Entries by editor

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Kelenske’s August sweet corn

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, there are three key indicators that sweet corn is ready for harvest: “kernels fill the ear,” “silks turn brown,” and “ears begin to angle.” Driving around the peninsula these past couple of weeks, the farm stands are stacked with freshly picked sweet corn on the cob. Some varieties are golden yellow and others are a bi-colored “peaches and cream,” both are sweet, tender, and delicious. “Requiring a delicate balance of timing and technique,” the sweet corn season lasts only a nanosecond, so it is one to savor and appreciate. As the summer crop season comes to a close, these crops could be thought of as meal courses. The bookends of the summer crop season are strawberries, the appetizer course of summer, and sweet corn, the dessert course. The magic of sweet corn is in the first bite. Aside from burning mouths due to impatience waiting for the sweet corn harvest, the initial bite releases a snap of the corn kernels and the sweetness of the juice. Heavenly. Fourth generation Leelanau Peninsula farmer and sweet corn magician Curtis Kelenske and I walked through the 10-acre sweet corn field located off French Road as he offered his favorite recipe for sweet corn: boiled+salt+butter. Simple is better when eating freshly harvested sweet corn.

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Their luck is our luck: Cultural Exchange workers help local businesses

Thanks to the U.S. Department of State’s J-1 visa Cultural Exchange program, Empire and Glen Arbor businesses have a rich diversity of young folks from all over the world working here through the busy summer season. Cherry Republic and Anderson’s Market in Glen Arbor have staff from countries including Turkey, Jordan, and China working through August and into the fall. So do smaller businesses including Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate in Empire and Laker Shakes in Burdickville. In honor of Labor Day, we profiled a few of those J-1 workers.

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Leelanau Historical Society hosts Suttons Bay cemeteries, gravestone cleaning bee

The Leelanau Historical Society recognizes that these two cemeteries in Suttons Bay contain numerous early settlers of Leelanau County and their families, representing a historical record and an integral part of the local heritage that must be preserved. This workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 27, from 3-7 pm is being held to rehabilitate and preserve the gravestones at the Suttons Bay Township Cemetery  and adjacent St. Michael Catholic Cemetery, which are located at the end of W. First St. Leelanau Historical Society staff will teach gentle gravestone cleaning methods recommended by the Department of the Interior. Bring gloves, kneeling pad, and pruning shears. All other supplies will be provided.

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Northwoods Hardware hires Borodychuk as new GM

Northwoods Hardware, Home, Garden & Nursery has hired Chad Borodychuk as its new general manager. He will assume the leadership reins from current owner Jeff Gietzen. “He has a clear understanding of what it takes to run a successful retail business,” said Gietzen. “It’s all about the people, product, and community you are serving, and I could not be more pleased to hand the leadership mantle over to him and see where he takes Northwoods in the future.”

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“You may now sniff the bride”

What started out as farcical matchmaking between two girlfriends, Michele Aucello and Katie Dunn, steadily gained momentum, evolving into Up North nuptials to rival all others. The occasion was made all the more unique in that the betrothed, Lili and Boomer, are actually of the canine persuasion. Insouciant spitballing became semi-sacred reality on Aug. 11, a picture-postcard Sunday afternoon of cornflower blue skies suspended over the turquoise waters of Big Glen Lake. Dunn’s 1927 log cabin “Tonawatha” served as the wedding venue with the diminutive bride and her bipedal mother memorably making their arrival by pontoon. The processional required a protracted journey from the end of Towanatha’s dock up the steep steps to the deck where the ceremony took place.

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Empire benefit honors local artist Karen Jacob

Empire resident and esteemed artist Karen Jacob will be honored at a special exhibit and celebration, “The Art of Karen Jacob,” on Friday and Saturday, August 23-24, at the Township Hall on Front Street in Empire. The exhibit is a charitable event, with all proceeds from art sales and donations contributed to the Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and the Empire Area Community Center. More than a hundred original works will be displayed. The exhibit will be open all day on August 23 and 24.

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Old Art Building kicks off capital campaign with recent riverfront property purchase

The Old Art Building (OAB) just scored a major win for the Leelanau community with purchase of a 1.14-acre property parcel on the Leland River, kitty-corner from the cultural center’s established location in Leland. The purchase, finalized on July 31, secured 280 feet of additional Leland riverfront property for the community and almost tripled the nonprofit’s footprint. Campaign chair, Cindy Meeker, said, “The purchase of the property at 204 Cedar Street allows the Old Art Building to enhance its programming to meet the demands of this community for today and for many future generations to come. Additionally, it allows us to preserve this treasured property in the heart of Leland as we honor our past and build our future.” With just 2 ½ months to raise the money, a grant from Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation and generous donations from community members secured the $3.2 million needed to finalize the purchase, while also quietly kicking off a three-year capital campaign aimed at raising enough funds to achieve community-voiced goals on both the new and existing properties.

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Glen Arbor Arts Center features Allie on front porch

Traverse City singer-songwriter Allie Kessel performs on the Glen Arbor Arts Center front porch on Friday, Aug. 23, from 5-7 pm. This Manitou Music concert is free, and open air. Concertgoers should bring a chair, and refreshments. Kessell possesses a unique musical style that blends folk and soul influences. With a passion for spreading positive messages of inclusivity and unconditional love, Kessel’s songwriting reflects her personal experiences and observations of the world.

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It’s polka time again in Cedar

The show must go on—and it will once again as Cedar celebrates its Polish heritage with the 42nd annual Cedar Polka Fest. With several bands playing variants on the polka theme, plus the Scottville Clown Band putting its own musical spin on the proceedings, the town will once again be dancing up a storm from Thursday, Aug. 22 through Sunday, Aug. 25. This year’s lineup includes Alex Meixner on Thursday and Friday; Bavarski, Friday-Sunday; Dynabrass, Thursday and Friday; Duane Malinowski on Saturday; Larry and his Larks Saturday and Sunday; and the Scottville Clown Band Saturday in the parade and again afterwards. Lisa Rossi-Brett, the executive director of the Cedar Polka Fest Foundation, says determining the bands is always a balancing act between favorites from years past and newcomers. “We try within reason to change bands,” she says. But the presence of beloved bands from past years is always welcomed.

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Iconic Bicentennial Barn property for sale again

Leelanau’s iconic Bicentennial Barn is for sale once again. The 1890s farmhouse and barn on a 4-acre property on the corner of M-22 and Bohemian Rd was purchased in February 2021 by Greg and Heather (Nachazel) Ford, who over the last three and a half years “have been pouring their love into the farmhouse and have dealt with the structure, roof, and windows—all the unromantic things,” said Ranae Ihme of Leelanau Vacation Realty, which lists the property for $665,000. The Fords are moving out of state and “passing the baton to someone who can complete the process and put the ‘frosting’ on it.”

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