Entries by editor

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Serenity Ranch: a lesson in the healing power of horses

Serenity Ranch, founded by Dawn and Phillip Chippewa in 2020, is on a mission firmly rooted in helping people in need of emotional healing through the mitigating power of horses.  Set on a beautiful 65-acre parcel just north of Suttons Bay in Leelanau County, the property is blessed with grazing pasture areas, woods, trails and fenced pastures, several barns and other outbuildings as well as an indoor riding arena. The ranch currently has 17 horses including four miniature ponies, a mule, a donkey, two very curious goats and the always eager to greet visitors, their affable dog Makwa, meaning “Bear” in Chippewa.

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Flowing on the river

It’s all flowing on the Leland River this season: beauty, fitness, community, and a deep appreciation for the natural environment that surrounds and supports Leelanau County. This August marked the one-year anniversary of Leland River Studio, a boutique yoga and pilates center nestled into charming downtown Leland. The tranquil space, formerly home to an art gallery, still embodies beauty and art with its striking design. Clean white walls and a simple, modern aesthetic cultivate a deep sense of calm, while abundant windows showcase the colorful and ever-changing scenic views surrounding the studio. M22 passes in the front, the Leland River flows in the back, and skylights bring in the blue skies floating above. Natural light floods the space and comfortable seating on front porch and back deck invite lingering connections before and after class.

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The Open-Air Resort of D.H. Day Campground

“We do not go to the green woods and crystal waters to rough it, we go to smooth it. We get it rough enough at home, in towns and cities” wrote Civil War veteran and expert outdoorsman George Washington Sears. Before my family purchased cherry orchard property, we were campers, and, I’ll be honest, not exactly roughing it campers. Heading to D.H. Day Campground several times each summer, our cars were overloaded, not with children, but with stuff. The children were mixed in between the crevices and cracks of the stuff, writes Rebecca Carlson in this sixth story in our series on the history of Leelanau County resorts and getaways.

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‘Not Accepted: An Historical Look At Art Exhibition Rejection’

Rejection from juried exhibitions is baked into the cake for artists who want to show their work. “Not Accepted: A Conversation About Rejection,” a slide lecture, delves into the topic. The lecture takes place at the Glen Arbor Arts Center on September 7, 11 am. Tickets are $5 for GAAC members, $10 for nonmembers. Reservations are required.

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Annual Clothing Swap benefits Justice and Peace Advocacy Center

Save your little-used and well-cared-for women’s clothing that clutters your closet and bring it to donate. Come pick up a few additions to your wardrobe. Share a fun time with other “shoppers”. The annual clothing swap at Old Settlers Park in Burdickville on Sunday, Sept. 7, from 2-4 pm benefits the Justice and Peace Advocacy Center (JPAC), which works to support the immigrant, migrant and seasonal worker community of northern Michigan.

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Brandon Chamberlain heralds a new generation at Blu

The Chamberlains knew change was in the air. After owning and operating the fine dining restaurant Blu on the shore of Lake Michigan in Glen Arbor for 16 years, Randy and Mari Chamberlain decided the time was right, and last spring they turned the business over to son Brandon. He was ready, though a bit surprised at the timing. “I thought they were going to be here longer,” Brandon says. A 20-year veteran of the restaurant industry, he had worked his way up from busing tables at age 16 to now taking over the flagship restaurant Randy and Mari had made into a local institution.

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Good Harbor Grill featured on “America’s Best Restaurants”

The Glen Arbor restaurant Good Harbor Grill hosted a visit from America’s Best Restaurants on Aug. 18. America’s Best Restaurants is a national media and marketing company focusing on bringing attention to local, independently owned restaurants. The network highlighted popular dishes and conducted on-camera interviews with co-owners Cos Burrows and Cady Hall about the restaurant’s special place in the community. The episode will run on Facebook and YouTube sometime in October.

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Moar Than Us on the Water

Julie Bennett, who has Glen Arbor roots, plans to row 2,800 miles across Pacific Ocean. “We know it takes a whole community of people to get us on the water,” said Bennett, as she prepares to take on the World’s Toughest Row next summer—a 2,800 mile trek over 50 days across the mid-Pacific Ocean from Monterey, Calif., to Kauai, Hawaii. Bennett will become the first woman in Michigan to make this Pacific Ocean journey where she will bring along her crewmates. She is proud to represent Leelanau County, her Christian school in Grand Rapids, and the greater rowing community.

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Painting the positive

Debra Graetz used the cover story on Cindi John from our July 31 edition in her plein-air painting last month. She artfully painted over the text about the Walmart stabbing, and left untouched the narrative about John’s role as a local tribal fisherwoman.

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Honoring the workers who powered us through the summer

Many local Leelanau County businesses rely, in part, on J-1 international student workers to shoulder the load through the busy summer tourism season. Each Labor Day weekend, we honor and thank those workers. Meet a few of them here—from Anderson’s Market, Art’s Tavern, Grocers Daughter Chocolate, Blu, Crystal River Outfitters and La Becasse.

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