October 17, 2024 | Issue #7

Proposed Litzenburger Manor

The Boyne City Housing Commission has initiated ambitious plans to build Litzenburger Manor, a new 60-unit apartment building. Full story below.

Inside this issue:

• Big plans from Housing Commission
• School board discusses possible bond issue
• Main Street honors top downtown scarecrows
• Profile of school board candidate Riley Cope
• Parade, Trunk or Treat, Trunk & Read for Halloween
• Boyne Appétit! restaurant specials continue
• BCHS grad to manage new Fox’s Pizza Den
• Camp Daggett names Joles interim director
• Food Pantry, Lions Club, Garden Club raising funds
• Patrick McCleary history: The Old City Park Zoo
• Thanks to the donors who helped get us started!
• Music and entertainment listings
• Obituaries

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Housing Commission plans 60 new apartments plus renovations for Litzenburger Place and Deer Meadows 

Bethany Hedgepath,

Housing Commission

Executive Director

The multi-family senior housing facility will be located on Housing Commission property adjacent to the existing 30-unit Deer Meadows facility. Once completed, current residents from Litzenburger Place and Deer Meadows will be relocated to the new facility. 

After the residents are relocated, Deer Meadows will be renovated and converted to 30 two-bedroom apartments and the southern wing of Litzenburger will be demolished. 

The new structure will be accessed from the existing driveway on Grant Street, and a gated driveway for emergency access from Franklin Street will be constructed. The parking for the facility will be provided by enlarging the existing Deer Meadows main parking area and constructing a new parking area north of the new facility. The required number of parking spaces for the 60 new units at Litzenburger Manor and the 30 renovated units at Deer Meadows is 152 spaces. A total of 52 new spaces will be added to the existing 42 and the City Commission has approved the Housing Commission’s request that the remaining 58 required spaces be “deferred,” as provided by zoning ordinance. This is based on the fact that most residents of Litzenburger and Deer Meadows don’t own cars.

To achieve density of no more than 10 units per multi-family zoning, the development plan encompasses nine acres, including an adjacent wooded area. Five acres of green space would remain undeveloped, and existing trails would be available for public use.

The Housing Commission property is large enough that there is potential for additional lots to be created in the future on Earl and Morgan Streets for single-family homes or duplexes on roughly 2.6 acres.

Housing Commission Executive Director Bethany Hedgepath explained how the new plans got started. “Part of the process of finding out where to go next is assessing where we are now. We had evaluations done of the properties,” she said. 

“During the evaluation process, we determined that the original 1969 section of Litzenburger Place is obsolete and with items like having the water main running under the floor, the cost to remodel that end of the building was prohibitive due to the required upgrades needed to update the building to the current Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.” 

Hedgepath said, “It was also noted that Deer Meadows, with all two-bedroom apartments, is not utilizing the units for the most good. Of the 30 units, only two of the units have two people. The remaining have only one person. Also, the units at Deer Meadows are not suitable” for aging tenants.

After the new building is completed, “We will move the tenants from Deer Meadows over (to the new building), and we will move the tenants from the 1969 section of Litzenburger over. The Deer Meadows building will then be remodeled and then reopened and repurposed for general occupancy with occupancy requirements that require a minimum of two people and a maximum of four but with no age restriction. Then the older section of Litzenburger will be torn down and the two-story section of Litzenburger will be remodeled to bring it up to current standards.”

In order to build the new building, the Housing Commission will apply for Low Income Housing Tax Credits funding. The application will be completed in April of 2025. Another source of funding may be Rental Assistance Demonstration Conversions. 

The Boyne City Housing Commission administers federal, and state funded rental assistance programs for low-income families, elderly, and disabled persons in Charlevoix County.

The mission of the BCHC is “To promote safe, decent, sanitary, affordable housing, with a suitable living environment free from discrimination for low-to-extremely-low-income families & to manage resources efficiently.” In addition to the apartments at Deer Meadows and Litzenburger Place, the Commission administers Conkle Development, 26 affordable rental homes to qualified applicant low-income families to enable them to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency. The BCHC  also offers Housing Choice Vouchers to assist very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.

For more information about the Housing Commission visit their website. Approved plans for the 60- unit Litzenburger Manor are also on the website.

Scarecrow winners

Boyne City Main Street's annual Scarecrow Contest decorated the downtown again this fall. Home Again Upscale Resale Store’s very tall scarecrow (pictured above) won the “Most Creative Scarecrow” category. The winner of the “Most Traditional Scarecrow” award was the Boyne Arts Center (pictured below). Upsy Daisy Floral created fall flower arrangements for each of the winners.

> See pictures of 24 scarecrow entries on the Main Street Facebook page.

Honorable mention went to Challenge Mountain's minions.

Boyne Valley Garden Club's ghosts earned Honorable Mention.

School board mulls possible improvements to be financed by a May bond

By Jamie Baumann, jamie@boynecitizen.com 

The Boyne City Public Schools Board of Education reviewed facility and technological needs in a workshop after the regular board meeting on Monday, October 14, as they are preparing to ask for a "No Tax-Mill Increase" bond in May, 2025.

Superintendent Patrick Little presented $38 million of possible improvement options, which had been reviewed with staff, as well as with architects and engineers from French & Associates and Barton Mallow Builders. In order to meet the $24 million proposed budget for the bond, the board will need to set their priorities for the improvements with a target of finalizing the bond proposal at the December meeting.

The 2016 bond has been fully paid off, and the 2020 bond debt is being paid down on schedule, so the board's goal is to make decisions on an improvement bond proposal that would keep the bond millage at the current 3.14 mills, the same tax rate since 2016. Prior to 2016, the school millage was 3.36 mills. 

"There are lots of opportunities for improvements that are all worthwhile and need to be done some day, but we are going to go with what we can afford, while keeping the millage the same," Little said. Some of the items the board is considering were also discussed in 2020, but other things took priority. "Most of the improvements will need to be done some time," Little said. "No matter what the board decides, the improvements will be good for kids."

The improvements being considered for the high school include possible additions to the vocational program on the building's north side. A culinary arts addition with teaching stations and a small 24-seat restaurant, where students could serve community members and groups. Also being considered is a 4,500 sq. ft. building shared between then building trades and electrical lineworker programs. Currently, there is no building trades building and the lineworkers class is held in a traditional academic classroom when students are not at Great Lakes Energy.

Possible high school improvements also include converting part or all of the building to LED lighting for energy efficiency.

At the middle school, replacing ceilings that are failing in the classrooms and hallways is a priority. Possible playground improvements include a softball field and renovated basketball courts.

At the elementary school, the board discussed interior improvements including renovated classroom bathrooms, new furniture, and HVAC improvements.

Adding four classrooms on the south side of the elementary school was also discussed. Currently, the elementary school houses the most grade levels (five) and the most staff. Expanding the existing office space, a new secure entry, and adding meeting rooms by reconfiguring are also being considered.

The board also discussed the traffic patterns in front of the elementary school.

The board reviewed the pros and cons of modifying the athletic complex grass field to be able to accommodate soccer. Consultant Ryan Sims from Foresight Design and staff shared concerns about whether the grass could hold up to that level of use. The board also reviewed the pros and cons of adding an artificial turf field like Harbor Springs, Petoskey, and Gaylord have done.

The bleachers, press box, and storage building in the athletic complex need to be replaced, and drainage issues on the field need to be addressed.

In the Boyne City Education Center, renovation is needed for the second floor bathrooms used by Morgan Shaw School, the culinary arts space would need renovation if the program moves to the high school.

Yet to be reviewed by the board are technology upgrades for student and staff devices and the wiring infrastructure needed to support the district's technology. Also, to be reviewed is the purchase of eight buses. In order to meet police standards for buses, the district usually purchases two per year, as they retire older buses. The bond request, if approved by the board, would be to purchase eight buses over the life of the bond.

The board will schedule a special meeting with a date to be determined to further discuss and prioritize the list of $38 million possible improvements and determine what will be included in the bond of $24 million. All board minutes and meeting dates can be found on the BCPS website.

Board approves Building Trades house sale

A purchase offer of $395,000 to buy the Building Trades house located at 555 Maddy Lane was approved by the Boyne City Public Schools Board at their regular meeting on Monday, October 14.

In other action the board:

• Received a letter from Kingsley High School Football Coach Tim Wooer praising the sportsmanship of Boyne City athletes, coaching staff and fans after a tough loss, saying he was met with "incredible class." He singled out players Ryan Spate and Owen Hewitt, calling them people he is "in awe of off the field." He added, "I was reminded by these two young men what it is to be a classy human being and leader." Read the letter.
• Approved the Early Learners Program Parent Handbook.
• Approved an anonymous donation of $100 to the girls golf program.
• Approved a $100 donation from the Boyne Mountain Waffle Cabin to the boys cross country program.
• Approved a donation from the Georgene Alger Memorial in the amount of $1,050 for drama, band and room 156.
• Approved $4,800 in donations to help defray the cost of transportation for a high school football game in Livonia and possible future playoff games.
• Approved the winter sports co-curricular position assignments.

School board candidate Riley Cope wants student to reach their highest potential

School board member

Riley Cope

Though there haven't been major changes in the district in Cope's short time on the board, he has been proud to have been a part of ensuring free breakfast and lunch to every student. He is also proud the board was able to purchase Anatomage Table, a digital platform that features various life-size real human bodies in digital formats that provide an accurate 3D representation and simulation of real anatomy, physiology, and pathology, for the high school science program. The board has also improved emergency response and enhanced security, safety systems, and protocols during his tenure. 

Cope is looking forward to being a part of the strategic plan process and the site development plans that are currently being discussed. "I am excited to help push for BCPS to be the most well-rounded and financially stable school system in the state," Cope said.

He echoes board president Zareena Koch's comments about being impressed by how much the board of education and administration care for the well-being of each and every student. "Although we may have differences of opinion on some issues, it is evident that the students of our community are truly loved and cared about. I don't know if this is the case in every school district, but I sure pray it is," Cope said.

Cope is the body shop manager at Bob Mathers Ford. He is also the Freelife director at Harbor Light Community Chapel and the president of Boyne City Youth Football.

He and his wife Stephanie have four children - a sophomore, a freshman, a sixth grader, and a fourth grader. Their dog in his words is a "muddle" a mutt-poodle mix named Harlie-Lynn. 

Boyne Appétit! Restaurant Week specials continue through Sunday

Boyne City Taproom, 220 S Lake St.

Seasonal rotating specials for appetizers, sandwiches, entrees, and desserts.

Specialty cocktails, too! Check our Facebook page. 

Boyne River Grill, 201 Water St.

We open at 8 am to serve you a delicious breakfast, and if lunch is more your thing, stop by for one of our famous smash burgers or our homemade soups. 

Boyne River Inn, 229 Water St.

Buy 2 pizzas for $20, or any sandwich for $11.99

Cafe Santé, One Water St., Suite 100

Dinner for 2 Prix Fixe meal - $49.99

• Choice of Caesar salad or cup of soup
• Choice of entree: Choose one to share:                     

> London Broil - Marinated Certified Angus Beef Flank steak, Au jus, herb roasted Yukon potato, broccolini & fried sweet onion.  Or:

> Bouillabaisse - Grilled Sea Bass, gulf shrimp & scallop. Served with fingerling potato, fennell, bell pepper, onion & Maine Mussels steamed in lobster broth with saffron butter and grilled Catalan bread.                                                   

• Dessert to share: Choice of Creme Brulee cheesecake or chocolate hazelnut crepe cake. 

Kilwins, 102 Water St.

Buy 3 Slices of Fudge for $20, or buy 5 Slices for $30.

Lake Street Pub, 202 S Lake St.

8 oz. steak cooked your way with garlic roasted shrimp, mashed potatoes and broccoli or upgrade to waffle fries. $19.99 all week long.

Muskrat Distilling, 121 Water St.

$5 OG’s and 15% off other drinks from 4pm until 6pm.

Red Mesa Grill, 117 Water St.

• Appetizer: Pumpkin soup with chipotle crema & toasted pepita seeds. Cup $3.99, bowl $6.49
• Entree: Pepita Crusted Chicken - Two chicken breasts dredged in pepita crust & pan fried. Topped with aji Amarillo cream sauce & served with green chile smashed potatoes & fresh vegetables. $19.99
• Dessert: Pumpkin Fried Ice Cream - Pumpkin ice cream, whipped cream & house-made caramel. $5.99
• Drink Special: Apple Pie Margarita - Spiced apple-steeped tequila, apple vodka, house-made apple puree & sour mix. 

Stiggs Brewery and Kitchen, 112 S Park St. 

Meat platter with a “free” Stiggs pint

Sunnyside, 113 Water St.

Stop in for breakfast including a Dutch Baby with lemon curd, Cherry Cheesecake Muffins made with local cherries - and even better, daily specials.

> Boyne Appetit Restaurant Week is sponsored by Boyne City Main Street.

Dustin Burch will be tossing lots of dough as manager of new pizza take-out shop.

BCHS grad to manage new Fox’s Pizza Den

By Geri Dietze, gdietze27@gmail.com

Fox’s Pizza Den will soon occupy the space formerly known as Boppi’s, at 104 Water St. The downtown Boyne City location will be managed by Dustin Burch, a 2012 Boyne City High School graduate who has spent the last 10 years perfecting his trade at BC Pizza. 

Fox’s is a Pennsylvania-based family corporation with 200 stores in 25 states including sites in Mackinaw City and Petoskey. Jim Fox Jr., son of the founder, learned of the vacant Boyne City location and interviewed Burch, based on the recommendation of Jason Lepird, manager of the Petoskey Fox’s Pizza Den. The meeting went well, and Burch will begin as site manager, with a franchise opportunity in the future. “That’s the plan, long term,” Fox said. “This is a possibility [and] an opportunity for Dustin.” 

The footprint of the Boyne location is small, at around 900 square feet, which will limit service to carry-out and delivery. But the extensive Fox’s Pizza Den menu will remain unchanged, and patrons can choose from over a dozen gourmet pizzas. 

Burch said the top sellers include the Meat Supreme with pepperoni, bacon, ham, sausage, and beef; the Philly Cheese with steak, garlic butter, mushrooms, onion, and green peppers; and the Dill Pickle with garlic butter base, pickles, dill weed seasoning, extra cheese, and homemade ranch dressing on the side. 

A big selection of apps, wings, salads, gourmet fries, stromboli, and sandwiches make up the rest of the menu. They are applying for a permit that would allow for sales of take-out beer. 

Fox’s Pizza Den gets high marks for consistent high-quality product, Jim Fox says. “We are very involved in all ends of production.” Additionally, industry publications rank the company as one of the best pizza and sandwich franchises in the United States, meaning that the company hopes downtown Boyne City will have a vital and popular business in place for years to come. Fox says that there is no firm opening date yet, with some permits still needed. Burch is confident that they will open by “November at the latest.” 

Every imaginable ghoul and goblin will be marching in the Halloween costume parade in downtown Boyne City.

Parade, Trunk or Treat and more for Halloween

Area residents are invited to start Halloween night with downtown Boyne City's annual costume parade. Everyone is welcome to join the fun - young, old and four-legged. Bring a chair if you prefer to sit and watch all the great costumes. Line-up begins in front of Lake Street Market, 306 S. Lake St., at 4:30 p.m., and the parade begins at 4:45. It will wind around downtown from Lake Street to Water Street to Park Street, ending at the Boyne District Library. The Library Bookmobile will be open for trick-or-treating from 5 p.m. until they run out of treats. 

Just one block south of the library, the First Presbyterian Church will feature their famous Trunk or Treat. Organizer Paula Larson encourages people to make Trunk or Treat their first stop, because they usually run out of candy by 6 or 6:30 p.m. “Everyone is welcome to join our trunk line to make Halloween a safe environment for the ghosts, princesses, and Spider-Man in our community” she said. “If folks that would like to participate, please have your vehicles parked along Pine Street opposite the Presbyterian Church with their trunks open by 5 p.m. Plan on over 800 pieces of individually wrapped candy to pass out to the kids.”

OFFICIAL HOURS - The City of Boyne City official trick or treating hours are 5 to 8 p.m. 

FIRE AND EMS DEPARTMENTS at Boyne City Hall will be handing out treats from 5 to 8 p.m.

BOYNE FALLS MONSTER BASH - Boyne Falls School says all are welcome to join them at their Monster Bash from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, October 18th. Admission is $8 per person or $20 per family. The event includes Trunk or Treat, a family dance with DJ T-Bone Thompson, dinner and a costume contest.

AVALANCHE BAY WATERPARK transforms into a ghostly aquatic playground for a Halloween-inspired Glow Night from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, October 26. As darkness falls, the waterpark comes alive with an eerie glow. Experience your favorite slides and attractions in a whole new light – or lack thereof. Each guest receives a glowing necklace or bracelet, turning you into luminous spirits of the night. Evening passes start at $32; Tiny Splashers, ages 2 and under, splash free. Details.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS - Many local bars and restaurants are planning Halloween parties and costume contests, including Cafe Sante, Red Mesa Grill, and Muskrat Distillery. Some of the parties are on October 26th, the Saturday before Halloween. Check our Music and Entertainment listings at the end of this newsletter. 

ADD YOUR EVENT to this list - email jim@boynecitizen.com. 

Trunk 'n' Read coming to elementary school Saturday

Boyne City Elementary School will host its second annual Trunk 'n' Read in the parking lot between the high school and the bus garage on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

A team of elementary teachers has been planning this fun-filled activity for families. Kindergarten Teacher Carly Klooster, one of the organizers, said, "Students will have the opportunity to go home with several books. A brand new free book, a ‘free cycle’ book, as well as books they can check out from the (Boyne District Library) Bookmobile." Parents must accompany their children.

There will be trick or treating, as well as donuts and cider for all, donated by Boyne City Family Fare. The free books were purchased by the school district or donated by the Great Start Readiness Coalition.

"Last year was our first year doing this event. It ended up raining, and we had to hold the event inside, but we still had 250 or more attend," Klooster said. "With this event we hope to promote family and community involvement outside of the school day, as well as give our families access to several free books and other fun literacy materials."

Klooster welcomes families to join in the fun at the first elementary school event for the 2024 school year.

Joles named interim exec director of Camp Daggett

The Camp Daggett Board has named Julie Joles as the interim executive director, replacing Liz McKenney, who resigned at the end of September. 

An emailed announcement from the board said “Liz made a beneficial impact during her two-year tenure including rolling out Daggett Day Camp in 2024. We appreciate her contributions and wish her the very best.”

Joles has been the development director for the camp for two years. She will be serving in both roles for the interim. Joles has leadership experience and has been involved in the community. At Camp Daggett, Joles has been a camper parent, an active volunteer, a marketing committee member, and a staff member. She looks forward to leading the staff into 2025, Camp Daggett's centennial year.

Food pantry seeks donations for Thanksgiving turkeys

The chase is on! The Good Neighbors Food Pantry wants to round up some Northern Michigan turkeys for Thanksgiving and put them on the plates of those in need in the Boyne area. A $20 donation will provide a family with all the fixings for a complete Thanksgiving meal.

Here’s how you can donate:

• Drop off your check or cash at Pat O’Brien and Associates Real Estate in Boyne City.
• Mail your tax-deductible check to Good Neighbors Food Pantry, PO Box 35, Boyne City, MI 49712 
• Donate online at www.goodneighborsboyne.org.

With your help, Good Neighbors Food Pantry will have enough turkeys for all who shop at the pantry. The food pantry is in its10th year of service to those in our community facing food insecurity. They are located in the Boyne Area Free Clinic building, across from Rotary Park on State Street in Boyne City. They are open Tuesdays from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2 - 5:30 p.m.

Fall is here, and so are the Lions' famous pasties

The Boyne Valley Lions Club in partnership with the Boyne City Hospitality Class is selling pasties. They are offering two kinds of pasties - Classic Michigan Beef and Roasted Vegetable and Mushroom for $8 each. Ordering begins now with a deadline of Monday, Nov. 4. The pasties will be distributed Friday, Nov. 8 from 3:30 - 6 p.m.at the Boyne City Hospitality Classroom in the Boyne Education Center, on the corner of S. Park St. and E. Main St. Click here to order your pasties.

The Lions Club does diabetes education and free screenings, KidSight screenings for early onset visual impairments, and White Cane fundraising for the visually impaired. The Lions volunteer for Buff Up Boyne and Adopt-A-Highway, as well as serving food to elementary school students on field days and at the school carnival. 

The Boyne Valley Lions provide financial support to Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Robotics Team, Boyne District Library, Alzheimer's fund, Crop Hunger Walk, Charlevoix Area Humane Society, and other great causes.

Garden Club wreath sale continues until Nov. 1

The Boyne Valley Garden Club Annual Wreath and Garland Sale runs through November 1. Wreaths sell for $30 and all of the money raised goes into flowers and maintenance for the 11 gardens maintained by the club throughout the city. 

This is the club’s largest fundraiser. The 24-inch wreaths and 10 ft. strips of garland can be ordered and paid for on the club’s website.

Their wreaths are made from fresh Northern Michigan pine and cedar boughs. The pine cones are harvested throughout Charlevoix County from Norway Spruce.

Club members are out on the city streets now, contacting retail shops, businesses, restaurants and citizens to secure orders. On November 20th, club members gather at the Eagles Lodge for a festive day of wreath assembly and delivery.

19-year-old charged with sharing child sexual material

Press release from Charlevoix County Prosecutor Kip Tholen:

Police received a tip from a social media company about an individual sharing images of Child Sexually Abusive Material on that social media platform. Police identified the residence that the images were being sent from as a Charlevoix County residence. That home was searched and electronic devices taken. When those devices were examined, there were more than 1,700 images of Child Sexually Abusive Material, which include pre-pubescent children, videos, bestiality on children, and sadomasochism upon children. Ownership information of those devices was also obtained and linked to a resident of the home.

This resident is Cameron Michael Matelski, 19, who has been arrested and charged with several counts of Child Sexually Abusive Activity, Aggravated Possession of Child Sexually Abusive Material, and Using a Computer to Commit a Crime. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Herman Swift and one of the Beulah Home boys, photographed with “Old Abe,” their eagle. (Photographs courtesy of the Patrick McCleary collection.)

THROUGH THE HISTORIAN'S LENS

Old City Park Zoo was home to “Teddy” the bear, and eagles “Old Abe” and “Lincoln”

By Patrick McCleary

The Charlevoix County History Preservation Society

Each week we’ll visit some aspect of the lesser-known history of Boyne City and the surrounding area - not only major events, but the people and families who assisted in making them happen. In doing so, we help to preserve our rich, colorful and fascinating local history. Please don’t hesitate to suggest areas of interest or to share additional information and stories by emailing throughthehistorianslens@gmail.com. Come learn with us!

The Old City Park Zoo was a city attraction for nearly three decades, prior to the days of more ethical treatment toward animals. While it began as an enclosure along the river’s bank for deer, it soon expanded to other live animal species. Their cages were constructed of a concrete base and rear wall, with iron bars forming the remaining three sides. A hole in the rear wall provided an entrance to a make-shift grotto. This provided protection from the midday sun, if not the heat and cold of inclement weather. 

The animals on display were typically removed from the local wild and generally included a pair of raccoons, a fox and even a lynx at one time. Creatures of the avian variety were also represented - the occasional owl, hawk and even a pair of eagles. While my collection of images includes Herman Swift and one of the Beulah Home boys posing with the eagle, “Old Abe,” I have yet to come across an image of this bird’s cage mate, “Lincoln.” 

Perhaps the most famous of the Zoo Park animals, however, was a bear cub, affectionately known as “Teddy,” pictured here. Although beloved by the local citizenry, he is thought to have spent most of his life in the caged enclosure. For many local citizens, adults and children alike, taking a bag of peanuts to the park to give Teddy a treat was a regular Sunday pastime. What became of this menagerie of wildlife is unknown. Perhaps those that did not succumb to death were again released into the wild, a hopeful, but rather doubtful conclusion. 

It was Herman Swift, manager of the Beulah Home for Boys, who presented the two eagles and bear cub to Boyne City officials in 1909. They immediately became the Zoo Park’s central attractions. In 2002, I was able to locate and obtain a real-picture-postcard (RPPC) of Russell C. Leavenworth’s image of Teddy being fed peanuts. On the reverse of the image is the caption: "Here's to Teddy, Always Ready!"

Boyne Area News Briefs

LEAF PICKUP - City residents can have their bagged leaves picked up on Mondays and Fridays from now through November 11th. Please set bagged leaves curbside in biodegradable paper yard waste bags available locally at Boyne City Hardware, Boyne Co-op and other sources. Please put only leaves in bags, as the bags are not strong enough to hold sticks, sand, or stones, and will tear upon lifting. More info.

RAMBLER PINK GAME - Boyne City’s varsity football team will be honoring

honoring family members and friends who have either battled cancer or are currently battling cancer at their Friday, October 18th game against Oscoda. This game will raise funds and awareness for cancer. Fans are encouraged to purchase a $20 luminary bag with your loved one’s name on it. The bags will be displayed in the endzones during the game. Use this link to order your luminary bag. All proceeds will go to the Northern Michigan Cancer Crusaders. Questions? Contact Kelli Schoolcrat via email at kschoolcraft81@gmail.com. 

SKATE PARK BENEFIT - Duncan Studios is hosting a Paint Party Fundraiser at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at the new Peninsula Park Event Center (formerly Friggy’s) to benefit the construction of Boyne Area Skate Park. Get your tickets on the skate park website.

BUSINESS OUTLOOK - The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance will present a Regional Small Business Outlook from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday, November 8th, at Gypsy Distillery, 5251 Charlevoix Ave, Petoskey. Join them to hear from business leaders representing diverse Northern Michigan industries, who will share their outlook on both opportunities and challenges in the year ahead. Register here. 

PARISH MISSION - Boyne Valley Catholic Community will host a Parish Mission led by Franciscan Friar Johnpaul Cafiero, a native of New York/New Jersey at St. Matthew's Church from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on October 20, 21, and 22. Father Johnpaul has doctorates in theology and psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Counseling. He is a teacher and retreat director, international preacher, counselor and teacher on both the high school and university levels, and the former Vocation Director for his Order. He currently is a Chaplain of the Illinois State Police, the Parma Ohio Police Department and Chaplain of Padua Franciscan High School in Parma, Ohio. All are welcome, and childcare is available. Flier with details.

FREE COVID TESTS - Households across the country are eligible to order four free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The COVID-19 tests can detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through at least the end of 2024. To order tests that are more accessible for people with disabilities, visit ACL.gov/AccessibleTests.

Obituaries

Larry Levengood

February 16, 1949 — October 13, 2024 (age 75)

John L. Massey

March 26, 1946 ~ October 13, 2024 (age 78)

John H. Wood, III

May 6, 1936 ~ October 8, 2024 (age 88)

Bryan Arthur Crandell

March 15, 1960 ~ October 7, 2024 (age 64)

Merle Wayne Karlskin

October 13, 1934 ~ October 4, 2024 (age 89)

Merle Wayne Karlskin of Leesburg, Florida, passed away on October 4, 2024 at the young age of 89. Merle was born in Petoskey, Michigan, October 13th, 1934. Merle grew up in Boyne City, and graduated from Boyne City High School in 1953.

Merle worked in carpentry all his life. He loved his family, fishing and golfing. He was preceded in death by his mother, Emma Watson, father, Archie; sisters Pearl and Sandy, brothers Artie, Karl, and Don; and son Dale. Merle's loving survivors include his wife Lucinda of 50 years; brother Jim; children Debby, Richard and wife Julie, Lisa, Todd and husband Gustavo, Vince and wife Wendy, Jann M. and Latricia; 10 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 19th, 2024, at Hawthorne Club House, 1000 Hawthorne Drive, Leesburg, Florida.

Thank you to the generous donors who are supporting local journalism and the Boyne Citizen!

ADAM AND THE CABANA BOYS play at the Boyne City Taproom from 7 to 10 p.m. on Thursdays.

MUSIC, ARTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT

Please email your special events and music information to jamie@boynecitizen.com.

BARREL BACK. 4069 M-75, Walloon Lake, (231) 535-6000.

> New menu and live music Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays with trivia on Thursdays

> LIVE MUSIC, 6-9 p.m.

Mondays - Sean Bielby

Tuesdays - Lara Fullford

Wednesdays - Pete Kehoe

Thursdays - Trivia & music by Holly Keller

BC LANES/THE VENUE BAR & GRILL. 1199 M-75 S, Boyne City,(231) 582-6353.

> Open bowling 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays, 3-10 p.m. Fridays, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays.

> LIVE MUSIC

Saturday, Oct. 26 - Two Beats 7-10 p.m.

BOYNE CITY FARMERS MARKET. Now indoors in the pavilion at Veterans Park, 207 N. Lake Street, Boyne City. (231) 582-9009.

> Open Saturdays 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

BOYNE CITY TAP ROOM. 220 S. Lake St., Boyne City, (231) 459-4487.

> LIVE MUSIC 7-10 p.m.

Thursdays - Adam and the Cabana Boys

Fridays - Patrick Ryan and Josh Raber

BOYNE MOUNTAIN. 1 Boyne Mountain Rd., Boyne Falls, (855) 688-7024.

> Weekly schedule of events and entertainment at all Boyne Mountain venues.

BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARD. 05325 US 131 S, Petoskey (231) 373-2090.

> LIVE MUSIC-Fridays 4-7:30 p.m.; Saturdays 2-6 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 18-Chase & Allie

Saturday, Oct. 19-Chris Calleja

Friday, Oct. 25-Nelson Olstrom

Saturday, Oct. 26-Michelle Chenard

CAFE SANTE. 1 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 582-8800.

> LIVE MUSIC- Mondays 6-9 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays 7-10 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 18-Brett Mitchell

Saturday, Oct. 19-Nelson Olstrom

Monday, Oct. 21-The Shifties

Friday, Oct. 25-Michelle Chenard

Saturday, Oct. 26-Pete Kehoe (Halloween Tomfoolery)

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER. 461 E. Mitchell Street. Petoskey, (231) 347-4337.

> LIVE MUSIC 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 19-May Erlewine, singer/songwriter

FRESHWATER Art Gallery and Concert Venue , 217 S Lake St., Boyne City, (231) 582-2588. Check back for winter concert series updates.

GREAT LAKES CENTER FOR THE ARTS. 800 Bay Harbor Dr., Petoskey, (231) 439 -2600.

Step into suspense this Halloween season with A Very Hitchcock Halloween Double Feature featuring Vertigo and The Birds. Your $8 ticket allows you to watch both films or purchase a ticket to one movie for just $5. Details and tickets.

JUNCTION BAR AND GRILL. 4472 M-75, Walloon Lake, (231) 535-6006.

> New Sunday Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

LAKE STREET PUB. 202 S. Lake St., Boyne City, (231) 497-6031.

> TRIVIA NIGHT - Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

MUSKRAT DISTILLING.121 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 268-0178.

> KARAOKE - 9 to 11:55 p.m. every Wednesday

> LIVE MUSIC 8-11 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 18-Kevin Johnson

Saturday, Oct. 25- HALLOWEEN PARTY costume karaoke contest with T-Bone

PROVISIONS LOUNGE. 123 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 582-2151.

LIVE MUSIC on Tuesdays and Saturdays, 6-8 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 22-Sean Bielby

RED MESA GRILL,117 Water St, Boyne City, (231) 582-0049.

LIVE MUSIC 6-9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 26 - Halloween Party with costume contest - Delilah DeWylde 

Sunday, Oct. 27 - Shouting Bones

Tuesday, Oct. 29 - David Lawston

STIGGS BREWERY & KITCHEN,112 S. Park St., Boyne City, (231) 497-6100

> First Wednesday of the month (but it's Nov. 11th, the second Wednesday, next month) - Open Mic Nights hosted by Nelson Olstrom, 6-9 p.m.

The Boyne Citizen

Email: jim@boynecitizen.com

Phone: 231-459-4166

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