Entries by editor

Leelanau Conservancy holds Native Plant Rescue

Leelanau County is well-known for its population of earth-caring individuals among its members, and those that care for wildflowers and native growing plants are no exception. The Leelanau Conservancy, the county’s land preservation group, started its wildflower/native plant rescue program in the fall of 1999. Its singular purpose is to save native plants, keeping them from bulldozers and from other sources of destruction. The Conservancy summons volunteers for its annual kick-off at the Old Art Building in Leland on Wednesday, April 15 starting at 10:30 a.m.

/by

Leelanau Conservancy completes Palmer Woods trail system

After eight years of development and more than 42 miles of pathways constructed, the Leelanau Conservancy has completed the multi-use trail network at Palmer Woods Forest Reserve, the Conservancy reported in a press release in early April. The finished system includes more than 27 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails and 15 miles of hiking trails. These pathways are open year-round, guiding hikers, bikers and skiers through the peaks and valleys of this glacially formed landscape. Palmer Woods, a 1,115-acre Old-Growth Forest, is the Conservancy’s largest property and was acquired in 2016. Trail development began in 2018.

/by
,

Sauna Fest returns to heat cool Northern Michigan

Long relegated to back yards and backwoods cabins, saunas are enjoying a heyday in northern Michigan. Popup saunas appear at community events, portable saunas are available to rent, and private sauna gatherings transition effortlessly into pot-luck dinners with friends. The Sun interviewed Vlad Borza—co-organizer of the second annual Michigan Sauna Fest this weekend—to get his read on sauna popularity, what’s new at Sauna Fest, spring saunas vs winter saunas, what he does when he’s not sweating in a tiny house, and his vision for a floating sauna on a barge. Borza of Sleeping Bear Saunas and Nick Olson of Hearth Sauna—proselytizers of the local sauna movement—co-organized the Michigan Sauna Fest, which takes place in Traverse City’s Clinch Park from Friday, April 10, until Sunday April 12.

/by

Old Art Building talk examines “Immigration in America: What the Data Really Shows”

Immigration is one of the most talked-about and divisive issues in America. Separating headlines from facts can feel overwhelming. On Thursday, April 9, from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Old Art Building in Leland, community members are invited to a free discussion that uses data to cut through confusion and show what the numbers actually say. The program is presented in partnership with Mobile Pathways, an award-winning technology nonprofit whose immigration analysis has been featured by major outlets in the United States and abroad and recognized internationally for its impact.

/by

River Club Glen Arbor events, 2026

River Club Glen Arbor Music Lineup 2026 Performer Date Day of Week Time Notes Loose Change 5/2/2026 Saturday 5-8pm Chris Smith 5/9/2026 Saturday 5-8pm Dave Martin 5/10/2026 Sunday 5-8pm Mother’s Day Larz Cabot 5/16/2026 Saturday 5-8pm Keith Scott 5/23/2026 Saturday 5-8pm Luke Duo 5/24/2026 Sunday 5-8pm Clint Weaner 5/25/2026 Monday 5-8pm Memorial Day Drew Hale […]

/by

DeKornes take Crystal River Polar Plunge

For their 2026 spring break, the DeKorne kids polar plunged in the Crystal River this past weekend. As locals walked by, they said, “You’re definitely first in the river this year! Send to the Sun!” Pictured in this photo are: Kate (10), Klaire (7), Dan, Drew (10) and Jack (7) DeKorne.

/by

“Small-town America pushes back against authoritarianism” as Traverse, Leelanau Indivisible hold third No Kings national day of action

Traverse Indivisible and Leelanau Indivisible are teaming up to hold a third No Kings national day of action in Traverse City on Saturday, March 28, as millions gather nationwide to protest the Trump administration’s policies and politics, at home and around the world. Organizers say they expect as many as 7,000 people to march in Traverse City “as small-town America pushes back against authoritarianism.” In a city of 16,000 people, that would make No Kings Day one of the largest protests in Northern Michigan history. The march begins at 1 pm at F&M Park in downtown Traverse City. Click here to read our coverage in the Glen Arbor Sun of the impact of the Trump administration’s politics and policy on Northern Michigan communities.

/by

Glen Lake Library plans Spring Break events

The Glen Lake Community Library in Empire will host a series of special events for area students during the week of Spring Break, from March 31 to April 4. Click here to view the library’s planned activities.

/by

Power to the books: local nonprofit spreads literacy

An idea born in Suttons Bay has spread across the state. In just 10 years, Kara Gregory’s PoWeR! Book Bags program has grown from concept to some 130 sites in more than one third of Michigan’s counties. It has distributed more than 750,000 books and 120,000 PoWeR! Literacy Bags.

/by

Bay Theatre continues Made in Michigan Film Series

The Bay’s popular Made in Michigan series highlights great films made in the state and provides unique opportunities for audiences to connect directly with the filmmakers and/or special guests through post-screening Q&As. Made in Michigan continues on Sunday, March 29 at 4 pm with All Too Clear. This festival award winner and groundbreaking documentary explores the most significant ecological shift in the Great Lakes since the last ice age. Utilizing cutting-edge, custom-built underwater drones, filmmakers Zach Melnick and Yvonne Drebert—who will attend the screening—spent over 150 days capturing footage of a world that is becoming “all too clear” due to an army of quadrillions of invasive quagga mussels. This event is presented in partnership with Inland Seas Education Association.

/by