Entries by editor

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National nutrition education program with local impact slated for elimination by Congress

Jane Rapin, a community nutrition instructor with Michigan State University Extension, offered a food demonstration that featured fresh asparagus and quinoa salad earlier this spring at Leelanau Christian Neighbors’ food pantry in Lake Leelanau. May and early June are asparagus season in northwest Michigan, and LCN received a donation of locally grown stalks. “It was very well received. People were inspired by it,” said Rapin. “We did a short presentation about why this is nutritious and how cook with it. It’s important that we reach people who may not be familiar with asparagus.” Rapin’s work at the food pantry and other Leelanau locations including Northport high school and the Benodjenh tribal Head Start preschool in Peshawbestown is funded by the Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program, or commonly known as SNAP-Ed. The national nutrition education program is slated for elimination under the budget bill passed on May 22 by a single vote by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives. The Senate will pass its own bill in the coming weeks.

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Childhood diseases are not harmless

When I was growing up, “rubella baby” was a term that everyone in our community knew. The worldwide 1963–1965 epidemic of German measles hit Michigan so hard that the Michigan School for the Deaf had to start up a special unit for preschoolers who’d been born both deaf and blind. Their mothers had been exposed to the virus during their first trimester of pregnancy, writes Lois Beardslee, an author and tribal member who lives in Leelanau County. Epidemics often hit Michigan’s Native American communities harder than other communities, because the culture of northern Michigan in the first half of the 20th century dictated closing off roads to infected Indian communities, not even letting in doctors. Vaccinating one’s children should be an important social obligation that transcends economic cultural affiliations.

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High Five, River Club

The River Club in Glen Arbor received two prestigious awards last month from the Traverse City Tourism High Five Awards, which honor top professionals in the region’s hospitality industry. Award recipients (l-r) include River Club general manager Stephen Brotschul (Front of the House Award) and owners Gina and Mike Sheldon (Cheer & Leadership Award).

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Origin Stories: remembering our resorting history

Everyone has an “origin story” for how their family arrived, found, or landed in this area, writes Rebecca G Carlson in this first installment in our series on the history of Leelanau County resorts and getaways. Which category does your family fall into: Campers? Resorters? Hotel guests? Fishing trips? Connections to the area? In the following editions of the Sun, Carlson will highlight local resorts such as Fountain Point, The Jolli Lodge, The Leelanau Country Inn (now the Little Traverse Inn), Perrins Landing, Sunset Lodge, and other vacation destinations that attracted many voyagers to the area.

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New gallery owners take over Synchronicity

Jeff and Patty Brandt planned to retire to Glen Arbor. Jeff beat his wife to the punch, selling his business a couple years ago. He became a stay-at-home dad at their home in Connecticut, while Patty commuted to New York City. Then they found out Synchronicity was for sale. Goodbye retirement, hello art gallery. “I retired until I bought Synchronicity,” Jeff says with a laugh. The family had purchased a home on Big Glen but weren’t ready to commit to anything until they moved here. Then a friend told the Brandts that one of their favorite galleries was quietly for sale. “We knew we wanted than just a house. When the business came up, it was meant to be,” says Jeff.

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Iconic Art’s Tavern sells to Barb and Paul Olson

When Tim Barr walked out of Art’s Tavern late on Saturday night, it represented the final time he closed Glen Arbor’s iconic establishment as its owner. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Barb and Paul Olson will officially become Art’s fourth owners since Prohibition. The storied venue will reopen on Wednesday. “The first question people have asked me is ‘Will you take credit cards?’ Nope. ‘Will you change anything?’ Nope,” Paul Olson told the Sun. Everything will remain: the pennants on the walls and ceiling, the Christmas decorations, the retractable pool table, the shot ski. All of it. It’s been so much fun to tell people who get Art’s that we’re buying it. The people who get the history, the special place it is. Art’s is an iconic restaurant. I just want to be its steward.” Read more about Art’s history and previous owners Tim Barr and Bonnie Nescot’s legacy in Glen Arbor.

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Celebrating songs of Leelanau: Les Dalgliesh’s “The Ways of Leelanau”

Our story series celebrating songs inspired by Leelanau County and the Sleeping Bear Dunes continues with Les Dalgliesh’s “The Ways of Leelanau,” which the singer-songwriter occasionally performed at the Leelanau School’s graduation ceremony held in early June at the private boarding school next to The Homestead resort. “My time at Leelanau was a time of learning and growth for the students—and for me. ‘The Ways of Leelanau’ became a kind of context that fostered learning, growth, and connection for all of us.”

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Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast hosts June 1 open house

The public is invited to come see the beautiful workmanship and tour the remodeled Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast, as well as the new condominiums, on Sunday, June 1, from 1-4 pm. Stop by, drink some lemonade and check it out. Also read our feature story from 2022 about the Bed & Breakfast building, which recently celebrated 150 years in Glen Arbor.

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Jocelyn Benson, in her own words: Glen Arbor Sun interview

Prior to her June 3, appearance at the National Writers Series in Traverse City, Michigan Secretary of State (and gubernatorial candidate) Jocelyn Benson spoke to the Glen Arbor Sun via Zoom about her book, “The Purposeful Warrior: Standing up for what’s right when the stakes are high”; about her candidacy for governor in 2026 and her leadership style; about standing up to Trump; about Michigan governors who have inspired her; about abortion rights; about state-funded school meals, and about the future of journalism. Click here to watch the interview and read a full transcription.

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Locals Lake Leelanau. Where everybody knows your name

Customer service is important to Tony West. So too is history, making sure that the area’s residents and accomplishments are recognized. And food: don’t forget good food. Put that all together with a career spent in hospitality and you get West’s new restaurant, Locals Lake Leelanau, which is already generating buzz.

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