Entries by editor

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Grocers Daughter Chocolate’s long-awaited gelateria opens in Empire

If Jody and DC Hayden, owners of Grocers Daughter Chocolate, didn’t already win you over with their high-quality dark chocolate truffles, sumptuous cookies, or perfect-on-a-summer-day fudgsicles, you’ll almost certainly submit to their smooth and creamy gelato. In fact, don’t even try to resist. The Haydens will officially open their long-awaited gelateria next to the chocolate shop on M-22 in downtown Empire on Saturday, July 23.

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Tim Allen to host Galaxy Quest special screening at Bay Theatre

Join The Bay Theatre in Suttons Bay on July 21 at 7:30 p.m. for a screening of Galaxy Quest. During this special event, The Bay plans to launch its next fundraising campaign. This fundraiser will allow for The Bay to replace its 76-year-old seats with brand new, updated seats that still have that vintage aesthetic. These seats will be built and designed by Michigan’s own Irwin Seating Company. The one and only Leelanau County resident and actor Tim Allen will be your host. Allen will be onstage prior to the screening to answer questions, give away autographed merchandise, and reveal the sample of our new seats.

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Northern Latitudes Distillery to open in Suttons Bay

Northern Latitudes, the popular distillery in Lake Leelanau, will soon open a second location in downtown Suttons Bay, in the space previously occupied by Bayside Coffee & Tea—possibly at the end of July. Amidst training 10 new employees and running the Lake Leelanau distillery, co-owner Mandy Moseler shared with the Sun why she’s excited to open in Suttons Bay.

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Guest workers a “life saver” for Glen Arbor’s summertime economy

“I can’t imagine a town like ours continuing without the heavy support system that these workers coming from other countries provide to allow our economy to thrive,” said Randy Chamberlain, the co-owner and chef at Blu. Glen Arbor’s fine dining establishment currently employs five workers who are visiting the United States on J-1 student visas. “They are unbelievably focused and dynamic workers. They’re up since 5 a.m., working different jobs around town. Their work ethic is very present,” said Chamberlain. “I don’t know what we’d be doing right now without these kids. They are a business saver.”

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Anchor Day Festival returns to Empire

Empire’s annual Anchor Day celebration returns on Saturday, July 16—after a three-year hiatus. Read our story for a full schedule of events.

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Nittolo’s: Pizzeria, fine dining, and now an exclusive club as well

Eric Nittolo is continually upping the ante. Not satisfied with a trendy pizzeria, he added a fine dining option to his Lake Leelanau establishment—though to be fair, that was always the plan. Nittolo’s Pizza and Nittolo’s Seafood and Social quickly became hits. But he had another idea up his sleeve. He added Nittolo’s Powerhouse Speakeasy to the mix, and the members-only jazz club has quickly established itself as another success.

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Parenting Communities hosts street fair for Leelanau families

Parenting Communities is hosting a family Street Fair on Saturday, July 16, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Leelanau Montessori School Campus in Lake Leelanau. Parenting Communities is proud to offer this free event for Leelanau County families to come together to listen to music, participate in a variety of fun family-friendly activities (e.g., face painting, crafts, etc.), and connect with our Parenting Communities team and other Leelanau families and resources. Antojitos and Forever Yum food trucks will be on-site to provide food and ice cream for purchase.

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Eating and frolicking your way through Northport, with a young family

Northport seems to reinvent itself every couple of years, with new restaurants and bars popping up or changing hands,new boutiques in town, and now even a stylish cannabis shop up the road. Still, a few things have remained constant. First, the people are continuously warm and hospitable, with that eccentric twist that keeps Northport … Northport. Also, it’s still one of the best places for families with small children in the entire region. As a parent, I think about three main keywords when looking to take the family somewhere: Food, playgrounds, easy.

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Paddle wheeler “Discovery” tours West Grand Traverse Bay

This latest addition to the waters of West Grand Traverse Bay, the 65-foot tour boat, “Discovery,” takes passengers for a tour on the bay by her capable owner and captain, Harley Hoy. He gives a colorful narration that brings past history back to life again for those listening onboard, as well as other little known but interesting tidbits about fascinating West Grand Traverse Bay, many of them even new to some of us locals, as I might add from first-hand experience.

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Trapper Ron comes to the rescue

There is nothing quite as upsetting as to find unwanted “guests” in our home or cottage. A lot of these newcomers we may see entering our homes have been hibernating through the long, cold northern Michigan winter. Now, re-awakening, they are eager to find comfy beds and free food. Enter Trapper Ron Baker, an amicable man, yet as professional and capable as can be when it comes to helping rid our residences of these critters. He has more than 20 years of wildlife control experience, and – if asked – may share some true stories and real hands-on advice for handling these invaders. This includes everything from mice, squirrels, skunks, ground hogs, raccoons, birds, bees, muskrats, coyote, and opossum.

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