Lillian I. Gregg
Lillian Isabel Gregg, 97, of Beaver Island, Michigan, passed away at home on February 13, 2022. She was born in Port Huron Michigan, on December 13, 1924, to William Stuart and Margaret Ellen McGuire MacDonald. After graduating from her home town High School in Memphis Michigan, she worked as a secretary in Lansing Michigan, where Lillian and Philip Robert Gregg met and fell in love on a blind date. Phil proposed to Lil on the lawn of the state capital of Michigan, and they were married in Richmond Michigan on June 21, 1947. They shared 62 amazing years together filled with love and many adventures. 
Lil and her family were charter members of the Beaver Island Christian Church. Lil wore many hats through the years serving the church as a Tennessee Ernie Ford disc jockey “before there was a piano or organ player”, secretary and treasurer of the Women’s Circle, Sunday school teacher, organized Thanksgiving dinners and Easter breakfast’s, pancake suppers, sang in the choir, served coffee and cookies after church services, etc. 
Lil was postal clerk at the Beaver Island Post Office for 35 years. 
She worked at Beaver Haven Marina the family business, cooked and managed Rustic Villa Grill, cleaned cabins, rented cars, bicycles. She and Joyce Bartels owned and operated a Beaver Island Tour business.
 
Both Lil and Phil loved Beaver Island and were very involved in many aspects of the community, including publishing the Beaver Beacon for several years. 
Lil lovingly knitted hundreds of Christmas stockings for family and friends. She knitted her last Christmas stocking at the age of 94. 
Surviving her are 2 children Ruth Gregg of Beaver Island, Ronald (Ann) Gregg of Clarksville Tennessee, and son-in-law Joseph Moore (Phyllis Gregg Moore deceased) of Beaver Island, her dear grandchildren Angela (Kevin) Mogford of Conway Michigan, Philip Michael (Jessica) Moore of Lander Wyoming, Michael (Angelie) Himebauch of Williamsburg Ohio, Courtney Moore Pelcha of Pellston, Thomas (Kimberly) of Orlando Florida, Kayleigh Gregg of Nashville Tennessee, and Andrea Moore of Puyallup Washington. She also leaves behind five wonderful great-grandchildren. 
Lil was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Phil; her daughter, Phyllis Moore; and her sisters Jeanice Raymond, and Margret “Peggy” King. 
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Beaver Island Food Pantry or Beaver Island EMS. 
A heartwarming thank you to Gerald and Tammy LaFreniere, Tammy Radionoff, and Beaver Island EMS 
Our love, prayers, and thanks to all who loved and cared for our sweet Mom. 
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, June 16th at 3pm at the Beaver Island Christian Church with burial following in St. James Township Cemetery. 
To plant memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Lillian Gregg, please visit our flower store.
 

​What's happening with 'Antho', Kate and Adam's vineyard?
The Parents: Rob, LeeAnn, Alan and Chris invite you ALL
to an "INFO HOUR" About Antho Vineyard...... and what's going on this summer.
Join us at the BI Community Center, 4pm, Sunday May 1 to learn more.
Any questions, call: 231-330-0968
Dear Beaver Island friends of Kate Leese and Adam Kendall,
Please join us for a quick hour of updates and information. 
as we discuss the season ahead and what it will take to keep Kate & Adam's
vineyard dream alive in 2022.
We're considerably OLDER than Kate & Adam and will need help a few times this spring. The 'Info Hour' will have an overview of what type of work plus sign-up sheets to keep volunteer jobs and times organized. Attending the meeting, does not mean you are signing up! It's an update of the goals for the deer fence project May 2 & 3; and the trellis installation May 27 & 28, plus a personal invitation to our 'Thank You Barbeque' 4pm, Sunday, May 29, at the Gregg Fellowship Center.
We are just presenting the projects at hand. If any of them interest you, there will be time slots to pick from. No one has to commit to a whole day! Maybe just a couple hours.
If you can't spend time, maybe you have some of the tools we could borrow?
That's why we need to coordinate efforts May 1st at 4pm in the Community Center. We will hand out our summer calendar and contact info. 
If any of the times work for you, we'd love to have you join us. If not, just come to say Hi!
SAVE THE DATES!!
MAY 1ST-2ND-3RD
MAY 27-29
READ THE FULL STORY IN THE APRIL ISSUE OF THE NORTHERNISLANDER:  AVAILABLE ON NEWSTANDS AT MCDONOUGH'S MARKET,  ISLAND ENERGIES, POWERS HARDWARE, HARBOUR BODEGA, COMMUNITY CENTER, ISLAND AIRWAYS, FRESH AIR AVIATION...OR SUBSCRIBE NOW!

​This year McDonough Construction, Inc. is proudly celebrating their 30th year in business!
Kevin was born to Robert and Charlotte McDonough, the youngest of fifteen children. Though his parents were both born and raised on Beaver Island, Kevin grew up in the Grand Rapids area.
Kevin found his love for building while taking the Builders Trades class in his senior year of high school. It seemed like the path to take since his brothers had taken the class and his uncles were builders. (Kevin spent many summers working for his Uncle Jude!)
He enjoyed the builder’s trade co-op program. Kevin learned a little bit of everything and by the end of the year, the class had built a house. One of the most valuable lessons that he learned from the builder’s trade teacher (and a bit comical) is when his teacher asked him to grab an electrical outlet. (You know where this is going) So Kevin grabs the box and gets a little zap. He exclaims to the teacher, “Why didn’t you warn me?” The teacher replies, “That will be the best lesson I will ever teach you.”
After graduating, Kevin started framing apartments and gaining building experience. In 1992, Kevin decided to get his builders license, and soon after formed McDonough Construction, Inc. with his friend and colleague, Rob Gladstone.
McDonough Construction went on to do a multitude of remodel projects and built many houses during its tenure in Grand Rapids, MI. Kevin went on to build homes for his siblings within the area as well. In 1996, Kevin fulfilled his mother’s lifelong dream of building her a house on Sand Bay. Charlotte was able to spend 14 summers at her home on Beaver Island until her passing in 2013.
In 1999, Kevin started teaming up with Robert Gillespie. One project led to another, and Kevin found himself working full-time on Beaver Island with Robert and the Eager Beaver Clean and Store. Kevin saw so much potential for the island and started to build himself his own home on Beaver Island in 2005. It was then that his wife Theresa relocated to the island full-time and his daughter Heather soon after followed. Theresa has since played one of the most integral roles in helping Kevin run their successful business.
Since then, Kevin’s family has grown, and he is happy to be raising a fifth generation McDonough (Sophie) on the ancestral 150-year-old farm. He and his wife continue to tackle various projects and all the logistical elements involved in building on Beaver Island. McDonough Construction, Inc. has proudly been involved in building up Beaver Island with a vast variety of commercial and residential projects. Some past projects include the Beaver Island Rural Health Center, the Beaver Island Community School, the Township Airport, the BIC Center, and the CMU Academic Center. McDonough Construction is currently finishing the third phase of the Print Shop Museum.
However, Kevin cannot forget the important people that encouraged and supported him along his path. Many thanks to his ENTIRE family including his mother who was always his biggest supporter, along with many friends and mentor Robert Gillespie who is always remembered. Many thanks to Ed Welter whose constant advice and unwavering support is appreciated.
“Beaver Island is very blessed to have an excellent group of builders, subcontractors and craftsman,” says Kevin McDonough. “Our company has been fortunate to have a great crew of employees and subcontractors over the years and we hope to continue to grow our crew in the upcoming year.”
We look forward to continuing to serve the Beaver Island community!
Squaw Island Lighthouse Restoration (mcdonoughconstructioninc.com)
 

​REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS
February 28, 2022
Beaver Island Community School
www.beaverisland.k12.mi.us
(231) 448-2744
Boiler Burner Retrofit
(Bid Proposals Due at 3:30 pm on Wednesday, March 9, 2022)
Please consider this document a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) for a complete burner
replacement including flame safeguard controls to retrofit the existing Bryan CL-150 (Burner
Model Number R8.0-0-05) boiler at Beaver Island Community School (BICS). The project
includes the following:
• Furnish and install new burner,
• Adapt all existing oil piping to new burner system,
• Properly dispose of old boiler system, and
• Necessary field coordination.
Sealed bid proposals must be received in the BICS office before 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday,
March 9, 2022. Bidders are encouraged to visit the school and inspect the existing boiler or call
to discuss project with Wil Cwikiel, BICS Superintendent/Principal. Bids will be opened at 3:31
p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. All bidders are welcome to be present at the opening.
Beaver Island Community School (BICS) reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.
The final selection for the contractor for this project will be made at the regularly-scheduled
March 14, 2022 BICS Board of Education meeting.
Any qualified contractors interested in submitting a bid are encouraged to meet with the BICS
Superintendent/Principal to discuss and review the project prior to preparing and submitting a
bid. To set up an appointment, please call (231) 448-2744.
All submitted bids must include:
• Not-to exceed bid amount with itemized cost estimates for each aspect of the project,
• Proposed completion date of the project,
• Proof of proper boiler installer’s licensure, and
• Provide current proof of general liability and workman’s comp insurance.
All bid proposals must be received in the Beaver Island Community School office before 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.

The Baroque on Beaver Festival’s name might make you think you’ll only hear one thing.  The reality is very different, say Baroque’s Music Director Robert Nordling and its Executive Director Matthew Thomas. “In addition to honoring the great music of the past – and in particular the Baroque Era - we are very focused on perpetuating classical music and the artists and composers who will create and perform the great music of the next 1,000 years,” says Nordling.  “The upcoming season shows this in a number of ways.”
“To begin, last season we added a new-music concert (What’s New, Baroque?). Our audience raved about how surprisingly accessible and enjoyable it was. Second, we’ve created a biennial commission program.  Every two years, we will pay a composer to create something new just for us,” Thomas said. “Our most recent commission was in 2017 with Mara Gibson’s Secret Sky: one hundred veils to fall.  2022 will bring a world-premiere performance of new music by Brazilian-American composer Clarice Assad ( www.clariceassad.com ) on our Opening Night Gala with The Lincoln Trio.” Ms. Assad’s numerous commissions for the 2022-23 season include the Camerata Pacifica, Music Accord, the League of American Orchestras, the Oregon Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Chamber Music America, the Fry Street Quartet, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. “Baroque on Beaver will now join that illustrious list thanks to a generous grant from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation and a major gift by Beaver Island resident Tim Turner.  We are so grateful for the partnerships with our community and its residents, and this is another wonderful example,” Thomas said. To further illustrate that point, he added that the Gala concert will be sponsored by a separate major gift from Beaver Island residents Bob Sramek and Ed Max. Finally, said Nordling, “This commission becomes even more special since we will welcome another Beaver Island resident, soprano Martha Guth (www.marthaguth.com ), to premiere the piece with Lincoln Trio.  I can’t think of a better opening night to begin our next twenty years.”
Notably, this extraordinary Festival season will bring two commissions, not one.  Petoskey resident Tony Manfredonia ( www.manfredoniamusic.com ) has been asked to compose a brass fanfare. “The arts world is all about partnerships,” says Nordling, “and this happens in many ways, not just with communities or musicians onstage but with other organizations: We have partnered with the Bandung Philharmonic Foundation to co-commission Tony’s fanfare.  It will have two premieres, one here on Beaver Island and the other in Bandung, Indonesia.”
Baroque is committed to paying it forward on multiple fronts: creating and performing new music; artistic and community partnerships; and, finally, by championing young artists. “We do this in two ways,” says Thomas. “One is our partnership with New York’s Young Concert Artists to host their brilliant performers.  This year’s guest will be Nathan Lee ( www.yca.org/artist/lee-nathan ), a pianist who has already embarked on a notable career, having performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s.  The other is our new Young Soloist’s Competition.” Open to all high-school age instrumental soloists who reside and attend school in Michigan, it is made possible by a generous financial commitment from Island residents Bev and Larry Seiford.  Three cash prizes will be awarded with the first-place winner invited to perform with the Baroque on Beaver Festival Orchestra at the summer 2022 Festival. “We take our role in these collaborations and partnerships very seriously,” concluded Nordling. “It is our responsibility and privilege.” The 2022 Baroque on Beaver runs from July 29 through August 6.  For artist, program, and ticket information please visit www.baroqueonbeaver.org .
 
 

​Songbird Garden
Friends and family of Caitlin Boyle have begun work to establish a songbird garden behind the library in her memory. If you would like to volunteer your time and skills, please let us know at island.library@gmail.com, so we can put you in touch with the right people.
 
If you would like to help support the work, or to assist in keeping the garden supplied with bird seed and other supplies going forward, please consider donating! Checks may be made out to BIDL (or Beaver Island District Library), and please be sure to include “Songbird” in the memo line to ensure the funds are aside for that purpose. (This is the same project previously posted about—we are simply streamlining the donation process.) Gifts can also be made through Paypal, using the Donate button on our homepage, www.bidl.org!   Read More About Library Events by Clicking the Read More Button!

It is starting to look like an Aurora Borealis Christmas…
It is true! Space and astronomy websites are predicting a Kp4 for December 19th and a Kp5 for December 25th, 2021. On a level of Kp1 to Kp10,  a Kp5 is a great level to glimpse Northern Lights.
 
That is not all you need to know. Location, conditions, and timing are all factors. And all are varying factors.
I will give you the essentials and tools I use to view the Northern Lights on a regular basis, as evidenced by the photos below. Disclaimer:  Aurora Borealis is completely unpredictable along with the weather in its behavior. Here are some websites and apps to investigate for accurate predictions. You may also want to sign up with these apps to receive Aurora Alerts.
https://cdn.softservenews.com/free-member/aurora-borealis-forecast-3-day-bar.html
https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/products/3-day-forecast
Be prepared to interpret unfamiliar information as evidenced here by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association;  this shows UTC(Universal Time)  and more. You can also find 3 day and 27-day outlooks here.

From Catherine Sowa Meintsa:  "Well Beaver Island you did it! We have exceeded our goal. We started late in the year but we did it! All our veterans will have a wreath this year at both cemeteries. This is huge accomplishment for a cemetery. Not all cemeteries can accomplish this. Arlington National Cemetery does this but they also are helped because they are federally funded. This Island is amazing.   We have already added wreaths to next year’s order. Amazing!" Above,  Beaver Island Community Schools staff and students helped place the wreaths at both island cemeteries. 
Catherine made a quick trip over to deliver the wreaths and met up with Kathleen Belfy Antkoviak who helped organize and oversee the program this year.  Catherine also received this shoutout below from community members who participated in the program, bought wreaths or helped place them.  Many celebrations of life happened on December 13th at 2:00pm.  
"Shout out to Catherine for making the quick trip here to help with Wreaths Across America, to KK for her island help with the program and to all who helped place wreaths. The kids and Mrs. Robert were so much help, Jeanne of course, Alvin, and many more. They look great!" Here's another shoutout right back from Facebook from Catherine and crew:  "Shout out to my little Beaver Island community. We started very late in the fundraising year. We still managed to cover every veteran’s grave with a wreath this year. Not always an easy task in your first year. We even over shot our goal and already have 59 wreaths purchased for next year. Amazing. We had such a great turnout. Thank you to the Welkes (Paul Welke) for helping our wreaths make their final leg of their trip to the island. Thank you to my co-chairs Kathleen Belfy Antkoviak and Pam White O'Brien Thank you to the 4th,5th, and 6th grade classes. They colored wreaths and sent messages back with me for the Veteran’s Home. With so much compassion and respect they helped place our wreaths at both cemeteries. Their teacher Deborah LaFreniere Robert made it all possible. Many hands made beautiful work. Thank you all!"
​ Find out more about Wreaths Across America on this page...Click below or search Facebook.
(1) wreaths across america 2021 - Search Results | Facebook

From Lori Taylor Blitz, Beaver Island Historical society
We are finally ready to move forward on restoration and preservation of the Beaver Head Lighthouse! Please join us as we begin this exciting project! You can make a difference by donating today to Beaver Island Historical Society. Donations can be made via this GoFundMe page or mailed directly to the Beaver Island Historical Society, PO Box 263, Beaver Island, MI 49782.  Please note on your check "Beaver Head Lighthouse."  To reach the society via email: bihistory.director@gmail.com. Click the Link Below
Fundraiser by Beaver Island Historical Society (Beaver Island Historical Society) : Preserve the Beaver Head Lighthouse (gofundme.com)
 
The Beaver Island Historical Society, in collaboration with Charlevoix County and Networks Northwest, is fundraising to bring a group of historical preservation experts to the island in the summer of 2022. Eastern Michigan University's Historic Preservation Graduate Field School will assess the preservation needs of our Beaver Head Lighthouse--the third oldest on the Great Lakes.
 
Our vision is for the lighthouse to be restored and sustainable. We have many ideas for public access including a museum in the Keeper's House attached to the lighthouse.
 
All funds collected will be used to help graduate students with lodging, travel, and preservation supplies needed to complete their work.
 
Eastern Michigan University’s Historic Preservation Program (EMU HPP) conducts an annual one-week, hands-on field school with about twenty students, two faculty members, and a field school managers assist in the preservation and/or restoration of an historic structure or its contents. The Field School introduces a variety of preservation and restoration techniques such as masonry, plastering, painting, cataloguing of artifacts, documenting the historic structure, and much more. For more information about the program visit: https://www.emich.edu/geography-geology/programs/historic-preservation/glance.php
 
To learn more about the Beaver Island Historical Society's mission to Preserve and Share the Unique History of the Archipelago please visit https://www.beaverislandhistory.org/