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go to www.stjamestownship.org to read all the news from St. James Township

​The Clarke Historical Library, a part of Central Michigan University, is pleased to announce that over the next few months The Beaver Beacon, published between 1955 and 1958, will be digitized and made freely available online.
 The Beaver Beacon  was begun in 1955 by the Beaver Island Civic Association. Individuals who paid for a membership in the Civic Association received the newsletter. Each issue was filled with the news of the Island happenings, contact information for servicemen and women, weddings, births, deaths, birthday and anniversary celebrations and school events. It was run as a public service more so than profit-making venture.
 

BelowThe Northern Lights were visible on Beaver Island, March 13 and 14th, 2021 and clearly seen with the naked eye as a white gleaming display of towers and bars across the harbor.  Glimpsed as a pearly spread of light across the Northern tip of the island and farther,  skywatchers saw the lights rise up and down from 9 pm-1:00 am on both nights from the St. James Township Campground, down East Side Road, Sloptown road and from behind the CMU boathouse.  
In the camera, a long shutter exposure captures and reveals the colors not seen by the naked eye,  as illustrated above and below in the phots by Cynthia Hector-Johnson, editor of the NorthernIslander news.  Watch for more geo-magnetic activity beginning March 18th and onward, as the earth experiences a new cycle of solar activity that sometimes causes amazing displays of this un-earthly phenomenon. Below:  as seen in the camera and with plain eyeballs...

Covid-19 delayed the process of a grant that would have completed improvements to the St. James Township campground this Spring.  The grant was extended and now St. James Township Board members and the planning commission forged through paperwork and more delays to keep the project going.  The campground has been open in sections or in whole all season and the results of clearing for improvements has opened up an already impressive view.  Wider roads have made for easier, safer access and the clearing process has made way for stupendous, night sky and Northern Lights views.

Hurry and register for exciting classes at CMU this summer on Dark Sky Island!  "Anyone can register for one of our workshops, you do not have to be a CMU student.  Workshops we are offering this summer, says CMU Director at Beaver Island,  John Gordon. 
Beaver Island Bird Diversity during Migration (2 credits)
Introduction to Observational Astronomy (1 credit)
Stream Ecology (1 credit)
Emerging Issues in Water Resources (1 credit)  Read more for information on the Astronomy class...

COVID-19]Vaccine eligibility dropping to 50 soon

Governor Whitmer’s press secretary said today that Michiganders 50 years
and older who have “preexisting conditions, disabilities and other medical vulnerabilities” will become eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine Monday, March 8.  Two weeks later, all over 50 will b eligible to sign up.  After a shaky start, the state is moving along at a fast pace with vaccinations. Last Thursday was a record setting day with almost 80,000 shots delivered in one day.  SO far, 2.3 million doses have been delivered across the state.
 
Information on where to sign up when you become eligible is available on the WVBI COVID-19 info page, and we’ll plan to report it here on the 8th.  No word yet from the Health Department of Northwest Michigan on when the next island vaccination clinic will be.

Beaver Island Dark Sky Project Files Sanctuary Application
International recognition sought for island’s unique dark skies.
BEAVER ISLAND, MI (January 25, 2021)—After a six month preparation process and about two years from the first glimmer of the idea, the Beaver Island Dark Sky Project working through the island’s Chamber of Commerce and Beaver Island Association, has filed an application with the International Dark Skies Association (IDA) for recognition of about a third of the island as a Dark Sky Sanctuary.  Chamber President Paul Cole, who helped lead the effort, says the idea got its start with Bill Markey and Dick McEvoy after a dark sky presentation to summer visitors. “The idea bounced around for a bit and then late this summer we organized a small group to get the application done,” he said.  The proposed sanctuary lands encompass part of a Michigan DNR Wildlife Division research area on the island.  “We got in touch with the DNR and discussed the value to the island of the designation and our mutual interest in preserving the natural dark skies in the research area as well as the rest of the island. They quickly offered their support.” The Sanctuary is planned to include a research area managed by Central Michigan University, which has a classroom and research facilities on the island, as well as the newly established Beaver Head Light House Park, which is owned by Charlevoix County.