EMS as a State of Michigan air transport vehicle, is in actuality 57% over the last four and half years, which is a lower percentage than the evaluation report. The flights by Northflight were 24% and Valley Med was 7% (up from the evaluation report), and USCG flights are 2% (down since the evaluation report), You should notice that the greatest majority of medical evacuation flights in 2015 took place using Island Airways. This percentage is close to the same percentage given in the Feasability Report, which was an important goal.

Why are the greatest majority of flights made by the locally licensed air transport vehicle? The answer is simply answered in the Conclusion to the Feasability Study document:

"Conclusion
Although the current MEDEVAC system that BIEMS is using to get patients off the island has worked in the past it is non-compliant" (this is resolved) "with FAA and State regulatory requirements. This puts the EMS program, aircraft operator and medical and flight personnel at risk from a professional standpoint." (This is resolved.) "The need for an effective MEDEVAC system is a strategic necessity for the island to provide access to critical medical care facilities.
In summary, establishing a BIEMS air ambulance program would provide the following benefits;
1. Allow BIEMS to bill and collect for the transportation service.
2. Address the liability and compliance issues that exist with the current MEDEVAC system." (This is resolved.)
"3. Improve the response time for MEDEVAC off the island." (This is resolved using the local air transport service.)
"4. Compliance with FAA air ambulance operational regulations." (This is resolved.)

This report is as important today as it was when it was compiled. Every emergency medical transportation protocol for every serious medical emergency, whether injury or illness, suggest that the issue of time is the most important issue. Getting the patient with illness or injury to a definitive care facility as quickly as possible should be the primary concern for all involved in emergency care here on Beaver Island.

32 Miles of Water

A Documentary by Philip Michael Moore

As appropriate today as it was then!

This was Philip Michael Moore's Master's Degree project for Broadcast and Cinematic Arts back in 2004 showing the true needs of emergency air transport. This is not just an old situation, it is the same geographical situation we are still in. They have not built a bridge to the mainland. Getting someone to the definitive care in the shortest period of time is still the most important aspect of emergency care and transportation of emergency patients. When you are having your serious emergency, do you want to wait over an hour for emergency evacuation? Every single textbook in every single specialty surrounding emergency care use "Time" as the determining factor in success at relieving the threat of death and/or disability in serious emergencies such as heart attaack, stroke, serious traumas, and shock, to mention a few.

Susie Fisher's Contact Information

A phone call provided this information for those that may want to send cards or contact Susie. It sounds like she is doing better, able to get up and walk, and move around, and that she is lucid. Here is the info:

Mary Susan Fisher, Room #308, Glennbrokk Rehabilitation Home, 3811 Parness Avenue, Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805

Her phone number in her room is: 260-496-4579

Special Election on May 3rd

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 14, 2016

It's 35° outside this morning with a windchill of 30°, wind is at 6 mph from the SE, humidity is at 86%, pressure is steady at 1028 mb, and visibility is at 9.5 miles. Today: Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s. Southeast winds at 10 mph. Tonight: Clear. Lows in the mid 30s. Southeast winds 5 to 10 mph. Gusts up to 20 mph after midnight.

On this date of April 14, 1865 - U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in Ford's Theater by John Wilkes Booth. He actually died early the next morning.

Did you know that Porsche also builds tractors?

Word of the day: miche (mich) which means to lurk out of sight. Miche derives from the Old French term muchier meaning "to hide."

Timeout for Art: Coming Up Empty

by Cindy Ricksgers

Peaine Township Board Meeting

(Posted 8:15 p.m., 4/13/16)

April 13, 2016

View Video HERE

Merganser and Sandhills

View small gallery of pictures HERE

Short Video Clip

SAVE THE DATE!    Garden Tour Benefit   Wednesday, July 13th

SAVE THE DATE!    Garden Tour Benefit   Wednesday, July 13th
Another fun day of visits to several new Beaver Island gardens is in the works and we hope you can join us!  Good food (at the Lodge), good company (no more than 40 tickets sold), and gracious hosts who make it all possible, will complete the day.  Our volunteers are making this event better each year and we want to remind you that the proceeds (as well as our silent auction) will support our continuous efforts to beautify the Wellness Garden encompassing the BIRHC and Forest View campuses. A surprise speaker, and of course prizes, will be part of the lunch event. Transportation provided as usual and included in the ticket price! Look for more information as it becomes available through BIRHC, WVBI, and the news forums, as well as News On the Net. Mark your calendars, see you then,     The Wellness Garden Benefit Committee

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 13, 2016

Wednesday already, the weeks seem to be flying past. Right now I'm showing 30° with a windchill of 25°, wind is at 6 mph from the south, humidity is at 79%, pressure is steady at 1030 mb, and visibility is 9.7 miles. Today: Mostly cloudy. Scattered sprinkles and flurries. Highs in the mid 40s. Light winds. Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 30s. Southeast winds at 10 mph.

On this date of April 13, 1860 - The first mail was delivered via Pony Express when a westbound rider arrived in Sacremento, CA from St. Joseph, MO.

Did you know that the WD in WD-40 stands for Water Displacer?

Word of the day: avuncular (uh-VUHNG-kyuh-ler) which means of, relating to, or characteristic of an uncle. Avuncular entered English in the early 1800s. It finds its roots in the Latin word for "a mother's brother," avunculus, diminutive of avus meaning "a forefather."

The Trailer on the Water

by Cindy Ricksgers

St. James Sewer Meeting

April 12, 2016

Nine people were in attendance along with four board members for the Special Meeting called for 1 p.m. regarding the Sewer System. BINN recorded the meeting and it is available at the link below:

View video of this meeting HERE

Sewer Report

One More Day

by Cindy Ricksgers

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 12, 2016

Mother Nature is not in a hurry to change from her white outfit into a green one, but at least she now seems to be mulling the idea over in her head. Right now I'm showing 31°, windchill of 22°, wind at 12 mph from the NW with gusts up to 24 mph, humidity is at 85%, pressure is rising from 1019 mb, and visibility is at 9.5 miles. Today: Mostly cloudy. Numerous snow showers in the morning, then scattered flurries in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 30s. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph with gusts to around 25 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows int he lower 20s. Light winds becoming southeast at 10 mph with gusts to around 20 mph after midnight.

Owl in St. James

At least one snowy owl has taken up residence in the area near the Daddy Franks Restaurant. This is the second day in a row that it was seen in that area. Some reported that the owl was feeding on the ground in that area, but upon arrival of News on the 'Net, there was nothing there to show the dinner remains. The owl did, however, clean itself and do some preening on the roof right next door to the Daddy Franks truck. Thanks to Kathie Ehinger, owner of Daddy Franks for the tip about the owl's location.

Gallery of Snowy Owl Preening

Thank a Lineman Day

April 11, 2016

Camping

by Cindy Ricksgers

Special St. James Township Meeting on Sewer System

April 12, 2016, at 1 p.m.

Phyllis' Daily Weather

for April 11, 2016

It's 34° this morning, even with the windchill at 29°, it feels rather like a mini heat wave. humidity is at 99%, pressure is rising from 29.68, wind is from the WNW 6 to 10 mph. Today: Partly sunny. Isolated rain and snow showers in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 30s. West winds 5 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Gusts up to 30 mph. Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers and isolated rain showers in the evening, then chance of snow showers after midnight. Lows in the upper 20s. West winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph.

On this date of April 11, 1783 - After receiving a copy of the provisional treaty on March 13, the U.S. Congress proclaimed a formal end to hostilities with Great Britain.

Did you know that the Olympic flag was designed in 1913?

Word of the day: fuliginous (fyoo-LIJ-uh-nuh s) which means 1) sooty; smoky 2) the color of soot, as dark gray, dull brown, black, etc. Fuliginous can be traced to the Latin fūlīginōsus meaning "full of soot," with fūlīgō, "soot," as its root. It entered English in the mid-1500s.

Heron in the Dark

On the way home from the St. James Township Meeting, this heron was seen on a piling while almost dark. The camera had difficulty in focusing due to the lack of light after 8 p.m.

Return of the Emerald Isle 4/6/16

The Emerald Isle made its first run of the season taking cars over to the mainland and bringing freight, the Spartan truck, and vehicles back to the island. It was quite snowy and a little windy at Whiskey Point and down at the dock as you can see in the gallery of photos.

Gallery of photos of the return

Video of return of the Emerald Isle

 

Treatment or Transport-Which is More Important?

In a Cardiac Emergency such as chest pain
An Editorial by Joe Moore

Since there seems to be a difference in opinion between some health care providers about this issue, I thought it might be really important to, first of all, check the Amercian Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) textbooks for Experienced Providers (EP). There just might be some special discussions about why the EMS providers want to transport quickly, and primary care providers want to do treatments first. Since I am an ACLS Instructor, I had no problems getting the ACLS-EP textbook from the supplier. What I found there completely answers the question as clearly as anyone can answer it!

Since this book is written by the experts in the field of cardiology, etc., there should be no question about the answer to this question.  It would not be based upon your license level, nor your personally perceived expertise.   The American Heart Association is the premiere organization providing the guidelines for EMS and primary care providers.

First of all, the ACLS-EP textbook is used in courses for cardiologists, cardiology nurses, physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, registered nurses, as well as anyone who has been functioning in the field doing assessments and treating patients with chest pain. Below are a few quotes from this textbook to answer the question about which is more important, treatment or transport.

"The Problem of Delay
Any delay in coronary reperfusion reduces the effectiveness of fibrinolytic-based or catheter-based therapy, increases mortality, and decreases myocardial salvage. Because the potential for myocardial salvage decreases with time and most benefit occurs in the first few hours, patient, family members, EMS personnel, and healthcare providers should operate with a sense of urgency-----time is muscle." (So delay in transport is a serious issue.)

"Critical Concept: Guidelines recommend that healthcare providers instruct patients and family to activate EMS if symptoms persist or worsen five minutes after the first nitroglycerin dose. These patients may have STEMI or prolonged ischemia and are at risk for sudden cardiac death."

"IV Nitroglycerin is not routinely used in patients with STEMI." (A particular type of heart attack.)

"Critical Concept: Routine consultation with a cardiologist is not necessary except in equivocal or uncertain cases because it delays therapy and is associated with increased hospital mortality rates."

(The above quotes come directly out of ACLS for Experienced Providers, Manual and Resource Text, copyright 2013, American Heart Association)

The answer to the question as interpreted by this editor is that transport to definitive care is more important than treatment, and that treatment should occur in route to the hospital. This is exactly what the ACLS-EP guidelines state. This is exactly what our Charlevoix County Medical Control Authority EMS Protocols state. So, unless there is a delay caused by inability to transport, say due to weather, transport should be initiated as soon as possible with no delays.

The same is true of stroke symptoms, trauma except simple lacerations and bruises, shock including all types, any head injury, any internal bleeding, and basically any illness or injury that is an emergency requiring assessments and treatments not available in a doctor’s office. 

Early Boat Departs

This morning at 8:20 a.m. the Emerald Isle pulled away from the dock into a mix of snow, rain, and fog. All in all, a pretty nasty morning for a boat ride, but it left to hopefully bring back some items to stock the shelves of the store and other frieght waiting for it in Charlevoix.

1st Boat Leaving

 

Snowy Owl on Roof

On the roof of the home of Carol Bearss

During breakfast this morning, Deacon Jim Siler posted a picture of the USCG vessel coming to work on the buoys. Editor Joe Moore left the house and headed down to get pictures. This picture and video session lasted three hours, and then there was the processing of the pictures and the video. By about 3:15 p.m. the pictures and video were completed, uploaded, and posted on BINN for all our subscribers. Shoveling a little snow afterward, relaxing and checking facebook for a bit, and then it was dinner time. Sitting down to dinner, a facebook message notified the editor that there was a snowy owl on the roof across the road. Thank you very much, Lori Souders!

A quick trip into town found the owl on the roof of Carol Bearss' home, so a quick stop in the driveway of Bob Tidmore allowed some pictures and a little bit of video to be taken. Thanks, Bob and Kathy Tidmore!

View gallery of photos of the owl HERE

 

Interested in Running for Township Boards?

This information was presented to BINN from Kitty McNamara Green about running for township office.  The first link is to the Michigan Township Website which has a lot of general  information about township government.  The second link is from a tab on that site and it provides specific information about qualifications and deadlines for those interested in running - this tab includes a list of duties and responsibilities for board members.  All board positions in both townships are up for reelection every four years.   Nominating petitions can be picked up from either township clerk and must be turned in by 4:00pm on Tuesday, April 19, 2016. 

Link to general township information: https://www.michigantownships.org/  

Link to specific information for persons interested in running: https://www.michigantownships.org/runningfor.asp  

USCG Alder Sets Whiskey Point and Other Buoys

USCG Vessel Alder, 216, Comes to the Island

The Ice Buoy here all winter

Working on the exchange from ice buoy to bell buoy

Buoy placed and ready for navigation

View a gallery of pictures spanning from 8:30 a.m. until about 11:30 a.m. HERE

This year, even with the snow yesterday, will not require any ice breaking by the buoy tender (ice breaker) USCG #216, the Vessel Alder. There isn't any ice in the harbor, but the buoys still need to be replaced from ice buoys to bell buoys, and the channel in the harbor needs to be marked accurately. The vessel was here today, April 4, 2016, to complete its work in preparation for the navigation season. It was very cold outside with a windchill in the teens, and those on the vessel had to be feeling the cold. Nevertheless, they accomplished the Whiskey Point, St. James buoy #4 replacement on this cold morning.

Picture by Phyllis Moore of the smaller vessel used for checking the harbor channel buoys.

Video of the buoy replacement also took place over the same three hour time period. BINN has edited the three hours down to a little less than eleven minutes of video. It is available below.

Video of the Whiskey Point Buoy Replacement

 

World Premiere of

The Winter of 2014-2015

by Bob Tidmore

Beaver Island Winter
2014-2015

This video is a compilation of over 7,000 individual photographs that were taken every 10-minutes from late December 2014 thru early May of 2015.   .  The night photos were removed for the movie. The movie was produced using Apple’s iMoive.

Bob Tidmore

 

The Saddest Day

A fictional story by Joe Moore

In the mail came an envelope.  The envelope was part of a pile of bills, and I didn’t want to deal with them right away, so they were placed on my end table by my chair. 

I was worn out emotionally and tired physically from a busy day that included an emergency involving a psychiatric patient.  This kind of patient is just so demanding of patience, swallowing of provider pride, and preventing escalation of the situation into handling a combative patient.   The worst really did happen in my mind.  A person that I know and care about has to be sent to a hospital for a Community Mental Health evaluation with the outcome unknown.

Read the story HERE

Sharing Solutions Through Island Exchanges

Please join us at the Beaver Island Community Center on Thursday, April 28th from 3-5:30 p.m. for an Open House with the Office of Great Lakes, Maine's Island Institute, and Maine islanders.

 Meeting Objectives: 1) Information sharing-to summarize the major project activities to date, including progress towards advancing the Beaver Island priority issue areas and longer term coordination opportunities; and 2) Engagement-to seek support, interest, and involvement by Beaver Islanders and others to assist with project components going forward.

A direct link to the agenda can be found at: http://www.beaverislandassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/MaineBI_ExchangeMeeting.pdf

Sandhill Cranes

With a visit to Barney's Lake planned, the editor stopped at the boat launch area there and carefully walked to the bench just off to the left. There were sounds of the Sandhills down near the south end of the lake, so sitting very still and waiting seemed to be in order. Hope to see the sandhills or an eagle or an osprey was the real reason for this trip down there. All of a sudden a gun discharged somewhere to the southwest. A total of seven shots were heard with no idea where they were originating. After five shots these sandhills took off from the south end of Barney's Lake heading straight north and flew right over the head of editor Joe Moore. Luckily, no other shots were heard, but a hasty retreat was still in order.

A New Tick Arrives in Northern Michigan

View article HERE

Ten April Vacations

Beaver Island Included

View article HERE

Glen Arbor Sun Article

Mackinac Straits Line 5 “worst case” oil spill could stretch from Beaver Island to Michigan thumb

View HERE

Beaver Island Emergency Services Authority Meeting

March 31, 2016

Video of Meeting HERE

St. James Township Board Meeting

March 30, 2016

A small group of the dedicated attended the St. James Budget Hearing last night. This budget hearing included an extensive discussion and correction of the two budgets under discussion. The budget for April 1, 2015 through March 31, 2016 was amended to reflect the actual amount of expenditures. During the discussion of the funds, the new budget for April 1, 2016, through March 31, 2017, was also discussed and modified.

The discussion during the budget hearing took the majority of the time even though there were a total of three meetings scheduled for this night beginning at 7 p.m. The budget discussion took approximately 90 minutes, and, after review and corrections, was ultimately passed for both amended and proposed budgets.

The annual meeting and the short special meeting followed the budget hearing. The annual meeting went by quite quickly with the board salaries determined, the township attorney, auditor, insurance, bank, assessor, land use policy, and yacht dock rates approved very quickly. The meeting dates were set as the traditional first Wednesday of the month for this next fiscal year with no conflicts due to holidays being noted. There were no reports. For public comment, Elaine West brought up the deteriorating steps at the Governmental Center and suggested that this should be fixed, and that it has been brought up year after year with nothing being done.

The annual meeting was following immediately for a special meeting whose only purpose was to appoint the Zoning Board of Appeals members. Appointed to these positions were Jim Wojan and Don Tritsch.

Other comments included Kitty McNamara Green providing information about the Michigan Township Association website regarding the information about running for township office.

Video of this meeting HERE

Video Report for March 2016

The total number of unique IP addresses that view the Beaver Island News on the 'Net video for the month of March was 453 unique locations. These viewers viewed 3,131 video clips, and used over 100 GB of bandwidth and memory.

Two hundred and thirty-one of the unique IP addresses viewed live streaming video from the events in the month of March of 2016 used almost 21 GB of bandwidth.

Beaver Island News on the 'Net is always willing to accept advertisers and donors who are willing to help support this video work. If interested, contact the editor at medic5740@gmail.com.

Open House with the Office of Great Lakes, Maine's Island Institute, and Maine Islanders

April 28, 2016, from 3-5:30 p.m.

Please join us at the Beaver Island Community Center on Thursday April 28th from 3-5:30 p.m. for an Open House with the Office of Great Lakes, Maine's Island Institute, and Maine islanders.

This will continue the discussion on  “Sharing Solutions between Beaver Island, Michigan and Maine Island Communities – Building Local Capacity through Community Exchanges”. The purpose of the project is to initiate and facilitate dialogue and collaboration between the Beaver Island community and similar island communities along coastal Maine.

Meeting Objectives:  1) Information sharing-to summarize the major project activities to date, including progress towards advancing the Beaver Island priority issue areas and longer term coordination opportunities; and 2) Engagement-to seek support, interest, and involvement by Beaver Islanders and others to assist with project components going forward.

As isolated island communities, we have much in common and would benefit from sharing solutions to our most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges, which span multiple disciplines such as education, health care, and environment. Project partners anticipate that this project will lay the initial groundwork and galvanize interest among other island communities throughout the Great Lakes, with the potential to spur the creation of a broader, cross-region network of island communities.

Who should attend: community members, summer residents, business owners, local organizations, county and township officials, students, and anyone interested in the vitality of the Beaver Island community.

For further information contact Beaver Island Association board members or members of the “Maine Away Team”-Kitty McNamera, Ernie Martin, Bill McDonough, Patrick McGinnity, or Pam Grassmick.

Beaver Island Senior Meeting with Nancy Ferguson

March 30, 2016

Approximately fourty-two (42) people attend the meeting in the Hangout, the upstairs of the Community Center, for a meeting about the loss of senior services to seniors on Beaver Island. Based upon the information provided, senior services were lost. One family losing services times by more than one-half, as well as loss of Arthritis Exercise Program that went from three days per week back to one day per week. It was also determined that there is a serious lack of communication from the CC COA as it relates to Beaver Island, and a, seemingly less than positive view, of the Beaver Island Community regarding the voted taxes. "Please relate to the commission that Beaver Island did not vote "no" because senior services weren't important. Beaver Island voted "no" because the return to the island of tax dollars was inconsistent with the amount of money sent to the CC COA.

It was also noted that none of the letters or emails sent to the CC COA had been acknowledged, and there was no communication coming back to the island about the meeting with ideas presented and options offered at the January 2016 meeting with Shirley Gillespie. The meeting was video recorded and will be available shortly by the link given below:

View Video of the Meeting HERE

Bob Tidmore Presented this Information at the meeting today:

COA Brochure and Hi-Lites March 2016

BINN promised to provide this information online at a meeting today, March 30, 2016, and here it is.

COA Brochure

Hi-Lites March 2016

April 2016 (Thanks to Ann Partridge)

Conserving the Beaver Island Archipelago

Read this document HERE

Beaver Island Birding Events

Celebrate Beaver Island's spectacular location and habitats as birds and birders migrate to the island for the 2016 Warblers on the Waters (WOW) events.  An outstanding group of expert field guides and trips are scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend. Field trips, demonstrations, and presentations are free to registrants due to the generosity of island businesses and organizations.  For more information visit the Beaver Island Birding Trail's website: http://www.beaverislandbirdingtrail.org Registration for birding events has already been brisk, so please register ASAP.  

A special thanks to the Charlevoix County Transit Authority who will assist with van transportation to take birders to sites.

Off island advertisement of the WOW event is occurring through Michigan Audubon, Pure Michigan, Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Events web blast, Little Traverse Conservancy, and the magazine, Blue.  Thank you to the Beaver Beacon, Chamber of Commerce, News on the Net, the Northern Islander, and WVBI-the Voice of Beaver Island for their assistance promoting the event.

32 Miles of Water

A Documentary by Philip Michael Moore

As appropriate today as it was then!

 

Donate to the Food Pantry

Use this button below to donate to the Food Pantry.

Donation goes to the Christian Church Food Pantry--Click the Donate Button on the far left and above.

Donate to the Live Streaming Project

 

The Live Streaming Project includes BICS Sports Events, Peaine Township Meetings, Joint Township Meetings, and much more.

Your donation may allow these events to be live streamed on the Internet at http://beaverisland.tv