B. I. News on the Net, March 14-20, 2011

Day Two St. Pat's Celebration

The St. Patrick's Day celebration was in full swing by 5 p.m. with Danny, Danny, Cindy, and Jim playing at Stoney Acres/Donegal Danny's. P-A-U-L was playing at the Beachcombers at 6 p.m.. Then RigorMortis started playing at Donnegal Danny's around 9 p.m. and the Doghouse Boodlers at the Shamrock at 10 p.m. Somewhere in there, you had to eat dinner and prepare for the evenings festivities. Three of the four events were attended. There was a need to make a choice since it was impossible to attend them all.

BINN started at Donegal Danny's for the traditional Irish music mixed with polkas and country western and old time favorites.

Cindy and Danny G ........Jim and Danny J

Danny Gillespie.......Danny Johnsten.........Jim

Shaker Heit enjoying the music......Brontae working ----Marilyn and Danny Johnsten dancing...........Cindy and Dust Cushman...............Keith Teague

Danny, Danny, Cindy, and Jim Video Clip

 

Continuing at Donegal Danny's for the later band's performance, RigorMortis.

Rich Gillespie............Rich Scripps..............Randy Osborne

RigorMortis Video Clip

 

Then the trip down to the Shamrock to hear some more local musicians, the Doghouse Boodlers. Interestingly enough, there were quite a few Beaver Island musicians who were not on the stage at both places. All were enjoying themselves and renewing friendships and dancing the night away..

Jeremy, one of the Sowa Brothers.......Hilary Palmer............Cory Palmer......................Visiting guitarist...........Brandon Maudrie .......

Doghouse Boodlers Video Clip

 

The Great Day at Donegal Danny's

The three bars that were open on St. Patrick's Day included the Beachcomber, the Shamrock, and Donegal Danny's. The only one with live music on the Great Day was Donegal Danny's, which explains the parking lot being full and the building packed with celebrators. Upon entering, you had to say "Excuse me, excuse me, excuse me," just to get in the door with the cameras. The usual Danny Gillespie and Danny Johnsten with Cindy Cushman were performing with an addition of another fiddler. The music was coming fast and furious and the dancers were packing the dance floor. There will be some video of the performer's available when there is time to process it. In the meantime here are some great photos of the band and those who were enjoying themselves.

Video Clip of Danny, Danny, and Cindy with Jim

 

Abigal Adams Hart in the News

Abigail Adams, now Abigail Hart, graduated from Beaver Island Community School. She is well remembered by her teachers and her classmates. Mr. Moore, Abigail's health teacher said, "Abbie was always a positive role model, and she was a hard worker. I am so pleased that she ended up working in the heatlh care field." Both of Abigail's parents still reside on Beaver Island, Dave Adams and Kathy Merriman.

BINN is proud to be able to provide an update on the successes of our Beaver Island graduates. Abigail was involved in lots of activities at Beaver Island Community School. She was on the volleyball team, and she was in the Medical First Responder training class.

Click HERE to View the Article

June DeRosia Passes Away

June DeRosia passed away on March 18, 2011. June DeRosia, who was 71, of Onaway has passed away at her home. June was born in 1939 in Flint, Michigan, to Nelson and June Wooley. June is survived by her husband, known on the Island as Dick DeRosia, Richard. June had five children, Sherrie DeRosia, Tina Wilson, Debbie Stoneham, Tonia Lewis, and Peggy DeRosia. All the children are still in this world along with thirteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren. June has a brother still living, Nelson Wooley; and two sisters, Billy Mae Wooley and Mary Louise Bland. There are no services planned at this time.

Your condolences can be submitted at: http://www.beckfuneralhome.org/cond.php

 

Sally Davis Passes Away

At about nine last night, Wednesday, March 16, 2011, Sally Davis passed away at her home. We will all miss this wonderful lady. Howard's address is: 4438 N. White Rd., Pierson, MI 49339.

Sally Mae (Rademacher) Davis, age 76, of Pierson went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 16, 2011.  She was preceded in death by her daughter, Heidi Lynn Southwell; brother, Richard Rademacher. 

Sally and her husband, Howard spent many summers living at Beaver Island enjoying the outdoors and peaceful living.  She was blessed with the talent of quilting; making beautiful quilts for her family and friends.  She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 56 years, Rev. Howard Davis; their children, Mark Davis, Paul and Carolann Davis, Sonna and Jim Pohlson, John and Denise Davis; son-in-law, Mel Southwell; grandchildren, Stephanie and Josh Mitrisin, Scott and Stephanie Southwell, Sarah Davis, Rachel, Alyssa, Isaac Davis, Thomas, Benjamin Davis; great grandson, Jacob Mitrisin; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mildred Weller, Robert Davis Ludwig. 

Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm on Monday at Family of God Community Church, 90 Quarterline Rd., Newaygo, with Rev. Barbara Boss officiating.  Interment at Cascade Township Cemetery.   Relatives and friends may meet the family on Sunday from 2-4:30 pm at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. and 1-1:45 pm prior to the service at the church. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Family of God Community Church.

 

Bailey Kathleen Lott O'Donnell Passes Away

Bailey Kathleen Lott O'Donnell, 12, of Traverse City, earned her angel wings on Monday, March 13, 2011, at home surrounded by her loving family, from complications of the Sanfilippo syndrome type A. Bailey was born March 25, 1998, to Michael D. O'Donnell and Anne Marie Lott in Traverse City.

Bailey enjoyed going to school, seeing all of her friends and watching Mickey Mouse and Blues Clues. She loved watching baseball games and "rocking out" to music with her daddy. Shopping and spending time with her mommy was also a great joy for Bailey.

Bailey especially loved spending time on Beaver Island with her whole family and most importantly with her grandparents. Her fondest memory was her Make-A-Wish trip to Florida with her family.

Surviving Bailey are her parents; siblings, Josh, Heather and Ronnie; grandparents, Richard and Janet O'Donnell, of Beaver Island; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Bailey was preceded in death by her grandparents, Kathleen Wingle and Ivan "Grandpa Stumpy" Lott.

The family would like to thank Dr. Oleson, Dr. Petisch and all the wonderful doctors of Mott's Hospital at U of M.

Funeral services will be held for Bailey at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 18, 2011, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, with a visitation held one hour prior. Richard Flowers will serve as celebrant.

Memorial contributions may be directed to The MPSSociety.org in honor of Bailey.

Please sign Bailey's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

(From the Traverse City Record Eagle website)

BICS School News

May 3, 2011 Annual School Election

Beaver Island voters will once again be asked to RENEW the school's operational millage. The requested millage renewal amount is 15.7908 on non-homestead property. It is the same operational millage amount that has been levied for more than 18 years. All of this money stays in the district to run our K-12 program. If you own just your primary residence (homestead property) or qualified agricultural property, you do not pay this tax. Proceeds from this millage account for approximately 75% of the school's general fund revenue.

The following people have been nominated to fill vacancies on the Beaver Island Board of Education: Jessica Anderson and Brian Cole, both current board members are running unopposed for two four-year school board terms. Also on the ballot will be the election of Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District board members. The following people have been nominated to fill open seats on that board of education: Beverly Osetck, Jane Roberts and Selma Chellis.

A more complete informational flyer will be mailed to all P.O. box holders in late April. Voting for the school election is held at the St. James Township Hall.

Isolated Schools Funding in Jeopardy

When Governor Snyder presented his school aid budget on February 17 to a joint committee of the legislature, Section 22d funding for Isolated School Districts was not included. Since 2003, Section 22d funding has helped provide for the very basic instructional needs of students in Michigan's five most isolated school districts: Beaver Island, Paradise, Grand Marais, Mackinac Island and DeTour. Beaver Island Community School receives approximately $114,000.00 from this state funding source and it is essential to our operation. The school board and administration is doing everything possible to get Section 22d funding reinstated in the budget before the final legislative vote in late spring. BICS parents will receive an email with more information about this important funding along with contact information so they can let state legislators know how important it is to fund a school on Beaver Island. Community members are also encouraged to contact legislators and may get more information about such a contact from the school office.

Beaver Island Community School MEAP Scores Strong Again :

Fall 2010 MEAP results were just released to the public, and, once again, Beaver Island Community School results are very strong – among the highest in the state on Michigan Educational Assessment Program tests!

Average % of Beaver Island Community School students who meet or exceed

2010 MEA P standards (grades 3-9)

	Math	Reading	Science	Social Studies
Beaver Island	97%	90%	100%	87%

B. I. Conservation Club Speaks Out

Over the past 18 months the BICC pursued a policy of bringing QDM to Beaver Island.  In our discussions with Russ Mason, head of DNR Wildlife, we were told that this could be accomplished as long as the "entire island was on the same page."  After multiple discussions with Russ, public information sessions with the town, and meetings with the Wildlife Club, we were able to draft a Plan and Township Resolutions that appealed to the vast majority of islanders.  Had we been informed by the DNR that it needed to include the words "Wildlife Certification" in the resolution it would have been a simple job of inserting it into the document.  The QDM resolution passed unanimously.  A subsequent Wildlife Certification resolution passed unanimously.  Had we been informed by the DNR that those words needed to be in the original document, we would have included them and this entire discussion would have been a mute point.  Unfortunately, some individuals have attempted to seize on this in an effort to support their own agendas.  They have attempted to demonize well meaning individuals to shift scrutiny away from their own poor behavior.  The fact of the matter is that without the BICC's involvement and dedication none of these wildlife initiatives would have been started on behalf of Beaver Island.  We now have a unique opportunity to use Wildlife Certification to further QDM and many other initiatives.  We could be a outdoor paradise for Waterfowl, Grouse, Pheasant and much more.  As painful as this process may have been, the BICC opened the door to greatly improve Beaver Island's wildlife management opportunities.  I think it is pretty hard for anyone to argue with that fact. 

Gavin West
(p) 269-369-1788
gavin.w.west@gmail.com

Mud

The least favorite season of the year is the mud season. You have heard of winter, spring, summer, and fall. There is another season on Beaver Island that most people just want to forget, except that it is very hard to forget when you are in the season. This is the season between winter and spring where everywhere you walk that is not paved is mud. It's even a pleasure to walk through the snow or on the banks of snow instead of walking on the cleared gravel and clay roads that mix with the moisture and make a quagmire. There is really nothing that the county road commission can do except mix this mud mixture into the rest of the softened roadway by grating. Sometimes, you wonder if this helps or just makes the mud muddier.

Many years ago at Grand Valley State College, there was a student coffee house jokingly named the "Wanton Woman." One of the on campus activities at this coffee house included an Open Mike night. A friend that will be identified only as John, a forty plus year old man who didn't want to grow up, was a frequent attendee and performer. He had a a deep radio-announcer type bass voice and the voice was very pleasant to listen, whether speaking or singing. He sang this song:

Mud, mud, glorious mud,

Nothing quite like it for soothing the blood.

So soon we will follow, down to the hollow,

And there we will wallow in glor-or-i-ous mud.

Mud.......ud

Welcome to the Beaver Island mud season! We tolerate this season every year because we know that spring is just around the corner. Now, don't think that Beaver Island is done with the snow and ice. Even if the MDNRE has decided that all ice shanties need to be off the ice already, Beaver Island still has plenty of ice. Beaver Island still has plenty of snow, and Beaver Island has not had its last snow storm of the year. So get up in the morning and walk out to your car before the melting begins, and you might, just might, keep the mud off your shoes.

Raffle for AMVETs Ladies Auxiliary

St. Patrick's Day Basket

This is the fourth year that the Ladies Auxiliary of the AMVETs have done this type of fundraising. This basket of Irish goodies includes home-baked breads, scones, crafts, libation, and Irish Tea. Tickets will be sold this Thursday, March 17, 2011, in the afternoon at Stoney's/ Donegal Danny's. On Friday, March 18, 2011, tickets will be sold from 5-7 p.m. at Stoney/Donegal Danny's, the Shamrock, and the Beachcomber.

The drawing will take place at the Shamrock at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2011. The proceeds will benefit Island children and families through Santa's Workshop, Mr. and Mrs. Claus Children's Christmas Lunch, and many other activities.

Thank you for your support, AMVETs Ladies Auxiliary

 

Beautiful Sunrise

On Tuesday morning just as the sun was beginning to rise, a quick trip out to Gull Harbor was deemed in order. First a pictures from the Kings Highway next to Mike Collins' home, then out to Gull Harbor, and then back in to the Collins' again.

It was a beautiful sunrise. The red sky could be seen through the trees looking from Carlisle Road toward the harbor. The bright reds were gorgeous and only faded as the sun actually became visible behind the clouds.

Michigan Archival Association to Hold Conference on Beaver Island

 

Below is a link to the Michigan Archival Association member news letter. Their annual conference is slated for  Beaver Island  June 14-15. Many members are planning longer stays to enjoy the Island pre and post meeting.

http://miarchivists.wordpress.com/2011/03/14/updated-conference-information/#comment-302

Community Center and COA Sponsor Tax Help for Low-Income Seniors

MARCH 22nd there will be a tax preparer provided by the COA and NMCAA on-site from 11am to 4pm to assist low income Beaver Island Seniors with preparing their tax returns.  To schedule an appointment call Ann at 448-2022

Peaine Township Meeting Video 030911

Ellen Hill Has Passed Away

For those of you who know her, Ellen Hill has passed away. Thoughts, prayers, and cards would be helpful for Mem, her sister, and Jimmy, a friend. Walker Hill, Ellen's father, and Phil Gregg, both deceased, were co-owners of the Beaver Haven Marina before selling it. Beaver Haven Marina became the Beaver Island Marina when the Andersons purchased it.

The address is:

Ellen Hill
100 Tamalpais Road
Berkeley, California 94708

The Beaver Island Ice Classic

The Ice Classic ticket sales typically stop the first day of Spring which is March 20th this year.   You can purchase tickets at the Community Center or from board members.

If I recall last year we were concerned that it might go in before the first day of Spring as there was open water in the harbor, this year it is still frozen past the old Coast Guard station.

There are four (4) tilt switches  on the tower mounted 90 degrees apart. When the tower tilts one of them will close and trigger a relay on the barge that stops the clock. The wire to the tower runs along the line shown in the pictures.  Typically it does not sink rather a North wind blows the ice from shore and the tower just falls off.  Here is a movie taken a few years ago showing how that happens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4awmrOEu2_E

The tickets are stored at the library under the watchful eye of the staff and sorted by time and date in their presence after the tower goes into the ice.

If you are off the island and want to participated send me an e-mail at btidmore@tds.net   and we'll figure out how to make it work.

Thanks for your support.

Whiskey Point Lighthouse Informational Meeting

Terry Pepper from the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association came to Beaver Island and held an informational meeting at the St. James Township Hall beginning at 1 pm. There are plans and engineering drawings prepared and approved for the necessary work to fix the lighthouse at the point. One of the questions answered related to the idea of painting the lighthouse to protect it. Mr. Pepper explained that, in all actuality, painting the bricks was the worst thing in the world to do. He stated that the issue now is related to moisture. If the moisture is contained inside the bricks instead of being allowed to move through the bricks to the outside, a process named squawlling will occur to the bricks. This is what has caused the damage to the outside bricks for the Whiskey Point Lighthouse. It is caused as moisture is trapped in the bricks and the bricks undergo the normal freezing and thawing and exposure to the weather. The "fire" side of the brick is on the outside, and it is the hardest portion of the brick. It begins to break away and fall off due to lack of ventilation or due to the trapping of the moisture in the bricks caused by painting, which seals the moisture in. To prevent more damage it will be necessary to get a good ventilation procedure going as soon as possible. Plans were presented to repair the inside and the outside of the building. Estimates of the cost of the different items that needed to be repaired were presented. Now, the work must begin to raise funds for the most needed, high priority items. Several possible suggestions were presented by those present.

Mr. Pepper further sent me this information today, Tuesday, March 15, 2011: In his presentation, he suggested that the lighthouse light-keepers used to whitewash the light. The recipe for making whitewash from the 1902 volume "Instructions to Light-Keepers, which was published by the Lighthouse Board, and was the bible for keepers:

WHITEWASH

The following recipe for whitewashing has been found by experience to answer on wood, brick, and stone, nearly as well as oil paint, and is much cheaper: St\lake half a bushel of unslaked lime with boiling water, keeping it covered during the process. Strain it and add a peck of salt, dissolved in warm water; 3 pounds of ground rice put in boiling water and boiled to a thin paste; half a pound of powdered Spanish whiting, and a pound of clear glue; dissolved in warm water; mix these well together, and let the mixture stand for several days. Keep the wash thus prepared in a kettle or portable furnace, and when used put it on as hot as possible, with painter's or whitewash brushes.

The costs for the restoration project can be viewed HERE

Lighthouse Meeting Clip 1

Lighthouse Meeting Clip 2

Lighthouse Meeting Clip 3

 

If you are interested in helping out with this project, please send your donation to St. James Township, c/o Lighthouse Fund, POB 85, Beaver Island, MI 49782

Winter Snow Again??

This is Michigan, and it is Beaver Island. The month is only March, and what can you expect to see coming down? Of course, we are getting more snow. It's not time for spring on Beaver Island. It might be that you heard something about a a rodent that lives in the ground, and that he saw his shadow, or didn't see his shadow, but that really means nothing when you live on Beaver Island. Maybe Southern Michigan is going to get an early spring. Beaver Island is not. Here are some pictures of the beautiful snow that came down today, March 12, 2011.

Donnell Mors Lane

Kings Highway near BIRHC

Sandra Birdsall Letter Read at Peaine Township Meeting, March 9, 2011

March 15, 2001 Version of the CAMP from NREC

This was the version of the plan that was to be sent to members on March 15, 2011. This version is different from Version 10 which may be found below, a couple stories are in between this version and the other to help keep them separate. There is no BINN position on either versions of the plan. BINN does support the idea of getting various stakeholders together as suggested at the Peaine Township Meeting of 3/9/11. BINN is willing to provide information in any positive form about this subject on this website.

Newest Version of the CAMP

An idea about how to maximize our benefit from our ownership of

Whiskey Island

After listening to several people and considering their diverse opinions, an idea occurred to me about how we might obtain a satisfactory and beneficial resolution to our recent purchase of Whiskey Island. St. James Township was very fortunate to obtain such a beautiful, pristine asset in the Beaver Archipelago. This island, the middle of three small private islands lying northwest of Beaver, consists of two lots, one of 43 acres and the other of 53. Many people have supported the possibility of trading Whiskey Island to the State for the property on Paradise Bay in St. James, which was intended to house Beaver Island`s DNR employee, but for the past 25 years has been home to our Deputy Sheriff. The lot starts at the water and extends across the road and back into the woods. It contains a building, which the two townships have contributed equal funds to maintain and improve.

Other people have suggested that this proposed trade would short-change Beaver Island because Whiskey Island has to be worth much more than a single lot.

My idea is that we band together and work hard and smartly to obtain some additional considerations for this trade. First and foremost is that we make it a joint effort between St. James Township and Peaine Township. Showing Island-wide support is necessary for this to be accomplished. Some other conditions would facilitate this plan:

l) We need to get Bud Martin and his supporters on board.
2) St. James and Peaine should be the co-owners of the new acquisition, with Peaine reimbursing St. James for half of its expenses to date.
3) The two Island Townships should collaborate on the development of this acquisition to enhance the likelihood of receiving grants.

Improvements to the harbor property could include:
a) The creation of a public launch ramp and fishing pier on the waterfront;
b) The installation of off-street parking for boaters and fishermen, far enough behind the home to not constitute a nuisance;
c) The building of a picnic area and restrooms on the property, which could be called “Larsen Park,” after Sybil and Big Art Larsen; and
d) The continuing joint-Township maintenance and improvement of the home used as the Deputy's quarters.

I believe the DNR lot and these improvements could be obtained in trade from the State, and that this could be done in exchange for one of the two Whiskey Island lots. Creating this facility in St. James would relieve our current congestion and allow us to offer greater boating and fishing opportunities, enhancing our appeal to tourists from all over the Midwest. My hope is that we can simultaneously trade the second Whiskey Island lot for a line item ten-year bequest from the State's Commtmity Health Budget of $50,000/year for each of the Rural Health Centers in the island consortium of Drummond, Mackinac, and Beaver. We can accomplish great things, but only if we overcome our differences and work together. This plan could be a turning point, and lead to several comparable future benefits.

~ Bill McDonough, 3-10-201 l

Proposed Conceptual Drawing

Many Thanks to Jeff Cashman for this wonderful conceptual drawing!

Airport Commission Budget Meeting

The March 5, 2011, Airport Commission Meeting was held at 10 a.m. at the Peaine Township Hall. All members of the commission and a few audience members were present. The purpose of this meeting was to put together a budget document for the fiscal year starting on April 1, 2011. The commission spent over an hour and ten minutes preparing the budget with laborious and complete discussion on some categories. The next airport commission meeting is scheduled for May 14, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the St. James Township meeting.

The full meeting can be viewed HERE.

Beaver Island Sports Boosters CHILI COOK-OFF

This special Sports Boosters fundraising event drew nineteen different types of chili. All of them not only different, but also delicious. Some were very hot. Others quite mild. All were tasty. The individuals partaking in the chili feast were asked to give a donation at the door. This event raised $616.

Welcoming the guests

Anyone that went away hungry must not have like chili...Lots of different types of chili....cornbread and corn muffins and sweets

Lots of variety for all individual tastes

The judges for the cook-off relaxing before the tasting...

The judges were Ryan Oliver, Karl Heller, Dianne McDonough, Andy Kohls, and Bill Kohls. They spent a little over a half and hour tasting and re-tasting the nineteen different kinds of chili.

Back and forth around to the three tables of chili in crockpots

The first place, second place, and third place reactions

First place was Heather Cary. Second Place was Susan Avery. Third place was Kathy Speck...Congratulations to those in the places and to Missy Williams Runner up..

Heather poses next to her winning chili...

Sue Avery wasn't present as the place ribbons were given out, and she is quite shy about having her picture taken.

Everyone that prepared the chili, thank you. Everyone who placed or got runner up, thank you. All that attended were winners, thank you. A great fundraising event with just another good reason to get together. Thanks to all who participated.

Short Video Clip of the Chili Cook-off

Thank you to everyone who came out and sampled the delicious chili's, donated money, made chili and desserts.

A big thank you to Eric & Dana Hodgson for hosting the Chili Cook-Off at the Shamrock. We appreciate the community support.

Go Islanders!!

Beaver Island Sports Boosters

 

News from the NRC Meeting:

I just recieved a message from Wildlife Chief Russ Mason.  He said that things are in place for Antler Point Restrictions on Beaver Island for this falls hunting season.  He said the final item will be a public meeting to be held in April or May and it will be attended by members of the MDNR-NRC and the MDNR-Wildlife Division.  Thanks to the long list of those that helped to play a part in this effort.  We look forward to working with the DNR in the management of this component of our Wildlife Certification Plan.

Jeff Powers DVM President, Beaver Island Wildlife Club

Draft 10: Beaver Island Adaptive Management Plan

The following link takes you to the converted document in web format of the NRETC's Beaver Island Adaptive Management Plan. This document is the document referred to at the Peaine Township Meeting of March 9, 2011. This document will be one of the items that should be discussed by the interested parties in attempting meet common ground. Only ten copies were distributed by Ed Wojan at this meeting, but the entire document is available at this link.

Draft 10 Adaptive Managenent Plan

A Model Ordinance (from the Huron Valley Watershed Council Website)

To help local governments to enact their own ordinances to supplement the State program, the Huron River Watershed Council (HRWC), with funding from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, has developed a model wetlands ordinance that is consistent with the State law. The ordinance will provide local governments with a legally sound tool to protect their wetlands and property owners with consistent, predictable treatment throughout the State.
» Protecting Your Community's Wetlands , HRWC's wetland ordinance brochure dated September 2006
» Frequently Asked Questions About Wetlands Ordinances , factsheet dated September 2006
» MDEQ Model Wetlands Ordinance , dated March 2003
» Notes Regarding the MDEQ Model Wetlands Ordinance , prepared April 2006
» Legal Cases Related to Wetlands in Michigan , dated March 2002
» Natural Features Setback Ordinance , passed August 1998. HRWC highly recommends that communities enact a natural features setback ordinance along with a wetland ordinance.

from http://www.hrwc.org/the-watershed/watershed-protection/wetland-protection/

Nationally Known, Yet Island Connected Journalist and Columnist Dies

David Broder has passed away at the age of 81. He was with the Washington Post. He has been coming to Beaver Island for many, many years. The following link takes you to the CNN story about this. HERE

This link takes you to the Washington Post article about David Broder's career: HERE

 

From the Wildlife Club President

Please find attached a letter delivered today from Senator Walker's office to MDNR chief Mason.  This was the last piece of documentation that the MDNR Natural Resources Commission requested in order to consider our application to have Antler Point Restrictions implemented this year.  The commissioners requested this information because Beaver Island did not go through the normal two year process that is usually required to have such restrictions placed into law.  Chief Mason informed me that we did not need to attend the NRC meeting on Thursday as he will make follow through on our request from the last meeting.  Additionally letters were sent from Representative McMaster's office as well as the Charlevoix County Commissioners. These letters were sent to the DNR on our behalf. Respectfully submitted, Jeffrey F. Powers DVM President, Beaver Island Wildlife Club

Letter HERE

St. James Township Meeting, March 2, 2011

The St. James Board had just enough board members present to be a quorum with Tim McDonough and Jim Wojan absent, off the island. The items discussed are presented below for the less than thirty minutes meeting for the township.

Minutes, Bills, up through Beaver Island Association Letter

 

Beaver Island Wildlife Club Letter

 

No Action on NREC at this time and Lighthouse Committee Meeting

 

Air Evacuation Discussed and Poverty Level Discussed

 

Annual Meeting and Budget Hearing set and discussed

 

Public Hearing on the Medical Air Evacuation Issue Tentatively Set

 

Sewer System Discussion

 

Public Comment and Adjournment

 

Turkey Licenses Available

The B I Wildlife Club (BIWC) & Chamber Of Commerce want you to know about turkey hunting licenses available for area J that includes Beaver Island. The club has done a fantastic job over the years of developing and supporting a large flock of turkeys. The Chamber has agreed to work with the club to market our Island to turkey hunters. An ad is currently running in Turkey & Turkey Hunting magazine and some responses have already been received. The Chamber hopes to host a writer as well. It doesn't have to be Thanksgiving to enjoy a fresh turkey dinner.

Leftover Spring Turkey Licenses Go on Sale March 8

The Department of Natural Resources and Environment reminds hunters that leftover spring turkey licenses go on sale to unsuccessful license applicants on Tuesday, March 8, at 10 a.m.  Licenses may be purchased by any hunter beginning March 15 at 10 a.m., including those who did not participate in the application process.

Hunters may look up their drawing results and view leftover license quantities at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings .

"There are numerous licenses available for many areas of the state," said Al Stewart, the DNRE's Upland Game Bird Specialist. "There are more than 52,000 remaining licenses available, which allows hunters to pursue turkeys on private land in southern Michigan from April 18 - May 1, the first two weeks of the season.  Or, hunters may purchase a license for Hunt 234 to hunt turkeys statewide from May 2 – 31, except for public lands in Unit ZZ."   The Hunt 234 license may be purchased until May 1.

There are over 74,000 total leftover licenses available for limited-quota hunts. Hunters may purchase only one license for the spring turkey season. Licenses can be purchased online at www.michigan.gov/dnr or are available for purchase at state retail license agents.

Jeff Powers on the Cover of "Hardware" Magazine

There is an article about Unique Niches in this spring issue of the magazine "Hardware," and Jeff Powers is not only on the cover, but also the lead article about unique niches in the hardware business. The whole magazine loads when you click this link, but it only takes a minute.

Click HERE

Beaver Island Association Letters to the Community and Township Board

Letter to Peaine Township board

Letter to the community

Island Treasures News

Cleaning?  Reorganizing? Decluttering? Your diet worked, and your clothes no longer fit?  Please remember that Island Treasures Resale Shop needs your donations of "gently used, barely used, like new items".  We especially need linens, dishes. pots, pans, and kitchen gadgets.  We are not able to accept upholstered furniture, but we need tables, chairs, desks, and shelving.   We al so need craft supplies and small tools. As always , electronics and large appliances are not accepted, but you may use our bulletin board to post these items.  If you have any questions about your donations or need help with delivery, please call Donna at 448-2797 .

MARCH MADNESS starts at STONEY Acres/Donegal Dannys

The GREAT Day...The Grand Weekend...
Thursday March 17th thru Sunday March 20th.
*Corned Beef & Cabbage, Irish Stew, Lake Perch... Plus Full Menu.
*Danny's Bloody Mary Bar and plenty of Stout, right from Ireland.
* Great Tunes!
**On Thursday the Great Day, Danny, Danny, Cindy & friend.
**Friday Happy Hour 5-8pm, they'll play a bit more.
**Friday Night...Rigormortis at 9pm.
**Saturday Night it's Jason & Nick w/ Aric, playing at 9pm.
***Never a price increase or cover charge***
*Sunday enjoy our Complimentary Hot Dog Buffet & Munchies with our Bloody Mary Bar.
Great Craic all weekend.
*****Donegal Danny's Pub...the next best thing to Ireland*****

National Organization Holds Planning Exercise on Beaver Island

After months of coordinated planning, the Nature Conservancy, a national organization, arrived on Beaver Island to meet collaboratively with tribal, state, county, and local organizations on February 15, 2011, for an island wide planning exercise to specifically deal with invasive species and deer management threats. A WebEx presentation went on simultaneously to those individuals who were off island to allow full participation.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) sent 3 experienced staff members and technology support (1) who are involved with Lake Michigan, Great Lakes Islands, and Lake Huron planning efforts. They stressed that Beaver Island archipelago is noted in bi-national reports as one of the highest ranking bio-diverse islands of 32,000 Great Lakes islands and has some of   the best  examples of natural communities within the State of Michigan. TNC originally was scheduled to come to share with the NREC the methods used by the TNC in developing plans. The Natural Resources and Eco-tourism Commission notified the TNC and the groups attending that they were dissolved by both townships days before. All those attending and presenting felt that the information was too important for the community to cancel the informational training event.

Examples related to the Island were used by the TNC and discussed to show techniques of planning. The planning exercise focused on the following topics which were explored and strategized. An archipelago wide firewood quarantine by the Department of Agriculture to help protect the Island ash trees from the Emerald Ash Borer , new invasions by invasive terrestrial plants, excessive deer browse on native plants, and monitoring and managing deer to sustainable capacity were presented. The group also discussed plant species that may be soon added to the State and Federal lists of rare and endangered species that can still be found on our archipelago.

The goal of the meeting was not to make decisions or reach conclusions for the Island but to show how dialogue and identifying goals, desired outcomes, threats and actions to address threats, were all related. Attendees at the meeting included three biologists from the Little Traverse Band of Odawa, a representative from the MSU Extension Service to Charlevoix County, three former members of the planning committee of the NREC, two DNRE representatives, a representative from the planning commission, and the Wildlife Club President. It became evident to those present at the meeting that the Island's decisions related to natural resources planning carries a great responsibility and must be carefully thought through. Islanders have the ability to protect or destroy species at our discretion.

One of the participants, Jeff Powers, President of the Wildlife Club, remarked that it was the largest assemblage of Wildlife Biologists in the history of Beaver Island . Those present learned much from these scientists and biologists. Future NREC planning events, 2011 birding surveys, a June educational symposium, economic drivers, and the Beaver Island Birding Festival are just a few events that have been suspended along with state agency and regional organizational coordination due to the dissolution of the NREC organization by both township boards.

Submitted by Pam Grassmick

Forest View Apartments Construction

Floor Plans of the Forest View Apartments

Floor plan of the entire building (large view)

Floor plan of just the common areas (large view)

Floor plan of one bedroom apartment

Transfer Station News

Beginning April 1, 2011, the cost of all black trash bags will be $3.00 per bag based upon the decision of the meeting of the Waste Managment Committee. The discussion of the color of the bag was eliminated by the change in wording to include all "consumer" type bags will cost $3.00. The Waste Management Committee met on February 15, 2011. The minutes of that meeting may be accessed HERE.

BI Christian Church Resident and Visiting Ministers

Month of March

20: Harold Kruse

27: Harold Kruse

Easter Brunch Scheduled

Sunday April 24 Easter Brunch NOON at the Gregg Fellowship Center. Pancakes, Ham, Scrambled Eggs, French Toast Casserole and Strata along with OJ and Coffee.  Community is invited to attend.  Anyone wanting to bring a dish to pass are welcome  do so.

32 Miles of Water

(Copyright 2004, Phillip Michael Moore)

Update: 2/19/11---This video has had 108 viewings in the months of January and February so far. We hope that the views are getting the importance of having an air ambulance on Beaver Island and ready to go for the emergencies that have occurred here. It is obvious that ill and injured people are searching out other methods of transport since the transports for 2010 were down 50% compared to the last four years. While part of the cause is the depressed economy, the other part is the concern of being transported to the mainland and having a huge bill for that transport. BINN will continue to have this video available until something gets resolved with this issue. Comments so far: "You must be very proud of your son for doing this excellent video." "We never realized that this was still an issue." "Wow, a very important issue that seems to have been put on the back burner for too long. It's a burning issue."

Beaver Island has two flight services, and neither of them are currently certified or licensed to transport emergency patients from Beaver Island to the mainland. We thank the crews of the USCG helicopters for coming to do medical evacuations. We thank the flight services that have helped us get patients to the mainland for the last seven years and before. We thank Northflight for providing this service as well.

While a lot of things have changed over the last 7 years including a new school, a new executive director of EMS, new township supervisors,and new rural health center board members, there is one thing that has not changed.

Beaver Island does not have an FAA Certified Air Ambulance that is licensed by the State of Michigan.

When Phillip Michael Moore made this video as a Master's degree project, no one would have guessed that seven years later Beaver Island would still not have achieved this goal.

Please take the time to view the video. Please take some time to think about this, and then start asking some questions about how this can be resolved.

Beaver Island News on the 'Net Presents "32 Miles of Water" in its final form (28.5 minutes). The previously video, viewed here, was a slightly shortened version. The video is in high quality, but is still streaming video.

 

2010 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 Friday, April 8, 2011

Questions: Call Steve West, Mon – Fri., 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 231.448.2505

The Award Banquet will be Saturday, April 30, 2011.

Please call Stoney Acre Grill & Pub (231) 448-2560 for reservations.

Citizen of the Year 2011 Banquet Menu

Sirloin Tips Gaelic

Braised, Choice Sirloin Tips with shallots, garlic and seasonings, deglazed with Irish Mist and finished with cream. Served over penne pasta and garnished with grated Pecorino Romano.

Roast Half-Chicken with Mushrooms

(Poulet au Champignon)

Roast spring Chicken topped with sautéed fresh mushrooms and resting in a sauce of chicken stock, horseradish, garlic, seasonings and cream. New Potatoes and Vegetable accompany.

Yellow Lake Perch

Eight hand-dusted Lake Erie Perch, lightly fried and served with House Slaw, Vegetable, Saffron Rice and House Tartar.

*All dinners are served with an amuse, a small garden salad, herbed bread, and dessert.

Cost per dinner is $20. Does not include gratuity. Alcohol and beverages extra.

1st Annual "Gail's Walk"

The first annual "Gail's Walk" will take place on Sunday, May 29, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. In honor of Gail Weede, each year we will have a Memorial Weekend Walk to raise money that will help Island families who experience unexpected or long term medical treatment.  This fund would help with bills or expenses related to the condition. A minimum donation of $10 per person is asked for this 5k untimed event.  Children 5 and under are no charge.  There will be commemorative long sleeve t-shirts available for $10 each (please pre-order your shirts).  Be sure to include quantity and sizes.

To pre-register for the walk and/or t-shirt, please make your check out to BIRHC (Beaver Island Rural Health Center) memo: Gail's Walk, and mail to Beth Croswhite, P.O.Box 143 Beaver Island, MI 49782.
If you are unable to join us, but would still like to donate to this worthy cause, any donation would be welcomed and appreciated. This walk would begin and end at the Public Beach Parking lot.
Any questions call Dawn Marsh  at 231-448-2910.

On the Beach of Beaver Island

You 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.

BICS Calendar for 2010-11 Approved

Beaver Island Transfer Station Information

Expired Subscriptions

Please send us your email address.

There are quite a few subscriptions that will expire in March and some 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

Beaver Island Natural Resources and Eco-Tourism Commission Minutes

Joint Human Resources Commission Minutes

Waste Management Committee Minutes

Beaver Island Airport Commission Minutes New for 2011!