A beautiful summer’s evening at the foot of the Dune Climb in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, hundreds of families enjoying their pre-concert picnics and then a musical program provided by artists of national stature: this is the magical mixture which has filled audiences with warm memories every year since the first Dune Climb concert in 1998.
Glen Arbor artist Beth Bricker’s home turf is small by design. Her selective focus on two areas of Leelanau County is the subject of an exhibition of new paintings that opens July 13 at the Center Gallery in Glen Arbor.
In its bucolic setting about two miles west of Maple City, the Blue Oxer Farm and Riding Academy offers a variety of horse training, rider instruction for both children and adults, boarding and sales. Set on the 120-acre Cold Spring Farm, owned by Alton and Kathy Smith of Raleigh, NC, Blue Oxer was established in 2008 — the dream come true for horse lover, competitor, trainer, instructor and owner Emily King Brinkman.
What’s the best-selling hardcover book in northern Michigan this year? Is it John Grisham’s Calico Kid or Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins? Surprise. It’s Chickadees At Night, a picture book for all ages by Empire author Bill O. Smith. According to Horizon Books in Traverse City, hundreds of these Chickadees have been flying off the shelves since the book’s release in late April. “People see it as an heirloom book,” says Jill Beauchamp of Horizon. “They are delighted by it and want to pass it along to their families.” Smith is quick to add that “it doesn’t hurt at all” that the illustrator is the gifted Traverse City watercolorist Charles R. Murphy.
Among the many Fourth of July celebrations in Leelanau County, one of the longest running may be the Flag Raising Ceremony held at the century-plus Old Settlers Picnic Grounds in Burdickville. Sponsored by the Glen Lake Women’s Club, chairwoman Josephine Zara promises “an old-fashioned, country flag-raising,” beginning at 10 o’clock with services by local Cub Scout Pack #111. Retired United States Navy officer Peter Van Nort of Glen Arbor, who served with Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, will give the address, “We Are the People.” Soprano Susan Pocklington of Empire will perform “The Star-Spangled Banner,” accompanied by Maple City’s Patrick Niemisto on keyboard, Amy Peterson on flute, and David Watt on drum, both of Glen Arbor. A community sing-along, free flags for the children, cookies and lemonade will conclude the event.
Glen Arbor and Empire farmers’ markets offer much more than you might imagine. For starters, each sells the best berry ever to top a shortcake. And that’s just on opening day. Glowing beneath market canopies during my visit in mid-June are plump, sweet strawberries. Quarts and quarts of them in their cute, cardboard suits.
Finding a way for our children to experience international travel and be exposed to international cultures has always been a priority for our family. The idea, however, of sending them overseas for a whole year on an exchange was a daunting concept for our tight little family.
Glen Arbor is a small world with serendipitous encounters happening all the time. Last summer yielded one such instance, and the result is that the only known 1948 Ford from the Dunesmobile fleet will lead this year’s Fourth of July Parade.
The Manitou Music Festival concert series kicks off Tuesday, July 3 at7 p.m. with everyone’s perennial favorite patriotic tunes to be performed by the Northport Concert Band, the pride of Leelanau County. This free concert takes place on the lawn of the Glen Arbor Athletic Club at 6363 Western Avenue. Bring your friends and family, lawn chairs and blankets … and patriotic spirit. In the event of rain, the band will perform at the Glen Arbor Town Hall. The Manitou Music Festival is presented by the Glen Arbor Art Association and the entire schedule can be found at glenarborart.org.
The lunch counter/ice cream shop south of the Glen Lake Narrows has a new owner once again. But this summer her caretakers may have the mojo, and the business strategy, to make the business succeed.