B I News on the 'Net, January 4-10, 2010

Project Connect

(Click to enlarge)

Meeting to help out those that can get to the mainland is scheduled for Wednesday, February 3, 2010, in Petoskey.

BICS Basketball

The boys and girls on the teams of our Beaver Island Community School will not be traveling off the island this weekend on Friday and Saturday. Instead, the girls' team from Ojibwe will be coming here. There have also been arrangements made to bring in a boys' team from Petoskey. This means there are home games this weekend at the BICS. See you there!

Jack Gallagher's Letter to the Editor

St. James Township to Hire Off-Island Assessor to Re-Appraise the Township

At the St. James Township meeting last night, January 6, 2010, the St. James Township Board voted to seek off-Island bids for the purpose of getting the re-appraisals completed to satisfy the State of Michigan Tax Commission. In a unanimous vote, the board decided to send out five requests for proposals to five off-island firms. In a packet of information and letters handed out at last night's meeting, Rick Speck, St. James supervisor, had prepared a plan and submitted it to the State Tax Commission. This plan will require the township to "send out RFP to conduct a complete reappraisal of all parcels in St. James Township. The appraisal is to be conducted by a certified assessor/appraiser approved by Larry Griggs of the State Tax Commission's assessment and certification division.....The current assessor will be retained to complete the 2010 assessment roll."

The plan submitted by Rick Speck's letter of November 16, 2009, and in a reply from the secretary of the State Tax Commission, "Your plan is accepted as submitted. We will schedule a follow up review for after the March 2011 Board of Review. We will ask Mr. Griggs to conduct periodic reviews to make sure the Township is progressing and will successfully complete your reappraisal."

In a question and answer period following the decision made at the meeting regards this reappraisal, the taxpayers were assured by the Board that only those improvements that have not previously been logged will possibly cause an increase in taxes. Those who have built additions and additional buildings on the property may end up with a higher taxable value. No matter what, it will cost the St. James taxpayers somewhere between $30,000 and $56,000, hopefully split up over the next two or three years, to get the job done. It would cost a lot more than that if the State of Michigan came in and took of the tax rolls, and re-appraised the property using their employees.

Video clips of this meeting HERE

Weatherization Meeting on January 13, 2010

(from Ken Taylor and Pam Grassmick)

Chuck Riley will be coming over on January 13, 2010 to talk to the five individuals that have already signed up and that have been accepted into the program. He also will have a meeting at the Community Center at noon the same day for others interested in the program and to talk to some contractors here on BI. Mr. Riley is really excited about getting more people involved in the program and to have the work done locally.

Skype Makes the World Smaller and Better

Imagine the surprise on the face of this computer user when a message window comes up on the screen and says,"You have a call. What do you want to do? View video call or answer audio call." Excited and surprised, the editor answered the video call. On the other end was a good friend, and we not only were able to talk to one another, but we were able to see each other and view the other person and ourselves on the computer screen at the same time. Do you remember when you were a child and they showed this kind of thing on the Jetsons cartoon show and a few other shows as well? The Skype program is a free download, and, so far, the use of Skype is also free unless you try to contact someone that does not have Skype. Then it costs money for a long distance phone call, but Skype offers several plans for you to purchase. A Skype to Skype video and audio call is still free. Amazing! So our family in Washington State should standby for a birthday present, which might be a little late, but which will allow grandparents to talk to grandchildren across the continent, and for free. It's one thing to call on the phone and talk, but it is quite another experience to talk and SEE the person you are talking with, as well as hear the sounds in the background and see the background, at least some of it.

The video will never be as good as a high resolution video clip or digital picture, but the video is acceptable. Skype-ing is a lot of fun, even if you are only contacting someone right here on Beaver Island. There is something quite special about seeing as well as hearing the person that you are calling. Thank you to Jim Stambaugh who called and helped verify that this actually works, and it works quite well.

Calling all grandparents! Have you wanted your grandchild fix today? Have you been wanting to see how much the granddaughter has grown? Did you really want to see the "boo-boo" that the grandson got on his forehead after running flat out into the wall? Calling all parennts! Have you considered how nice it would be to see your son or daughter in their dorm room or their apartment when they are off somewhere in the "real" world?

If your answer to any of these questions is "Yes," then you should take the time to get connected to the world through your high speed Internet connection. Download Skype, and find out what you need to improve your communication with family and contacts. All you need is a webcam, maybe a headset, and Skype. Give it a try! Guaranteed to be the next best thing to being there with them!

The New Year Begins

One of the first things that happened in the New Year was the entertainment at the Beachcomber by P-A-U-L and the Harperwood Heroes. The music and jam sessions were great. Next, was the temperature drop that had us way below zero and the furnaces are running at full tilt. It's amazing how the cold seems to be able to through every nook n' cranny, even the little crack where the door locks. When coupled with the wind, the cold seems to enter no matter what you do, so the furnace or wood stove needs to work harder than normal. Even the animals don't want to go outside to take care of business.

All of the elementary students are eager to get back to school to show some of the things they got for Christmas. The high school students are not so eager. Most of them are wishing that the Holiday Break was longer. School does start on January 4, 2009, whether you're ready for it or not. The seniors are going to busy for the month of January as they prepare for their senior presentations to show how they have each individually met the BICS Graduate Profile. They will also be busy getting their pictures together for the Senior Video for banquet. It's hard to believe that another class will graduate in just over five months.

The snowmobiles have been out zooming by on the King's Highway. Most are going way too fast. All emergency services people can do is pray that a car doesn't pull out in front of one of these speeding snow machines. There have been deaths due this type of accident on the mainland that are close to some of the families here. And then an email is received by a snowbird Islander that he played golf on New Year's Day just outside his rented condominium.

Michelle LaFreniere recently got back on the Island after driving Pinky and Susie Harmon down to Florida. They are staying in Rich Gillespie's condo down there. Michelle will fly back down and then drive them back up later. This was a quick trip down. Hopefully, she'll get a chance to spend a little more time on the next trip to Florida, when she picks them up.

As you can read down below, EmmaLee is progressing with her therapy at Mary Free Bed Hospital in Grand Rapids. She is surrounded by Island family and continues to move forward.

The next two weeks are going to be very important for our local governments. St. James Township Board meets this coming Wednesday, January 6; the two townships meet jointly at the Peaine Hall next Monday, January 11; and then Peaine Township meets that Wednesday, January 13. There are some major points of contention in the jointly funded projects of the two townships, so keep your eyes and ears open to stay current with the happenings here on the Island.

Hopefully, you and yours are having a good beginning to the new year and new decade of 2010. You can check out the last decade by clicking on the Archives link above. There will soon be a search function available for the archives, but so far it is not available.

(1/3/10 at 2:30 p.m.)

Frank Solle's Magical Photos

Just received some photos attached to an email. They certainly fit in very well with this week's issue of News on the 'Net. Frank does an excellent job in photographing and editing. If you need anything done in this line, give Frank a call at 448-2162. Thanks to Frank for sharing these photos.

Sunrise over Barney's Lake....Early morning, but no school..Yet....Sunrise over an old cabin

Rooms to let....

Cedar in the morning sunlight

(added Human Services Commission minutes and agenda for January meeting-1/2/09, 9:30 a.m.)

Happy New Year from News on the 'Net!

Music Lives On Here on Beaver Island

Intense and exciting! More pictures and story from the Shamrock HERE

The Donegal Danny's Pub was probably a relocation of the historic hall party with music from local musicians all night long, beginning at 6 pm with Danny Gillespie, Cindy Gillespie-Cushman, Danny Johnsten, and Rita Palmer. The editor of New on the 'Net was invited to sit in for one set playing the bass, and then a couple of fiddle tunes as well. The Irish tunes and old time Island songs brought tears to the eyes with Cindy and Danny singing some of the songs written by their father. Gillespie sisters Julie and Mary were helping to determine the set lists. In addition to the Irish tunes, Bing and Madonna McCafferty's favorite dance tune, "Frankie and Johnny" was performed with smiles and tears as well. Then later in the evening, the Sowa Brothers with Rich Gillespie and Randy Osborne and guest performers were playing and singing country and rock and roll music.

Local musicians! More pictures and story from Donegal Danny's HERE

Great B I Article In High Demographics Magazine

Below is a link where you can read a wonderful four page article from Eastern Fly Fishing. This beautiful magazine is “the” high demo fly fishing publication. Beaver Island is headlined on the cover.

http://www.indigoguideservice.com/2010/01/01/eastern-fly-fishing-beaver-island-mi-northern-island-angling-paradise-by-brandon-butler/

Author Brandon Butler’s visit to Beaver Island was hosted by the Boat Co, Laurain Lodge, Indigo Guide Service and the Chamber of Commerce. This is one of several pieces about Beaver Island by Butler. He will be returning this year in June.

Citizen of the Year Nominations Are Open

Official 2009 Citizen of the Year
Nomination Form
Two possible awards: Individual and Organization


The award(s) will honor an individual, couple or community organization that has made a significant contribution to making Beaver Island a better place to live, work or visit.

My name is ______________________________________ Phone _______________

Address ________________________________________________________________

I would like to nominate ___________________________________________________

Please write 3 or 4 paragraphs, typed preferred, see criteria above

Mail to: Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 5, Beaver Island, MI 49782 - Chamber@BeaverIsland.org

Deadline is Thursday April 1, 2010

Questions: Chamber@BeaverIsland.org or call Steve West, Mon. – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00, at (231) 448-2505

The Award Banquet will be Saturday, April 24, 2010

Gordon R. Hays Dies

(October 6, 1946 - December 29, 2009)

Gordon R. Hays, 63 of Central Lake, died Tuesday, December 29, 2009 at Northern Michigan Regional Hospital in Petoskey. He was born October 6, 1946, in Highland Park, the son of Don M. and Helen (Sper) Hays . Gordon proudly served his country in the United States Army in Germany during the Vietnam Era . He was a member of the American Legion/American Legion Riders, AMVETS , Patriot Riders Guard, Harley Owners Group-Northern Chapter and 45th Parallel Chapter.

He was the past president of the Southwest Oakland Lodge 128 Fraternal Order of Police and past president of the Oakland County Deputy Sheriff 's Assoc.

He was also the former board president of the Beaver Island District Library, PO BOX 246, Beaver Island, 49782 . He is survived by his son Matthew (Christina Reneski) Hays of Grand Blanc and sister Gail Conner of Central Lake.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 6, at 4 p.m . at the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes . The family will receive friends Wednesday, from 11 a.m . until the time of service.

Memorial donations may be directed to the Beaver Island District Library, PO BO 246, Beaver Island, Michigan, 49782 .

Remember, "Life's journey is not to arrive safely at the grave in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways totally worn out, shouting HOLY COW-----WHAT A RIDE!", thanks John "Hotwheels" Wheeler!

Please sign our online guestbook www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com .

Island Treasures Resale Shop to Re-open

Island Treasures Resale Shop will reopen on Saturday, Jan. 2 from 12:00 until 4:00. We will resume our regular schedule of Thurs., Fri., and Sat. from 12 until 4 starting on Jan. 7, 2010. Because we have very limited storage space, we ask that you do not donate Christmas decorations at this time. We need " gently used, barely used, like new" seasonal clothing and household goods. Thank you for your generous support.

'Tis the Season to Be Thankful

With the many blessings that have been bestowed upon the Beaver Island Community this last month, it seems appropriate to mention some of them.

One father had a heart attack, and he just happened to be on the mainland, close to Northern Michigan Hospital, where he was hospitalized, treated, and sent home in time, so the family could celebrate Christmas on the island. Thank you!

One young lady having serious brain problems was able to smile and say, "Hi" to her mother. Thank you!

Pinky and Susie Harmon are headed down south for the winter, and Michelle LaFreniere has volunteered to drive them down. The trip as far as Kentucky has gone well, so far, so good. Thank you!

The power outage didn't last too long on Christmas morning. The crews did an excellent job of getting the power back on. One retired school teacher even went into the school to make sure that the computer room did not continue to overheat. He did it on Christmas Day. Thank you!

The Beaver Island Christian Church had a wonderful service on Christmas Eve. Several musicians shared their talents. Several community members did their readings,and the pastor read a really interesting story. Thank you!

The Holy Cross Catholic Church had Christmas Eve Mass. There were participants from all the churches present at this celebration. Several were singing in the choir. The church was packed with spirit-filled participants including one young man whose father had had a heart attack a few days earlier. What a wonderful celebration of Christmas. Thank you!

Many island homes are decorated for the season. It is worth the drive around the harbor and on the back roads if you haven't noticed them yet. Selected pictures may be found HERE. Thank you!

Thank you also to the subscribers to Beaver Island News on the 'Net. Without your support this website could not be operated nor updated as often as possible. Thank you!

Snowshoe Adventure #1 for Winter of 2009-2010

After the Christmas holiday and just before the New Year, it seemed appropriate to try out the snowshoes, see if they worked, and see if the body that moved them also worked well enough to do the adventure. When in McDonough's Market, the cashier at McDonoughs looked at the snowshoer with one of those "Why in the heck would you want to do that?" looks. Well, the answer is: Just because it is an adventure, and the sights are worth the effort.

The trip started at the North Shore Park and ended at the public access to Donegal Bay. The distance of this adventure was much more than the distance shown on the map. The reason for the extra distance was the challenging part of the trip, trying to find snow to snowshoe in. This leg of the adventure, snowshoeing around Beaver Isalnd on the shoreline, was one of trying to find snow after the strong winds had blown most of it into the woods from the shoreline. This adventure also was one of trying to keep from ruining the snowshoes by staying away from rocks. This leg of the adventure was, by far, the rockiest so far encountered, especially the the Indian Point to Donegal Bay section. At one point, while on Indian Point, the snowshoes had to come off because it was just too rocky to proceed near the shoreline. The distance was less than 75 feet before some more snow, closer to the treeline, was found. The distance from North Shore Park to Donegal Bay is shown on the map as a little over two miles, maybe two and a quarter, but the out to the ice edge and back to the tree line, looking for snow and avoiding stones and rocks, made this trip more like three-and-a-half miles. No snowmobile traffic out in this area was observed.

One of the views and one of the reasons for doing this adventure.

For more story and pictures, click HERE

Beaver Island's Winter Carnival

Come join the fun!

Saturday January 30th 2010 at 1:00p.m.

at the Beaver Island Community Center

Snacks and Treats! - Games and Prizes!

Birdhouse Building Contest

Please help our Beaver Island birdie friends by building a home for them. Entry forms and spec sheets are available at Power's Hardware and the Community Center. The spec sheets are only a possible guide to assist you.You can build whatever style birdhouse that you wish. You are only limited by your own imagination! All entries must be submitted to the Community Center no later than 1/28/2010. All submitted birdhouses will be donated to the Peaine Township Parks and Trails Committee for later placement on the trails.

- AWARDS -

FIRST PLACE PRIZE: A $50.00 Dick's Sporting Goods Gift Card, Dinner for two, a $30.00 Power's Hardware Gift Certificate and a $25.00 cash prize.

SECOND PLACE PRIZE: Dinner for two, a $20.00 Power's Hardware Gift Certificate and a $15.00 cash prize.

THIRD PLACE PRIZE: A $25.00 cash prize.

Snowman Building Contest (Weather permitting)

Your Family! Your Friends! Open to all ages! Sign-up sheet is at the Community Center.

Proud Sponsors:

Beaver Island Community Center

McDonough's Market

Power's Hardware

Shamrock Bar and Restaurant

Stoney Acre Grill and Pub

TDS Telecom 

Any questions please call Tina Walker at 448-2020.

The Weather: Just Wait a While, and It Will Change

The weather in Michigan has a tendency to change without much notice. From a cool and breezy melting temperature with storms looming on the the lake, to a beautiful snow shower like you see in the paper-weight-balls. All this in just two days over the holiday of Christmas.

The waves crashing into the shore at Gull Harbor...

..to the beauty of the a snowflake littered atmosphere outside...

Emmalee Antkoviak's Condition

From Beaver Island Forum:

(Posted January 2, 2009)

"What a great day so far and it is only 10:30! Emmy took 6 steps with the help of her walker AND then after a little break she pulled herself to a standing position by herself while hands on the walker....WE BELIEVE!!!"

(Posted December 21, 2009)

There was a lot of progress made this past week. Emmy started eating more and more solid foods, she started smiling, and now she's even giggling and laughing. It is so great to hear her little voice again, although we're still waiting for her speech to return. She has 3-4 hours of therapy everyday, and both the doctors as well as the physical therapists have been amazed with Emmy's progress. The followup with the neurosurgeon went well, and he doesn't need to see Emmy again until she's ready to go home (which will probably be another couple of months or so). Emmy wrote her name with her left hand, and has been giving regular high-five's and thumbs-up. Her patience and bravery has been surpassed only by that of her parents, who are also doing better and better every day. Please keep Emmy and family in your prayers this holiday season.

12/21/09 There was a lot of progress made this past week. Emmy started eating more and more solid foods, she started smiling, and now she's even giggling and laughing. It is so great to hear her little voice again, although we're still waiting for her speech to return. She has 3-4 hours of therapy everyday, and both the doctors as well as the physical therapists have been amazed with Emmy's progress. The followup with the neurosurgeon went well, and he doesn't need to see Emmy again until she's ready to go home (which will probably be another couple of months or so). Emmy wrote her name with her left hand, and has been giving regular high-five's and thumbs-up. Her patience and bravery has been surpassed only by that of her parents, who are also doing better and better every day. Please keep Emmy and family in your prayers this holiday season, and as Tiny Tim would say, "God bless us, everyone!"

Update: Emmalee was move this evening to Mary Free Bed with therapy to start in the morning.

Mary Free Bed
Emmalee Antkoviak
Room 338
235 Wealthy SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

You can also send an email to:
patient@maryfreebed.com and put Emmalee Antkoviak in the Subject.

Update: 12/6/09, 10:45 a.m.: Rumor has it that Emmalee has been transferred or will soon transfer from the Children's Hospital to Mary Freebed Hospital. Mary Freebed is a great location for physical therapy as advertised on television. There has been no public update on why the transfer took place, but the assumption is that Emmalee soon will be or is ready for physical therapy. This is good news. Verification would be great to receive if this is true.

Update: 12/3/09, 7:20 p.m. Emmalee has been move out of ICU. One of many positives steps on the road to her recovery! The parents and family must be ecstatic.

Update: 11/30/09, 6:30 pm, Quoted from a post on the Forum:

"There is no cancer and no second surgery. We continue to focus on Emmy's road to recovery. We love you all and WE BELIEVE!"

Subscriptions to Expire

There are quite a few subscriptions that will expire or that have already expired in February, 2010. 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. For those that wish to do this, Beaver Island News on the 'Net will donate $10 of your yearly subscription to the Beaver Island Food Pantry in your name. Please click the link below if you wish to renew online:

RENEW

Chamber Sponsors Advertisements on TV 9&10

Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a 30 second TV spot during the program mentioned below. It will air 3x during the 9&10 special Christmas day 5-6. The quality is low because of email / speed requirements. It will look great on TV. "The vast majority of the Chamber of Commerce budget is spent marketing Beaver Island via print, TV and radio. The Chamber also hosts visits by journalists and producers as part of an on going program to promote Beaver Island," said Steve West

View the Quicktime Streaming Video Chamber Ad HERE

Beaver Island Part of TV 9 and 10 Special

View the show online at the link below:

http://www.9and10news.com/category/story/?id=194230

Beaver Island will be a major part of a one hour TV show that will air on Christmas day. The Show, “Islands of Northern Michigan” will be on channel 9&10 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM on Friday 12-25. The show will feature Mackinac, Drummond, and Beaver Island. The pre-show publicity says in part, “What makes these places so special, such an attraction to the people who chose to call them home….we'll meet the people…the characters…who work, live and love on an island.”

The show is expected to attract more than 60,000 viewers. The Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce has purchased three (3) thirty second ads on the show. The ad theme is: “You've never been to Beaver Island?”

The show was photographed and produced by our Beaver Island friend Corey Adkins, Director of Photojournalism for 9&10 News. “It's an hour long and includes Beaver, Mackinac and Drummond Islands. It's really about everyday life. A lot of the stories I aired over the summer and fall will be “married” together with other islands,” said Corey.

“The Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce works closely with print journalists, radio shows and TV producers to develop positive Beaver Island public relations and awareness,” said Executive Director Steve West.

Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce

Chamber@BeaverIsland.org - www.BeaverIsland.org

(231) 448-2505

"Big Beaver on the Ice," Bill McDonough Says Through Market PA

Just before 4 p.m. on December 21, 2009, while at the McDonough's Market, Bill McDonough was heard to say, "There's a big brown beaver on the ice out by Albin's dock." It was a quick trip outside to try to get a picture, then back into the store to get the items needed for dinner. The beaver was not in the same place on the ice after the shopping was completed, but a short trip around the harbor near the Grand Traverse Band dock, the beaver was spotted again.

"It's been a long time since there were beaver in the harbor," Lil Gregg stated. This beaver seems to be ready to stay close by this area for a while since the dock's bubbling system keeps the water open quite well. The beaver was observed to be eating some vegetable matter in underneath the dock.

Some pictures and some video were taken to make the doubters believe.

More pictures and Video clip HERE

Peaine Township Meeting

(12/15/09, 12 noon)

Due to the weather, the Peaine Township Meeting scheduled December 9, 2009, at 7 p.m. was postponed until Monday, December 14, 2009, at 7 p.m.

This meeting was another emotion-packed, mud-slinging contest with frustrations rising throughout the hall including among the Peaine Board members. There were two St. James Township Board members in the audience, Jim Wojan, and Jean Wierenga, as well as approximately fifty community members. It took an hour and twenty minutes to discuss the seriously important property assessment issue. The State of Michigan may come in to force the two township boards into hiring an outside assessor to complete the state-required property tax assessment, which is seriously delinquent, according to the State of Michigan. The proposed resolution and plan presented to the Peaine Board by Jack Gallagher was thoroughly discussed by the board and by the public comments that came fast and furious, causing Jack Gallagher at one point to call for order and to ask that only one person talk at a time. Unfortunately, the property tax assessor Kevin White was not in attendance for this township meeting to answer the questions posed by the public.

By the end of the discussion, the resolution passed, which allowed Jack Gallagher to write up the plan necessary to attempt to avoid the State of Michigan take-over of the property assessment on Beaver Island. Jack and helper are working feverishly at the Peaine Township Hall today, December 15, 2009, to complete the plan which is due today, December 15, 2009. Without a plan, the State of Michigan will automatically come in to take-over the assessment of all properties in Peaine Township. The reason for the reported issue involves a computer crash and an external hard drive crash which completely eliminated the work toward the electronic requirements of the State of Michigan.

Another long discussion took place about whether or not Peaine Township should hire its own, separate attorney from St. James Township. The public had mixed reactions to this topic. The plan that came out of this lengthy discussion was to give the "Dual Representation" township agreement a chance for six months to a year. The question on many people's mind is whether this will eliminate the contentiousness and the 'duel' that seems to be occurring between the two townships. "Will we be in this same place in six months to a year?" one attendee questioned another attendee.

If anything is not able to be mediated by phone in a call by the supervisor to the same township attorney for both St. James and Peaine Townships, the committee established in this resolution would be required to meet with the township attorney to work toward resolution of the issue. The two committee members from Peaine Township are Jack Gallagher, supervisor, and Paul Welke, trustee. St. James is holding a special meeting to discuss this same "dual representation" agreement.

In another fairly quick action, the Peaine Township Board voted unanimously to require all Peaine Township committees and commissions to follow the requirements by law for posting the time and day of meetings, for having the unapproved meeting minutes and resolutions available within eight days, and in general follow the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

There are 79 video clips of this meeting. Please view them to find out what's going on in the local governments of Beaver Island-lots of contentiousness, lots of disagreements.

Quicktime Streaming Video Clips of this meeting HERE

(Posted 12/19/09, 8 p.m.)

BICS Basketball Schedule in 2010

FRIDAY, JAN. 15 **PARADISE @ BEAVER ISLAND **

SAT, JAN. 16 **PARADISE @ BEAVER ISLAND **

FRIDAY, JAN. 22 ** BEAVER ISLAND @ HANNAHVILLE**

SAT, JAN. 23 BEAVER ISLAND @ HANNAHVILLE

FRIDAY, FEB. 5 **MACKINAC ISLAND @ BEAVER ISLAND **

SAT, FEB. 6 MACKINAC ISLAND @ BEAVER ISLAND  

FRIDAY, FEB. 12 ** BEAVER ISLAND @ GRAND MARAIS**

SAT, FEB. 13 BEAVER ISLAND @ GRAND MARAIS 

FRIDAY, FEB 19 ** BEAVER ISLAND @ MACKINAC ISLAND **

SAT, FEB 20 BEAVER ISLAND @ MACKINAC ISLAND

** GAMES COUNT TOWARD LEAGUE STANDINGS**

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY FEBRUARY 26 TH & 27 TH

NORTHERN LIGHTS LEAGUE TOURNAMENT-HANNAHVILLE

(12/15/09, 3:00 pm)

First Group Confirmed for the BI Music Festival

 

The first group in is The Blue Water Ramblers. www.bluewaterramblers.com

A description:

"We grab your attention. We pick. We sing. We harmonize. We teach the history and wonder of this great country of ous. We remind Americans who raises our food and tills the land. We sing of the waterways, highways and canals that bring the bounty to market. Above, we remind everyone that "This land is your land!"

Note: Banjo Jim has performed here on Beaver Island many many years ago.

BEAVER ISLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL

MUSIC IN THE WOODS 2010
JULY 15, 16, & 17 Mark your calendars!

Special Holiday Ticket Sale!
(available now through pay pal)

Thursday: July 15th-General Admission $10.00

(Friday July 16th & Saturday July 17th)
Day Passes: Teen/Senior $20.00 - Adult $25.00
Weekend Passes: Teen/Senior $40.00 - Adult $45.00

Children 12 & under are always FREE!

(Offer ends: 1/01/2009)

BIMF: PO Box 23, Beaver Island, MI 49782
www.bimf.net
231-838-2883

Beaver Island Music Festival Search for Particpants

Music festival news

It is that time of year again when we start searching for artists to perform at the 2010 Beaver Island Music Festival. This year we continue to have an additional evening of music to our festival so there are more opportunities to have fun and enjoy. The dates for this year are July 15, 16, & 17. If your group is interested in performing at the 2010 festival, the deadline for applying is January 1, 2010, and any aplicantions received after this date will only be considered for the 2011 festival. It is very important in our selection process that you include information about your group, size of the group, and a list of all band members that would be attending if selected and a CD.

Due to the large number of applicants, it is crucial in our selection process that we have an actual CD from your group. Please send all of your press kits to: BIMF Selection Committee PO Box 23, Beaver Island, MI 49782.

Our committee will be making all of their selections by January 31, 2010. We select based on quality, originality, diversity, personality, and try to have only one group from each musical category. We have also established a performing rule that no band can play the festival more than 2 years in a row (no exceptions) and must wait at least 1 year before reapplying. This rule has been put in place so that we can continue to bring a diverse and new festival to Beaver Island each year. If your group is chosen to perform for this year's festival, you will be contacted shortly after the final selection date. We will try to have our final line up posted by March 1, 2010.

If you are not selected this year please, continue to submit for future years and remember that we have an open-mic session that is open to all performers during the festival. You can register for a slot any time after February 1, 2010.

A special note to all artists that have applied to or performed at our festival before:

If we have received all of this information concerning your group from past years, everything about your group remains the same, and we have a CD, all you will need to do is e-mail me at bimfburton@yahoo.com to reactivate your application. We continue to keep all submissions to our festival each year for the convenience of your group and our selection committee.

We look forward to hearing from your group and wish you good luck for this year‘s selection!

Carol Burton

Opportunity to Serve on Health Center Board

THE BEAVER ISLAND RURAL HEALTH CENTER IS SEEKING APPLICANTS FOR TWO BOARD VACANCIES:

 1. A ONE-YEAR TERM TO FILL AN UNEXPIRED TERM

2. A THREE-YEAR TERM

The Board meets every other month on Saturday morning. The new terms begin on January 16, 2010. In addition to attending regular Board meetings, Board members are expected to serve on a Board Committee and take an active role in Board activities. Meetings can be attended by conference call and both interested part-time and full-time residents are urged to apply.

A willingness to serve the community and an interest in the health center are qualifications sought in all applicants. Prior board experience, expertise in fund raising, endowments, finance, information technology, marketing, insurance, health care industries, business, or personnel management are a plus. 

Interested? Send a letter telling us about yourself to: 

Board Selection Committee, Beaver Island Rural Health Center, PO Box 146, Beaver Island , Michigan 49782  

Applications due: January 8, 2010

Joint Township Meeting, November 23, 2009

(Some have asked why these are still here when the meeting happened so long ago. The information is still current even though the meeting is three weeks in the past. Until the January Joint Township meeting occurs, these will stay up as current joint meeting information.)

With the lawyer present from the firm that represents both townships, the Joint St. James and Peaine Township meeting got underway at 7 p.m. on November 23, 2009, at the Peaine Township Hall. The meeting was well attended. The two boards were seated on the north side of the hall with seemingly a large physical distance between them, which was an indicator of the distance in philosophy between the townships that has grown over the last year.

Jack Gallagher was the chairperson of the joint meeting. From Jack's opening comments after the Pledge, it was obvious that this meeting would not be an easy meeting nor a meeting with easy agreements. Such was truly the case with the two governmental entities at complete odds when it came to discussing any issue that dealt with the joint operations of the airport, waste management, fire department, and township cemetery.

It took a full 69 minutes to discuss and hash out the issues related to the township airport. The townships' attorney suggested that the two townships create and Airport Authority, and the disagreement between the two townships began to simmer and eventually boil over.

At times, the issues seemed to be mixed up almost like a breakfast scramble with the eggs, meat, garlic, onions, and cheese all rolled into one. At other times, the widening distance between the two townships became quite obvious on the individual issues related to the airport. The township lawyer suggested that the issue of the "Declaration of Necessity," the authorization to negotiate, and upon failure of the negotiations, the authority to use "Eminent Domain" to seize the property, should be set aside until an "Community Airport Authority" was created.

The two townships could not agree about the reason for the resolution mentioned above. The "airport expansion" (Jack Gallagher) was pitted against the "Safety" of the airport. Jack stated that the resolution spoke of airport expansion with a needed protection zone. St. James board members and former Peaine supervisor John Works spoke vehemently about the true issue being safety as it was related to the two aircraft crashes with loss of eight lives and the trauma that crash caused to the B. I. Fire Department personnel. Jim Wojan spoke about this airport expansion being "only a plan." Jack Gallagher stated that it was much beyond a plan if the resolution, if passed, could authorize court proceedings at which private property may be taken away by the townships.

The two townships did pass the same resolutions eventually. The Resolution of Necessity was tabled by both townships. The townships' lawyer was requested to provide a list of pro's and con's for two possibilities related to airport governance: airport authority and contractual agreement between the townships. And, a meeting to take place in January where the currently existing airport committee would present and explain the plans for airport expansion.

After the airport discussion, the next item of disagreement related to the Waste Management Committee. Jack Gallagher presented two names from Peaine Township and one from St. James Township to fill the openings on this committee. St. James disagreed upon the make-up of the committee. Jean Palmer stated that the committee consisted most recently with three members from each township and one member-at-large. Jack Gallagher stated that the documentation was clearly stating that there would be two township board members from each township and three members-at-large. St. James board members stated that there had been difficulty in getting the positions filled due to lack of interest, so the make-up of the committee had been changed to three board members from each township with one at-large-member. St. James board decided that with the return to the makeup suggested as necessary by Peaine, that they would re-post the positions in St. James Township, and make certain that everyone knew that the three positions could come from either township.

The budget discussion were contests of disagreement as well with no final motion or resolution.

The next Joint Township Meeting will be held at 7 p.m. on January 11, 2010, at the Peaine Township Hall.

Thanks goes to Levi Connor for the video work at the Joint Meeting. Good work, Levi!

Updated with video clips 11/27/09, 3 pm)

Quicktime Streaming Video Clips of this meeting HERE

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Beaver Island Cultural Arts Association Minutes

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Beaver Island Community School Board Meeting Minutes

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