Entries by editor

Little Traverse Inn for sale, Graeme Leask considers last decade, next chapter

Many a Friday night over the past decade, patrons at the Little Traverse Inn have finished their fish n chips and listened to the affable, often kilt clad owner Scotsman Graeme Leask roar out the lyrics to Donkey Riding by Great Big Sea, or Mary Mack by the Clancy Brothers, backed by whatever local band was in the house that particular Friday. Blessed with a big laugh, a soul full of poetry and music, and a gift of the gab, Graeme has nurtured the burgeoning popularity of the old inn along M-22 across from Little Traverse Lake that folks like to call Leelanau County’s living room.

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Blu reopens dining room for first time in 13 months as Glen Lake Restaurant Week begins

Blu chef and co-owner Randy Chamberlain wrote on his Facebook page that he and Mari will reopen their dining room, at 50 percent capacity, on Friday, April 23, for the first time since COVID officially arrived in Michigan in March 2020. The opening date is timed to coincided with Glen Lake Restaurant Week, which runs April 23 until May 1.

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Health Department offers Pfizer shots Thu., Fri., Sat., Tues.; COVID rapid tests Mon. in Suttons Bay

To mitigate Michigan’s worst-in-the-nation surge of COVID-19, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department is offering free Coronavirus rapid testing on April 26 at Suttons Bay Middle School and Pfizer vaccinations on April 22, 23, 24 and 27 throughout the two-county region for anyone age 16 or older.

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“Nature” welcomes yoga, weddings, camping to forest oasis

Nature, the woodsy retreat and wedding destination near Glen Lake School, is branching out to the local community this spring, as the eco resort hosts Yen Yoga classes on Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30 pm in its “Great Nest” building and offers meals from Bill Dungjen’s food truck outside all week long. “Nature: A Michigan Retreat” is the brainchild of St. Louis native Bryan Cloninger and his wife, France native Emma Stoppani Cloninger.

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M22 Challenge postponed until September 18

Organizers of the M22 Challenge, the popular run-bike-paddle triathlon in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and around the Glen Lakes, announced on April 15 that they will postpone this year’s race until September 18.

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Earth Day 2021: This Year It’s Really about the Whole Earth

With growing scientific confirmation of accelerating global climate change, Earth Day 2021 is more than just another Earth Day. For the first time, an American president will host an international climate summit on Earth Day to “reset” domestic and international strategies to combat alarming climate trends. While global issues will headline Earth Day events, individuals can show their stewardship in a number of ways this spring. Click here to learn how the Leelanau Conservancy, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak are observing Earth Day 2021.

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Meet the public health workers protecting us from COVID-19

In prosperous, care-free times, public health workers seem almost invisible. Because their job is to prevent health crises from happening, they remain in the background. Few people learn about their true impact. But when the COVID-19 global pandemic officially hit Michigan in March 2020, the public health department, nurses, doctors, and hospital workers suddenly played an outsized role in coaching us on how to survive this deadly pathogen, which as of April 12 has infected 1,107 in Leelanau County and claimed 16 lives. Here are the stories of a few local public health workers who have led our community response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Suttons Bay School hosts first annual Empty Bowls virtual event

Suttons Bay Public Schools is hosting its first annual Empty Bowls silent auction and virtual event, April 14-16. Click here to register for the event and make your bids until noon on Friday, April 16.

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Benzie-Leelanau Health Department reports 44 new COVID-19 cases since April 9; vaccination clinic held April 13 in Frankfort

The Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department will offer a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on Tuesday, April 13, at Frankfort Trinity Lutheran Church, and provide Moderna shots. As of Monday evening, appointments were still available. Click here to schedule your slot.

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Bel Lago offers food, wine, conversation with chef, author Abra Berens

Join chef and author Abra Berens for a virtual cooking lesson featuring a recipe from Abra’s cookbook Ruffage — A Practical Guide to Vegetables with wine pairing from Bel Lago winemaker Blake Lougheed.

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