The Old Art Building (OAB) is proud to announce a special solo exhibition, Charles Passarelli: A Legacy of Artistic Exploration , running from March 2-25 . This comprehensive exhibit celebrates the life and work of Leelanau County local and master artist Charles Passarelli, a figure whose career reflects the evolving landscape of American art over the last 70 years.
Join Jess Piskor and Inland Seas Education Association on Tuesday, March 3, at 10 am, for a presentation and discussion of his work on Passenger Pigeons and Beech Trees. Piskor will offer a one-of-a-kind love letter to these two surprisingly interrelated species. One hundred and fifty years ago, Northern Michigan’s hardwood forests were full of Beech Trees, and the skies darkened with Passenger Pigeons. Now the birds are extinct, and the beeches are threatened with disease. Learn about their connection to each other, and come away with a greater appreciation for the great trees still in our midst.
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday, Feb. 24, about whether state or federal court will have the final say on the future of the controversial Line 5 pipeline, which carries crude oil and natural gas liquids across the Straits of Mackinac in Michigan. The case dates to a 2019 lawsuit by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who moved to shut down the pipeline by revoking the easement that allows it to cross the Straits, citing risks to the Great Lakes. (Over its 73-year lifetime, Line 5 has spilled over a million gallons of oil along its inland route.) A shutdown is supported by all 12 federally recognized tribes in Michigan, though they are not involved in the suit. Many tribal nations say the pipeline threatens their waters, treaty rights, and ways of life.
Scientists are asking for help from the public this winter to measure how thick the ice is on the Great Lakes and inland lakes. Data submitted by ice fishers and other people who spend time on frozen lakes could improve the models that forecast ice cover on the Great Lakes. Satellites do a good job at capturing how much ice there is, but not how thick it is, according to researchers at the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) in Ann Arbor. More data could give researchers insight as to how climate change is altering ice cover in the region and provide important safety information for people out on the ice.
For the past three years, David Weeks has searched for a young farmer to take over his organic vegetable farm, La Casa Verde, in Cedar. But, so far, he hasn’t found a buyer who intends to keep the property as a working farm. “I strongly want to see this property remain in agriculture and remain a part of the resilient Michigan community and economy,” he said. “The last thing I want is for this property to get bought by some gazillionaire and they knock down the old buildings and build an estate house, and they’re there two weeks out of the year.” In October, Weeks began advertising his farm on MIFarmLink, a new program that helps match aspiring farmers with those looking to retire and hand their operations over to the next generation. One goal of MIFarmLink is to ensure farmland remains farmland amid a push by big developers to convert rural properties to data centers, solar or wind farms, housing, and other projects.
In 2012 Leelanau County couple Rolf and Mari von Walthausen decided to move from their 2,000-square-foot home into a 240-square-foot tiny house. The couple will talk about their radical resizing—how and why they did it—at the Glen Arbor Arts Center February 22 at 1 pm. The program, Living Large In A Tiny House, is free, and is offered as part of the GAAC’s INteriors exhibition.
A debate over the role of religion in public schools and in the public square has roiled tiny Leland, Michigan, this fall—the conversation a microcosm of an explosive reckoning on the national stage. Leelanau Lighthouse missionaries Micah and Kya Cramer have used their savvy Instagram marketing—and until recently, their regular presence inside Leland school—to attract dozens of local high school students to Sunday evening worships and other faith events. Concerned parents have raised concerns that the group was using lunch hour at school to “pursue” minors. This local conflict has generated whiplash for some. Five years ago, a community letter that addressed race relations during Black Lives Matter protests prompted neighbors to retreat and reinforce their political and cultural walls.
As northern Michigan continues to experience a very snowy and cold winter, the Empire Area Community Center (EACC) plans to embrace the elements with the annual Empire Winterfest. Events will be hosted throughout the village of Empire on Saturday, Feb. 21, including the long-standing tradition of a polar plunge in South Bar Lake.
The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail has announced the launch of its newest winter event, Snow on The Vines, taking place Feb. 20–22. This inaugural winter celebration invites wine lovers to experience the charm of Northern Michigan’s wine country wrapped in a cozy, snow-kissed setting.
Lucky 7’s took the gold medal for the best chili at Glen Arbor’s annual Winterfest held on the deck at Boonedocks on Saturday, Feb. 14. The crew at Crystal River Outfitters finished second. Boonedocks placed third. Meanwhile, Paul Blome won the inaugural Ken Fosmore Memorial Ice Fishing Tournament on the Glen Lakes with a 14 and 1/8-inch perch. Nick Rice finished second with a 13 and 5/16-inch catch. Madeline Carrol took third-place honors with a 12 and 7/8-inch fish. And Ron McNeal finished fourth with a catch of 12 and 3/4 inches. Proceeds from Winterfest are given out on senior scholarship night at Glen Lake School to deserving students to help offset college tuition.