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October 8, 2026 | Issue #106 | Past issues

Avalanche improvements

The Avalanche Preserve Erosion Control project is looking great and is nearly complete. G&J Site Solutions, Inc., a subcontractor to Beckett and Raeder, began the project on Sept. 22, with major construction starting Sept. 28. The project will redirect foot traffic, reduce the summit slope, and add vegetation and barriers to limit erosion. The on-site crew expects to complete most of the work by Saturday.

Inside this issue:

• Flock cameras are spreading; Charlevoix County has none
• Theater sale moves closer; Marquee becomes an issue
• Boyne Falls school board, other races have no candidates
• E-bikes pose new challenges on county roads and trails
• Lakota Barber, Eeva Rintala crowned Homecoming royalty
• Our Halloween fun lists 20 events from Oct. 16-31
• Historic water tower gets a fresh coat of red paint
• BCPS addresses student threat at middle school
• Voters have options for voting early or absentee
• Turkey drive aims to feed families this Thanksgiving
• Help solve a Kentucky/Michigan logging camp mystery
• Boyne Area Senior Center Board has a vacancy
• Boyne City's high gas prices keep dropping
• Patrick McCleary history: More on the water tower
• News briefs, Obituaries & Municipal News
• Thanks to the donors who keep the news coming!
• Music and entertainment listings

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Sponsored post

At least 125 county or municipal law enforcement agencies contract with Atlanta-based company Flock Safety to install and maintain automated license plate readers, which snap photos of vehicles as they drive by for police use. (Simon D. Schuster / Bridge Michigan)

Flock cameras are spreading in Michigan; Charlevoix County has none

Sheriff: "How much liberty do you give up for the monitoring?"

By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com

As AI-powered Flock cameras spread across Michigan and neighboring counties debate their use, Charlevoix County has exactly zero.

There are no Flock Safety cameras operating in Boyne City, East Jordan, the city of Charlevoix or elsewhere in the county — and local law enforcement leaders interviewed by the Boyne Citizen say they have no immediate plans to change that.

Charlevoix County Sheriff Chuck Vondra said his department has chosen not to pursue the automated license plate readers, despite acknowledging they can be a powerful investigative tool.

For Vondra, the issue comes down to a larger question: How much surveillance is too much?

“There are benefits for sure. I’m not going to kid you,” Vondra said. “But how much liberty do you give up for the monitoring?”

Boyne City Police Chief Dan Mercer also said his department has no plans to pursue Flock cameras.

“We don’t have any Flock cameras in Boyne City, nor do we have access to that system or that database,” Mercer said.

Mercer said he recognizes the potential value of the technology for police investigations but does not believe Boyne City needs it to provide law enforcement services.

“I don’t know that it’s necessary for us to do our jobs,” Mercer said. "It’s not something we’re interested in pursuing.”

Flock Safety uses AI-enabled cameras to photograph passing vehicles and record license plates along with identifying characteristics such as make, model, color and other distinguishing features, creating what the company and law enforcement agencies have described as a searchable “vehicle fingerprint.”

Unlike a traditional security camera that records video for someone to review later, Flock cameras automatically turn vehicle observations into searchable data. When cameras are connected through a broader network, law enforcement can potentially search for a vehicle across multiple locations rather than reviewing footage from a single camera.

Law enforcement agencies say the technology can provide valuable leads in cases involving stolen vehicles, burglaries, kidnappings and other crimes. But its expanding use has also raised concerns about privacy, data sharing and surveillance.

Those competing considerations are part of the reason Mercer said questions about whether the cameras are operating locally are legitimate.

“It’s clearly become a hot-button topic around the country, and understandably so,” Mercer said. “So it’s fair and reasonable that people would want to know if they are in our area also.”

Vondra expressed similar reservations about the technology.

Asked what he meant by giving up liberty, Vondra said, “The state monitoring your actions, basically.”

That doesn’t mean he sees no value in Flock cameras.

“I’ll be the first to say they are an amazing tool,” Vondra said. “You can use them for all sorts of things. If you’re looking for a vehicle or things that have passed through.”

In fact, the Sheriff’s Office has benefited from the technology without having cameras of its own.

Vondra said Charlevoix County investigators have contacted law enforcement agencies in other jurisdictions that use Flock cameras when looking for information relevant to an investigation.

“Our guys have asked other areas that have them,” he said. “I’m not going to say that they haven’t done that. They have.”

For now, however, Vondra said his department is able to do its job without installing the cameras locally.

East Jordan Police Chief Randy Kloss also confirmed his city has no Flock cameras, despite the crowdsourced DeFlock database identifying an automated license plate reader there.

Kloss said the listing is incorrect. East Jordan has conventional security cameras downtown, including one at the police department, but they do not have automated license plate-reading capabilities.

“We don’t have license plate readers, so we’re not reading license plates. We’re not monitoring people,” Kloss said. “It’s just something to use as a camera to protect the city property.”

Kloss said he can see potential uses for Flock cameras, particularly in serious cases, but agrees law enforcement can operate without them.

“I think there’s good and bad to them,” he said.

Charlevoix County Commission Chair Scott Hankins, who spent decades in law enforcement, also has reservations about the technology.

“Having been a police officer for 37 years, I can tell you that I think Big Brother has enough of a presence in our lives,” Hankins said. “I don’t think that we need Flock cameras.”

The lack of Flock cameras in Charlevoix County comes as neighboring Antrim County faces growing public debate over its use of the technology.

Antrim County currently has nine Flock cameras, according to recent reporting by UpNorthLive. About 50 people attended an Antrim County Board of Commissioners meeting Oct. 1 to voice concerns about the cameras as commissioners discussed their use.

The technology has also been adopted at the state level. According to contracting documents available on Michigan.gov, Michigan approved a five-year contract with Flock Safety in 2025, worth up to $2.6 million, to provide a license plate reader system for Michigan State Police.

But determining exactly how widespread the technology has become across Michigan is difficult. There does not appear to be a publicly available official statewide inventory of Flock Safety cameras.

Independent online mapping projects have identified more than 3,000 automated license plate readers across Michigan. But those databases rely largely on volunteer reports and publicly available information rather than an official government inventory, and the projects themselves caution that cameras may be missing or misidentified — as the incorrect East Jordan listing demonstrates.

For Mercer, the issue is not whether the technology could be useful. He acknowledges that it could. For now, Boyne City police see no need to add it.

“I can see the value in it as an investigative tool,” Mercer said, “but I also understand the concerns about the system as a whole.”

> Amid ‘mass proliferation,’ Flock cameras emerge as key issue in Michigan election - Bridge Michigan story

Boyne Theater sale moves closer, but marquee ownership becomes new issue

By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com 

The proposed sale of the historic Boyne Theater moved closer to a deal last week when the Boyne City Main Street board agreed to a $300,000 purchase price — but not without introducing a new wrinkle involving one of the building’s most recognizable features.

Main Street now wants to retain ownership of the theater’s marquee. The condition emerged during the board’s Oct. 1 discussion of an offer from Boyne Community Theater & Event Venue, the nonprofit seeking to purchase and restore the long-vacant theater at 216 S. Lake St.

The marquee had not been excluded from the property in Main Street’s original request for proposals, nor had retaining it been part of the negotiations up to that point.

Its introduction into the deal caught representatives of the nonprofit off-guard and led to questions among board members themselves about how Main Street could retain ownership of a marquee physically attached to a building it would no longer own.

Those details have yet to be worked out.

After the meeting, nonprofit President Scott MacKenzie told the Boyne Citizen the group is waiting for the counteroffer in writing before deciding its next steps.

He said questions remain about the terms, particularly what Main Street’s proposed ownership of the marquee would mean.

“We’re asking for clarification,” he said.

The development is the latest turn in a months-long effort to determine the future of the theater, which has been closed since 2003.

The nonprofit initially proposed buying the theater without naming a price, then later offered $100,000. Main Street continued negotiations with the group despite a $225,000 offer from Sisu Group. Main Street eventually countered at $350,000 before the nonprofit returned with its offer of $300,000.

This time around, the board appeared willing to accept the lower price.

“The $300,000 is acceptable to me,” Main Street Chair Anna Burkhart said.

But as the board reviewed the proposed agreement, board member Sarah Niederpruem suggested Main Street retain ownership of the marquee, tying the idea in part to the $50,000 difference between the nonprofit’s offer and Main Street’s $350,000 negotiating position.

Niederpruem also said retaining the marquee would help protect it if something happened to the theater in the future.

“I just want to protect the marquee in case something happened,” she said.

The idea prompted questions about how the arrangement would work, including who would be responsible for maintenance and repairs and what Main Street’s ownership rights would include once someone else owned the building.

Board member Jessica White also questioned whether retaining ownership would give Main Street control over what appeared on the marquee.

“I don’t think we should control what they put on the marquee,” White said.

The marquee has been part of downtown Boyne City for decades, although it is not original to the building.

The theater opened as the Bellamy Opera House in 1904. A major 1938 remodeling transformed its Lake Street facade and added a V-shaped marquee. According to Boyne City’s historic building survey, the current marquee resembles that earlier version but is larger and was apparently installed in the 1950s.

It remained a recognizable downtown feature after the theater closed in 2003 and has continued to be illuminated and used for community messages to this day.

After more than 30 minutes of discussion, the board settled on a counteroffer that would sell the theater as-is for $300,000. Main Street would not pay for a survey, while the nonprofit could conduct an inspection at its own expense.

Main Street Executive Director Ingrid Day and the city attorney were also authorized to develop an agreement addressing ownership of the marquee and other contract details involving the property. The proposal calls for closing within 35 days if the nonprofit accepts the counteroffer.

The motion passed with Kristine Brehm casting the only dissenting vote. Board member and Boyne City Mayor Bob Farrell, a paramedic, had been called away from the meeting earlier and was not present for the vote.

MacKenzie said the nonprofit remains enthusiastic about moving forward.

“We’re excited that our offer of $300,000 was accepted,” MacKenzie said. “We’re excited to move forward and dig in to save this historic civic theater.”

The theater itself may soon change hands. Whether the marquee changes hands with it is now the question.

Click here to donate or mail your check to

Boyne Citizen, P.O. Box 83, Boyne City MI 49712

No one wants the job? Boyne Falls school board and some other races have no candidates on ballot

By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com

Some elected positions on Charlevoix County ballots have everything they need for the Nov. 3 election — except a candidate.

Boyne Falls Public Schools has three school board seats up for election with no one on the ballot, while other races also have fewer candidates than available positions.

There is still time for write-in candidates to step forward, but there’s a catch: Voters can’t simply write in anyone’s name and have the vote count.

“You can’t just write somebody in unless they’ve actually registered as a write-in,” Charlevoix County Clerk Julia Drost said.

Prospective write-in candidates must file a declaration of intent with the appropriate election official by 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.

Boyne Falls’ open board positions include two full six-year terms and one partial term ending Dec. 31, 2029. No candidates appear on the ballot for any of them, but School Superintendent Cynthia Pineda told the Boyne Citizen that incumbent board members Jessica Mulvaney and Jeromy Loper will be filing papers to become official write-in candidates. Both turned in paperwork to appear on the ballot, but were rejected by the County Clerk’s office. Pineda said she has heard there may be a third write-in candidate as well. 

One of the vacancies is because long-time incumbent candidate Laura Brunmeier, who was first elected in 2016, chose not to run for reelection.

So far, two county candidates have filed papers to be official write-in candidates.

In the city of Charlevoix, Kirby Dipert has filed as a write-in candidate for the Ward 2 City Council seat. No candidate appears on the ballot for the two-year position, which was left open following the resignation of Councilman Mark Knapp, who cited personal reasons.

Thayer McDonough has filed as a write-in candidate for the Beaver Island Community Schools Board of Education. Three four-year seats are available, but only Kevin Stipp appears on the ballot, meaning there are now two candidates for the three positions.

Vanderbilt Area Schools has three four-year board seats available but only one candidate, Gina Lopshire.

Drost said seeing vacancies on school boards is not uncommon, particularly because some board terms are lengthy.

“It honestly happens a lot with the schools,” she said.

Someone may join a school board while their children attend the district, Drost said, only to have those children graduate or other circumstances change during a six-year term. Board members may also move or resign, resulting in vacancies and partial terms appearing on future ballots.

And for those interested in running for one of the positions without a candidate, the clock is still ticking. 

E-bikes pose new challenges on Charlevoix County roads and trails

By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com 

They look like bicycles. They have pedals. Some can travel 20 mph, others 28 mph. And one vehicle involved in an alleged drunken-driving case going to trial next week in Charlevoix County could reach 59 mph — and had what looked like bicycle pedals but they weren't actually functional.

As electric bicycles become increasingly common on Northern Michigan roads and trails, local law enforcement and trail officials say the technology is creating new questions about where the bikes belong, what rules apply and how those rules can realistically be enforced.

The questions are increasingly familiar: Which e-bikes are allowed on nonmotorized trails? How fast can they go? Do riders need a driver's license? And what happens when someone operates one while intoxicated?

The answers depend largely on what kind of e-bike someone is riding — and officials say determining that isn't always easy.

"We are seeing a lot of complaints about this, no matter where you are," said Becca Nelson, interim executive director of the Top of Michigan Trails Council, which works with trails across Northern Michigan. The organization recently formed an e-bike subcommittee to examine the growing issue, including education, trail etiquette and how other communities are responding.

Michigan law divides electric bicycles into three classes. A Class 1 e-bike provides motor assistance only while the rider is pedaling and stops assisting at 20 mph. Class 2 bikes can use a throttle and are also limited to 20 mph, while Class 3 bikes provide pedal assistance up to 28 mph.

Those classifications determine, among other things, where the bikes can legally be ridden.

Nelson said Class 1 e-bikes generally are the type permitted on the nonmotorized trails her organization works with. On state-managed trails open to bicycles, Class 1 e-bikes are generally allowed, while Class 2 e-bikes may be used by people with qualifying mobility disabilities who obtain a DNR permit. Class 3 e-bikes are not permitted on state-managed trails.



But knowing what kind of e-bike someone is riding can be another matter.

Charlevoix County Prosecuting Attorney Kit Tholen said an officer passing a bicycle on the road may not be able to tell whether it is electric, much less whether it falls into Class 1, 2 or 3.

"Usually that's not marked at all," Tholen said.

The issue has become complicated enough that Tholen held a training last year for the Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office on e-bike laws and enforcement.

Part of the challenge is that some electric vehicles may look like e-bikes but don't legally qualify as one.

Tholen pointed to the vehicle involved in one of the current Charlevoix County drunken-driving cases. It had an electric motor and what appeared to be pedals, but could reach 59 mph. Tholen said the apparent pedals didn't actually function like those on a bicycle.

"It's got pedals on it, and it's not immediately apparent looking at it that it's not an e-bike," he said.

Vehicles that fall outside Michigan's e-bike classifications can instead be subject to motor vehicle requirements, including licensing and registration, Tholen said.

Boyne City Police Chief Dan Mercer sees the same difficulty.

"The laws have not caught up with everything that's available," Mercer said, describing a growing range of battery-powered vehicles that may resemble e-bikes but don't necessarily meet the legal definition.

"You can go by what looks like, from a distance, an e-bike," Mercer said. "If you look into it further, it doesn't meet the definition of an e-bike because it either doesn't have pedals or it goes faster than what a Class 3 would be allowed to go."

Enforcement presents another challenge

Tholen said officers generally aren't stopping people simply to determine what type of e-bike they are riding. Police need a reason to make a stop, and some violations may not become apparent until something else happens.

That has been the case with the e-bike OWI prosecutions his office has handled. 

Sheriff Vondra said e-bike issues have become a regular concern for his department, although deputies generally only encounter them while responding to complaints or when they arrive at the scene of a crash.

Yes, an e-bike can lead to an OWI

The growing use of e-bikes has also created a less obvious legal issue: operating one while intoxicated.

Tholen said his office has handled multiple cases involving people accused of operating e-bikes while intoxicated, including current cases stemming from crashes.

His interpretation of Michigan law is that because an operating e-bike motor means the vehicle is not powered "exclusively by human power," Michigan's intoxicated-driving laws apply.

"We've had multiple cases come through of people who allegedly operated while intoxicated on e-bikes, and we prosecute them the same as if it's a car, because it's our belief that the law applies the same," Tholen said.

Tholen said local judges have agreed with that interpretation so far, although he said there is not yet a definitive Michigan Court of Appeals ruling specifically involving e-bikes.

Trails Council focuses on education

For the Top of Michigan Trails Council, enforcement isn't an option because the organization has no authority to issue citations.

Instead, Nelson said the newly formed e-bike subcommittee is gathering reports, studying what other communities are doing and looking for ways to educate riders before they get onto a trail.

That could include working with bike rental businesses, bicycle shops and hotels to explain which bikes are allowed and encourage basic trail etiquette.

"The basics of announcing yourself if you're going to pass, keeping your speed in check, moving off the trail if you stop," Nelson said.

The council also maintains an online incident-reporting system where trail users can report problems, including prohibited uses. Nelson said those reports can help the new committee identify problem areas even when an incident doesn't result in a police report.

The committee is only a month or two into its work, she said, and there are still plenty of questions to resolve.

"There's a lot of learning yet to be done," Nelson said, "problem solving to happen, but rest assured, we are paying attention."

> Michigan opens thousands of miles of trails to e-bikes with new policy - Bridge Michigan story from 2024

Homecoming royalty

During halftime of Boyne City’s Homecoming game on Friday night, Lakota Barber was named Homecoming king, and Eeva Rintala was crowned Homecoming queen. They were crowned by last year's king and queen, Owen Hewitt, at left, and Emma Patten, at right. More homecoming photos from Brandon Kish of Kishba Media.

This home at 124 Cherry Street has lots of spooky decorations ready for trick-or-treaters.

Lots of Halloween fun from Oct. 16-31

Here is our annual list of Halloween events, which start Oct. 16 and run through Oct. 31 in Boyne City, Boyne Falls, Horton Bay, and Walloon Lake. To add your event to this list, email jim@boynecitizen.com. 

BEFORE HALLOWEEN:

SPOOKY MIDDLE SCHOOL - Boyne City Middle School will host spooky Halloween parties from 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, for fifth and sixth graders, and from 7:30-9 p.m. for seventh and eighth graders. Dress in your Halloween costume and dance the night away with your friends. Start by walking the always popular haunted hallway that leads into the spooky cafeteria. Eat pizza, drink cider and enjoy a variety of homemade treats plus carnival games to go with the glow light DJ dance party. There will be prizes for the best costumes. Suggested donation is $5. Parents are asked to check their emails for Sign-up Genius. Have questions? Email bcmsramblers@gmail.com.

BOYNE FALLS MONSTER BASH - Boyne Falls School says all are welcome to join them at their Monster Bash from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. Admission is $8 per person or $25 per family (two adults plus kids). The event includes Trunk or Treat, a family dance with DJ T-Bone Thompson, dinner and a costume contest. All students must have an accompanying adult. If you are interested in decorating a car for Trunk or Treat, contact Alaina Giem via text at 231-268-9392 to register. Win a prize for the best decorated car. Event flyer. 

SPOoOoKY HIKE - The Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy will host a family-friendly Spooky Hike at the Postle Farm Preserve from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23. There will be trick-or-treating along the trail, a warm fire, apple cider and pumpkin painting at the preserve’s historic red barn. Guests are encouraged to wear their costumes. All ages are welcome, but parents must be present with their children. There is no fee to attend, but RSVPs are encouraged.

HALLOWEEN HOOPLA comes to Boyne Mountain the weekend of Oct. 23-25 with character meet-and-greets, a magic show, face painting, wagon rides, and trick-or-treating across the resort. Details. Avalanche Bay Waterpark transforms into a haunted aquatic adventure where every swimmer becomes a glowing ghoul. Details.

TRUNK N’ READ - Boyne City Elementary School is hosting its annual Trunk n' Read Event on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 5-6:30 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.

> HALLOWEEN EVENTS ON SATURDAY, OCT. 31:

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

HORTON BAY GENERAL STORE is hosting tours of the haunted store and lunch that will benefit the Boyne City Public Schools’ Room 156. Tour the haunted general store and have lunch out back. The “G” rated front porch will have fun games for little ones. The store will be decorated by volunteers with spooky Halloween decor. Chef-prepared chili and cornbread lunch will be in the beer tent out back. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 6-17. Timeslot options are 10-11am , 11-noon, 12 noon-1pm , 1-2pm, 2-3pm. Details, tickets and volunteer signup.

BOYNE AREA SENIOR CENTER is hosting a Halloween Celebration and luncheon at 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at 411 E. Division St., Boyne City. There will be live music with Michigan Sands and a costume contest with prizes. On the menu: Ghoul-lash with ground beef & diced tomatoes, vampire garlic bread, graveyard vegetables, and a spooktacular dessert.

BOYNE CITY EAGLES are hosting a Children’s Halloween Party Oct. 31 from 1 to 3 p.m. and a party for the adults from 7-10 p.m. The Eagles are asking for donations of wrapped Halloween candy for the little ghosts and goblins.

MELROSE FIRE & RESCUE is hosting "Sirens, Sweets & Spooks," with Halloween candy, warm apple cider and donuts from 5-8 p.m. in Walloon Lake Village on Saturday, Oct. 31. Come and say hello to your local Fire & Rescue crew.

BOYNE CITY HALLOWEEN PARADE - Boyne City’s Halloween Parade steps off Saturday, Oct. 31 at 4:45 p.m., with participants lining up at 4:30 p.m. in the theater parking lot. The parade will travel north along Lake Street, turning east on Water Street, south on Park Street and ending at the Boyne District Library and First Presbyterian Church on Pine Street for Trunk or Treat from 5-6 p.m. 

LIBRARY BOOKMOBILE will be open for trick-or-treating from 5 p.m. until they run out of treats. 

COMMUNITY TRUNK OR TREAT - Just one block south of the library, the First Presbyterian Church will feature their famous Community 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. “If folks that would like to participate, please have your vehicles parked along Pine Street opposite the Presbyterian Church with their trunks open by 5 p.m. Plan on over 800 pieces of individually wrapped candy to pass out to the kids.”

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

BOYNE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT will be giving out treats at Trunk or Treat at the Presbyterian Church.

BOYNE CITY HARDWARE is hosting a haunted house, complete with treats for the kids, from 5-7 p.m. Saturday. 

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.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS - Many local bars and restaurants are planning Halloween parties and costume contests, including Cafe Sante, Muskrat Distilling, Walloon Watershed, Red Mesa Grill. Most are on Halloween except Red Mesa on Oct. 24. Details in our Music and Entertainment listings at the end of this newsletter. 

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

Water tower gets a fresh coat

The volunteer effort to preserve the historic railroad water tower in its current location on Ray Street in downtown Boyne City is making good progress as the aging tower was painted red on Wednesday. The volunteer painting crew included, from left, Ron Bearup, Art Keyes (a professional from Paint the World), project leader Kirk Kujawski, Dean Finnegan (also known as “Finster” from WKLT the Rock Station), and Kristi Giddings. Finnegan has been promoting the project on his “Omelette & Finster” radio show.

> Read more about the history of this water towner in Patrick McCleary's history column below.

BCPS addresses student threat at middle school

By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com 

Boyne City school officials and police investigated a threatening comment made by one middle school student to another Monday, Oct. 5. The incident drew wider attention the next day, Tuesday, Oct. 6, after a social media post raised concerns about student safety. 

Boyne City Public Schools Superintendent Patrick Little sent a letter to district families Tuesday afternoon assuring them that the incident had been investigated and there was no broader threat to the school community.

“We do take those things seriously,” Little said in an interview with the Boyne Citizen.

The social media post, made on the Boyne City News and Buzz Facebook page, claimed middle school students were afraid to attend school Wednesday because of a threat of violence. The post questioned why parents had not been notified and generated considerable discussion online. Little said some of the information circulating on social media did not accurately reflect what occurred. School administrators conducted interviews and communicated with the family involved, Little said. The Boyne City Police Department also assisted the district in gathering information.

In his letter, Little said the district “immediately followed standard safety protocol” after the threatening comment was reported and had implemented “appropriate disciplinary and corrective actions.”

“Based on our evaluation, there was no broader threat to the school community, so a general notification to all parents was not warranted,” Little wrote. “We addressed the matter directly with the impacted individuals.”

Little said privacy rules limit what the district can publicly disclose about individual students and any disciplinary action. He also pushed back on the suggestion that the district had failed to respond to the incident.

“Was a comment allegedly made to another student that was threatening? Yes,” Little said. “Did the school respond appropriately with the right scope of concern? The answer is yes.”

The district ultimately communicated with families after the Facebook post generated broader concern. Middle School Principal Michael Wilson also contacted middle school families separately, Little said. Little said the district has taken more significant safety measures when circumstances warranted them, including evacuating or moving students following bomb threats in previous years.

“We’ve evacuated before. We’ve had to do it, so we know how to do it, when to do it,” Little said. “This was not the case.”

Little encouraged families with questions or concerns to contact school officials directly.

“Direct communication ensures you receive accurate information promptly,” he wrote.

Voters have options for voting early or absentee

Voters have several options for casting their ballots before Nov. 3.

Early in-person voting in Charlevoix County will run from Oct. 24 through Nov. 1 at the county’s downtown building at 301 State St. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

County Clerk Julia Drost said any registered voter who lives in a city or township within Charlevoix County can use the early voting site.

Absentee ballots are also going out to voters who have requested them. Completed ballots can be returned by mail, placed in an authorized drop box or delivered to the voter’s local clerk.

Voters who still have their absentee ballot can also bring it to an early voting site or their precinct on Election Day and, after election workers complete the required steps, put the ballot through the tabulator themselves.

Turkey drive aims to feed families this Thanksgiving

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.

This year’s campaign coincides with the pantry’s 11th anniversary. Over the past decade, Good Neighbors has provided fresh, wholesome food to local residents facing food insecurity.

Who are these nine? Help solve a Kentucky/ Northern Michigan logging camp mystery

There are photographs that show you a place. And then there are photographs that seem to look back at you and say, “Well? Aren’t you going to figure out who we are?”

This is one of those photographs from the Boyne Heritage Center collection. It’s actually a postcard and on the back, written in pencil, is the word “Kentuckians.” That’s it. No names, no date, no “grandma is third from the left,” just “Kentuckians.”

The picture shows nine people standing together in what appears to be a cleared patch of northern Michigan woods. Michigan’s lumber camps drew workers from many different backgrounds. Historical accounts of the state’s lumber industry describe camps as places where people from different regions and ethnic backgrounds worked together, and oral history research has documented families from Kentucky who moved to northern Michigan to find work in the lumber industry. 

Last week, we featured a letter from Wilma Pflasterer of Nebraska, who wrote that her grandparents, William and Viola Covert lived and worked in a logging camp in 1910, where her mother was born. This postcard was part of the collection that she donated to the Boyne City Library in 1986. 

We don't know their names. Yet. And it might be a long shot. But that's where the fun begins. Perhaps this isn't simply a group of lumberjacks. Perhaps we're looking at a camp family, cooks, workers, and visitors. Or perhaps they're all from a nearby farm or settlement and simply posed for the photographer in a recently logged clearing.

That's the mystery. Please contact Len DiLaura ljd49712@gmail.com if you can help solve it!

“The mission of the Boyne Heritage Center is to be the expressive living voice and collective memory of those who came before and those who will come after us, stewards of artifacts and an engaged, collaborative historical hub for our region.”

Boyne Area Senior Center Board has a vacancy

The executive board for the Boyne Area Senior Center, Inc. (BASC) has one opening for a board member. The term will run through December 2028. 

The BASC Executive Board is responsible for the overall management and administration of the facility and its finances, and meets quarterly at 10:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday of March, June, September, and December. Occasionally special meetings are called. 

The building itself is leased to the Charlevoix Commission on Aging (COA). The COA separately manages all the activities and services offered there, which therefore is not part of this role.

Submissions will be accepted through Oct. 15. Interested candidates must complete and submit a BASC Board Member Application form, which is available at the Senior Center at 411 E. Division St., or requested via email to BASC411@gmail.com. Any questions can also be submitted to this email.

Boyne City's high gas prices keep dropping

Prices for regular unleaded gas and diesel dropped quite a bit this week at the Marathon station at 470 N. Lake Street. Unleaded gas fell 30 cents per gallon to $4.49, while diesel dropped 40 cents to $6.29. Here are recent prices spot checked by the Boyne Citizen since the Iran war started on Feb. 28: 

• March 3 - $3.099
• March 6 - $3.409
• March 12 - $3.669
• March 21 - $3.999
• March 26 - $4.199
• March 27 - $3.999
• April 6 - $3.899
• April 7 - $4.199
• April 13 - $4.159
• April 15 - $4.099
• April 22 - $3.799
• April 24 -$3.999
• April 29 - $4.299
• May 6 - $4.799
• May 13 - $4.999
• May 20 - $4.919
• May 27 - $4.759
• June 3 - $4.459
• June 10 - $4.459
• June 17 - $4.059
• June 18 - $3.999
• June 25 - $4.299
• July 1 - $4.099
• July 8 - $3.999
• July 15 - $3.999
• July 22 - $4.299
• July 29 - $4.279
• August 5 - $4.299
• August 12 - $4.299/$5.299
• August 19 - $4.299/$5.499
• August 26 - $4.399/$5.499
• Sept. 2 - $4.199/$5.999
• Sept. 9 - $4.399/$5.999
• Sept. 16 - $4.599/$6.499
• Sept. 23 - $4.999/$6.799
• Sept. 30 - $4.799/$6.699
• Oct. 7 - $4.49/$6.29

> Michigan gas price average (AAA) is $4.40. The national average is $4.37.

News Briefs

BOYNE FALLS EXPO - Boyne Falls Public School will host its annual Community Expo from 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 8, during parent-teacher conferences. The event is sponsored by the Boyne Falls Public School Wellness Committee, which is dedicated to promoting health, wellness, and connection throughout the school community. The free Community Expo will bring together local organizations, businesses, agencies, and community resources in one location. Families will have the opportunity to learn about programs and services available in the area, talk directly with community members, participate in hands-on activities, and discover resources they may not have known were available to them. There will be free haircuts for children, free food, family-friendly activities, a prize drawing for participants, and more. Print a flyer for this Expo. 

MOUNTAIN BIKE UPDATE - The Top Of Michigan Mountain Bike Association will hold its next town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 in the Commission Chambers at Boyne City Hall. They will share quick updates on current projects, then open the floor for questions and feedback on topics like the Harbor Springs Sewer Authority trails, volunteer opportunities, the Trail Steward Program, and fat bike grooming. This meeting is exclusively for TOMMBA members. 

CANNA KLUB cannabis dispensary of Boyne Falls will be having a soft opening on Friday, Oct. 9, at 2055 S. US Highway 131. Hours of operation for the weekend will be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 

DEMOCRACY MARCH - The Charlevoix County Women for Democracy will hold their regular third Saturday “Join in Boyne” rally at 11 a.m, Saturday, Oct. 17, in front of Boyne City Hall. They will begin gathering and organizing at 10:45, with the rally for freedom beginning at 11 and ending at noon. Organizers invite anyone to join them and they said, “Bring a sign or a bell or a flag! If you are unable to stand or walk for an hour, bring a chair.”

COUNTY PARKS SURVEY - Charlevoix County is in the process of updating its five-year Parks & Recreation Plan, and officials are looking for public input. Charlevoix County will use the feedback received from this survey to prioritize Parks & Recreation projects for the next five to 10 years. Take the survey here by Oct. 16.

HEALTH CARE FORUM - “Universal Health Care – What is It? What does it mean for me?” is the topic of the next public forum planned by the League of Women Voters of Northern Lower Michigan (LWVNLM). It will be held Wednesday, Oct. 21 from 5:30-7 p.m. at the Charlevoix Public Library conference room. Speakers are: Laura Ford, PhD, RN, CNP, Professional Senior Instructor at Western Michigan University; and William Wadland, MD, MS, Professor Emeritus Past Chair Department of Family Medicine Michigan State University Associate Dean. Following the presentation, there will be an opportunity for participants to ask questions. Light refreshments will be served. Register for the forum at  https://www.lwvnlm.org/october-2026-forum. Attendees can participate in person or by Zoom. The forum will be recorded for future viewing.

NEED A CAMPAIGN SIGN? The Charlevoix County Republican and Democratic parties have opened offices next door to each other in the shopping center at 5 W. Main Street in Boyne City. The Republicans’ office is open Tuesday and Thursdays from 3-7 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The office entrance is on the lake side of the building. Here is their Facebook page. The Democrats’ office on the back side of the building is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2-6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 noon. Here is the Domocrats’ Facebook page. Both parties say that their office hours depend on volunteer availability.

EARLY VOTING - Charlevoix County residents can vote in person at the Charlevoix County Building, 301 State St. in Charlevoix from Saturday, Oct. 24, until Sunday, Nov. 1 from 8:30 a.m.‐4:30 p.m. Voters are reminded to bring a picture ID.

BLOOD DRIVES - Several local organizations are sponsoring blood drives in the coming weeks. Versiti Blood Center says, “The need for blood is urgent and constant. One in seven patients entering a hospital requires the availability of blood for various medical reasons.” Here are the upcoming blood drives in Boyne City:

• Monday, Oct. 12 - Boyne District Library, 12:30-5:30 p.m.
• Friday, Nov. 20 - Boyne City High School, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

> To register, click here and enter your zip code for nearby locations.

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. at 411 E Division St, Boyne City. For seniors ages 60+, the lunch donation is $5, for ages 59 and under, $10; and for children 12 and under, $8.

> Here is the October lunch menu and October activity calendar.



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Regional News

From Bridge Michigan, Interlochen Public Radio, & Lansing City Pulse

> Just 1 in 4 Michigan juniors are ‘college ready’ - Story

> How the Blair Township fighter jet crashed in real time - Story

> Book explores Northern Michigan’s climate haven potential - Story

City of Boyne City Municipal News

Changing of the guard

ABOVE: City Clerk Treasurer Jessica Puroll shakes hands with newly installed Boyne City Police Chief Dan Mercer last week at City Hall. Looking on are Mercer’s wife Erin, former chiefs Jeff Gaither and Kevin Spate, and other city officials and police officers.

BELOW: A good crowd of well-wishers turned out for former Boyne City Police Chief Kevin Spate’s retirement party at the Lake Street Pub last Thursday, including plenty of law enforcement officers. Posing here, from left, are new Boyne City Chief Dan Mercer, former chief Jeff Gaither, Kevin Spate, and Sheriff Chuck Vondra.

Your voice matters; Give your input on city's future

PROVIDE YOUR INPUT for Boyne City's future! Take the strategic plan survey here: bit.ly/BoyneCityStrategy. Your voice matters! For additional information on the Boyne City strategic planning process, please visit nwm.org/boynecity.

ROAD CLOSURE - The intersection of River Street and Park Street was closed Wenesday and into Thursday, Oct. 8, while crews complete roadway repairs following the water main break that occurred in this area several weeks ago. Please use an alternate route and use caution around the work area. Thank you for your patience as these repairs are completed.

CITY BOAT LAUNCH on North Lake Street, located across from Family Fare, will be closed for renovations beginning Monday, Oct. 26. Manthei Construction will be reconstructing a portion of the boat ramp, including replacing concrete and reducing the slope of the ramp to improve launch operations. Work is expected to be completed by November 13. Please plan accordingly while the launch is closed. We appreciate your patience as these improvements are completed.

SIGN UP FOR CITY ALERTS - The City of Boyne City has an Alerts feature on our website to help you stay up-to-date on projects, notices, and other important things happening around town. It’s designed to be a quick, easy way to get real-time updates, as they become available, directly to your email or phone. Sign up at: https://www.boynecity.gov/enotify/index.php.

CITY MEETINGS – Click here for board information, agendas, and minutes.

> City Commission's next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13. Agenda page.



Obituaries

Claude C. McGeorge

November 2, 1930 ~ September 29, 2026 (age 95)

Dale Franklin Looze

December 10, 1940 ~ October 4, 2026 (age 85)

Kimberley T. Fiel

Jun 23, 1960 ~ October 5, 2026 (age 66)

Susan Gail (Ransom) Wilson

June 10, 1950 ~ October 1, 2026 (age 76)

A press photograph dated May 19, 1981, identified as “the old railroad station turned into a restaurant” at Boyne Falls. To the far right of the image stands the replica water tower that was constructed in the early 1970s when the Boyne Valley Railroad began to provide passenger travel between Boyne City and Boyne Falls. Photograph courtesy of the Patrick McCleary collection. 

THROUGH THE HISTORIAN'S LENS

Digging deeper and preserving the history of the Ray Street water tower

By Patrick McCleary, Throughthehistorianslens@gmail.com

So much is in the news right now about the Ray Street water tower and its possible restoration. Even radio station WKLT chimed in. While this tower isn’t “original” in the classic sense of the term, it is certainly worthy of preservation, if for no other reason than it exists and complements the site where it now stands. What I mean is, “Why not?” We aren’t talking about a multi-million-dollar venture. It is local citizens asking for a few volunteer hours and some donated supplies. If cost effective and not overly labor intensive, I would like to see it remain in the downtown landscape. That is just my opinion, however. I only offer it up for what it is worth. 

As with any preservation or restoration project, it is important to understand what it is that you are dealing with. In this instance, let’s begin by clarifying what it is not. The present-day water tower is simply a small-scale replica of the original railroad water tower that was once located on the railroad roundhouse and machine shop property on the waterfront. Local resident Tony Williams gives the most accurate description of that location in that it was, “about 100 feet northwest of where the deck of Lake Street Pub is now.” Based on an early description, it must have measured more than 20 ft. in diameter. It was razed several generations back. 

The original railroad water tower was located on the roundhouse and machine shop property down near the waterfront. The water from this tower was used strictly for cooling the engines during turn-arounds and for repair. It was not drinking water. Boyne City has never had a need for a drinking water tower as the city is surrounded by natural springs that have always been piped in for drinking purposes. Photograph courtesy of the Patrick McCleary collection. 

In early 1976, the Boyne City passenger railroad line that operated between Boyne City and Boyne Falls stopped operating. Its locomotives, railroad cars, real estate and all contents were slated to be auctioned. It was an auction that would be attended by locals, train enthusiasts, railroad lines and aficionados from across the United States. The auction was handled by the Kruse Auction Company of Auburn, Indiana. Their publicity campaign began with 11x14-inch handbills sent out from coast to coast. This triggered newspaper and train publication advertising. Those responding with an interest received a four-page, 11x17-inch handbill filled with photographs and descriptions of the property to be auctioned. Finally, on the day of the auction, May 15, 1976, those attending were provided with a 17-page listing of lot and item numbers along with their descriptions. 

I happen to have in my possession a complete set of the paper items described above. They were given to me by my friend and an avid historian, the late Howard Ball (1929-2022). Howard collected “everything under the sun” as they say, and I had the good fortune of meeting him and purchasing several remarkable local items from him. 

One day, I was at work and he brought me the set of railroad auction literature mentioned above, saying, “this is a complete set of what went on around that time. I’m sure that most of these have been thrown away over the years, but you hold onto it and put it to good use someday.” Well, Howard, I guess you were correct, and that day appears to have come.

Now, that same sad auction day turned happy when a group of Boyne City businessmen banded together, raised funds nearly overnight, and purchased some of the rolling stock and the right-of-way for the rail line. However, the auction went on for all the rest. 

At the time of the 1976 railroad auction, there were actually a few large items that were considered easily movable and able to be relocated. These were listed as Lots S6, S7 and S8 - “Victorian designed passenger shelters at Moore Junction, Cushman and Doyle.” Moore, Cushman and Doyle were all stops along the original railroad route, and these shelters served more for historic effect rather than actual purpose. Along with these were two water towers… and a tin man!

The Cushman and Doyle passenger shelters - Lots S7 and S8.

Photograph courtesy of the Patrick McCleary collection.

My recent general inquiry on Facebook led to responses from several local folks who recalled, as did Andy Schmittdiel, “I think this (water tank) had a practical use when the green steam engine from England was being used, taking trips to Boyne Falls and back. When that was sold and the railroad company brought out the yellow electric engine, the water tower was no longer needed.” This information appears to be confirmed when we again turn to the auction company’s listing for Lot S2: “A wood water tank (12’ in diameter) with an electric water pump, operable and easily moved. Tank located at the Boyne City yards.” 

The original replica railroad water depot located at Boyne City- Lot S2. It would seem logical to say that this water tower was sold during the 1976 auction and was then relocated as there was no water tower present here for many years. The present-day water tower on Ray Street sits in this same location- just in front of the site of the former Boyne City railroad passenger depot. [To refresh your memory, see the October 1, 2026, issue of the Boyne Citizen - Through the Historian’s Lens.] Photograph courtesy of the Patrick McCleary collection.  

The present-day railroad depot building has been the home to a variety of business ventures over the years. Perhaps the most successful and certainly most memorable in the minds of the local populace was The Depot Restaurant. Owned by local businessman Tony Williams, it was a family affair of sorts - the Williams family having long been involved in restaurants. As you can see, at the time that this photograph was taken, there was no Ray Street water tower present. Photograph courtesy of the Patrick McCleary collection.

Take another look at the photograph at the top of this week’s article. Do you see the similarities between the Boyne Falls water tower and the one on Ray Street today? The water tower at the Boyne Falls railroad depot was auction Lot S4: “a one-half scale water tank (10 ft. in diameter) located in Boyne Falls, easily moved and could be made operable.”

Once again, Tony Williams provided the final piece to the puzzle when he shared this:

“When I owned the Depot Restaurant, I moved this water tower from Boyne Falls to Boyne City and set it up where it is now. If you look at the concrete base, you will see my son’s name and the date, 1980 I believe, etched into the footings. It was always ornamental. Never used for water. I’m not sure if it was originally built on-site in Boyne Falls or transported there from somewhere else. However, it is the same water tower in the Boyne Falls railroad station photograph. Rob Behring helped me move it to Boyne City with his crane truck.”

Now you know the backstory. The history of the Ray Street water tower. Only time will tell if it remains in place, falls into ruin, or can be restored and continue to represent Boyne City’s remarkable railroad history. My vote would be for the latter. Two questions still remain…

What happened to the Boyne Falls “tin man?” 

While most would take one look and consider him to be constructed of tin or another type of metal, according to the auctioneer’s listing, he went onto the block as Lot S5: “One giant locomotive engineer made of fiberglass (21 ft. high), easily moved.” Those documenting the history of Boyne Falls would really like to hear from anyone with information, memories or knowledge about what eventually happened to this village landmark. 

Boyne City Railroad Auction Lots S5 – A 21 ft. foot tall locomotive engineer.

Photograph courtesy of the Patrick McCleary collection.

How were the replica water towers constructed?



Although I have no written material to prove or disprove this, I think that the following account from local resident Nord Schroeder seems quite logical and certainly bears further investigation. According to Nord:

“I believe the towers were erected next to Cass & Don’s bar parking lot (on South Lake Street) by Elwood Dunlap and his crew, who also created the passenger cars for the “Boyne City to Boyne Falls and Back” train excursions with the steam engine. I’m relatively sure the tower was created from wooden pickle vats. These were located across the street from the old Naylor building. The vats were located next to the railroad tracks and used to brine pickles when the pickle factory was located there. Once the tower was erected and filled with water, the water poured for several weeks from the cracks in the slats of the tower before finally swelling tight enough to stop leaking.”

So, I will leave you with these questions along with one final historic tidbit. Yes, Boyne City did indeed have a pickle factory at one time. Although it was a short-lived business venture, it is a tale to be told on a future occasion. 

> Patrick McCleary is a certified genealogist who has devoted years to the ongoing research and study of Boyne City and Charlevoix County history. In addition to conducting classes on genealogy and family history, he also speaks on a variety of topics. 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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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 around 9. The Legion also has a breakfast on the second Saturday of every month from 8-11 a.m.

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

> Saturday, Oct. 17 - Baker Doubles Tournament at 11 a.m. This is a team game where two partners alternate frames to complete a single 10-frame game. $70 entry fee per team includes six games.

BOYNE ARTS CENTER - 211 Water Street, Boyne City, (231) 622-2073.

> Upcoming events, classes and exhibits:

• Book a Private Art Party for the holidays
• Demo Night- Adam VanHouten - Friday, October 9, 6-8pm.
• VanHouten's Composition for Landscape Painters - Saturday, Oct. 10, 9:30 am-4 pm.
• Abstract Realism - Watercolor and Ink - Wednesday, Oct. 14, 1-3 pm
• Oil Painting for Brave Beginners - Oct 14, 21, 28 and Nov 4, 9-11:30 am
• Floral Painting Using Pastels- Oct 15, 22, 29, and Nov 5, 9 am-12 noon
• Demo Night- Mark Mehaffey - Thursday, Oct. 22, 6-8 pm
• Mehaffey, Two Day Plein Air Class - Oct 23 & 24, 10 am - 4 pm

BOYNE CITY FARMERS MARKET - Outdoors at Veterans Park, 207 N. Lake Street, Boyne City, from 8 a.m.-12 noon on Saturdays. (231) 582-9009. We will continue with Saturdays outdoors through Oct. 17, then we switch to inside the pavilion on Oct. 24.

> Live music 10 a.m. to 12 noon:

• Saturday, Oct. 10 - Rhett DuCouer

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

• Mondays - Trivia, 7 p.m.
• Thursdays - Adam and The Cabana Boys, 7-10 p.m.
• Fridays - Patrick Ryan & guests, 7-10 p.m.
• Saturdays - Patrick Ryan, 7-10 p.m. (No Saturday music if MSU or UM have a late game)

BOYNE DISTRICT LIBRARY - 201 East Main St., Boyne City, 231-582-7861. Newsletter with Octber events and details.

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

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

> HALLOWEEN HOOPLA comes to Boyne Mountain the weekend of Oct. 23-25 with character meet-and-greets, a magic show, face painting, wagon rides, and trick-or-treating across the resort. Details. Avalanche Bay Waterpark transforms into a haunted aquatic adventure where every swimmer becomes a glowing ghoul. Details.

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

> LIVE MUSIC:

• Friday, Oct. 9 - Yankee Station (4-7:30)
• Saturday, Oct. 10 - Chris Calleja (2-6)
• Friday, Oct. 16 - Chris Calleja (4-7:30)
• Saturday, Oct. 17 - Chris Calleja (2-6)
• Sunday, Oct. 18 - Chris Calleja (1:30-5)
• Friday, Oct. 23 - Nelson Olstrom (4-7:30)
• Saturday, Oct. 24 - Two Track Mind (2-6)
• Saturday, Oct. 31 - Michelle Chenard (2-6)

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

> Fall specials: $10 Thursday Pasta special begins Oct. 1, and $6 Monday pizza special begins Oct. 6. (We knew $5 pizzas couldn't last forever!)

> Live music:

• Friday, Oct. 9 - Pete Kehoe, 7-10 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 10 - Nelson Olstrom, 7-10 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 12 - The Shifties, 6-9 pm.
• Friday, Oct. 16 - Sean Bielby, 7-10 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 17 - The Fridays, 7-10 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 19 - The Shifties, 6-9 pm.
• Friday, Oct. 23 - Michelle Chenard, 7-10 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 24 - The Fridays, 7-10 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 26 - The Shifties, 6-9 pm.
• Friday, Oct. 30 - Pete Kehoe, 7-10 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 31- John Monkman, 7-10 p.m. Halloween Tomfoolery with a ghoulish cocktails and a costume contest with three winners of $75, $50, and $25 gift cards. Register between 6 and 7:30, judging at 8 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 2 - The Shifties, 6-9 pm.

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

> See website for updated art shows, entertainment, and children's activities.

• Saturday, Oct. 17 - Downtown Sound: The Proud Naturals, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$55. Details.

FRESHWATER GALLERY & CONCERT VENUE - 217 S Lake St., Boyne City, (231) 582-2588. Music series:

• Saturday, Nov. 28 - Henhouse Prowlers, 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 29 - Larry McCray, 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Feb. 13 - Uprooted, 8 p.m. - Featuring Rusted Root principal songwriter, lead singer, and guitarist Michael Glabicki and other former Rusted Root members, including longtime guitarist Dirk Miller.

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

• Friday-Saturday, Oct. 9-10 - October 9 - 10. Artrageous, a breathtaking fusion of music, dance, and live painting.
• Saturday, October 24 - Moxie Entertainment Presents: The Magic of Motown. The Hits. The Harmonies. The Motown Sound.

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

> Karaoke Night - every Wednesday, 8-11 p.m.

> Music and events:

• Friday, Oct. 9 - Live music with the Tweed Tones, 8-11 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 26 - Release party for A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) Book #6. 6 p.m. check in at Dust & Blush. 7 p.m. Trivia starts at Muskrat.
• Saturday, Oct. 31 - Halloween Party. Karaoke costume contest with music by DJ T-Bone, 9-11:59 p.m.

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

> Wednesday, Oct. 21 - Painting on the porch with Dan Duncan from Duncan Studios, 6-8 p.m. You will be painting a spooky pumpkin patch, enjoying a delicious bowl of pumpkin soup, and sipping on a Red Mesa margarita. Seats are limited - call to reserve your spot, $48 per person.

> Saturday, Oct. 24 - Halloween Fiesta from 7-10 p.m. with ghoulish drinks, music with DJ T-Bone and a costume contest wtih gift cards as prizes at 9:30.

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

> Oct. 15 and the third Thursday of the month - Open Mic & Stand-up hosted by Peter Allen Jensen, 6-9 p.m.

WALLOON WATERSHED - 4128 M-75 , Walloon Lake, (231) 535-6048.

Live music:

• Tuesdays - Laura Crowe, 6-9 p.m. 
• Wednesdays - Pete Kehoe, 6-9 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 31 - Halloween party from 6:30-10 p.m. featuring DJ Parker Marshall and a costume contest. Tickets will be available through our website.

The Boyne Citizen

Jim Baumann, Editor

About our nonprofit organization

P.O. Box 83, Boyne City, MI 49712

Email: jim@boynecitizen.com

Phone: 231-675-8793

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