There is nothing shy about a northern Michigan spring—grouse and turkeys heady with lust walk the roads bemused by approaching vehicles, the stuttering calls of sand hill cranes returning to fields that green while you’re watching, and a hillside that just yesterday was filled with decaying leaves is now covered with the verdant stems of ramps, writes Julie Zapoli, whose story about farm produce in Leelanau County features Bardenhagen Farms, Lively Farms, 9 Bean Rows, and MI Farm Co-op.
French-American artist Alyssa Smith display’s her work in two iconic Leelanau County locations—Farm Club and The Mill in Glen Arbor. Three ceramic pieces from her work “A Hundred Ways to Kiss the Ground” are currently at Farm Club. Her “found object” piece “Buckets” is on display at The Mill in Glen Arbor. “Alyssa instantly had the concept for “Buckets” on her first walk through The Mill, and I could not love this piece more,” said Kelsey Duda, creative director of Fernhaus Studio and The Mill. “I would never have thought of combining the pieces together the way she did, transforming artifacts into a work of art.”
Mike and Susan Garver acquired Trattoria Funistrada on May 1 from Tom and Holly Reay, who opened Burdickville’s beloved Italian restaurant in 2000. But Susan insists that nothing will change. Same menu, same ambience, same friendly staff. Holly will remain this summer as bookkeeper. The Garvers may repaint the exterior, but they’ll use the exact same light green hue as before. “We purchased Funistrada simply to preserve the legacy that Tom and Holly created and perfected these past 23 years,” said Susan. “Our intent is to keep Funistrada exactly the same, including the outstanding staff, delicious recipes, and the warm and inviting atmosphere that so very many people, including our own family, have grown to love.
The Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail is where stunning landscape and natural splendor meets exquisite wine making. “Experience Leelanau” is the Wine Trail’s new signature event, May 19-21—a celebration honoring ‘Michigan Wine Month’ and everything that makes our region special. Click here for information and to get your tickets.
Old stores have state-of-the-art technology, too. Bahle’s of Suttons Bay, a destination for quality and comfort for more than 145 years, now sports a modern technology twist. On Saturday, May 20, Bahle’s will hold its Scott Barber Made to Measure Party and unveil a dressing room camera which needs just two measurements to make an avatar of the customer’s body. In five minutes the apparatus can size you up for a custom shirt and offer three different options: slim, classic and modern fits.
Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor hosts music and poetry with singer-songwriters Jim Crockett, Patrick Niemisto, John Kumjian, and The Beach Bards poetry and storytelling troupe on Sunday, April 30, from 4-6 p.m. Admission is free. Patrons are encouraged to make a good will offering to the Empire Area Community Center for those in the community who have fallen on hard times. The EACC is a 501(c)3 public charity.
When Eric Nittolo, owner of Nittolo’s Seafood & Pizza in Lake Leelanau, travels to Europe, he brings a family entourage and they eat like royalty, night after night. With each plate, in each city, Eric challenges himself to learn something new, to bring culinary lessons home to Lake Leelanau. Every night on his trips to Italy, Spain and the Baltic countries, Eric took mental notes on how he could incorporate these culinary lessons back home. Now at Nittolo’s you can order a Tuscan wild boar pizza served with smoked mozzarella. And on May 17, a Spanish Tapas lounge will open at Nittolo’s.
Glen Lake Restaurant Week—Friday, April 28, until Saturday, May 6—offers an array of dining options “from French Fries to French Cuisine.” Each establishment will offer a mouthwatering prix-fixe menu. Participating restaurants include: Art’s Tavern, Blu, Cherry Public House, Funistrada, Good Harbor Grill, Inn & Trail Gourmet, La Bécasse, Nonna’s Italian Ristorante and Western Avenue Grill.
It’s hard for anyone to pinpoint exactly when a town changes. Most of the time we’re too busy with our daily life to notice the subtle transformations, writes Julie Zapoli, co-owner of Glen Arbor’s Inn and Trail Gourmet. Living in one place prohibits noticing much beyond our typical path, but we adjust: a clothing shop becomes a food market, the old school house becomes a vacation rental, a bed and breakfast changes hands after 23 years. The Glen Arbor Bed and Breakfast, which was purchased earlier this year by Michael Aragon, was originally built as a boarding house 150 years ago for the loggers who came to northern Michigan to cut timber. Some of that Michigan timber helped to rebuild Chicago after the Great Fire of 1871 ravaged the city when Mrs. O’Leary’s cow (supposedly) kicked over a lantern … it’s that kind of history that makes you appreciate a place.
Leelanau County resident Bo White knows the rails and roads into Ukraine. A former Air Force pararescueman, Bo has traveled to Ukraine four times since the war began in February 2022. A month into the war, he helped evacuate wounded Fox News reporter Benjamin Hall from a Ukrainian hospital. Bo’s handshake is a vice grip, but his wife Nicole is just as strong. Together they own Dune Bird Winery, which opened on M-22 north of Leland in late 2021. And they showed strength and resilience during their son Forrest’s 3.5-year battle with leukemia. “I’ve always been grateful that I can appreciate my husband, my family, and my life as a gift. It’s not guaranteed,” said Nicole. “A lot of us pretend that we can be safe. But I’ve never been able to pretend that. I’m grateful for what I have.”