By Jane Greiner Sun contributor The Glen Lake Library in Empire aims to help make reading a year-round activity for area children. Library director David Diller said that the library has two programs starting this month which are designed to encourage kids to read as a part of their summer activities. “So much is going […]
By Josh Burrows Sun contributor Dwight D. Eisenhower was heard to remark: “God help this country when somebody sits at this desk that doesn’t know as much about the military as I do.” As the man who masterminded the single most massive invasion in history, that sets a pretty high bar for the White House’s […]
By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor Under-30 local leader Ashlea Walter is the key organizer behind the Empire Asparagus Festival, which drew a large and enthusiastic crowd to Empire the weekend before Memorial Day for the town’s third annual asparagus bash. But you might not have realized that had you seen her donning a giant asparagus […]
photo by Ryan Romeike Notable Quotable: “I often wonder if our forefathers who worked in the Empire Lumber Company mill along Lake Michigan ever took the time to pause, look about, and realize what a beautiful spot it was here in Empire.” — Dave Taghon, Empire wiseman
By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor Bubba and Roger Popa are learning all the knickknacks and intricacies of the old Arbor Light building. They own the clothing outfit called Petoskey Pete’s, which moved out of the Mercantile Building on M-22 over the winter and into Glen Arbor’s grand dame on Lake Street. A fixture in town […]
By Helen Westie Sun contributor What makes Empire a unique and interesting community? When confronted with this question, the town’s residents have always been vociferous in expressing their ideas. The two unique summer celebrations come to mind immediately: the Asparagus Festival the weekend before Memorial Day in May and the Anchor Day the third weekend […]
By Pat Stinson Sun contributor New restaurant mogul, Frank Lerchen, couldn’t be more modest about his transition from general manager of two restaurant-taverns to owner of three local food service establishments in less than six months, here in the seasonally somnolent village of Empire. As Frank tells it, he was being groomed for ownership for […]
By Norm Wheeler Sun editor One of Empire’s longest running businesses just packed up and left its historic digs on the corner of M-22 and M-72. Taghon’s Auto Service Garage has been a fixture in the village of Empire since 1924 when Charles and Louise Taghon established a car repair shop on the current site […]
By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor At long last, the check is on its way. After waiting for over a decade the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (our local branch of the National Park Service) will finally get funds of $1.1 million from Washington to restore, rehabilitate and promote the Port Oneida rural historic district, located […]
By Jane Greiner Sun contributor The Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce has been stepping out in new directions. This year’s participation in the Leelanau Business Expo is just one example of how the chamber is looking for new ways to make itself useful and fun. At the Expo kickoff breakfast the chamber gave a lively, […]