September 17, 2024 | Issue #3

Inside this issue:

• How was summer business in the Boyne area?
• School board gets sex education program update
• Library hosts award-winning author Bonnie Jo Campbell
• Patrick McCleary history: Roller skating in 1910
• Boyne City High School names Homecoming Court
• Dress For Chill shifts into high gear
• Thanks to 100 donors who helped get us started!
• Obituaries
• Music and entertainment listings

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Shopping at SPUDSboyne on a recent Sunday were Lindsey Seregny of Austin, Texas, and her mother, Shelly Seregny of East Jordan, with store owner Adam Graef at right. "I love shopping, and I love this store," Lindsey said.

Summer business in the Boyne area:

“A pretty good year, but not a banner year”

By Jim Baumann, jim@boynecitizen.com

“It’s been a pretty good year, but not a banner year.” That statement by local banker John Cool pretty much sums up the feelings of most of the businesses contacted by the Boyne Citizen about how successful they were this summer. 

Cool is the Boyne City manager and loan officer for Charlevoix State Bank, and things are going well for them. He is happy with the bank’s deposit growth and commercial loan volume, although like everywhere, residential mortgage business is slow as a result of the Federal Reserve’s raising rates to fight inflation. 

The Traverse City Ticker newsletter just reported that the Traverse City Tourism CEO Trevor Tkach called it a “mixed-bag summer” that merits a “B-minus” letter grade. He said data showed tourists were being more frugal this summer and weren’t staying as long.

Kyle Marshall, general manager and chef for Cafe Sante, has quite a perspective, having worked for Magnum Hospitality for 25 years. He was the chef when Red Mesa Grill opened in Boyne City in 1997. He stayed for four years to get it established, and then went to Traverse City to open a second Red Mesa location.

He returned to Boyne City in 2010 to open Cafe Sante, and he's still there. He’s now part owner and also has an ownership share in the Lake Street Pub. 

Kyle Marshall with Gaola Stafford, one of his Managers at Cafe Sante.

So how was the summer of 2024? “Business was good. There were a lot of people in Boyne City,” Marshall said. “Northern Michigan in general was pretty solid. It was a very good summer” for Cafe Sante. “Our patron count was up, which is nice to see. It's really been booming the past couple of years. I would say part of that is that August was bigger this year than I've ever seen. July actually worried me a little bit because the last half of July really dropped.”

The first half of July is always strong in Boyne City with the 4th of July followed by the Boyne Thunder boating event, both drawing huge crowds of visitors and locals. That combination was even better this year because there was a full week in between. “We had two weeks this year, right?” Marshall said. “It was awesome. I mean, that's the best-case scenario, to stretch that out. We did really well for two weeks, but then the last half of July was soft, really soft, in all of our stores. But August came back like a lion, and people stayed longer than normal.”

Marshall said he saw “a lot of new faces in August. All in all, I would say the summer of 2024 was very good at Cafe Sante. We (Magnum Hospitality) had some other stores in northern Michigan that were softer. The Traverse City market was softer than it's been in a few years.”

Despite the fact that Cafe Sante’s customer count was up for the summer, Marshall said, the average spend per customer was down from 2023. “This is the blip,” he said. “They're not buying appetizers, they're not buying desserts. A lot of people are splitting meals, which is always a sign that there's economic stress. So I'm more concerned about next year now, after having a solid summer going into election time.”

So how is the workforce situation? “Labor is terrible. Staffing is the number one issue in all of our stores. I don't think we hit 80% staffing this summer at Cafe Sante. We do what we can to make it less noticeable to customers, but it's been difficult.”

> Cafe Sante website.

* * *

Here are some more snapshots of how things are going around the Boyne area. Many said business was a bit slower than in 2023, but there were many bright spots.

Ingrid Day of Boyne City Main Street says “It was a really good summer.” That organization organizes three of the community’s major economy-boosting programs - Stroll the Streets, Boyne Thunder, and the Boyne City Farmers Market.

“We’ve had a pretty consistent turnout from locals and visitors at all of our events. I think the outdoor cafes and our Social District helped.” The Social District is in its second summer, allowing people to buy alcoholic drinks to go. “Labor Day weekend was really busy. I checked out our final Stroll the Streets (on August 30th) at 9:45 p.m. It was still very busy, and that’s how it was all weekend.”

Like banker John Cool, Day has also seen a leveling off of visitors and economic activity. “I think after COVID ended, we had a lot of pent up interest for people getting out and dining and shopping. Now people are being a bit more judicious.”

“As far as Main Street is concerned, we’re doing great. We just did a Pulse Poll and 75% of the people responding said they visited downtown about the same or more than the previous year. Twenty-five percent said they came downtown more.”

She said the Farmers Market, which is administered by Main Street, has had a good summer as well, and all booths were sold out for Labor Day weekend.

> Boyne City Mainstreet website.

Kristine Brehm of Provisions oversees three separate but connected downtown food and drink establishments - Provisions Lounge, Wine Market/Deli, and Party Store. Business has been especially strong in the Lounge and Wine Market, she said. 

Lounge manager Harley Welsh said the summer has been “stellar,” noting that they broke sales and customer count records for five consecutive weeks after the 4th of July and Boyne Thunder brought crowds to their doorstep.

Brehm said the success of the Lounge is because the menu appeals to diners looking for both reasonably priced and high-end meals. Examples are their Thursday night Moo & Brew special with a half-pound burger and a beer or house red or white wine for $17. A recent Thursday menu also included a Surf and Turf Platter featuring Beef Tenderloin and Chilean Sea Bass for $40. “Of course, our service and ambiance have people coming back for more too,” Brehm said. “We have elevated food and experience in a comfortable setting for everyone.”

“Our success and growth is largely due to the very talented staff in all three locations.” she said. “We have expanded the company’s spirit offerings, merchandise, branded offerings, gifts, and seasonal decor. We have become a go-to place for specialty foods, charcuterie accessories and hostess gifts. Our wine selection and deli rounds us out with one-stop shopping. Our house-made soups, side salads, deserts and hot sandwiches have become well known in Northern Michigan and a ‘must try.’ Our wines are all tasted before going on our shelf and have developed into an approachable and well-curated selection.”

> Provisions website.

Becky Houser at Muskrat Distilling said, “We had a great summer!” To accommodate Stroll the Streets crowds, they made a stage for music performers to use and placed it in the alley outside their back door. They also added a cornhole board and a bar in the back, plus a bar on the sidewalk outside their front door, surrounded by barriers as required by liquor laws. 

Houser says much of their success is due to their special events and programming, including a monthly book club and hiking club.  

But the highlight of Muskrat’s summer was when they came up with the idea of a Dragon Vale-themed Stroll the Streets on August 16th. The concept grew out of their book club, which had read some of The Empyrean Series books by Rebecca Yarros. Houser and others pitched the concept to at least 10 neighboring businesses, the Boyne District Library  and Boyne City Main Street, and everyone jumped on board. 

Muskrat teamed up with a Northern Michigan regional group called Rain and Revelry, which was organizing a Dragon Gauntlet event at Boyne Mountain on August 17th, the day after the Dragon Stroll. That event attracted a “dragon takeover” from all over Michigan and beyond. The event website said  participants were “encouraged to explore Boyne City and enjoy the magic brought to life in this charming waterside town for one special evening.”

Muskrat designed a special “Dragon Stroll Menu” of drinks and mocktails, and there were also costume contests for kids, adults and dogs. Laurie David built a paper mache dragon with a five-foot wingspan, and Jim Rostar used a 3D printer to create some smaller dragons as well.

“We like to have a great time,” Houser said, adding that Muskrat owners Matt and Alex McCann are “wonderful people to work for. They want to build community and they want us to enjoy our work. They want their employees to foster their passions.” This how they handle social media, how the book club and hiking club were started, and employee Korrie Haas designed the Boyne City Dragon Vale t-shirt that appears with this story.

> Muskrat Distilling website.

Jason Perl, Boyne Mountain Resort General Manager, said “Overall, it’s been a good summer. Some of our new events were the highlight for me,” he said, mentioning Skybridge Yoga, Strings in the Sky music series and an Aloha Summer Luau.

Skybridge has been “the” exciting new attraction for the resort since it opened in October of 2022. The pedestrian bridge is 1,200 feet long and 118 feet above the Boyne Valley floor. Economically, it has played a big part of leveling things out for the resort, literally bridging the summer golf and winter skiing seasons. “The weeks on the shoulder seasons are less and less now,” Perl said, “especially what we're coming into in the next few weeks and, for the next month or so” as fall colors bring more visitors.

“We’re very pleased with the project. It's safe to say it's exceeded our expectations. It's something different and something that almost everyone can do. It just gives folks access to the top of the mountain who otherwise might have no interest in being on the top of the mountain.” Tickets are good for a full day, so people can go up the chairlift, across and down the mountain as many times as they’d like. 

At Boyne Mountain, the busy summer includes getting ready for winter, when large crowds visit for skiing and sledding. Perl said they are “putting in a bunch of brand new, fully automatic fan guns - snowmaking equipment. Two of them are going to go to our tubing park and six of them are going to go to the Victor Trail, along with two more that we tested last winter,” he said. The goal is to get tubing open as early as possible, ideally mid-December, and to also be the first to open in the Midwest and the last to close.”

> Boyne Mountain Resort website.

Nadine Basile of Michigan Fibershed is coming up on the first anniversary of starting her “cozy local yarn store” last November at 111 S. Lake Street in downtown Boyne City. She’s had a phenomenal summer, but there were times when she wasn’t quite sure she was going to make it.

She had to put together a business plan with financial projections for her bank. She knew winter would be slow, and May and June were slower than projected. “But July was good and August was even better. Those two months were better than all of the months before that combined. People were coming in from all over the United States.”

Basile credits her success to the fact that she has unique products with knitting, weaving, spinning, crocheting, dyeing supplies and artwork. Perhaps more importantly, she has created a welcoming community with classes and knit-along groups. The Fibershed has plenty of space for people to drop in and just work on projects together - it’s social and everyone gives each other advice if needed.

> Michigan Fibershed website.

Dan Duncan of Duncan Studios retired as a toolmaker in Petoskey and opened his Boyne City art studio at 120 Water St. in 2019 and has nearly doubled his revenues every year since then. He’s made such an impact that he was named Grand Marshal of the 4th of July Parade. Best of all, his retirement gig doesn’t feel like work at all.”It’s a little bit unbelievable,” Duncan says.

Duncan Studio is not like your typical art studio, because Dan spends much of the summer roaming around Northern Michigan, attending outdoor festivals. Actually it’s more like he is performing. The recent Venetian Festival, Alpenfest and Otsego County Fair were typical. The events hired him to set up tents and conduct “paint and sip” style painting sessions where he instructs six children at a time who paint along with him. He cycles through 50 or 60 kids in two hours.

Duncan often creates a large painting for the event, which is auctioned. He raised $4,000 doing this for the Otsego County Fair. He organizes similar events in front of his studio in Boyne City for local festivals like the 4th of July, Mushroom Festival, Stroll the Streets, and (on Sept. 28th) the Harvest Festival. He also gives lessons and paint parties at the studio and places like Lavender Hill Farm. Painting commissions and murals come to him from all of the events he does throughout the year. He has 15 or 20 lined up to do right now, and many will become Christmas presents. 

One of his best known murals is the “Greetings from Boyne City” giant postcard on the side of Boyne City Hardware, which he has also turned into smaller prints sold in the studio. (Photo below.)

> Duncan Studios website.

Businesses worry about effect of Michigan court ruling on minimum wage and paid leave benefits

Business owners and managers are worried about the effect of a Michigan Supreme Court ruling that two ballot proposals from 2018 will take effect Feb. 21, 2025. One raises the minimum wage, including that of tipped employees, and the other enacts paid leave benefits for full-time, part-time and seasonal employees. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce called the ruling “devastating” and said it was “a blow to our state’s job providers and economic competitiveness.” 



Local restaurants agree that at a minimum, the new law will result in higher prices and possible layoffs and business closures. If restaurants can’t afford to keep as many servers on staff, the result could be converting to “fast casual,” where customers come to the counter to place their orders, rather than having servers take their orders.

Health teacher Ryan Brubaker presents the high school pre-and post-testing results from the sex education class.

School board gets sex education program update

The Boyne City Public Schools Sex Education Advisory Board (SEAB) reported on a two-year review of the sex education program at the Board of Education meeting on Sept. 9. The board voted to approve the curriculum as recommended. Middle school Assistant Principal Erin Bybee-Wilcox, SEAB co-chair; Kelsey Bricker, middle school health teacher; and Ryan Brubaker, high school health teacher, presented their findings.

Bybee-Wilcox provided an overview of how the sex education curriculum has evolved.

Before 2020 and COVID, the curriculum relied heavily on multiple speakers from outside agencies like the Health Department of Northwest Michigan to present to the students, along with lessons by teachers. However, when COVID hit, outside speakers couldn't come into the schools, so the teachers wrote a curriculum that was a mixture of online sources and in-person lessons. In the fall of 2020, the SEAB voted to change the curriculum to be health teacher-led, relying less on outside agencies.

During the 2022-2023 school year, curriculum was added to the programs in ninth, tenth and eleventh grades. In Spring of 2024, the SEAB completed a two-year review of the middle and high school programs. They recommend continuing with a teacher-designed and -led model. Their goal for the 2024-2025 school year is to work on SEAB Administrative Guidelines.

Bricker said that eighth grade scores on pre- and post-assessments improved by 30%. The students said that the information was presented at the appropriate age and that they rarely discussed the topics presented at home, unless they specifically asked their parents. They demonstrated that they had a better understanding of the laws about sex, how to remain close with a partner without having sex, where to get accurate information, and how to communicate limits to a partner. They also identified a trustworthy adult with whom they could discuss reproductive health.

Brubaker said that 92% of students in grades 9-12 scored above the benchmark score of 80% on post testing. They understood the risks of sexually transmitted infections and where to get accurate information. They knew the importance of having an open relationship with their doctor, and were able to identify the best birth control options for each individual, including abstinence. High school students understood the laws and consequences that come with sex-related crimes. They knew that the risks of sexual assault increase with substance abuse. They were able to identify warning signs of abusive, unhealthy relationships and the risks of unsafe choices. 

The biggest increase in high school scores came with learning their own individual “love languages" and how to identify what is important to building healthy relationships. Love is expressed in these five ways: 1) words of affirmation, 2) quality time, 3) acts of service, 4) receiving gifts, and 5) physical touch, according to Gary Chapman PhD., author and family counselor. Every individual has dominant love languages in the way they express love and prefer to receive love from others.

The sex Education Advisory Board includes: Bybee-Wilcox and parent/co-chair Jennifer Yelovina; teachers Kelsey Bricker, Ryan Brubaker, Ellen Dart, Megan Burgess and Katie Reinhardt; nurses Andrew Hardy and Amy Flynn; parents Brian Patten, Libby Pearson, and Mandy Friedenberg; school board members/parents Savannah Hrenko and Sara Ward; middle school counselor Julie Sisson and clergy member Paul Wise.

Each year parents are sent a letter allowing them to opt their adolescents out of the sex education. According to Brubaker, only 2-3% of high school students opted out. 

The entire sex education curriculum is available here on the BCPS website. The SEAB report to the board and data can be found here. 

In other action the board:

• Approved the Early Learners Program Handbook.
• Approved a change to the student discipline policy that will allow parents to appeal to the Board, if the superintendent extends a suspension beyond the 10 days allowed for by a principal's suspension.
• Discussed the superintendent's evaluation process.
• Reviewed unofficial enrollment numbers.
• Held a special meeting collaborating with school administrators to begin work on a Strategic Plan.

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Library hosts award-winning author Bonnie Jo Campbell Sept. 26 at Performing Arts Center

The Boyne District Library invites the community to a special reading and book signing with award-winning author Bonnie Jo Campbell at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26, at the Performing Arts Center in Boyne City High School. Campbell will read from her new novel, "The Waters." Copies of the book will be available for sale through McLean and Eakin at the event.

This is a free event, open to the public. Registration is not required for general admission. Limited special seating is available for Friends of the Boyne District Library members who RSVP ahead of time. If you are not a member of the Friends, you can join online and then register.

Campbell is the author of the novels The Waters, Once Upon a River, and Q Road. Her critically-acclaimed short fiction collections include American Salvage, which was a finalist for both the National Book Award and the National Book Critics Circle Award; Women and Other Animals, which won the AWP prize for short fiction; and Mothers, Tell Your Daughters (Autumn 2015). Her story “The Smallest Man in the World” was awarded a Pushcart Prize and her story, “The Inventor, 1972” was awarded the 2009 Eudora Welty Prize from Southern Review. She was a 2011 Guggenheim Fellow.

Boyne City High School names Homecoming Court

Boyne City High School has announced its Homecoming Court for 2024. Congratulations to (back row from left): Reese Bey, Leon Xiong, Ryan Spate, Jaden Alger, and Camryn Rajkovich. Front row, from left: Adonae Patton, Josie Wilson, Elly Wilcox, Katelyn Dittmar, and Jacky Dunlop. 

Homecoming Week festivities begin Saturday, Sept. 21, with float building and the PowderPuff Football game that evening. VolleyBuff will be held Wednesday, Sept. 25, in the BCHS gym, and the Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned during halftime of the varsity football game on Friday, Sept. 27 vs. Cheboygan. The Rambler gridders have a 2-1 record after beating rival Charlevoix, 45-21 last week. They travel to Kingsley this Friday before the Homecoming game next week.

BC Pizza of Boyne City has also announced a fundraiser benefiting the football program from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18.

Dress for Chill shifts into high gear to provide winter wear for local kids

Each September, the Boyne Eta Nu Charities service project known as “Dress for Chill” shifts into high gear. The committee members meet to begin the intensive work to coordinate winter outerwear ensembles for Boyne City children in need. Last winter, thanks to much local donor support, they were able to dress 221 of our youngest school children.

Each ensemble (winter coat, snow pants, boots, hat and gloves) averages around $100 to purchase, plus an estimated 1,600 hours of work from the group to make it happen – truly a labor of love.

The Dress for Chill team works all year fundraising and shopping deals for warm winter bargains, taking advantage of end-of-season sales and closeouts. They buy, sort, catalog and store all the purchases throughout the year until September. That’s when Eta Nu begins working with school administrators to coordinate sizing information from parents. Then, the final stage – coordinating outdoor clothing ensembles for each child, assembled and tagged for delivery to the school. In mid-October, the team, along with volunteers, meet the children at the school to try on their new clothes, making sure of fit, and switching out items until they are just right. It is always a wonderfully fulfilling day!

Eta Nu invites groups and individuals to champion this cause - asking everyone to share with family, co-workers and friends. All donations are tax deductible. Checks may be made out to Boyne Eta Nu Charities/Dress for Chill and can be sent to: P.O. Box 133, Boyne City, MI 49712, or you can donate online here. They also invite everyone to stop by their booth at the Harvest Festival in downtown Boyne City on Sept. 28th.

> Dress for Chill info flier.

People Fund grant applicant letters of interest due Oct. 1

The Great Lakes Energy People Fund is accepting letters of interest and grant applications from non-profit organizations throughout its service area for the fall grant cycle. Letters of interest are due by Oct. 1. If the letter of interest is approved, the applicant can then submit a grant application by Oct. 15. All letters and applications are accepted through an online grant application portal that can be found at gtlakes.com/people-fund. Another grant opportunity will be available in April 2025.

With the purpose of bettering local communities, the People Fund is supported solely by Great Lakes Energy members. Those who participate in the program allow their electric cooperative to round their monthly electric bill to the next whole dollar amount. Three independent Boards of Directors representing north, central, and south regions of the GLE service territory review applications and award grants to non-profit, charitable organizations that provide humanitarian, educational, or community development services within our 26-county area. Since 1999, the People Fund Program has awarded more than $4.6 million in grants to charitable and community organizations to help them better the lives of residents in local communities. The People Fund awarded more than $146,000 in the spring grant cycle this year.

Non-profit organizations that serve communities located in the Great Lakes Energy service area are eligible to apply. More information about the People Fund program, including organization and grant eligibility criteria, and lists of recent grant recipients, is available online at www.gtlakes.com/people-fund.

Challenge Mountain plans Farm to Table Tasting Dinner

As the crisp autumn air settles over northern Michigan, there’s no better way to celebrate this time of year than by gathering with friends and supporters for Challenge Mountain’s 2nd Annual Farm to Table Tasting Dinner at 5 p.m. Tuesday, September 24th. Set against the backdrop of The Farm at Frog Hollow, this event is more than just a dinner - it’s a celebration of community, autumn harvest and the meaningful impact of Challenge Mountain’s programs. 

The menu features Prosciutto and Melon Salad, Wild Mushroom Crostini, Garbanzo Bean Soup, Venison Empanadas, Cuban Chicken Fricassee, and Caramel Apple Flan. All are paired with seasonal cocktails and wine. Reservations required: $115/person. Click to register.

County political parties gear up for election 

The Charlevoix County Republican and Democratic parties are starting to rev up their activities with the Presidential and General Election less than two months away. 

The Charlevoix County Republicans are planning their Fall Picnic with “food, candidates and family fun” from 12 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22nd at the Veterans Park Pavilion in Boyne City. Admission is $25, and you can make a reservation by emailing CharlevoixCountyGOP@gmail.com. County GOP Headquarters is located at 2500 US-131 Boyne Falls. Look for Oscar the Elephant. Picnic flier.

For the first time in history, the Charlevoix County Democratic Party is opening two campaign offices. The Boyne City office is located at 5 W. Main St., Suite 7, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 2-6 p.m. and Saturday from 1-4 p.m. The Charlevoix office is located at 06777 US 31, open Monday, Wednesday and Friday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, email democrats.charlevoix@gmail.com or call 231-753-8411. News release.

When you want to read “the paper”

Thanks to Boyne District Library Director Monica Peck for printing out 13 pages of the Boyne Citizen email newsletter and making it available on the rack with all of the printed newspapers. Some people just like to read “the paper” on paper!

THROUGH THE HISTORIAN'S LENS

Roller skating comes to Boyne City in 1910

Anthony J. Trudeau, owner and manager of Trudeau’s Roller-Skating Rink. (Photograph courtesy of the Boyne District Library Collection.)

Mr. Baker was the long-time custodian for the Boyne City school system.

Across the street from his home, on the southeast corner of this same intersection, lay a vacant lot. For many years, Mr. Baker had looked over at the site and had frequently commented that the site would make a good business location “when the right man comes along with a worthy enough idea.” The right man did finally come along - Mr. Anthony Trudeau. 

Born Antoine Joseph “Anthony” Trudeau in 1873, in Franklin, Quebec, Canada, he immigrated to the United States in 1887 along with his family. He eventually came to settle in Cheboygan County where he was doing general, day-labor work. He married Miss. Elizabeth Mueller in 1894, and the Trudeaus had nine children. 

Anthony relocated his family from Cheboygan to Boyne City around 1907 with the intention of going into the grocery business. The Trudeau’s took up residence at 503 E. Main Street, and soon after meeting their new neighbor, Mr. Baker, a better employment opportunity seemed to present itself. By the following year, Mr. Trudeau began operating a roller-skating rink in a large building located near what is now 318 East Main Street. Having children of various ages attending the local school encouraged children of all ages to take part. It wasn’t long before their parents and other adults wanted to get in on the fun as well.

Among his early memories of Boyne City, the late Emory V. Houk shared the following:

“When I was a boy, roller skating fever came to Boyne City. A structure was built for the skating and the town went crazy with roller-skating fever. The cost was many broken limbs by the skaters. It was great fun for the young, but the oldsters were the ones in difficulty. Eventually the rink became a gymnasium for the high school, for physical education, basketball and dances for the students.”

The Trudeau roller skating rink was in full swing by 1910, but between that year and 1912, Anthony had grown tired of the occupation and wanted to return to something more to his liking. However, there weren’t many in the market to own and operate a roller-skating establishment. Through the assistance of his now friend, William Baker, Anthony sold the business location to the Boyne City school system for use as a gymnasium. At that time the Trudeau family tried their luck in several locations, settling once again in Cheboygan. It was there that Anthony ran a saloon with his brother, Adolph. 

The Trudeau roller skating rink served as the Boyne City school gymnasium until one particularly hard winter when the roof collapsed due to heavy snowfall. At that time, the upstairs of the Odd Fellows building on Water Street was used for basketball and other team sports. In 1922, an impressive new brick gymnasium was erected on the corner of Pine and East Streets, and it remained in use for more than three decades. 

Boyne Area News Briefs

GEESE PROBLEMS PILE UP - From Bridge magazine: Boyne City isn’t the only community struggling with the geese problems in their parks and beaches. Michigan’s booming Canada goose population is both a conservation success and daily annoyance: They poop everywhere, drop feathers, chase pedestrians and occasionally cause E. coli outbreaks in popular lakes. Starting next year, some landowners will be able to respond with lethal force. Michigan regulators have unveiled a new policy to allow some lake associations, golf courses, municipalities and other goose-aggrieved parties to hire federal crews to round up and kill the birds. Full story.

MAIN STREET ADDS ASSISTANT - Boyne City Main Street has announced that Deborah Kluck is joining their team as our new Administrative Assistant.  Deborah has 15 years experience working in offices with the University of Michigan Hospital and with the Trinity Health IHA Medical Group.  Deborah loves to volunteer and give back to her community.  She has been a volunteer with the Boyne City Main Street Marketing Committee for the past 18 months and also volunteers with the Boyne City Eagles F.O.E 1583 and the Northern Michigan Cancer Crusaders.  

SMOOTH COLLEGE TRANSFERS - North Central Michigan College (NCMC) and Central Michigan University have finalized a new partnership promoting seamless transfer between the two institutions. A similar partnership has also been finalized between NCMC and Northern Michigan University. These "2+2" transfer articulation agreements ensure that students who complete North Central’s two-year Global Studies degree can transfer those credits to CMU or NMU, completing a bachelor’s degree from either university in just two years. Full press release.

SNOW REMOVAL BIDS - Boyne City Public Schools is requesting bids for snow removal for 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.  Bids are due Friday, October 4, by 11 a.m.  Bids should be placed in a sealed envelope marked “Snow Removal Bid” at 321 South Park Street or emailed to: mharju@boyne.k12.mi.us with “Snow Removal Bid” in the subject line. Questions should be directed to Matt Harju at mharju@boyne.k12.mi.us. Details here.

BOYNE CITIZEN INTERVIEW - Interlochen Public Radio reporter Michael Livingstone, interviewed Boyne Citizen Editor Jim Baumann and board member Michelle Cortright for a story titled “As local media disappears, 'Boyne Citizen' returns under nonprofit model.” Click here for IPR’s story about the new online news source.

CITY COMMISSION - The next Boyne City Commission meeting is at 12 noon Tuesday, Sept. 24. The agenda will be posted here around 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20th.

CITY RUBBISH PICKUP - Collection day is scheduled for this Saturday, September 21st. Pick-up will begin at 7a.m. Details and list of permitted items.

Thank you to donors who helped start the Boyne Citizen

Obituaries

Rosemary Helen Smith

February 22, 1940 ~ September 15, 2024

Rollyn R. Llewellyn of Walloon Lake

August 16, 1932 ~ September 10, 2024

Patricia "Pat" Jane Griswold of Boyne City

March 18, 1944 ~ September 8, 2024

Barbara Elaine (Burdick) Schoreack of Boyne Falls

May 11, 1947 ~ September 6, 2024

Stiggs BBQ Wagon partners with Elder Piper Beer & Cider

Stiggs Brewery and Kitchen is partnering with Elder Piper Beer & Cider at 923 Baxter Street in Petoskey. From left are Trace Redmond (co-founder/brewer), Eeva Redmond (co-founder/creative director), and  Mike Castiglione (Stiggs owner/general manager). Stiggs Slow Smoked Meats are now served from the Stiggs BBQ Wagon to pair with Elder Piper beer and cider, every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. 

MUSIC, ARTS, AND ENTERTAINMENT

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

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

> New menu and live music Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays with trivia on Thursdays

> LIVE MUSIC, 6-9 p.m.

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.

>Live music resumes Saturday, Oct. 26.

BOYNE CITY FARMERS MARKET. Veterans Park, 207 N. Lake Street, Boyne City. (231) 582-9009.

> Open Wednesdays and Saturdays 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

> Harvest Festival, Sat., Sept. 28, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., four blocks in downtown Boyne City are closed for the annual event.

> LIVE MUSIC

Sat., September 21 - Sydni K

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

> LIVE MUSIC 7-10 p.m.

Thurs., Sept.19 - Adam and the Cabana Boys

Fri., Sept. 20 - Patrick Ryan and Josh Raber

Thurs., Sept. 26 - Adam and the Cabana Boys

Fri., Sept. 27 - Patrick Ryan and Josh Raber

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

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

> Harvest Showcase Wine Festival - Indulge in the flavors of fall at the Harvest Showcase Wine Festival on Saturday, September 21, part of our Chalet Wine Weekend. Nestled amidst the picturesque landscape of the ski slopes, Chalet Edelweiss offers the perfect backdrop for a wine-filled afternoon. Discover the Petoskey Wine Region: Sample a diverse selection of wines from 10+ local wineries. Your ticket includes a punch card for (15) 1oz tastings and a keepsake 9oz wine glass. Groove to live music by SAXU4IA, a dynamic saxophone and DJ duo. Their eclectic blend of genres sets the mood for a memorable experience. Details.

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

> LIVE MUSIC - Fridays 4-7:30 p.m.; Saturdays 2-6 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 20 - Two Track Mind

Sat. Sept. 21 - TBD

Fri., Sept. 27 - Chris Calleja

Sat., Sept. 28 - Chris Calleja

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

> LIVE MUSIC - 7-10 p.m. unless otherwise noted

Fri., Sept. 20 - The Fridays

Sat., Sept. 21 - Chris Calleja

Fri., Sept 27 - Brett Mitchell

Sat., Sept 28 - Michelle Chenard

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

> LIVE MUSIC

Sun., Sept. 22 - Downtown Sound: Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra presents the Nancy Stagnitta Jazz Trio, 4-5:30 p.m.

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

Friday Oct. 11 - The Claudettes from Chicago kick off Freshwater's Fall/Winter concert series.

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

Sun., Sept. 22 - Las Vegas Legend Clint Holmes, Between the Moon and NY City

Sun., Sept. 29 - Award-winning pianist Kasey Shao, 2024 Gilmore Young Artist

Sat., Oct. 5 - Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra presents: Beethoven's Night. Details and tickets.

JUNCTION BAR AND GRILL. 4472 M-75, Walloon Lake, 

(231) 535-6006.

> Sat., Oct. 5. The Rogue Showman - Juggling with Clark Lewis, 7 p.m. 

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

> TRIVIA NIGHTS - Wednesdays at 7 p.m.

LAVENDER HILL FARM. 7354 Horton Bay Rd. North, Boyne City, (231) 582-3784

> LIVE MUSIC - The Series at 6 p.m.:

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

> KARAOKE - 9 - 11:55 p.m. every Wednesday

> LIVE MUSIC 8-11 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 20 - Kevin Johnson

Fri., Sept. 27 - Blake Elliot

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

LIVE MUSIC on Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.:

Sept. 17 - tbd

Sept. 24 - Sean Bielby

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

LIVE MUSIC on Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m.:

Tuesday, Sept. 17 - Buddha

Tuesday, Sept. 24 - Erik VanHorn

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

> LIVE MUSIC at 6 p.m.

Fri., Sept. 20 - DJ Blossom

Sat., Sept 21 - Peter Allen Jensen

Fri., Sept. 27 - Grayson Barton

Sat., Sept. 28 - Sept. 28 STIGG-TOBER FEST - Beer Truck, Brewing Competition, Bouncy House / Kids activities, Sydni K Live Music

Wed., Oct. 2 - Open Mic Night Starts, hosted by Nelson Olstrom, 6-9PM

The Boyne Citizen

Email: jim@boynecitizen.com

Phone: 231-459-4166

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