Entries by editor

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore welcomes 50 millionth visitor

On Monday, Aug. 19, the National Park Service (NPS) welcomed the 50 millionth visitor to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Deputy Superintendent Tom Ulrich greeted Meghan Boertman and her family of Norton Shores, Mich., with enthusiasm and gifts, at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire. Ulrich announced the occasion to a full visitor center, and park rangers and the rest of the visitors applauded as Meghan and her family walked through the door.

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Best Seat in the House

Artist Hank Feeley, who splits his time between Glen Arbor and New York, calls this late summer painting “Best Seat in the House”.

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“Find Your Park” After Dark: Summer Star Party at Sleeping Bear Dunes

Take advantage of the very young moon to relax under the stars, view distant celestial objects, observe Jupiter, Saturn and the summer Milky Way at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Join park rangers and astronomers from the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society (GTAS) on Saturday, Aug. 31 (Labor Day weekend), at the Dune Climb.

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Leelanau Conservancy offers Labor Day weekend events

Enjoy a pre-Labor Day hike with docent Dave Amos on August 31 at 10 am over fields, forest, and hills on the DeYoung farm’s uplands trail. We will look for migratory birds on the property plus wild fruit and vegetation at its most lush. Please park in the lot on Strang Road, which is about a quarter mile north of the barn. Hike will be easy to moderate and last 1.5-2 hours.

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FoodCorps, partners reinforce school nutrition at Suttons Bay

FoodCorps recognizes that healthy eating is important for students, not only for their physical health, but also for their educational success. However, simply telling students that they should eat well does not result in healthier students. Students in low-income areas often face food insecurity. They don’t know where their next meal may come from, let alone if it will be a healthy option. Fifty-seven percent of students enrolled in Suttons Bay Elementary School last year were considered economically disadvantaged and qualified for free and reduced-price meals. In Michigan a family of four that makes less than $32,630 per year qualifies for the program.

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Leland Old Art Building Concert on the Lawn features K. Jones and the Benzie Playboys.

Don’t miss the Old Art Building’s eighth annual Labor Day weekend FREE “Concert on the Lawn” in Leland. K. Jones and the Benzie Playboys bring the roots of southwest Louisiana’s Creole, Cajun, and Zydeco music to the Old Art Building on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 7 pm. Bring chairs, blankets and your dancing shoes—Beer, wine, and cider will be available for purchase. No coolers please.

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Shaefer explores human body, bodies of water

Painter Patricia Schaefer will discuss a new series of paintings that explore the human body and bodies of water she plans to create as part of her 2019 artist’s residency with the Glen Arbor Arts Center (GAAC). The presentation is at noon on August 30 at the GAAC, 6031 S. Lake St., Glen Arbor.

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Lake Street Studios Center Gallery features Mary O’Neill

Northern Michigan Painter Mary O’Neill will show her latest works at the Lake Street Studios Center Gallery from Aug. 30-Sept. 12, with an opening reception on Friday, Aug. 30 from 6-8 pm. (Center Gallery is open daily from 11 am-5 pm. For information call 231-334-3179 or visit LakeStreetStudiosGlenArbor.com

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Detroit to Leelanau: Taking over the Ciccone Family Winery

Sometimes you end up where you never thought you would be. This is the case for Paula Ciccone, the introverted and warmly welcoming head wine-maker at Ciccone Winery, taking over from her father Tony, founder and creator of Ciccone Winery just south of Suttons Bay. As she tells the story, it was not something she actively sought, nor ever really imagined till it just started to happen.

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Two couples’ struggle to find seasonal housing in a seasonal economy

As vacation rentals become more prevalent throughout Leelanau County, off-season rentals do as well. Off-season rentals are a semi-permanent solution for residents, and typically offer a nine-month lease to those who are willing to move out during the peak summer months. They can be a good fit for those with flexibility in their work or who need a short-term solution, but do not offer the type of housing solution that is necessary to support our increased summer workforce or maintain healthy communities.

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