Entries by editor

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Leland Planning Commission rejects Youth for Christ’s application for Lighthouse ministry in Fishtown

Following months of deliberation and impassioned public hearings, the Leland Planning Commission tonight rejected Apollos Properties’ special use permit application for a Youth for Christ “Lighthouse” ministry in Fishtown. In so doing, the Commission sided with findings-of-fact from outside attorney Tom Grier that found grounds to deny the special use permit. Conversely, Grier—an attorney with Running Wise & Ford—also prepared a separate document that offered the Commission a path to approve the ministry. The apparently dueling reports seemed to give the Commission defensible legal ground in the event that  Apollos’ owner Jim VanSteenhouse, known as the “Bear Man,” appeals the decision or sues the Township. Much of the debate centered around whether a Youth for Christ ministry could qualify as a “club” allowed in Leland’s C-1 business district. Grier’s analysis that opposed a special use permit concluded that “private clubs, meeting halls, churches and religious institutions are not allowed as permitted or special land uses in the C-1 district.”

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Crystal River flooding compromises The Mill, residents downstream

Heavy rain in recent days has resulted in flooding at The Mill, the iconic restaurant and cafe just east of Glen Arbor, which remains open with regular operating hours despite the hurdle. Three culverts were removed in the past couple years upstream and under County Road 675. A remaining culvert downstream from The Mill, beneath Overbrook Drive, is underwater and stemming the flow of the river. The problem could worsen with more heavy rain expected tonight and in the days to come. The problem is not new, but has exacerbated since a late winter snowstorm in March and ensuing spring melt overwhelmed the river’s watershed.

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Leelanau Reads Newman’s Wreck

The four public libraries of Leelanau County invite you to participate in Leelanau Reads, a community reading program. During the annual Leelanau Reads program, county residents are encouraged to come together in a shared reading experience. This year’s book pick is Wreck by Catherine Newman, a short, contemporary novel full of laughter and heart, about marriage, family, and what happens when life doesn’t go as planned.

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Leelanau Conservancy holds Native Plant Rescue

Leelanau County is well-known for its population of earth-caring individuals among its members, and those that care for wildflowers and native growing plants are no exception. The Leelanau Conservancy, the county’s land preservation group, started its wildflower/native plant rescue program in the fall of 1999. Its singular purpose is to save native plants, keeping them from bulldozers and from other sources of destruction. The Conservancy summons volunteers for its annual kick-off at the Old Art Building in Leland on Wednesday, April 15 starting at 10:30 a.m.

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Leelanau Conservancy completes Palmer Woods trail system

After eight years of development and more than 42 miles of pathways constructed, the Leelanau Conservancy has completed the multi-use trail network at Palmer Woods Forest Reserve, the Conservancy reported in a press release in early April. The finished system includes more than 27 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails and 15 miles of hiking trails. These pathways are open year-round, guiding hikers, bikers and skiers through the peaks and valleys of this glacially formed landscape. Palmer Woods, a 1,115-acre Old-Growth Forest, is the Conservancy’s largest property and was acquired in 2016. Trail development began in 2018.

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Sauna Fest returns to heat cool Northern Michigan

Long relegated to back yards and backwoods cabins, saunas are enjoying a heyday in northern Michigan. Popup saunas appear at community events, portable saunas are available to rent, and private sauna gatherings transition effortlessly into pot-luck dinners with friends. The Sun interviewed Vlad Borza—co-organizer of the second annual Michigan Sauna Fest this weekend—to get his read on sauna popularity, what’s new at Sauna Fest, spring saunas vs winter saunas, what he does when he’s not sweating in a tiny house, and his vision for a floating sauna on a barge. Borza of Sleeping Bear Saunas and Nick Olson of Hearth Sauna—proselytizers of the local sauna movement—co-organized the Michigan Sauna Fest, which takes place in Traverse City’s Clinch Park from Friday, April 10, until Sunday April 12.

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Old Art Building talk examines “Immigration in America: What the Data Really Shows”

Immigration is one of the most talked-about and divisive issues in America. Separating headlines from facts can feel overwhelming. On Thursday, April 9, from 5:30-7:30 pm at the Old Art Building in Leland, community members are invited to a free discussion that uses data to cut through confusion and show what the numbers actually say. The program is presented in partnership with Mobile Pathways, an award-winning technology nonprofit whose immigration analysis has been featured by major outlets in the United States and abroad and recognized internationally for its impact.

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River Club Glen Arbor events, 2026

River Club Glen Arbor Music Lineup 2026 Performer Date Day of Week Time Notes Loose Change 5/2/2026 Saturday 5-8pm Chris Smith 5/9/2026 Saturday 5-8pm Dave Martin 5/10/2026 Sunday 5-8pm Mother’s Day Larz Cabot 5/16/2026 Saturday 5-8pm Keith Scott 5/23/2026 Saturday 5-8pm Luke Duo 5/24/2026 Sunday 5-8pm Clint Weaner 5/25/2026 Monday 5-8pm Memorial Day Drew Hale […]

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DeKornes take Crystal River Polar Plunge

For their 2026 spring break, the DeKorne kids polar plunged in the Crystal River this past weekend. As locals walked by, they said, “You’re definitely first in the river this year! Send to the Sun!” Pictured in this photo are: Kate (10), Klaire (7), Dan, Drew (10) and Jack (7) DeKorne.

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“Small-town America pushes back against authoritarianism” as Traverse, Leelanau Indivisible hold third No Kings national day of action

Traverse Indivisible and Leelanau Indivisible are teaming up to hold a third No Kings national day of action in Traverse City on Saturday, March 28, as millions gather nationwide to protest the Trump administration’s policies and politics, at home and around the world. Organizers say they expect as many as 7,000 people to march in Traverse City “as small-town America pushes back against authoritarianism.” In a city of 16,000 people, that would make No Kings Day one of the largest protests in Northern Michigan history. The march begins at 1 pm at F&M Park in downtown Traverse City. Click here to read our coverage in the Glen Arbor Sun of the impact of the Trump administration’s politics and policy on Northern Michigan communities.

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