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Belko Peace Lecture features Karen Segal discussing immigration
Upcoming EventOn Oct. 11, Karen Puschel Segal will speak at Trinity Church in Northport for the 2025 Belko Peace Lecture. Her topic is “The Immigration Challenge in America Today.” Karen had a 20-year career in the Department of State, first as an intelligence analyst of Soviet Affairs and then as a diplomat in Russia. Upon moving to Traverse City, she became Co-Chair and Director of NMC’s International Affairs Forum. Now, Karen leads a local team resettling families from Afghanistan and Ukraine. She knows first-hand how our nation has been dealing with immigrants, including right here in northern Michigan.
Habitat for Humanity makes waves for new homeowners
Local Personality, NewsTwo new families are moving into the New Waves neighborhood in southeastern Leelanau County. The Habitat for Humanity project welcomes Misty VanderMeulen and Jedidiah Spiers and their three children, and Khan and Razma Totakhil and their five kids, with a dedication ceremony Oct. 10. For the Totakhil family, dealing with road construction would be only a minor inconvenience. Their journey to their new home began more than 7,000 miles away. Khan worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan, and when the Americans left in 2021, he was able to get a visa. He says the opportunity for a better life for his family was the overriding factor in leaving his home country.
Father-son baseball pilgrimage resumes as Tigers stalk October
Historical Feature, Sports/AdventureSome traditions and rituals return season after season, some wither away, and some are reborn after years of hibernation. Last month, Glen Arbor Sun editors Norm and Jacob Wheeler resumed their annual father-son baseball pilgrimage—this time to watch two games at Comerica Park in Detroit, where the Tigers were trying to stave off the rival Cleveland Guardians and gain a spot in the playoffs. Their roaring, red-hot start to the season had earned them the best record in baseball until July before they collapsed like a dozing cat and squandered a seemingly insurmountable 15.5-game lead over the team from Lake Erie. In this essay, Jacob reflects on their baseball trips and how America’s original national pastime has changed over the decades.
Shutdown closes Sleeping Bear visitors center, ranger programs. But campgrounds, Park destinations remain open
NewsThe Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s visitors center in Empire is closed due to the federal government shutdown that started today. Buses full of schoolchildren visiting from throughout Michigan will not have access to Park Ranger-led educational programing as they do most years. Nevertheless, the Park is open to all. Visitors can still enjoy the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, popular hiking trails and beaches, and the D.H. Day and Platte River campgrounds, which continue to operate with fee dollars.
Leelanau Conservancy reaches $8 million goal to protect Sugar Loaf
Historical Feature, News“French toast.” That was the codename that Leelanau Conservancy executive director Tom Nelson created for the top-secret project, 3.5 years in the making, to acquire Sugar Loaf, and turn the County’s once popular ski resort into a community gathering place. The Conservancy announced on July 17 that it will permanently protect the hill and 285-acre property in the heart of Leelanau County and bring this cherished location back to life for the first time in a quarter century. On Sept. 26 the Conservancy announced that it had reached its $8 million fundraising goal. Nelson said that more than 1,100 individuals have donated to the campaign. “This achievement is nothing short of historic,” said Nelson. “And it belongs to all of us. Overwhelming community support has made it possible to reach our $8M goal. We’re thrilled with the support and excitement.”
Kenya partnership spreads global solutions for girls
Dispatch from Afar, Upcoming EventGlobal changemaker Madhvi Dalal travels from her native Kenya to Northern Michigan this October for a series of events at which she’ll share solutions to some of the most surprising and challenging issues facing women and girls across the world. The visit expands a partnership between Dalal and the Uplift Travel Foundation—a Leelanau-based nonprofit where participants travel with a purpose, walking alongside local visionaries to help them solve their community’s most pressing issues while finding authentic connections and friendships that transcend borders. Uplift has worked with Dalal to provide reusable menstrual pads and empowerment training to women in villages across Kenya’s Maasai Mara. The project now also includes Northwestern Michigan College staff and students in a variety of exciting ways.
Northport hosts 11th annual Leelanau UnCaged
Upcoming EventMark your calendars for Saturday, Sept. 27 as the village of Northport transforms into a vibrant, car-free celebration of local music, dance, art, and food—all absolutely free. Now in its 11th season of performances, Leelanau UnCaged has grown into northern Michigan’s most anticipated street festival, drawing thousands to enjoy the creative spirit of the region. From 11 am to 10 pm, enjoy a spectacular lineup featuring 34 live performances across seven stages—plus, a dedicated dance stage with performances and interactive experiences happening all day long.
Bee Well in Cedar buzzes with excitement
Business Feature, Local PersonalityWhen the building across the street from the Cedar yarn shop Wool & Honey had a vacancy, its landlord approached the owner. Liz Neddo immediately was intrigued: It would be a great place for her excess inventory. “I’d always been interested in that space for storage,” she says. Then she had another idea, one born in part from personal experience. Two and a half years ago, her daughter Cecily was diagnosed with brain cancer at age 7. The subsequent surgery and follow-up treatment took up time, money, energy and joy. Cecily was able to recapture some of the lattermost when playing with other kids at Detroit’s Gilda’s Club, the nation-wide organization for those battling cancer and their families. So as she looked around the space, Neddo reflected on the family’s journey and Cecily’s ongoing recovery. “I went in and the wheels started turning,” she says. Instead of just using it for storage, she decided to transform it into a space where children could enjoy toys, games and one another, a place that was worry-free for parents. “In Leelanau, we have art, food, etc., but we don’t have places for locals where kids and parents can relax,” says Neddo.
Northport Arts Association hosts “Harbor of Creativity”
Upcoming EventThe Northport Arts Association is thrilled to invite six exceptional northwest Michigan artists, whose talents reflect the vibrant and diverse spirit of the arts, to participate in its inaugural invitational art exhibition. Welcome Martha Elchert, Debra Howard, Logan Hudson, Charles Passerelli, Barbara Reich and Adam VanHouten. The Arts Association is honored to showcase their work in their first invitational art exhibit. Harbor of Creativity’s opening reception takes place Sept. 19, from 5-8 pm.
Jazz, funk, pop, soul conclude Homestead’s Music on the Mountain
Upcoming EventThe last of the season’s outdoor music shows are upon us. Music on the Mountain at The Homestead concludes its season with East Bay Drive and special guest Miriam Pico on Sept. 18, while Leelanau Uncaged in Northport takes place Sept. 27. East Bay Drive is a quintet of music veterans from the Traverse City area who bring together varying interests in soul, jazz and funk. Think the Rippingtons, the Crusaders, Fourplay and others of that ilk. The core quartet of David Chown (keyboards), Rick Kiehle (guitar), John Paul (bass) and Alex Wyant (drums) has been joined by new official member Ryan Critchfield (saxophone), formerly a regular guest.