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April 3, 2025 | Issue #29 | Past issues

Boyne River Dam licensing issues

The City of Boyne City and the County Office of Emergency Management have asked to join a long and somewhat contentious process concerning the licensing of the Boyne River Hydroelectric Dam operated by Boyne Resorts. Read the first in a series of three articles below.

Inside this issue

• Boyne City played a unique role in the ice storm
• Restoration updates from power companies
• City budget calls for another drop in millage rate
• City, county want input in Boyne River dam licensing
• Boyne Arts Center Spring Exhibit opens April 11
• Chamber to host Business Expo/Taste on April 15
• Young State Park, Boyne Mountain plan egg hunts
• Free tree seedlings for Arbor Day on April 25
• Our Night Sky: The physics of the Northern Lights
• News briefs and Municipal News, Obituaries
• Thanks to the donors who keep the news coming!
• Music and entertainment listings

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Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Department deputies took chainsaws along with them in their vehicles and used them to clear roads during daylight hours when they came across downed trees. 

Boyne City played a unique role in the Great Ice Storm of '25

By Jim Baumann, jim@boynecitizen.com

Boyne City has played a unique role in the Great Ice Storm of ‘25, which might also be remembered as the Storm of the Century when it’s over. 

By sheer luck perhaps, people who live in the city of Boyne City only lost electrical power from Consumers Energy for less than 14 hours, from Saturday night until about noon Sunday. No other community was that lucky. Charlevoix, Petoskey and Gaylord still had no power as of Tuesday afternoon, and many rural areas just outside Boyne City and all over the region had no power and always seem to get the worst of it in winter storms. 

So for a few days at least, that meant that people from all over northern Michigan started coming to Boyne City for many of their needs - mainly gas, groceries and restaurant meals. The lines were especially long at gas stations on Monday, but those eased up as more stations opened on Tuesday. 

Cafe Sante posted a picture of a big crowd of power company workers all enjoying breakfast, and the Boyne Citizen talked with one of those crews. It turns out the six men and two trucks from Kent Power had traveled from Jackson in southern Michigan. Their job was to assess damage to power lines and poles, describe what equipment would be needed for repairs and pass on the information to Great Lakes Energy. They mentioned that helicopters were also flying over northern Michigan power lines to assess possible damage from ice and falling trees.

Other local businesses are trying to help as much as they can. Jessica White of Boyne City Hardware reported some of their efforts on Facebook: “Everything that came on our emergency shipment today (Tuesday) sold. A lot of what we ordered didn’t come, but the generators did and are sold out. However, while we currently don’t have access to get more generators in the near future (but we’re still looking and will keep you posted), if everything goes according to plan based on (the weather) forecast, we will be getting more gas cans, generator cords, kerosene, one pound propane tanks, heaters (propane and kerosene), hand and feet warmers, water jugs, and a pallet of 84 cases of bottled water among many other things on Friday morning. Follow our page for the most recent updates. And please call us to set something aside for you before making an unnecessary trip to town. Be patient with us, because the phone service is spotty.”

“Warming centers” at places like Boyne City Hall and St. Matthew’s Church were a welcome relief for people who needed to warm up, get buckets of water, charge their phones and get a bite to eat. BC Pizza, the new Fox’s Pizza Den and others donated pizza, pastries and snacks for the City Hall location. 

WiFi became available on Wednesday in the lobby at Boyne City Hall under “City Hall Starlink.” Bandwidth will depend on the connected traffic and use, and the city notes that this is an unsecured network. The city expressed its thanks to Charlevoix County Emergency Management “for lending us the Starlink unit.”

Boyne Falls Public School was not a designated warming center, but when school was cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday due to road conditions, Superintendent Cynthia Pineda decided to open the building from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. “for the community to shower, charge devices, warm up and have a meal.” As an added benefit, Chef Nathan Bates prepared brunch from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and then offered homemade bread and a pint of “soup to go” for families from 2-6 p.m. As of mid-afternoon Tuesday, more than 200 people were served. “People kept coming up and thanking everybody,” one staff member said. 

Preschool Director Mitchell Klooster was helping out on Tuesday by welcoming people and wiping off tables. He told the Boyne Citizen it was gratifying to see some people who had never had the chance to visit the school stop by for lunch.

Boyne Falls School will be in session today, Thursday, April 3. Their announcement on Facebook said: "The decision to remain open is never made lightly, as many factors are carefully considered for the well-being of our students and families. Our district provides heat, nutritious meals, and a safe space for our students. We understand that each family's situation is unique and encourage families to make the best decision for their circumstances."

Boyne City Public Schools is closed today, Thursday, April 3. Their announcement said: "This includes Early Learners and Boyne Country Kids. We hope to be open for Friday but will continue to take it one day at a time."

Boyne City will be hosting a "Community Come Together" event today, Thursday, April 3, at the High School and Fieldhouse. The announcement on Facebook said, “Bring your children to run off some energy, enjoy a hot shower, charge your devices or grab a meal!” 

Elementary and Early Learners may go to the fieldhouse between 3:30 and 5 p.m. Middle School grades can go to the high school gym from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and high school students may go to the high school gym from 5 to 6:30 p.m. 

Middle school showers will be available from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. There are private stalls in each locker room. Parental supervision is required for all children from pre K - 8th grade. Bring your own toiletries and towels. There are plenty of electrical outlets available to charge devices, if needed. 

A dinner of calzones, breadsticks, salad and fruit with milk to drink will be provided in the high school commons area.

Boyne City's closings were partially due to road conditions, but also due to a lack of internet access on campus. In an open letter on Facebook, Superintendent Pat Little said not having the internet “significantly impacts essential school functions such as phone communications, digital communications, and printing. The weather forecast for Wednesday also predicted challenging conditions, including high winds and mixed precipitation, potentially further compromising our community’s infrastructure.”

Deputies with chainsaws - Power company workers were being universally hailed for their efforts, and Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Department deputies earned kudos for service above and beyond the call of duty. They took chainsaws along with them in their vehicles and then used them to clear roads during daylight hours when they came across downed trees. Drivers were advised to “Please slow down and give them space as they continue to work through this emergency.”

This might be what the Whi-Ski Inn of Boyne Falls had in mind when they posted this on Facebook: “Not all heroes wear capes… Some drive fuel tankers, fix power lines, cut trees, and help their neighbors.”

The fact remains that the conditions have made life difficult for many people. “It's like a war zone here,” local historian Patrick McCleary posted on Facebook. “Trees, wires, poles down everywhere. Neighbors have three trees on their house. Another lost both cars under a downed pine.”

"This is no joke" - Rural resident Ashley Cousens seemed to be speaking for everyone when she posted on Facebook: “I know it’s April Fool’s Day, but this is no joke. We’ve been out of power since Saturday night and have been kept up listening to trees and branches snapping and crashing down all around our house each night. Today was sunny and thankfully melted some of the ice. I hope it was enough because we’re getting more snow and freezing rain and ice over the next 24 hours or so. Long lines for gas and supplies, empty grocery store shelves, etc. have added to the general feeling of chaos/crisis. 

“With all that said though, we have so much to be grateful for, and we are," Cousens said. "Friends who let us shower at their place, a generator to help us stay warm and safe, plenty of food to get through in the fridge and freezer, our gas grill to cook on, and so far all the trees have fallen away from our house and cars. We’re not through it yet, but we’re hanging in there.”

> BOYNE CITY PHONES, email and internet service was restored when employees came to work Thursday morning, April 3.

> STATE OF EMERGENCY - Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency on Monday, March 31, for the counties of Otsego, Oscoda, Montmorency, Presque Isle, Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Mackinac and Alpena to help with response and recovery efforts to the communities affected by the ice storms that caused thousands of residents to be without power and basic necessities. Full press release.

> THE NATIONAL GUARD is also sending dozens of tree clearing crews, as well as MDOT and the DNR to help clear roads and around power lines to give linemen better access to the damaged infrastructure.

> CHARLEVOIX COUNTY TRANSIT - "Currently our main phone lines and internet are still down. We are going to do our best to service what we can and get people to warming stations as needed. Please call 231-373-2363, we will do everything we can to help!"

> RADIO TOWER CRASHES - Local radio station KHQ 106 is off the air as 600-ft. tower crashes. Details. Most other stations are also off air due to power outages.

Boyne Falls School Chef Nathan Bates prepared brunch for the community when school was cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday.

These six men and two trucks from Kent Power traveled to Boyne City from Jackson in southern Michigan. Their job was to assess damage to power lines and poles and make reports to Great Lakes Energy.

This Great Lakes Energy photo from Dobleski Road near M-32 in Elmira shows the challenges the power company faces in its efforts to restore electricity to customers.

Restoration updates from Great Lakes Energy and Consumers Energy

Press release update from Great Lakes Energy at 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 2:

Approximately 34,000 Great Lakes Energy (GLE) members are without power across 18 of the cooperative’s 26-county service territory. Restoration efforts gained throughout the northern region today were offset by the introduction of additional storm activity in the central and southern portions of the cooperative’s footprint. Service has been restored to more than 103,000 members since the original storms began.

Crews are responding to hundreds of damaged poles, with many locations still inaccessible. The restoration timeline remains extended due to the time-intensive process of replacing poles—each requiring several hours—as well as repairing downed wires and clearing debris from fallen trees.

Great Lakes Energy members are reminded to treat every downed line as if it were energized and stay a minimum of 25 feet from any downed wire, trees, or trees in lines.

From an earlier update on April 2: Storm damage has left many roads impassable and caused extensive harm to power infrastructure, slowing the restoration process. GLE, in partnership with the Otsego County Road Commission, is prioritizing road clearance to ensure crews can reach affected areas as quickly as possible.

Crews have identified hundreds of broken poles, and many areas remain inaccessible. Replacing poles - a process that takes several hours—along with repairing downed wires and clearing fallen trees, is contributing to the extended restoration timeline. GLE is also closely monitoring the severe storms in the forecast that are predicted to have significant impacts to GLE’s entire service area. Despite the ongoing challenges, GLE remains focused on restoring service.

> Great Lakes Energy outage map and updates.

> Consumers Energy outage map and updates.  

From their website as of 4:41 a.m. Thursday, April 3: “Consumers Energy has restored about 75 percent of the 97,000 customers who lost power due to the initial ice storms, with plans for the majority of customers in the region to be restored by the end of the day Friday.”

Outages - 1,704

Customers affected - 42,428

Crews in the field - more than 900 

Sheriff and Emergency Manager’s report

From 6:52 p.m. Wednesday, April 2: Sheriff Charles Vondra and Emergency Manager Sienna Wenz from the Charlevoix County Sheriff's Office would like to update you on the status of this storm:

Charlevoix County has seen some restoration of power in areas across the county. However, there are still many residents without power. The utility companies continue to work diligently to get power for everyone. We still don't have a definitive timeline for those still without power. We recommend checking with your power company's website for current outage information.

Our Office, First Responders, and Volunteers went door-to-door today checking on residents and rendering aid if needed. We will continue these efforts tomorrow. Until then, if you or someone you know needs assistance, please call 911.

Flooding and washed-out roadways are being marked and monitored by the Road Commission. Please be mindful of these areas and avoid them. Reminder please do not stop to clean up trees in the roads or rights-of-way due to downed power lines and trees that are not stable. With this latest round of wind and freezing rain, trees and lines are continuing to fall.

We're still seeing people driving through non-working stoplights. This is highly dangerous and needs to be treated like 3 or 4-way stops. Please be mindful when approaching these types of intersections.

Residents who are utilizing generators to power their homes need to make sure the generators are placed outside, away from home vents, and make sure the snow has been cleared away. Checking this from time to time with the changing weather is important as well.

www.boynearts.org * PDF flyer to print

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City commission members held three day-long budget workshops in the Park View Room at City Hall. Working at the March 28 meeting are, from left, Sandy Pritchard, Marty Moody, Tim Nemecek, Clerk Treasurer Jessica Puroll, and Bob Farrell. Commissioner George Lasater was unable to attend this meeting.

City budget calls for another drop in millage rate

By Jim Baumann, jim@boynecitizen.com

The Boyne City Commission will unveil their 2025-26 budget that features a reduction of 0.285 mills at their next regular meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8. Commissioners held three day-long budget work sessions to work out the budget with City Clerk Treasurer Jessica Puroll and department heads.

The city plans to levy 14.45 mills for the operating budget, which is a half mill less than last year’s 14.95 rate, and 1.45 mills for the facility debt, an increase of 0.215 mills from last year. Overall, it’s a reduction from 16.185 mills to 15.90.

One year ago, the commission reduced total property taxes by slightly more than one mill, reducing the operating millage from 15.51 to 14.95, and dropping the facility debt millage from 1.70 to 1.235.

Details on the new budget are expected to be highlighted at Tuesday’s meeting. One feature of the budget will be a newly developed Capital Improvements Program as well as these items:

• Complete and open marina improvements to the public. 
• Complete grant-supported improvements to five streets.
• Pave the first of remaining gravel streets, Call Street.
• Replace Water Production Well 2. 

> No candidates yet as City Commission petition deadline nears - see story in our Municipal News section below.

This chart is from the city's proposed budget document, which is posted online.

By Jamie Baumann, jamie@boynecitizen.com

This is the first in a series of three articles related to the Boyne River Hydroelectric Dam operated by Boyne Resorts. This article will focus on the effect on fish and plant life in the Boyne River. Public access and dam safety will be addressed in future articles. 

Attempting to join a long and somewhat contentious process that has been ongoing for a few years, the City of Boyne City has applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to be able to give input into the licensing of the Boyne River Hydroelectric Dam operated by Boyne Resorts.

The Charlevoix County Office of Emergency Management also recently applied to be an intervenor, the official term for those participating in the official discussion. Boyne City and the Office of Emergency Management are the first two governmental applicants from Charlevoix County to request to become intervenors. Until now, the only local intervenors have been two nonprofit organizations, Trout Unlimited (TU) and Friends of the Boyne River (FOBR).

Earth scientist and Boyne City resident William Beeman, attended the March 25 meeting when the City Commission decided to apply to become an intervenor. "I do not know exactly why Boyne City chose to go for intervenor status, but I am very in favor of it," he said. "The city should have the right to weigh in on the project. Whether they choose to state that the project is the greatest thing since sliced bread or to state the opposite. After all, don't we elect city commissioners to represent the interests of the citizens?"  

Though it is past the deadline for public comment, FERC has the flexibility to allow more intervenors, if the intervenors represent different interests or issues than have been addressed so far. Ultimately, FERC will finalize a license that has contract terms that Boyne Resorts must abide by to operate the dam for another 30 or 40 years.

Other already participating intervening organizations are The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), and the Michigan Hydroelectric Relicensing Coalition (MHRC). 

Issues the various groups want addressed in the new license fall into three categories: 1) the effect on fishing and plant life by dam operation; 2) public access to the Boyne River both immediately downstream of the dam and in the 68-acre impoundment (including the reservoir) on the upstream side, and 3) overall dam safety.  

History

The Boyne River Hydroelectric Project Dam was originally built by Consumers Power in 1904 and sold to the Boyne resort in 1962. 

During the 1970s energy crisis, Boyne Resorts recommissioned the hydroelectric dam on the river to create renewable energy for Boyne Mountain, and the dam now provides about 10% of the resort’s power. Operating the dam aligns with Boyne Mountain's goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2030.

In 1982, Boyne Resorts received a 40-year license from FERC to operate the dam. The license was up for renewal on January 21, 2022; however, there had been enough issues raised by intervening groups that FERC has not yet granted a new license. Instead, Boyne Resorts has been allowed to operate the dam in a “run-of-river mode,” where about as much water comes in as goes out, on a temporary annual basis until a licensing decision has been finalized.

Recent developments

On March 13, 2025, Brian J. Kozminski, a member of Trout Unlimited, Friends of the Boyne River, and owner of a fishing guide business, submitted a petition to FERC with 1,255 signatures requesting that Boyne Resorts be denied the operator's license. He addressed environmental degradation, impact on wildlife and lack of public access as issues. He wrote: "The dam’s mismanagement has led to significant sedimentation, smothering spawning habitats and causing a catastrophic collapse of macroinvertebrates, which are crucial for the river’s ecosystem.

"The project’s run-of-river flow license requirements have not been followed, resulting in harmful spikes in river flow and sediment deposits in lower gradient sections of the river and severely diminished water quality. The Boyne River’s fish populations, including salmon, steelhead, and trout, are suffering due to the degraded water quality and smothered spawning habitats. In 2024, no steelhead or brown trout were stocked by MDNR in the Boyne River due to sedimentation issues caused by the dam safety construction activities at the dam." 

On March 19, 2025, Boyne Resorts responded: "Trout Unlimited’s assertions are refuted by the most recent data which presents a thriving macroinvertebrate community in the upstream and downstream areas surrounding the Boyne Dam Project." 

A Dam Ecological Assessment by Merjent, environmental specialists commissioned by Boyne Resorts in November 2024, stated that the dam provides improved water quality by acting as a sediment basin; controlling sediment by preventing sediments from embedding gravel/cobble substrate downstream, which is crucial for fish spawning; providing flood protection by regulating water flow during heavy precipitation; and protecting habitat by preventing downstream habitats from being scoured by uncontrolled water velocity during high-flow periods. 

Past issues

In a June 2022 environmental report, FERC “determined that Boyne Resorts deviated from the required run-of-river operation mode by not appropriately monitoring the project on April 29, 2020 and not adjusting project operations in response to rain events which led to a fish kill that involved stranded steelhead downstream of the project. 

“Additionally, the Commission found that Boyne Resorts' auto-dialer, which should have alerted Boyne Resorts staff of the ensuing conditions, was disabled and the required elevation recording device was in a neglected state."

This was a violation of the current license. The report also stated: "Failure to comply with run-of river requirements may cause unnecessary downstream flow fluctuations resulting in harm to downstream aquatic resources."

In the same document, FERC staff recommended that Boyne Resorts:

• Develop an operation compliance monitoring plan.
• Install and maintain a new automatic electronic water level sensor.
• Develop a debris management plan.

In 2022 document sent to FERC, EGLE wrote that Boyne Resorts should be required to monitor for contaminants and changes in dissolved oxygen due to the likelihood of water warming caused by climate change. EGLE issued Boyne three violation notices in 2023 related to sedimentation. The first followed a June 20 inspection that documented elevated sedimentation while the impoundment was lowered for an embankment stabilization project.

Boyne Resorts responded to FERC that after the violations, they quickly complied with EGLE recommendations. 

EGLE Public Information Officer Josef Greenberg Stephens confirmed on Tuesday that sediment concerns with the Boyne Hydroelectric Dam have been reduced since the impoundment was refilled last year. Control measures such as turbidity curtains are not needed at this time.

As a part of the licensing process, FERC will develop a contract with Boyne Resorts ensuring the operator is responsible for monitoring and adjusting conditions to keep turbidity within EGLE guidelines. Turbidity is a measurement of water clarity, indicating how much suspended matter reduces light passage through water. It's caused by particles like algae, plankton, silt, clay, and microbes.

Between 2022 and 2024, Boyne Resorts has done construction and erosion mitigation projects to bring the dam into compliance. They have installed an electronic monitoring system and set up emergency procedures. They have spent "millions of dollars on dam repair and restoration," Chief Operations Officer Brad Keen said.

High turbidity spikes

Still, there were times in both 2023 and 2024 when the Boyne River's turbidity spiked too high to meet the standards for short periods of time. Turbidity makes water cloudy or opaque, directly affecting sunlight available to aquatic plants. High levels of suspended materials can clog fish gills and, if they settle on the bottom, can smother fish eggs along with the bottom-dwelling insects, worms, snails and shellfish.

Erin Ernst, Boyne Resorts public relations director, explained that one turbidity event happened during a standard "dewatering event" when they were completing some dam construction, and another was due to lots of rainfall.

Dana Castle, fisheries biologist with MDNR concurred that dam maintenance can cause turbidity, noting that the MDNR wants to work closely with operators when the operators notice an anomaly or are planning a maintenance project, so they can help to minimize the turbidity caused. "Boyne Resorts is trying, and we are building this type of communication and relationship with them," Castle said.

Most natural river systems in Michigan maintain turbidity levels between 1 and 10 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit) under normal conditions. Levels above 50 NTU are considered moderately impaired, and sustained levels over 100 NTU can severely degrade habitat for sensitive aquatic species, according to EGLE and United States Geological Survey (USGS) stream monitoring data.

On May 29, 2024, Kozminski was fly-fishing on the Boyne River when he noticed the water darkened, turned murky, and started to rise. It was full of vegetation and decaying organic material from a lakebed. The river rose 15 inches and turned black with mossy black root balls rolling by, which would choke everything below, he said.

Bill Beeman has been taking turbidity readings several times a week in three different locations for months. He takes five readings each time in each location and plots them all as he monitors the health of the river. Both Boyne Resorts' and Beeman's readings generally show low turbidity on most days and moderate turbidity on some days.

However, the greatest data differences between Boyne Resorts' data and Beeman's appeared on June 4, 2024. The Boyne Resorts data showed levels of 1.78 NTU, 1.95 NTU, and 2.45 NTU from three different locations - all well under the 50 NTU threshold set by EGLE guidelines. 

Beeman took 79 readings that day, because he noticed the river was becoming murky. At 1 p.m., the reading was 3.17, not too far off from the Boyne readings; however, as the river became murkier, Beeman continued to take readings. By 5:26, the readings were between 65 and 72. At 5:39 p.m. he got a reading of 104. Readings rose as high as 120 by 6:26 p.m.  As he got the higher readings, Beeman recalibrated his turbidity meter and tried again to be certain there weren't mechanical errors. Beeman's data charts also contain anecdotal observations of the river's progressive murkiness and its rise in water level.

Beeman's records also show higher turbidity averages after the June 4, 2024 event. Beeman's readings averaged 5.76 NTU from June 1-3 and 13.84 NTU from June 5-25.  Boyne Resorts readings from June 5-25 averaged between 2.51 and 3.6 depending on the location. 

Ernst explained that a one-time, short-term event occurred in June 2024 where turbidity was high. It had rained on May 26 and 27, with over 2.5" falling in less than 48 hours. The runoff had swept debris from upstream of the dam that became lodged in the spillway grating, allowing the water level to rise in the impoundment area. Clearing the debris required a long-reach excavator. The dam gates were kept open as they cleared the debris in order to draw down the elevated water level in the impoundment, so the water and debris flowed freely down the river.

DNR didn't stock, plans to resume

Spring 2024 Boyne River turbidity readings were high enough that the MDNR did not do their annual stocking of 5,000 to 8,000 steelhead and 1,000 brown trout hatchlings, because "they wouldn't have survived," Heather Hettinger, Fisheries Management Biologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said. She put $18,000 worth of hatchlings in the Jordan River instead. Boyne River fishing yields in about three years will show a significant decrease because of the missed opportunity for stocked hatchlings. 

Hettinger said the MDNR plans to stock the Boyne River sometime in April or early May this spring, if the conditions permit. "It’s a standing stocking location that we do every year. We would only cut it again if there were turbidity issues that occurred immediately prior to stocking. Last year, we didn’t make the decision until right before stocking, in the hopes that conditions would improve," Hettinger said.

Boyne Arts Center Spring Exhibit opens April 11

The Boyne Arts Center will debut their Spring Art Exhibit with an opening night party from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 11. The exhibit will continue through Tuesdays through Sundays until May 26.

The theme “Unfolding” invites artists “to explore the multifaceted aspects of springtime – a season marked by rejuvenation, transformation, and hope,” according to the Arts Center’s website. “From realistic portrayals of spring blooms to abstract expressions of nature’s revival, this exhibit will showcase a diverse array of mediums and styles that capture the essence of this beloved season. Artists will contribute their unique interpretation of spring's unfolding beauty and emotion in various mediums.”

The Boyne Arts Center is located above Cafe Sante in Suite 203 at One Water Street in Boyne City. 

The center is also offering a number of upcoming classes:

• Create Better Smartphone Photos - May 10
• Spring Art Camp for adults - April 28 - 30
• Kids Camp: Color our World - June 16 - August 15

Chamber to host Business Expo/Taste on April 15

The Boyne Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the return of the Boyne Business Expo and Taste of Boyne from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at Boyne Mountain Resort. 

This premier business event offers a unique opportunity for local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community members to connect, network, and showcase their products and services.

The Boyne Business Expo is one of the largest business networking events in Northern Michigan, attracting dozens of exhibitors and hundreds of attendees each year. Businesses across industries are invited to reserve exhibitor space and engage directly with potential customers, partners, and fellow professionals. Taste of Boyne restaurants are also invited to participate and provide food samples to attendees.

"The Business Expo is an incredible opportunity for businesses to showcase what they have to offer while also strengthening connections within our local economy," said Tricia Wilcox, executive director of the chamber. “We encourage businesses of all sizes to participate and take advantage of this premier networking event.”

Admission is $10 for attendees. Booths are $200 for non-profit members, $300 for regular members, $400 for a booth and sponsorship, and free for Taste of Boyne participants.

Businesses interested in participating can register here. For more information, contact Wilcox at 231-582-6222.

The Easter Bunny joins the egg hunt at Boyne Mountain.

State Park, Boyne Mountain plan Easter egg hunts

Young State Park will host its annual Easter Egg Hunt in the Beach Parking Area at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 19, rain or shine. Children ages 12 and under are welcome to join the hunt while parents and visitors can enjoy a bonfire, hot cocoa, and cookies. This is a free event, but all vehicles are required to have a recreation passport which can be obtained at the park for $19. For additional information contact the park dtaff at 231-582-7523.

Boyne Mountain Resort invites you to “make memories while dancing, brunching and celebrating at the Mountain. Our traditional Easter Brunch is returning at Stein Eriksen's. We go big at our annual Easter Egg Hunt with prizes that will make your PEEPS melt, plus wagon rides and s'mores, and much more.” The Easter Egg Hunt starts at 11 a.m. Sunday, April 20 at the Mountain Grand Lodge and Spa Lawn. 

Prior to that, on Friday and Saturday, there will be a coloring contest, a Guess the Jelly Bean Competition, bonfire and S’mores from 5-8 p.m., and family movies in the Grand Mountain Lodge at 8 p.m. Details.

Cafe Sante - It’s not an egg hunt, but kids of all ages can meet and greet the Easter Bunny at Cafe Sante in Boyne City on Easter Sunday. 

Free tree seedlings and information offered for Arbor Day on April 25 in Veterans Park Pavilion

For Arbor Day on Friday, April 25, the Friends of the Boyne River and the Boyne Valley Garden Club have joined with the City of Boyne City to give away seedling trees. The giveaway will be located in the pavilion in Veterans Park on Arbor Day morning from 10 a.m. until the seedlings are gone. 

The City will be giving away Red Pine, White Pine, Blue Spruce and Norway Spruce seedlings. The Friends of the Boyne River and the Boyne Valley Garden Club are each paying half of the cost for Red Oak, Sugar Maple, American Mountain Ash and Basswood seedlings. All the seedlings are free.

The seedlings are about 6 to 12 inches in length, come with instructions for planting and may be picked up on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The event is to celebrate Arbor Day and that the City is a Tree City USA. Environmental groups will also participate. Charlevoix, Antrim, Kalkaska, and Emmet Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CAKE CISMA) will be there to discuss invasive plants, and Skylar MacNaughton will talk about Monarch butterflies. Master Gardeners will have a display of their "Smart Gardening" information and the Lake Charlevoix Association will have material about protecting the lake. 

Questions? Contact Nancy Cunningham at 231-459-5937 or dncunningham3738@att.net.

NLEA Economic Symposium deadline is Monday

Early bird registration for the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance 2025 Economic Symposium has been extended to April 7. This event will bring together over 300 Northern Lower Michigan business and community leaders alongside state and federal officials to participate in engaging panel discussions and breakout sessions. Panels and breakout sessions include:

• Keynote Panel of business leaders from across industries in a dynamic discussion on their economic outlooks - both macro and industry-specific. 
• Current and Future Demographic Trends shaping our economy and communities. 
• Securing the Future of Your Business breakout session will highlight local businesses who have taken different paths for transitioning ownership.
• Exploring the Future of Industry - how companies can leverage technology, robotics, AI, and Industry 4.0 to tee up their business for success in the future.
• Development Projects Shaping Our Communities - What does it take to turn an empty lot or brownfield from an eyesore to a focal point of the community? 
• Closing Panel speakers will tackle questions on the trends and values that are shaping their organization or community’s vision for the next 10 years and beyond. 

Registration and details.

Culture, Cuisine & Conversation on April 16 at NCMC

North Central Michigan College is gearing up for a vibrant International Day celebration on Wednesday, April 16, packed with culture, conversation, food, and film — all in support of students participating in the college’s Mexico Field Studies trip this May.

Everyone’s invited — students, community members, and guests — to take part in a variety of events that highlight global cultures while helping students fund their educational travel experience. Events at a glance are:

• Bake Sale - 8:30 - 10 a.m., Borra Learning Center Lobby
• Coffee & Connect - 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Room 122, Borra Learning Center. Enjoy coffee and conversation with an inspiring couple whose careers have spanned the globe. 
• International Food Fair - 12-2 p.m., Iron Horse Café. Taste the world! Enjoy a global buffet created by the college’s culinary team. $5 for students/$10 for community members.
• Movie & Panel Discussion - 4-7 p.m.,  Room 122, Borra Learning Center
• Watch the thrilling South Korean action-horror film Train to Busan (Rated R), followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion. 

> Full press release with details.

COLLEGE JOB FAIR - North Central Michigan College will host a job fair on Wednesday, April 9, from 2-4 p.m. in the Athletic Center gymnasium on the Petoskey campus. Open to employers and jobseekers, the event will provide opportunities to network, recruit and interview candidates for career-track and entry-level positions as well as internships and seasonal employment. The event is free and open to the public. Employers interested in having a booth at the event can register at https://bit.ly/NCMCJobFair. Booth space is $50.

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Boyne Area News Briefs

LEADERSHIP FUNDRAISERS - The Leadership Charlevoix County Class of 2025 has teamed up with Kiersten’s Ride to launch a powerful outreach campaign focused on suicide prevention and mental health awareness—and they need your help to make it happen. They have two upcoming fundraising events:

• Coffee & Hope, Iron Goat Coffee (East Jordan & Walloon locations). April 8. 25% of all proceeds for the day at both locations will be donated to Kiersten's Ride.
• Raise Your Voice for Hope, at Muskrat, 121 Water St. Boyne City. April 16, from 8-10pm. Karaoke Night, $2/drink will be donated to Kiersten's Ride.

How to Donate (please mention ‘LCC’ on all donations). Mail a check to Kiersten’s Ride, 04316 Cosier Rd, East Jordan, MI, 49727. To donate via Venmo, use the QR code on this flyer.

FOOD AT THE MUSKRAT - Muskrat Distilling started providing food service beginning Monday, March 31. Food is available Monday-Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and Friday from 4-9 p.m. The menu was created by and food will be prepared by Katie Jo Willis, "inspired by her travels around the world." Here is the menu.

PEOPLE’S MARCH - Boyne City resident Penny Hardy is organizing a People’s Resistance March at 12 noon Saturday, April 5. “We will gather at noon at Veterans Memorial Park in front of Boyne City City Hall and march through the business district,” Hardy said. “Posters and signs are welcome. Please no vulgarity!”

EUCHRE TOURNAMENT - Boyne City PirateFest is hosting a euchre tournament on Saturday, April 12, at BC Lanes in Boyne City. Pre-register now for $15 to win up to $250. This is a fundraising event for Boyne City PirateFest 2025. Walk-ins will be charge an additional $5. Participants are asked to bring quarters to pay in for 50-cent euchres. Here are the prizes: 1st place - $250 sponsored by Mitch's Stump Grinding LLC, 2nd place - $150 sponsored by Expert Finishes LLC, 3rd place - $100 sponsored by Expert Finishes LLC.

CANCER CRUSADERS DANCE - The Northern Michigan Cancer Crusaders will be hosting “Dancing Through the Decades” from 6 to 11 p.m. Saturday, April 12, at the Boyne City Eagles Hall. Come dressed for your favorite decade, 50s through the 80s, for a chance to win a prize. Admission is a $6 donation. Food, a cash bar and a silent and ticket auction will be available. Music will be provided by Northern Nites and Tim’s DJ Service. For more information call Kathy Leist, 231-582-7587. 

BOYNE APPETIT Restaurant Week in Downtown Boyne City is set for Monday, April 14 through Sunday, April 20. Restaurant specials will be published soon by Boyne City Main Street, which is organizing the event.

FISH FRY - Boyne City Eagles will be having a fish fry on Good Friday, April 18. The club is open to the public, you do not have to be a member to enjoy the dinner and beverages.

APPLE TREE PRUNING - Join Nate Dionne for an informational, hands-on seminar about apple tree pruning from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 4, at the Elizabeth B. Hoffmann Nature Preserve, south of Charlevoix. The event is sponsored by the Little Traverse Conservancy. Through various techniques, trees can be greatly revitalized in a manner that also supports the ecosystem and landscape around them. Participants will then have the chance to put these principles and objectives to use on the trees found on the LTC preserve. Participants are invited to bring their own loppers/pole saws. Limited quantities of tools, including pruners and pole saws, will be available for use during the hands-on portion of the workshop. Attendance is limited. To register, call 231.347.0991 or online at www.landtrust.org.

PAINT THE TOWN RED - Tickets are on sale for the Boyne City Booster Foundation’s major annual event, Paint the Town Red, held at Boyne Mountain Resort on Saturday, April 26. Tickets are $85 per person, available at the Mark Patrick State Farm office, 219 S Lake St., Phone (231) 582-6829. Those who buy a group of 10 tickets may have a reserved table. 



City of Boyne City Municipal News

No candidates yet as city petition deadline nears

The deadline is less than three weeks away, and as of April 2, no candidates have turned in petitions for the non-partisan Boyne City Commission election. 

There are three commission seats for four-year terms up for election this year, and incumbent commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem George Lasater has told the Boyne Citizen that he will not be seeking reelection. Mayor Tim Nemecek and Commissioner Marty Moody have not said whether they will run for reelection.

If you’ve ever thought you’d like to run for the City Commission, now’s your chance to throw your hat in the ring. The main things a prospective candidate has to do are file an Affidavit of Identity and get at least 20 signatures of city residents who are registered voters on a nominating petition and turn it in to City Hall by 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 22. 

Learn more about the candidate nomination process here. If you have further questions, you may contact City Clerk Treasurer Jessica Puroll at 231-582-0334 or jpuroll@boynecity.gov.

The Boyne Citizen encourages anyone who is planning to run for office to let us know by emailing Editor Jim Baumann, jim@boynecitizen.com.

RECREATION MASTER PLAN - Provide your input to help shape the city's Recreation Master Plan. Take a minute to weigh in by taking this survey prior to April 30.

DRAFT MASTER PLAN - Available for a 63-day comment period through Friday, April 11. The opportunity to view the plan and comment on it are available on the home page of the City's website and through this link.

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

> City Commission's next regular meeting is at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8. Agenda page.

CITY BOARD OPENINGS - Are you interested in getting involved and having a voice on what is happening in the City? Volunteer to serve on a board! For more information and to download an application, visit the City’s website. 

• Airport Board – 3 seats open
• Zoning Board of Appeals – 3 seats open

Obituaries

We are not aware of any local obituaries this week.

A 20-second exposure of the Aurora Borealis was captured on the evening of November 8, 2024 at the Wildwood Observatory, located two miles north of Boyne City. 

OUR NIGHT SKY

The physics of the Northern Lights

By Rod Cortright, cortrigh@msu.edu

“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.

Aurora, also known as the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) and the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis), are stunning natural light displays near Earth’s polar regions. They are caused by interactions between the Earth’s magnetic field and charged particles from the Sun. These lights appear as vibrant waves, ribbons, or curtains of green, red, purple and blue dancing across the night sky. This phenomenon is common in high-latitude areas like Norway, Canada, and Antarctica. During larger geomagnetic storms, they can be seen at lower latitudes.

Aurora formation begins with the Sun, which constantly emits a stream of charged particles known as the solar wind. These particles, mainly electrons and photons, move through space and occasionally interact with Earth’s magnetosphere, the magnetic field protecting our planet. When a particularly strong solar wind from a coronal mass ejection (CME) reaches Earth, it can disturb the magnetosphere and increase auroral activity.

As the charged particles enter Earth’s atmosphere near the magnetic poles, they collide with gas molecules such as oxygen and nitrogen. These collisions transfer energy to the gas molecules, exciting them to higher energy states. When these molecules return to their normal state, they release the absorbed energy in the form of visible light. The specific colors of the auroras depend on the type of gas involved and the altitude at which the interactions occur. Oxygen produces green and red hues, while nitrogen contributes to blue and purple shades.

Auroras are not unique to Earth. Other planets with magnetic fields, like Jupiter and Saturn, also experience similar light displays. Studying auroras helps scientists understand space weather and the interactions between solar activity and planetary atmospheres.

THROUGH THE HISTORIAN'S LENS

History columnist Patrick McCleary has endured several days with no internet, electricity, heat or water, therefore his column is not available this week. We assume future history columnists will be writing about the Great Ice Storm of 2025.

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MUSIC, ARTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT

Please email your special events and music information to jamie@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 p.m.

BARREL BACK. 4069 M-75, Walloon Lake, (231) 535-6000.

> Live music 6-9 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays with music and trivia on Thursdays.

Mondays - Sean Bielby

Tuesdays - Lara Fullford

Wednesdays - Pete Kehoe

Thursdays - Trivia & music by Holly Keller

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

> Open bowling 5-9 p.m. Tuesdays, 3-10 p.m. Fridays, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays.

Saturday, April 12 - PirateFest Euchre Tournament, 5:30 p.m. Register online.

No music scheduled in April.

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

> Upcoming classes:

- Create Better Smartphone Photos - May 10

> Spring Art Exhibit, "Unfolding," April 11 - May 26. Opening night Friday, April 11, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

> Spring Art Camp for adults - April 28 - 30.

> Kids Camp: Color our World - June 16 - August 15

BOYNE CITY FARMERS MARKET. Indoors in the pavilion at Veterans Park, 207 N. Lake Street, Boyne City. (231) 582-9009. Vendor application for summer.

> Open Saturdays 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

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

> MY CLUE TRIVIA - Mondays at 7 p.m.

> SINGO BINGO - Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

> LIVE MUSIC at 7 p.m.

Thursdays - Adam and the Cabana Boys

Fridays & Saturdays - Patrick Ryan

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 - Saturdays 2-6 p.m. Free snowshoes for customers to use.

Saturday, April 5 - Two Track Mind

Saturday, April 12 - Elisabeth Criste

Saturday, April 19 - Michelle Chenard

Saturday, April 26 - Chris Calleja

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

> LIVE MUSIC

Mondays - The Shifties, 6-9 p.m.

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

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

FRESHWATER Art Gallery and Concert Venue, 217 S Lake St., Boyne City, Call (231) 582-2588 to reserve tickets.

> Saturday, April 12, 8 p.m. - Wild Bill & The Bruisers with special guests Eliza Thorne and Mallory Eagle. Wild Bill & The Bruisers is a rambunctious, three-piece band from Nashville known for their high-octane, honky-tonk style, reviving country classics and more. The affable trio describe themselves as the “rowdiest band you’ve ever seen!” One of a plethora of hard working, full-time bands plying their trade on Lower Broadway, Wild Bill and The Bruisers stand out from the crowd not only due to their widespread popularity with their local fan base, but also with their high-energy performances. With a warm and uninhibited voice, Eliza Thorn is a bright-eyed and emergent force, cultivating a characteristic sound. Years of travel and busking have aided in honing a penchant for honest storytelling. Thorn tips a proverbial hat to her idols, spanning from Bob Wills to Howlin Wolf. Mallory Eagle From Oklahoma City is a rising presence in country and Americana music. Inspired by honky-tonk, country rock, and bluegrass, her music pays homage to traditions with a modern flair. 

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

> Sunday, April 13 - Keith Gave & Detroit's Hockey Evolution, an exclusive screening of "The Russian Five," followed by a conversation with Keith Gave, the journalist who helped bring the legendary Russian Five to Detroit. 1 p.m. Tickets.

SUMMER/FALL CONCERT SERIES:

May 25 - The Doo Wop Project

June 13 - Deana Carter

June 21 - Get Loud Entertainment Presents: Infinity

June 27 - The Broadway Tenors

June 29 - Comedian Dustin Nickerson

July 5 - Get Loud Entertainment Presents: Lonestar

July 12 - 2025 Gala, Disco Paradise featuring KC and The Sunshine Band

July 20 - An Evening with Lyle Lovett and his Large Band

July 30 + 31 - Bay View Music Festival Presents: Bizet’s Carmen

Aug 3 - Straight No Chaser Summer: The 90s Part 2

Aug 9 - The Landsharks Band

Aug 15 - Ashes & Arrows

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

LAKE STREET PUB. 202 S. Lake St., Boyne City, (231) 497-6031.

> TRIVIA NIGHT - Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

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

Food service starts March 31. Hours will be Monday-Thursday 4-8 and Friday 4-9. Here is the Muskrat Munchies Menu, created by Katie Willis.

> KARAOKE - 8 to 11 p.m. every Wednesday

> LIVE MUSIC 8 to 11 p.m.

Friday, April 4 - Lou Thumser

Friday, April 11 - SAXU4IA

Saturday, April 19 - Anniversary Party with Jelly Roll Blues Band

Friday, April 25 - Two Track Mind

PENINSULA PARK EVENT CENTER, 5 W. Main Street, Boyne City, (231) 881-5192, peninsulaparkevents@gmail.com. The Event Center space is available to rent for public and private events including parties, fundraisers, entertainment, classes and meetings.

> Wellness Workshop has been postponed due to the ice storm.

PROVISIONS LOUNGE. 123 Water St., Boyne City, (231) 582-2151.

LIVE MUSIC, 6-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturdays

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

LIVE MUSIC 6-9 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Tuesday, April 8 - Evan Archambo

Tuesday, April 15 - Erik Jakeway

Tuesday, April 22 - Lou Thumser

Tuesday, April 29 - Peter Allen Jensen

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

> April 12 and the second Saturday of the month - Karaoke with DJ T-Bone Thompson from 8-11 p.m.

> May 7 and the first Wednesday of the month - Open Mic Nights hosted by Nelson Olstrom, 6-9 p.m.

WALLOON JUNCTION GRILL AND BAR. 4472 M-75, Walloon Lake, (231) 535-6006.

Walloon Junction will be closed April 6-15 “to give our staff a break and revamp, so make sure you stop in before Sunday!”

> Roller skating party 2-6 p.m. Saturday, April 19. $8 admission, $2 rentals.

The Boyne Citizen

Email: jim@boynecitizen.com

Phone: 231-675-8793

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