Beaver Island Fourth of July 1991

Summary

Beaver Island held its 1991 Fourth of July celebration under Chamber of Commerce organization, combining a Desert Storm-era Military Tribute, a 37-float parade led by sixty veterans, a carnival, an evening concert, and fireworks. The Beacon calls it “THE BEST EVER.”

Program

The day began at 3:00 pm with a Military Tribute, emceed by Howard Konetchy, marking the 215th anniversary of American independence. Desert Storm veterans 1st Lt. Mike McGinnity (Army Nurse Corps, 207th Evac Hospital) and Staff Sergeant Mary Ruis (182nd Transportation Co., Michigan National Guard) spoke of their service; Shannon Heynig sang an original composition, “Thank You,” accompanied by her sisters Kathy Speck and Nancy Sommer; Dr. Phil Lange, a Korean War veteran and then-president of the Beaver Island Historical Society, spoke in tribute to Korean and Vietnam War veterans; and Alvin LaFreniere read the names of seven Beaver Islanders killed in service: Thomas J. Hawkins (Civil War), William J. Burns (WWI), and Hubert Green, Emmett Burke, Edward Wojan, Robert Belfy, and James Francis Neer (WWII). Island Airways dropped wreaths into the harbor for each. A 21-gun salute followed (rifles loaned by the Charlevoix American Legion), and three Air Force F-16s from Selfridge Air National Guard Base, led by Lt. Col. Stevens, flew a missing-man formation over the harbor at 4:15 pm, arriving directly from a stop over President Bush’s Grand Rapids appearance that afternoon.

The parade followed, led by sixty veterans carrying flags of each service branch, with thirty-seven floats; the Beacon names category winners including Best Overall (Beaver Boatique), Most Patriotic (Beauties and Bugelers), Most Clever (Central Michigan University), Best Business (Ron Wojan), Best Junior (Goo-Goo Girls), Best Foreign Entry (Eric Peterson with Hog Island), and Best Family/Individual (John Adams). A carnival with games, booths, and a 50/50 raffle followed (winners Marilyn Reed, Bill Fox, and Jon Bonadeo), then an evening concert featuring a long list of Island performers, and a fireworks display closing the night, after which Lisa Smet and Joddy Croswhite sang the National Anthem to an illuminated flag. The Beacon credits Chairperson JoAnn (Jo) Hooker and names area coordinators: Gus Schmidt (set-up), Donna and Jim Stambaugh (clean-up), Connie Wojan (food table), Chuck Hooker (raffle), Beth Croswhite (carnival), Kevin White (concert), Bill McDonough (fireworks), and Howard Konetchy and Alvin LaFreniere (Military Tribute and parade). A thank-you letter from a longtime summer resident is addressed “Dear Chamber of Commerce,” and a second thank-you note is signed “Jo Hooker,” naming Marilyn Damstra and Ron and Matti Wojan for “14 hours of unstintingly hard work.”

Evidence limits

This account is a detailed post-event newspaper report, not an attendance count or an audited financial statement; no proceeds figure is given for 1991. It does not name a parade theme distinct from the veterans/Desert Storm tribute. The September 1991 issue notes only in passing that a new store managed to open “by the Fourth of July,” unrelated to the celebration itself.

Added 3 August 2026. Recent changes