Join the fun at Black Star Farms near Suttons Bay for a playful session of goat yoga. Suitable for all experience levels, sessions are led by certified instructors, with 45 minutes of yoga and 15 minutes for photos and goat cuddles. Each ticket includes a cup of goat feed and a voucher for a glass of wine, cocktail or beverage at either the restaurant, Bistro Polaris, or winery tasting room.
“Houses are great, but I think this is real pretty,” Jacob’s Farm owner Michael Witkop said as he stood outside the hilltop Orchard View wedding barn and gazed north across their 10-acre corn maze to the red centennial barn, where workers scurried like busy ants to open the restaurant, bar, and outdoor music venue by early June. Beyond the M-72 corridor, which connects his destination to bustling Traverse City, the hills of Leelanau County hovered in the distance like low-hanging clouds. We’re featuring Jacob’s Farm as part of our series on innovative solutions to the farming crisis. On May 7, Witkop addressed 65 attendees of Michigan State University (MSU) Extension’s first-ever Agritourism Summit, which included a tour of local agritourism businesses that have succeeded in bringing customers directly to their farms—thereby forestalling the fate that has forced tens of thousands of small farms across the United States to close in recent decades.
The Dune Climb Inn is proud to announce the renovation and rebrand of a classic motel, formerly Duneswood Resort, on M-109 in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Inspired by the nature surrounding it, the rooms are dressed in blues and greens and feature local art and photography, retaining that intimate motel feeling with a colorful refresh. It is the perfect home base for an outdoor adventures and escape.
Nestled on Kasson Road as it winds through the trees outside Cedar is a dynamic property called Cedar North. Part Airbnb, part artist residency, part gallery and artists’ studio, the space is an investment in the artist community and ecological landscape of Leelanau. Owned by husband and wife James Reznich and Julie Botsford, the project has evolved over seven years of living and farming on the adjacent property at their farm, J2 Farms. Both professionals by day—James, a dentist, and Julie, a pharmacist—the couple cares for their sprawling regenerative farm, utilizing permaculture techniques as they raise goats, cattle, chickens, and ducks, alongside gardens and a forest containing sugar maple and mushroom groves.
The cozy book shop in a nearly 100-year-old log cabin in the heart of Glen Arbor has a new owner this spring. Jenny Puvogel acquired the Cottage Book Shop from Sue Boucher on April 1 after working there for five years. Boucher bought the book shop 10 years ago from Barbara Siepker, who acquired it from founder Mollie Weeks in 1995 and then moved it across Lake Street to its current location between the Glen Arbor Gardens and Lake Street Studios. We asked Puvogel about her love for the book shop and the area, what’s happening there this summer, and what’s she’s reading now.
June = Bardenhagen strawberry season. Yes, it is its own season in the Leelanau Peninsula. Every year around the peninsula, usually from mid-June to the beginning of July, fans wait impatiently for the harvest of the Bardenhagen strawberries. Once the word is out that the strawberries are ready, making the trip to the Bardenhagen farm stand at 7990 E Horn Road is a must. The harvest of these gorgeous berries launch the summer season and are a reason to celebrate.
Change is difficult for many people, but it is also challenging to lead change. This is what the Telgards have been doing for five generations in Leland and how they became a local legacy family influential in protecting the town’s heritage and character, writes Abby Chatfield. The Telgards own the iconic Bluebird Restaurant and Tavern, which was recently demolished and is being rebuilt. Common threads throughout the family’s history are forward thought towards its future generations’ ability to thrive and the important role they play in providing a social hub for the community. Their reputation is based on a foundation of consideration for their community’s needs—not an easy role to maintain for well over a century.
Anderson’s Market celebrates its 30th anniversary since Brad Anderson acquired “Steffen’s IGA” from Bill and Jen Heston in 1994. The grocery store will host a party in the parking lot on Sunday, May 19, from 2-5 pm and provide local beer from Short’s, homemade pulled pork sandwiches and bratwursts, Moomer’s Ice Cream, and live music, while supplies last. Brad Anderson reflected on 30 years of serving Glen Arbor, including challenges such as re-opening during the August 2015 megastorm, being an essential business during the COVID-19 lockdown, and the struggle to find workers.
River Club Glen Arbor, located where the Crystal River turns and heads northeast toward The Homestead and Sleeping Bear Bay, has announced its grand opening in mid-June. The project of former advertising executive and current Lake Leelanau resident Mike Sheldon, the River Club will offer Mexican-inspired foods, signature drinks from the Caddy Shack bar, riverfront and sky deck seating, a concert stage, a landscaped 18-hole mini-golf course and a gift shop. The destination will bring even more action to the east side of Glen Arbor, where Crystal River Outfitters, the Cyclery, the M22 Store and Coastal already draw crowds. River Club will throw a Job Fair/Party in the Park on Saturday, May 18, from 11 am – 3 pm. The event will provide an opportunity to meet the team and get an exclusive firsthand tour of the park.
Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 11, at Glen Arbor Wines from 4-7 p.m. The business on Lake Street, just north of M-22, will feature a mini-art show, “Reflections of Sleeping Bear,” where guests can meet the talented exhibitors: artists Linda Alice Dewey, Morgan Fisher, Maryann Barnes and photographer Eric Raymond. Local photographer Gracie Dickinson will also show her vintage maps and photos of Leelanau County. In addition, Leelanau Cheese will demonstrate the delicious art of melting locally made raclette from 4-6 p.m., and musician John Piatek performs from 5-7 p.m.