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May 7, 2026 | Issue #83 | Past issues

Butterflies at the senior center

People gathered to watch Skylar MacNaughton release monarch butterflies at the Boyne Area Senior Center last year. Last Friday, our reporter Kalynn Huffman Brower accompanied MacNaughton as he created a native plant garden that will attract butterflies to the senior center later this summer when the milkweed and other flowers bloom. Our story below has the details.

Inside this issue:

• City seeks input on the future of short-term rentals 
• Frustrated townships weigh options in EMS dispute
• Voters approve Char-Em Career Tech millage
• Millage proposals OK'd for EMS, roads, schools
• World War II veteran to celebrate 100th birthday
• 66th Mushroom Festival is next weekend
• BC-Charlevoix Trail group reaches funding goal
• Main Street explores downtown sound system idea
• Boyne City labor contracts approved 
• Arts Center seeks director to support next phase
• Senior center adds native plants to attract butterflies
• Pause Breathe Proceed hosts Business After Hours
• High school asks students and staff to "disconnect"
• Free plane rides for kids at BC airport May 16
• Walloon Conservancy plans wildflower hike
• Local gas prices jump 50 cents to $4.79 
• Our Night Sky: It’s galaxy season
• Patrick McCleary history: When the circus came to town
• News briefs, Obituaries & Municipal News
• Thanks to the donors who keep the news coming!
• Music and entertainment listings

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Boyne City seeks input on the future of short-term rentals at May 21 session 

By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com

City officials are inviting the public to take part in a discussion on short-term rentals as the community continues to weigh the impact of tourism against limited housing options for year-round residents.

The Boyne City Commission will host a community engagement work session on Thursday, May 21, focused on the city’s short-term rental ordinance. The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Church Parish Hall, 1303 Boyne Ave.

City Manager Sam Demel said the session is designed to gather organized feedback from participants, rather than follow a traditional town hall format.

“When you say town hall, people expect to get up and have their say — that’s not what this is,” Demel said. “We’re looking to get input from the whole group.”

Instead, attendees will work in small groups at tables to discuss key topics, including the benefits and challenges of short-term rentals and potential changes to the current ordinance. Groups will then report back, with feedback compiled and shared with all of those in attendance.

The approach is similar to a planning workshop, Demel said, aimed at capturing broader community input rather than relying on individual public comments.

The session comes as short-term rentals remain a closely watched issue in Boyne City. The city currently caps licenses at 130 units within the Traditional Residential District — a limit set by the commission in 2023 but only formally adopted by resolution earlier this year. As of April, city officials reported 126 licensed units within that district, keeping the total just under the cap.

Debate has continued over whether that cap should be lowered, maintained or otherwise adjusted, with concerns ranging from housing availability to neighborhood impacts and economic benefits.

Demel said the May 21 session will allow participants to weigh in on those questions collectively, adding that the commission is preparing to accommodate however many people attend but does not have a specific turnout estimate.

“All are welcome,” he said. “We want good information.”

Feedback gathered during the session is expected to inform potential future changes to the city’s short-term rental ordinance, though no decisions are expected at that meeting.

Frustrated townships weigh options as EMS dispute with Boyne City grows 

By Annie Doyle, annie@boynecitizen.com

Frustration over the future cost and structure of Boyne City EMS boiled over during an April 30 interlocal meeting, as several township representatives questioned the city’s billing practices, pushed back on a proposed millage-based funding model and openly discussed exploring other ambulance service options.

Representatives from Evangeline, Willson, Melrose, Bay, Boyne Valley and Hudson townships met with Boyne City officials at Boyne City Hall to review a draft agreement for EMS service. Chandler and Eveline townships were not represented at the meeting.

City Manager Sam Demel said the current funding model cannot continue long term.

“We cannot, after this next year, continue on with the formula,” Demel said. “It just will not work.”

Demel said the city is proposing a major shift toward a dedicated millage and an enterprise fund model, meaning Boyne City EMS would have to financially support itself rather than rely on the city’s general fund to cover shortfalls.

“This is probably the best way we can do it, moving forward with a dedicated mill,” Demel said.

The draft agreement discussed at the meeting included a possible 1.5-mill levy for participating communities, though Demel said that number was meant as a starting point and could be adjusted as costs, taxable values and reserves are further reviewed.

Township officials repeatedly questioned what that money would pay for and whether they would have any real control over future EMS budgets.

Larry Taylor, treasurer of Evangeline Township, said his township could see a dramatic increase under the proposal.

“I saw about a 1,000% increase in EMS costs in my township,” Taylor said. “And we’re a tiny township.”

Others questioned why the funding model would be based on taxable value rather than actual cost, population or service usage.

“Why can’t you base it off of costs?” Taylor asked.

Demel said other EMS authorities commonly rely on millages, but acknowledged the proposed structure would not give townships a voting seat in the Boyne City EMS operation.

“If you want a seat at the table, let’s start an authority,” Demel said. “This is not an authority.”

Much of the meeting focused on past billing problems. Demel said the city discovered that different townships were operating under different agreements and allocation formulas, making billing difficult to reconcile.

“We’re the ones that screwed up and put five different allocation formulas in one,” Demel said. “I mean, that’s the only way to make it fair. You have an agreement, we have to honor your agreement.”

Demel said an audit is being conducted back to 2022 to determine what each township owes or may be owed. He said the city is paying for the audit and that future bills should include clearer documentation.

“It is not right to be shocked at the end of the year,” Demel said. “If we are working together, you need to have as much information as you can have.”

Still, township officials said they were concerned they could be asked to cover past errors made by the city.

“The errors that were made by the city — we’re responsible for taking care of?” asked Michelle Cortright, an Evangeline Township trustee.

Boyne City EMS Director Brenda Willson also addressed questions about call numbers, revenue and billing. She said the department tracks its runs and billing closely and defended the accuracy of the service’s internal records.

“I have nothing to hide,” Willson said.

After nearly an hour of discussion, township representatives asked city officials to leave so they could speak among themselves.

During that township-only discussion, officials continued to express distrust in the city’s numbers and draft agreement. Several said the townships should meet separately with Lake Charlevoix EMS and Jordan Valley EMS to better understand whether other options are available - and in fact such a meeting has now been scheduled for 12:30 Monday, May 11, at the Boyne District Library. Lake Charlevoix EMS and Jordan Valley EMS will each present their potential EMS service options. Eight townships have been invited. 

Demel said the city is trying to move forward with a more stable model, but township representatives said they still need clearer numbers before deciding whether to remain with Boyne City EMS, seek another provider or pursue a different regional structure.

“We all know that we have to pay more,” Hudson Township representative Frank Wasylewski said during the township-only discussion. “We just don’t know how much — and they can’t tell us.”

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Voters approve Char-Em ISD millage

Press release from Char-Em ISD:

Voters approved a 1.0-mill request from Char-Em Intermediate School District on Tuesday, May 5, to continue funding Career and Technical Education (CTE) throughout Charlevoix, Emmet, and northern Antrim counties. The measure was approved by nearly 63% of voters across the district.

This millage has funded CTE programs and initiatives for 30 years, since the first approval in 1996, followed by approval by voters every four years thereafter. It will generate approximately $8.2 million per year.

“We remain grateful for the continued support of our voters to maintain this critical funding source for vocational education,” said Char-Em ISD Superintendent Scott Koziol. “I believe we were able to get the message across about the incredible programs and initiatives that are funded by this millage that directly benefit and impact students.”

Jim Rummer, director of Career and Technical Education for Char-Em ISD, said he, too, is grateful for the continued support of voters, as the ISD has worked hard to expand career and college readiness initiatives across the kindergarten through 12th grade spectrum.

“In Char-Em ISD, CTE is K-12. We are thankful our voters recognize the significance of the work our team puts forth to provide every opportunity possible for students to be prepared for college and careers through our many initiatives,” said Rummer, who has served as CTE director for nearly 20 years, including through several millage renewals.

Here are the unofficial breakdowns by county:

Antrim County: 729 Yes, 568 No (56% Yes / 44% No)

Charlevoix County: 3,110 Yes, 1,905 No (60% Yes / 40% No)

Emmet County: 3,911 Yes, 2,107 No (65% Yes / 35% No)

> Read the complete press release.

Millage proposals OK'd for EMS, roads, schools across Charlevoix County

Voters across Charlevoix County approved every millage proposal on the May 5 special election ballot, backing funding for emergency services, roads and schools despite a relatively low turnout.

According to the Charlevoix County Clerk’s Office, 5,024 of 23,891 registered voters cast ballots, for a turnout of just over 21%. 

Several proposals focused on fire and ambulance services — a topic that has drawn increased attention in recent months as local communities grapple with rising EMS costs and service models. In Eveline Township, voters approved a new fire and ambulance millage with 337 yes votes to 111 no votes. Wilson Township voters also approved a similar measure, 239-101. Voters in both townships additionally approved road millage renewals by wide margins.

A separate Jordan Valley EMS Authority millage proposal also passed, 448-271, securing funding for ambulance services in parts of Charlevoix and Antrim counties. 

In Charlevoix Township, a broader millage proposal covering multiple township services was approved 257-158. School funding proposals also saw voter support across the region. 

Public Schools of Petoskey voters approved both an operating millage and a sinking fund proposal, while a small Ellsworth Community Schools operating millage also passed.

While turnout was modest, the across-the-board approval of the measures signals continued voter willingness to fund local services — particularly emergency response — even as questions about long-term cost structures and service delivery continue to be debated at the local level.

The results come as Boyne City and surrounding townships remain in ongoing discussions about the future of EMS funding and regional service options.

World War II veteran Lloyd Kelsey to celebrate 100th birthday on May 12

By Jim Baumann, jim@boynecitizen.com

Boyne City resident Lloyd Kelsey will celebrate his 100th birthday next Tuesday, May 12. His daughter, Janell Kelsey Pawlus, says Lloyd is “still a smart cookie” who is “always reminding me of things I have to do.” 

Janell and her husband Bob will host a small birthday party for Lloyd and a few friends on Tuesday, and they are planning a larger party for out-of-town family, probably sometime in June. 

A phone call with almost-centenarian Lloyd confirms that he is indeed a smart cookie. Asked what the secret to a long life is, he says, “I take my Geritol every morning.” But he thinks it’s probably in his genes, since his brother is 94. 

“I’ve had a good life, and I’ve got a mighty good daughter,” Kelsey said. He also enjoyed an amazing marriage of 77½ years to his wife Joyce, who died in February 2025. They lived in Boyne City for the last 26 years after building a house next to Janell and Bob on Hi Life Lane. 

Lloyd is confined to a wheelchair these days, but he still gets out and about. He just returned from wintering in Florida with Janell and Bob. He enjoys watching “The Price is Right,” Detroit Tigers and Lions games, and “talking heads” on news programs - in that order of preference. 

Son-in-law Bob Pawlus points out that if  "The Colonel"  is watching a Tigers or Lions game, “it would be advised that you only talk to him during the commercials.”

Lloyd is one of a dwindling number of surviving veterans of World War II. Less than one half of one percent of those veterans are still living.

He was based in the United States during the war. His final position was in Air Force Intelligence, where he handled highly classified material. His rank was corporal, but friends and family now call him “The Colonel” because he is a take-charge kind of guy.

Bob Pawlus noted that “When Lloyd was trained for Intelligence work, he was probably trained to sometimes be vague and evasive. Today, almost 80 years later, if you ask him certain questions about the war, he will be vague and evasive. Yet he is also meticulous about being organized and getting things done right.”  

One of his fondest memories is taking an “Honor Flight” with other veterans to see the war monuments in Washington, D.C. on October 6, 2022 - and, yes, he remembers the exact date. “The plane circled over the Pentagon and they pointed out the new bricks where the plane crashed there on 9-11,” he said.

Pawlus recalls that The Colonel did not like to talk about the war until after he went on that Honor Flight, but he opened up more after that memorable event. 

Carnival rides and an arts and crafts show will fill Veterans Park next weekend.

66th Mushroom Festival is next weekend with tastings, seminars, music, arts and crafts, carnival and a morel hunt

Boyne City’s 66th Annual National Morel Mushroom Festival is just two weeks away, scheduled for May 14-17. Held in Veterans Park and other locations around the community, this popular event features competitive morel hunting, tastings, seminars, arts & crafts, live music, and a carnival. The festival celebrates the northern Michigan morel season every year on the weekend after Mother's Day. 

Here is the full schedule of events and we’ve picked out the main highlights below, held in a giant heated tent at Veterans Park unless otherwise noted.

CARNIVAL - The fun starts at 3 p.m. Thursday, May 14, with the Schmidt Amusements Carnival sponsored by Boyne Valley Lions. The carnival continues through Sunday, and discount ticket coupons are available at local businesses and the Boyne Area Chamber office.

ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW and food trucks are open from 12-6 p.m. Friday, 10 to 6 on Saturday and 12-3 on Sunday.

MOREL SEMINAR - Five-time morel hunt champion Tony Williams gives this popular free presentation from 3-4:30 p.m. Friday.

MOREL WINE & DINE is sponsored by the Boyne Area Chamber at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Beach House restaurant on Deer Lake. This event sells out every year, even with a $115 ticket price, so make your reservations here.

LIVE MUSIC from 7-10 p.m. Friday in the heated tent at Veterans Park with Yankee Station performing. $10 admission for 21 and older with a cash bar available.

COMPETITIVE MOREL HUNT registration and bus loading is held from 7:30-8:40 a.m. Saturday at Boyne City High School. Online pre-registration is recommended for $33.85 and includes transportation to the secret hunting grounds for a timed 90-minute hunt, which is held rain or shine. Trophies and cash prizes are awarded at Veterans Park after the mushrooms are counted. Here are the hunt rules and information.

FARMERS MARKET kicks off their outdoor season from 8 a.m. to 12 noon Saturday in Veterans Park.

PAINTING IN THE PARK is held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Kids and adults can paint a “one-of-a-kind morel masterpiece” alongside Daniel Duncan of Duncan Studios. Donations are appreciated to cover the cost of materials. 

TASTE OF MORELS is the festival’s premiere event, held from 12-2:30 p.m. Saturday. It is reportedly the “largest concentration of morel mushroom cooking in the world.” Local chefs prepare morel-infused delicacies and compete for the top three winning dishes as voted on by a panel of celebrity judges. Cash bar available. $10 admission with tasting tickets available for purchase.  

GREAT MOREL GIVEAWAY - Enter to win a pound of morels or a $50 gift certificate at multiple participating downtown businesses. Entries are free and can be made in advance at as many businesses as you like. Drawings begin at 4 p.m. Saturday at Freshwater Art Gallery and travel through downtown in the "Morel Mob" until drawings are done. Must be present to win. 

LIVE MUSIC from 7-11 p.m. Saturday in the heated tent at Veterans Park with Derailed performing. $10 admission for 21 and older with a cash bar available.

PAINT & SIP with Duncan Studios will be held from 12-3 p.m. Sunday in the park. Create a one-of-a-kind Michigan morel painting with detailed instruction by artist Dan Duncan, plus a complimentary glass of wine or beer, $60 per person. ​Pre-registration is required.

REMINDERS - All city parks are tobacco, drug and weapon free. Dogs are not allowed in city parks during special events and festivals.

SCHOLARSHIPS - Festival proceeds go to provide up to three $1,000 scholarships for ​2026 graduating seniors attending any school in Charlevoix County. The students must be in good academic standing and plan to attend a full-time accredited college, university or trade school. The application deadline has been extended to May 8. Here is the application.

Engineering firm to chart best path for remaining six miles of trail

The final phase of the Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail recently moved another step forward as organizers achieved a primary fundraising goal. A flurry of public and private donations met a $50,000 goal - money that will be used for initial design concept engineering.

Wade Trim Inc., a Detroit-based civil engineering and planning firm, has been contracted by the Charlevoix County Trail Team to define the best path for the remaining six miles of trail between Horton Bay and Charlevoix’s outskirts. 

Top of Michigan Trails Council Executive Director Brent Bolin said his organization is a fiduciary, organizational, and fundraising partner. The Petoskey-based nonprofit has been a supporter of the trail since it began more than 25 years ago.

“We achieved our fundraising goal sooner than we expected which confirmed the strength of the desire in our community to finish the trail,” Steve Van Dam of the Charlevoix County Trail Team said. “We will get the conceptual design work started as soon as possible and simultaneously establish our goals for the next steps needed to keep this moving. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to pushing this project forward.”

Fundraising efforts got a nice boost from the Michigan Mountain Mayhem (MMM) Spring Classic, which donated over $1,500. MMM is an annual road cycling event held in Boyne City in mid-June. It features 50k, 100k, 160k, and 200k routes through scenic, hilly terrain with up to 10,000 feet of climbing.

Donations also came from a variety of local and regional individuals and organizations.

Main Street explores downtown sound system idea 

By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com  

A proposal to explore a potential downtown sound system in Boyne City has sparked online discussion, but officials say the idea remains in its earliest stages.

The Boyne City Main Street program recently issued a request for proposals seeking information from companies capable of installing and managing an outdoor sound system across portions of downtown, including sections of Lake Street and Water Street, Sunset Park and part of the Boyne River corridor.

Despite speculation on social media, Main Street Executive Director Ingrid Day said no decision has been made to move forward.

“This was an idea,” Day said. “We didn’t know what it would look like, what it would cost or even what was possible. The RFP was purely exploratory.”

The concept originated during a Main Street board planning session in November, when members discussed potential future capital projects. One idea was whether a sound system could support community events and enhance the downtown experience.

The request outlines a system that could provide background music and announcements across several blocks. Possible uses include supporting parades and festivals or playing light music during busy times, such as summer evenings or the holiday season.

“It’s about enhancing the experience, not taking it over,” Day said. “It would not be something running all the time.”

The proposal also includes general technical expectations, such as weather-resistant equipment and the ability to control sound in different zones. However, costs, design and feasibility have not yet been determined.

Multiple proposals were submitted by the May 4 deadline, though Day said the review process is just beginning. She said proposals will be evaluated internally and may move through committee review before reaching the full board — if the idea advances at all.

“I don’t know how far this will go,” she said. “It may never see the light of day, depending on what we learn.”

The proposal drew attention on Facebook, where some residents questioned potential noise impacts. Day said the reaction underscores the need for clarification.

“This isn’t something that’s been approved or is about to be installed,” she said. “We’re simply trying to understand what’s out there.”

She also noted that any future system would need to comply with the existing city noise ordinance.

The Main Street program, whose focus includes economic vitality and historic preservation, regularly explores ideas aimed at improving downtown. The sound system is one of several concepts discussed during long-term planning and would fall under broader capital improvement considerations.

Without recent examples from comparable communities, Day said issuing an exploratory request was the most practical way to gather information.

“If we had examples of cities that had recently done this, we’d be starting from a different place,” she said. “But we don’t — so this is how we learn.”

For now, Day emphasizes the proposal remains an early-stage concept, not a finalized project.

Contracts approved as Boyne City works to stay competitive in hiring 

By Annie Doyle Grove, annie@boynecitizen.com

New labor agreements with Boyne City police officers are expected to improve the department’s ability to recruit and retain officers as staffing challenges persist statewide.

The Boyne City Commission recently approved updated contracts with both the city’s police union and Department of Public Works employees following what officials described as a smooth negotiation process.

“With the signing of this contract, it keeps the department competitive with other departments throughout the state and goes a long way with our hiring and retention efforts, which are an issue across the nation,” Boyne City Police Chief Kevin Spate said in a statement provided by the city.

The agreement with police officers covers a three-year period, though the contract will be reviewed in the final year. It includes wage increases of 4% in each of the first two years, along with minor adjustments to benefits and allowances.

A total of five union police officers are covered under the agreement.

City Manager Sam Demel said the negotiations were largely straightforward and collaborative.

“It was a great process,” Demel said in a statement. “We looked at the whole agreement and changed what needed to be changed. There was give and take on both sides.”

Demel said many of the updates involved clarifying existing language and making smaller adjustments to items such as uniform allowances and annual stipends, rather than sweeping changes.

The city also reached a new agreement with its Department of Public Works employees, which includes 10 union workers.

That contract includes pay increases of 5% in the first year and 3% in the second year, along with additional changes to compensation structure and benefits. Among those changes, the city simplified certain pay categories by consolidating smaller incremental increases into a larger, single raise tied to certifications and licenses.

The agreement also includes an additional holiday and adjustments to retirement contributions, with both employee and city contribution levels increased.

Demel said both contracts were largely finalized months before formal approval by the commission.

“It was very smooth,” he said.

While total cost increases are still being calculated due to multiple variables within the agreements, Demel said the changes are in line with broader efforts to remain competitive in attracting and keeping workers in both departments.

The agreements come at a time when municipalities across Michigan and the country have reported ongoing challenges in hiring and retaining police officers and skilled employees.

Boyne Arts Center seeks executive director to support next phase of growth

The Boyne Arts Center (BAC) is seeking an executive director to help lead the organization through what leaders are saying is “an exciting period of growth,” including a move into a new, street-level space in downtown Boyne City at the end of this month.

The Boyne Arts Center offers classes, exhibits, and creative programs that invite people of all ages and abilities to participate in the arts. As the nonprofit organization expands its visibility and programming, Board President Nancy Blandford says “The executive director will play a key role in expanding operations, growing resources, and building partnerships across the community.”

The position is full-time, based in Boyne City, and offers a salary range of $70,000-$75,000. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis, and here are details on the position and how to apply.

“There’s real opportunity here to grow something meaningful for the community,” said Blandford. “This is a moment of real momentum for the BAC, we’re looking for a leader who can build on that energy and help shape what comes next.”

“This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for someone who enjoys building, connecting, and being part of a creative community.”

Skylar MacNaughton of Michigan Butterfly Habitats points to the flower plantings between the patio and pond at the Boyne City Senior Center. Later in the spring and summer we’ll see more color.

Senior center adds native plants to attract butterflies and those who love them

By Kalynn Huffman Brower, kalynn.brower@gmail.com

Boyne Area Senior Center Site Coordinator Krista Goldsmith believed her senior population would actively engage with monarch butterflies and would enjoy the benefits of native plant species around their building, so she reached out to Skylar MacNaughton, president of Michigan Butterfly Habitats.

Together, they began to develop a butterfly habitat restoration plan around the senior center. Last year they organized two butterfly releases. They plan to continue both parts of the program. Goldsmith is convinced that the butterfly release programs are the favorite activity of most of her seniors.

MacNaughton, a lifetime resident of Boyne City, recognized that the senior center on East Division Street would be an ideal location for butterfly habitat. The center is downhill from Avalanche Preserve, and has a spring-fed pond that flows from the park. “We saw a need,” MacNaughton said, “and Krista and I want to make lives better and Mother Nature better, so what better way than to restore the wetlands here.”

Though the wetlands are full of invasive plant species, MacNaughton has already begun to restore the senior center flower beds with native plants. Starting with the planting bed at the senior center entrance, many perennial plants have successfully taken hold and will continue to flourish.

Goldsmith and MacNaughton have also had their eye on developing the patio between the dining room and the retaining pond on the Grant Street side of the center. Last year MacNaughton started planting and pruning. A juniper ornamental shrub had taken over the sidewalk, so he cut the short evergreen back to clear the way and allow sunlight into the planting area. Now he is designing a bonsai using the old juniper that will punctuate the butterfly-friendly flower beds.

“My seniors love it.” Goldsmith beams. The senior center facility is open and busy five days a week, and the westside dining hall windows overlook the current habitat restoration progress. When it’s warmer outside, seniors enjoy “Coffee and Vinyl” (listening to oldies) on the patio just above the pond. Deer Meadows, the elderly housing complex, is right across the street, so “We can bring birds and butterflies closer to the residents.”

The release events are popular. Timing is difficult to predict, but everyone enjoys the buildup with their monarch life cycle observations. MacNaughton fills mesh laundry bags with monarch eggs and, once they hatch, he adds plenty of fresh milkweed daily. When a full size caterpillar makes its chrysalis, disappearing inside it, the metamorphosis begins. And when the chrysalis turns from green to black, that’s the telltale sign. Within a day, the new butterfly emerges, and observers celebrate its release into the wild.

Goldsmith remembers the first senior center butterfly release. “We actually had a lady who comes here play the harp when he was releasing them.” MacNaughton spoke of the undeniable lift to the spirit these ancient winged creatures provide with their fleeting presence.

MacNaughton’s passion for monarchs, other butterflies and dragonflies began a decade ago with his daughter and her science project about the life cycle of the monarch. Since then, he has identified 25 other butterfly species locally, though they are not as easy to spot as the monarchs.

The fascination caught hold and Bella’s Butterfly Garden has grown into an active nonprofit with ongoing habitat restoration projects in the area, including the top and face of Avalanche. MacNaughton says we’ll see new wildflower colors on the face of the hill this summer. His intention is to attract and support more butterfly species to our community.

Early monarchs are expected to start arriving in our area soon, in mid-May.

ABOVE - A female monarch collecting nectar from a swamp milkweed which MacNaughton will plant at the Senior Center.

BELOW - Skylar MacNaughton released a monarch outside the Boyne Area Senior Center last summer.

Pause Breathe Proceed and Boyne Provisions host Business After Hours tonight

The Pause Breathe Proceed Wellness Studio will host the Boyne Area Chamber’s Business After Hours from 5:30-7 p.m. today, Thursday, May 7 at 500 N. Lake St. The event announcement invites you to “Take a break from the usual and join us for a different kind of Business After Hours, designed to help you unwind, reset, and connect in a more meaningful way.” 

The wellness studio has partnered with Provisions Boyne for an evening that blends movement, mindfulness, and community. Enjoy live Tai Chi and karate demonstrations, guided breathwork, drinks and bites by Provisions Boyne, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere to connect with others. This free event is open to the public, and if you bring a co-worker, you will be entered to win prizes.

REGIONAL BAH - The Boyne, Charlevoix, and East Jordan chambers of commerce are joining to host  their annual regional Business After Hours at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 14 at Charlevoix's newest event space, The Irene, located at 104 State Street. 

High school asks students and staff to "disconnect" on May 13

On Wednesday, May 13, Boyne City High School will be sponsoring “Rambler Disconnect,” asking students and staff to unplug for the day. 

Students will be asked to either leave their phones at home, in their car, or in their lockers for the day. School officials note that the disconnect is not mandatory, but will be “strongly encouraged.” Participating students and staff will receive an "I Unplugged" sticker. 

Classroom teachers are being asked to consider trying to unplug and use technology/Chromebooks as little as possible. At lunch, the Rambler Connect student organization plans to put out a variety of card games and board games as well as some art stations, with the overall theme being “connection through disconnection.”

Free plane rides for kids at BC airport May 16

Free airplane rides for kids will be offered at the Boyne City Municipal Airport on Saturday, May 16. The free rides are being offered by the Harbor Springs chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association for children ages 8 to 17. Local licensed pilots who are members of the chapter are donating their services and airplanes for this event.

The rides will be offered from 9 a.m. until noon. Parents are encouraged to register their children online in advance to complete the necessary paperwork. 

Each child must be accompanied by a parent for a free flight. After the flight, each young person will receive an EAA pilot logbook and a certificate signed by the pilot.

If unsafe weather conditions cause the event to be cancelled, it will not be rescheduled. Other opportunities for free flights will be offered on Saturday, July 11, at the Harbor Springs Municipal Airport from 9 a.m.-12 noon, and on Wednesday, August 19, at the Pellston Regional Airport from 5-7 p.m.

The free rides are part of a unique nationwide program called “Young Eagles,” launched in 1992 to introduce kids to aviation and inspire them to think about the many possibilities associated with flight. The EAA has recognized the Harbor Springs chapter for participating in the Young Eagles program continuously since its start.

Walloon Conservancy plans May 9 wildflower hike and May 16 pollinator planting

The Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (WLAC), a local nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and preserving Walloon Lake and its watershed, is welcoming spring with two events this month.

Wander Walloon: Wildflower Hike will be held from 12-2 p.m. Saturday, May 9 at Wildwood Harbor Nature Area, 3899 Wildwood Harbor Rd, Boyne City. Spring is officially showing its colors, and the organizers want to show them to you. Join WLAC and the experts from CAKE CISMA as they meander through the trails to identify the beautiful native spring ephemerals popping up this season and learn how to protect them from invasive competitors. It is the perfect educational outing for photographers and nature lovers alike. Register.

Then on Saturday, May 16, WLAC is holding a Pollinator Garden Planting Workday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, also at the Wildwood Harbor Nature Area. The goal is to create a haven for our bees and butterflies. They will be restoring a former golf hole by putting almost 200 native species into the soil to support pollinators. No gardening experience is necessary - just show up ready to get a little dirt under your fingernails for a great cause. Register.

> Conservancy releases updated wake sport recommendations to protect Walloon

Lake - Details.

Boyne City gas prices jump 50 cents to $4.79

Prices for regular unleaded gas have risen 50 cents from $4.29 to $4.79 per gallon in the past week at the Marathon station at 470 N. Lake Street. Other stations in town are priced the same. The $4.79 price is a 55% increase since the Iran war bombing began on Feb. 28.

Here are recent prices spot checked by the Boyne Citizen since the Iran war started on Feb. 28:

• March 3 - $3.099
• March 6 - $3.409
• March 12 - $3.669
• March 21 - $3.999
• March 26 - $4.199
• March 27 - $3.999
• April 6 - $3.899
• April 7 - $4.199
• April 13 - $4.159
• April 15 - $4.099
• April 22 - $3.799
• April 24 -$3.999
• April 29 - $4.299
• May 6 - $4.799

> Michigan gas prices surging (AAA)

News Briefs

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER - Everyone is invited to “join the Boyne City community for a meaningful time of reflection, hope, and unity as we gather for the 75th Annual National Day of Prayer” on Thursday, May 7, at the Veterans Park Pavilion. There will be prayer gatherings at 12 noon and 7 p.m. The 2026 theme is “Glorify God among the nations, seeking Him in all generations.” National website.

BOYNE AREA FREE CLINIC has announced the newest addition to their team is Cynthia C. Statler, MD. An announcement from the clinic says, “Her dual focus on pediatrics and medication assisted therapy (MAT) is a powerful combination, especially for families navigating complex health journeys.” ​Dr. Statler's summer schedule from 10 a.m. to 12 noon will be May 12, June 2 and 16, July 7 and 21, and August 11 and 25. 

AMERICAN LEGION Post 228 will host a hands-on event on Thursday, May 14, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring military vehicles, local law enforcement and interactive displays. The post is located at 302 S. Lake St., Boyne City. Open to all ages, the event invites residents to explore, learn, and engage with those who have served, bringing the meaning of Memorial Day closer to home.

GENEALOGY WITH PATRICK - The Boyne District Library will be hosting Genealogy With Patrick on Saturday, May 16, from 1-3 p.m. in their lower level Community Room. Long-time local historian and professional genealogist Patrick McCleary will lead the group’s discussion. Participants are asked to bring along their laptops if they have them or sign up for use of those available through the library using the registration link for this event. This program is free and open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. This program is free and open to the public; no registration is required.

BOYNE AREA SWIM SCHOOL registration is open. Stop by the MSU Extension office at Boyne City Hall to get signed up from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

NATIVE PLANT SALE - The Charlevoix County Conservation District is moving its Native Plant Sale from fall to spring this year, when it will be held from 12-2 p.m. Saturday, June 6. The Plant Sale Species List and Garden Kit Order Forms are available now on their website. The plant sale is a browse and buy style sale with Garden Kits available for pre-order only. Individual plants are not available for pre-order. Garden Kit Order Forms are due May 1. For questions or to find out more information, call 231-582-6193.

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

• Boyne City EMS Department - 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Friday, May 22
• Boyne Mountain Resort - 12:30-5 p.m. Wednesday, May 27.
• BC Beauty Lounge, 115 S. Lake St. #B - 1:30-6 p.m. Monday, June 8.
• Boyne District Library - 1-5:30 p.m. Monday, June 22.

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

BOYNE AREA SENIOR CENTER is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and serves daily lunches from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For seniors ages 60+, the lunch donation is $3, for ages 59 and under, $10; and for children 12 and under, $8. Here is the May lunch menu and the May activity calendar.



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Regional News

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City of Boyne City Municipal News

Spring rubbish pickup set for Saturday, June 6

The City of Boyne City rubbish collection pickup has been set for Saturday, June 6. This service is available to residential properties within City limits (3 units or fewer).

• Limit: Up to 2 cubic yards per household
• Set items out after 5 p.m. the day before
• Have items out by 7 a.m. on pickup day

Commercial properties are not eligible. View full details, including acceptable & non-acceptable items. 

MEETING CHANGE - The City Commission’s second regular meeting in May will be held on Thursday, May 28, at 12 noon, following Memorial Day weekend. This is a change from the normal schedule of meeting on the fourth Tuesday of the month. A Facebook post from the city said, “This adjusted timing helps provide a bit of space around Memorial Day while keeping meetings accessible.”

NOW HIRING PARAMEDICS - The City of Boyne City is seeking applications from dedicated individuals interested in joining our EMS team as a Paramedic.

Apply today - email your resume to jpuroll@boynecity.gov. Find the full job description online at www.boynecity.gov/career.

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 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, May 12. Agenda page.

Obituaries

Michael Hausler Memorial Mass, officiated by Father Dennis Stilwell, will be held at St. Matthew Catholic Church on Friday, May 22, 2026 at 11 a.m. A funeral luncheon will follow mass. Michael's obituary. 

This image of Markarian’s Chain was made by the author on the evening of April 12 at the Wildwood Observatory, just north of Boyne City.

OUR NIGHT SKY

Spring nights bring galaxy season

By Rod Cortright, cortrigh@msu.edu

“Galaxy season” is the informal name that astrophotographers give to the stretch of spring nights between March and May in the Northern Hemisphere. This is when our evening sky looks perpendicular to the galactic plane of the Milky Way and into the vast depths beyond, revealing an abundance of external galaxies.

With the obscuring dust and dense star fields of our own galaxy largely out of the way, constellations like Virgo, Coma Berenices, and Leo become windows into the larger universe, showcasing rich clusters such as the Virgo and Coma Clusters, along with famous groupings like the Leo Triplet.

If you aim your telescope toward the constellation Virgo, you will encounter a sweeping curve of galaxies known as Markarian’s Chain, first recognized by astronomer Benjamin Markarian. At the core of this chain sit the massive elliptical galaxies Messier 84 and Messier 86, the gravitational heavyweights anchoring the chain. These galaxies are not the elegant spiral pinwheels you might expect from astronomy. Instead, they are ancient, rounded super giants where star formation has largely ceased, and the population is dominated by older, redder stars. Beneath their calm appearance lies a turbulent history of mergers and interactions, cosmic collisions that erased their former structure and left behind these smooth, featureless forms.

Following the arc outward to the left, we encounter a sequence of galaxies that seem to trace an invisible curve across the sky. This alignment is no accident. It reflects the underlying gravitational scaffolding of the cluster itself, where galaxies fall along filaments of dark matter. Among them, NGC 4438 and its neighbor NGC 4435 – often called “The Eyes” – offer a striking example of galactic interaction. Their distorted shapes are evidence of a close encounter, a gravitational tug-of-war that has stretched and warped their once orderly forms.

“Our Night Sky” is a monthly column by Rod Cortright, an amateur astronomer and astrophotographer who lives north of Boyne City. He is also a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador who does educational outreach for the agency. In the summer, Rod is a Sky Docent at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park.

A 1913 advertisement for Sparks World-Famous Shows that appeared as a half-page ad in the Boyne Citizen. Research suggests that actual posters for Sparks Circus are relatively scarce, meaning that their printed advertisements in local newspapers are a main source of visual imagery pertaining to their operation.

THROUGH THE HISTORIAN'S LENS

The circus comes to Boyne City

By Patrick McCleary

The Charlevoix County History Preservation Society

The National Morel Mushroom Festival will kick off in Boyne City on Thursday, May 14. With it comes the annual carnival festivities, featuring rides, food, and music. Before the days of carnivals, the most anticipated event of the year was Circus Day. Although held in August of each year, it was as anticipated by the children of Boyne City then as the carnival is for children and adults of the present-day population. 

The circus played a crucial role in American entertainment during the early 1900s. They were not just sources of amusement. They were a cultural phenomenon that brought people from all walks of life together to witness the spectacle and wonder of the circus and the world in general. The early 1900s was indeed a time when the circus industry was at its peak in terms of popularity and influence.

Although the Sparks Circus was smaller than others of its day, it was well known for its quality performances and classic circus acts. The company had an excellent reputation, with acts that became quite famous. It was recognized as a “Sunday School” show, meaning that it was clean, with no grifters, gamblers or short-change artists. Known for its traditional, family-friendly performances, it focused on classic acts including acrobats, clowns, animal performances, and equestrian shows. Despite its smaller size, Sparks Circus maintained a high standard of performance until its eventual closure.

The founder of the Sparks Circus was John H. Wiseman, born in Pennsylvania in 1863. A boy by the name of Charles Sparks was born in Utah in 1882 and soon after became orphaned. He was adopted by John H. Wiseman. Wiseman then changed his own surname to that of his adopted son, Charles, and was known thereafter as John H. Sparks.

He operated a small novelty show in the early 1880s, with his headquarters in East Brady, Pennsylvania. Later, his show became an Uncle Tom's Cabin show until around 1889 when he converted it into a circus operation. The Sparks Circus was originally known as the “John H. Sparks Old Virginia Shows,” a circus that traveled by wagon in the Southern United States. By the time that World War I started, John’s adopted son Charles Sparks had the circus on rails, and by the mid-1920s its train required 20 railroad cars.

John H. Sparks died on January 29, 1903, and the circus came under the management of his adopted son, Charles Sparks. Charles was assisted in the management by his foster brother, Clifton Sparks. The operation was now called the John H. Sparks Shows, a name that it kept until 1914, when the name was shortened to Sparks Circus.

The circus prospered and enlarged. It grew gradually to nearly a dozen railroad cars and by 1923 it used 20 cars, placing it in the category of a major railroad circus. The Sparks Circus continued its operation under the management of Charles and Clifton Sparks until 1928 when the Sparks sold their circus to the American Circus Corporation. 

The following year, the circus again changed hands, and the owner became John Ringling, owner of the famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He operated the Sparks Circus in 1930 and 1931 and then retired from the road.

As time went on, “Mary,” billed as “the largest living animal on earth,” was given a more exotic name of “Zulu.” The elephant referenced in this ad is “Jumbo,” who was the star attraction of P.T. Barnum’s "Greatest Show on Earth" (later Barnum & Bailey).

The 1913 circus circuit consisted of a show in Charlevoix, the following day in Petoskey, then a show in Boyne City. Unfortunately, while Boyne City newspapers provide coverage up until the event, missing issues do not provide a detailed account of the Boyne City show. However, we are fortunate to have a detailed account of the Petoskey show, which provides an itinerary of events. In this way we can visualize what Boyne Citizens experienced on Saturday, August 2, 1913. 

The Daily Resorter & Petoskey Evening News

Friday, August 1, 1913, Page 4 Columns 1-2

LARGE CROWDS HERE FOR CIRCUS

STREET PARADE WAS A GOOD ONE.

Attractions Up to Standard Set by Large Shows

Everything Clean.

By way of diversion for the resorters and everyone in Petoskey in general, including the small boy from seven to seventy, the Sparks shows are here today and were greeted by a morning that was ideal.

The circus folks certainly appreciated it as they were up against a tough proposition Thursday at Charlevoix. It rained just before the doors opened for the afternoon performance and then a miniature cyclone blew up from the lake and threatened to wreck the whole outfit. It cleared up in time, however, for a crowd of more than a thousand people to witness the show. Thursday night the same weather program was repeated but the tent was well filled and while the thunder rolled and the rain bent a tattoo upon the big tent the show went on just the same. 

Reports from Charlevoix say the show was one of the best seen in this section, with acts that would compare with any of the big ones. The show arrived here just after daylight and after unloading the train was transferred out to Bay View. When the people with the show awoke, they found themselves on the bay shore and with an opportunity for a beautiful constitutional for breakfast. Meanwhile, the six big tents had been erected on the show grounds and at 10:30 the street parade left the lot. It was neat, bright and attractive, not so long as some seen here, but it was satisfying. 

There were three bands and a good calliope, open dens of healthy-looking animals, and some of the finest horses ever seen here with any show. There was a big crowd on the streets and a crowd at the afternoon performance that packed the big tent and found many seated on the ground.

The show gave the performance in one ring and upon an elevated platform and while it is not the largest show seen here, it is seldom that so many meritorious acts are presented by a show of its size. The performance by the trained seals was marvelous, and the elephant act with three of the pachyderms playing baseball was a decided novelty. 

While advertisements may have depicted an entire “team” of baseball playing elephants, “the elephant act with three of the pachyderms playing baseball was a decided novelty.” 

The bicycle act that opened the show was the best seen here, and the work of the two men on the horizontal bars was exceedingly clever. The “rube” in the act furnished plenty of fun and did some difficult work at that. The Valenterio family, two men and a boy, gave a startling aerial performance, and the latter accomplished a triple somersault in mid-air, a feat seldom seen. The Irmanas on the wire gave a pleasing specialty and performed some difficult tricks, notably the one in which the lady jumped over a table to the wire. She missed it the first time but got a big hand on her second attempt. 

The Fisher sisters, two young ladies who performed in mid-air while hanging by their teeth, furnished both a pretty and daring performance. Once during the act they played “The Blue Bells of Scotland” upon bells fastened to their arms and ankles. There was some good riding by the Guice family and Flora Bedini, and the clowns filled all the spare spaces with new and laughable stunts. One band played all the latest popular airs and was better than the usual circus band. 

There was nothing about the show that was not first class, and it deserved a larger crowd than was present this afternoon, if you are tired of the three-ring variety and want to see a real, old-fashioned circus come out tonight and you will not be disappointed. 

> 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. You can donate online here, or mail a check to Boyne Citizen, PO Box 83, Boyne City MI 49712.

2026 Donors

This week's new donors are listed in bold.

Donors from 2024 and 2025 are listed on our website.

MUSIC, ARTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT

Please email your special events and music information to jim@boynecitizen.com.

AMERICAN LEGION Post 228 - 302 S Lake St., Boyne City, (231) 459-4188.

Bingo every Tuesday, open to the public, refreshments provided. Doors open at 3 p.m., play starts at 5, ending around 9. The Legion also has a breakfast on the second Saturday of every month from 8-11 a.m.

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

> Open bowling: 3-9 p.m. Tuesdays, 3-10 p.m. Fridays, 12-10 p.m. Saturdays, 12-9 p.m. Sundays.

> Live music:

• Saturday, May 9 - Sandy & The Bandits, 7-10 p.m.
• Saturday, May 16 - Timberline, 8-11 p.m.
• Tuesday, June 9 - Summer concert series begins and continues every Tuesday at 6 p.m.

BOYNE ARTS CENTER - 1 Water Street, Suite 203, Boyne City, (231) 622-2073.

> Upcoming classes and exhibits:

• "Return to Light" Exhibit - Now through May 25
• Kids Art Camp - June 15 - August 14. Scholarships available. 
• Reviving Old Paintings - Demo Night with Julies Tibus - June 15
• The Art of Image Transfer - July 20
• Transform a Failed Painting Workshop - July 22
• Unveiling Trees: Collage & Contrast - August 3-4
• Colorful Figures: Expressive Mixed Media - September 10-11
• Alcohol Ink: Continue the Flow - September 21 - 22
• Book a Private Art Party
• BAC will be closed the week of May 25 to move into our new location at 211 Water Street.

BOYNE CITY FARMERS MARKET - Indoors at the Veterans Park Pavilion, 207 N. Lake Street, Boyne City, (231) 582-9009. Open every Saturday, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. through May 9.

The market moves outdoors in Veterans Park starting Saturday, May 16, with expanded hours of 8 a.m.-12 noon on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

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

• May 23 - Terry Coveyou

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

• Mondays - Trivia
• Thursdays - Adam and the Cabana Boys, 7 p.m.
• Fridays - Patrick Ryan and Josh Raber, 7 p.m.
• Saturdays - Patrick Ryan, 7 p.m.
• Saturdays and Sundays - Sports on all screens.

BOYNE DISTRICT LIBRARY - 201 East Main St., Boyne City, 231-582-7861. Upcoming programs Including Genealogy Workshop, Classic Book Discussion: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, and Michigan Notable Book Author Tour! Bear County, Michigan by John Counts. Newsletter with May events and details.

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

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

BOYNE RIVER INN - 229 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 222-4053.

LIVE MUSIC:

• Thursdays through May - Nelson Olstrom performs, 7-10 p.m.

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

> LIVE MUSIC:

• Saturday, May 9 - Chase & Allie, 2-6 p.m.
• Saturday, May 16 - Two Track Mind, 2-6 p.m.
• Friday, May 22 - Chris Calleja, 4-7:30
• Saturday, May 23 - Michelle Chenard, 2-6 p.m.
• Monday, May 24 - Chris Calleja, 1:30-5:00
• Friday, May 29 - Michelle Chenard, 2-6 p.m.
• Saturday, May 30 - TBD, 2-6 p.m.

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

> LIVE MUSIC:

• Friday, May 8: John Monkman, 7-10 p.m.
• Saturday, May 9: Sean Bielby, 7-10 p.m.
• Monday, May 11 - The Shifties, 6-9 p.m.
• Friday, May 15: Pete Kehoe, 7-10 p.m.
• Saturday, May 16: Pete Kehoe, 7-10 p.m.
• Monday, May 18: The Shifties, 6-9 p.m.
• Friday, May 22: Lavender Lions Duo, 7-10 p.m.
• Saturday, May 23: The Fridays, 7-10 p.m.
• Friday, May 29: Chris Calleja, 7-10 p.m.
• Saturday, May 30 - Sean Bielby, 7-10 p.m.

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.

• Friday & Saturday, May 8 - 9 - Northern Michigan Chorale presents Choral Compass: Navigating the World One Song at a Time. Details and tickets.
• Sunday, May 24 - The Hit Men, Classic rock supergroup. Details and tickets.
• Friday, May 29 - Crooked Tree Arts Center School of Ballet presents Dance Legends: Little Traverse Bay Celebrates Graham100. Details and tickets.
• See website for movies showing on the big screen.

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 and events:

• Friday, May 8 - The Tweed Tones, 8-11 p.m.
• Saturday, May 23 - Sean Bielby, 8-11 p.m.

PIED PIPER ROLLER RINK - 04454 M-75 N, Walloon Lake. Admission $8, skate rental $2. Candy, chips, soda/pop, and pizza available for purchase. 

• Fridays - Open Skate (all ages), 5-9 p.m. (Closed May 8 for private event)
• Saturdays - Open Skate (all ages), 5-9 p.m.

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

> May 21 and the third Thursday of the month - Open Mic Nights hosted by Peter Allen Jensen, 6-9 p.m.

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

Live music:

• Wednesdays - Pete Kehoe, 6-9 p.m.
• Thursdays - Laura Crowe, 6-9 p.m.
• Sunday Fundays - May 24 & 31 - Nic Visconti, 1-4 pm. 

The Boyne Citizen

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

Email: jim@boynecitizen.com

Phone: 231-675-8793

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