It’s Giving Tuesday as I make this post.  Our Annual Campaign to support the BIC Center and WVBI is underway, so I hope that you will consider us along with other Island concerns as you participate in this day of giving. Your support of the BIC Center and WVBI helps the Island thrive and lets us deliver community events throughout the year.

After a busy fall with movies back in our theater and off-season activities at the BIC Center starting up, we are all set to celebrate the holiday season at your Community Center. On December 1st we’ve organized a stocking stuffer sleigh ride from the BIC Center out to the lighthouse with goodies available at the pocket gardens that have been decorated by community groups. The ride will stop at the Community Christmas tree for a tree-lighting ceremony and then wind up at the BIC Center for hot cocoa and treats.  Things get started at 6:00 p.m. at the BIC Center.

On December 11th we have a full afternoon of Christmas events planned including cookie decorating, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus, and a special holiday concert featuring a brass quintet performing popular tunes and carols of the season. Cookie decorating gets underway at 1:00, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at 2:00 and the concert starts at 4:00. (We are not sure how Mr. & Mrs. Claus will arrive, but we ask that you refrain from landing on the BIC Center roof that afternoon so it is available for their arrival should they come by sleigh.)

It’s sold out, but on December 3rd  the theater comes alive with a Drag Bingo show featuring a long-time island resident who is a professional performer. We’re looking forward to lots of fun and BINGO! Our movies continue as well with Disney’s Disenchanted at 4:00 on December 10th.  The evening show that Saturday is Ticket to Paradise featuring Julia Roberts and George Clooney.  On the 17th, the afternoon show at 4:00 is Turning Red, the latest from Pixar.  At 7:00, Nicholas Cage is Nick Cage in The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

We’re working with the COA to develop a special countdown to the New Year that will happen at a sleep friendly time a few days ahead of the event.  Meantime, our regular off-season activities continue with plenty of opportunities for exercise and gathering with friends.  Pickleball, Chair Yoga, Tai Chi and the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program make fitness easy with something available every weekday.  Time for Art is back for the off-season with sessions every Wednesday from 5:00 to 7:00. Plus, BINGO, Games Galore and the monthly COA dinners.

On WVBI you’ll find the soundtrack for the season with holiday tunes and special editions of all of your favorite programs. Tune in to keep up on Island news and events with the weekday Community Calendar report at 9, noon, 3 and 6. On Christmas Eve, the station will provide radar updates on Santa’s progress along with the Christmas tunes.  They’ll have the soundtrack for Christmas Day, too, with music, special Beaver Island Radio Players Christmas shows and a reading of A Beaver Island Christmas.

We wish you the happiest of holiday seasons and look forward to seeing you at your Beaver Island Community Center.