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October 9, 2025 | Issue #55 | Past issues

New markers for forgotten graves

Girl Scouts Madi Wangeman, at left, and Sadie Suttle were among more than 30 volunteers who gathered last weekend at two Bay Township cemeteries to honor the area’s forgotten dead, placing 108 new markers at previously unmarked graves. The work to prepare and place the markers brought together Girl Scout Troop 8689, the Boyne City Rotary Club, and community volunteers ranging in age from 4 to 86. See our story below for details and another photo.

Inside this issue...

• Townships pause EMS talks with City of Boyne City
• Downtown Boyne City sees many business changes
• County may give trail group permission to take on trail project
• BC school superintendent says state budget brings stability
• 'Rambler Fuel’ pairs workouts with smart snacks at schools
• Bay Twp. volunteers honor forgotten dead with grave markers
• Halloween fun events from now through Oct. 31
• Tari Herrera wins $67k Eagles Queen of Hearts drawing
• Wreath and Garland Sale raises funds for Garden Club
• Patrick McCleary history: The town of Hallock disappears
• News briefs, Obituaries, and Municipal News
• Thanks to the donors who keep the news coming!
• Music and entertainment listings

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Townships pause EMS talks as Boyne City pushes for long-term sustainability

By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com

Boyne City Emergency Medical Services is asking the townships it serves for additional payments to cover a multi-year budget shortfall and stabilize staffing — a deficit that began accumulating before current director Brenda Willson took over the department in June 2022.

The request was the focus of a July 2025 interlocal meeting that brought together Boyne City officials and representatives from Bay, Boyne Valley, Chandler, Evangeline, Melrose, Wilson and Eveline townships. The 90-minute roundtable was described as professional but candid. Many, however, said the current cost-sharing formula is outdated and unfair to smaller townships.

Since then, township leaders have put further talks on hold. Following a joint meeting of township supervisors last night, Wednesday, Oct. 8, the supervisors issued a statement to The Boyne Citizen saying, “The townships cannot comment or move forward with the EMS issue until a city manager has been appointed and the new City Commission seated after the election. We look forward to meeting with the City at that time.”

The statement was released through Xavier “X” Gaudard, Bay Township supervisor.

City and EMS leaders call for collaboration

At the July meeting, Boyne City officials acknowledged that the existing contract and funding formula, last signed between 2012 and 2016, need to be rewritten. The city’s finance staff said the invoices sent earlier this year were not intended to surprise the townships but were based on data showing documented shortfalls over the past three years.

City leaders outlined several steps toward rebuilding trust and accountability, including forming committees to update the agreement, establishing regular meetings aligned with township fiscal calendars, and hiring a third-party auditor—possibly a forensic review—to verify cost data used in the invoices. The city also emphasized the need for improved transparency, standardized reporting and consistent communication among all partners.

Why the deficit grew

Willson, who first joined Boyne City EMS as a student in 2012, said she inherited long-term budget pressures tied to rising call volumes, aging equipment and shrinking insurance reimbursements. The department’s paid-on-call model was already strained, she said, and the move to hire full-time paramedics — along with vehicle repairs and legacy expenses — exposed the size of a deficit that had been quietly building for years.

“We were never going to get slower,” Willson said to the Boyne Citizen. “Hiring full-time medics was necessary to keep units staffed. That decision, plus costs that were already in the system, made clear the deficit that had built up over several years.”

Boyne City EMS now operates two full-time ambulances with four full-time staff and depends heavily on per-diem responders. Willson said she often covers ambulance shifts herself, sometimes working two or three weeks straight. Neighboring agencies in Antrim County pay $26–$39 per hour, making retention difficult.

“It costs $30,000 to attend paramedic school,” she said. “New techs can’t afford to work on an on-call basis. If we don’t foster this operation, it will die.”

What’s next

Township officials had previously planned to hold another interlocal meeting on Oct. 15, though it was unclear this week whether that session will still take place following the supervisors’ Oct. 8 statement.

City leaders said they remain open to continued dialogue once the new commission and permanent city manager are in place. Mayor Tim Nemecek said the city values its partnership with neighboring communities but warned that funding gaps must be addressed to preserve local EMS coverage.

“These issues have been around for years,” Nemecek said. “The financial review will be the number one contributor to the success of our mutually inclusive relationship.”

For Willson, the focus remains on keeping ambulances staffed and ready. “Calls aren’t going down,” she said. “The community expects — and deserves — an ambulance that shows up fast with a trained crew. This plan keeps that help coming.”

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Lori Herrington and her daughter Lindsey ran the 52 Weekends store for years, but it will be closing Nov. 1.

Downtown Boyne City sees numerous business changes this fall

By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com

Downtown Boyne City is seeing a wave of changes this fall as several longtime businesses prepare to close, relocate, or open new doors, marking one of the more active transition seasons in recent years.

Among the biggest announcements is the upcoming closure of 52 Weekends, a women’s boutique at 101 Water St. that has been a mainstay of the downtown shopping scene since 2009. Owner Lori Herrington announced on social media that she will retire after nearly two decades and “861 weekends” in business, with the store’s last official day set for Nov. 1.

“Lori has poured her heart into creating a shop unlike any other,” the post read. “While the closing of 52 Weekends is bittersweet, our hearts are full knowing how many friendships and memories were created through the store.”

Her daughter Lindsey, who launched June Apothicarie inside the boutique in 2020, will continue her candle and gift company out of a warehouse in Boyne City. Lindsey plans to host occasional pop-up shops in the store space through the end of the year, including during the Earlier Than the Bird shopping event Nov. 22.

Bookstore, restaurant and façade upgrades

In brighter news, a new independent bookstore owned by Rachel Hilliard is preparing to open inside the former Spuds building at 116 S. Lake St. Hilliard has signed the lease and begun interior renovations, with hopes to be open in time for Earlier Than the Bird.

On Water Street, Chris Korona, owner of Water Street Tile, has opened a tile retail and design shop and plans to expand into a small breakfast-and-lunch restaurant next year, modeled after a Gaylord eatery run by him and his wife. His building at 211 Water St. recently received a downtown façade grant, part of Boyne City Main Street’s ongoing revitalization support for local property owners.

“Supporting these kinds of improvements is really important from a Main Street perspective,” said Ingrid Day, Boyne City Main Street director. “We love seeing local entrepreneurs invest in their buildings and expand their ideas right here downtown.”

Shifting spaces and longtime landmarks

Elsewhere, Michigan FiberShed, the downtown knitting and fiber arts shop, is planning to move from Lake Street around the corner to the former Lashes & Lace location at 211 Front St., while Lashes & Lace plans to relocate outside of downtown.

Fibershed is nearing the two-year anniversary mark, and owner Nadine Basile said in her website announcement of the move, “Like the hermit crab that I am, it's time to grow into a bigger shell and nestle into a quieter nook.” 

She noted that “There is plenty of parking in the alley by the theater, and bonus... it shares a hallway with Charlevoix Coffee Company, so you can get your warm drinks and snacks and come get cozy at the yarn shop this winter without even going outside! What can be better than a yarn shop/coffee shop combo?”

Basile said the tentative move-in date is Nov, 1, but said she will post updates on social media towards “to keep you informed about closures and a grand re-opening celebration in November.”

Uncertainty for many businesses

“This is a time of uncertainty for a lot of small businesses, particularly as tariffs have changed the landscape and we don't have the capital to weather big economic storms like this,” Basile said. “Moving adds a little more hurry-up-and-wait angst, but I'm looking forward to bigger and better things in this new space. More room for classes and gatherings (and looms!), more wall space to display yarns, more small rooms to discover treasures.”

The “I Love Boyne City” T-shirt shop, known for its playful Yeti mascot and downtown corner location, has once again closed for the winter season, as it typically does each year.

And one of Boyne City’s oldest family-run businesses, Barden Lumber at 205 S. East St., is transitioning to new ownership under Preston Feather, another long-established Northern Michigan building supplier. (The Boyne Citizen printed details about that business change in our Oct. 2 edition.)

“After more than a century, that kind of change is never easy,” Day said of the Barden sale, “but it’s encouraging to see another family-owned company with deep community roots stepping in.”

The Oct. 2 edition of the Boyne Citizen also included news about a new floral business, Hidden Blossoms, located inside Self Indulgence Salon at 212 S. Park St., which celebrated its Bouquet Bar with an open house on Oct. 8. Hidden Blossoms will have browse pre-wrapped bouquets ready to take home, or customers can create their own bouquets from fresh stems. Owner Christa Hudson said the business aims to bring a fresh, creative option to the community.

The former Lashes & Lace building at 211 Front St. will be the new home of Michigan FiberShed as of Nov. 1.

County Board may give trail group permission to take on trail project

By Carole Shane, cjshane@charter.net

Five of the six Charlevoix County Commissioners were present at the Wednesday, Oct. 8 board meeting where Steve Van Dam from the Charlevoix County Trail Team (CCTT) presented a proposal for a way to move forward with Phases 4 and 5 of the Boyne City to Charlevoix Non-Motorized Trail. Commissioner Chris Christensen was absent.

The Commission has previously taken action blocking the initiation of the final two sections of the “bike trail” by voting against accepting a proposal from the Wade Trim firm for the required engineering services. Van Dam outlined a plan whereby CCTT would contract directly with Wade Trim for the first steps which would include: a) grant research/writing/reporting b) surveying/mapping and c) easement descriptions/exhibits. Van Dam explained that the plan would require no outlay of county funds; only that the commission act as the agent/recipient for grants where required by law.

Commissioner Scott Hankins reiterated his concern that the expense of trails extends far beyond the initial building costs, because maintenance and repair bills continue far into the future as “legacy costs.” Hankins likened bike trails to the ownership of boats and horses, calling them “expensive luxuries.”

Commissioner Anne-Marie Conway suggested that with voter support for a trail millage, Phases 4 and 5 could be completed and eventually the funds generated could be used to extend a trail system that would eventually encircle all of Lake Charlevoix. Such a millage, if approved, could be designed to support trail maintenance as well as initial building costs.

Van Dam agreed that the trail maintenance issue must be addressed in any plan going forward and that perhaps a “trail maintenance endowment” could be established with the help of donors.

Van Dam explained that CCTT has already obtained funding from the non-profit Top of Michigan Trails Council (not to exceed $6,500) which would cover the cost of the very first step - the grant research/writing/reporting phase. He asked the board to consider giving its blessing to this “no-cost, no-risk” initial step.

The board then unanimously passed a motion directing their civil counsel to draft a resolution defining the relationship between the county and CCTT, giving CCTT permission to independently contract for only the grant writing portion of Wade Trim’s proposal. The resolution, when completed, will come before the board at a future meeting.

4-H program report

Leah LaVanway from the MSU Extension office presented information on their annual report. LaVanway highlighted the many 4-H activities offered to local youth. Swim school lessons offered at Whiting Park each summer continue to be popular with an enrollment increase of 15 students this year. Eligible students completed the annual Young State Park to Whiting Park lake swim at a record pace. Swimmers completed the journey in one hour, 25 minutes this August, a feat usually taking 2 or 2.5 hours.

LaVanway also praised the 4-H Shooting Sports Club, which had two teams advancing to the state level. The soccer programs in East Jordan and Boyne City provided athletic opportunities to 100-150 youth at each location.

In other business, the board approved a full-time court compliance officer position at a total cost of $68,000 including benefits. The officer will serve both Circuit and District Courts with the costs being shared equally between the two court budgets.

County buildings study

The board moved forward with their plan to study the best and most efficient use of county buildings by approving a service proposal with River Caddis Management for the provision of real estate advisory services. The first three phases of the River Caddis proposal come at a cost of $90,000 with the cost of a final Phase 4 to be determined. The measure was approved in a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Robert Jess opposed. Jess favored the opportunity to consider proposals from several other firms who had offered services, but was outvoted with little discussion.

The board unanimously approved a contract with Mallard Lake Tree Service for $4,400 for the removal and trimming of four dead, dying or dangerous trees from county parks.

The commissioners also approved the recommendation of the Equalization Department and the Treasurer’s Office to switch to a new software application, Pivot Point, to provide improved online property search and parcel mapping services. The agreement specifies no cost the first year and $14,000 for each annual license after that.

Other action approved unanimously approved:

• Beaver Island Meal Program Agreements.
• The County Treasurer’s use of specific financial institutions for county business.

Bridget Foltz for Boyne City Commission Facebook Page

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Boyne City school superintendent says state budget brings stability, keeps free meals

By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com

The state’s newly approved K-12 budget won’t upend Boyne City Public Schools’ plans this year, Superintendent Pat Little said, though it arrived later than districts would have preferred.

“The part that’s negative is how long it took,” Little said in an interview. “The part that’s positive is it doesn’t affect us in a negative way. It’s about what we guessed, because we have to pass our budget ahead of Lansing.”

Little said the district is “very happy” the state kept funding for free school meals. Roughly half of Boyne City students would qualify on income alone — “about 49%,” he noted — but universal free breakfast and lunch removes stigma and paperwork while ensuring consistent nutrition.

District finance staff are still “unpacking” technical details, Little said. The chief financial officer plans to provide a summary to the school board at its next meeting, but Little doesn’t expect major surprises.

What the budget means locally

• No midyear cuts expected. Because the final numbers tracked the district’s adopted budget, Little doesn’t foresee program reductions this fall.
• Free meals remain. Continued state support locks in breakfast and lunch at no cost to families.
• Support for what’s working. The budget helps sustain one-to-one technology — every student has a device — and maintains momentum in programs that draw students to Boyne City, including culinary arts, building trades and the electrical lineman program that partners with Great Lakes Energy.

Recent bond will reshape campus

Separately from the state budget, voters last May approved a $24 million bond to expand career and technical education (CTE) and modernize facilities:

• CTE additions. A new building trades and lineman facility is slated to be built on campus. Across the sidewalk, an existing building will be renovated into a restaurant-style space for the culinary arts program, which will move from downtown to the secondary campus to be “more part of our building culture,” Little said. Work on the CTE buildings is targeted for completion in about two years.
• Stadium upgrades this summer. The athletic complex is scheduled for new bleachers, a new press box and LED lighting. “We spend a lot to run the old lights, so we’re excited about LED,” Little said.
• Buses and classroom tech. The bond sets a rotation to replace aging buses and continues investments in student devices, servers and network infrastructure.
• Four new classrooms and a safer entry. A later phase adds classrooms and reconfigures the elementary school office entrance to streamline access and security.

Little cautioned that construction bids for stadium elements came in higher than anticipated, which he attributed to tariffs, metal prices and broader economic uncertainty. “Money isn’t going to go as far,” he said. The administration will recommend re-sequencing smaller projects — for example, delaying planned infield work at the baseball field — to keep the big-ticket items on track. “That’s no fault of our taxpayers. It’s the reality of the current market,” Little said.

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'Rambler Fuel’ pairs workouts with smart snacks at Boyne City schools

By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com 

The weight room in the Fieldhouse between Boyne City High School and Middle School hums for much of the day — and now so does a small nutrition station nearby. The district has launched Rambler Fuel, a pilot that gives student-athletes quick, healthy snacks before and after strength and conditioning classes so they’re not training on empty.

The idea grew out of Rambler Power, the school’s advanced physical education track that focuses on strength, agility and mobility. PE teacher Dave Hills runs the program four consecutive hours for high school students with a fifth section for middle schoolers, reaching about 90 kids.

“We were seeing kids come in hungry or under-fueled,” Hills said. “They’re putting in real work here. The next step is matching that effort with simple, better nutrition — carbs before, protein after.”

How it works

Rambler Fuel rolled out in recent weeks as a proof-of-concept. Students in Rambler Power grab a pre-workout option on the way in — typically fruit or another quick carbohydrate — and a protein-rich bite on the way out.

• What’s offered: apples, plus house-made protein bars Hills batches at home while the school secures a more stable supply.
• Seed support: a small start-up grant from Meijer helped stock initial items, and the school purchased basic storage to keep snacks on hand.
• When it’s available: during the five class periods Rambler Power runs each day, so students can fuel around their training blocks.

“It’s week one and the kids are devouring it,” Middle School Principal Mike Wilson said with a laugh. “It feels like the logical next step. Dave has built a culture in the weight room, and this supports it.”

A program built for multi-sport athletes

Rambler Power is scheduled across the six-hour high school day so students can do their weight-lifting during school and still play multiple sports after. Hills said the structure is especially important in a small district where many athletes compete year-round.

“This lets them train consistently without choosing between the weight room and practice,” he said.

The class itself mixes boys and girls and rotates programming — strength work, speed and agility, plus a dedicated yoga day. Wilson said early worries about separating by gender faded as students bought into the shared culture.

Sustainable fuel is the next challenge

Keeping the snack station stocked is the program’s biggest hurdle. Wilson said the district is pursuing donations and small grants while it gauges demand and refines the menu.

“Long-term sustainability is the question,” he said. “But the community response has been encouraging, and the early impact on kids’ energy and recovery is obvious.”

Bigger picture: facilities built to support it

The district’s fieldhouse and weight room opened three years ago, and the connected middle and high school buildings make it easier to introduce eighth graders to the training model. 

“It scratches that coaching itch,” said Hills, a longtime coach who shifted full-time into PE. “I get to work with athletes from every sport and help them build good habits that last.”

For now, Rambler Fuel will stay focused on simple, affordable items students will actually eat. If early momentum holds, Wilson said the school will formalize the effort with clearer funding and more community partners.

“We started small on purpose,” Wilson said. “The goal is healthy, fueled kids who are ready to learn in class and compete on the field. This helps us get there.”

PE teacher Dave Hills: “We were seeing kids come in hungry or under-fueled. They’re putting in real work here. The next step is matching that effort with simple, better nutrition — carbs before, protein after.”

Volunteers included Gwen and Vern Erickson, neighbors of the Dyer Cemetery.

Bay Township volunteers honor forgotten dead with 108 new grave markers

By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com 

More than 30 volunteers gathered last weekend at two historic Bay Township cemeteries to honor the area’s forgotten dead, placing 108 new markers at previously unmarked graves.

On Saturday, 20 volunteers spent over three hours at Dyer Cemetery on Camp Daggett Road installing 82 markers for unknown burials. The following day, 12 volunteers gathered at Oaklawn Cemetery on Horton Bay Road to place another 26.

The project was led by Bay Township Sexton and Charlevoix County History Preservation Society member Georganna Monk, who has spent years researching the locations of lost burials in both cemeteries.

“This all started in 2021 when we did ground-penetrating radar and located 108 unmarked graves between the two cemeteries,” Monk said. “The only record we had was a 1918 plat map for Oaklawn. The rest of the burial records have been lost.”

Because the identities of many buried there may never be known, Monk said the new markers serve several purposes — as a sign of remembrance, a point of respect for families who know their ancestors rest there, and as a tool for preserving local history.

“There are many reasons to mark an unknown grave,” she said. “It’s about not forgetting those who came before us, understanding our community’s history, and in Oaklawn’s case, it even opens the possibility of using the cemetery again for future burials.”

Oaklawn Cemetery spans roughly 1.25 acres. Before the radar survey, only nine headstones were visible, but 26 additional unmarked graves were found. That discovery means there’s still room for new burials in the historic ground.

The work to prepare and place the markers brought together Girl Scout Troop 8689, the Boyne City Rotary Club, and community volunteers ranging in age from 4 to 86.

Rotary members, led by Dave Amato, provided tools and manpower with help from the City of Boyne City, which loaned the group its heavy-duty sod cutter to break through decades of grass and roots in the old section of Dyer Cemetery.

“The teamwork was amazing,” Monk said. “We could never have done it so quickly without everyone pitching in.”

For Monk, the project represents more than a maintenance task — it’s an act of stewardship and remembrance. “These are people who lived, worked, and built the foundations of this township,” she said. “Even if we don’t know their names, they deserve to be remembered.”

Halloween Hoopla characters will greet guests at Boyne Mountain Oct. 24-25.

Halloween fun from now through Oct. 31

> BEFORE HALLOWEEN:

CORN MAZE & PUMPKIN PATCH - Matelski’s Cherry Hill Greenhouse invites everyone to come enjoy weaving through their corn maze, playing games, roasting a hot dog by the fire, and picking out a pumpkin or gourd to take home from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11-12. Limit of one pumpkin per child. This event is free for the whole family and sponsored by 3M Gas in Boyne Falls. Cherry Hill Greenhouse is located at 3580 Cherry Hill Road, Boyne Falls.

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. 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.

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 local 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. 

HALLOWEEN PARADE IS TENTATIVE - The annual costume parade may not be held this year due to street construction projects on Park Street, according to organizer Jessica White of Boyne City Hardware. The parade traditionally started at Lake Street Market with dozens of kids in costume, walking from Lake Street to Water Street to Park Street, ending at the library for treats at the Bookmobile and the Presbyterian Church for Trunk or Treat. Stay tuned for possible updates. Volunteers will be needed if the parade is held.

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. “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 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. 

Tari Herrera wins $67k Eagles Queen of Hearts drawing

Tari Herrera won the Boyne City Eagles Queen of Hearts raffle on Oct. 2, taking home the prize of  $67,967. Herrera is a Petoskey resident and a member of the Petoskey Eagles. She told the Boyne Citizen she had been buying 10 or 20 one-dollar raffle tickets each week for a few weeks before she won. 

“I'm still in shock that I won,” she said. “I honestly can't believe it, but I'm absolutely thrilled. I haven't decided what to do with it yet, but I'm pretty sure a trip is in my future. A big thank you to the Boyne City Eagles for sponsoring this drawing.”

Here’s a Facebook video of the drawing from Cheryl Renaud.

Wreath and Garland Sale raises funds for Garden Club

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. 

Boyne Area News Briefs

PARKS PLAN HEARING - What do residents want from Boyne City’s parks? More trails, better upkeep and above all, access to the water. Those were the top takeaways from a citywide survey this spring — and now, leaders are inviting the community back for one final say. A final public hearing on the City of Boyne City draft Parks and Recreation Master Plan will be held at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9, at City Hall during the Parks and Recreation Commission’s regular meeting. The draft master plan is available online, and hard copies can be viewed at City Hall.

CANDIDATES MEET & GREET - The friends of Bridget Foltz, Rebecca “Becky” Houser, and Jennifer "Beano" Hampton invite you to 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. 

LAKE COLOR CRUISES - The Little Traverse Bay Ferry’s Harbor Princess will be offering color tours around Round Lake and Lake Charlevoix from now through Oct. 12, weather permitting, from 2-3:45 p.m. Tickets are on sale now for $37, and children 3 and under are free. Cruises start at Bridge Park Drive in Charlevoix. 

FRESHWATER CONCERT SERIES will start Saturday, Oct. 25, with the return of Steve Poltz. Tickets are $45. 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 will be $10, and the 12 and under meals will be $8. All 60 and older meals will be 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

Nemecek named VP of Mayors association

The Michigan Association of Mayors (MAM) has selected Saginaw Mayor Brenda F. Moore to serve as its new board president, and Boyne City Mayor Timothy Nemecek as vice president. These one-year appointments were announced during the association’s annual meeting held on Sept. 18, at the Michigan Municipal League Convention in Grand Rapids.

“Tim and I have a goal to increase membership in the Michigan Association of Mayors,” said Mayor Moore. “This organization is more than what you might think, and we want new people coming in to know all that MAM has to offer. We want new members to feel like they just inherited a new family.”

"The Michigan Association of Mayors is a powerful network of leaders,” said Mayor Nemecek. “One of our top priorities will be to expand membership beyond the 110 chief elected officials we currently represent. Every additional leader strengthens our collective knowledge, experience, and ability to address the challenges our communities face. I am grateful for the confidence my peers have placed in me, and I am committed to making a meaningful contribution to the Association.”

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, 2025 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 8:00 PM on Election Day to be counted. Find important dates and a sample ballot online.

SIGN UP FOR CITY ALERTS - The City of Boyne City has launched a new Alerts feature on our website to help you stay up-to-date on projects, notices, and other important things happening around town. It’s a work in progress (we’re still ironing out a few wrinkles), but 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. 14. Agenda page.

Obituaries

Robin Stanley Celebration of Life - Saturday, October 11, from 1-4 p.m. at Stein Eriksen’s in the Clock Tower Lodge at Boyne Mountain Resort. Robin's obituary.

Robert "Bob" J. Larson

August 31, 1947 ~ September 28, 2025 (age 78)

Nancy Jo Grubaugh

May 13, 1947 ~ October 3, 2025 (age 78)

The post office at Hallock, Michigan, seen here shortly after the settlement came into existence in 1906. Later, this same building was used as a hotel for railroad travelers. Photograph courtesy of the Patrick McCleary Collection. 

THROUGH THE HISTORIAN'S LENS

Where in the world was Hallock?  

By Patrick McCleary, Throughthehistorianslens@gmail.com

The Charlevoix County History Preservation Society

In reading this week’s article, several questions may come to mind. First and foremost, where was the Village of Hallock, and secondly, why is it relevant to a column on Charlevoix County’s local history? Some might call it one of Michigan’s many ghost town settlements, although there are still a few homes to be found in the general vicinity. Hallock was founded as a lumber town in 1906 in Otsego County’s Elmira Township. It was named after Benjamin Harrison Hallock (1840-1920), a farmer and cattle broker to the many lumbering camps and mills throughout Otsego County.

Mr. Hallock had received his 80-acre parcel through the General Land Grant Office in 1883, during Chester A. Arthur’s presidency. Benjamin was the son of Calvin and Elizabeth (Boyce) Hallock. He was first married to Amy Clarissa Chatfield, and the couple had two daughters, Dora A. and Rose M. Hallock. After his first wife’s death, Mr. Hallock married Clara Belle Sweenor. Being in the cattle business, it wasn’t long after Boyne City’s W.H. White & Company began laying train tracks between Boyne Falls to Alpena, that Benjamin made the acquaintance of William H. White himself. Initially, their meeting was in regard to cattle, which was needed to help feed both train and timber crews.

It took little calculation on either man’s part to discover that the most direct path for the Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena Railroad was through a portion of Benjamin Hallock’s property. Mr. Hallock agreed, and as a way of thanking him, the village was named after him. So, in 1906, Hallock received its own post office designation, operated by the first postmaster, Arthur Bruce. This post office, depicted in the very rare photograph above, operated between June 27, 1906, and April 15, 1914. By 1928, the village itself would no longer exist. However, in the 22 years of its existence, a very solid link was formed between the industries in Boyne City and this small, rural location. 

Hallock became the home to portions of both the Badger Woodenware Company and the Boyne City Chemical Company. In addition to the post office, there was a church, a feed and sawmill, two general stores, a grocery, a potato warehouse, railroad depot, recreation hall and a schoolhouse. By the end of 1928, all were gone. According to newspaper accounts from this time, the residents of Hallock seemed to have active involvement in their little town. They held community picnics, dances, and band concerts, attended club meetings in groups that were branches of larger clubs found in Elmira, Gaylord and Boyne Falls, as well as both school, social and sporting events. However, as with so many small Michigan lumbering towns, once the timber ran out, both businesses and residents began departing in droves. 

In 1928, the entire town was sold for $10 - one dollar each for the 10 lots which comprised Hallock proper. If you take a fall drive to the Elmira area and visit the intersection of Hallock and Parmater Roads, you will be sitting almost dead center on the former Hallock town square. A turn west at that point will take you to what was once the business section - today, little more than grass, weeds, and overgrown farmland. Even the railroad tracks that brought this location to life so many years ago, have mostly been torn up or otherwise destroyed. Thus, an early ghost town settlement was created. 

A 1930 Plat of Elmira Township, Otsego County, still showing the name Hallock as an established location.

> 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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This week's new donors are listed in bold.

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$100 to $499

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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
• 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:

• Private Art Party
• Alcohol Ink Demo Night - Oct. 16 
• Design a Watercolor Journal - Oct. 17
• Winter Blues in Pastel - Nov. 6
• Holiday Greeting Cards - Nov. 8
• See all upcoming classes here.

BOYNE CITY FARMERS MARKET - Veterans Park, 207 N. Lake Street, Boyne City. (231) 582-9009. Open Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

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. 10-19 - Skitoberfest and SkyBridge music - details.

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

> LIVE MUSIC

Friday, Oct. 10 - Yankee Station - Six-Year Anniversary Party (4-7:30)

Saturday, Oct. 11 - Chris Calleja (2-6)

Sunday, Oct. 12 - Two Track Mind (1:30-5)

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. 10 - Pete Kehoe

Saturday, Oct. 11 - Chris Calleja

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, which are $45.

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

Oct. 16 & 17 - Cirque Mechanics Tilt! 

Nov. 1 - Cantus

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. 10 - The Tweed Tones, 8 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 13 - Bloomin' Sanity Woman's Happy Hour, 5 p.m.

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. 14 - The Tweed Tones

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.

> Oct. 11 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

The Boyne Citizen

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

Email: jim@boynecitizen.com

Phone: 231-675-8793

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