Beaver Island News on the 'Net, November 15-21, 2010

Cookie Carnival Reminder

Cookie Carnival on Dec 9 going from NOON until 3:30PM. Anyone who would like to help out in preparation of the event can join us Tue 12/7 and Wed 12/8 we will be baking, frosting, and setting up. We will start at 9:30AM until 4:30PM. If you can work all day or half day we would enjoy you joining us for a good time. Maybe you have a special cookie or dessert you would like to bring to the event for us to sell . If you have any questions feel free to call Jean Carpenter at 448-2893.

Original Notice below

Community Center Raffle Winners

The winner of the Kubota RT 1100 Diesel is Matt Fogg. Second prize of $500 goes to Michelle Grooters. Third prize of $250 to Ken Taylor.

Congratulations to the winners!

Beaver Island Airport Commission Inter-Governmental Agreement

This is the complete agreement approved by both Peaine and St. James Townships

B I Airport Commission Rules of Procedure

These rules of procedure have been approved by the Airport Commission and Peaine Township. They have yet to be approved by St. James Township.

First Meeting of the Beaver Island Airport Commission

Although this meeting included mostly those who had served on the previous Airport Committee, this was the first actual meeting of the newly created Beaver Island Airport Commission. The meeting took place on November 20, 2010. Mike Scripps, who was later to be voted as the Chairman of the BIAC, started the meeting at 10 a.m. The first item on the agenda was the election of the seventh member on the commission. Two Peaine Township Board members and one member at large from Peaine Township were matched by the same from St. James. From Peaine, Colleen Martin, Pete LoDic, (board members) and Mike Scripps (MAL) were matched by Jim Wojan, Ray Cole, (board members), and Elaine West (MAL). These six elected Don Vyse as the seventh member of the commission with six of them having served on the previous airport committee. The choice of Don Vyse was an excellent one since Don has been doing this airport work for many years and is familiar with the funding, not only State of Michigan funding, but also federal funding. The order of business was to elect the 7th member as previously mentioned, discuss organizational matters brought up by Don Vyse, approve the Rules of Procedure, and have public input during the appropriate public comment time.

Present at this meeting in addition to the commission members were Airport Manager Rachel Teague, Peaine Township Supervisor Jack Gallagher, and twelve community members. One of the issues discussed included the land acquisition project in which at total fo $43,684 had been expended in legal fees which included approximately $10,000 going to Land Matters, the rest going to the lawyer. The hold up in the land acquisition has put the ten-year-plan on hold. This plan will certainly have to be revised. There are several contracts that need to be signed related to grants. These will have to await the approval of the Rules of Procedure endorsement and/or a resolution from both townships.

Another meeting was scheduled for December 9, 2010, at 6 p.m. and will take place at Peaine Township Hall.

Video of this meeting will be available later.

BICS HOSA Raise Money for Senior Help Mates

BICS Health Occupation Students of America members are participating in a fund raising benefit today, Saturday, November 20, 2010, to help benefit a Help Mate program operated by the BIRHC. The students have gotten pledges from the community and plan to rock from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. to raise approximately $600 for this Help Mate program.

Video of Rock-a-thon students and instructor

 

BICS HOSA students and their instructor: McCaulley Connaghan, Gus Connaghan, Michael McCafferty, Olivia Schwartzfisher, Marissa Crandall, and Mrs. Sarah McCafferty

Peaine Township Special Meeting, 11/19/10

The Peaine Board met on Friday evening, 11/19/10, at 5 p.m. in a special meeting. The purpose of the special meeting was to discuss information in the form of a letter from their lawyer related to acquisition of property owned previously by Albins. The board met in open session, but before the vote to go into closed session, Mike Scripps made a statement about the two townships owning the airport. He questioned why St. James was not involved in this meeting. Jack Gallagher told Mike that he was out of order. The board voted to go into closed session and they did.

The board came back from the closed session with nothing to report to the public about their closed session. The closed session lasted approximately one hour.

Video of this meeting

 

It's Not Too Cold for Golf

There were quite a few people driving by the Beaver Island Golf Course today, November 12, 2010, shaking their heads. Jeff Mestelle even stopped to tell the golfers how crazy they were to be out playing in these temperatures and in this wind. However, the dedicated foursome on the course didn't care about the temperature or the wind, and actually played better in this month of November than they did in late August. The two teams, made up of Frank Solle and Mike Bailey versus Buck Ridgeway and Joe Moore, didn't seem too concerned. The match today was played using the summer league rules. There was no waiting as they were the only four on the golf course with the exception of the two flocks of turkeys. (You don't have think what you are thinking. The golfers were smarter than the turkeys, maybe.)

You'd think that there was a couple hundred thousand prize money on the line with the level of competition that seemed involved today. Frank and Mike jumped out to a two stroke lead after the first few holes, but Buck and Joe just kept plugging along. Both teams ended up shooting an excellent round with two birdies and one bogie for a tie score of 34. Not bad for either team, especially for the month of November and in this wind. After shaking hands all around, each went back to his home with a smile and a good round of golf as part of his memory.

You'll probably see them out there again. Just don't think they are out there for the money. It's for the love of the game.

Community Calendar

BI News on the 'Net has a complete 2011 calendar up on the homepage of this website. We are willing to post any activities that take place on the Island on this calendar. When you know a specific date of any activity, please email medic5740@gmail.com and it will be posted on the Community Calendar. So far, the only items on the calendar into 2011 are those governmental meetings that are held on specific days. Please send your information for your activity as soon as it is know, so that other organizations will not conflict with your date(s).

Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Every year the Beaver Island Community Church puts on a special Thanksgiving dinner for the entire community. Historically, this dinner was served to the members of the community that did not have family to celebrate Thanksgiving with. It continues in that spirit, but also welcomes any and all who are on the Island on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Day begins with a service at Holy Cross Church at 9:30 a.m. There will be members of different churches participating in the service on Thanksgiving morning. This service puts you in the proper frame of mind for the day as we all thank God for all of our blessings.

Then, after preparations that take most of the morning and afternoon, the Gregg Fellowship Hall will be the location of the Community Thanksgiving Dinner. The dinner will start promptly at 6 p.m. In years past, the numbers of attendees has varied from 50 to over 100. If possible, please bring a dish to pass. See you at the Gregg Fellowship Hall for this wonderful opportunity to socialize and celebrate all that we are thankful for!

Christmas Cantata

Rehearsals Underway

Rehearsals are well underway for the Annual Christmas Cantata. Sectionals and full choir rehearsals having been going on all the month of November. Kathy Speck is again conducting and teaching chorus members, making sure that the music will again be wonderfully uplifting. This year's Annual Christmas Cantata is only two weeks away and will be performed on Saturday and Sunday, December 4th and December 5th, at 3 p.m. Come join the community choir and other performers in the celebration of the spirit of Christmas! See you there!

Library News

The island was in the midst of a horrific wind storm on Wednesday, October 27, 2010. The Beaver Island District Library felt the brunt of the storm losing five trees to the winds. We were very lucky that the decision to close kept anyone from being harmed by flying debris. We can't say the same for the patio furniture that was in the memorial garden. The chairs are now recliners as they were flattened by fallen pines. Very special thanks go to Jim Wojan and his crew who spent hours cleaning up the mess after the storm had passed.

On an up note, all the public computers are now on battery back-up thanks to Joe Moore. The wind storm caused power outages on Tuesday and Wednesday made keeping us online a nightmare, now with the backup perhaps it won't be as much of a problem. Things were kept interesting the Tuesday before the storm as the automation won't work without power so all check-outs had to be done “the old fashioned way” by hand-writing all the barcodes. It certainly wasn't a boring day.

Librarians Barbara Cruickshank and Phyllis Moore attended the Michigan Library Association conference in Traverse City from November 9 th through the 12 th . Lots of new things to learn, see, and wish for. It's a wonderful way to catch up with other librarians, discover new and different ways of doing our jobs. We hope to be able to implement some of the things we learned throughout the week.

We have lots of new books in – many on the New York Bestseller List – to help while away those long winter evenings as the white stuff comes down. How about checking out any of the trilogy by Stieg Larsson; Cutting for Stone ; Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet ; The Lacuna ; Eat, Pray, Love ; Three Cups of Tea ; Dewey ; Mennonite in a Little Black Dress just to list a few. Or perhaps a movie night: mix together a big bowl of popcorn with Toy Story 3 ; Avatar ; Life ; Rosemary and Thyme ; Ken Burns Civil War set, and hundreds more.

It was with great sadness that we had to have Harriet Rafferty's blue spruce removed this fall. It never recovered from being blown over during a storm last winter in spite of lots of tender loving care. It will be replaced come spring.

We also have to thank Bob Tidmore with the AMVETS Post 46 for raising and lowering the library flag for us. He's done a marvelous job of keeping track of the days it needs to be at half mast. It is truly appreciated by all.

Winter is almost here, so stop in and check out the library for something to read or watch. If you don't have a library card it's a simple procedure and only takes a couple minutes. You can also check out our website and catalog online at http://beaverisland.michlibrary.org Email us at island.library@gmail.com with any suggestions you have that will help make our library more inviting, or if you have a complaint about something we may have neglected to do.

Pub Quiz Returns to Stoney

It's time to dust off the cobwebs from your brain and join the Pub Quiz at Stoney Acres, Sunday, Nov. 28 from 3-6 PM. $5 donation goes to the Food Pantry; get a team of 3-5 people or we can form teams for you. Brought to you by Carol Gillespie, Linda Wearn and Stoney Acres.

St. James Township Special Meeting, November 17, 2010

At its special meeting regarding the newly formed Airport Commission, St. James appointed the members to the new commission that was formerly called the Airport Committee. Ray Cole, Elaine West, and Jim Wojan were each appointed to the Airport Commission. See below for the first meeting scheduled of the new Airport Commission. In related news, Peaine Township Board has scheduled a Special Meeting related to airport business as well. See below.

Signing Airport Intergovernmental Agreement and Amendment Discussion

 

Appointments to Commission and Discussion

 

Motions to appoint

 

Questions and Posting of Meetings Discussion

 

Adjournment

 

ST. JAMES and PEAINE TOWNSHIPS

BEAVER ISLAND AIRPORT COMMISSION

MEETING NOTICE

10:00 a.m. , 11/20/10 at ST. JAMES TOWNSHIP HALL

The Airport Commission will hold this meeting to: (1) Elect the 7 th member of the Beaver Island Airport Commission; (2) Elect officers (to hold these positions until the April 2011 organizational meeting); and (3) Review and possibly adopt Rules of Procedure.

Ray Cole, Pete LoDico, Colleen Martin, Mike Scripps, Elaine West, Jim Wojan

Beaver Island Airport Commission members

 

Beaver Island Airport Commission

Beaver Island Airport , 28215 Airport Road, Beaver Island, MI 49782 231-448-2750

PEAINE TOWNSHIP, 36825 KINGS HIGHWAY, BEAVER ISLAND, MICHIGAN 49782

PH. (231) 448-2389, FAX (231) 448-2692

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING  

OF THE PEAINE TOWNSHIP BOARD at the PEAINE TOWNSHIP HALL

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2010 at 5:00 PM

 

MEETING PURPOSE: THE BOARD WILL MEET TO DISCUSS MATTERS PERTAINING TO THE ALBIN PROPERTY LAWSUIT. AFTER OPENING THE MEETING, THE BOARD WILL VOTE ON GOING INTO CLOSED SESSION TO DISCUSS THE TOWNSHIPS' LAWYER'S LEGAL OPINION CONCERNING THE LAWSUIT. AFTER SUCH DISCUSSION, THE CLOSED SESSION WILL BE CONCLUDED AND THE BOARD WILL RESUME ITS SPECIAL MEETING. 

POSTED: NOVEMBER 18, 2010 12:00 PM by JOHN GALLAGHER, SUPERVISOR

COPY OF THIS NOTICE ON FILE IN CLERK'S OFFICE

Peaine Township Board met at 5:00 pm as mentioned in this notice. The whole board was present. They voted to go into closed session. The board was in the closed session for just about one hour. The board returned to the public meeting room and accepted a motion to adjourn the meeting without any report or public business taking place.

17 year old Beaver Island student gets real-time telecom experience with TDS®

For more information contact:
Cindy Tomlinson, Associate Manager-Public Relations
TDS Telecommunications Corp.
608-664-4471 / cindy.tomlinson@tdstelecom.com

MADISON, Wis. (Nov. 17, 2010)—Doug Campbell, a senior at Beaver Island Community School wants to learn more about the telecommunications industry. For 12 weeks, he’s teaming up with local communications provider TDS Telecommunications Corp. (TDS®) to get real-life, on-the-job experience.

Campbell will be shadowing Rick Bucholtz, a field service technician with TDS for the past 10 years. Twice a week, the two will meet for two hours and Campbell will get experience doing installations, repairs, preventive maintenance, and assisting with new construction. He will also be learning how the central office works and details of how the microwave provides the transport for all the services to the Island. While learning, Campbell will be receiving a grade, school credit, and a stipend.

Campbell is the fourth student, in the area, taking part in TDS’ hands-on training in recent years. It’s an opportunity that TDS hopes to continue making available.

“We’re proud to be able to help a local student interested in telecommunications,” says Al Ripp, market manager for TDS. “We’re hopeful we’ll be working with more students in the new future, providing them insights and experience in the world of telecommunications. There are so many new and exciting things happening these days.”

Campbell, age 17, is interested is electronics and communications. He moved to the Island with his parents when he was in fifth grade. He began his internship with TDS the last week of October; it concludes mid-January.

Photo caption: Rick Bucholtz (sitting) of TDS, is teaching Doug Campbell (standing) about some of the work TDS does at the Pedestal to keep communications flowing locally.

Don Welke Obituary

Donus E. Welke, age 81 years, of Archbold, passed away early Monday morning, November 15, 2010, in his home. He was born September 27, 1929, at Detroit, MI, the son of William and Elizabeth (Oberle) Welke, and married Dolores Hulack on June 21, 1952. An Archbold area resident since 1962, he was a Tool & Dye maker, and he partnered in 1970 creating an automotive parts manufacturing company, formerly known as Form Tool & Manufacturing Company in Archbold. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force in Germany during the Berlin Airlift.

He is survived by his wife, Dolores; two children, Donus D. (Lisa) Welke of Beaver Island, MI, and Dawn (LaMar) Gerig of Archbold; 8 grandchildren; and a brother, Robert (Sue) Welke of Beaver Island, MI.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, William Welke II, and Charles Welke.

Friends may call at Short Funeral Home in Archbold from 2 – 8 PM on Thursday, November 18th. Services will be at Holy Cross Catholic Church on Beaver Island, MI, at a later date with interment in the Welke Cemetery on Beaver Island.

VISITATION
Thursday November 18, 2010, 2 PM - 8 PM at Short Funeral Home

Gail Weede Passes Away

Gail Weede, 59, resident of Beaver Island, passed away on November 11, 2010. Visitation will be at Holy Cross Church from 6-8 pm on Monday, November 15, 2010. Service will be a 11 am on Tuesday November 18, 2010. More will be posted when available.

Gail Weede, 59, of Beaver Island, MI, formerly of St. Joseph, MI, left her beautiful world on Thursday, November 11, 2010.

She is survived by her very loved husband, Mike, children Rebecca Sailor-Dawson, Jeffrey Sailor (Lisa), Allyson (John) Arnold, Joseph Weede and Stephanie Sailor. GG will be sadly missed by her grandchildren Jack and Adele Dawson and Conley and Alexandra Arnold.

She was born in Gary, IN into the loving arms of Loren and Adele Courtright. Sharing her crowded family home with Carol (Dave) Rudzinski (deceased), Jim Courtright, JoAnne (Jim) Meyer, Jeff (Renee) Courtright, Paul Courtright, Peggy (Larry) Heaslip, Patty (Jim) Herrin, Jean (John) Musial, Annette (Mike) Gronek and Liz (Jim)Houchin.
In her large family, Gail was the ‘best aunt ever’ to many nieces and nephews, too numerous to list.

Gail lived an always exciting life, and moved from Indiana to many different parts of the U.S. She accomplished much throughout her life. She got her college degree from Siena Heights College at the age of 40 and then proceeded to teach as an adjunct professor at Lake Michigan College. For a period of time she worked within the State of Michigan’s court system for the care and support of abused women, coached track and volleyball, and was a certified volleyball referee. She went from being a non-swimmer to achieve the level of Padi Divemaster and tri-athlete. She ran and finished 12 marathons. She was bold enough to pick up stakes and start a new life and new business in a small town on a small island in the middle of Lake Michigan. She valiantly stared down cancer and put it in its place.

There will be a celebration of Gail’s life, starting at the ferry that will return her to her beloved Beaver Island, departing the Charlevoix ferry dock on Monday, November 15 at 11:30 a.m. Following, there will be visitation at Holy Cross Catholic Church from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 16, there will be a mass celebrated by her good friend, Father Pat, to remember and rejoice Gail at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Cross, followed by a luncheon at the Peaine Township Hall. Funeral services are provided by Winchester Funeral Home, Charlevoix, Michigan.

A memorial service will be held in the St. Joseph area at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the 21st Century Learning Scholarship Fund, in care of the Beaver Island Community Schools, 37895 Kings Highway, Beaver Island, MI 49782 would be appreciated.

Gail's Walk

Sunday, November 14, 2010, Gail's Walk, a walk in memory of Gail Weede, took place at 3 p.m. This is a picture of the back of one of the tee-shirts that were ordered for the participants, a combined effort of LynnAnne Cary, Dawn Marsh, and Joanie Banville and the school.

As the Islanders gather to begin the memorial walk, three eagles began soaring over the start area. These same three eagles seemed to follow the walkers, runners, and bikers throughout the race, much to the amazement of the participants. The eagles were soaring over the start and then moved close to the point, and finally soaring over Gull Harbor as the memorial walk continued.

The canon and John Works are in place for the start of Gail's Walk

The Islanders gather in preparation for the memorial walk as the eagles soar overhead...

Lining up at the start with the canon on the left with Mike Weede prepared to fire the canon and start the race.

The beginning of the start with runners, walkers, and bikers; friends and family; Islanders all

Down by the new and old McDonough's Market and Dahlwhinnies the runners and walkers continued the Walk.

And the walkers kept arriving, more and more, close to 150 people walking in this event.

Video of the Start and up to McDonough's Market

 

Everyone who could walked to remember Gail. Some walked to the Lighthouse and turned around. Others continued around Gull Harbor.

People from all age groups participated, from younger pre-school to high school to slightly older adults

In the sky about Gull Harbor, the eagles continued to soar.

From all walks of life, from all age groups, all were walking to remember Gail Weede in his/her own way.

Gull Harbor Video of the runners, walkers, and bikers

 

School Closed on Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Due to the unexpected death of board member Gail Weede, BICS will cancel school on Tuesday, November 16, 2010 so that staff and students are free to attend the funeral. Gail Weede has been a vital and positive school board trustee for many years. Additionally, Gail organized the annual BI Boodle which generated several thousand dollars for the school’s sports programs. Gail also helped out as a substitute teacher when needed. Gail was an integral part of the Beaver Island Community School family and we mourn her loss.

Christmas Bazaar at the Gregg Fellowship Hall

Sunday morning, November 14, 2010, after church services concluded, the place to go was the Gregg Fellowship Hall. The hall was packed with items for sale, but it was also packed with people. There was not much room for movement without saying, "Excuse me" several times. There was a wide variety of items for sale from Drew's Fire Starters to wood rocking chairs, from canned goods and caramel apples to scented candles and stained glass, from beaver pelts to knitted and crocheted items. Lots of items were for sale for the Christmas season.

On the right side of the door were the Christmas wreaths, on the left Santa and Mrs. Santa dolls

Jean Kinsleys table

Kathy Jones.....Frank Solle, photos and more.....Mark Valente and his wild animal pelts and gloves and necklaces...

And this was just the perimeter of the building, there was another entire center right with one offset.

Drew and Kate Garland were in the offset as well as Shelly Scripps

Plenty of activity and more tables in the center of the fellowship center.

All ages participated and even Boy Scout popcorn sales took place.

A wonderful gathering of people to check out and purchase the handiwork of the Island people.

Christmas Bazaar Video, People and Items for Sale

 

Transfer Station Closings

The BI Transfer Station is closed for opening day of firearm deer season. The transfer station will also be closed on Thanksgiving.

Boodler Bash or Real Estate Crash?

Jeff Powers sent this picture of the results of the Sowa Brothers performance at the Shamrock Bar last night. One of the 'boodlers' must have taken the real estate crash' quite literally. It doesn't resolve the issue of the damage to the building, or provide any information as to who hit it or were they injured in the crash.

The Sowa Brothrs performance at the Shamrock was well attended. Perhaps the most important attendee was their grandmother, Shirley Sowa. She had her first opportunity to hear her grandsons perform.

Quite some damage to the building!

Veteran's Day on Beaver Island

November 11, 2010, was a wonderful day to honor and thank our Beaver Island veteran's. The day started with a reminiscent breakfast for the veterans put on by Beaver Island Gardens Heidi Connor and Wayne Holman. Heidi and Wayne invited Troy Garniner, the Army Recruiter from Traverse City, and his wife to attend the breakfast. The breakfast was free for all who wanted to attend. The Beaver Island Community School students attended and spread out to sit, converse, and eat with the veterans that were present. Approximately 80 people attended the breakfast which was for the entire community. Next, the AMVETs Post 46 did the annual Veteran's Day ceremony at the Holy Cross garden area. This ceremony will be moved in the future to the Veterans' Memorial down on the harbor next year, after the project is completed. The very next event was a free hamburger and French fries lunch at Stoney Acre Grill for the veterans.

Thank you to all the veterans of all the services for your service to our country!!

Veterans' Day Breakfast

Breakfast and thank-yous to our vets......Recruiter and his wife with Ms. McNamara....Socializing and enjoying each other's company

Veteran Steve West talks to organizer Heidi Connor

Veterans' Day Service at Holy Cross Garden

Gathering and preparing for the service

Called to attention as the bells toll at Holy Cross Church

Ron Stith welcomes the BICS students and all those present

BICS students participate by reading the history of Veteran's Day and the history of Islanders who have died serving our country while Ron Stith, leader of the service looks on.

Community Choir members, led by Kathy Speck, sing "America"

Bob Hoogendoorn leads the group in a prayer of thanksgiving for the sacrifices of our Beaver Island veterans

The service ends with the playing of "Taps" by Bob Hoogendoorn

Video of the breakfast and entire service HERE

St. James Township News

SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE

7:00 pm

11/17/10

at

ST. JAMES TOWNSHIP HALL

St. James Township Board will hold a special meeting to sign the Intergovernmental Agreement Creating Beaver Island Airport Commission, and approve an amendment to article VI, section B. township allocations. In addition the board will appoint (3) three members from St James township to the Airport Commission.

Rick Speck, Supervisor

St James Township

Peaine Township Meeting, November 10, 2010 Video HERE

Peaine Township Tax Assessment Roles Online

Search Peaine Township Assessment Role Online

Several people wanted to know how to get to this location. Feel free to access it from here and then save it as a Favorite.

Mute Swan Convention

On November 10, 2010, out of the corner of the photographer's eye, these spots of white were seen. Stopping in the middle of King's Highway was probably not a very good idea, but it was necessary to do that and back up to view sixteen mute swans on Paradise Bay. No camera was in sight, so a quick trip home was necessary to grab a camera. Camera in hand, the two groups of mute swans had moved apart, but were both feeding on something on the bottom of the harbor. So you better beware of this photographer. You never know when or where he will stop. Perhaps, he will stop right in the middle of the road in front of your driveway. Right, Kate?

Feeding mute swans

Video of Mute Swans

 

Beaver Island Has An Airport Commission

After a lengthy and sometimes frustrating period of discussion and argument of months and months, both St. James and Peaine Townships have come to an agreement and have approved the document creating the Beaver Island Airport Commission. Peaine Township passed the document with an unanimous vote at their township meeting tonight, Wednesday, November 10, 2010,, just as St. James Township did last week at their meeting. In addition to passing the airport commission document, Peaine Township also passed the Rules of Procedure at their meeting tonight as they relate to the B. I. Airport Commission.

In a related motion, Pete LoDico offered Colleen Martin as one of the Peaine Township Board representatives on the Airport Commission which passed unanimously. Colleen Martin offered a motion to put Pete LoDico onto the Airport Commission as the other Peaine Township Board member, which also passed unanimously. The Peaine Township Member-at-Large position was hotly debated with Jack Gallagher offering his person, and with two previous members of the airport committee also being offered for this one position. Terry Saxton decided to bow out of the consideration in support of Mike Scripps, who had also applied. After several exchanges, some quite heated, Colleen Martin made the motion to appoint Mike Scripps and Pete LoDico seconded the motion. When the final vote was taken, it too was a unanimous decision approving Mike Scripps to be the Member-At Large. Colleen was appointed for three years, Pete LoDico for two years, and Mike Scripps for one year, all with the opportunity to serve two additional three year terms.

Other Peaine Township Business

Carol Burton was appointed to the District Library Board to complete the term vacated by the death of Loraine Dawson. This term will expire in 2012. The proposed by-laws for the Waste Management Committee were tabled to give that committee another opportunity to work out issues raised by St. James Township Board. The public meeting involving the airport consultants Mead and Hunt was also tabled due to an expressed desire to have the airport commission positions filled and the document completely finished, prior to any presentation,. Jim Birdsall reported on a general education session being offered by the Peaine Township Assessor regarding the many confusing vocabulary words in the field and to answer questions. Jim also reported that all of the Peaine Township tax Record Card System was available online at the Peaine Township web site for each taxpayer to review. This was done to avoid the cost of mailing. The generators, one for the Peaine Township Hall and one for the East Side Fire Station, had been sent out for bids. Only one bid was received. Installation of the generators can not be completed, but no date of completion was set. Peaine Township will apply to Verizon, stating the townships willingness to work with them to improve the cell phone service on the Island. Specifics were not available, but the first step was to fill out the application and send it to Verizon. It was reported that the township audit was in progress.

Extended public comment ensued and can be viewed in the video of the meeting when it becomes available.

BICS National Honor Society Works to Help Soldiers and Afghanistan Students

The BICS National Honor Society (Jenna Battle, Marissa Crandall, Olivia Schwartzfisher, Kaylyn Jones, and adviser Connie Boyle) organized the collection of items for soldiers and students in Afghanistan at the school.  Students in grades K-12 were invited to donate items.  There was a friendly competition to see which class could collect the most.  The students in grades 1-2 and 7-8 tied for first place.  The NHS collected a total of 281 items!  The students also made Christmas cards for the soldiers to be sent with the items.  The items for soldiers will be sent to Charlevoix and combined with their school's collection and shipped to the soldiers.  The items for students will be sent from the Island.  The BI Amvets Auxiliary made a generous donation to cover the shipping of the school items.

Senior Housing Project Gets Concrete Floor Update

Update on Wednesday, November 10, 2010: It appears that the concrete floor of the senior housing project is completely poured from the pictures taken today. Schwartzfisher StoneWorks did the concrete for this building project sub-contracted by the overall contractor Beaver Gems. The Martin Well Drilling rig is also gone, so that may mean the well(s) is/are also completed. It was unusal this morning to not see a whole crew working on this site. At 10:30 a.m., there were no workers on this site.

November 10th Video of Senior Housing Project

 

Update on Friday, November 12, 2010: Yesterday, the well rig was back in action on the east side of the concrete floor construction.

View from BIRHC rear parking lot

Views from Carlisle Road

Beaver Island News Archives Adds Search Engine

All of the years of Beaver Island News on the 'Net are available except for a short period of time when some of the months at the beginning were lost. Phyllis Moore started this website in late 1999 or early 2000 which means that the archives have ten years of Beaver Island history, the last ten years. The Archives are open and available to anyone to view from the homepage at http://beaverislandnews or directly at http://beaverislandnewsarchives.com for your viewing pleasure. There has been added a Google Search Engine to this archives website for those that don't want to page through and read all 520+ pages of history. The Sample website page has been removed since the archives are open to anyone from the homepage of this website. The Archives of 2010 are still only available from this subscription only page.

St James Township Meeting, November 3, 2010

St James Township Special Meeting, November 4, 2010

St. James Township Board, at its special meeting last night, November 4, 2010, approved the re-creation of an airport governing commission to be called the Beaver Island Airport Commission. Supervisor Rick Speck presented the changes to Jean Wierenga, clerk, Jim Wojan, treasurer, and trustees Ray Cole and Tim McDonough. There were some specific changes that the St. James Township Supervisor pointed out at that meeting. These changes have not yet been agreed upon by the Peaine Township Board, who will meet on Wednesday, November 10, 2010, to discuss this at their regularly scheduled township meeting. The changes requested by St. James Township include the following items:

One more item was requested to be made in the document. It included the extension of the time served to be from "one additional consecutive term" to "two additional consecutive terms."

Video of this 11-minute meeting

 

AMVETS POST #46 AND AMVETS LADIES AUXILIARY

HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS FOR THE KIDS!!

The AMVETS and Ladies Auxiliary will again host a Santa’s Workshop at the Beaver Island Community School on Wednesday, December 14, to enable the kids to purchase affordably priced gifts for their families and friends. Older students and adults will be available to help the youngsters select and wrap their purchases. Notices will be sent home from school as a reminder of this great event.

Also, the AMVETS and Ladies Auxiliary of Post #46 will again partner in the Annual Children’s Christmas Party to be held on Saturday, December 11, 11:30 – 1:00 at the Phil Gregg Fellowship Hall, Beaver Island Christian Church. Hot dogs, chips, cookies, ice cream and beverage will be served to the kids as well as their parents and/or grandparents at no charge.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there to hear the Christmas wish lists and pass out gifts to the kids. Because we can no longer get Polaroid film, will parents please bring their own camera to take a picture of your child with Santa.

WE WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON!

161 AMVETS Veteran's Memorial Bricks Installed

Some Samples Individual Brick Pictures Below:

This is a video of the bricks themselves with Kate Smith Singing "God Bless America"

 

Information and Referral Hotline Launches Service

Local access to the national 2-1-1 Information and Referral system moved one step closer today with the launch of an interim toll-free hotline. Callers seeking non-emergency health and human services information can call 1-877-211-LAKE (5253).

They will be connected to a highly-trained information and referral specialist who can provide information and referrals to local services. The service is available 24/7/365 and is free to callers. These specialists can help residents with a variety of needs including housing and utility assistance, location of food pantries, where to volunteer, information about after school programs, senior care services, mortgage foreclosure and more.

Char-Em United Way has been spearheading development of the 2-1-1 service for Charlevoix and Emmet Counties for the past several years.

“The local database has been developed, and the information and referral specialists are trained and ready to take calls from our community,” says Martha Lancaster, Executive Director of Char-Em United Way. “We are working with 7 other counties in northwest lower Michigan to submit our application for certification to the Michigan Alliance of Information and Referral Systems and apply to the Michigan Public Service Commission for use of the 2-1-1 phone number.”

Once those steps are in place, the service will shift to the 2-1-1 phone number, which is easy for residents to remember and is in service in other parts of Michigan and around the country.

The funds needed for the start-up of 2-1-1 have already been secured through a challenge grant from CMS Energy, as well as donations from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation, the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, Petoskey Rotary and Char-Em United Way. The Frey Foundation has awarded a $30,000 challenge grant toward the first three years of operating expenses. This will cover about one third of the needed funds for the first three years of operations.

“Now that the service is in place – even with the interim number – we will begin seeking funding for the operational phase of the system,” continues Lancaster.

Currently, Michigan 2-1-1 Call Centers serve 80 percent of Michigan's population, with expansion projects underway in 26 additional counties. In 2009, Michigan 2-1-1 Call Centers received 663,923 calls, a 441 percent increase since its inception in 2004 and a 22 percent increase from 2008.

For more information about 2-1-1 contact Char-Em United Way at (231) 487-1006 or email info@charemunitedway.org or log onto www.charemunitedway.org/index.php?pr=2-1-1

Cookie Carnival

The Women's Circle will be getting ready for the Cookie Carnival again this year. The date is Dec 9 NOON until about 3:30PM. Heidi Vigil will be at the event with her Gingerbread Houses. She may have a silent auction on the houses again this year. Judi Meister is preparing a silent auction on some Santa Clause and whatever else she can find. Of course we will have the Nutmeg Logs, Party Cookies and Grandpa Greggs Peanut Brittle and many other favorites. Anyone wanting to order Nutmeg Logs or Party Cookies the price is the same as last year $3.50 a dozen $1.75 half dozen. Feel free to give Jean Carpenter a call and place your order 448-2893..

Video is Continued, But January-mid July 2010 Video Is Gone

As previously reported on this website, the MotionBox video company has gone out of business and the company was sold to a another company that will not be supporting the videos placed on this website from January 2010 until mid July 2010. The videos numbered over 700 clips during this period of time. Unfortunately, the videos taken during this period of time and placed on MotionBox are no longer available. The MotionBox links quit workinbg on October 31, 2010.

We will continue to do video clips for this website, hopefully expanding the meetings, the events, and the news that takes place on Beaver Island. We will attempt to bring you, our subscribers, "Today's news as close to today as possible." Unfortunately, yesterday's news from January through mid July 2010 in the form of video clips are no longer available.

Brett Maudrie's Address Changed

Maudrie Brett W.
B. Co. 2-237 IN, 1st BCT
101st ABN DIV
...Attn: FOB Joyce COP Fortress
APO, AE 09354

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 November or December 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 NEW!

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

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

Waste Management Committee Minutes (New for 2010!)