Entries by editor

Singer/Songwriter Jon Muq visits Leland’s Old Art Building

The Old Art Building in Leland is thrilled to welcome rising singer/songwriter Jon Muq to the its main stage on Wednesday, June 18, from 7-9 p.m. Born in Uganda and now living in Austin, Texas, Muq draws from African as well as western musical trends and traditions. Featured on the PBS News Hour, Muq has opened for Billy Joel, Norah Jones, Lyle Lovett and other headliners. He describes his songs as small gifts, designed to settle into everyday life and provoke reflection and resilience.

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“The Bohemian Cooks of St Wenceslaus”

One of the events Leelanau County locals make sure to mark on their calendars each summer are for the Catholic Church Chicken Dinners. Not only were the dinners a source of entertainment with plays, music, dancing, singing, and games, the dinners served as a communal festival to celebrate the summer season, engaging the congregations of the peninsula and the broader community. At one time, there were five different locations throughout the Leelanau Peninsula for the Chicken Dinners hosted by the local Catholic parishes. Sadly, in 2025, there are only two remaining Chicken Dinner events: St. Wenceslaus in Gills Pier on June 22 and Holy Rosary in Cedar on July 27.

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Glen Lake Woman’s Club awards $21K in college scholarships

The Glen Lake Woman’s Club awarded seven college scholarships to graduating Glen Lake seniors at Awards Night on May 22. Five of these students will attend Northwestern Michigan College (NMC), one will attend Alpena Community College, and one will attend Muskegon Community College. Awards will also be given to six second-year students and one adult Glen Lake graduate beginning at NMC. “We are honored to award these scholarships to help such promising graduates on their future career paths,” said Virginia Woessner, chair of the Glen Lake Woman’s Club Scholarship Committee.

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Glen Lake Library hosts Kids Summer Camp

The Glen Lake Community Library in Empire will host a kids summer camp for ages 8-9, June 23-27 from 10 am- 1 pm. Activities will include: creative writing, arts and crafts, nature-based activities and games. The camp is free of charge and presented by the Yingst Family in honor of Bonnie Yingst. Spaces are available for the first 15 children registered. “The Library Camp is a new venture for us, and an expansion of our summer youth programming,” said director David Diller. “It’s motivated by our long-term goal of forging a stronger connection with area students. Our library strives to be a welcoming destination for kids and families.

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The captain and me: a West Bay fishery perspective

“I met Sam Worden, owner of Showtime Xtreme Charter, in 2019 when I booked his charter out of Grand Traverse West Bay. For years, I wanted to try charter fishing. However, my go-to Up North fishing buddy always talked me out of it, saying there’s no guaranteed catch (understood, after a lifetime of fishing), the weather could be questionable since you must schedule ahead of time (again, understood, that’s fishing), and that it’s expensive (what isn’t; and if it’s worthwhile, who cares). But, despite the well-intended warnings, I decided now that I was in my 60s, I wouldn’t deny myself the experience any longer,” writes Tim Mulherin in this excerpt from his book “This Magnetic North: Candid Conversations on a Changing Northern Michigan,” published by Michigan State University Press and available now at local bookstores.

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Leelanau Township Library hosts author Zuravleff

Friends of Leelanau Township Library are excited to announce the award-winning author, Mary Kay Zuravleff, will speak at their annual meeting on Saturday, June 14, at 1 pm in the Leelanau Township library in Northport. She will discuss her novel American Ending, inspired by all four of her grandparents.

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Cedar Tavern builds on its legacy

Icons. Institutions. Whatever you want to call them, most towns have at least one local business that has stood the test of time, weathering the ups and downs of the economy and changing tastes, and continuing to serve customers. The Cedar Tavern is a perfect example. The local watering hole has been part of the scene in Cedar for somewhere around a century, and was owned and operated by the same family—Ron and Joan Alpers, along with their daughter Ellen and her husband Roger Stachnik—for the last 47 years. Last year, Ellen and Roger Stachnik decided it was time for someone else to take the reins and put it up for sale. Earlier this year they found the buyers: Suzie and Jim Greene, and Jim’s aunt and uncle, Nadeen Kieren and Thom Greene.

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No Kings Nationwide Day of Defiance includes rally at Glen Lake Narrows

Thousands of “No Kings: Nationwide Day of Defiance” demonstrations are planned throughout the United States for Saturday, June 14 — including a sign and flag-waving silent rally at the Glen Lake Narrows on M-22 from 10:30 am-1 pm. “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,” say Nancy Janulis and Linda Dewey, organizers of the Glen Arbor event. National organizers describe the No Kings protests as “a national day of action and mass mobilization in response to increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption from President Trump and his allies.”

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M22 Challenge returns June 14

The M22 Challenge, which takes place June 14, has been voted as one of the best endurance events in northern Michigan. The run, bike, paddle event takes place in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, making for a beautiful backdrop while racing. The 900-participant race is sold out.

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Leland Wine & Food Festival returns to iconic Leland harbor

The Leland Chamber of Commerce proudly announces the return of the 2025 Leland Wine & Food Festival—a celebration of wine, flavor, and community on the shores of Lake Michigan—set against the spectacular backdrop of Leland Harbor on Saturday, June 14. Last year’s event was canceled. This highly anticipated summer tradition brings together the best of Northern Michigan’s wines, craft beers, and gourmet cuisine in one unforgettable lakeside experience.

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