CONGRATULATIONS! – We did it!
REPRINTED FROM :
NorthernIslander News & Beaver Beacon
WE DID IT! Thanks to all for voting by mail or tweet to help make this happen!
The Beaver Beacon was the only Beaver Island newspaper since James Jesse Strang’s Northern Islander was published in the 1850s. Begun in 1955 by the Beaver Island Civic Association, those who paid for a membership in the Civic Association received the newsletter. Editors were Beaver Island residents themselves, many contributing to the production of each issue. It was filled with the news of the Island happenings, contact information for servicemen and women, weddings, births, deaths, birthday and anniversary celebrations and school events. The Beaver Beacon was also the link for off-island relatives and friends to stay connected to the Island. It served as a beacon for visitors who were looking for a place to stay, things to do and much more. While the paper dealt with Beaver Island happenings, it also included information about the extended Island families who resided off-island as well. It was run as a public service more so than profit-making venture, yet it lasted 60+ years.
Reasons Why These Newspapers Should be Digitized:
Offering The Beaver Beacon online would assist family historians looking for information about Island residents in the 1950s-2000s. Also, some of the later issues are currently available through the Clarke Historical Library (2003-2014). Inclusion of these 1955-2002 issues would complete the collection. It is quite likely that the Beaver Island District Library and the Beaver Island Historical Society is the only two complete-run collections in existence. Half a century of history are contained in the aging pages and need to be preserved and made available to the public.
Plan now for spring treatment of hemlock woolly adelgid
As we've previously reported, the hemlock woolly adelgid has been making its way north along the Lake Michigan shore. But, according to the just complete CAKE CISMA survey, it has (thankfully) not made its way to the island. Still, it is important to keep an eye out...
Deep Lake Michigan water temp changes and their impact are covered in the latest Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory newsletter
Check out the winter wrap-up edition of the NOAA GLERL eNews featuring: Climate-driven shifts in deep Lake Michigan water temperatures signal the loss of winterFive decades of Great Lakes ice cover data – and where to find itNew science with...
Health Department asks unvaccinated islanders to complete survey
The Health Department of Northwest Michigan has asked that all islanders who are 16 and older and who are still awaiting COVID vaccination to complete a survey at this link: https://patienteducationgenius.jotform.com/z/HDNWM. The information will be used to plan for...
Help digitize the Beaver Beacon archive
You can help get the Beaver Beacon selected as a paper to be included in CMU's project to make historic newspapers available online. All you need to do is vote. There are two ways. Get ten votes by sending in a postcard with a Michigan image and #DigBeaverIsland to...
DNR webinar on disposal of island public lands (including lake access sites) this afternoon at 2:30
Pursuant to land management plans that have been under discussion for some time (and that are mandated by state legislation), the DNR is taking public input on public lands that it may dispose of by auction or other means. There are locations across the state,...
Warblers on the Water events planned
A Canada Warbler awaits. Photo courtesy of Darrell Lawson Beaver Island Birding Trail Memorial Weekend events are being structured around CDC recommendations at this point in time. Three presentations will be offered on May 29th and 30th by professors of biology in...
COVID-19 Vaccine eligibility age dropping to 50 soon
Governor Whitmer’s press secretary said today that Michiganders 50 years and older who have “preexisting conditions, disabilities and other medical vulnerabilities” will become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine Monday, March 8. Two weeks later, all over 50 will b...
Governor makes incremental changes to COVID-19 restrictions
Governor Whitmer announced a raft of changes to Michigan’s restrictions on indoor gatherings in a news conference this afternoon. While they are very incremental in nature, they will no doubt com as relief to both businesses and individuals. Restaurants, bars, nursing...
Michigan AG objects to Big Rock sale
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is objecting to the proposed transfer of the nuclear waste storage facility at the site of the old Big Rock nuclear plant north of Charlevoix. She says the proposed buyer doesn’t have adequate financial resources and has...
Master Plan for trails in the works
The Trails Association is working toward developing a trails master plan for Beaver Island. Currently, very few of our trails are looped or have a destination of any sorts. Most are old hunting or lumber trails which either just peter out or terminate at some...