Entries by editor

Letter from Romania, by a Leelanau native

I was busy teaching in the Peace Corps all year, but school just ended. I’m writing to you on the Fourth of July. It’s weird to be in a place that’s a holiday only for me. I’m thinking of the Fourth of July on the Leelanau Peninsula, the families with their picnics, the bonfires on the beaches, fireworks in the night sky over Lake Michigan, dancing in the park up in Northport. I’m thinking of all the carpenters I know who loaded up their trucks and drove to New Orleans after Katrina.

Center Gallery features Margo Burian

Paintings of Leelanau County’s land and water — as processed through the imagination of Grand Rapids artist Margo Burian — are on display next at the Center Gallery at Lake Street Studios, in Glen Arbor. A public reception opens the show on July 27 at 6 p.m.

Center Gallery features Susana Green

Lake Street Studios Center Gallery will feature the works of Honor, Mich., artist Susana Hubbard Green from July 27-29, with a reception on Friday evening from 6-9 p.m. The gallery will be open Saturday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday 1-4 p.m.

Homestead hosts magnificent music and spectacular view

The setting overlooking Lake Michigan at The Homestead’s Bay Mountain is spectacular and the chair lift ride up is invigorating, but the star of the show is the Paul Keller Jazz Quintet featuring vocalist Sarah D’Angelo. An offshoot of Ann Arbor’s popular Paul Keller Orchestra, the quintet will perform jazz classics such as Goodman, Gershwin and others on Thursday, July 26 at 7 p.m.

Music in the Dunes

Michigan bluegrass band Detour headlined this summer’s Dune Climb concert, which was held on July 15. This free annual concert, which celebrated its 15th year, is the highlight of the season for many families. It’s the fruit of a creative partnership between the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Glen Arbor Art Association’s Manitou Music Festival.

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Sleeping Bear Gallery hosts Michigan glass blowers

Enjoy a unique art experience this weekend at Sleeping Bear Gallery: glass blowing. Michigan Hot Glass, featuring artist Albert Young, will offer free glass blowing demonstrations all day Saturday and Sunday, July 21 and 22. Bring a chair, sit and relax on the back lawn, and witness how glass is blown at the Sleeping Bear Gallery in downtown Empire.

Running Bear logs sixth race

On Tuesday, July 24, the Glen Arbor Women’s Club hosts the sixth annual Running Bear 5K Run/Walk and ½ Mile Kids’ Run. This event has become popular with locals and tourists alike participating. Last year, over 700 adults and children took part. The 5K event is open to everyone. You can run or walk, so young people as well as seniors can participate in the 5K. The younger children are not forgotten and can participate in a ½ Mile “Kids’ Run”. They run/walk the ½ mile and each child will receive a ribbon, an ice cream cone from Riverfront Pizza & Specialties and a miniature golf pass from The River. Bring the whole family and join the fun.

National Lakeshore offers invasive plant community workday

Are you looking for a way to get involved with your local national park this summer? Then lend a hand to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore). A Saturday workday will be offered as a way to involve visitors and community members in projects that also help them learn about different invasive plants impacting the park, local communities, and region. The National Lakeshore encourages all who are interested in assisting with park conservation to attend the workdays.

Empire Area Historical Group celebrates 40 years

What do a horsehide sleigh blanket, Liz Shimek’s basketball jersey, a Civil War sword and scabbard, and an entire one-room schoolhouse all have in common? All have a story to tell of their time and place in southern Leelanau’s collective past, and all form just a fraction of the collection of the Empire Area Heritage Group, now celebrating its 40th year.

“Peachy” Rentenbach runs for County Commission

Carolyn “Peachy” Rentenbach, former owner of La Becasse Restaurant, has announced that she is a candidate for the Leelanau County Commission in November. Rentenbach is running for the seat being vacated by David Marshall. District 6 is comprised of Empire, Glen Arbor and Cleveland Townships.