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Organization

Beaver Island Civic Association

Also Civic Association · Beaver Island Civic Club

Draft — sources verified, prose evolving

Locator map: Beaver Island highlighted within the Beaver Island archipelago
Within Beaver IslandLocator plate © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0); depths NOAA; names USGS GNIS. How the plates are drawn.
TypeOrganization
Founded1953-01-16
Dissolved1988
WithinBeaver Island
ErasModern era
On this page
Locator map: Beaver Island highlighted within the Beaver Island archipelago
Within Beaver IslandLocator plate © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0); depths NOAA; names USGS GNIS. How the plates are drawn.
Organization
Founded
1953-01-16
Dissolved
1988
Eras
Modern era
Concepts
communitygovernanceheritageenvironmentconservationcommunicationcelebrationtourismpublication
Within
Beaver Island

Summary

The Beaver Island Civic Association was the island’s general-purpose community organization for roughly thirty-five years, from its formation in 1953 around a drive to build a Medical Center and bring a resident doctor to the island, until 1988, when a newly formed Chamber of Commerce incorporation committee was announced as its replacement.12 Over that span it was the body that ran the island’s public celebrations — the Fourth of July carnival and fireworks in nearly every documented year, the Homecoming in the mid-1950s and early 1960s, St. Patrick’s Day events, and the autumn Fly-In — while also publishing the Beaver Beacon, printing the island’s tourist brochures, organizing roadside and harbour clean-ups, staffing a summer tourist office, and funding restoration work with the Historical Society.

The Beaver Beacon itself began life as the association’s members’ newsletter: the March 1955 issue is headed “THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER … Prepared and Distributed by Board of Directors … BEAVER ISLAND CIVIC ASSOCIATION Vol. 1 - No. 3.”3 What survives of island civic life in those decades is therefore, at one remove, mostly the Civic Association reporting on itself.

Origins and the founding date

Three held sources point at 1953 and one points at 1955; they are not reconciled here, but the weight is on 1953.

  • A February 1991 Beacon article states plainly: “In 1953, the Beaver Island Civic Association was formed and started raising funds to build a medical facility in order to bring a doctor to the Island,” built “in the old ‘barn raising’ fashion” with thanks to Art Johnston, Jewell Gillespie, Father Joe and Roger Carlisle, and adds that the State began subsidising staffing of the new Medical Center in 1954.1
  • A later Beaver Island Net local-history account describes January and February 1953 meetings that formed a Beaver Island Civic Club, soon called the Civic Association, while organising the Medical Center drive.4
  • The March 1955 Beacon — a contemporaneous document rather than a recollection — reports that “the second annual meeting of the BEAVER ISLAND CIVIC ASSOCIATION was held Feb. 3rd” 1955. A second annual meeting in early 1955 implies a first in early 1954 and an organisation already in existence in 1953.3
  • Against these, the July 1985 issue reports that “The Beaver Island Civic Association celebrated its 30-year anniversary by giving a dinner held at the Circle M, Monday, June 16, 1985,” which would place the founding in 1955.5

The 1985 figure is the association’s own round anniversary count, printed thirty-two years after the fact and repeated in the same article as “the last 30 years” and “the past 25 years” in adjacent sentences. It is recorded here, but the two independent 1953 statements and the contemporaneous 1955 “second annual meeting” are the stronger evidence, and start_date follows the Beaver Island Net account’s January 1953 meeting. No charter, articles of incorporation or minute book is held for any of this.

Civic work

The held Beacon record — which is the association’s own record — shows a body that took on whatever the island needed and reported it monthly.

Health. The Medical Center drive is the founding project.14 The association was still funding it a decade later: the January 1965 issue prints its thanks to D. J. Angus of Indianapolis for a $500 donation to the Medical Center, and the January 1973 issue records that the Center’s constitution reserved one seat on its board for the Civic Association and one for the Medical Auxiliary.67

Environment and public works. In March 1961 the association voted by majority to eradicate and restock the fish in Fox Lake in consultation with the state Department of Conservation, accepting the loss of a season’s fishing.8 It sponsored an annual roadside clean-up — the April 1971 issue reports volunteers with trucks and school children on April 17, several truck-loads of cans taken to the dump, and, honestly, “the appearance of many more cans that were dumped along the roads the following night.”9 A 1971 building bee produced eight picnic tables for St. James Township, and a May 1973 harbour clean-up drew trucks, workers and schoolchildren. In March 1971 it proposed that island stores and bars discontinue throw-away bottles.

History and preservation. The Society and the association worked together from the start: the September 1955 issue reports the Historical Society organised “with the cooperation of the Beaver Island Civic Association.”10 In June 1970 a Protar restoration fund was opened inside the Civic Association with an initial $100, donations directed to “Protar Fund - B. I. Civic Association, St. James, Michigan,” and a Historical Committee formed under co-chairs Marge Wagner and Eunice Hendrix.11

Promotion and print. The association answered tourist mail, ran a summer tourist information office in the Historical museum, and in 1960 sold a limited reprint of Strang’s Ancient and Modern Michilimackinac at $7.50. By March 1975 it had bought printing equipment and was producing its own tri-fold island brochure for distribution with the boat schedules and through mainland chambers of commerce, roadside information centres, restaurants, gas stations and airports, and was selling job printing to island businesses.12

Advocacy. In September 1970 it telegraphed the Ninth Coast Guard District asking that the Beaver Island station’s season be extended, and printed the district commander’s refusal in full.13 In June 1955 it publicly denied that the island had petitioned for a jet air base and stated it had not been consulted.14

Festivals and public celebration

The association was the historical producer behind two of the island’s longest-running festivals.

Fourth of July. Beaver Island Fourth of July celebration names the Civic Association as organiser in almost every documented year from 1962 to 1976. The held record now runs earlier than the hub’s own start_date: 'by 1960': the July 1955 issue reports an “Annual 4th of July Picnic” at Swede’s Place run by the Activities Committee under Mrs. Lawrence McDonough, with a children’s parade, and states that “The Civic Association rounded out the day with a fireworks display on the Harbor in the evening,” shot by Art Johnston and Walt Wojan.15 The carnival was the association’s principal fundraiser: the July 1973 issue reports it “made well over $500 on the 4th of July, which is the only money making project for the Association.” Thirty years on, the 1985 anniversary dinner still listed “the Fourth of July Carnival and fireworks display” among the association’s current projects, with Diane Scripps as that year’s Festival Chairman.5

Homecoming. The August 1955 letter announcing “Our 55th Annual Homecoming and August Dinner, Sunday August 14th” is signed “Board of Directors, BEAVER ISLAND CIVIC ASSOCIATION” and names Donald Cele as Chairman of the Special Events Committee.16 The association is likewise the attributed organiser for 1956, the 1962 carnival, and 1963; from the mid-1960s the Homecoming’s organisation passes to Holy Cross parish and its Altar Society. See Beaver Island Homecoming for that succession.

St. Patrick’s Day and the Fly-In. March 1975 records a Civic Association pancake and ham brunch at the Beaver Island Christian Church during the St. Patrick’s weekend, alongside snowmobile races;12 the March 1976 issue records a March 20 pancake brunch fundraiser. The association founded the autumn Fly-In, sponsoring the October 5, 1975 event at St. James Township Airport, at which 210 planes were logged and grilled whitefish was served at the Parish Hall, and reporting a third annual Fly-In in October 1976 with 150 planes and about 500 whitefish-meal attendees.1718 The island’s 1975 Bicentennial project table assigns both “FESTIVAL” and “BROCHURE” to the Civic Association.12

The Beaver Beacon

The Beaver Beacon was the association’s publication for its entire independent life. It began in January 1955 as the members’ newsletter, was still described in July 1987 as “a monthly publication sponsored by the Beaver Island Civic Association,” and the association’s editors — Jacque LaFreniere for six years to 1987, and before that Lil and Phil Gregg, who the 1985 tribute says wrote, typed, printed and addressed it “for over 15 years” — were association officers.3195 This matters for reading any Beacon citation from before 1988: for those years the island’s only newspaper and its principal civic body were the same organisation, and the paper’s account of the association is self-reporting, not independent coverage.

Dissolution and succession

The association appears to have wound up in 1988. The Beacon of 26 May 1988, published under new ownership, explains why: “The Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce Incorporation Committee was formed on Feb. 13, 1988. They will replace the Beaver Island Civic Association. Therefore, the Beaver Beacon that was published by the Civic Association was to be sold.” Ray and Ann Stanhope and their daughter Mary Russell bought the paper.2 The transition had been prepared for at least three years: the February 1985 minutes discuss reorganising the Civic with paid “Chamber of Commerce” and “Beacon” directorships and unpaid directors of festivals and fundraising, and by June 1986 the Civic’s own board slate lists “Chamber of Commerce: Gay Works” as one of its directorships.2021 After 1988 the association appears in the Beacon only in the past tense — a 1993 note refers to “the old Civic Association”22 — and the Chamber inherits the Fourth of July carnival and the Fly-In. end_date: '1988' records this; no dissolution filing, final meeting minute or transfer instrument is held.

Evidence and limits

This is a source-qualified organisational record built almost entirely from the association’s own newsletter. The held issues do not supply a charter, articles of incorporation, a complete officer or membership roll for any year, an audited financial ledger, or a dissolution record. Reported campaigns and suggestions are modelled here as reported actions, not as proof of enacted policy or completed work — the 1961 Fox Lake decision, for example, is a vote, not evidence that the lake was treated.

Held Beaver Beacon issues run from March 1955 to April 2011, well past the association’s 1988 dissolution, so nothing in that record is missing because of a gap in the paper’s own coverage.

Open questions

  • 1953 or 1955? Two retrospectives and one contemporaneous “second annual meeting” notice give 1953; the association’s own 1985 anniversary dinner gives 1955. Articles of incorporation, the Medical Center drive records, or a 1953–54 newspaper would settle it. The Beacon itself begins only in March 1955 (Vol. 1 No. 3), so the first two issues — which a 1993 Beacon note speculates may have been “a brochure and/or appeal by the old Civic Association for funds to build the Medical Center” — are missing.22
  • Did the Civic Association formally dissolve in 1988, or merely stop? The held evidence is a statement of intent by the incoming Chamber committee plus the absence of later activity.
  • Which years did it run the Fourth of July? Held evidence now reaches 1955, five years earlier than the earliest written edition article. 1956–1959 and 1977–1987 have held Beacon issues and no edition articles.
  • When did the Homecoming pass from the Civic Association to Holy Cross parish? The attribution is mixed through the early 1960s.
  • Who were its presidents across the full run? Named in the held issues so far: Jewell Gillespie (to 1955), Frank Nackerman (1955), Archie LaFreniere (1960), Joseph McDonough (1963), Jack Martin (1965), Bill Welke (1973), Ron Wojan (1975–76), Joe Cunningham (1985–86).

See also

Footnotes

  1. Beaver Beacon, February 1991, “Medical Center Grant in Danger.” ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  2. Beaver Beacon, 26 May 1988, “Beaver Beacon Under New Owner.” ↩ ↩2

  3. Beaver Beacon, March 1955, Vol. 1 No. 3. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  4. Beaver Island Net, “The Beginning of the Beaver Island Medical Center,” Part I. ↩ ↩2

  5. Beaver Beacon, July 1985, “Happy Anniversary Civic!” ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  6. Beaver Beacon, January 1965, “Annual Civic Meeting” and “Thanks, Mr. Angus.” ↩

  7. Beaver Beacon, January 1973, “Civic Association.” ↩

  8. Beaver Beacon, March 1961, “Fishing News” and “Civic Association News.” ↩

  9. Beaver Beacon, April–May 1971, “Spring Clean-Up.” ↩

  10. Beaver Beacon, September 1955, Historical Society formation report. ↩

  11. Beaver Beacon, June–July 1970, “Historical Preservation on Beaver Island.” ↩

  12. Beaver Beacon, March 1975, “Civic Brochures” and the Bicentennial “Projects and Sponsors” table. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  13. Beaver Beacon, September 1970, “Coast Guard Station Closes.” ↩

  14. Beaver Beacon, June 1955, Jet Air Base correction notice. ↩

  15. Beaver Beacon, July 1955, “Annual 4th of July Picnic.” ↩

  16. Beaver Beacon, August 1955, Civic Association Homecoming letter. ↩

  17. Beaver Beacon, October 1975, “Beaver Island Fly-In.” ↩

  18. Beaver Beacon, October 1976, “Fly-In.” ↩

  19. Beaver Beacon, July 1987, subscription notice. ↩

  20. Beaver Beacon, February 1985, Civic Association meeting minutes. ↩

  21. Beaver Beacon, June 1986, Civic Association board and directorships. ↩

  22. Beaver Beacon, April 1993, note on missing Beacon issues. ↩ ↩2

The dated record

211 dated events · 1885–2006 · peak 16 in 1958These years on the timeline →

Sources

  1. Read in the in-repo data/ tree. The masthead reads "THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER ... Prepared and Distributed by Board of Directors ... BEAVER ISLAND CIVIC ASSOCIATION Vol. 1 - No. 3." Reports that "The second annual meeting of the BEAVER ISLAND CIVIC ASSOCIATION was held Feb. 3rd," names the incoming board (President Frank Nackerman, Secretary Loy Malloy, Treasurer Mrs. Buddy Left) and the outgoing officers (President Jewell Gillespie, Secretary Father Joseph Herp, Treasurer John A. Gallagher), and reports $986.00 received in the membership drive under chairman Buddy McDonough. A second annual meeting in February 1955 implies a first in 1954 and a formation in 1953; the issue does not state a founding date itself.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1955-03_Beaver-Beacon
  2. The held three-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1955-03_Beaver-Beacon
  3. Read in the in-repo data/ tree. Reports the "Annual 4th of July Picnic" at Swede's Place, with Mrs. Lawrence McDonough of the Activities Committee as general chairman, a children's parade with named float winners, and that "The Civic Association rounded out the day with a fireworks display on the Harbor in the evening," shot by Art Johnston and Walt Wojan. This is the earliest held evidence of the association's Fourth of July role and predates the earliest written edition article (1960). The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1955-07_Beaver-Beacon
  4. The held four-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1955-07_Beaver-Beacon
  5. Read in the in-repo data/ tree. "Our 55th Annual Homecoming and August Dinner, Sunday August 14th," naming Donald Cele as Chairman of the Special Events Committee and signed "Board of Directors, BEAVER ISLAND CIVIC ASSOCIATION." An advance notice; it establishes the association's Homecoming role, not attendance or receipts. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1955-08_Beaver-Beacon
  6. The held three-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1955-08_Beaver-Beacon
  7. Read in the in-repo data/ tree. Denies that island telegrams were sent supporting a Jet Air Base, says the Civic Association was not consulted, and records Lloyd McDonough's statement that he is not secretary of a Chamber of Commerce because "We have only a Commerce Committee" — held evidence that in 1955 the island's commercial promotion sat inside the Civic Association and no separate Chamber existed. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1955-06_Beaver-Beacon
  8. The held four-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1955-06_Beaver-Beacon
  9. Read in the in-repo data/ tree. Assigns the Bicentennial "FESTIVAL" and "BROCHURE" projects to the Beaver Island Civic Association alongside projects assigned to the Historical Society, the school, the Planning Commission, the Businessmen's Association and the churches. The same issue reports the association's St. Patrick's weekend brunch at the Beaver Island Christian Church and its new printing equipment. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1975-03_Beaver-Beacon
  10. The held sixteen-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1975-03_Beaver-Beacon
  11. Read in the in-repo data/ tree. Reports a 30-year anniversary dinner at the Circle M on Monday, June 16, 1985 for former and current officeholders; president Joe Cunningham's list of that year's projects — the Tourist office in the Historical museum, new brochures, a memorial fund for islanders lost on the lakes, Harbor Beautification, and "the Fourth of July Carnival and fireworks display"; keynote speaker Phil Gregg; and Gay Cole's tribute crediting Phil and Lil Gregg with keeping the Beacon in existence. The "30-year" figure is the association's own round anniversary count and does not agree with the 1953 formation evidence. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1985-07_Beaver-Beacon
  12. The held twenty-six-page July/August combined issue PDF, filed canonically as July 1985, is paired with the remote OCR and confirms the anniversary account.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1985-07_Beaver-Beacon
  13. Read in the in-repo data/ tree. Reports that R. P. Hoffman and A. J. Roy purchased the Old Mormon Print Shop "and with the cooperation of the Beaver Island Civic Association, have organized the Historical Society," with temporary committees and a restoration-fund appeal. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1955-09_Beaver-Beacon
  14. The held five-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1955-09_Beaver-Beacon
  15. Read in the in-repo data/ tree. Records discussion of "how to reorganize the Civic," proposing paid "Chamber of Commerce" and "Beacon" directorships and unpaid directors of festivals and of fund raising. Minutes as printed in the association's own newsletter; not a governing instrument. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1985-02_Beaver-Beacon
  16. The held eighteen-page February issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR source and confirms the Civic Association organizational report.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1985-02_Beaver-Beacon
  17. Read in the in-repo data/ tree. Lists a thirteen-member board under president Joe Cunningham and vice-president Kitty McNamara, with two-year directorships awarded as "Chamber of Commerce: Gay Works; Beacon: Carolyn Works; Publicity: Kathy Speck; Activities remains vacant" — evidence that a Chamber of Commerce function existed inside the Civic Association two years before the separate Chamber committee formed. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1986-06_Beaver-Beacon
  18. The held nineteen-page June issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR source and confirms the Civic Association board and directorships.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1986-06_Beaver-Beacon
  19. Read in the in-repo data/ tree. A past editor lists missing Beacon issues and speculates that "The January 1955 issue may have been a brochure and/or appeal by the old Civic Association for funds to build the Medical Center." Retrospective, and it refers to the association in the past tense five years after 1988. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1993-04_Beaver-Beacon
  20. The held eleven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1993-04_Beaver-Beacon
  21. The issue says, "The Beaver Beacon is a monthly publication sponsored by the Beaver Island Civic Association," with subscriptions payable to the Beacon at St. James; the same issue sells Civic Association Sunset Cruise tickets from Box 50. Establishes that the association still published the paper in 1987. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1987-07_Beaver-Beacon
  22. The held twelve-page July issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR source and confirms the Civic Association publication and ticket notice.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1987-07_Beaver-Beacon
  23. The May issue says the Chamber incorporation committee formed February 13 to replace the Civic Association and that the Civic-published Beacon was sold to Ray and Ann Stanhope and Mary Russell. It is a contemporaneous statement of transition, not a dissolution instrument. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1988-05_Beaver-Beacon
  24. The held nineteen-page May issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR source and confirms the reported Civic Association transition.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1988-05_Beaver-Beacon
  25. Read in the in-repo data/ tree. "In 1953, the Beaver Island Civic Association was formed and started raising funds to build a medical facility in order to bring a doctor to the Island," built "in the old barn raising fashion" with thanks to Art Johnston, Jewell Gillespie, Father Joe and Roger Carlisle, and a state staffing subsidy from 1954. A retrospective in the island's own paper, independent of the Beaver Island Net account, and agreeing with it on 1953. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1991-02_Beaver-Beacon
  26. The held eighteen-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1991-02_Beaver-Beacon
  27. A later local-history account reports January and February 1953 meetings that formed a Beaver Island Civic Club, soon called the Civic Association, while organizing a Medical Center drive. It is not a contemporaneous charter, membership roll, meeting minutes, corporate filing, deed, or continuity record.
    websites · www.beaverisland.net · beaver-island-history · A_Rich_History · Medical_Center · index
  28. Reports the Civic Association cooperating with the Historical Society in a preservation fund and campaign for Protar’s Home and the older Bonner farm; it does not establish the association’s founding date or legal status.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1970-06_Beaver-Beacon
  29. The held ten-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1970-06_Beaver-Beacon
  30. Reports that the Civic Association asked the Coast Guard to extend the Beaver Island station’s season; it does not establish the group’s officers or membership.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1970-09_Beaver-Beacon
  31. The held seven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1970-09_Beaver-Beacon
  32. Reports that the Civic Association suggested discontinuing throw-away bottles at island stores and bars to reduce broken glass; it does not report an ordinance, enforcement, or completed outcome.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1971-03_Beaver-Beacon
  33. The held six-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1971-03_Beaver-Beacon
  34. Reports the association’s annual April 17 roadside clean-up, volunteer trucks and school children, several loads of cans and debris taken to the dump, and renewed roadside dumping afterward.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1971-04_Beaver-Beacon
  35. The held eight-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1971-04_Beaver-Beacon
  36. Reports Bill Welke’s election as president and Dick DeRosia’s as vice-president at the annual meeting; the OCR page break leaves the remaining roster incomplete.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1973-01_Beaver-Beacon
  37. The held seven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1973-01_Beaver-Beacon
  38. Reports the Association’s majority decision to eradicate and restock Fox Lake, its planned multi-year restoration program beginning at the Indian Burial Grounds, and committee chairs appointed by George Van Buren. It documents plans and appointments, not treatment or restoration completion.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1961-03_Beaver-Beacon
  39. The held six-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1961-03_Beaver-Beacon
  40. Reports a $50 Civic Association donation to the Junior Class after schoolchildren cleaned island roadsides and says a May 5 harbor cleanup drew trucks, workers, and schoolchildren. It does not provide a financial receipt, volunteer roster, or cleanup measurements.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1973-05_Beaver-Beacon
  41. The held nine-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1973-05_Beaver-Beacon
  42. Reports the completed July 4 program and more than $500 raised by the Civic Association; it does not provide attendance, expense records, or a complete organizing roster.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1973-07_Beaver-Beacon
  43. The held eleven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1973-07_Beaver-Beacon
  44. Adds the announced March business seminar, the published 1974 officer slate, the January 27 cross-country snowmobile race, and planned March 17 activities. The issue does not provide minutes, complete membership, race records, or completion accounts for the planned March events.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1974-02_Beaver-Beacon
  45. The held eleven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1974-02_Beaver-Beacon
  46. Reports the St. Patrick’s Day celebration as successful and confirms the March 16 business seminar was held with 52 attendees; it does not provide minutes, receipts, or complete participant rosters.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1974-03_Beaver-Beacon
  47. The held nine-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1974-03_Beaver-Beacon
  48. Announces the Civic Association’s July 4 games, bingo, and fireworks and the August 10–11 Homecoming dance and barbecue; it does not establish attendance, proceeds, or a complete organizing roster.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1974-05_Beaver-Beacon
  49. The held eleven-page combined May–June issue scan is paired with the OCR source stored under the archive 1974-05 key and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1974-05_Beaver-Beacon
  50. Announces the annual January 9, 1975 election at St. James Township Hall and lists eleven nominees for five Governing Board seats. It does not provide a completed election result, vote totals, terms, or minutes.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1974-12_Beaver-Beacon
  51. The held nine-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1974-12_Beaver-Beacon
  52. Reports the Civic Association’s limited reprint offer for Ancient and Modern Michilimackinac and prints its 1960 membership application and dues schedule. These are publication and membership appeals, not a sales ledger, constitution, member roll, or completed renewal record.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1960-01_Beaver-Beacon
  53. The held four-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1960-01_Beaver-Beacon
  54. Reports the January 7 officer and director election and publishes the 1959 general-fund report, including the $500 new-dock contribution and $333.41 year-end cash balance. It does not provide minutes, vote totals, a charter, membership roll, or audited accounts.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1960-02_Beaver-Beacon
  55. The held seven-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1960-02_Beaver-Beacon
  56. Reports Burdene Stromberg's appointment as secretary to complete Dorothy McGregor's term, announces the January 5, 1961 annual meeting and officer election, says Archie La Freniere and Rogers Carlisle will not seek reelection, and publishes membership dues and expiration information. It does not provide minutes, vote totals, successor names, or a membership roll.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1960-12_Beaver-Beacon
  57. The held five-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1960-12_Beaver-Beacon
  58. Reports the completed January 5 annual meeting and election, names the new officers and directors, describes the planned February 3–4 Beaver Island Workshop, and preserves Archie LaFreniere and Rogers Carlisle's thanks after resigning their offices. It does not provide minutes, vote totals, terms, attendance, or workshop completion records.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1961-01_Beaver-Beacon
  59. The held five-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1961-01_Beaver-Beacon
  60. Reports the January 7, 1965 officer and director election and the Civic Association’s $500 Medical Center donation acknowledgment for D. J. Angus. It does not provide minutes, vote totals, terms, membership records, receipt, or financial ledger.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1965-01_Beaver-Beacon
  61. The held six-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and confirms the published notice or report; it does not expand the source-specific identity, event, or outcome claims.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1965-01_Beaver-Beacon
  62. Reports that the Civic Association used new island printing equipment to produce promotional tri-fold brochures for distribution with boat schedules and through chambers of commerce, roadside information centers, restaurants, gas stations, and airports. It also reports advertised rates for private business printing; it does not provide equipment purchase records, print runs, or a distribution ledger. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1975-03_Beaver-Beacon
  63. The held issue confirms the brochure and business-printing notice.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1975-03_Beaver-Beacon
  64. Reports the completed Fourth of July program, volunteer effort headed by president Ron Wozan, and receipts exceeding $1,500. It does not provide attendance, expenses, or a complete organizing roster. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1975-07_Beaver-Beacon
  65. The held issue confirms the post-event report. The held nine-page issue scan is paired with the OCR source and does not expand source-specific claims
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1975-07_Beaver-Beacon
  66. Identifies the Civic Association as sponsor of the planned October 5 Fly-In. It does not provide a membership roster, attendance count, or completed-event accounting. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1975-08_Beaver-Beacon
  67. The held combined issue confirms the Fly-In sponsorship announcement.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1975-08_Beaver-Beacon
  68. Reports the Civic Association’s completed October 5 Fly-In and 210 logged planes. It does not provide a membership roster, flight log, attendance register, or completed-event accounting. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1975-10_Beaver-Beacon
  69. The held issue confirms the post-event Fly-In report.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1975-10_Beaver-Beacon
  70. Reports the Civic Association’s March 20 pancake brunch fundraiser and lists Ron Wojan, Cyril “Tim” Timsak, Connie Wojan, and Bea Parker as its new officers. It does not provide minutes, vote totals, membership records, or a financial ledger. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1976-03_Beaver-Beacon
  71. The held issue confirms the 1976 fundraiser and officer notice.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1976-03_Beaver-Beacon
  72. Reports the Civic Association’s completed Bicentennial weekend program and credits its public organizers. It does not provide minutes, attendance, expense records, or a complete organizing roster. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1976-07_Beaver-Beacon
  73. The held Bicentennial issue confirms the completed program report.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1976-07_Beaver-Beacon
  74. Reports the completed third annual Fly-In, 150 planes, approximately 500 whitefish-meal attendees, and volunteer/operator acknowledgments. It does not provide a membership roster, flight log, attendance register, incident reports, or financial account. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1976-10_Beaver-Beacon
  75. The held issue confirms the completed Fly-In report and Civic Association setting.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1976-10_Beaver-Beacon
  76. The association's retrospective states that the Civic was formed “around 1954,” describes its stated purposes, early Medical Center fundraising and construction work, first Beacon issue and mailing, brochure, conservation, Fourth of July, cleanup, public-facility, sign, and winter-sports projects. It is self-reported history based on early Beacon issues, not a charter, minutes set, deed, or audited ledger; the approximate date remains in tension with other printed founding claims. The holding institution's portal restricts automated access; the archive holds a copy of this issue and can provide it on request.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · beaver_beacon · 1983-06_Beaver-Beacon
  77. The held nine-page June issue PDF is paired with the canonical OCR source and confirms the first Civic history installment.
    data1 · beaver-island-archive · scans · beaver_beacon · issues · 1983-06_Beaver-Beacon

Added 1 August 2026 · revised 4 August 2026. Recent changes

Cite this article

Beaver Island Archive, “Beaver Island Civic Association”, https://beaverislandarchive.org/organizations/beaver-island-civic-association/, accessed [date], citing Beaver Beacon, March 1955, Vol. 1 No. 3, Civic Association newsletter. (and 75 further sources listed on the page).

Last revised 2026-08-04. Fill in [date] with the date you read it — this page is static and cannot know that.

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