|
Irish visitors
Boyne City welcomed an official delegation from its sister city from the Boyne Valley of Ireland, this week as part of the ongoing “twinning” relationship between the two communities. Their visit included a series of meetings, community events and tours, including a walk with Mayor Tim Nemecek across Skybridge Michigan at Boyne Mountain Resort.
| | |
Inside this issue...
- Hiring of BC city manager clears a hurdle
- Celebrate Boyne Citizen anniversary on Sept. 4
- Healthcare officials dealing with smoky air problems
- No beach closings for BC; geese are still a problem
- Stroll the Streets lineup for Friday
- DNR supports public access above Boyne River Dam
- BC students beat state averages on test scores
- Bailey Holzschu hired as Early Learners teacher
- Boyne City welcomes Irish delegation
- Expanded childcare center sets grand opening
- Drag race set for Aug. 31 at Boyne City Airport
- August is “Make a Will Month” for foundations
- "Roads Less Traveled” history program
- Patrick McCleary history: our baseball tradition
- News briefs, Obituaries, and Municipal News
- Thanks to the donors who keep the news coming!
- Music and entertainment listings
| |
> Like this email? Forward it to a friend and help us grow.
If they like it, they can subscribe here.
| | |
Hiring of BC city manager clears a hurdle
By Jim Baumann, jim@boynecitizen.com
It seems like Boyne City’s hiring of Elle Cole as city manager should be back on track, as Cole was not chosen for another job she had also applied for in the City of Adrian.
The Boyne City Commission interviewed three candidates and selected Cole as their top choice on August 1. Then on August 12, the Commission approved final details of Cole’s employment contract.
However, it became known that Cole was also a finalist for the city administrator position in Adrian, which has a population of 20,000. Interviews were held August 14, and the City Commission made its decision on Monday, August 18, choosing Chad Baugh, the police chief of Canton Township.
WLEN Radio reported this week that several Adrian commissioners stated that they were stuck between Baugh and Elle Cole as their top pick. The radio station news report said, “Two of the key deciding factors were that Cole’s experience as Saline’s (acting) city manager did not necessarily match the needs of Adrian, which has over twice the population of Saline, as well as the fact that Cole is still in contention for a city manager position in Boyne City.”
The Boyne Citizen reached out to Cole on Tuesday for a comment on the Boyne City situation, after learning about the Adrian decision, but she has not responded.
Cole impressed Boyne City officials when she spent three days before her August 1 interview visiting the community and meeting with local officials, residents and business people. She also spent much of Tuesday, August 12, in Boyne City, meeting with Interim City Manager John Matthews before that night’s meeting.
CITY CANDIDATES FORUM - City of Boyne City voters are invited to save the date for a City Commission Candidates Forum from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, at City Hall. The forum is cosponsored by the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce, the Boyne Citizen and The League of Women Voters Northern Lower Michigan. Five candidates will be on the November 4 ballot for three open seats on the Commission. Details and more information will be announced soon.
| | |
Everyone attending our one-year anniversary celebration can take home an "I'm a Boyne Citizen" sticker.
“Celebrate the End of the News Desert” on Sept. 4 with free coffee, pastries and a sticker
Readers are invited to “Celebrate the End of the News Desert” and join the Boyne Citizen for free coffee and pastries in honor of our first anniversary. Please join us from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 4, in the Community Room of the Boyne District Library. Meet our board members, our editor and some of our freelance writers. We’ll even give everyone who attends an “I’m a Boyne Citizen” sticker for you to stick on your car, shirt, or computer.
It’s been a full year of community-supported nonprofit independent local news coverage since the Boyne Citizen published its first edition on Sept. 3, 2024.
That first issue was emailed to 403 people, and word spread quickly. Our second issue circulation jumped up to 663, and by mid-October we passed the 1,000 mark. Now in August of 2025 we are up to 1,853 subscribers with a 75% open rate. Most amazingly, 370 readers have made a voluntary donation to support our work - even though subscriptions are free.
We can't thank you enough! Our readers and donors have made this possible, so we hope many of you can join us on Sept. 4.
> Make a donation to help keep the Boyne Citizen coming.
| | |
CORRECTION
We misidentified the young lady getting her face painted by Jerry Douglas in a video caption with our story in last week’s Boyne Citizen. On a break between games at the ballpark was Finley Parish, from Grant, Michigan. Here is the video.
| | |
Healthcare officials report more patients with breathing difficulties from smoky air
By Kalynn Huffman Brower, kalynn.brower@gmail.com
After weeks of smoky skies from the Canadian wildfires, locals and visitors alike are celebrating our current good fortune. This week has been filled with truly excellent, clean air. We’re in the blue on the AQI, the Air Quality Index.
Here in the Tip of the Mitt we are typically more protected by our distance from forest fires and the prevailing winds. However, from the last week in July through mid-August, the summer breezes stalled and the entire Great Lakes region, from Minneapolis to Toronto, Detroit to the Upper Peninsula, has been locked under a hazy dome of unhealthy air.
The Citizen checked in with the Boyne Area Health Center to see how our community is doing. The clinicians have seen “an uptick in patients reporting breathing difficulties, asthma flare-ups, and other respiratory symptoms during these high AQI periods.”
Dr. Kevin Omilusik, the Munson Healthcare East Region chief medical officer, says, “Poor air quality can significantly impact respiratory and cardiovascular health. Children, older adults, and individuals with asthma, COPD, or heart conditions are especially vulnerable. Even healthy individuals may notice symptoms such as coughing, throat irritation, or shortness of breath.”
He adds, “Pregnant women, individuals with heart disease or lung conditions, cancer patients, and those at risk of stroke should stay indoors, take medications as prescribed, and avoid outdoor exercise.”
This wildfire smoke is more persistent and pernicious than the self-limiting fires of decades past, and presents us with health concerns about fine particulate matter that can enter the lungs and bloodstream. Dr. Omilusik encourages everyone to “stay informed through reliable sources like AirNow.gov, MiAir, and EGLE. These platforms offer real-time updates and personalized alerts to help you make safe decisions.”
AccuWeather and its App aggregate information from NOAA, the National Weather Service, and other satellite and observation stations, for its easy-to-read and detailed Air Quality dashboard.
| | |
The current Canadian wildfires include forests in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Canadian Provinces north of North Dakota. Over the last few years many fires have ignited and burned uncontrollably in the far north of those provinces and Quebec, as well as further north, the Northwest Territories, the Yukon, and to the west, Alaska. This is the boreal Zone, between the Arctic Circle tundra and the temperate lands closer to Michigan. These boreal forests are vast and remote, stretching the width of the continent with limited access for firefighting efforts. This is where the permafrost is no longer permanent, leaving the forest vulnerable.
Under the boreal tree canopy much of the land has layers of peat, built up over millennia. Now, on our overheated planet the trees and the underlying peat dry out and become the perfect fuel. When there’s a lightning strike, the trees flame and the peat smolders. For more on the changing nature of boreal fires around the globe, see this Woodwell Research Center overview. For a really deep dive, see the Science Direct article on smoldering wildfires in peatlands, forests and the Arctic.
Some of the boreal forest wildfires will naturally extinguish during the wet fall and winter seasons. Some will continue to smolder underground and reignite after the snow melts.
This is likely not our last wildfire season. So, what can we do to protect ourselves and our loved ones from this distant, yet potent threat to our health?
Dr. Omilusik recommends “limiting outdoor activities, especially strenuous exercise, when air quality is poor. Keep windows and doors closed, use air purifiers, and consider wearing N95 or KN95 masks when outside.”
If you experience persistent coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing, don’t wait, contact your healthcare provider or visit an urgent care center.
Munson Healthcare offers other resources, including:
- Ask-A-Nurse Hotline: Available 24/7 at 231-935-0951, this free service connects you with a registered nurse to answer health questions and guide you to appropriate care.
-
Virtual Urgent Care: For non-emergency symptoms like cough, allergies, or sinus infections, call 231-935-4995 or visit munsonhealthcare.org/virtualvisits.
> Smoky summers are Michigan’s new norm, experts say - Bridge Michigan story.
| |
No beach closings for Boyne City, but geese are still a problem
By Geri Dietze, gdietze27@gmail.com
East Jordan has had a couple of short-term beach closures this summer, but so far, so good for Boyne City beaches. The very popular Peninsula Beach has recently had issues with goose poop on the children’s splash pad, sending parents running to complain on Facebook, but the city has it covered. “The splash pad is piped and plumbed to the waste water system,” explains Doug Varney, director of Public Works and Utilities for Boyne City, “and city employees manage and maintain the site, cleaning it with a power washer.” He adds, “We monitor Facebook, too.”
One only has to look around to see geese eating and pooping their way across the landscape at Peninsula and Veterans Parks. When the stuff stays on land, drying in the sun, it can turn into something resembling an unpleasant greenish brown Cheeto, and while it can still harbor bacteria, it is considered less of a hazard. But under certain conditions - wind and waves, heavy rain, and low UV - the excrement can contaminate the water, spread E-coli, and lead to beach alerts and closings. (E. coli bacteria are common in the guts of humans and warm-blooded animals, and that’s where it should stay.)
The city has had success with goose control at the Open Space across from Family Fare supermarket. After testing three or four methods, an employee recommended placing imitation swan figures in the grass, so for around $200, the Open Space has stayed poop-free.
“There are a lot of variables,” says Jeremy Fruk, director of environmental health for the Northwest Health Department of Michigan. “For example, UV light does kill [E. coli], [but] heavy rain events wash the goose poop away from the sand and into the water.” And, sorry to say, rain has been increasing in the Great Lakes region and will continue to have a role in water quality, among other things. Check the statistics here.
A look at the numbers
Levels of E. coli must count 300 or below per 100 ml of water to be considered safe for beachgoers, with the levels also determining the difference between full-immersion swimming or wading, paddling, and fishing. In our area, this summer has seen alerts and closings at the East Jordan Tourist Park and Elm Point, both in Lake Charlevoix’s South Arm. Fruk says the Tourist Park has “had a lot of issues in the past with geese, and they’ve worked really hard to control that situation.” Unfortunately, no one can control the rain, of course.
What’s more, levels can vary widely from day to day. For example, testing at the East Jordan site on July 22 revealed an E. coli level of 2,419.6 per 100ml, requiring a full body contact advisory based on the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) water quality standards. The next day, the levels had dropped to an E. coli count of 16.9 per 100 ml, and the advisory was lifted. But on July 30, the count was at 435.2 E. coli per 100 ml, requiring a partial body contact advisory.
By contrast, on July 29, levels at Young State Park outside of Boyne City showed 2 E. coli per 100ml.
At East Jordan’s Elm Pointe on July 2, the water sample showed an E. coli level of 2,419.6 per 100 milliliters (ml), which results in a recommendation of no water contact. Just one day later, the level had dropped to 3.1.
But not to worry
Most residents and visitors realize that these conditions are temporary and highly changeable, and both the East Jordan Tourist Park and Elm Point Beach are clean, popular destinations. Plus, the Health Department’s Beach Monitoring Program has been collecting water samples over the last 20 years from a long list of popular public beaches across Charlevoix, Antrim, Emmet, and Otsego counties. Monitoring “the same beaches [provides] good data,” Fruk says. Access the beach monitoring website here. Additionally, real-time access to beach water quality results for beaches all over Michigan can be accessed through the EGLE at www.egle.state.mi.us/beach/.
> To contact the City of Boyne City, call 231-582-6597 or visit www.boynecity.gov. For more information about the Northwest Health Department of Michigan, call 800-432-4121 or visit nwhealth.org.
| There is still some goose poop at the Peninsula Park Splash Pad, but city employees manage and maintain the site, cleaning it with a power washer. | | |
DNR supports public access to Boyne River Dam impoundment area
By Jamie Baumann, jamie@boynecitizen.com
In a memo dated Tuesday, Aug. 18, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources stated, "DNR firmly believes public access and recreational amenities provided in the new license must include the impoundment."
Boyne USA has applied for a license through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to continue to generate electricity at the Boyne Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Boyne River. If a license is granted, the licensee has a responsibility to allow public access as mitigation for any harms the power generation may cause. Boyne USA currently allows fisherman access to banks on both sides of the river downstream of the dam to Dam Road. They do not allow public access above the dam to the impoundment reservoir.
The latest memo was written by Dana Castle, DNR fisheries biologist, responding to Boyne Mountain's response to the Little Traverse Bay Band of Odawa Indians' recent filing with FERC. In their filing, Boyne USA argued that, based on a memo from the Charlevoix County prosecutor, which was based on a 1980 DNR letter, the Boyne River was not considered navigable, because there was less than 15 miles of unobstructed river. Therefore, Boyne USA said that it was within its rights to deny the public access to the impound unless it granted permission. Boyne USA argued that the river is not navigable as defined in the 1980 Recreational Trespass Act, which included a 15-mile standard in its definition of navigability.
The DNR maintains that river navigability can only be determined through the judicial system, and the Boyne River issue has never gone to court for a determination.
Castle states: "Neither a letter from the DNR nor from a county prosecutor carries any legal weight in the State of Michigan in determining navigability. . . While the DNR has no authority to revoke or renounce a letter from a county prosecutor, DNR hereby revokes and renounces its letter to Mr. Charles Mott (SIC - meaning Charles Moll, Boyne general manager at the time), dated September 16, 1980 and to the extent that the Prosecutor Memo is based on the DNR Letter, the Prosecutor Memo should be considered null and void."
Castle wrote that "The DNR letter is being misrepresented by Boyne." In Boyne's Response to LTBB, Boyne asserts that the DNR letter "categorizes the Boyne River as non-navigable," Castle wrote. "Unquestionably there are portions of the Boyne River above the dam, including the impoundment, which meet the criteria of navigability… To date, there has been no judicial determination on the navigability of the Boyne River, meaning that whether the river is navigable or non-navigable is an open question." See the 1980 DNR letter. See Scott Beatty's 1981 memo.
The 1980 DNR Letter concluded that people would need written permission from Boyne USA to enter the impoundment, because its officers found that only 6.5 miles of the river to be navigable. In 1981, Scott Beatty, county prosecuting attorney, concluded that people could be cited for trespassing if entering the impoundment to portage around the dam without permission.
Both documents were based on law at the time, but in 1994, Michigan reorganized, consolidating all of its environmental law into the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA). The new law makes no mention of 15 miles as a standard to determine navigability.
NREPA states: "On fenced or posted property or farm property, a fisherman wading or floating a navigable public stream may, without written or oral consent, enter upon property within the clearly defined banks of the stream or, without damaging farm products, walk a route as closely proximate to the clearly defined bank as possible when necessary to avoid a natural or artificial hazard or obstruction, including, but not limited to, a dam, deep hole, or a fence or other exercise of ownership by the riparian owner. MCL324.73102(3)."
Castle made clear that the DNR currently supports the recommendations that FERC staff previously made to develop a recreation management plan to improve public access that includes: "(1) a description and map of all project recreation facilities; (2) designating the impoundment boat launch as a project feature that is open to the public (3) a new, barrier-free shoreline fishing area and parking area for four cars, including one barrier-free spot, at the project reservoir; (4) provisions for operation and maintenance of the project's recreation facilities; (5) a description of the methodology used to monitor recreation use at the project reservoir for three years; and (6) an implementation and construction schedule."
She said that the DNR supports the above items, as well as expanding, improving or replacing parking facilities, providing bathroom facilities during peak fishing season, and having the impoundment facilities be accessible.
Boyne USA has continued to advocate for the impoundment reservoir to be off limits to the public, citing erosion and pollution of the area as detriments from allowing access. FERC has the authority to include whatever public access stipulations it sees fit in any new license. They have not set a timeline for their final decision on the license. Read the entire August 18, 2025 DNR filing.
| |
|
BC students beat state averages on test scores
By Jamie Baumann, jamie@boynecitizen.com
Boyne City students in all grade levels scored significantly higher than state averages on PSAT and SAT tests. At the August 12 school board meeting, Middle School Principal Mike Wilson and High School Principal Adam Stefanski reviewed the data from the last few years.
Students take the PSAT in eighth, ninth and tenth grades and the SAT in 11th grade.
Scores for each cohort of students, following from eighth grade through junior year, generally improved upon their own scores each year in the data presented from 2017 to present. See the PSAT/SAT test data from 2017 to present.
To compare with state averages, in 2025, for PSAT 8, eighth grade students scored 21 points above the state average. On PSAT 9, ninth grade students scored 51 points above the state average. On PSAT 10, tenth grade students scored 73 points above the state average. On the 2025 SAT, eleventh graders scored 64 points above the state average.
Superintendent Pat Little said: "The SAT student achievement data continues to be an important way (among several) to gauge student growth and district progress. These scores represent areas to celebrate success and to watch for improvement. For teachers, it provides valuable data sets that inform instruction and curriculum development. Each spring, we strive to widen the gap between BCPS and the state average."
| |
Bailey Holzschu hired as Early Learners teacher
The Boyne City School Board has hired Bailey Holzschu to teach the 4-year-old class in the Early Learners Program.
Holzschu comes from a preschool program in Gaylord where she was an educational assistant, then a lead teacher. She holds a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Arizona Global Campus, where she was consistently on the dean's list.
She is passionate about teaching preschool. She wants to "foster a nurturing learning environment where young minds can thrive and develop foundational skills. I am committed to fostering social, emotional and intellectual development through hands-on activities and interactive learning,” she said.
> The School Board hired six other new teachers last month. See the July 24 Boyne Citizen for details.
| | |
Boyne City welcomes Irish delegation
Boyne City welcomed an official delegation from its sister city in the Boyne Valley of Ireland, this week as part of the ongoing “twinning” relationship between the two communities. Councillor Wayne Harding, who currently serves as mayor of the Meath County Council, spoke during a welcome reception Tuesday night and explained the history of the chain and broach he was wearing. The broach was made in the seventh century, lost, and then found in 1850. “That’s how old we are,” he said.
| | Click here or the image above to see more pictures from the Irish delegation’s visit, posted on Facebook by Mayor Tim Nemecek. “On behalf of our community, I want to sincerely thank our guests from the Boyne Valley of Ireland for taking the time to visit our wonderful city, learn about who we are, and share in the spirit of partnership,” Nemecek said. “Your interest in Boyne City honors our history and inspires us as we continue to grow and thrive.” | | |
Keagan and Lee Rainey posed in their new child-care building in April with their children, Benton, 3 (at left), and Penelope, 2.
Little Ducklings childcare center sets grand opening; BC Preschool plans open house
Little Ducklings Child Development Center invites the public to join them for a grand opening celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 21, at 777 Vogel St. in Boyne City. The event notice on Facebook says, “Come and enjoy pizza while touring our new facility and exploring our new learning space.”
Boyne City residents Keagan and Lee Rainey purchased the Community of Christ Church building this winter, and they converted it into a child-care center that can accommodate up to 50 children ages 3 and under. They made an agreement that allows the church to continue to use the building for its services every Sunday morning. Keagan has been operating Little Ducklings Childcare LLC from her Wilson Township home for the past two years. See story from the May 1 edition of the Boyne Citizen.
Keegan said the center does not now have any openings. “We will start with three staff and 12 children when we open, and then go to four staff and 16 children by December. At full capacity, we will have 48 children and 12 staff members - four times our current in home capacity of 12.”
PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE - Boyne City Preschool is holding an Open House on Monday, Aug. 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. The preschool, which has served Boyne City for 45 years, accepts students ages two and a half to five years old. They are open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Their program features a small home-like setting, home-cooked breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack. The tuition-based preschool is located at 1040 Roosevelt St. in Boyne City. For further information visit their Facebook page, email bcpreschool@att.net or call (231) 582-7131.
| |
Support truly local, community-driven news
The Boyne Citizen doesn't charge for news - your donations make our work possible. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
> You may click below to donate online or mail a check to Boyne Citizen, P.O. Box 83, Boyne City MI 49712.
| | |
Drag race set for Aug. 31 at Boyne City Airport
Held annually on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend since 2003, the Boyne City Drag Races will again roar down the runway from 12 to 5 p.m. August 31 at the Boyne City Municipal Airport, 1040 E Main St.
Gates open at 8:30 am for registration and tech inspections. Want to race? You can register here. Want to help? You can volunteer here.
Race proceeds continue to support the community:
- 50% goes to the Boyne City Airport
- 25% supports the Boyne Valley Lions Club
- 25% benefits other local groups, which change annually
| | |
August is “Make a Will Month” for foundations
Your local Community Foundations remind you that August is “Make a Will Month,” a national campaign encouraging individuals and families to take the vital step of creating or updating their wills. As trusted stewards of charitable giving in Northwest Michigan, we are reminding community members to protect what matters most—family, values, and legacy. Creating a will isn’t just about distributing assets. It’s about making your wishes known, caring for loved ones, and ensuring your legacy lives on in the causes you care about.
Why It Matters
Despite its importance, more than half of Americans do not have a will. Without one, families can face legal complications, and charitable intentions may be left unfulfilled. A will provides each of us with peace of mind and the opportunity to make a lasting impact.
Leave a Legacy That Reflects Your Values
Through your local Community Foundation, individuals can include charitable bequests in their wills—supporting local nonprofits, scholarships, and community initiatives for generations to come. Whether it’s a gift of cash, stock, or property, planning for a gift in your will ensures that your values continue to shape the future.
Make a Will Month is a reminder that planning ahead protects your interests, your loved ones, and your community. Whether you choose to work with a trusted local attorney or use a free online tool like www.freewill.com, there are supportive resources available to help you take this important step. Please reach out to any of our offices if you would like help or direction, right here at home.
Submitted by:
- Sara Ward, Charlevoix County Community Foundation
- DJ Jones, Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation
- Dana Bensinger, Otsego Community Foundation
| | |
"Roads Less Traveled” history program set for Saturday
Join local history expert Ed May and Robin Lee Berry for a fascinating program, “Roads Less Traveled: A Boyne City Masterclass” from 10 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday, August 23, in the Boyne District Library Community Room.
Those attending will journey through time from the late 1800s to the 1960s. Through an engaging guided tour, Ed and Robin will bring the streets of Boyne City to life, sharing stories, landmarks, and hidden history that shaped the community. Participants will leave with a deeper appreciation of Boyne City's rich past and a newfound connection to the place they call home. Space is limited - register to secure your spot.
| | |
CAMP DAGGETT is proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone: 100 years of adventure, growth, and community. In honor of a century of memories made on the shores of Walloon Lake, the public is invited to join in a special Centennial Celebration on Saturday, August 23, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Camp Daggett. This celebratory evening will include cake, ice cream, and an unforgettable drone show on Walloon Lake by Firefly Drone Shows. The team from 106 KHQ will also be on-site for a live radio broadcast, bringing extra energy and excitement to this once-in-a-century event. The event is free to attend, but RSVPs are required at campdaggett.org/events. Camp Daggett is located at 03001 Church Road, Petoskey.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS sponsored by the Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, August 21, in Room 94 at Odawa Casino in Petoskey. Odawa will be sampling some of their menu items and giving away door prizes including two $100 dinner vouchers for Sage restaurant, two $25 food credit vouchers for Room 94, and $10 of free slot play for all attendees. Keep in mind that the Odawa property is strictly 21 and up.
> The Chamber Golf Outing is planned for the Boyne Mountain Alpine Course on Thursday, Sept. 25. Details and registration.
KICKOFF CLASSIC - For nearly a decade, Boyne City Football has opened their season with the annual Kickoff Classic. This year’s event is set for Saturday, August 23, starting at 5:30 p.m. Throughout the evening, those attending will be treated with a Varsity vs. Junior Varsity scrimmage, as well as the youth program participating in a flag football exhibition. There will also be a raffle giveaway and live auction going on throughout the evening. Patrons will have an opportunity to enjoy a cookout-style pulled pork meal for $15. Proceeds will fund needed equipment and team meals that provide the players with fuel and team bonding.
FRIDAY PROTESTS - The Charlevoix County Women for Democracy coffee group (Previously the “Can We Talk” group) is protesting against "authoritarianism and the Trump administration’s policies and programs" every Friday in August from 5-6 p.m. before Stroll the Streets. If anyone is interested in joining the protests or the group, they meet weekly at 10 a.m. on Wednesdays at the Boyne City Veterans Park Pavilion.
PARISH FESTIVAL - The St. Matthew's Parish Festival is scheduled for Sunday, August 24, from 12 to 2:30 p.m. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the church. The day will include Polish food, free children’s games and activities, live music, a $4,000 cash raffle, a 50-50 game, door prizes, and silent, online, and live auctions. The online auction is now live and can be accessed here. Event flyer.
STRINGS IN THE SKY - Imagine strolling across the thrilling Boyne Mountain SkyBridge, the longest timber-towered suspension bridge in the world, and then settling in for an unforgettable evening of music. Head to SkyBridge Michigan on August 29 and 30 from 6-8 p.m. for Strings in the Sky, featuring a captivating performances by renowned artists Dixon's Violin and Jordan Hamilton. Details.
HORTON BAY BRIDGEWALK - It’s hard to believe, but It's almost that time for the 2025 Horton Bay Candlelight Bridgewalk at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1. Music by Patrick Ryan starts at 7 p.m. The walk begins at dusk, 8:15 p.m. Afterward, there will be free ice cream at Horton Bay General Store. Everyone is invited. For further information contact the Horton Bay Bridge Authority at 231-330-3896.
ELECTRONICS AND HAZARDOUS WASTE collection will be held Friday, Sept. 5, and Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Road Commission garage on M-75 South in Boyne City. Acceptable electronics and hazardous waste items include computers, TVs, appliances, tires, fluorescent light bulbs, oil-based paints, chemicals and lawn fertilizers. Click here to receive notification on collection times and to make a reservation. Flyer with details.
CITY RUBBISH PICKUP - The next collection day is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20. Pick-up will begin at 7 a.m. Details and list of permitted items.
EVENINGS AT THE GAZEBO - The Boyne Area Chamber’s free summer concert series on Wednesdays has returned to the Gazebo in Old City Park in downtown Boyne City. The chamber has also reserved the Veterans Park Pavilion in case of rain. Guests are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket, as well as food and drinks. Laura Crowe performs for the final concert of the season on August 27 from 6:30 - 8 p.m.
| | City of Boyne City Municipal News | | |
Find your spot to serve Boyne City
Looking for a way to get involved, give back, and help shape the future of Boyne City? Several of our boards and commissions are looking for passionate, committed community members to fill open seats!
Current openings Include:
- Zoning Board of Appeals – 3 seats
- Planning Commission – 3 seats
- Airport Board – 3 seats
- Parks & Recreation – 1 seat
Each role offers a unique way to make a difference, from guiding community growth and development, to shaping zoning decisions, to supporting our municipal airport.
If you’re ready to share your time, expertise, and voice, visit our Boards & Commissions page to see details for each opening and learn how to apply: www.boynecity.gov/serve.
If you have questions about serving on a public board/commission, please contact City Hall at (231)582-6597 OR email us at info@boynecity.gov and we'd be happy to help!
| | |
SIGN UP FOR NEW CITY ALERTS - The City of Boyne City has just launched a brand-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.
We currently have alerts available for:
- Sanitary Sewer Project Updates (CWSRF).
- Boyne City Marina Project Updates.
- City Commission Agendas, Packets, and Minutes Postings.
We’d love your feedback as we fine-tune the features! Shoot us a note at info@boynecity.gov with your thoughts, ideas, or if you spot something that needs fixing. Sign-up today at: https://www.boynecity.gov/enotify/index.php.
SEWER PROJECT SCHEDULE - View the Gantt chart for Contract 1 of the CWSRF Project — a simple visual that shows the planned schedule for the Boyne City Sewer Improvements Project.
| | |
CITY MEETINGS – Click here for board information, agendas, and minutes.
> City Commission's next regular meeting is at 12 p.m. Tuesday, August 26. Agenda page.
| | |
A baseball game is being played on the field at Maple Park, located where today’s Boyne City High School football field and sports complex are situated.
THROUGH THE HISTORIAN'S LENS
Baseball - a community tradition
By Patrick McCleary, Throughthehistorianslens@gmail.com
The Charlevoix County History Preservation Society
This week’s article marks a first for this column - a two-part story that begins here and will conclude in next week’s issue of the Boyne Citizen. So, enjoy this week’s read and tune in again next week for further historic details.
Boyne City has had an extensive history with sports of all types, and with baseball in particular. As early as 1906, formal city teams were playing - their wins and losses being followed by the local community. In early 1911 however, the businessmen of Boyne City devised a plan to put Boyne City on the Michigan minor league baseball map. In order to accomplish this, they created a team known as the Boyne City Boosters and went about locating, hiring and paying for a team of professional players. Players were recruited from around the Midwest, team members proudly going onto the field in jerseys with a logo reading BCB within a circle outline.
On May 23, 1911, the Boyne City Boosters played their first game in the Class D Michigan State League - finishing their first season 24-92. Skipping ahead to 1913, the Boyne City Boosters played in their fourth season of the Michigan State League. There were a total of six teams that competed in the league that year. The 1913 season began on Tuesday, May 20, and ended on Sunday, Sept. 14.
Two players from the 1911 Boosters team, Al Clauss and Archie Yelle, would later make it to the Major Leagues, both with the Detroit Tigers. The Boyne City Boosters and the Michigan State League both folded in 1914 as the onset of World War I began to see players drafted into military service. Boyne City maintains its baseball heritage to this day with strong Little League and school sports programs.
| | |
From left are Archie Yelle, pitcher for the Detroit Tigers; a baseball card for Al Clauss, and a picture ofAl Clauss, pitcher for the Detroit Tigers.
MAPLE PARK
The mention of baseball brings to mind the remarkable new Waterfront Field of Dreams being constructed on the waterfront in Veterans Memorial Park. Prior to the use of this location, some may remember the Water Works field, which was located on the corner of East Division and South Park Streets, where Litzenberger apartments are now located. However, in the earliest days of Boyne City baseball, games and tournaments were played in Maple Park, situated where the Boyne City High School’s Earl Brotherston football field is today. Earlier still, and prior to being dubbed Maple Park, the acreage was more commonly referred to as “the fairgrounds.”
In 1911, the Boyne City Evening Journal reported that the Boyne Boosters had decided to start a recreation park on the fairgrounds. What we might refer to as “the original sports complex” would eventually have a grandstand, a fenced baseball diamond, a barn and stables, as well as a horse racing track. Few know that horse-racing was once an exciting pastime for Boyne residents, cheering for and placing bets on the horses running the races.
After it was conceived that the location should have a horse-racing track, funds were needed to pursue the project. In order to finance this venture, the Maple Park Association was formed and stock sold within the community for $5 a share. Sadly, on Sept. 10, 1913, tragedy stuck at this location. The barn and stable at Maple Park burned to the ground, and among the coals the charred body of Prince Irwin, was found - a fleet-footed little racehorse that had been popular throughout the county. The origin of the fire was never discovered, but in those days, Maple Park was known to be a hangout for vagrant teens and hobos. It was generally supposed that some such person carelessly ignited the building.
The fire was discovered about 2 o’clock in the morning by local firefighter Tom Dewey, from his home on State Street. Even from that distance, the blaze could easily be seen. Reports state that “the entire eastern sky was lit up from the fire and by the time the fire department reached the scene, the property was almost totally destroyed. Had the wind been blowing in the opposite direction, the grandstand too would have been swept away by the flames.” The buildings were valued at about $400 and the horse at $800, neither of which carried any insurance.
The horse, Prince Irwin was the property of a Charles McDonald and had been left in Boyne City under the care of a Charles Karr some time prior to the fire. For two seasons, Prince Irwin had participated in all the fairs and races in this section of the state, carrying off many purses, and was scheduled to appear at the county fair at East Jordan the following day. However, due to the horse’s lame ankle, his race was canceled. It was thought, however, that he would be able to take part in the Petoskey, Traverse City and Gaylord Fairs, for which he was also scheduled to run.
Prince Irwin was of seal brown color and was one of the prettiest horses ever seen on the course at Maple Park. He had a large number of local admirers. It is said that cries of the burning and helpless animal could be heard for blocks, even as far as State Street across the river.
By this 1913 date, mentions are being made of football being played at Maple Park (at times still being referred to as “the fairgrounds.) The First National Bank foreclosed on the Maple Park Association in mid-1916, and while the original outlay for the park was $18,000, the bank generously offered it to the city for the bargain price of $6,000. However, voters refused to approve a bonding proposition to purchase the Maple Park Association land.
| | |
Boyne City Baseball Team members, taken in 1908 by photographer Russell C. Leavenworth.
Hope was not lost, though, as the community-spirited Frank Kaden purchased the Maple Park property and allowed the city and the high school free use of the land and structures as an athletic complex. The arrangement continued until 1937, when a new football field was constructed directly across from Maple Lawn Cemetery. The student body chose to name the field after Coach J. Earl Brotherston. Brotherston Field was used from 1937 to 1961 when a new high school was built on this site and Brotherston Field was relocated to the former Maple Park area, where it still remains as part of the Boyne City school’s sports complex.
> Please join us next week as we take a closer look at the professional players who made up Boyne City’s 1913 Boyne City Boosters baseball team.
| | > Patrick McCleary is a Certified Genealogist affiliated with the Charlevoix County History Preservation Society (CCHPS), 12555 Taylor Road, Charlevoix, MI 49720. The CCHPS promotes the understanding and appreciation of the heritage of the people of Charlevoix County and its townships by seeking out, collecting, preserving, and interpreting artifacts of historical and cultural significance. For further information, contact Patrick by email: Throughthehistorianslens@gmail.com. | | |
Thank you to the generous donors who are supporting local journalism and the Boyne Citizen!
> We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization. Donate here.
2025 Donors
This week's new donors are listed in bold.
| | |
Founding Donor
$5000+
Charlevoix County Community Foundation
| |  | |
The Hill Donors
$1000 - $4999
Kirk and Lynne Jabara
Cortright Family Community Fund
Pat and Jane O'Brien
| | |
Avalanche Donors
$500-$999
Stowe Family Fund
Frank and Chris Carleton
Lynne Ross
Bud and Nancy Shear
Ashley Cousens
Lake Charlevoix Donors
$100 to $499
Bekah Rutz and David Osterhouse
Karen Colburn
Monica Peck
Karen S. Mertz
Betsy and Steve Schnell
Gary Coffer
Robin Stanley
Brett Binkley
Andy Schmittdiel
Gow Litzenburger
Ken Schrader
Terry and Marilyn Neilsen
Leslie Neilson
Lawrence Organek
Kyle Roberts
Gregg and Dee Smith
Ward Collins
Jo Ellen Rudolph
Gayle Harbaugh
Kristine Brehm
Christine A. Judd
Kevin and Marci Lavin
John Hoffman
Glen Catt
Beverly Neville
Jim and Kathe Carter
Penny Hardy
Jeanine Larsen
Cindy and Bill Binder
Richard Wright
Bill Aten
Jo and Ron Danczak
Marilyn A. and Jock Rader
Marcia and Howard Newkirk
Velma and Wes Dilworth
Gail and Ron Van Horn
The Frykberg Family
Tom Schraw and Pam Cislo
Richard M. Hodgson II
Miriam Hollar
Don Ryde
Catherine Bowers
Carl and Sally VanDomelen
Nord and Pat Schroeder
The Tosch Family
Jodie Adams and Bruce Janssen
Carol Ross
Roger and Pat Jacobson
The Tripp Family
John and Jan Bennish
Steve and Carole Drake
Caren Peltier
Al and Susan Newville
Linda Knibbs
Donald and Laurie Owen
Judith Gardner
Linda Burnham
Cynthia Boal-Janssens
Ann Knutsen
Dawn Ebersole
Yvonne Looze
Heaton Veterinary Hospital
John Princing
Jeff and Kari Streelman
Mike Sheean
Julie Hermann
Lynn Smith
Cynthia Tonkavich
Bruce Krauskopf
Bill and Barb Bryant
Dean and Fran Solomon
Scott and Jane MacKenzie
Meryl and Louis Hankey
Kevin and Diane Krenn
Randy Parker
Mark and Pam Mathisen
John and Jane Rozycki
Jane Burger
Craig and Terri Reynolds
Matthew Blandford
Jane Stieber Amato and Tony Amato
Leon W. and Wendy J. Stadt
G Damman
Richard and Paula Paul
Jim and Nancy McKinstry
Corine and Craig Babb
Gary and Kim Roberts
Randy and Betty Hackney
Catherine Pumford
Patti Jasper
Carol and Steve Persons
John Van Etten
Nancy Blandford
Anne Nemes
Charles Gremel
Mike and Liz Durbin
Rachel and Rocky Swiss
Ralph Gillette
Kathleen Warner
Karen Reynolds
Kimberly Altobello MacNaughton
Mike and Cheryl Delahanty
Diane M. Winchell
Nancy Cunningham
The Spang Family
| | |
Sunset Beach Donors
$60- $99
Linda Larsen
Jack Laurent
Annabelle Hay
Kecia Freed
Kirk Kujawski
Vera Post
Polly Stillson
William Conklin
Marilyn Cousineau
Rebecca Miller
JoEllen Rudolph
Lynn Hall
Hylon Heaton III
Cheryl J. Leach
Julie Haase
David J. Graham
Julie Tokar
James Graves
Ken Allen
Clarence Rivette
Pat and Emil Nelson
"Friends of the Boyne Citizen"
Wirt-Rivette Group & MOXIE Development
Terry and Betty Desmond
Kathy Breedlove
Louis Califf
Paige Crim
Linda Wallace
Eleanor West
Bill and Dee Kelly
Dana Lorian and Ryan Hoenicke
Sharon Kemp
John Betts
Capt. Bob Goodenough
John Nantau
Aaron Nemec
Rob Stout
Monica Ross
Gary and Nicolette Blakeslee
Ashley Nosek
Paul and Colleen Kuehl
Mary Kaselitz
Kevin Wolfe
Matthew Janer
Monica Peck
Peninsula Beach Donors
$5 to $59
Deborah Schira
Sheri Rhoads
Joel Epstein
Brian and Emily Tappan
Elizabeth Brett
Cheryl Alger
Carole Shane and Michael Shell
Lucy Hartlove
Mitchell and Carly Klooster
Michelle Archer
Josephine Roberts
Kathy Fruge
Rodger and Janet Smith
Mark Christensen
Janice Salisbury
Jim Nielsen
Lynne Johnson
Richard and Gayle Bouters
John Miett
Alex Dailey
Ron Pool
Babette Stenuis Stolz
William H. Gilbert
Mary Jean Larsen
Jeanine A. Larsen
Nancy Newman
Clark and Jill Vellis
Candy and Bob Greene
Marc Ressler
Ken and Nancy Visser
Philip Conklin
Bob and Bedonna Perish
Steve and Erin Zucker
Don Kaegi
Karen Jarema
Zachary Shalz
Jenell Kelsey Pawlus - A Storage Closet
David Mengebier
Stephanie Bovee
Mary Clare Glabowicz
Lesley Pritchard
Cindy Simpson
Diana Winchell
Shelli Duff
| | |
MUSIC, ARTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT
Please email your special events and music information to jim@boynecitizen.com.
AMERICAN LEGION Post 228 - 302 S Lake St., Boyne City, (231) 459-4188.
Bingo every Tuesday, open to the public, refreshments provided. Doors open at 3 p.m., play starts at 5, ending at 8.
BC LANES/THE VENUE BAR & GRILL - 1199 M-75 S, Boyne City, (231) 582-6353.
> LIVE MUSIC, Bike & Car Night, 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays on our outdoor stage:
Tuesday, August 26 - Scarkazm
BOYNE ARTS CENTER - 1 Water Street, Suite 203, Boyne City. (231) 622-2073.
> Upcoming classes and exhibits:
BOYNE CITY FARMERS MARKET - Veterans Park, 207 N. Lake Street, Boyne City. (231) 582-9009. Open Wednesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
> LIVE MUSIC:
Saturday, August 23 - Laura Fullford
Wednesday, August 27 - Terry Coveyou
Saturday, August 30 - Terry Coveyou
Wednesday, Sept. 3 - Laura Thurston
BOYNE CITY TAP ROOM - 220 S. Lake St., Boyne City, (231) 459-4487.
> MY CLUE TRIVIA - Mondays at 7 p.m.
> LIVE MUSIC on the patio stage, 7-10 p.m.:
Wednesdays - Patrick Ryan
Thursdays & Saturdays - The Cabana Boys
Fridays - Patrick Ryan and Josh Raber
BOYNE MOUNTAIN - 1 Boyne Mountain Rd., Boyne Falls, (855) 688-7024.
> Weekly schedule of events and entertainment at all Boyne Mountain venues.
BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS - 05325 US 131 S, Petoskey, (231) 373-2090.
> LIVE MUSIC
Friday, August 22 - Two Track Mind (4-7:30)
Saturday, August 23 - Elizabeth Christie (2-6)
Friday, August 29 - Michelle Chenard (4-7:30)
Saturday, August 30 - Michelle Chenard (2-6)
Saturday, August 31 - Pete Kehoe (1:30-5)
CAFE SANTE - 1 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 582-8800.
> LIVE MUSIC, 7-10 p.m.
Friday, August 22 - Genna & Jesse
Saturday, August 23 - Genna & Jesse
Friday, August 29 - Sean Bielby
Saturday, August 30 - Brett Mitchell
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER - 461 E. Mitchell Street. Petoskey, (231) 347-4337.
> See website for updated art shows, entertainment, and children's activities.
GREAT LAKES CENTER FOR THE ARTS - 800 Bay Harbor Drive, Petoskey, (231) 439 -2600.
SUMMER/FALL CONCERT SERIES:
Aug 29-31 - Jersey Boys
Sep 14 - Grand Rapids Ballet Ballet Masterworks
Oct 4 - Canadian Brass
Oct 5 - Manhattan Short Film Festival
Oct 16 & 17 - Cirque Mechanics Tilt!
Nov 1 - Cantus
LAVENDER HILL FARM - 7354 Horton Bay Rd N, Boyne City, (231) 582-3784.
Details and tickets.
August 30 - The Hackwells
MUSKRAT DISTILLING - 121 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 268-0178.
> KARAOKE - 8 to 11 p.m. every Wednesday
> LIVE MUSIC 6-9 p.m.:
Friday, August 22 - Buddha Sweet
Friday, August 29 - Seasonal Road
PROVISIONS LOUNGE - 123 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 582-2151.
LIVE MUSIC, 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays.
STIGGS BREWERY & KITCHEN - 112 S. Park St., Boyne City, (231) 497-6100
> Sept. 3 and the first Wednesday of the month - Open Mic Nights hosted by Nelson Olstrom, 6-9 p.m.
> Sept. 13 and the second Saturday of the month - Karaoke with DJ T-Bone Thompson from 8-11 p.m.
WALLOON JUNCTION GRILL AND BAR. 4472 M-75, Walloon Lake, (231) 535-6006.
> Friday, 29 - Christ Calleja, 6-9 p.m.
WALLOON WATERSHED - 4128 M-75 , Walloon Lake, (231) 535-6048. Live music at 6 p.m.:
> Monday, Aug 25 - Tweed Tones
> Tuesday, Aug. 26 - Michelle Chenard
> Thursday, Aug. 28 - Laura Crowe
| | © Copyright 2025 Boyne Citizen, all rights reserved | | | | |
