At last year’s annual meeting of the Glen Lake Association (GLA), watershed biologist Rob Karner gave a sneak preview of how the dredging of Hatlem Pond was being targeted as one of its major water quality projects for 2012.
Cedar and birch trees lean out toward the light at the edge of the forest as the beach path leads you to Lake Michigan. Along the way, you pass wood lilies and false solomon seal with bright, striped berries. Moisture from the lake bathes the ferns and mosses, and releases the sweet earthy scent of crushed cedar needles covering the sandy path. Turquoise water beckons as you leave the cool forest and walk out into the blazing sun. Swim out into the cool water, float on your back and scan the blue sky for eagles and terns. Now this is living!
Phil Stead, a 30-year-old runner from Ann Arbor won the inaugural Glen Arbor Solstice Half Marathon on Saturday, June 16, with a time of just under 1 hour 20 minutes. Krista Scott, 34, from Lake Ann, was the top female marathoner with a time of just under 1 hour 40 minutes.
Yesterday afternoon at 2 p.m., Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Superintendent Dusty Shultz and the National Park’s Midwest Regional Director Mike Reynolds cut the ribbon to officially open the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, which currently stretches 5 miles between the Dune Climb and Glen Arbor. Organizers and supporters hope that the Trail will one day stretch 27 miles, from the Leelanau-Benzie County Line to Good Harbor Bay.
The views and trails are timeless, but the tools to help you get there are cutting edge. Check out Jane and Joy’s smart phone application, “Sleeping Bear Trails: Aunt Jane’s Trail Guide to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore” by visiting iTunes.
This summer-long series of concerts will be held at the top of Bay Mountain at The Homestead resort north of Glen Arbor. Mingle with old friends and new during the Happy Hour. Purchase one or more tickets in the 50/50 raffle. You could win half the money and you will help our lakeshore, as the other half will be donated to Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear.
Manitou Music Festival poster design winner, David Westerfield, will be Artist-in-Residence at the Glen Arbor Art Association for two weeks. His presentation to the public will be on Thursday, June 28 at 7:30 p.m. Westerfield lives in Glenview, Ill., where he has a graphic art business. He is a frequent visitor to Leelanau where he is captivated by the “visual beauty of the shore, dunes, and the many historic locations.”
The Glen Arbor Art Association (GAAA) kicks off its 2012 array of art classes for adults and children on June 23. The programs this summer will again provide instruction for beginning to advanced levels in acrylic, oils, watercolors, pastels, and drawing. Many classes will focus on landscape art, reflecting the unique beauty of Leelanau County.
Mario Batali loves Leelanau County and is again offering a great opportunity to raise funds for farmland preservation this year. On tap, a one-of-a-kind raffle for a culinary weekend of a lifetime in New York City. The winner of the 100-ticket raffle — and five of his or her friends—will enjoy a prize that includes salumi and wine tasting and dinner at Otto; a six-course tasting menu at Mario’s flagship, Babbo, cooked and served by the chef himself. The prize also takes in a behind-the-scenes tour at Eataly along with an olive oil class and lunch at Pizza/Pasta at Eataly. To defray travel expenses, the winner will also receive $6,000 in cash.
Managing Shoreline: Natural landscaping for lake health, erosion control, and nutrient absorption- a workshop for property owners will be held on Wednesday, June 27, from 7-9 p.m. at the Leelanau Government and Community Center, 8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suttons Bay. Registration is $5 until June 20. After the 20 and at the door registration is $10. To register call (231) 256-9812. Topics will include healthy lake ecosystems, design of natural landscapes on shorelines, problems with high impact landscape methods, use of native plants and State rules and permits. This workshop is hosted by Leelanau Clean Water in cooperation with the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership. Leaders will be Buzz Long from the Leelanau Conservation District, Sarah U’Ren from the Watershed Center, and Rob Karner, field biologist from The Leelanau School.