Entries by editor

Glen Lake Association launches treatment to eradicate Invasive Eurasian Watermilfoil

This summer, the Glen Lake Association, in collaboration with the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB), will deploy a targeted, nonchemical treatment to eradicate three colonies of invasive Eurasian watermilfoil, or EWM, discovered in the deep basin of Little Glen Lake last year. These efforts aim to protect Glen Lake’s ecological integrity by preventing the spread of EWM and supporting the return of native plant species to affected areas.

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Passing the Whisk: Inn and Trail changes hands, but keeps its heart

Nestled in a small sage green Victorian cottage in Glen Arbor, Inn and Trail Gourmet has been a celebrated destination for locals and visitors since its inception in 2021. The soft creak of its storm door gives way to an aromatic haven beckoning shoppers with freshly brewed organic coffee, made-from-scratch baked goods, savory quiches and simmering soups. Beloved owners and spouses Julie Zapoli and Liz Erdmann are moving back to Montana. To the relief of their customers, they have handed over the reins to a worthy duo who share the same love for gourmet provisions and local connection. Sisters Annabel Moore and Corinne Cochran never foresaw owning a food store together, but life served up something unexpected. “I always wanted to have a bed and breakfast,” Corinne says. “And now I kind of do, but I don’t have to make beds!”

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Empire Asparagus Festival poetry & recipe contest winners

Each June the Glen Arbor Sun publishes the winning poem and recipe from the annual Empire Asparagus Festival, which was held this year on June 7. This year’s Asparagus Poetry contest winner was third grader Caroline Smith for her poem, “I’ve Been Eating Asparagus.” The recipe contest winner was Empire resident PJ Ehalt for her “Asparagus Cheesecake” recipe.

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DeCook wins his sixth M22 Challenge

The weather gods smiled on Glen Arbor with calm winds, cool temps, and no rain as the 17th annual M22 Challenge unfolded on June 14 at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, delivering an unforgettable morning. Nine hundred athletes competed in the iconic run–bike–paddle race that winds through the dunes, roads, and waters of one of the most scenic venues in the country. Ryan DeCook of Washington, Mich., claimed his sixth M22 Challenge title, cementing his place as a race legend, finishing with a time of 1:22:12. Amy Coneset delivered a standout performance to take the top spot in the female division with a time of 1:40:55.

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Fishing Day an annual treat

For hundreds of youngsters around Leelanau County—and even more so those no longer quite so young—the annual Kids Fishing Day at Veronica Valley is a special event. Since 2004, volunteers have stocked fish, welcomed kids, helped them bait their hooks, and watched bobbers disappear beneath the water, then reappear with a wriggling bluegill on the end of the line.

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Suttons Bay hosts artisan & wine walk

The Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce invites the public to sip, shop, and stroll during the much-anticipated Artisan & Wine Walk: A Toast to Suttons Bay, happening Friday, June 20, from 5-8 pm in beautiful downtown Suttons Bay.

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American flags, strawberry rhubarb crisp, but No Kings

On Friday, June 13—the day before thousands of “No Kings” rallies attracted millions of demonstrators in cities and towns across the United States to oppose the Trump administration—a downstate woman sent a flurry of emails to the Leelanau County Sheriff’s Department as well as federal authorities including the FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to alert them about alleged “domestic terrorism” in Leelanau County and a host of outlandish claims. Out of concern about “some bad actors and their weird crazy rhetoric about me,” Nancy Janulis, a Glen Arbor summer resident who organized a No Kings rally at the Glen Lake Narrows, contacted the Leelanau Sheriffs Department to provide event details. The mood that morning was upbeat, patriotic, and collaborative. As bikers raced along the south shores of the Glen Lakes toward the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb to complete the M22 Challenge, approximately 200 citizens stood on the sides of M-22 at the bridge holding flags and banners. Organizers Janulis and Linda Dewey had asked participants to “please stand in solidarity and join us on this nationwide day of peaceful affirmation of our right to due process, free speech and equal protection.” Leelanau Sheriff Mike Borkovich “had friendly conversations with the protesters, and he was upbeat and friendly with me,” said Janulis. “We visited about fishing and the cold lake temperatures this year. I’m happy he attended. We had no incidents at the rally.”

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Sleeping Bear Surf hosts second annual Beryl Days

Sleeping Bear Surf is proud to announce the return of Beryl Days, a heart-forward grassroots celebration honoring the spirit of freshwater, community, and joy at the doorstep of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This unique event, held from Friday, June 20, through Sunday, June 22, in the village of Empire, invites locals and visitors alike to gather for three days of connection, education, and fun. Beryl Days (pronounced “barrel”—yes, like a barreling wave!) honors the legacy of Beryl Skrocki, founder of Sleeping Bear Surf and beloved mother, trailblazer, activist, and community leader. Beryl Days is more than an event; it’s a vibrant reminder of the power of community and our shared responsibility to protect and cherish the Great Lakes environment that fuels so much of our joy and culture.

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Fountain Point Resort’s history

“To come once is to linger, and the next year to come again,” said Albert Meafoy, Fountain Point’s second owner. As someone who used to beg my parents to go to the Alpine Slide on a daily basis to feed my inner-speed demon, writes Rebecca Carlson, part-owner and co-general manager of Fountain Point Resort, Theo Early, mentioned having a water slide at the resort on the same idea as the toboggan run at The Alpine Slide. The Fountain Point Resort water slide operated from the 1930s until the 1990s. Built on the shores of Lake Leelanau, it was a combination toboggan run that slides into the water—genius! I would have asked my parents to move in permanently to Fountain Point Resort. As Theo and I walked the property, he pointed to where the water slide was located. Sadly, insurance liability issues ended those days of reckless fun. Insurance companies are party poopers. I vote to re-instate the “Water-Chute” of Fountain Point.

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A Laker Shake-up

The name conjures up a certain image for generations, both summertime vacationers and long-term residents. Ice cream and shakes of course, but also coffee, sandwiches, souvenirs and all the other items Laker Shakes is known for. The ice cream-and-more shop on the south end of Glen Lake, a five-minute walk from Old Settlers Park, has been a fixture for decades. Kate Alger is making sure that continues. “I always had a dream of being part of the community, serving the community,” Alger says. A longtime summer visitor and resident, Alger purchased Laker Shakes from owner Ellen O’Neill earlier this year. She and her husband Brad have been visiting the area since 2011. “We’re excited.”

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