Entries by editor

Sleeping Bear tourism creates $132 million for local economy

A new National Park Service report for 2011 shows that the 1,348,304 visitors to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore spent $132,774,000 in communities surrounding the park. This spending supported 2,347 jobs in the local area. “Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a wonderful place to learn about America’s story,” said Park Superintendent Dusty Shultz. “We attract visitors from across the U.S. and around the world who come here to experience the park and then spend time and money enjoying the services provided by our neighboring communities.”

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Cookies and Cocoa on the Heritage Trail

Trail enthusiasts are invited to a Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail Open House on Saturday, March 2 from 10 a.m.-noon along the trail in Glen Haven. Please stop by while you are out skiing or snowshoeing to enjoy complimentary homemade cookies and sample hot chocolate from Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate.

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Glen Lake Library hosts children’s book author van Galen

The Glen Lake Community Library will host a special story hour featuring Maggie van Galen, author of the new children’s book The Adventures of Keeno & Ernest: the Banana Tree. In this charming picture book, two young jungle friends — a mischievous monkey and a clever elephant — encounter more adventure than they had planned on their search for the perfect banana. This will be a homecoming for the Massachusetts-based author, who grew up in northern Michigan.

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Chillin’ at Glen Arbor, Empire Winterfests

Did you take part in this past weekend’s annual Winterfests in Glen Arbor and Empire? If not, you can experience the glory by watching these videos of the winners of this year’s Perch Fishing Contest being crowned on the deck at Boonedocks. And you can dive beneath the ice into South Bar Lake in solidarity with locals Kathy Young and Jack Gyr.

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Federal funds help Heritage Trail expand to Port Oneida

The Detroit Free Press and other media outlets report that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $100,000 to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to extend the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Heritage Trail an additional 4.75 miles.

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Art Association’s Talk About Art interviews author Aaron Stander

Aaron Stander, retired educator and now author of six crime novels, reflects on his new calling in the world of letters at the March 7 “Talk About Art” interview, 7:30 p.m. at the Glen Arbor Art Association.

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Glen Arbor Art Association Readers’ Theater Goes for Laughs

In the 1940s, melodramati style was popular in both theater and radio productions. Put those scripts in the hands of director, Mason Query, and things get a little … twisted. “Frankly, says Query, “I can hardly keep a straight face and have been a constant disruption while rehearsing for our previous productions. They finally just gave up and are letting me run with it!”

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Celebrate Empire Winterfest with Polar Dip

Don’t miss this weekend’s Winterfest activities in Empire. Plunge into South Bar Lake during the Polar Dip at 2 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 16, and enjoy hot chocolate around a bonfire afterwards. That evening the Glen Lake Manor will feature a wine and chocolate pairing and a late Valentine’s dinner

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Glen Arbor Winterfest turns lucky 13

Escape from the winter blues at the 13th Annual Glen Arbor Winterfest on Saturday, Feb. 16. Festivities start at 7 a.m. with the beginning of the Perch Fishing Contest, with prizes for first through fourth place catches. All participants will bring their biggest catches from Big and Little Glen to the Sportsman Shop at 1 p.m., and winners will be crowned. Entry fee for this event is $20, and all ages are welcome to participate.

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Cross-country skiing the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail

The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes is grooming the existing four miles of the Sleeping Bear Heritage from Glen Arbor to the Dune Climb for classic and skate-skiing this winter. This volunteer effort allows the trail to be enjoyed year-round for outdoor recreation.

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