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Hay-larious scarecrow winner
This scarecrow apparently had one too many beverages at Lake Street Pub, but it won the Boyne Area Chamber’s “Hay-larious” Scarecrow Contest, as determined by voting on Facebook. The Boyne Citizen has the total scoop on Halloween spirit in this edition with a story, more pictures, and a big list of spook-tacular events.
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Inside this issue...
- Commission to review city manager applicants
- North Boyne housing deal hits friction
- Mexican bar & grill coming to former Friggy’s space
- Downtown Boyne City shows off Halloween spirit
- Halloween fun events from now through Oct. 31
- Police urge caution after pedestrian hit downtown
- Local woman to open romance bookstore
- Boyne Thunder presents $151k to charities
- Evangeline Township Board meeting summary
- Patrick McCleary history: Mystic Workers of the World
- News briefs and Obituaries
- Municipal news: City leaf pickup & paving updates
- Thanks to the donors who keep the news coming!
- Music and entertainment listings
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Commission to review city manager applicants Oct. 22; Matthews to stay on as interim
By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com
The Boyne City Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 to review a new batch of applicants for the permanent city manager post, after a Tuesday meeting at City Hall laid out the latest turns in a months-long search.
Mayor Tim Nemecek read a memo summarizing the process to date and confirmed the position was reposted in late September with a higher salary range to broaden the pool of experienced candidates. (The previous posting listed $118,000-$130,000; the new range of $130,000-$150,000 is higher to attract applicants with deeper city-management experience.)
The memo also detailed why negotiations with Interim City Manager John Matthews stalled: before any counteroffer could be formally delivered, the city required a signed background-check release, the same step taken with the previous finalist. As of Tuesday, Matthews had declined to sign, telling the mayor the gap between his salary request and the city’s anticipated counteroffer was too wide to justify continuing that process.
Even so, Matthews told commissioners he will remain as interim and ensure a smooth handoff whenever a new manager is chosen. “Everybody has what they’re worth. You get paid what you negotiate,” he said, adding that he’s committed to seeing projects through and helping with transition when the time comes.
Repost, recruit — and review now
According to the discussion, Boyne City is working with Pivot Municipal Services (consultant James Freed) on recruiting. By the application deadline this week, Pivot had six to seven applicants in hand, with at least one more promising prospect to come.
Commissioners debated whether to extend the posting by 10 days to mirror the 30-day window used in June. Some argued the city should move off “dead center” and start evaluating what’s already in hand; others preferred leaving the door open a bit longer in case additional high-quality candidates emerge.
In the end, commissioners approved a motion to review the applicants already submitted through Pivot first, and - if needed - consider reopening or extending the posting afterward. The motion also directs the recruiter to connect with a potential candidate identified by a city commissioner, so that person can be invited to apply.
Process, consistency and timeline
Nemecek said the commission is following a standardized process—developed with the city attorney and Pivot—to avoid any perception of favoritism and to keep the search professional and transparent. He noted holiday-season relocations can complicate start dates, meaning a finalist selected this fall might not arrive until late this year or early 2026.
Commissioners also reflected on the first round of the search, when an initial field of 18–19 applicants was narrowed; several emphasized the need for consistent evaluation standards as the city proceeds.
During public comment, Pete Friedrich urged the commission to consider including candidates for two soon-to-be-open commission seats in the applicant-review process, given the proximity to the November election.
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North Boyne housing deal hits friction over compliance, lender rules
By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com
Boyne City’s long-awaited North Boyne housing project is running into new complications as city commissioners and Moxie Development wrestle over contract language that could determine whether the 101-unit “Flats on Court” project moves forward at all.
City officials say Moxie remains “very much engaged” in the partnership, but several commissioners expressed growing frustration this week, warning that recent changes proposed by the developer could weaken the city’s oversight and limit financial safeguards originally built into the deal.
At the center of the debate is Moxie’s request to simplify income compliance reporting. Under the initial terms, the developer would have been required to provide detailed, tenant-level income documentation each year to prove that rents remained tied to 60% and 80% of area median income — the threshold that defines the project as workforce housing.
Moxie now wants to submit only a summarized annual compliance statement, relying instead on audits conducted by state and federal funders such as the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Commissioners pushed back, arguing that the city cannot rely solely on Lansing for enforcement.
“We need to be able to verify who’s actually living in those units,” commissioner Sandy Pritchard said. “Without that, we lose the ability to ensure this stays workforce housing and not market-rate in disguise.”
Another significant roadblock involves the project’s financing terms. Moxie’s lenders have reportedly raised concerns over a clause that gives the city foreclosure rights if the developer fails to complete construction or defaults on obligations. Moxie says its financing partners won’t proceed with the clause intact, calling it incompatible with standard lending requirements.
Commissioners described that provision as essential. “That clause is our safety net,” Mayor Tim Nemecek said after the meeting. “It protects taxpayers and ensures the land can’t just sit idle or be flipped if the project falls through.”
The city attorney is reviewing options, but commissioners made clear they are unwilling to drop the clause without an alternative safeguard. The disagreement adds to other signs of strain, including Moxie’s proposal to remove an escrow agreement that held the property deed until financing was secured and to extend a two-year due-diligence window before purchase.
Several commissioners said those changes signal a backslide from Moxie’s original pitch — a “shovel-ready” project that once promised 101 units and a clear funding path. “We haven’t progressed; we’ve digressed,” said Marty Moody during deliberations. “If these protections disappear, we may end up approving something that looks nothing like what the public was promised.”
Despite the tension, both sides insist they still hope to finalize an agreement. The city set an Oct. 31 target for signing documents, after which Moxie plans to launch a public website to share construction updates and collect early interest from potential tenants.
The project remains a cornerstone of Boyne City’s broader effort to address the region’s housing shortage. The Charlevoix County Housing Ready program estimates the county needs between 2,300 and 2,400 new housing units by 2027, and the city has emphasized that these apartments are meant for local workers — nurses, teachers, and service employees earning between 60% and 120% of area median income.
Still, commissioners say the project’s future now depends on whether Moxie will restore the accountability and lender protections that first won the city’s support.
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Mexican bar & grill to open in former Friggy’s location
By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com
After sitting vacant for nearly three years, the former Friggy’s SOBO Pub location on North Main Street is getting new life this fall, as Casa Tequila Mexican Bar & Grill prepares to open its doors.
The new restaurant, owned by Ruben Muñoz-Jimenez, is projected to open the week of Nov. 15. Muñoz-Jimenez also owns Mi Tequila Mexican Restaurant in Petoskey and said the Boyne City location will offer a similar menu focused on authentic Mexican cuisine with a few Colombian dishes mixed in.
“The restaurant will be Mexican style, with food inspired by Guadalajara and a focus on tequila,” Muñoz-Jimenez said. “We’ve been working in Mexican food for nearly 20 years, and we’re excited to bring that experience to Boyne City.”
At its Oct. 14 meeting, the Boyne City Commission approved the owner’s request for a Downtown Development Authority and Specially Designated Merchant liquor license through the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. The licensing process is expected to take several months, meaning Casa Tequila will open initially without alcoholic beverages but plans to serve them in the future.
Muñoz-Jimenez said the team has been working to renovate the building since early fall, transforming the interior into a colorful, family-friendly dining space. He hopes to invite the public in for a look once everything is ready.
“I think people are really going to enjoy it,” he said. “It’s going to be something new and fresh for Boyne City.”
Friggy’s Pub closed in November 2022, and the building has remained empty since, except for a short spell as an event center.
| | The Humane Society’s Home Away store features a very tall scarecrow overlooking Water Street. | | A playful hay bale display features Minion-themed drummers (and a tip jar) created by Challenge Mountain. | | Deb Kluck from the Boyne City Main Street office created this hay-larious “Selfie Scarecrow” on Lake Street. | | |
Downtown Boyne City shows off Halloween spirit with creative, homegrown displays
By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com
From porch ghosts swaying gently in the breeze to full-scale skeleton armies guarding front steps, downtown Boyne City has once again transformed into a festive showcase of Halloween spirit.
Residents and businesses across the downtown area have filled their properties with everything from hand-crafted ghosts to elaborate horror-movie scenes. On nearly every corner, there’s a reminder that Boyne embraces the spooky season with creativity and humor.
Boyne City Main Street Director Ingrid Day said the Halloween displays are part of what makes downtown feel lively year-round.
“When you walk downtown this time of year, it’s hard not to smile,” Day said. “Our community loves to decorate — it’s part of the charm that makes Boyne City such a welcoming place.”
Day added that many of the displays are the result of long-standing traditions among local homeowners and shop owners who put their own creative spin on the season each year.
“Some of these families and businesses have been decorating for decades,” she said. “Every year they come up with new ideas, new characters, and new ways to get people involved. It’s wonderful to see that kind of community pride.”
A house on Park Street features a ghost swinging from the porch and a cluster of smaller spirits “dancing” near a pumpkin patch. A few blocks away, a bright blue home is decked out with skeletons, cobwebs, and a “Beware of Zombie Dog” sign — a full front-yard spectacle for passersby.
Day said the city’s downtown design, with its wide sidewalks and planter boxes added more than 20 years ago, naturally lends itself to seasonal creativity.
“When those improvements were made, it gave us so many great spaces to work with,” she said. “Now we use them not just for flowers in summer, but for seasonal displays in the fall and holiday lights in winter.”
As Halloween approaches, Boyne’s downtown corridor has become a favorite walk for families, photographers, and trick-or-treaters alike — a celebration that blends small-town tradition with community imagination.
| | The Halloween spirit extends well beyond downtown, like this display at the corner of South Lake and Division Streets. | | This home on Cherry Street features a gigantic spider web - plus some scary stuff on the porch as well. | | |
Halloween fun from now through Oct. 31
> BEFORE HALLOWEEN:
BOYNE FALLS MONSTER BASH - Boyne Falls School invites everyone to join them at their Monster Bash from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24. 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. If you are interested in being a trunk contact Meredith via text at 231-675-3340 to register.
HALLOWEEN HOOPLA comes to Boyne Mountain the weekend of Oct. 24-25 with character meet-and-greets, a magic show, face painting, wagon rides, and trick-or-treating across the resort. Details.
TRUNK N’ READ - Boyne City Elementary School is hosting its annual Trunk n' Read Event on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the front parking lot. It's going to be a spooktacular time with trick-or-treating, free books, fun literacy items, donuts and cider, Scholastic Book Fair, the Boyne District Library Bookmobile and more. Parents must stay with their children during this family event.
EAGLES HALLOWEEN FOR KIDS - The Boyne City Eagles are bringing back their Children’s Halloween Party from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.
AVALANCHE BAY WATERPARK transforms into a ghostly aquatic playground for a Halloween-inspired Glow Night from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. 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 and bracelet, turning you into luminous spirits of the night. Evening passes for non-lodging guests are $32 for juniors and $36 for adults. Tiny Splashers, ages 2 and under, splash free. Details.
RESTAURANTS AND BARS - Several area bars and restaurants are planning Halloween parties and costume contests on Saturday, Oct. 25, including BC Lanes, Cafe Sante and Red Mesa Grill. Muskrat Distillery is having a Karaoke Costume Contest on the 31st. For details, check our Music and Entertainment listings at the end of this newsletter.
> HALLOWEEN EVENTS ON FRIDAY, OCT. 31:
OFFICIAL HOURS - The City of Boyne City official trick or treating hours are 5 to 8 p.m.
BOYNE CITY COSTUME PARADE is set to go, despite some downtown street construction. 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.
LIBRARY BOOKMOBILE will be open for trick-or-treating from 5 p.m. until they run out of treats.
TRUNK OR TREAT - Just one block south of the library, the First Presbyterian Church will feature their famous Trunk or Treat on Halloween Night. 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-Men in our community” she said. “Folks who 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.”
BOYNE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT will be giving out treats at Trunk or Treat at the Presbyterian Church.
FIRE AND EMS DEPARTMENTS will be handing out treats from 5 to 8 p.m. at Boyne City Hall.
BOYNE AREA SENIOR CENTER is hosting a Halloween Celebration and luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, at 411 E. Division St., Boyne City. On the menu: Spooky Baked Spaghetti with Eyeball Meatballs, Vampire Garlic Bread, Graveyard Zucchini, Swamp Monster Soup du Jour, Fruit, and a Special Halloween Dessert. Details on their activity calendar.
LITZENBURGER PLACE invites everyone for trick or treating from 5 to 7 p.m. at 829 S. Park St. All ages are welcome to enjoy carnival games with prizes, food and drinks, and a haunted room - "or just come in to rest your feet and relax."
THE BROOK OF BOYNE CITY invites all ages to join them for trick or treating from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at 701 Vogel Street.
> ADD YOUR EVENT to this list - email jim@boynecitizen.com.
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Police urge caution after pedestrian hit downtown
By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com
A 61-year-old man was hospitalized Sunday morning after being struck by a pickup truck while crossing Water Street near South East Street in downtown Boyne City.
According to a police report, emergency services were dispatched around 10:44 a.m. Oct. 12 after 911 callers reported that a pedestrian had been hit and was bleeding from a head injury. Responders from the Boyne City Police Department and Boyne City EMS found the driver already assisting the injured man when they arrived.
Police said the driver, a 42-year-old Petoskey resident operating a Chevrolet Silverado, had stopped at the intersection before making a left turn from East Street onto Water Street. As he began to turn, the morning sun briefly obscured his vision, and the truck struck the pedestrian as he crossed mid-block near the Post Office.
The man was conscious when transported to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital by Boyne City EMS.
Chief of Police Kevin Spate said early information indicates the pedestrian had been walking from the direction of The Dilworth Inn toward the Post Office, not within the marked crosswalk.
“There’s a reason there isn’t a crosswalk on that side,” Spate said. “It’s too close to the curve and creates visibility issues. That’s why we encourage people to use the established crossings.”
While some residents have voiced concern about the intersection, Spate said it is not unusually dangerous compared to others downtown. “Any time an accident happens, people understandably want something done,” he said. “But these incidents are rarely about one intersection — they’re about moments when someone crosses where drivers don’t expect them to.”
He noted that Boyne City’s downtown design includes curb bump-outs to improve visibility for pedestrians, but they only work when people use them properly. “Those bump-outs put you in view of traffic,” he said. “But it’s still on you not to walk out in front of a moving vehicle.”
Spate said pedestrians downtown often cross between parked cars or mid-block, especially when construction or parking congestion narrows visibility. “Being in a crosswalk doesn’t guarantee safety, but crossing outside of one definitely increases risk,” he said.
Police are reminding residents and visitors to use marked crosswalks, make eye contact with drivers, and ensure vehicles are stopped before entering the roadway.
The incident remains under review by the Boyne City Police Department, which was assisted by Boyne City EMS, the Boyne City Fire Department, the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Office and CCE Central Dispatch.
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Rachael Hilliard: “Books have given me peace, purpose, and connection. If I can give that same feeling to someone else here in Boyne City — that’s the dream.”
Finding herself in the pages: Local woman to open romance bookstore in Boyne City
By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com
For Rachael Hilliard, books have always been more than stories. They’ve been a place to hide, to heal, and to rediscover herself. Now, the 33-year-old Air Force veteran and mother is bringing that same sense of refuge and empowerment to downtown Boyne City with the opening of Dust and Blush Bookshop, dedicated entirely to the romance genre.
Set to open next spring at 116 S. Lake St. in the former Spuds building, the store will be one of the first of its kind in northern Michigan — a space where love stories of every kind take center stage, from fantasy and science fiction to contemporary and small-town romance.
“I’ve always been a reader,” Hilliard said. “Books were my safe space, especially when life wasn’t easy. They helped me find quiet in my mind and reminded me who I was when I felt lost.”
Hilliard was born and raised in northern Michigan and graduated from Pellston High School before enlisting in the Air Force at 21. The experience, she said, taught her discipline and resilience — but also left her searching for the parts of herself she’d had to suppress.
“In the military, they tell you they’re going to break you down, so they can build you back up the way they want you to be,” she said. “When I got out, I wasn’t sure who I was anymore. Reading helped me find myself again.”
That rediscovery also came with embracing her femininity — something she says was muted by years in a uniformed environment that discouraged makeup, nail polish, or softness of any kind. “It was hard to be comfortable with my femininity,” she said. “But stories — especially love stories — reminded me it’s okay to be vulnerable, to be soft, to be strong in that way.”
More than a bookstore
Hilliard’s shop will specialize in all forms of romance, not just the traditional kind often caricatured by older paperbacks. She hopes to show readers that romance fiction can be empowering, inclusive, and emotionally rich — from fantasy-romance series like “A Court of Thorns and Roses” to stories about self-discovery, friendship, and healing.
“It’s not your grandma’s paperback with Fabio on the cover,” she laughed. “Romance can be fantasy, sci-fi, historical, or contemporary — but at its heart, it’s about connection and love. And I think we all need more of that.”
The space itself will reflect that same warmth and connection. Hilliard said she chose the downtown location for its size — large enough to host book clubs, author readings, and women’s community events.
“I want it to be a place where we can come together and reconnect with the fun, imaginative parts of ourselves,” she said. “When we’re kids, we believe in magic and love and happy endings — but life gets hard, and we lose that sometimes. This space is about finding that joy again, together.”
A dream for her daughter — and for the community
Hilliard said the dream of owning a bookstore began when she was 8 years old. But it was her daughter who inspired her to finally take the leap.
“It’s scary to chase your dreams,” she said. “But I want my daughter to see that even if you’re afraid, you can still move forward. You can walk through the fear and live the life you dream about.”
She and her husband, both veterans, now split time between Texas and northern Michigan, but she says Boyne City has always felt like home. The family returns each summer, and the support she’s already received from locals has been overwhelming.
“The Boyne City community has been incredible,” she said. “People have reached out offering to help, to collaborate, to welcome me. It’s been so kind and so encouraging.”
While renovations are still underway, Hilliard plans to launch a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the buildout of the store, with hopes of hosting small community events leading up to its official spring 2026 opening.
For now, she’s just grateful — and eager to bring something heartfelt and hopeful to the town she’s always loved.
“Books have given me peace, purpose, and connection,” she said. “If I can give that same feeling to someone else here in Boyne City — that’s the dream.”
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Main Street Executive Director Ingrid Day presents a check for $128,322.11 to Nan Winter of Camp Quality.
Boyne Thunder presents $151k to charities
Boyne City Main Street has distributed checks totaling more than $151,000 to the two main charity beneficiaries of the annual Boyne Thunder boating event held in July.
Main Street Executive Director Ingrid Day reports that the total net profit for this year’s event was just over $233,000, which brings the total to more than $1 million in the last five years.
Checks were presented to Camp Quality for $128,322.11 and Challenge Mountain for $23,331.43. Main Street received slightly more than $81,000.
Main Street is planning on a new special distribution of 5% of the proceeds back to a local charity on an application basis. This concept was recently approved by the Main Street board “but we still have to set up the whole program,” Day said.
| | Main Street Executive Director Ingrid Day presents a check for $23,331.43 to Challenge Mountain representatives, from left Caren Peltier, Fund Development Committee member and past board member; Carole Melvin, board member and Resale Store volunteer; and Bill Aten, board secretary. | | |
Evangeline Township Board Oct. 14 meeting summary
The Evangeline Township Board held its regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 14. Here is a summary provided by the township:
- Received the winter, 2026 township newsletter, which will be included with the winter tax bills.
- As of Oct. 3, a total of $7,762 in ice storm clean-up has been paid and will be submitted to FEMA by the Nov. 1 deadline for 75% reimbursement.
- The Walloon Lake Collaborative held their second meeting Sept. 11, where the small dam on Walloon Lake in Melrose Township was discussed.
- The steps at Glenwood Beach Park have been removed for the winter.
- Swim buoys at Kim Park have been removed for the winter.
- Replacement lids for the waste receptacles for Kim Park have been received and will be installed.
- 95% of summer property taxes have been paid.
- Alternatives for repairing the front steps at the Town Hall were discussed.
- A proposal for shoveling snow at the Town Hall was discussed.
- Budget amendments were reviewed and passed.
- Joint townships meeting regarding EMS services was summarized, with emphasis on the outdated formula and agreement.
- 12 zoning permits were issued from 9/1 to 10/14.
- Residents presented complaints about management and removal of items at the township cemetery.
- A joint meeting of the township's boards and commissions will be held at the town hall at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28.
- The next township board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 12. Please note this is a day later than customary because of Veteran’s Day.
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Township website.
Editor’s note: The Boyne Citizen has contacted other Boyne area townships and asked them to provide similar summaries of their board meetings and other news. Contact Editor Jim Baumann with questions or news items - jim@boynecitizen.com or 231-675-8793.
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CHRISTMAS WREATHS - The Boyne Valley Garden Club’s annual Holiday Wreath and Garland Sale is in progress. This sale is the club’s biggest fundraiser and they need to raise about $8,500 to cover the cost of flowers and soil additives for next summer’s gardens throughout the city. “We hope you will continue to support our efforts to create a ‘Beautiful Boyne’ again in the summer of 2026,” said club president Mary Foucard. Order forms are available from Garden Club members and at the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce and can be dropped off there. You can also order online. Orders are due Nov. 1. Anyone with questions may email monica@monicaross.com.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS - Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors of Boyne City is hosting the Boyne Area Chamber Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at 231 E. Water St. The business networking event is co-sponsored by Red Mesa Grill and Chicago Title. Appetizers and drinks are provided, and there is no admission fee. Those attending can enter to win a gift basket from Boyne Provisions.
CANDIDATES MEET & GREET - The committees to elect Bridget Foltz, Rebecca Houser, and Jennifer Beano Hampton are co-sponsoring a meet and greet session at the Boyne District Library Community Room from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21. Come meet and visit with these three candidates for Boyne City Commission. Light refreshments will be provided.
TURKEY DRIVE - Good Neighbors Food Pantry is kicking off its annual “Let’s Talk Turkey” campaign to help put Thanksgiving meals on the tables of families in need. For every $20 donation, the pantry will provide a household with a complete Thanksgiving dinner, including a turkey and all the fixings. Donations can be made in several ways:
- Drop off cash or checks at Pat O’Brien and Associates Real Estate in Boyne City throughout November.
- Mail a tax-deductible check to Good Neighbors Food Pantry, P.O. Box 35, Boyne City, MI 49712.
Donate online at www.goodneighborsboyne.org.
NCMC SENIOR PREVIEW - North Central Michigan College will welcome students, alumni and the community to campus on Saturday, Oct. 18, for a full day of activities. Senior Preview Day runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., offering high school seniors campus tours, program overviews, admissions and scholarship information, plus a free lunch and volleyball game entry. From 1–3 p.m., families can enjoy Harvest Howl with bounce houses, face painting, mask-making, games and food vendors. The NCMC Foundation will also host an alumni booth with free volleyball entry and popcorn vouchers. Register online.
INDIGENOUS STUDIES OPEN HOUSE - North Central Michigan College invites the community to an Indigenous Studies Collection Open House on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 5-8 p.m. in the NCMC Library. Explore the newly reimagined collection, meet Indigenous artists and collaborators, and learn about the cultural significance of the project. The open house is free and open to the public. Learn more.
FRESHWATER CONCERT SERIES will start Saturday, Oct. 25, with the return of Steve Poltz. Call Freshwater Art Gallery and Concert Venue at 231-582-2588 to reserve tickets for $45.
BOYNE AREA SENIOR CENTER is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and serves daily lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For seniors ages 60+, the donation is $3, for ages 59 and under, $8, and for children 12 and under, $6. Starting Oct. 1, the 59 and under meals are $10, and the 12 and under meals are $8. All 60 and older meals are staying the same at a $3 suggested donation for each meal. Here is the October lunch menu, and the October activity calendar.
| | City of Boyne City Municipal News | | |
City leaf pickup: Mondays and Fridays through Nov. 14
The City will collect bagged leaves on Mondays and Fridays only during the scheduled pickup period from now through November 14. After that time, residents are responsible for their own disposal.
Set bagged leaves curbside any time after the first day of pickup. City crews will collect bags as time allows. If your bags have been out for a while and haven’t been picked up, call City Hall at 231-582-6597.
Leaves must be in biodegradable paper yard waste bags (available at local hardware stores, or other suppliers). These bags are not strong enough for sticks, sand, or stones, so please bag leaves only.
No plastic bags — leaves in traditional trash bags will not be collected.
Brush will not be picked up, but residents can take brush and leaves (bagged or loose) to the North Boyne Compost Site at the end of Robinson Street. Residents, please contact City Hall at 231-582-6597 before using the site. Commercial businesses may use the site with their City-issued permit.
Work continues on street projects
Pleasant Avenue – Final paving has been completed, and striping is scheduled for today. The roadway will be fully open to traffic after October 15.
Water Street, Main Street, and Front Street – Milling is scheduled for October 22, with paving to follow October 23-25, weather permitting.
Please use caution when traveling through work zones and be mindful of crews and equipment. Thank you for your patience as these important street improvements are completed.
SEWER UPDATE - Starting Wednesday, Oct. 15, contractors began work on Roosevelt Street, moving east from Boice Street as the project continues to progress. Underground utility work has now been completed in the Boice Street area, where crews were previously focused. As work advances, please use caution when traveling near active construction zones and follow posted signage for the safety of both workers and residents. We appreciate your continued patience and cooperation as these important infrastructure improvements move forward. Details.
MAPLE LAWN CEMETERY - As we prepare for the colder months ahead, please note the following important updates for the Maple Lawn Cemetery:
- Cemetery water service has been shut off for the remainder of the year.
- All real and artificial flowers, decorations, and arrangements will be removed beginning November 1 as part of our annual winterization.
- If you wish to keep any items placed at gravesites, we encourage you to collect them before November 1.
ELECTION TESTING - The logic & accuracy test of Boyne City’s election equipment will be held on Thursday, October 16, at 10 a.m. at Boyne City Hall. This demonstration allows the public to see how the tabulator machines operate and to observe the processing of test ballots to confirm equipment is functioning properly and recording votes accurately. The public is welcome, and encouraged, to attend.
ABSENTEE BALLOTS - The City of Boyne City has received the ballots for the November 4, City Commission Election and has mailed them to voters on the Permanent Absentee Ballot List. Absentee ballots can also be issued to voters wishing to vote absentee through Monday, November 3, at 4 p.m. All absentee ballots must be returned by 8 PM on Election Day to be counted. Find important dates and a sample ballot online.
- The City-Wide General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 4. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
- The Boyne City F. Grant Moore Municipal Marina closed for the season on Wednesday, October 15.
- The Fish Cleaning Station will be closing for the season on Friday, October 31
- Boyne City Trick or Treat hours are from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 31.
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CITY MEETINGS – Click here for board information, agendas, and minutes.
> City Commission's next regular meeting is at 12 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 28. Agenda page.
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The members of Boyne City Lodge No. 816, Mystic Workers of the World. While the names of these ladies and children are presently unknown, the garbed specter at far left is identified in another collection as being Mary Ellen (Kinsella) Kaden, wife of local merchant Frank Kaden. Courtesy of the Patrick McCleary Collection.
THROUGH THE HISTORIAN'S LENS
The Mystic Workers of the World society offers insurance and social events
By Patrick McCleary, Throughthehistorianslens@gmail.com
The Charlevoix County History Preservation Society
Originally chartered in 1896, the Mystic Workers of the World was a fraternal benefit society. By paying monthly membership dues and hosting social events and fund raisers, funds were maintained and paid out to the beneficiaries of policy holders upon death. Membership into this group could be conferred upon both men and women, which made group organization less stringent than with other fraternal groups of the time. A Mystic lodge might consist of as few as eight men and eight women, or it could easily consist of a staff of all ladies. Their lapel pin relied on the metaphor of a heavy, secured safe. The group’s monogram consisted of the intertwined letters “M” and “W.”
The Mystic Workers further identified themselves as being “...a social, fraternal and beneficial society, governed by a Supreme Lodge, having subordinate lodges in states & provinces near each other & of equal healthfulness.” It was an organization that offered insurance policies at actual cost, protecting the family in case of the death of the insured. This “makes it possible for every healthy man to carry an insurance for the benefit of his family.”
That wasn’t all, however. It was also the first fraternal insurance society to insure women - recognizing that they were just as insurable as men. One did not have to die in order to receive benefits from their plan either. If you were to become permanently disabled (a frequent fear in times of logging rigs and sawmills), remaining dues and assessments would be paid and the insured party allowed to draw on his policy every six months or until the amount of the policy had been paid out.
Unfortunately, due to a lack of remaining newspaper coverage for this period of time, much of the Boyne City organization’s activities must be speculated upon and otherwise surmised from the similarities in activities of other local lodges. It is evident that the Boyne City Lodge No. 816 came into existence on or around 1908. The membership roster of Boyne City Lodge No. 816 consisted of the wives and daughters of Boyne City’s earliest families. While there were most likely men involved in the group as well, there is no record of who they may have been.
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1919 receipt for premium payment made to the Mystic Workers of the World.
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Mystic Workers of the World lapel pin, at left, and the Mystic Workers Benefit Certificate policy letterhead.
In 1908, Mrs. May Seeley, the district state manager of the Mystic Workers, came to East Jordan to organize a branch of the fraternal insurance order in that city. The following week’s newspaper announced that “A local lodge of the Mystic Workers of the World was organized here last Friday night with about twenty members.” It appears evident that the Boyne City Lodge was already active prior to this time. The East Jordan group became Lodge No. 882. It would seem that the two lodges interacted with one another on several occasions.
August 31, 1912
Labor Day will be celebrated at Ironton with a basket picnic by the Mystic Workers of the World of East Jordan and Boyne City. Arrangements have been made with Steamer Hum for a round-trip rate of 25 cents leaving here at 8:00 AM. There will be baseball and other games to enliven the occasion. Everybody is invited to come and bring their baskets.
July 5, 1913
East Jordan entertained a large crowd of Boyne City people Saturday night, when the Mystic Workers of our sister city, accompanied by the Boyne City Marine Band, came over on the Steamer City of Boyne and paid the local Mystic Workers a social visit. Features of the evening were a drill on Main Street by the band and the Order, refreshments and dancing.
That same year, a benefit dance was held at East Jordan’s Maccabee Hall for the benefit of Junnie Coon, who was at that time at a Detroit hospital undergoing a surgery. Evening dance tickets were 50 cents and everyone in the community was invited. In October 1914, a masquerade party was held on Halloween night. Rather than an open invitation, each member was asked to invite a friend.
Perhaps the most comical mention to come to light was the following from the Charlevoix County Herald newspaper of East Jordan.
1918
Mystic Workers of the World - Remember next Thursday evening, November 28th, is our regular meeting night. Come and get the new password, and if you’ll kindly bring the leftovers from your Thanksgiving dinner, we’ll have a jolly little party!
It is unknown to me how many years Boyne City Lodge 816 continued within Boyne or within other communities throughout Charlevoix County. We do know that this organization incorporated and changed its name to Fidelity Life Association in 1930 - a name that may sound much more familiar to some today. In 1957, Fidelity Life became associated with Kemper Insurance. In 1996, when Zurich Insurance purchased the Kemper Corporation, it became a part of Zurich Financial Services Group FLA and continues to offer term life and whole life insurance products.
| | > 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. | | |
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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.
> Open bowling: 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays, 3-10 p.m. Fridays, 7-10 p.m. Saturdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays.
> Halloween Bash on Saturday, Oct. 25:
- Trunk or treat 4-7pm
- Walk the decorated laser tag arena pathway for kids
- $3 bowling games from 4-7pm
- Raffle for best kids costume
- Prize for best decorated car
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Adult party 8-11pm - prizes for best men's and women's costumes, drink specials and live music featuring Peril. Details.
BOYNE ARTS CENTER - 1 Water Street, Suite 203, Boyne City. (231) 622-2073.
> Upcoming classes and exhibits:
BOYNE CITY FARMERS MARKET - Indoors at the Veterans Park Pavilion, 207 N. Lake Street, Boyne City. (231) 582-9009. Open Saturdays, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
BOYNE CITY TAP ROOM - 220 S. Lake St., Boyne City, (231) 459-4487.
Mondays, - Trivia
Thursdays - Adam and the Cabana Boys
Fridays - Patrick Ryan and Josh Raber
Saturdays and Sundays - college and NFL football. Food and beverage specials during games.
BOYNE MOUNTAIN - 1 Boyne Mountain Rd., Boyne Falls, (855) 688-7024.
> Weekly schedule of events and entertainment at all Boyne Mountain venues.
> Oct. 16-19 - Skitober and SkyBridge music - details.
BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS - 05325 US 131 S, Petoskey, (231) 373-2090.
> LIVE MUSIC
Friday, Oct. 17 - Chris Calleja (4-7:30)
Saturday, Oct. 18 - Chris Calleja (2-6)
Friday, Oct. 24 - Chase & Allie (4-7:30)
Saturday, Oct. 25 - Michelle Chenard (2-6)
CAFE SANTE - 1 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 582-8800.
> LIVE MUSIC, 7-10 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17 - The Lavender Lions Duo
Saturday, Oct. 18 - Chris Calleja
Friday, Oct. 24 - Michelle Chenard
Saturday, Oct. 25 - Halloween Tomfoolery Party featuring Sean Bielby. Ghoulish cocktails and a costume contest with gift cards for $75, $50 and $25. Register for the costume contest between 6 and 7:30 p.m. with judging at 8 p.m. Must be 18 to enter.
Friday, Oct. 31 - The Fridays
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER - 461 E. Mitchell Street. Petoskey, (231) 347-4337.
> See website for updated art shows, entertainment, and children's activities.
> DOWNTOWN SOUND - Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) is proud to announce the Downtown Sound Performing Arts Series schedule for 2025-2026, running through March in the Petoskey area. This season features an eclectic mix of local, regional, and national talent, plus CTAC School of Ballet’s beloved fall and holiday performances. Downtown Sound tickets range from $10 to $60 and are available at www.crookedtree.org/downtownsound or by calling (231) 347-4337.
FRESHWATER GALLERY & CONCERT VENUE - 217 S Lake St., Boyne City, (231) 582-2588.
> Steve Poltz will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, to open Freshwater’s fall/winter concert series. Call to reserve tickets for $45.
GREAT LAKES CENTER FOR THE ARTS - 800 Bay Harbor Drive, Petoskey, (231) 439 -2600.
Oct. 16 & 17 - Cirque Mechanics Tilt! A Circus Thrill Ride
Oct. 25 - Pace Live presents A Taste of Ireland. Experience the rhythm, spirit, and heart of Ireland - live on stage.
Nov. 1 - Cantus. Exalting the Human Spirit Through Unmatched Vocal Harmony
Nov. 15-16 - Tinsel & Tunes holiday concert with the Northern Michigan Chorale
Nov. 21-22 - Great Lakes Dance Academy Presents A Christmas Carol: The Mixtape
Dec. 6 - A Christmas Carol - Allen Fitzpatrick returns to the stage with his one-man adaptation of the beloved Dickens story.
Dec. 11-12 - Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra presents Messiah by Candlelight
Dec. 13 - Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra presents Family Holiday Pops Matinee, A Festive Concert of Carols, Classics, and Holiday Cheer for All Ages
Dec. 15 - Dorothy Gerber Youth Orchestra presents A Holiday Strings Celebration
Dec, 20-21 - Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet Presents The Nutcracker, A Holiday Classic Performed by Young and Professional Dancers from Northern Michigan
Dec. 23 - Midtown Men Holiday Hits. Stars from the Original Broadway Cast of Jersey Boys
Dec. 27 - An Evening with Graham Young of Michigan Rattlers. Intimate & Acoustic
LAKE STREET PUB - 202 S. Lake St., Boyne City, (231) 497-6031.
> TRIVIA NIGHT - Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m.
MUSKRAT DISTILLING - 121 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 268-0178.
> KARAOKE - 8 to 11 p.m. every Wednesday
> LIVE MUSIC:
Friday, Oct. 17 - DJ Jordan Williams, 8 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 20 - Lit With Literature: Quicksilver by Callie Hart, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 24 - The Shifties, 8 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 31 - Halloween Karaoke Costume Contest, 9 p.m.
PROVISIONS LOUNGE - 123 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 582-2151.
LIVE MUSIC, 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays.
RED MESA GRILL -117 Water St, Boyne City, (231) 582-0049.
LIVE MUSIC 6-9 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 21 - Keith Scott
Saturday, Oct. 25 - Halloween Party with David Cisco
Tuesday, Oct. 28 - David Lawston
STIGGS BREWERY & KITCHEN - 112 S. Park St., Boyne City, (231) 497-6100
> Nov. 5 and the first Wednesday of the month - Open Mic Nights hosted by Nelson Olstrom, 6-9 p.m.
> Nov. 8 and the second Saturday of the month - Karaoke with DJ T-Bone Thompson from 8-11 p.m.
WALLOON WATERSHED - 4128 M-75 , Walloon Lake, (231) 535-6048.
Live music 6-9 p.m.:
Wednesdays - Pete Kehoe
Thursdays - Laura Crowe
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