B. I. News on the 'Net, December 22-28, 2014
Anna Mae Maxwell Dies |
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| Born in St. James, MI on Mar. 31, 1924 Departed on Dec. 25, 2014 and resided in Wheaton, IL. |
Anna Mae Maxwell (nee Connaghan), 90, passed away December 25, 2014. She was born March 31, 1924 in St. James, MI and raised there also. She was a twenty year employee of A.T. & T. of West Chicago until her retirement in 1989. She is survived by her children, Bonnie (John) Kelstrom, Ronald (Linda), and John; her granddaughter Jennifer (Fabian) Valinskas; her great-grandchildren, Ashley, Megan, and Fabian, Jr.; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert; and thirteen siblings. Visitation Monday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton (1blk. East of Naperville Rd.). Funeral Mass Tuesday 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., Wheaton, IL. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society, 1801 S. Meyers Rd., Suite 100, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
What a Difference a Year Makes
This fact seems to be perfect when comparing the weather from last year to this year. Last year it was snowy and cold. This year it is warmer and foggy. Snowmobiling and snowshoeing have to be put on hold at least for a while. The holiday family visitors are sitting around this year waiting for a phone call from the air taxi service indicating the weather is good enough and visibility good enough for them to get flown back to Charlevoix for the start of their trip home. One year the problem might be blizzard conditions and the next year foggy conditions. Hopefully, everyone has prepared family and friends for the possibility of being stranded on this most remote inhabited island in the Great Lakes. Hopefully, bosses will understand and make concession to the simple fact of the inability to leave the island, even though the desire to get to work is present. Sometimes, it is simply impossible to get off the island when you want to get off the island. Everyone will just have to learn to live with this possibility.
The Uniqueness of EMS on the Most Remote Inhabited Island in the Great Lakes
By Joe Moore
This is an imaginary patient, but situations like this happen.
It’s a cold winter night,
a little before dark when the pager goes off……
“Station 57 EMS, respond to the rural health center for a 62 year old male patient with chest pain,” Central Dispatch tones out BIEMS. The rest of the radio traffic isn’t really important to the example. One BIEMS paramedic, an EMT, and a First Responder all arrive at the BIRHC.
The FNP is in the middle of starting an IV, and the paramedic stands by to help in any way requested. “We’ve got a patient with shortness of breath and chest pain, the monitor needs to be set up, and I’m going to get drugs out of the pharmacy room,” the FNP states. BIEMS gets vital signs, hooks up the 12-lead ECG, and runs a 12-lead, and hooks up the oxygen saturation monitor and the carbon dioxide monitor, and applies oxygen, while the FNP gathers the drugs from the pharmacy and prepares to administer them.
As the BIEMS personnel secure the IV tubing for transport, arrange the other equipment to prepare for transport, switch the oxygen over to the cot tank, the FNP administers her drugs, and reports the dosage and common names of the drugs for the EMT to record on the run report. The paramedic asks, “Can we also give a drug for nausea?” The FNP says, “Sure. I’ll get the nausea drug, and here is a two dose syringe for pain. You can give her one right now, and then a second dose in the airplane.”
Preparations for transport are completed when the phone rings. The paramedic receives the information on the EMS phone at the medical center.
The paramedic, frustrated, says, “Just got a call and heard that the visibility is terrible out there. Our local air transport, licensed by BIEMS, is unable to fly at this time. The air transport out of Traverse City won’t come in the dark.” We’ll call the next step in the list.
The next step is to call another air transport provider out of Iron Mountain to see if they can fly to the island or not. The call to VM is made, and they state that their pilot will check the weather, and their dispatcher will call us back. This is major difference between EMS on the most remote inhabited island in the Great Lakes and EMS on Mainland Michigan. On the mainland, you can divert to a different hospital during your transport of a chest pain patient. On Beaver Island, you can only fly to where the pilot of the aircraft decides is safe. While most patients from Beaver Island are flown to Charlevoix, Harbor Springs, or Traverse City (the order shows the most common destination first), there have been times when BIEMS had to divert a patient to St. Ignace or Marquette if the weather conditions are not cooperative. So, the BIEMS paramedic awaits a phone call from the other air transport agency.
In the meantime, the nausea drug and the pain medication are given while the patient and EMS crew await a return call from the air transport provider. This is one of those instances that mainland EMS agencies and mainland medical control authorities can’t seem to get their minds around. We hear things like: What do you mean you can’t transport? When will you be arriving? Where are you planning to take the patient? The answer sometimes has to be, “We’ll let you know when we know.” Are you bringing the patient to Charlevoix? “We’ll let you know as soon as we know. So far we don’t know if we’ll be able to get the patient off the island at all.”
Forty-five minutes after the patient and the BIEMS crew are ready for transport, the phone rings, and VM, the air transport agency responds, “The weather is questionable. We will not be dispatching an aircraft. Give us a call back in the morning.” Now, when was the last time that a mainland EMS agency had to standby with a patient overnight? When was the last time most medical control authorities had to stay on alert for a patient with chest pain for more than eight hours?
The patient’s chest pain is not decreasing. The patient’s shortness of breath is not getting any better. This has changed from a medium priority patient through the middle stages into a high priority patient. This patient needs a facility that can open up the cardiac arteries and improve or restore blood flow to this patient’s heart. This is a life-threatening emergency patient, and BIEMS must move on to the last choice in the list of steps for transporting patients. A phone call is made to Cleveland to the Ninth District of the US Coast Guard. “We are seeking an emergency medical evacuation of a 62 year old male patient whose chief complaint is chest pain with difficulty breathing,” the paramedic speaks to the USCG.
“Okay, sir, we need to gather some more information for our Flight Surgeon,” the USCG replies, and this takes a little over five minutes. “I’ll have to contact the Flight Surgeon, and then I’ll set up a conference call. What’s the call back number, again?”
And so it goes for the BIEMS crew. Patient care takes on a completely different process. Medical control in Charlevoix is made aware of the difficulty of the transport, but the doctor is busy seeing patients in the ER. The patient and the family of the patient are made aware of the issue, and the FNP and the paramedic confer about the medications and doses that may be needed to continue care of the patient. “Okay, we need to set up a Nitro drip for this patient because the nitro lessened the pain from 10 to 5, and I’ll call Charlevoix and clear this,” the FNP states. “We’ve already given two nitro, and it helped with the chest pain and the difficulty breathing. I’ll also ask them for any other ideas, just in case we are stuck here for a while.”
“I’ll get the IV pump set up with the tubing and bring the one in the ambulance in to make certain that they will both work with the special tubing. We may be here all night,“ the paramedic replies.
The patient is getting the best possible care with the combined resources of the Beaver Island Rural Health Center and Beaver Island Emergency Medical Services.
“Coast Guard Flight Surgeon is on the line,” the EMT announces. “Be right there,” the paramedic answers.
The first part of the phone conversation covers the patient’s status and signs and symptoms. The Flight Surgeon is conferenced in with Cleveland, Group Sault St Marie, Traverse City Air Station (TCAS), and Beaver Island EMS. “This sounds like a very serious situation,” the Flight Surgeon states. “I will authorize Traverse City Air Station to launch. TC, are your weather conditions okay for launch?”
“We are ready to go, sir. Flight crew is in the aircraft awaiting your orders,” TC Air Station Officer of the Day (OD) states.
“What is your ETA?” the Flight Surgeon asks.
“We should be in the air in ten minutes max and then have a helo on the ground on Beaver Island within 30 minutes more,” the OD states.
“Beaver Island, will you have a paramedic able to fly in the helo?” TCAS asks.
“Yes, sir. May I ask the transport destination to make arrangements and give a report,” the BIEMS paramedic speaks up.
“According to the pilot, the weather is really poor between the island and anything Charlevoix and north. We’ll be bringing the patient back to TC,” the OD states.
“Thank you to your crew and your Flight Surgeon. Our patient will be getting to the proper place before tomorrow morning. Thank you, sir,” the paramedic says. “We’ll be awaiting your arrival at the Beaver Island Township Airport, and you can reach us on marine radio frequency. Which channel should we monitor?”
USCG Air Station Traverse City responds, “Monitor channel 21 Alpha, and can we have a cell phone number?”
And so, the Beaver Island EMS crew loads the patient into the ambulance for the trip out to the township airport to meet the USCG helicopter. The FNP calls Munson Hospital in Traverse City giving a patient report to the ER staff there. The patient is taken into the warm airport terminal to await the arrival of the helicopter.
The rest of the process involves moving the patient from the ambulance cot to another cot in the warmth of the terminal. It involves managing the IV pump, the IV needed for other medication, the cardiac monitor, and the oxygen tank. The patient is loaded into the helicopter and the BIEMS paramedic climbs into the helicopter to sit on the floor next to the patient. The patient remains stable in the flight, and the helicopter lands at TC Airport. The patient report is given to the ground ambulance crew. All monitoring and treatment equipment are exchanged in the back of the ground ambulance. The patient thanks the BIEMS paramedic, and the ambulance heads to Munson.
The BIEMS paramedic is now stranded at the TC Airport, wondering what he’s going to do with all this equipment, and trying to decide what to do for the next few hours until daylight. How am I going to get home? Where will I spend the rest of the night? All of this is going through his mind as he walks toward the hangar with a cardiac monitor, two drug boxes, IV pump, oxygen tank, and jump kit. “What did I get myself into?” the words come out of the paramedics mouth as he approaches the USCG hangar.
Someone walks out from the hangar and says, “Follow me, sir. The OD wants you to come to his office.”
“Okay,” the paramedic replies, still wondering what he was going to do, and how he was going to get back to Charlevoix, and eventually back to Beaver Island.
The OD welcomes the Beaver Island paramedic and answers his questions by saying, “You will be spending the night in the VIP room set up for this purpose. In the morning, you can walk over and have breakfast. Then come back up here to make your arrangements for getting back to Beaver Island. See you in the morning.”
A taxi is called in the morning, and a trip up to Charlevoix Airport is made. The paramedic gets back to the island about 11 a.m. the following day.
So, do you get how EMS on the most remote inhabited island of the Great Lakes is different than EMS on the mainland? This paramedic spent more than four hours with the patient before turning him over to the TC ambulance crew. The BIEMS paramedic, working with the FNP, provided treatment for this entire four hours. The BIEMS paramedic did not get to go home after finishing the transfer of care, like a short transport to the hospital. The BIEMS paramedic needed to spend an additional eight hours at the transport destination, then make arrangements for a trip back to Charlevoix from Traverse City. The BIEMS paramedic then was able to fly back to Beaver Island using the air taxi service. Then and only then was there time to get the equipment and supplies restocked and the report written for the State of Michigan data base. AND, the same paramedic is now on call again. See the differences?
Leadership Charlevoix County Obtains 501c3 Non-Profit Status
Merry Christmas from News on the 'Net
When Santa Missed the Boat to Beaver Island
as read by Phil Gregg
Holiday Library Hours
Beaver Island District Library Holiday Hours:
Christmas Eve: 10:00 - 2:00
Christmas Day: CLOSED
New Years Eve: 10:00 - 2:00
New Years Day: CLOSED
Christmas Services
The first service on Christmas Eve will be at the Beaver Island Christian Church at 5:30 p.m. The Holy Cross Christmas Eve Mass will be at 7:00 p.m. There will be a Christmas Mass at Holy Cross at 9:30 a.m. on Christmas Day.
From Holy Cross
Our only Mass for the New Year will celebrated on New Year's eve at 5:30 pm.
Happy New Year to all on-The-Beaver,
Father Jim
The Gift of Time
by Paul Cole
Growing up, my mother would take the time to make Christmas special, despite not having much money.
She started saving in June to buy a few presents for Christmas to put under the tree for us nine children. We didn’t have a lot, but we always had the excitement of waking up to a few gifts on Christmas morning. She baked, gardened, canned, and froze food throughout the year to save "for a few nickels". Money was tight, but she always managed to have a house full of food and decorated with homemade garlands and decorations each Christmas. She made Christmas brunch as special as Christmas dinner. After its was all done for the day, she relaxed and spent the evening visiting and telling stories around the tree. She gave the gift of "time" again and again. When I was I child I never knew how much time or energy went into making all of this happen. As the years go by, however, I am realizing how much effort goes into making things "special".
My Grams didn‘t have the money to buy gifts for us all, but she also had her way of making things special. She saved for a few board games, and of course, baked and baked and baked. Her raisin filled cookies, molasses cookies, pies, cinnamon rolls, all arrived "up the hill" and were greeted with delight. She took the time to make the Christmas bazaar special as well. The bazaar was held in the Church hall with tables of crafts and goodies. Raffles tickets would be sold for great toys and gifts, Russell Green calling out the winners. My Grams saved all her change each year and divided it between us kids at Christmas. She would count it out and put in sandwich bags for us take to the bazaar. We always ran down the hill in excitement to Gram’s, visited while we snacked on some sweet treat she had made for us, and then, gripping our bags, walked over to the hall. We could buy divinity, fudge, and small gifts for our parents. In the eyes of a young child, this was amazing. With $10 worth of change to our names, we thought we were the richest kids in the universe. In many ways, we were right, though our richness was in love and family.
Christmas Eve mass was special, too. I listened to carols and gave thanks for Jesus’ birth, understanding what the season was about in a way that many kids didn’t. It wasn’t about presents; it’s about time slowing down as you appreciate and connect with the ones you love. It’s about sledding on a hill, building forts, playing smear, board games, snowmobiling, skating and ice fishing, and eating a raisin filled cookie, understanding that the gift was not the cookie, the gift is that it was baked with time and love.
May you spend your Christmas in good health, and time with and for those you love.
This Old Cookbook-9
This old cookbook was found as an old house was being cleaned and items sorted out. It comes from a project of an elementary classroom from May 1958. BINN will present one recipe each week until the cookbook's last. An attempt will be made each week to actually make the weekly recipe. The title page states, "Dear Mother...I hope this book will help you cook."
Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup shortening.........1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup brown sugar........1 and 1/2 cup sifted flour
1 cup white sugar..........1 teaspoon salt
2 beaten eggs.............1 teaspoon soda
2 Tablespoons water.............3 cups quick oats
Drop cookies, bake 375 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes
Jerry Graham, 8 years old
Snowy Owl
Picture by Phyllis Moore
This snowy owl is either young or a female based upon the coloring.
There have been sightings of snowy owls from Beaver Island down to Kalamazoo over the last few weeks, some reported as early as December first. A little research and reading on websites such as allaboutbirds.org suggests that the owls are moving south due to the lack of food in the northernmost areas of the planet. "When lemming populations drop, as they do periodically, snowy owls suffer," a knowledgeable birder said. "Probably the most likely food available around Beaver Island would be rabbits or field mice."
In another story on the snowy owl, it was reported that last year one snowy owl starved to death down in the southern part of Michigan in Allegan County. The reason for the lack of food for the snowy owls has not been determined. Although two snowy owls have been reported on Beaver Island, one at the township airport and one in town, there is no way to know if they will stay on the island or are just moving past, headed farther south. Here's to wishing the snowy owls a healthy and safe winter right here on Beaver Island.
Custer's Gold
A New Western
This book has not been completed, but any book that can keep the editor interested to Chapter 38 must be a good Western. Having read every Western that the Beaver Island District Library has, this gives the editor license to suggest this particular book as one that you should read. Intrigue, battles, affairs, and some actual history make this book worth reading. The particular points of view given in this book include several chapters by different characters, but all fitting quite well into the chronology of the book. The book also points out the complete disregard of the US government to the contracts made with many American Indian tribes, and the slaughter of many of the members of these tribes. This review is written before finishing the book for two reasons: Not to give away the ending and not to provide any resolution of the events that include criminal acts and perhaps, immoral acts as well. It is worth the cost of buying and putting your hands on this book. It is currently now available in electronic format.
Having finished the book, the praise is still loud and proud to have read this amazingly well written and exciting historical fiction western. It is worth the read, and it is worth the price. You can order it on Amazon, if you are interested.
Links
Information from Our SchoolBeaver Island Community School Board Meeting Schedule2014 School Board MeetingsCommon Core Presentation to School Board and CommunityView video of the BICS Board Meeting and KaiLonnie Dunsmore's presentation HERE PTA Informational and Organizational MeetingVideo of this meeting HERENovember 13, 2014View two camera edited video of the BICS meeting HERE BICS School Board MeetingDecember 8, 2014Here is the video of the board meeting for those interested.
Peaine Township MeetingPeaine Township Board MeetingNovember 12, 2014Peaine Township MeetingDecember 10, 2014
St James Township Board MeetingOctober 1, 2014St. James Township Meeting Video,November 5, 2014, 7 p.m.(Posted 11/6/2014, 2:45 p.m.) Video HEREDecember 3, 2014
Waste Management CommitteeOctober 21, 2014
Beaver Island Community CenterBEAVER ISLAND COMMUNITY CENTER At the Heart of a Good Community September - May HOURS Mon – Sat 8am – 5pm web: www.BeaverIslandCommunityCenter.org
Community Center Information for October 2014
Activities............................MoviesCheck www.BeaverIslandCommunityCenter.org or the Community Center for listings
Link to the Beaver Island Airport 10-year Plan
On the Beach of Beaver IslandYou will need Quicktime or another music player to enjoy this link. The music played in the Holy Cross Hall in the late 70's and early 80's, recorded for posterity and shared here.
When Santa Missed the Boat to Beaver Islandas read by Phil Gregg
Community CalendarA completely new feature includes a monthly calendar for each month of the entire year of 2015. Please send me your events and they will be posted so others can schedule their events without conflict. Email your schedule of events to medic5740@gmail.com.If you or your organization has an event you'd like posted on this Community Calendar, please contact me and I'll add it in. Please try to get me the information as early as possible.
Airport Commission MeetingNovember 1, 2014. |
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Announcements/Ads |
From Holy Cross
Pinhole Pipeline Leak Opens Upper Pennisula's EYES
Read Detroit Free Press Article HERE
Connor Joseph McDonough Birth Announcement
Connor Joseph McDonough has arrived. He weighed 6lbs, 13.5oz, and was 21 inches in length. Mom is Thayer McDonough. Proud Dad is Drew McDonough. Grandparents from Beaver Island are Tim and Denise McDonough, and another great grandchild for Skip McDonough.
BIRHC and BIEMS Ship Patient Via USCG VesselA little before 6 p.m. this evening, December 16, 2014, the USCG vessel 45721 from Charlevoix arrived at the Beaver Island Boat Company Dock here on Beaver Island. With the last two days being too foggy for medical evacuations, the second day for one particular 52 year old male patient complaining of abdominal pain, the BIRHC with BIEMS decided to get the Coast Guard to do an evacuation by ship. The vessel arrived at the BIBCO dock on Beaver Island just before the ambulance arrived. The ambulance crew was doing a BLS transport with EMT Kevin White and RN/MFR Pam Moxham assisted the patient onto the vessel with help from the USCG crew, and the patient was transported by water to the mainland with Charlevoix being the destination. The BIEMS crew will be stranded in Charlevoix overnight, and will probably be coming back on the ferry boat tomorrow.
This is just one more of the typical differences between EMS on Beaver Island and EMS on the mainland of Michigan. Take a look at the special circumstances of attempting to do emergency transport of a patient when the fog or other weather prevents aircraft. including the USCG helicopter of out Traverse City, unable to fly to or from Beaver Island.
USCG Vessel 45721 approaches the harbor.
USCG enters the harbor.
Docked and awaiting the patient.
The ambulance arrives and EMT Kevin White discusses the best way to get the patient aboard.
Getting the patient aboard, and preparation for departure, which includes contacting Group Soo.
Headed to Charlevoix with the patient and two BIEMS personnel.
Video clips of the story
January Waste Management Meeting Canceled
Lost and Found
by Cindy Ricksgers
This Old Cookbook-8
This old cookbook was found as an old house was being cleaned and items sorted out. It comes from a project of an elementary classroom from May 1958. BINN will present one recipe each week until the cookbook's last. An attempt will be made each week to actually make the weekly recipe. The title page states, "Dear Mother...I hope this book will help you cook."
Lemon Custard Pie
4 eggs..........1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar................1 and 1/2 teaspoons lemon extract
3 cups scalded milk...............1 unbaked pie shell
Beat eggs, stir in sugar, add to milk.
Cook mixture, stirring constantly.
When cooled, add lemon and pour into unbaked pie shell.
Bake at 450 degrees for ten minutes.
Reduce heat to 350 degrees and bake for 30 minutes more.
Douglas Rinal, 8 years old
Dog Island: The Plane Crash
by Lance Terrill Olson
This book written by Lance Terrill Olson is presented to BINN subscribers through an agreement between BINN editor and the author. This book is about an imaginary plane crash that takes place on an imaginary island, Dog Island. The book is for sale at a few places on the island.
The Final Chapter---Chapter 8---Subterfuge
"The FAA and the FBI have been working together on this case. They are getting political pressure from certain Congressmen to end the investigation. Fortunately, the pressure did not come through official channels, so they continued.
"What tipped off the FAA and the FBI was that they found a timer, shut-off valve on the plane's fuel line. Our plane wasn't meant to reach Mackinac Island! Thank God we crashed on this Island and Tommy saved us, or we might still be missing.
Michael and Denise looked stunned, but said nothing.
"The FBI thinks that someone didn't want me to present my findings at the Conference. I don't know if you know it, but there were drugs stored aboard that plane. The pilot had a police record for drug related crimes."
Denise nodded her head and said, "A Special Agent Johnson from the FBI visited our house the day after the crash and asked about what Tommy knew about the brown, wax paper packages that were aboard. He said it was cocaine and that they suspected that the pilot was on his way to Detroit for a delivery after dropping you off."
"Yes, that's what they indicated to me in the hospital too. But, now, after finding that timer, shut-off valve on the plane, they think that someone wanted me to crash into Lake Michigan near Dog Island and have them find the drugs floating around the wreckage. That way, they could discredit me and imply that, being a Chemist, I probably had something to do with the drugs."
Denise and Michael had a similar reaction. They both got a shiver down the back of their necks.
"Well, how did you find this pilot? Obviously, you chartered him and his plane for the trip." said Michael.
"That is another story that helped the FBI to become suspicious. My best friend, Gloria met the pilot in a coffee shop she frequents for lunch. He led the conversation around to the fact that he was flying to Canada on vacation. He was going across Lake Michigan and then across Mackinac Island. Gloria told him about my scheduled trip and the man said he would be happy to fly us for next to nothing. Gloria got his number and gave it to me and I called him. It sounded like a perfect coincidence!
"The twist is, as it turns out, that man wasn't our pilot!
The FBI got a composite sketch from Gloria and it wasn't the same man! And the phone number went to a prepaid cell phone and wasn't traceable. Apparently, whoever this man was, he hired the pilot and set things up after he got my call.""Go on," Michael said slowly, after needing a second for all this to sink in.
"Well, now they think that maybe Ron's 'accident' may not have been an accident. It might have been a warning to me not to pursue my findings. Especially not to present them in writing." She got tears in her eyes. "Even my supervisor advised me not to pursue it. I didn't see it. I thought I was doing something for mankind by publishing my findings. I'm such a Pollyanna sometimes!"
"What could be so earth-shattering that someone would go to all these lengths and spend all that money? It must have been very costly to set something like that up to stop you," said Denise.
"My findings were that a well known, over-advertised pain reliever, when taken frequently by some pregnant women, causes autism in their children, later on. I have all the facts from the research I did. Of course, it wasn't 100% conclusive, but I'd say it was at least 80% that I'm right. Further research was needed to make it official."
Again, Denise and Michael, who where sitting on the edges of their seats listening to the story, sank back slowly, exasperated. They looked at each other and at Susan and didn't say a word, mulling over the consequences of this disclosure. "Oh, my God!" Denise finally said.
"What are you going to do? Your life must still be in great danger. My God! We are probably in danger, too, now that you are here! Where are the kids!? Michael, get the kids back here, now!"
Michael was halfway down the steps to the water when he saw the kids walking back with me. We had pretty rocks and driftwood and even a clean cormorant skeleton. Of course, I was soaked to the bone and a little smelly too... they said. He said to Tommy, "Why don't you go in the house and show Lizzy your beach debris collection. Don't leave the house without talking to us first."
Without a word, Tommy and Lizzy went into the house, smiling at each other. Only the kids and I knew that Liz had given Tommy a cigar while we were down on the beach. She pulled it from her jacket pocket, inside a baggie so her mother wouldn't smell it, and gave it to him after looking over her shoulder to be sure that the adults weren't watching. Liz said, "The one you had at the plane crash was broken... My uncle has a whole box of them and probably won't miss this one...."
"Gee, thanks!" Tommy said. "The one I had with me really got crushed and messed up while I was walking in the dark. I had to throw it away." When he looked at her, she had a big smile. And then he did too. Now they had a secret to share... Tommy wasn't sure what was happening, but for some reason, not because of the cigar, he really liked this girl.
Anyway, I was banished to the outside until I dried off in the sun. The kids seemed happy and were oblivious to what was going on with the adults. I noticed the expressions on the adult faces and knew that something wasn't right. So I laid down, facing them, and stayed alert.
Soon, the adults were talking again in hushed tones and they looked more conspiratorial. Susan said, "Tonight on the national news, they are going to leak the story about my findings. They won't mention my name. They will say that many pregnant women who frequently took the specific pain reliever had autistic children later on. Then, my family will be safe. There will be no further reason to hurt us. Others will pick up the banner and run with it."
Michael looked at his watch. The evening news would be on in about 20 minutes. He said "I think I'm going to need something a little stronger to drink. Anyone want some bourbon or maybe a brandy?" The ladies eventually chose wine after they all went inside. Michael turned on the TV. I was banished to the deck for now, but I took up a position just outside the screened slider on the deck so I could watch everyone.
Sure enough, the lead into the news report was, "Tonight we have a medical revelation that will turn out to be one of the most important breakthroughs regarding the high increase in Autism cases over the last 25 years in this country. What is the cause? What are the possible consequences for one large Drug Maker? We'll be back shortly. Please stay tuned."
And then there was a commercial for some prescription drug that helps people with sore feet. One of the side effects was that it may cause strokes or renal failure if used by some people. "Check with your doctor to determine if this drug is right for you."
After that, another commercial came on. "Have you or a loved one suffered a stroke, or even death after using the prescription drug 'Wartaway?' If so, then you may be entitled to a monetary settlement. Contact the Law Offices of Wewill, Suem and Howe."
While they waited for the news anchor's next words, they sat there with rapidly beating hearts and sweaty palms. The adrenalin rush was causing them all to have acid stomachs.
"This is Byron Lively with the news. Tonight we have an important story that will answer the question 'Why has Autism been on the increase in this country for the past 25 years or so?' Is it because of child vaccinations, something in the air or water? No, it wasn't either of these. It was found, by researchers at the Center for Disease Control, that some pregnant women who frequently took the over-the-counter pain reliever, PainLess, had children who became Autistic later on. PainLess is a well known, highly advertised pain reliever that replaced the cheaper, once-popular aspirin that was used frequently in the past.
"It is not known, specifically, what ingredient or ingredients in PainLess causes the birth defect, however, the Federal Drug Administration has vowed to reanalyze the drug and the usage data and design new tests to find the culprit.
For now, the drug is being taken off the shelves across America. It is not known if the drug will continue to be sold overseas."Now, where does this news leave the Drug company, Waymont Bios who manufactures PainLess? It was discovered by investigative journalists from our affiliate in Atlanta that Waymont Bios was sold off by it's parent company Streed Pharmaceuticals over two months ago, in a quiet sale. It is not known if Streed Pharmaceuticals was aware of this problem and separated the companies to avoid liability. A federal investigation is now underway by the U.S. Attorney General's office.
"In our studio, tonight, is our legal analyst, Mark Toddman, to comment on this revelation. Mark, what liability does Waymont Bios have now that it is known that PainLess is a major cause of Autism?"
"Well, Byron, of course there will be lawsuits... thousands of them. We are talking about liability in the billions and billions of dollars! Not only in damages for providing the faulty drug, but for care of the Autistic children that will suffer because of it, the rest of their lives."
"Thank you, Mark.""Thank you for having me, Byron."
There was a short pause, and then, with a look of deep concern on his face, Byron continued... "In other news, Doctor J was arrested again for assaulting his ex-wife, Shaniqua, the popular singer. In the police report......"
"Crap!" Michael said to the TV as he snapped it off.
Then, with a big smile on his face. "Looks like you and your family are safe now, Susan. Congratulations! Too bad you probably won't get any credit for exposing this problem."
Susan had a sad smile, but one of relief. "Excuse me. I'm going to call Ron and get his reaction." Michael noticed she was getting out her cell phone.
"You better use our land line. The cell tower signal doesn't reach this far down the Island."
The next day, with the sun shining brightly in a cloudless sky, we all went for a tour of the Island. They ate at one of the restaurants and got to know each other better. I had to ride in the back cargo area. The stable flies weren't out and the mosquitoes kept to the shade. Tommy and Lizzy got to know each other even better and agreed to write to each other often.
That afternoon, Susan and Lizzy were taken to the ferry for their journey back across the 32 miles of sparkling water. Deputy Jackson was just outside the gates, watching and he waved with a smile on his face. Goodbyes were said and promises of getting together in the future were made. They seemed happy and healthy, glad to know that they were once again safe.
* * * * *Well, I hope you liked the story. You are probably thinking that I should have received more credit for my part in saving these people. I don't really care because I was only responsible for helping Tommy... and I did. It was my obligation. I will get my reward when I leave here.
I can hear Tommy and his mom's car coming down the gravel road now. Sounds like the shocks aren't going to last too much longer...
This is what is exciting to me! It will be good to see him again.
The End
Bud Martin and Matt Fogg Make Another Trip
The Shamrock tug and fuel barge made another trip over the weekend. The weather seems to have been better for shipping on the water than for flying to and from the Island. Most of us are very familiar with the weather issues on Beaver Island, but some of the visitors aren't quite as familiar with the inability to go or do anything off the island. Bud just took advantage of the lack of ice, and made another fuel run while the weather cooperated. It also gave him a chance to hear some Country and Western music up in the UP in Escanaba.
Interesting enough, Matt Fogg was pleased with the foggy night when he came in last night, December 14, 2014. He said, "Last year on this same day we made a trip and had to break six inches of ice in the harbor. It was 4 degrees." Glad you had a safe crossing, Matt!
Interesting Day on the Golf Course
(Picture and story by Frank Solle)
"Neither rain nor sleet nor cold nor snow stays these duffers from the swift completion of their appointed round."
With apologies to Herodotus and the PO, these words, purposefully rearranged, seemed appropriate for a little December 14 golf fun, until, that is, the sun popped out for a few brief minutes---it must have seen us on the course and decided to smile down, or take pity, whatever the case may be. But as the photo shows, there was golf and sun and, yes, still a bit of snow here and there, but nothing that could stop a pair of intrepid golfers from getting in a round, or at least a handful of holes, this afternoon. Yet another example of what it is we do here to entertain ourselves.
The Buckster plays a chip out of the snow to the 9th green like a pro. A great shot, but not quite enough to match his opponent's well-played par on the finishing par 4 at the Beaver Island Golf Course to wrap up a December outing (just saying).
Sunday's Shopping Event
Sunday, December 14, 2014, was designated a Sunday shopping event by a small group of retailers here on Beaver Island. Included in the event were Powers' Do It Best Hardware, Shipwreck Shirts, and the Community Center with sellers present to name a few. BINN reporter Deb Bousquet took a little trip around and got a few pictures of the event with some of the items and some of the locations included.
Hope you had a chance to check out some of the sales from 2-5 p.m. today, December 14, 2014!
Beaver Island Family Events
There are some events that spell out the wonderfulness of living in a small place called Beaver Island. This week Lillian Gregg turned 90 years old, actually on 12/13/14. A small family gathering took place at Stoney Acre Grill for dinner. The gathering grew to include Skip McDonough, Bill and Tammy McDonough, and Jim and Diane McDonough. Several other people stopped by at the table to wish Lillian a Happy Birthday. This was not the only celebration that took place this week for Lil's birthday. There was the Red Hat's luncheon birthday party, the card night at the Shamrock birthday party, and the Tuesday night gathering birthday party. Perhaps the best part of the birthday week was the gathering of all three of Lil's children including Ron Gregg and his wife Ann, Ruth Gregg, and Phyllis Gregg Moore.
Skip McDonough and Lillian Gregg's birthday gathering at the Shamrock
On the same day in a different city, Mt. Pleasant, Lillian's granddaughter Andrea Jo Moore, walked in her graduation ceremony at Central Michigan University. Andrea graduated with two degrees, a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science degree. Does this help answer the age old question, "What do you do on Beaver Island?"
Happy Birthday, Lil!
Congratulations, Andrea!
From Stoney Acres
Sunday is Campbells Homemade PIZZA 4-8:30pmPhone ahead & have your order ready when you are.Salad & Breadsticks too!HAPPY HOUR ALL DAY & FREE HOT DOG BUFFET Noon-4pm***Stoney GIFT CARDS make a YUMMY Gift & get 10% backin a Gift Certificate for You!***Plan your NEW YEARS EVE Fun & Yum at Stoney!A fantastic Menu with Signature Hand Cut Beef and Lobster TailsYummy Appetizers, Dessert & Shrimp Saute, Full Menu Too!PLUS...DANNY, DANNY, BROTHER JIM, EDWARD & FRIENDSGreat Tunes...Good Times at Stoney & the PUB!
Emerald Isle Returns
(11:15 pm, 12/13/14)
At approximately 9:35 pm, on December 13, 2014, the Emerald Isle ferry arrived at the dock on Beaver Island after being in dry dock for a while. The evening was quite foggy, but the ferry made good time from Charlevoix. Welcome home Emerald Isle!
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BICS Cheerleaders Fundraiser
The BICS Cheerleaders are having a fundraiser today. They are selling Christmas trees, but, instead of a set fee, they are asking for a donation. BINN stopped to get a picture and a little video of their efforts. They were at the Happy Paddle kayak shack next to Daddy Franks.
Short video clip
Lunch with Santa
Lunch with Santa began with a hot dog lunch provided by the Friends of the AMVETs with several young ladies and men attending the luncheon. The program began at 11:30 a.m. with lunch, and Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived about 12:15 p.m. Another year and another wonderful program for the kiddies on 12/13/14.
Ladies in the kitchen cooking the hot dogs..
Eating lunch
Santa arrives with Mrs. Claus
And it's time to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what you want for Christmas.
Then some pictures of Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the workers
Emergency Services Authority
Meeting 12/11/14
Video HERE
Beaver Island Lighthouse School Performance
December 11, 2014 at 7 p.m. at Community Center
Approximately 75 people attended the program at the Community Center. The program began with an American Indian Hoop Dance. It was well accepted. The audience was blown away, not only by the comedy, but by the dramatic presentation at the end. In addition to the audience in the building, another fifty-four unique IP addresses also watched the program. Since there is no way to know how many people watched at an individual IP address, we can only state that over one hundred thirty people watched the performance tonight, December 11, 2014.
Santa character was narrator and comedian.
Traditional Native American Hoop Dance
Steve Finch introduced the first skit
"This program does not meet the Common Core Standards," stated the state inspector.
"Where is the punishment?" asked the state inspector.
The state inspector repeats the non-compliance issues, but the Board of Education praises the program.
There were two video productions that were part of the performance, and then a second skit.
Christmas presents skit
Then Santa provides a few more gifts and jokes.
The dramatic skit that followed was very figurative and spoke of the battle within each child. This skit was powerful, but gladly had a happy ending.
The white shirt represents the power of good inside each child.
The internal battle of good versus evil was portrayed with the dark side representing evil.
The movement toward the dark side with temptations figuratively presented.
The attempts of family and true friends helping to break the perceived evil victory.
More temptations that are turned away.
"The Battle Within" lyrics sung to Peter, Paul, and Mary melody.
Steve Finch thanks all who attended the performance
Video of the performance HERE
Michigan Senate Votes to Gut Michigan Endangered Species Act
Northern Lights League Names All-League Teams
For Soccer and Volleyball
All-League Volleyball Teams
All-League Soccer Team
USCG Alder Replaces Summer Buoys
Every fall or early winter, the USCG sends a buoy tender out to replace the aids to navigation or buoys for vessels traveling around the Beaver Island Archipelago. Some, like the harbor channel buoys are simply removed. Today, Wednesday, December 10, 2014, the USCG Vessel Alder came to the mouth of the harbor, and could be seen up close at Whiskey Point. The summer buoy was removed and replaced by the the winter ice buoy while another smaller vessel was launched to take care of the other buoys between the island and in the harbor.
Preparing to place the ice buoy.
Interested ice sculptures causing by the waves on a bush near Whiskey Point
Placing the ice buoy at the mouth of the harbor.
Replacing the one mile buoy
Video clips of the Alder
BID Library Announcement
Crafters take note:
There is an open crafting group at the library every other Wednesday night (1st and 3rd Wed. of the month) starting at 7pm. This is not a "class" but a time to bring whatever you do, be it knitting, scrap-booking, or whatever (provided it is somewhat portable) and work on it amongst warm company.
2014-15 BICS Basketball Schedule
Martha Guth CD Release
Martha Guth, opera singer and vocalist extraordinare, who has performed multiple times during Baroque on Beaver Classical Music Festival, now has a brand new CD for sale. The name of the CD is Schubert’s Women in Music.
Schubert’s unforgettable characterizations of women: Gretchen, Suleika, Mignon, Ellen and Delphine are the subject of this CD, devoted to exploring Schubert’s homage to das ewig Weibliche, Goethe’s expression for the eternally feminine. Soprano Marta Guth and fortepianist Penelope Crawford present these unique portraits with insight and sympathy, enhanced by the use of a magnificent original fortepiano by the great Viennese maker, Conrad Graf.
Email from Martha Guth
Dear friends, colleagues and neighbors!
I hope this email finds you all well---and for those of you fellow Americans---deeply rested after a lovely Thanksgiving weekend!
I am sending this big email around to you all because I am beyond thrilled to announce that my first solo CD is available! It is a disc of Schubert songs with Penelope Crawford on Fortepiano, playing an original Viennese Graf Fortepiano. This instrument is extremely rare, and for those of you who don't know about it, it was the precursor to the piano, and is able to make some really beautiful colors. It is a very different experience working with this kind of instrument, especially with Penny who knows and loves it so well! The songs are a group of some best loved and lesser known gems of Schubert's enormous song output, and all were tied together in a magnificent essay written by the very distinguished musicologist Dr. Susan Youens. Musica Omnia is a very special label out of Boston, and they have been really wonderful collaborators in producing the disc.
Suffice it to say that I am really proud of the way this project turned out, and I hope that you will consider following the link to the Musica Omnia Website. Right now it is available in hard copy, which when I really want something, for me, is still is the best option (and it is a beautiful booklet and package). But if you are interested in digital format, that will be out and distributed through Naxos in February.
p.s. We already have a second disc in the planning stages!
Here is the link:
THANK-YOU!!
All my good wishes are with you all and your loved ones during the coming holiday season,
Martha
You can read more about the release HERE
You can order one HERE
Agents Investigate Elaborate Great Lakes Fish Trafficking Operation
Interesting article
While the article is interesting, there is no way of determing its consequences.
Crooked Tree Strings Program to Begin
Students who have at least 1 year experience will be Intermediates. Those students who have 2 or more years of experience can join the Youth Orchestra program starting with the Concert Orchestra. The Winter Concert will be on February 1, 2014, for Youth Orchestra and Spring Concert on May 17, 2014, for all string players. Sheri Richards will be teaching these classes.
Weekly classes will be held at Beaver Island Community School starting Monday, November 24, 2014, no class on November 26 (Thanksgiving Holiday)
Mondays & Wednesdays
3:30-4:20 Beginning
4:20-5:00 Intermediate
5:00-6:00 Concert Orchestra
Cards for the strings program provided by Crooked Tree can be handed into the school office.
For more information contact the Crooked Tree Arts Center, 231-347-4337 or visit www.crookedtree.org.<http://www.crookedtree.org./> or Sheri Richards at richaada@gmail.com<mailto:richaada@gmail.com>
Organizations Wanting Dates on the Community Calendar
BINN sponsors a Community Calendar as a one-stop location for anyone to view the meetings, programs, and events taking place on Beaver Island. BINN just included the entire year of 2015 in this location. Events already planned for a specific week or date could be placed in this location, so that no one else schedules an event that might conflict with your meeting, program, or event. In order for the editor to place these meeting, programs, or events on the Community Calendar, that information has to be emailed to the editor at medic5740@gmail.com. Please get this information to the editor as soon as possible.
From the Transfer Station
Recycling Information--No Cloth in off-season
Donate to the Food Pantry
Use this button below to donate to the Food Pantry.
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