Entries by editor

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Sailing Ladies: Meet the Grand Traverse region’s female captains

In the Grand Traverse region, being on a boat is almost second nature to many, both men and women. Women are truly, and successfully, contributing to our modern-day maritime way of life. No longer considered an exclusively all male domain, even here in the Grand Traverse region women make their own mark captaining boats of all sizes. “One of the greatest things I like to hear is young women wanting to captain a ship,” said Lily Heyns, Relief Captain on both the Tall Ships Inland Seas and Manitou. Get to know Heyns, Heather Jankens, Rebecca Hancock, and Stephanie Watkins in Sandra Bradshaw’s story published in our July 14 edition of the Glen Arbor Sun.

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North Manitou Light Keepers to host annual rally, crib cruise, July 28

From staff reports
The North Manitou Light Keepers (NMLK) will host its annual Lightkeeper Rally and Crib Cruise in Leland on July 28. This fun and engaging event is open to all and gathers people to share community, learn about restoration efforts and plans for the North Manitou Shoal Light (also called “the Crib”), and take an evening cruise on board the Mishe-Mokwa to see and learn more about the lighthouse.
“People really enjoy getting together and imagining the fun things we can do with the lighthouse while also honoring its history and those who have worked there,” said Daniel Oginsky, NMLK president. “The Crib Cruise is a great time, taking an evening boat ride out into one of America’s most beautiful places and telling fun and interesting stories, people have loved it,” he added.
The Lightkeeper Rally will be from 4-6 p.m. at Main Street Gallery (307 South Main Street in Leland). Light food and drinks will be served by the Leland River, while attendees mingle and NMLK members discuss the status of restoration efforts and plans for the Crib. There is no registration or cost to attend the Lightkeeper Rally.
The Crib Cruise will depart on board the Mishe-Mokwa, operated by Manitou Island Transit, at 6:30 p.m. from Historic Fishtown in Leland. The Mishe-Mokwa will cruise out to the lighthouse, which is eight miles from Leland Harbor and near the Manitou Islands. It will then gently circle the lighthouse while NMLK members tell stories about the Crib, its history, and its future. The cost of the Crib Cruise is $45 per person, with any net proceeds going to support the restoration of the Crib. To attend the Crib Cruise, visit www.northmanitoulightkeepers.org/cribcruise.
The North Manitou Light Keepers is a nonprofit organization founded in 2016. Its mission is to restore the North Manitou Shoal Light Station, make it and its history available to the public for education and appreciation, and cultivate an active community of stewardship for this piece of Michigan maritime history that stands amidst one of America’s most beautiful locations.

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Empowerment on Water: Female captain breaks boating barriers

Whether it is hobby or career they seek, it is difficult for females to enter the sport of boating. Sailing is especially challenging in northern Michigan, where weather only permits a six-month season in contrast to warmer climates that offer more time during the year to practice. “It takes a really brave person to go into hibernation and come out boating again after a long break,” said Captain Stephanie Watkins, a Leelanau County resident and possibly Traverse City’s first female sailing captain.

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Join the Running Bear Run and take the Challenge

It doesn’t get any better than seeing all those cute kids ready to run their first race in the Running Bear Run’s ½ Mile Kids’ Run. They are so excited and can’t wait to start the race and beat the BEAR. Then there are the best runners from all over the area warming up and ready to hit the pavement in the 5K Run. But best of all is seeing the Grandmas and Grandpas walking or running with their families and the mom’s with their strollers pushing little ones along the race route. It is just fantastic to see everyone enjoying Glen Arbor’s annual Running Bear Run on Tuesday, July 26.

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Health Department offers portal to view well, septic records

The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department has created a portal in partnership with Laserfiche to increase access for residents to view their well and septic records. The portal went live on the website with Leelanau County records in early 2021 and Benzie County records have been digitized and added this week.

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Horndog Newt Cole is still Fabulous

This story proves the adage: Old musicians don’t disappear, they just change keys. Long time local musician/band leader Newt Cole and wife Deb sold their house in Florida and have returned to Leelanau County to stay. And already Newt has re-configured The Fabulous Horndogs with both former and newer cats and is revving up crowds around the area.

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Cherry Republic names Sara Harding VP of Climate & Community Impact

Cherry Republic has announced that Sara Harding will fill the company’s new role of vice president of Climate and Community Impact. Harding will be a member of the company’s leadership team and will lead Cherry Republic’s newly formed impact department.

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Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear holds Heritage Tours

Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear (PHSB), an official partner of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, is again offering ways for people to immerse themselves in the historic side of the park by offering Sleeping Bear Heritage Tours. The nonprofit operates the Port Oneida Farms Heritage Center staffed with their volunteer docents from Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. The Center is located four miles north of Glen Arbor on M-22 and the Heritage Trail near Port Oneida Road. Tour the exhibits in the Olsen Farmhouse and barn, enjoy the gardens, or take one of their family-friendly excursion tours.

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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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