B.I. News, August 23-29, 2010

Laraine Dawson Passes Away

A lovely, lovely lady left us today, August 29, 2010. Laraine Dawson passed away early this morning. And, for each of us who knew her, a light has gone out of our eyes. Laraine specifically requested that no flowers be sent. More information will be posted when available.

HazMat Day at Transfer Station

You can call for an appointment for any time between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on September 4, 2010, to bring in the hazardous materials that you may have at home. You must have an appointment to bring these into the transfer station. Please call 448-2228 for an appointment.

Phragmites Treatment

On Wednesday,Thursday, and Friday, August 25-27, 2010, members of the Beaver Island community agreed to be trained in the recognition and method of treatment to help eliminate the phragmites' invasion of the Beaver Island shoreline. These volunteers were trained by the Michigan DNRE on Wednesday night with treatment being completed on Thursday and Friday. Some groups started on Thursday morning at 7:15 am and didn't finish their assignments until shortly after 5 pm. Some groups need to continue the work on Friday in order to finish.

Brian Mastenbrook was on the island to participate in the DNRE assigned areas. The Michigan DNRE was to treat all state land on Beaver Island, Whiskey Island, and Garden Island The DNRE brought ten additional people to complete its assigned area.

According toBeaver Island's Phragmites Administrator Jacque LaFreniere, almost all of the shoreline of Beaver Island was completed. You will see a list of volunteers listed in the next story. This list may not be complete, but includes those sent to BINN by Jacque.

A huge and loud "THANK YOU" is given to these volunteers for their efforts in making Beaver Island a better place to live, visit, and vacation!!

For more information, watch the video clip of the interview with Jacque LaFreniere below:

Jacque LaFreniere describes the process of phragmites poisoning 

List of Phragmites Volunteers

Below is a list of the walkers and the areas they have agreed to walk.

Annette Dashiell -- Greene's Bay to Oliver’s Point
Tom Sell ---McCauley Pt to Bonner's Landing
Pam Grassmick-- west end of Little Iron Ore Bay to Lighthouse
Bob and Alana Anderson---Western Shores
Dale and Terry Keyes --Spencer's north to Trudgeon’s on Redding/Western Shores
Frank Solle--- Spencer’s south to Olivers Point
Dawn George- -~ N shore town campground west to Garden lsland View Rd.
Peter lgoe--lsle Haven Motel to 0lney's
.lacque/Laura Gibson---0lney's to Favazza
Lois Williams and Nel Worsford -» Pine Street to Sucker Point
Ruthie and Dalton Cothran---Cables Bay
Sandy and Jim Birdsall-~-McCauley Point to Hooker’s (North end of Donegal Bay)
Jack Spanek/ Ken Taylor--Hooker’s to lndian Point
Rick and Kathy Blalock--North end of Sand Bay to north of Jewell Road
Bob and Kathy Tidmore~ Gull Harbor to Sucker Point
Mike and Kelly Collins-- (Harbor) Playground beach to Beaver Harbor Condo
Marty and Jayne Maehr--- South end Lighthouse to Kelly's Point
Lars and Doris Larson--- Kilty’s Point to Cables Creek
Ken McDonald/Jim and Donna Stambaugh---Martin’s Bluff to Campground
Ed and Willy WeIter--- Sand Bay
Dave and Sharon Blanchard---lndian Point to Garden lsland View
Beth and Ed Leuck --- Martins’ Bluff to Kilty’s Point
DNRE ---- Whiskey Island
The DNRE will treat all state land and LTC at Little Sand Bay
Extra helpers include:
.Jim and Judy Jones
Ed Troutman
Jeff and Sarah Stone

Second Annual BIRHC Benefit Golf Tournament Big Success

The August 14th BIRHC Benefit Golf Tournament organized by John Works Jr. and his family had raised in excess of $8,000 at press time. Everyone at the Health Center would like to thank John, Carolyn, Meg, and Trudy Works and Jenifer Harless, Joan Vyse, Frank Solle and Buck Ridgeway for all the time and effort they put into organizing a fantastic event that was enjoyed by all despite the humid weather. This is the second year that John has taken the lead in putting together a much-needed fundraiser for the Health Center. All proceeds will go directly towards defraying its daily operating costs.

John and the Health Center want to thank and recognize the 60 people who paid $75 each to play and the many individuals and businesses that contributed very generously to the event with cash and prizes.

Off island donors were: Belvedere Golf Club, Dr. Ed Newcomb, Dr. Dan Mann, Charlevoix Area Hospital, Dennis Kolenda, Dr. Jeffrey Ricks, Mike's Glass, Featherly's Auto, Wilderness Golf Course, Wawasgkamo Golf Course, Charlevoix Golf and Country Club, The Weathervane Inn, Tri-Turf, Dave Kring Chevrolet and Carquest Charlevoix, Richmond Insurance.

Island donors were: Eric and Dana Hodgson, Island Airways, Beaver Island Boat Company, the Welter Foundation, Trudy Works, Robert and Lisa Gillespie, Judy and Kevin Boyle, Ruth Kelly, Jim Wojan Excavating, Jr.'s Septic Tank, E.W. Marine, McDonough's Market, Jeff Powers, TDS, Whimsy, Beaver Lodge, Buck and Mary Ann Ridgeway, Elwood and Phyllis Baker, Harbor View Motel, B I Golf Course, Jim and Jenifer Harless, Pete Lo Dico, Alvin LaFreniere and Bob Evans, Marge & Jerry Charbeneau, Martin and Jane Maehr, Frank Solle.

With much appreciation to all those listed above for your generosity even in these difficult times,

The BIRHC Board and Staff

Pilot Safety Seminar Scheduled

SEPTEMBER 18, 2010, 11:00AM
Beaver Island
Welke Airport (6Y8) 36155 East Side Drive

A custom briefing with the island pilots in mind. Flying over Lake Michigan to get to Beaver Island brings up several topics for discussion. We will be looking at open water flying, cold land survival, and what to remember when landing at non-towered airports, VFR or IFR.

Topics include: Open Water Flying, Cold Land Survival, and Uncontrolled Field Operations.

Sponsored by Welke Airport, Island Airways, the Michigan FAASTeam, and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

(from the MDOT websute)

Beaver Island Gears Up for Annual Fall Festival

The 9th annual Bite of Beaver Island Food Festival will be held on Saturday, October 2. The day begins at 10:00 a.m. with the Island Boodle, a 5K Walk and Run, organized by Mike and Gail Weede which benefits the Island Sports Boosters. (Registration: Pick up forms at the Chamber office or online at BeaverIsland.org).

The Bite of Beaver Island Food Festival will run from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Hall, where amateur and professional chefs will present “bite size” portions for reasonable prices. (Vendor forms now available at the Chamber office or online at BeaverIsland.org).

Deb Harwood, the Island chef who took her dream of starting an Island food festival to the Chamber a decade ago, is chairperson this year and has added some new fun activities to the event. Along with great food, fresh Island apple cider from the cider press, and the annual pie contest and benefit auction, Third Coast will be performing at the hall. Outside, free hayrides along the harbor will be provided by Andy's Grooming Barn and Beaver Island Financial Center . Harwood says some surprise culinary characters will also be on hand to entertain the crowd.

Prizes will be given out to the top two apple pie contestants, one for the best decorated table, and one to a student at BICS who submits the winning name for the Historical Society's stuffed Island Beaver – a mascot who will be on display at the Bite.

Main Street will have additional spots to visit with a number of merchants planning special food tasting events or sales. The Community Center will have artisans selling their wares (artisan forms available at the Community Center or online at BeaverIsland.org).

Starting at 4:00 p.m. at the public beach (weather permitting), Linda Frysinger is organizing a bike ride of various lengths, another benefit for the Sports Boosters.

Nightlife for the festival weekend includes: Live music at Donagal Danny's Pub on Friday, Oct. 1, starting around 8:30 p.m. Friday will also be the final performance of Beaver Tales 2 at the Community Center, beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. On Saturday evening, Third Coast will perform at the Shamrock.

Apple Pie Contest

Please have your entry at the Hall kitchen by noon on Oct. 2. Judging will take place at 1:30 with winners announced at 2:00 . Pies will be judged on presentation (10 pts), general appearance (10 pts), and taste (30 points). Apples must be the main ingredient although other elements (like raisins, cream, etc.) may be used without penalty. Questions: call Elaine West 448-2377.

Contacts:

Elaine West

231-448-3046 IslandNews@tds.net

Deborah Harwood: dharwood@juno.com (chairperson of Bite of Beaver Festival)

Steve West: chamber@beaverisland.org (director of BI Chamber of Commerce)

Amvets Memorial Bricks

Bricks are available for families or business to sponsor the Beaver Island Veterans Memorial Park. These bricks will go in the sidewalk leading to the memorial site.  You can purchase a 4 x 8 brick with one line of text(18 characters/line) for $100 or  an 8 x 8 brick with 4 lines of text (18 characters/line) for $200.  If you have trouble printing the form on the this page e-mail us at  amvetspost46@yahoo.com and we will e-mail one to you.  We plan on ordering the first batch the week after labor day so please get your orders in as soon as possible.

Gas Price Goes Up on the Island

Gas price on Beaver Island = Expensive....Gas price on Beaver Island is an Essential commodity not matter the price.....Gas price on Beaver Island = much higher than the mainland....At least we don't drive as much as others on the mainland.

Beaver Island Gets First Small Hybrid Transit Bus in Michigan

Training on the new hybrid transit bus took place this morning, August 25, 2010, for the Beaver Island transit drivers. Ray Leach, Manager Charlevoix County Transit Service, provided this training and stated that this hybrid Beaver Island transit bus is a pilot program for Michigan. This hybrid transit bus is the first small transit bus to be put into service in Michigan.

Ray Leach describes the hybrid and provides the training

Melissa Williams is the Beaver Island Transit Service Manager..Melissa and Ray pose for a pictures in the bus

Ray Leach explains about the hybrid....Ray describes the bicycle rack on the front....Ray points out the electric wheel chair lift

This bus actually has room for two wheel-chair bound customer at the same time. The lift can also be used to help customers aboard if they have difficulty walking with walkers and/or canes.

We apologize for the quality of the video. The video interview was interesting, but the camera and the tape were acting up this morning,so parts were not able to be used

.

Ray Leach explains the hybrid vehicle

 

CONTACT: Janet Foran, MDOT Office of Communications, 517-335-7176
Ray Leach, Charlevoix Transit, 231-582-6964, ext. 208

New hybrid bus makes debut at Charlevoix Transit

June 30, 2010 -- Thanks to the infusion of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) federal funds, Charlevoix County and Beaver Island have a new small hybrid bus on the road this summer.
The new vehicle went into service in June, making it a first in the state.
"Our newest edition to the fleet features the latest in technology and will give us better mileage, quieter performance and is perfect for the stop-and-go service we provide for our customers," said Ray Leach, manager, Charlevoix County Transit System, which provides public transportation throughout the county. The transit system provides over 80,000 rides annually.
The $109,000 hybrid bus has a flexible seating arrangement and can serve 12 passengers. It features several wheelchair options, and includes a wheelchair lift for disabled riders. The pilot model uses a gas/electric hybrid system, manufactured by Azure Dynamics, which is headquartered in Oak Park. The bus was manufactured in the Midwest while the battery packs were assembled by Cobasys in Lake Orion.
According to the manufacturer, the bus is called a "parallel hybrid" because the electric drive can run parallel to the standard gas engine. Under 20 mph, it will run off electricity. More than 20 mph, the engine will run, powering the drive train and recharging the batteries.
The new "green" technology is expected to improve fuel economy by up to 40 percent, reduce maintenance costs by 30 percent, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about 30 percent.
Follow MDOT at www.twitter.com/MichiganDOT or www.facebook.com/MichiganDOT.

Charlevoix County Transit-Beaver Island Service

Demand Response Service 9 am til 3 pm Monday through Friday

Reservation Service 6 am to 9 am and 3 pm to 6 pm (Reservation prior service required)

Phone 231-448-2026 for service

Fares for less than 15 mile distance:

Childred under 6..... $.50

Youth from 6 to 19....$1.00

Regular fare from 20 to 59.....$1.50

Seniors 60 and above......$.50 (Currently free...paid by COA)

Handicapped individuals.....$.50

Island Treasures Resale Announcement

Island Treasures Resale is having a big 1/2 price sale on all summer clothing! We are now accepting donations of fall and winter clothing and sporting goods. Please be sure that your donations are clean and in good repair. We are always eager to accept useful household items such as dishes, kitchenware, towels, rugs, linens, etc. There is room for small furniture such as tables, dressers, chairs , and desks. Keep us in mind as you do your fall cleaning or close your cottage for the season. If you have questions, call the shop at 448-2534 or call Donna at 448-2797. We can pick up items for you if you have difficulty with delivery. Please do not leave items at the shop when we are closed. THANK YOU for your support of our Fire Department, the crew that is on call 24/7!

Men's “PINEHURST” Golf Outing

(Pictures by Frank Solle, Story by Buck Ridgeway)

 

Friday night seven adventuresome teams played in the first of what will hopefully become an annual Men's event. The Pinehurst format allows each team member to hit a drive on each hole, and then they play each other's ball for a second shot. Then a ball is picked to play alternate shot until the hole is completed. It is during the alternate shot portion of the hole that things become interesting. Unlike a best ball scramble, there's no “second” shot to save the day. As a result, scores can balloon quickly.

 Considering this was the first time, all appeared to go well and everyone seemed to have a great time with great shots, yes some lousy shots, and frustration all around. Hopefully next year we can schedule the event earlier in the summer and on a Saturday or Sunday. This should make it possible for more teams to be entered.

 The team of Steve and Jim Banghart brought their “A” game to the Pinehurst format and had a great round of 36 to take first place.

The team of Mike Wojan and Ernie Martin placed second with a 38. Thanks to the other 5 teams that participated.

The first “Pinehurst” is in the books and hopefully we can work on the kinks and have a bigger and better outing next year.

Men's Fall Golf League

Another very close league results this week, the week of August 25th.

Next week the 1st place team plays the second place team and the 3rd place team plays the 4th place team. It looks like it's going to be close all year unless something strange happens.

PLACE:	TEAM	TEAMS:	S.	P.	T.P.	T.S.	S.AVE.
1	1	Ron & Bob	38	12	37	109	36.33
2	5	Chuck-Earnie	38	15	37	115	38.33
3	2	Jeff & Ryan	39	8	35	112	37.33
4	4	Joe-Buck	41	10	34	115	38.33
5	3	Larry & Joe	41	10	31	116	38.67
6	8	Frank-John	42	8	31	122	40.67
7	7	Rob-Dan	41	12	24	124	41.33
8	6	Bob E.-Ron S.	44	5	11	129	43.00

As you can see there is a tie for first place at this point between Ron and Bob with Chuck and Ernie. The third place team of Jeff and Ryan are only two points out of first place. The fourth place team of Joe and Buck are only three points out of first place. Larry and Joe and Frank and John are only six points out of first place. Next week should be quite interesting.

Ospreys Gone from the Nest

Having checked the nesting site on top of the microwave tower for the last few days, it is safe to say that the ospreys, including the one young one that has been staying in the nest, are gone from their nesting site for the year. It is now time to begin the thought processes and the application processes to try to get some support for an osprey webcam on the TDS tower for next nesting season. Jim Gillingham has already written a wonderful letter in support of this idea. If you know of anyone else that could and would write a letter of support, please contact the editor at medic5740@gmail.com. Emails are welcomed in support of this idea.

Here is a link to the osprey-cam at Ferris State University: Link to osprey cam

In the near future with support letters in hand, a request will be made to TDS to attempt to gain permission and, to some degree, financial support for this venture. Contacts will also be made to CMU, FSU, and some state and federal governmental agencies. If you are interested in helping with this process, please don't hesitate to contact us by email.

Celtic Games Canceled

The previously organized Celtic Games on Beaver Island were organized by Jeremy McBain, editor of the Petoskey paper. This year's games have been canceled. When asked the reason for them being canceled, Jeremy McBain wrote via facebook that the games were canceled due to funding issues. There have not been any public comments by Island businesses, so what is going on? They are canceled is all that anyone will say.

B.I. Conservation Club Planting on East Side Drive

Having asked to get an interview, patiently waiting, and nothing transpiring, this short article will be without a lot of information that could help promote this process of providing food plots for the deer on Beaver Island. As many will remember, when you drive down East Side Drive from the Four Corners, you begin to see signs on the left side of the road, the water side of the road with the initials BICC. Many people thought that perhaps the Community Center or the Christian Church had put in a community garden because BICC is a little too generic to identify such a specific organization, the Beaver Island Conservation Club.

This planting on East Side Drive includes buckwheat, sunflowers, and a few plants of corn, or, at least, that is what is thought to be planted. It is a beautiful flowering food plot, and you only see the sunflowers now from the road. A closer look will show you the other plants presence. This is an excellent food plot, but the information about why these were chosen would be worth an interview.

There are other plantings on the island by the Conservation Club. This is a public invitation to the club members to provide an interview that states the purposes, the research behind food plots, and those participating.

Update: As mentioned above, the contact that was made was not made with the officers of the organization. Instead the contact was made with Paul Johnson, the one who planted the food plots. It was reasonably expected that communication would take place between the Island agent who planted the plots with the officers of the organization. If that was not a reasonable conclusion, then the editor apologizes publicly here and now for that unreasonable conclusion. The editor asked Paul for interview in July. He stated that there were others that should be providing the information. The assumption was made that he would contact whomever he thought should be contacted. BINN apologizes for the wrong assumption, and will gladly make an opportunity for the conservation club representative to be interviewed on the items mentioned above. BINN will await a direct contact from the conservation club for a time and a place for the video interview to take place. BINN can be emailed at: medic5740@gmail.com.

BICC response: Gavin, Jared, or myself were unaware that you had been trying to contact us about our food plots? We would certainly never intentionally refuse comment as we are very proud of the work we have completed. The BICC and Northern Development have teamed up to help provide the islands deer, turkey, songbirds and other wildlife with much needed nutrition. The two plots were meant to be a showcase of what can be done to create food plots in most any soil conditions as well as to advertise Paul Johnsons food plot service (Northern Development). Here is a little info:

The land for the food plot on east side drive was graciously donated by Tom McDonough. The plot is nearly 4 acres and is a mixture of Buckwheat, Sorghum, Millet and sunflowers. Deer have been using the field nearly every day and we have been given reports of as many as 11 deer at one time. At these numbers it does not take long to over browse the vulnerable sunflower and sorghum plants leaving only the hardy buckwheat to survive. This fall the club plans to over seed that field with rye grain to assist in building the soil and also to provide immediate nutrition for spring green up.

The Ricksgers Farm and Bob Evans on Kings Highway donated 3 acres to our food plot initiative as well. Every day deer, turkey, geese and sandhill cranes can be found grazing on the purple top turnips and Rape seed planted on that property. Brassica plants such as those just mentioned are not supposed to be palatable to deer until the first frost however we have seen firsthand that deer actually prefer those plants all summer due to lack of proper nutrition island wide. It was reported to me yesterday that Paul inspected the field up close and the entire field has been browsed down to bare dirt. We are a going to be over seeding with rye grain for fall and spring in this field as well.

In general food plots can generate up to 4-5 tons of quality high protein forage for all wildlife. Northern Development estimates that to date the BICC (Conservation Club), it’s members, and his service have been responsible for bringing an estimated 300,000 lbs food to the island in the form of food plots this year alone. We hope to expand on that every year. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact any of us.

Todd Ireland
BICC vice president

The Veteran's Memorial Progressing Nicely

 

Beaver Island's Interstate

The two track road that opens the Port St. James subdivision up and runs next to the driveway to the St. James Campground is undergoing major renovations. The two track is to become a county approved widened road to open the area up to snowplowing from this end of the subdivision.

These pictures do not do the project justice. You need to watch the following video clip to experience the difference in the feeling of the drive through on this road.

 

The Sweet Pea

For those that remember the Sweet Pea being sailed in the harbor and over to Garden Island, this video clip and pictures are dedicated. This was previously owned by Phil Gregg and sailed by him. Many a trip on the sailboat will be remembered by those participating. Here are some pictures and a video clip of Robert Cole sailing the Sweet Pea in the harbor.

 

Garden Party

Garden Island Grillin' and Chillin'

One of these days, the editor will be invited to travel with the group of people who spend a Sunday afternoon on Garden Island for a picnic. It's been a very long time since the editor has been to any of the outer islands. There must be someone that will allow a couple of digital cameras and a video camera on board with this operator.

 

Sowa Golf Outing Canceled Due to Storms

"Budger" Passed Away

Perry J. "Budger" Palmer, 76, of Beaver Island, passed away Friday, August 6, 2010, at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Memorial mass will be 11:30 Saturday, August 21, 2010, at Holy Cross Church on Beaver Island. Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Perry was born December 19, 1933, to Clarence and Lorraine (Boyle) Palmer. In 1953, Perry joined the US Army, and served for two years in Field Communications in Germany. Upon returning home he joined the National Maritime Union based in Detroit, and sailed the Great Lakes until he retired to Beaver Island.
Perry enjoyed playing and listening to old time country music.
Perry is survived by his sisters, Virginia Palmer of Hayward, Calif, Evelyn (Tom) Oleksy of Charlevoix, Roberta Palmer of Traverse City, Mary Ann Ferguson of Petoskey; brothers, Edward (Mary) Palmer of Beaver Island, Russell Palmer of Traverse City; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Grace and Irene, and brother, Robert.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Holy Cross Cemetery.

Brett Maudrie's Address

Maudrie, Brett W.
B. Co. 2-327 IN, 1st BCT
101st ABN DIV
... COP Fortress
APO, AE 09354

Over 60 and Need Assistance?

Did you know that if you are over 60 and either a seasonal or year round resident of Beaver Island that you may be eligible for senior services from the Charlevoix Commission on Aging?

An individual, according to Jack Messer, Director of the Charlevoix Commission on Aging, needs only to demonstrate that they need assistance leaving the house.

On July 26, 2010, the Beaver Island Human Services Commission hosted a public meeting with representatives from island organizations, members of government, and interested individuals to discuss homebound senior services with Jack Messer. Topics of discussion included recent changes to the by-laws and the advisory role of the COA commissioners. Mr. Messer went on to clarify COA roles in the community regarding hospice, emergency communication devices for seniors, senior housing project initiative, homebound food services, and RN medication management. Of particular interest was the lack of coverage for bathing and housekeeping during vacation of our one qualified care giver. Jack Messer stated that 2 weeks without homecare such as assistance is not to be unexpected. He commented that the Commission on Aging is not a medical model but a social model. He stated that he based his view of home services much as conservationists do, where you address the “greatest need for the greatest numbers”. Inconsistencies in county services were pointed out that require the COA to function as a safety net on the island for our elderly, one of those being that the Visiting Nurses Association of the Northwest Community Public Health Agency, which services all of Charlevoix County but does not service Beaver Island making discharge planning from mainland hospitals difficult. A cooperative partnership agreement was discussed between the BI Rural Health Center and COA and will be explored. The BIRHC attorney submitted a document for review to aid in the development of such an agreement. Lack of communication between COA and the island community was pointed out as an on-going issue and the hope was that better communication, to year round and seasonal residents, could improve services and assist COA with caring for our home bound elderly in a more supportive and efficient manner.

Previous meetings with Charlevoix County human and health service agencies took place in January of 2010 with a gap analysis of County services to Beaver Island produced. Examples of those gaps includes: Home Care and Aging Services from the Health Department, COA RN Medication management, foot care, and a tax preparer for seniors. In addition, a letter was sent in June to the Charlevoix County Commissioners from the township supervisors and the Human Services Commission requesting homecare services during extended absences of our one time care provider.

Minutes of this meeting can be found on-line under the Beaver Island Human Services website: www.peaine.org If you have any further questions, Ann Partridge can be reached for Meals-on-Wheels comments at: 448-2022, Donna Kubic from the BI Rural Health Center has received funding from the United Way for the purpose of assisting elderly homebound: 448-2275, Commission on Aging, Jack Messer at (866) 428-5185, or forward comments to Pam Grassmick for the Human Services Commission: 448-2314.

-submitted by the HSC

From Jack Messer:

A phone call was received on Friday evening, August 20, 2010, from Jack Messer, Director of the Charlevoix Commission on Aging. Jack Messer stated that there were inaccuracies in the above statement from the HSC. He also stated his disappointment with this summary of the meeting and he indicated that it was not a fair summary, that it put undue negativity on those working hard on the island and the mainland with the COA, and that he did not wish to jump into this dialogue due to its tone. He further stated that he would seek some counsel from some island people (he did not suggest whom) before he sent anything for this website..

Two of Frank Solle's Amazing Photographs

Beware out there, this beneficial insect may be helping....

Sunset over Trout Island

BICS Teens Prepare for Soccer Season

At a soccer camp this week, the students of the Beaver Island Community School were learning some new methods of offense and defense from Clive Wilkinson from Ontario, CA. Clive has been coming to Beaver Island for many, many years. He coaches a girls' soccer team in Ontario.

Soccer preparation......Clive Wilkinson and Matt Ritchie, BICS soccer coach.......students working hard in the scrimmage

New Beaver Island Marathon Course

The runners asked for more Beaver Island scenery and downtown merchants asked for a little less road disruption. “We hope the new 13.1 mile Boston Marathon qualifying course makes everyone happy,” said Chamber of Commerce Director Steve West. The course was developed by Ron Suffolk of Good Boy Events, the marathon promoter.

The September 4th Beaver Island Marathon starts at 8:00 AM at the Public Beach. Nearly all one half marathon competitors will conclude the event by 10:00 AM and many full marathon runners will finish by 10:30.

The course is not closed to vehicle traffic. Island drivers are asked to avoid using the course roads between 8:00 and 10:30 AM on Saturday September 4th.

Short Interview with Kay Charter (the NRETC Symposium bird lady returns to the Island)

 

Kay Charter

Kay Charter had some interesting things to say about the relationship between deer browse lines and the effects on the bird population. This lady is very knowledgeable and was personable and very free-flowing with information, very willing to share her knowledge. When asked about when she may do another presentation, it was suggested that could happen next summer.

Does it have to be birds versus deer? The answer is absolutely NOT.

This Week's Wildlife Photos

Fawn standing there curious about this vehicle.........Eagle at Gull Harbor frightened by walkers on the trail

Osprey growing up....seldom in the nest...adults almost never there

Deer versus turkey in Dorothy Willis' yard

 

Men's Fall Golf League

Although some might say that it's too early to consider August as part of the fall, the end of the Summer Men's Golf League brought on a need to continue to play golf in a competitive format. Following last year's model, Buck Ridgeway organized the fall golf league and has continue to use the handicap format of the summer league. There are eight, two-man teams competing in the fall league.

S=Score for last competition, P=total points earned in last competition, T.P.= Total points earned in league play, T.S. = Total score for two weeks, S. AVE.=team stroke average

TEAM	TEAMS:	S.	P.	T.P.	T.S.	S.AVE.
2	Jeff & Ryan	37	10	27	73	36.50
1	Ron & Bob	32	18	25	71	35.50
4	Joe-Buck	33	17	24	74	37.00
8	Frank-John	40	10	23	80	40.00
5	Chuck-Earnie	36	12	22	77	38.50
3	Larry & Joe	37	8	21	75	37.50
7	Rob-Dan	42	2	12	83	41.50
6	Bob E.-Ron S.	42	3	6	85	42.50

As the table show, Jeff Mestelle and Ryan Smith have moved into first place, followed closely by Ron Wojan and Bob Simpson with only a two point difference in total points. Joe Moore and Buck Ridgeway are one point behind the second place team with Frank Solle and John Runberg one point behind the third place team. Any team could move into first place after two weeks of fall league competition. The first and second place teams will play on next Wednesday's golf night and should provide an interesting change in positions unless they split the twenty points possible right down the middle.

Beaver Island AMVETs Scholarship Winner Announced

AMVETS Post 46 is pleased to award this years $1,000 scholarship to Patrick Cull.  At the meeting the members stated they wished  we could have awarded all those who submitted a request as they were all well written.

Hard Work at the Veteran's Memorial

Steve Boyle, Ray Matela, and Richie O'Donnell were laying the bricks for the sidewalks down on Paradise Bay at the Veteran's Memorial site. The temperature outside at 9:30 a.m. is 77 degrees, and the relative humidity has to be quite high also, but work they will to get this memorial completed. How long will they continue to work? That probably will be answered with a "when its done or we're too exhausted to continue." If you haven't helped out the AMVETS Post 46, the Beaver Island AMVETS, then please help out in any way you can.

BIRHC Thanks Community

The Staff and the Board of the Beaver Island Rural Health Center want to thank all who voted for our millage renewal on August 3rd . It passed by a margin of almost three to one.

We appreciate your support and will continue to do everything we can to provide high quality, cost effective, and compassionate health care to all who live on and visit Beaver Island.

Connie Wojan

BIRHC Board President

BIRHC Raffle Drawing

For the first time the Health Center Car Raffle drawing will take place at the Beaver Island Lodge at 7:30 PM on Monday, September 6, 2010. Tickets are on sale at the Health Center and McDonough's Market. Please be sure to get your ticket as every dollar raised by the raffle goes directly to supporting the daily operating costs of the Health Center.

Thanks to all who have already bought tickets and to Sally Lounsberry, Sharon Cole, Adam Richards, and McDonough's Staff for helping board members sell tickets!

Connie Wojan

Peaine Township Meeting August 11, 2010

Video clips of this meeting are HERE

St. James Township Meeting August 4, 2010

Library News

First off, the Beaver Island District Library would like to thank those who voted “YES” on our millage proposal! Thank you so very much for realizing the value of libraries, especially in this economy. Your local library is the one stop place for free reading material, videos, computers, puzzles, etc. Thank you!

July was a busy month for the Beaver Island District Library and things haven't slowed down yet. Just a quick comparison of June and July:

Stop in and check out Frank Solle's photographs that are in the display case. Bring your kids Wednesday mornings at 10:30 for Story Time with Mrs. Connie Wojan. Bring your lunch and sit in the memorial garden while using your laptop. Our WiFi is on 24/7 and can be used from both the front and back of the building. There are electrical outlets in the garden area behind the benches.

Flying off the shelves this month have been Steig Larsson's trilogy, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire , and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest ; The Help by Kathryn Stockett; Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert; The Rembrandt Affair, by Daniel Silva; War by Sebastian Junger just to name a few. New videos are: Diary of a Whimpy Kid; Jesse Stone: No Remorse; Avatar; The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo; Men Who Stare at Goats; and many more.

Don't forget that the library now has a website at http://beaverisland.michlibrary.org There is no www. in the address. You can search our card catalog and reserve book there provided you have a current library card. There are links to many, many places for adults and kids, for those doing research, for homework help, or for just playing games. Check it out!

BICS Calendar for 2010-11 Approved

Golfing Events Announcement

Men's Pinehurst Outing

Chamber of Commerce Marathon News

Beaver Island: 8-6-2010 - 11:45 AM

A NEW Beaver Island Marathon course has been certified as a Boston Marathon qualifier

The September 4 Marathon Is Coming

On September 4th runners from around the nation will descend upon Beaver Island to run the Second Annual Beaver Island Marathon. We have runners from 15 different states coming from as far away as California, Texas and Utah; my guess is most if not all have never been to Beaver Island previously.
This year we are certifying a new course as a Boston Marathon qualifier; one that may be a bit more complex than last years’ route. To insure that all runners are safe and pleased with their decision to participate, we are asking for volunteers to lend a hand. The following assistance is needed:

· Road Marshalls or Pointers at the following locations
o King's Hwy & Bonner
o Donegal Bay & Back Hwy
o Indian Point and Font Lake
o Gull Harbor/Lake Driveo Allen’s Lakeview/Blue Spruce

Road Marshalls would be in place from 8:00AM until approximately 12:00 cheering and pointing the way for the marathon runners.
Also, If you have a home, cottage or room to rent that is not listed on the Chamber of Commerce web site please contact us and we will try to send a runner your way.

Help is also needed with registration, at the finish line and with food service.

If you can help, please contact us at Good Boy Events. Thanks for Your consideration.
Ron Suffolk - (248) 446-1315 - rsuffolk@sbcglobal.net

Visiting Helicopter

Bryan Casper visited the Island with his helicopter this week as well. This helicopter has been his dream for a long time. A few Islanders got a ride in the helo this week as well.

Helicopter taking off from Convent lawn

 

Beaver Islands Institute

August 27-30, 2010

(From the IJNR website)

This short-course fellowship will be a refresher program open only to applicants who are alumni of one of IJNR's nine prior Great Waters Institutes. IJNR intends to select dozens of alumni to participate in this fellowship, which will be focused on island ecosystems of the Great Lakes.

Because of their remoteness and inaccessibility, island ecosystems in the Great Lakes region are often overlooked. Yet these fragile ecosystems have vital environmental roles. IJNR's journey to the Beaver Islands Archipelago in northern Lake Michigan will attempt to put the ecological importance of island ecosystems into a broader, Basin-wide perspective. Programming will emphasize conditions, practices and problems that are common among islands throughout the Great Lakes region. The fellowship will be headquartered at the Central Michigan University Biological Station on Beaver Island.

Themes and Issues to Examine:

Traverse City, Michigan, will serve as the start and end point for this program, but Fellows will spend most of their time on the Beaver Islands. This ecologically rich and remote area faces significant environmental issues that resonate throughout the Great Lakes region. The Beaver Islands are positioned at the front line of many Great Lakes ecological battles—ranging from fishery-management challenges and exotic-species invasions to a controversial cormorant colony and ongoing development pressures. At the same time, the archipelago's shallow waters and smattering of tiny islands serve as incubators for everything from small mouth bass to the endangered piping plover. In meetings with scientists from the Michigan DNR's Charlevoix Research Station, journalists will examine the latest trends affecting the aquatic food web and the distinctive contributions that shallow reefs and sunken islands make to local and regional fish production.

During the program, IJNR will conduct tours (by boat and on foot) of a wide variety of field sites, where the group will explore several ecological issues, aided by panel discussions and relaxed conversations with regional scientists and local residents. This program will feature presentations by local, regional and international experts on island ecosystems.

The Beaver Island Health & Human Services Fair

Live well, Feel well, Be well

Plan on attending September 16th , from 2pm-7pm at Gregg Fellowship Hall. There will be many on- and off-island organizations present to provide you with information that can help you physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

To name just a few:

 

In addition to the many other organizations, we plan on making sure that you do not leave empty-handed. And children and teens are as welcome as adults. There will be much for them to see and hear too, as well as games, brain-teasers, and an obstacle course!

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Adam Richards at either 448.2067, or adamr@beaverisland.k12.mi.us

See you there!

Beaver Island Rural Health Center with

Free Shingles Vaccine

• Must be 60 years old or older
• No Insurance coverage for Shingles Vaccine
• No Medicare Part D

Shingles is a disease caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox. Once a person has had chickenpox, the virus can live, but remain inactive in certain nerve roots within your body for many years; if the virus becomes active again, usually later in life, it can cause shingles. About 1 in 5 people have shingles at some time in their life, impacting an estimated 2 million people in Michigan. It can occur at any age, but it is most common in people over the age of 50. It is uncommon to have shingles more than once, but about 1 in 50 people have shingles two or more times in their life.

A vaccine has been developed that can prevent you from developing shingles. The Herpes zoster vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States in 2006. Call the Beaver Island Rural Health Center 448-2275 if you qualify for the free vaccine and make an appointment.

Donna Kubic, RN, Managing Director

Preventive Care / Wellness Screening at BIRHC

$25.00 fee includes the following:

· Review of Medical History

· Height & Weight

· Blood pressure check

· Cholesterol , anemia , and blood sugar screening

· EKG

To make an appointment for a Wellness Screening, call the BI Rural Health Center - 448-2275

You can schedule a screening Monday thru Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm , or after hours upon request.  Beaver Island Health Wellness Screening Program is designed to emphasize the benefits of preventive medicine .

from Donna Kubic, RN, Managing Director

BIRHC 2010 Car Raffle

The Beaver Island Rural Health Center is raffling off a 2010 Crystal Red Metallic Chevrolet Cobalt. It comes loaded: cruise control, air conditioning, an AM/FM/CD player, keyless entry, remote start, all season tires, front and side airbags, a 2.2L, 4 cylinder 155 hp engine and automatic transmission. Tickets are $100 and are available at the Health Center, McDonough's Market and from any board member. A maximum of 600 will be sold.

Thanks to all who bought “Early Bird” tickets. The winner of the $1000 Early Bird Prize was Sally Lounsberry. The car drawing will once again take place on Labor Day, but at a new location: The Beaver Island Lodge at 7:30 PM. All proceeds from the raffle will go directly to supplementing the Health Center's operating budget.

Beaver Island Transfer Station Information

Subscriptions to Expire

Please send us your email address.

There are quite a few subscriptions that will expire in July or that have already expired. We appreciate your support and ask you to renew your subscription as soon as possible. Emails have been sent out, but quite a few have been returned without delivery, which means that BINN does not have your current email address.

You can subscribe online by using PayPal and a credit card. Please click the link below if you wish to renew online:

RENEW

Meeting Minutes

The minutes of all public meetings will be posted

as soon as they are received.

News on the 'Net welcomes minutes to all public meetings. All organizations are welcome to submit meeting minutes for publication on this website. Please email them to medic5740@gmail.com.

Airport Committee Minutes

Beaver Island Cultural Arts Association Minutes

Peaine Township Board Minutes

BIRHC Board Meeting Minutes

St. James Township Meeting Minutes

Beaver Island Community School Board Meeting Minutes

Beaver Island Ecotourism Goals Draft, rev. 3, 19 Jan 2010 NEW!

Beaver Island Natural Resources and Eco-Tourism Commission Minutes NEW!

Joint Human Resources Commission Minutes (includes agenda when available) New Feature for 2010!

Waste Management Committee Minutes (New for 2010!)