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Pride of Baltimore II sails our lake
The Pride of Baltimore II tall ship took a sail around a hazy Lake Charlevoix on Saturday, as captured in this photo by Nate Jason. The Pride hosted deck tours and lake sails while docked in downtown Boyne City for four days and five nights before departing Wednesday morning, July 30.
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Inside this issue
- Commission will interview 3 city manager candidates
- Festival’s first queen returns as Honored Citizen
- Polish Festival and PirateFest schedules
- Stroll the Streets lineup for Friday
- Downtown Boyne City hosts Sidewalk Sales Aug. 8-9
- City Commission meets with Airport Board
- Boyne USA addresses LTBB's concerns on river
- Sea lamprey control today on Boyne River
- Auctioneer Wade Leist wins $15,000 competition
- College generates $78.9 million in economic impact
- Wallooners publish ‘Up North Michigan Day Trips’
- SBA ice storm loan deadline is Aug. 8
- Patrick McCleary history: The importance of scrapbooks
- News briefs, Obituaries, and Municipal News
- Thanks to the donors who keep the news coming!
- Music and entertainment listings
| > Like this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow. And tell them that, if they like it, they can subscribe here. | | Commission will interview 3 city manager candidates on Friday morning | |
By Jim Baumann, jim@boynecitizen.com
The Boyne City Commission has scheduled a special meeting for 7:45 a.m. Friday, August 1, to interview three finalists to become the city manager.
The finalists are Michelle Cole, interim city manager of Saline; Scott Czasak, city manager of Caro; and John Matthews, Boyne City’s interim city manager.
Michelle Cole, who goes by “Elle,” has been with the city of Saline (population 9,000) since 2022, serving as both treasurer and deputy city manager. In June, the Saline City Council voted 4-3 to hire Tecumseh City Manager Dan Swallow over Cole for the permanent position. Cole was originally passed over as a hiring committee recommended finalists, but she was added to the final interviews after a number of citizens, business owners and council members came forward to support her candidacy. Here is Cole’s LinkedIn profile, which lists her professional experience.
Scott Czasak has been the city manager of the Michigan Thumb community of Caro (population 4,272) since December 2022. Prior to this position, Czasak worked as DDA director for Escanaba and before that held legislative staff positions at the state and federal level. He was a finalist but not hired for the position of city manager in Buchanan in November 2024. Here is his resume from that job application.
John Matthews has served as Boyne City’s interim city manager since June 2, filling in after longtime manager Michael Cain was fired in March. The fact that Matthews made the final interview seems to show that the City Commission is happy with his performance. Matthews served eight months as Elk Rapids village manager before resigning that position on Feb. 20. He had previously served as interim village treasurer in Elk Rapids. His LinkedIn profile shows extensive experience as a corporate business executive and consultant.
These three Boyne City finalists were chosen after the City Commission held a special meeting closed session on July 22 to review applicants for the city manager position. James Freed of the PIVOT Executive Recruiter firm, which has been hired to lead the search, said he had received “18 good applications.”
“That is a testament to the desirability of your community,” Freed said. The July 22 closed session was allowed by the state’s Open Meetings Act to protect the privacy of applicants who may be currently employed and do not want the fact that they are considering a job change to be publicly known. However, the top applicants who consent to a final interview must be interviewed in a public meeting, which is what will be happening on Friday morning.
> City Clerk Treasurer Jessica Puroll told the Boyne Citizen that the candidate interviews will not be shown live on Facebook or Zoom. "The interviews are held in a public meeting, however, the video will not be posted until after the selection process is fully complete with a signed agreement in place," Puroll said. The Boyne Citizen be attending and covering Friday's meeting.
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Polish Festival’s first queen, Judy Matelski returns as Honored Citizen 50 years later
By Jim Baumann, jim@boynecitizen.com
The Boyne Falls Polish Festival has named Judy Matelski as its Honored Citizen for this year’s festival, and she has a bit of history with the festival. Fifty years ago, for the very first Polish Festival, Matelski was the festival queen.
It was the only time the festival had a queen pageant, so Matelski is - technically - still the reigning queen. She still has her crown, but she doesn’t plan to wear it this year.
This committee plans ahead, so they told her she was going to be the Honored Citizen in February. Her cousin’s son Kurt Reynolds, who is the festival’s assistant chairman, delivered the news and Matelski said, “No, I don’t want to do it. There are people who deserve it more than me. But he said, ‘No, Judy, you were our pick.’ So I said OK, I’ll do it if I can have all my grandkids on the float with me, and I can advertise Cherry Hill Greenhouse.”
Matelski owns the greenhouse and she’s proud that next year will be the 30th year for the business. The idea for starting a greenhouse came after her father passed away at an early age. “He was 44, he died of pancreas cancer, and me and my mom had to always go buy geraniums for the cemetery. And one day I just said, ‘I want a greenhouse. I want to grow my own flowers for my dad’s cemetery and for my family’s cemeteries,’ and that's how it started.”
Matelski will be 67 on August 10, but she’s not slowing down. She just purchased the former Alba Greenhouse and her crew of family and friends are moving it, piece by piece, to Boyne Falls. “We’re going to get that set up in the next week or two - it might take us a while but we're going to have more room. We need that because the way it is now, we run out every year by June 4 or June 8. We're done - everything's gone.”
The greenhouse is a family affair with her five children helping out - daughter
Jennifer Morden and her four sons, Jerry Morden, Jacob Elzinga, Josh Elzinga, and Joey Elzinga.
Cherry Hill Greenhouse is known for their hanging baskets. That started 29 years ago with a request for hanging baskets from the Harborage Marina in Boyne City. “I started doing hanging baskets for them, and it was so fun, I just kept expanding it. Somebody from Gaylord saw them, and they asked if I could do baskets of petunias. So I’ve been doing hanging baskets for their downtown for about 20 years.” The Village of Boyne Falls hanging baskets are from Cherry Hill as well.
2025 Festival Royalty
- Honored Citizen: Judy Matelski
- Grand Marshals: Steve and Lynn Sparks
- Little Miss: Jessica Yarbrough
- Little Mister: Hunter Steinhoff
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Thursday, July 31
4-9pm: Hudson Township Hall Bingo
5pm: Polka Tent opens
5pm: Flea Market starts
6pm: Car Show
Friday, August 1
10am-2pm: Youth Day Games
11am: Polka Tent opens
1pm: Youth Bike Parade
4-9pm: Hudson Township Hall Bingo
6pm: Bump-N-Run
9pm-12am: The Family Tradition Band
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Saturday, August 2
8am: 5k Run
11am: Polka Tent opens
11am: Grand Royal Parade
12-6pm: Bounce House Mania
12-9pm: Hudson Township Hall Bingo
1:30 & 3:30pm: Lumberjack Shows
2:30pm: Cornhole Tournament
Sunday, August 3
9am: Mass in the Polka Tent
12pm: Polka Tent opens
12-4pm: Hudson Township Hall Bingo
12pm: 4-Wheel Drive Mud Run
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PirateFest invades Boyne City Arrrgust 6-9
Ahoy ye landlubbers, set your sail for Boyne City PirateFest 2025. Events will kick off with a Pre-Invasion Party at Stiggs Kitchen and Brewery from 6-10 p.m. on Wednesday, Arrrgust 6, then a princess and queen's pageant under the festival tent on Thursday, Arrrgust 7, followed by a live band, Strings Attached.
Then don't miss the grand invasion as the pirates land in Sunset Park by way of two tall ships on Friday, Arrrgust 8, during Stroll the Streets. Listen for the cannon firing to mark the invasion. The invasion will be followed by live music under the tent by The Remedee.
Saturday, Arrrgust 8, will be a full day of family events all over Boyne City, beginning with the parade at 10 a.m., Treasure Map Hunt, kids crafts and activities in Old City Park, buskers galore, river rafting, the famous Battle of the Boyne, and wrapping up in the tent with Derailed rocking the night away.
> Check out the full schedule at www.boynecitypiratefest.com. Volunteers are needed, and you can sign up here.
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Upcoming Boyne area festivals
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Downtown Boyne City hosts Sidewalk Sales Aug. 8-9
Sidewalk Sales are coming to downtown Boyne City on Friday and Saturday, August 8 and 9, sponsored by Boyne City Main Street. The early list of participants includes:
- 52 Weekends
- Mary’s of Boyne
- For Fun’s Sake
- I ❤️Boyne City
- Boyne Coop
- White Birch Outfitters
Check the Main Street Facebook page and next week’s Boyne Citizen for the full list. Participating businesses should email bcmainstreet@gmail.com to be added to this list.
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Joint meeting with Airport Board
The Boyne City Commission held a joint meeting with the Airport Advisory Board on July 24, and both sides came away feeling better about the city’s relationship with the airport. When presented with a 10-year revenue/expenditures report that showed the airport had been profitable for the last seven years, commission members said they would be open to reconsidering their plan to increase hangar rents by 30%. Airport Board members said they expect to come up with a revised rate proposal at their next meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 28, at the airport terminal building.
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Support truly local, community-driven news
The Boyne Citizen doesn't charge for news - your donations make our work possible. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
> You may click below to donate online or mail a check to Boyne Citizen, P.O. Box 83, Boyne City MI 49712.
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Boyne USA addresses LTBB's concerns on Boyne River and dam safety
By Jamie Baumann, jamie@boynecitizen.com
Boyne USA responded to recently raised issues concerning tribal access to the Boyne River Dam impoundment, downstream fisheries, and dam safety in a submission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on Friday, July 25.
Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians (LTBB) had raised those three issues for FERC to consider as a part of the licensing process. Boyne USA is in the process of applying for a multi-year license to continue to generate electricity at the Boyne River Hydroelectric Plant just east of Dam Road.
Recreational access to navigable waters
LTBB asserted a treaty that would allow tribal members to access navigable waters and said that Boyne USA has restricted this right in its impoundment area and reservoir upstream of the dam. In the latest filing, Boyne USA disputed that the Boyne River was actually a "navigable waterway," providing a copy of 1980 memo from the Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Chief Frank Opolka stating that only about 6.5 miles of 15 miles was navigable. "Therefore, based on Section 2(3) of 323 PA 1976 (Recreational Trespass Act), it is the opinion of this office that persons entering the uplands of the impoundment on the Boyne River for the purposes of fishing must have written permission from the landowners. Failure to do so is a violation of the Recreational Trespass Act."
In addition, Boyne USA provided a copy of a 1981 letter from then Charlevoix County Prosecuting Attorney Scott Beatty which states, "After a thorough review, it is my opinion that fishermen are not entitled to portage on your property around the dam to fish the impoundment. This takes into account the Recreational Trespass law. Therefore, by copy of this letter, I am informing the appropriate police agencies that there is no right to trespass around the dam on your land."
Boyne USA states, "Boyne certainly has no objections to LTBB members accessing the Boyne River through other mechanisms permissible under law, including public trust privileges, if applicable. It is important to note that LTBB members are required by LTBB's own tribal guidance documents to seek permission from private property owners . . . rather than attempting to obtain compulsory access through some treaty, right or privilege."
Boyne USA continued, "Boyne recognizes LTBB’s desire to exercise its rights and freedoms from government regulation of those rights on public property. However, Boyne also recognizes the detrimental impact that increased public access has on streambank stability and the environment. Boyne requests that FERC weigh and consider these important interests when evaluating the Boyne Dam Project."
Boyne USA attached a 2024 Streambank Stability Assessment from Exemplar Technical Services, LLC based in Traverse City, which concludes, "Public access provided to the river is the primary cause of observed streambank instability. Increasing public access to the river will increase the areal extent of streambank erosion." They compared the "nature and condition" of the stream banks downstream of the dam, where public access is allowed and upstream where it is not. Their conclusion was that the downstream bank instability "is directly related to public access and uses."
Dam's effect on fisheries
LTBB stated that "due to the release of warm water from the reservoir, the Boyne River is no longer able to support coldwater species that were historically present in the lower portion of the river such as brook trout and arctic grayling. It [the dam] also inhibits the passage of migratory species that historically spawned in the Boyne River, such as lake trout, lake whitefish, and lake sturgeon.”
Boyne USA agreed that the "protection of local fisheries is a priority." They attached a November 2024 Ecological Assessment from Merjent environmental consultants Thomas Clement and Tom Estrem that concluded that the dam acts as a barrier to spawning salmon and sea lamprey "which could provide a refuge for brook trout upstream of the dam."
The assessment said, “[the] dam could encourage a trout fishery to persist with no impacts from stocked salmon or invasive species upstream of the dam.There are several stretches of the Boyne River and connecting tributaries that are listed as blue water trout streams and currently protected from impacts of salmon and sea lamprey by the Boyne USA Dam. … Stocking of non-native salmonids including brown trout, rainbow trout, king salmon, and coho salmon have been shown to have negative impacts on native trout populations and macroinvertebrate communities. … If the dam was removed … these blue-ribbon stretches would likely be negatively impacted by the presence of spawning and smolt … salmon and the upstream Boyne River would be accessible for greater spawning of sea lamprey.”
Boyne USA stated that the impact on native fisheries that LTBB perceives downstream of the impoundment is likely not related to claimed increased water temperature, citing the Merjent Environmental Assessment, which concludes that "temperatures observed during this study are within the limits set by the State of Michigan and within the FERC 2022 document.” Boyne stated that the Merjent Environmental Assessment demonstrated "no negative impact on fisheries at, above or below the dam."
Dam safety
Boyne USA said that "Boyne, FERC, and LTBB share the common priority of dam safety. The public record displays this shared priority. Boyne has and will continue to disclose documents, data, and reports as required by law to FERC." This data is available to the public at ferc.gov in the e library.
On July 24, FERC's Office of Energy Projects, Division of Dam Safety filed a follow-up to its July 2, 2025 inspection. It stated, "all project structures were inspected and no dam safety deficiencies requiring immediate action were observed.”
The FERC follow-up memo also codified Boyne USA's scheduled maintenance and modernization upgrades for this summer, including turbine and shaft replacement, penstock exterior cleaning and recoating, and electrical relay upgrades, which are all standard practices for hydroelectric facilities of this age and type. Read the FERC staff dam inspection follow-up.
Boyne USA said, "Power has not been generated at the dam since February. "Following turbine reinstallation later this summer, the electrical systems will be upgraded and commissioned, with power generation planned to resume in the fall. Prior to the start of work, Boyne provided a courtesy notification to the Michigan DNR, Charlevoix County’s Office of Emergency Management, and the County Sheriff, ensuring proper coordination with local authorities. . . . Boyne intends to carry on with its operations of the Boyne Dam Project in compliance with all FERC regulations and permitting requirements, as well as requirements imposed by Michigan and Federal law."
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Sea lamprey control planned for today, Thursday, on Boyne River
From the Great Lakes Fishery Commission
The Boyne River is known for its incredible fishing, scenic paddling, and ecological diversity. It’s also home to invasive sea lampreys, which spawn in tributaries and hatch into filter-feeding larvae that live burrowed in the streambed for several years.
If left unmanaged, each of these larvae will transform into a blood-sucking parasite, emerge from its burrow, and latch onto native fish species, feeding on their blood and body fluids like an underwater vampire, killing up to 40 pounds of Great Lakes fish over its lifetime.
To remove the roughly 72,000 larvae in the Boyne River, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sea Lamprey Control crew based in Ludington, Michigan, will conduct a sea lamprey treatment by applying TFM (lampricide) on July 31. The application will run for about 12 hours from the vicinity of Dam Road, flow through the City of Boyne City, and reach Lake Charlevoix late afternoon through the evening hours.
The river will appear yellow during treatment, which indicates the presence of lampricide. Swimming, paddling, and fishing remain safe, and fish caught from the river are safe to eat. Fact sheet on lampricide safety.
Sea lamprey control teams from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Fisheries and Oceans Canada travel throughout the Great Lakes basin each season. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service crews are based in Ludington and Marquette, Michigan, while Fisheries and Oceans Canada crews are based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. These teams work day and night, often spending weeks away from home, to protect our beloved Great Lakes fishery. If you see them out on the river, take a moment to thank them for all they do.
To learn more about sea lamprey work in the Great Lakes, visit www.glfc.org/control.php. Stream the award-winning documentary "The Fish Thief," narrated by J.K.Simmons, to learn how sea lampreys entered the Great Lakes and how decades of research and collaboration have kept their populations in check: www.thefishthief.com.
> U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel were also planning to apply lampricides to the Jordan River and Loeb Creek between July 29 and August 7.
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The Boyne Citizen is hiring writers!
We’d like to hear from writers and editors who want to become involved with the Boyne Citizen.
Email jim@boynecitizen.com if you're interested.
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Wade Leist, at right, won the King of the Ring contest on July 26 at Winter Livestock, Dodge City, Kansas. He won $15,000 and a belt buckle that he received from Brian Winter.
Auctioneer Wade Leist wins $15,000 competition
Reprinted from the High Plains Journal, Dodge City, Kansas
An auctioneer from Boyne City topped a competitive field to collect the $15,000 top prize at the annual King of the Ring contest July 26 in Dodge City, Kansas.
Wade Leist was the 2024 World Livestock Auctioneer Champion, but had never entered the King of the Ring contest. In the past year he and a delegation from the Livestock Marketing Association had a tour that included a stop in Dodge City. He immediately liked the facilities, plus the western history and getting to know the Winter family were big selling points to him and he decided to make it this year.
“I always admired this contest because of the quality of people running it and the quality of cattle,” said Leist, who also received a belt buckle. “It’s like an all-star contest.”
Leist said with today’s prices it has been fun to sell cattle. He remembers when he started that prices were low, but today he can sell a yearling for $3,200. Full story.
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North Central Michigan College’s Petoskey campus is home to programs and partnerships that generate $78.9 million in annual economic impact across Northern Michigan.
NCMC generates $78.9 million in economic impact
North Central Michigan College (NCMC) contributed $78.9 million to Northern Michigan’s economy in fiscal year 2023-24, according to a new report from Lightcast, a national labor market analytics firm.
The report examined the college’s operational spending, student and alumni earnings, and broader social benefits across the four-county region of Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, and Otsego counties. It found that North Central supports more than 1,000 jobs - equivalent to one in every 66 jobs in the region - and delivers a strong return on investment for students, taxpayers, and society.
The report found that North Central’s $78.9 million contribution is equivalent to 1.2% of the gross regional product (GRP) of the four-county region. By comparison, this contribution is nearly as large as the region’s entire arts, entertainment, and recreation industry, which totals $90.7 million - underscoring the college’s outsized role in the regional economy.
> Full press release. Full economic impact report.
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Wallooners publish ‘Up North Michigan Day Trips’
Seasonal Walloon Lake residents Tom Barrat and Sarah Moran Martin have just published “Up North Michigan Day Trips,” a new coffee table book that explores excursions one can easily take in a day, from the eastern half of the Upper Peninsula to as far south as Grayling in the Lower Peninsula.
This 128-page hardcover book features beautiful photos from publisher and photographer Barrat plus engaging narrative and storytelling from Martin. Nearby highlights include Boyne Mountain’s thrilling SkyBridge Michigan, Avalanche Bay Indoor Water Park, ziplines and chairlifts; the annual Boyne Thunder event, Old City Park, the Farmers Market and Young State Park in Boyne City, as well as fragrant Lavender Hill Farm and Horton Bay General Store just outside Boyne City.
“Up North Michigan Day Trips” is a sequel to Barrat and Martin’s successful Up North Michigan, their first coffee-table book focusing on six of the charming small towns that form Up North’s backbone. You can purchase the book at Lavender Hill Farm, numerous local stores, as well as on Amazon by searching “Up North Michigan Day Trips Coffee Table Book.”
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SBA ice storm loan deadline is Aug. 8
The U.S. Small Business Administration reports that Friday, August 8, is the deadline to apply for a disaster loan for physical damages from the ice storm. The loans are for homeowners, renters, businesses and nonprofits, and they cover what insurance does not, such as tree removal, debris removal, damage to fences, decks, garden sheds, in addition to structural damage and damage to cars.
Disaster loans also cover insurance deductibles and possibly HOA assessments due to the storm. The interest rate for homeowners is as low as 2.75 percent. If people have already made repairs and put charges on their high-interest credit card, they can use a disaster loan to pay that off. There are no payments for the first year and no interest is charged for the first year. The loans are direct from the U.S. Treasury. Learn more at sba.gov/disaster and apply online, directly at this link.
The SBA is operating centers in Cheboygan and Harbor Springs through the deadline, where people can get one-on-one assistance. Addresses and hours.
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WALLOON WOODIES and Classic Car Show will be held from 11 a.m. to 4p.m. Saturday, August 2. Boats will be on the docks in front of Barrel Back from 11 a.m. to 12:30 pm. Classic Cars will be parked in the circle park and in the grassy area across from Hotel Walloon from 11 to 4. There will be food available for purchase with all sales to benefit the Walloon Lake Trust & Conservancy. The Walloon Woodies is a group of wooden boat owners that get together the first Saturday in August to parade their boats down Walloon Lake. In 2013, the first annual Walloon Woodie's event, 24 boats met in the Wildwood Harbor area and paraded down to over 200 fans, enjoying the show, at the Walloon Village docks. Watch a video.
BIKE TRAIL MATCH - The Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association (TOMMBA) is in the final stretch of its fundraising campaign for the new Expert Cross-Country trail being professionally built by Flowtrack at the Boyne Forest Trails Bike Park. The organization needs just over $50,000 to complete the project, and a generous donor has agreed to match the first $20,000 Double your impact and donate here: tommba.org/Donate. Fundraising letter with details.
RIVER CLEAN-UP - Friends of the Boyne River are organizing a River Sweep clean-up from 9 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, August 16. Volunteers who would like to participate should meet at the boat launch in Veterans Park. The event invitation says, “Bring a kayak to float the river and help the team clean up anything ‘lost’ during the summer season. If you don’t care to kayak or float the river, you can help out by walking the river bank in town, or check some of the feeder streams for debris. We will give you an area to work on. This is a great way to meet other people who love to kayak and enjoy the river and nature.”
QUEEN OF HEARTS raffle tickets are sold every day at the Boyne City Eagles Hall. They are $1 per ticket and the public may come in to buy even if they are not a member. The drawings are held every Thursday. The current payout is $25,174.
STATE OF THE COMMUNITY - Registration is open for the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce State of the Community Luncheon, planned for Friday, Sept. 12, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The event will be held at Boyne Mountain Resort in the Vienna Room. Guests will enjoy a plated lunch with their choice of entrée. Speakers will include Zach Sompels of the Housing Ready Program, Erika Van Dam of Van Dam Custom Boats, Dr. David Roland Finley of North Central Michigan College, Pat Little of Boyne City Public Schools, Sara Ward of the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, and Sheriff Vondra and Sienna Wenz of the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Department. The luncheon is open to everyone. Click here to register.
EVENINGS AT THE GAZEBO - The Boyne Area Chamber’s free summer concert series on Wednesdays is returning to the Gazebo in Old City Park in downtown Boyne City. The chamber has also reserved the Veterans Park Pavilion in case of rain. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket, as well as food and drinks. Here is the remaining schedule, with concerts held from 6:30 - 8 p.m.:
- August 6 - Dags Und Timmah
- August 13 - Billy McAllister
- August 20 - Delilah DeWilde
- August 27 - Laura Crowe
WALLOON LAKE LIBRARY is planning an Author Book Chat with Lauren Macintyre, who will discuss fun facts from her newly published “Walloon Forever," which will be for sale at the event for the price of $55 (checks or cash). Proceeds benefit the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy.
BOYNE SENIOR CENTER hours for summer are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. with lunch served from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. On Wednesdays the hours are 11a.m.-7p.m. and the center only serves dinner from 5-6 p.m. This schedule will continue through the end of August. Here is the Senior Center August lunch and dinner menu, and here is the August activity calendar.
DINING 4 PAWS - The Charlevoix Area Humane Society’s annual Dining 4 Paws fundraising event has been scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 7, at Castle Farms. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, followed by a plated dinner at 6:30 p.m. For more information call 231-582-6774 or email pets.charlevoixhumane.org. Tickets are $125, including cocktails. Details and reservations.
PEACE, LOVE & PHILANTHROPY – A 1970s-themed fundraiser for the Boyne Arts Center, Thursday, Aug. 21 from 5:30-9 p.m. at The Farm at Frog Hollow, Boyne City. Please join us for a fun evening celebrating the arts at a top-quality venue with dinner and live auction. Dress in your 70s attire, if you wish. For information call (231) 622-2073 and you can register here.
| | City of Boyne City Municipal News | | |
BOYNE CITY HOUSING COMMISSION is seeking a dedicated individual to fill an opening on its five-member Board of Commissioners. This is a volunteer role with a chance to make a significant impact on housing opportunities in Boyne City and Charlevoix County.
Things to know:
- Meets once a month (currently 4th Wednesdays at 8 AM)
- Must live in Charlevoix County (preferably Boyne City)
- 5-year term ending Jan 1, 2030
- Help shape the future of local housing
Apply here by Monday, August 4 at noon: www.boynecity.gov/government/boards_commissions/vacancy.php
Questions? Contact Executive Director Bethany Hedgepath at 231-582-6203 or bhedgepath@boynecityhc.com.
UTILITY FLAGS - As part of the approved sanitary sewer improvements, crews will be out across the City identifying service line “pigtails.” In preparation for this work, our Water/Sewer Department will be marking lines in impacted areas. If you see paint markings or utility flags in your yard, please do not remove them. These markers are important for ensuring safe and accurate work. If you need to temporarily remove a flag for lawn care, please return it to the exact same spot once you’re finished.
WARM WATER - Lake Charlevoix temperature at the Boyne City Marina was 76°F on Wednesday, July 30.
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CITY MEETINGS – Click here for board information, agendas, and minutes.
> City Commission's next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 12. Agenda page.
| | Can you identify any of these young ladies? The six images above come from the same scrapbooks kept by the late Helen R. (Steimel) Magee. There is no identifying information for any of them, and Patrick McCleary has discovered nothing further. If you can identify any of them, or if you have additional details or oral history on the women mentioned in the story below, please reach out and share what you know - email Throughthehistorianslens@gmail.com. | | |
THROUGH THE HISTORIAN'S LENS
Scrapbooking’s historical importance
By Patrick McCleary, Throughthehistorianslens@gmail.com
The Charlevoix County History Preservation Society
Scrapbooking is a term that is familiar to most people. The act of scrapbooking emerged as a hobby during the early 1800s and flourished throughout the Victorian era. Victorians (both women and men) pasted clippings, calling cards, pressed flowers, and illustrations into bound volumes and practiced penmanship by copying poems, verses, and sonnets. Since a scrapbook project only required a bound blank book and some type of adhesive, these projects soon trickled down to other social classes by the mid-19th century. As photography became more affordable and wide-scale, scrapbooks began to increase in visual appeal, as photographs and postcard images infiltrated homes of all classes
Scrapbooking continued to grow in popularity during the 20th century, and several companies began producing bound blank books solely for this purpose. Companies regularly introduced new adhesives and page decorations for scrapbooks. Some of their innovations proved great for deterring damage, such as photo corners, whereas others have been destructive, such as magnetic scrapbooks.
In 2019 I undertook a research project to document the history of Boyne City’s early telephone system and the operators who made this undertaking possible. In doing so, I was able to identify 36 women who had held positions as telephone operators between the mid-1900s and February of 1952. Needless to say, this was a major undertaking, but very rewarding. My one disappointment was that I was unable to locate photographs of all of these fine ladies - in particular those from the earliest years.
In 2024 I had the good fortune of being contacted by Debbie Arnold, who is a part-time resident in Charlevoix. She is also the granddaughter of one of Boyne City’s very early telephone operators, Helen (Steimel) Magee. Through the good fortune of her grandmother’s interest in maintaining scrapbooks throughout her life, and the generosity of her granddaughter in allowing me to scan them, a remarkable collection of early Boyne City images emerged. In addition to several images of Boyne City’s earliest operators, (friends and co-workers of Helen Steimel Magee), there were also lovely photographs of both identified and unidentified young ladies with Boyne City connections. Here are just a few.
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Helen Rachael Steimel
Telephone Operator
Daughter of John G. and Mary (Larson) Stancel, who were of Bohemian and Norwegian descent. The surname was then Americanized to Steimel. Upon their arrival in Boyne City, they resided at 516 State Street.By 1920, they were residing at 447 Elm Street, which is where the parents resided until the early 1960s.
Born November 23, 1900, at Suttons Bay, Michigan.
Married Merritt Theodore Magee on December 17, 1921, in Boyne City.
Died March 24, 1971, in Lansing.
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Adah Sarah Hartnell
Daughter of John A. and Verna M. (Smith) Hartnell. Her father was a conductor for the Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena Railroad (B.C.G.& A.R.R.) and they resided at 433 Boyne Avenue.
Born July 1, 1905, in Otsego County, Michigan.
She moved to Boyne City as a child and attended Boyne City High School.
Married Josiah R. “Si” Banker on December 2, 1939, in Steuben, Indiana
Died April 16, 1980, in Petoskey.
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Florence Ruth Jepson
Youngest child of George and Florence C. (Alexander) Jepson.Her father was the captain and owner of the vessel, Hum, which traversed Lake Charlevoix for many years.
Born September 15, 1900, in East Jordan.
Married (1) Raymond G. Solberg on May 17, 1924. He died in 1953.
Married (2) to Henry Breitbarth in 1960 in Chicago.
Died March 30, 1970, in Chicago, Illinois.
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Mary Elizabeth Jolls
Daughter of Edmund and Mary A. (Miles) Jolls and the stepdaughter of Jones L. Dake. The family resided at 415 Poplar Street in Boyne City.
Born May 29, 1900, in Jackson, Michigan.
Married John T. Skinner on September 12, 1923, in Mt. Pleasant.
Died September 18, 1996, at Jackson.
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Marion Pauline (Bailey) Barber
Telephone Operator
Daughter of George W. and Emma F. (Hull) Bailey
Born April 27, 1899, in Boyne City
Married Earl Nelson Barber on April 27, 1921, in Boyne City
Died November 16, 1973, in Royal Oak, Oakland County, Michigan
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Cora Bradley
Telephone Operator
Daughter of Jefferson and Margaret (McCarty) Bradley.
Born April 16, 1900.
Married Ralph Hocquard August 29, 1921, in Boyne City.
Died March 16, 1988, in Petoskey.
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Ruth Rowena Pool
Daughter of Charles H. and Lilly B. (Thompson) Pool, who resided at 341 and 457 Front Street in Boyne City.
Born November 19, 1901, in Boyne City.
Married Elmer Wellington Coblentz on October 25, 1925, in Boyne City.
They resided in Boyne City all of their lives.
Died April 14, 1936, in Petoskey.
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Wilhelmina Albertina Bishop
Daughter of Joseph and Bertha A. (Dallmann) Bishop.Her father worked on the lumber dock and the family resided at 621 Vogel Street in Boyne City.
Born July 15, 1898, in Boyne City.
Married Hero Wieten on December 31, 1919, in Muskegon.
Died November 6, 1979, in Muskegon.
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Lavina “Elizabeth” Skinner
Daughter of Charles H. and Eunice M. (Williams) Skinner.
Born February 5, 1881, Grant, Newaygo County, Michigan.
Married Darwin Metney Gilmore, Jr. on May 8, 1901, in Newaygo
Died April 12, 1958, in East Jordan.
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THE HISTORIAN’S CHALLENGE
When it comes to local history, and in particular in the case of early scrapbooks, for every image identified, there are dozens more that remain nameless. In most cases, when I am contacted by a family member, their collections (often consisting of hundreds of images), are not labeled with any kind of identification. This does not mean that the project is hopeless. Through research and comparisons between collections and with assistance from members of the community, names and other information can be documented.
PLEASE: NEVER throw away unknown and/or undated photographs! What you don’t know, someone else most likely does. Research can also shed light on entire albums of pictures - even with only one name to go on.
| | > Patrick McCleary is a Certified Genealogist affiliated with the Charlevoix County History Preservation Society (CCHPS), 12555 Taylor Road, Charlevoix, MI 49720. The CCHPS promotes the understanding and appreciation of the heritage of the people of Charlevoix County and its townships by seeking out, collecting, preserving, and interpreting artifacts of historical and cultural significance. For further information, contact Patrick by email: Throughthehistorianslens@gmail.com. | | |
Thank you to the generous donors who are supporting local journalism and the Boyne Citizen!
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2025 Donors
This week's new donors are listed in bold.
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Founding Donor
$5000+
Charlevoix County Community Foundation
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The Hill Donors
$1000 - $4999
Kirk and Lynne Jabara
Cortright Family Community Fund
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Avalanche Donors
$500-$999
Stowe Family Fund
Frank and Chris Carleton
Lynne Ross
Bud and Nancy Shear
Ashley Cousens
Lake Charlevoix Donors
$100 to $499
Bekah Rutz and David Osterhouse
Karen Colburn
Monica Peck
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Betsy and Steve Schnell
Gary Coffer
Robin Stanley
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Andy Schmittdiel
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The Frykberg Family
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Richard M. Hodgson II
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Don Ryde
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Carol Ross
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Heaton Veterinary Hospital
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Matthew Blandford
Jane Stieber Amato and Tony Amato
Leon W. and Wendy J. Stadt
G Damman
Richard and Paula Paul
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Corine and Craig Babb
Gary and Kim Roberts
Randy and Betty Hackney
Catherine Pumford
Patti Jasper
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John Van Etten
Nancy Blandford
Anne Nemes
Charles Gremel
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Rachel and Rocky Swiss
Ralph Gillette
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Sunset Beach Donors
$60- $99
Linda Larsen
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Vera Post
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Marilyn Cousineau
Rebecca Miller
JoEllen Rudolph
Lynn Hall
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Julie Haase
David J. Graham
Julie Tokar
James Graves
Ken Allen
Clarence Rivette
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"Friends of the Boyne Citizen"
Wirt-Rivette Group & MOXIE Development
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Sharon Kemp
John Betts
Capt. Bob Goodenough
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Peninsula Beach Donors
$5 to $59
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Jenell Kelsey Pawlus - A Storage Closet
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MUSIC, ARTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT
Please email your special events and music information to jim@boynecitizen.com.
AMERICAN LEGION Post 228 - 302 S Lake St., Boyne City, (231) 459-4188.
Bingo every Tuesday, open to the public, refreshments provided. Doors open at 3 p.m., play starts at 5, ending at 8.
BC LANES/THE VENUE BAR & GRILL - 1199 M-75 S, Boyne City, (231) 582-6353.
> LIVE MUSIC, Bike & Car Night, 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays on our outdoor stage:
Tuesday, August 5 - Timberline
Tuesday, August 12 - Spur the Moment
Tuesday, August 19 - Two Beats
Tuesday, August 26 - Scarkazm
BOYNE ARTS CENTER - 1 Water Street, Suite 203, Boyne City. (231) 622-2073.
> Upcoming classes and exhibits:
BOYNE CITY FARMERS MARKET - Veterans Park, 207 N. Lake Street, Boyne City. (231) 582-9009. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
> LIVE MUSIC:
Saturday, August 2 - The Island Girl
Wednesday, August 6 - John Podulka - Boondoggle Cats
Saturday, August 9 - Laura Thurston
Wednesday, August 13 - Dan Casula
Saturday, August 16 - The Dangling Participles Duo
Wednesday, August 20 - Laura Thurston
Saturday, August 23 - Laura Fullford
Wednesday, August 27 - Terry Coveyou
Saturday, August 30 - Terry Coveyou
Wednesday, Sept. 3 - Laura Thurston
BOYNE CITY TAP ROOM - 220 S. Lake St., Boyne City, (231) 459-4487.
> MY CLUE TRIVIA - Mondays at 7 p.m.
> SINGO BINGO - Tuesdays at 7 p.m.
> LIVE MUSIC on the patio stage, 7-10 p.m.:
Wednesdays - Patrick Ryan
Thursday & Saturday - The Cabana Boys
Friday - 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 VINEYARDS - 05325 US 131 S, Petoskey, (231) 373-2090.
> LIVE MUSIC
Friday, August 1 - Pete Kehoe (4-7:30)
Saturday, August 2 - Chase & Allie (2-6)
Friday, August 8 - Chris Calleja (4-7:30)
Saturday, August 9 - Michelle Chenard (2-6)
Friday, August 15 - Yankee Station (4-7:30)
Saturday, August 16 - Chris Calleja (2-6)
Friday, August 22 - Two Track Mind (4-7:30)
Saturday, August 23 - Elizabeth Christie (2-6)
Friday, August 29 - Michelle Chenard (4-7:30)
Saturday, August 30 - Michelle Chenard (2-6)
Saturday, August 31 - Pete Kehoe (1:30-5)
CAFE SANTE - 1 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 582-8800.
> LIVE MUSIC, 7-10 p.m.
Friday, August 1 - Blake Elliot
Saturday, August 2 - Chris Calleja
Friday, August 8 - Michelle Chenard
Saturday, August 9 - Pete Kehoe
Friday, August 15 - Pete Kehoe
Saturday, August 16 - The Lavender Lions Duo
Friday, August 22 - Genna & Jesse
Saturday, August 23 - Genna & Jesse
Friday, August 29 - Sean Bielby
Saturday, August 30 - Brett Mitchell
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER - 461 E. Mitchell Street. Petoskey, (231) 347-4337.
> See website for updated art shows, entertainment, and children's activities.
GREAT LAKES CENTER FOR THE ARTS - 800 Bay Harbor Drive, Petoskey, (231) 439 -2600.
SUMMER/FALL CONCERT SERIES:
July 31 - Bay View Music Festival Presents: Bizet’s Carmen
Aug 3 - Straight No Chaser Summer: The 90s Part 2
Aug 9 - The Landsharks Band
Aug 15 - Ashes & Arrows
Aug 29-31 - Jersey Boys
Sep 14 - Grand Rapids Ballet Ballet Masterworks
Oct 4 - Canadian Brass
Oct 5 - Manhattan Short Film Festival
Oct 16 & 17 - Cirque Mechanics Tilt!
Nov 1 - Cantus
LAVENDER HILL FARM - 7354 Horton Bay Rd N, Boyne City, (231) 582-3784.
Details and tickets.
August 9 - Joshua Davis
August 16 - Ashes & Arrows
August 30 - The Hackwells
MUSKRAT DISTILLING - 121 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 268-0178.
> KARAOKE - 8 to 11 p.m. every Wednesday
> LIVE MUSIC 6-9 p.m.:
Friday, August 1 - The Tweed Tones
Monday, August 4 - Lit With Literature: James By Percival Everett, 7 p.m.
Friday, August 8 - Sean Bielby
Monday, August 11 - Bloomin’ Sanity Women’s Happy Hour, 5 p.m.
Friday, August 15 -Eric Jacqua
Friday, August 22 - Buddha Sweet
Friday, August 29 - Seasonal Road
PROVISIONS LOUNGE - 123 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 582-2151.
LIVE MUSIC, 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays.
STIGGS BREWERY & KITCHEN - 112 S. Park St., Boyne City, (231) 497-6100
> August 6 and the first Wednesday of the month - Open Mic Nights hosted by Nelson Olstrom, 6-9 p.m.
> August 9 and the second Saturday of the month - Karaoke with DJ T-Bone Thompson from 8-11 p.m.
WALLOON JUNCTION GRILL AND BAR. 4472 M-75, Walloon Lake, (231) 535-6006.
> Friday, Aug. 1, 15, and 29 - Christ Calleja, 6-9 p.m.
WALLOON WATERSHED - 4128 M-75 , Walloon Lake, (231) 535-6048. Live music at 6 p.m.:
> Mondays, Aug 11 & 25 - Tweed Tones
> Tuesdays through Aug. 26 - Michelle Chenard
> Wednesdays, Aug. 6 & 20 - Pete Kehoe
> Thursdays through Aug. 28 - Laura Crowe
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