Arbor Gallery, located on M-109 in Glen Arbor, is thrilled to announce its grand re-opening celebration on Thursday, July 10, from 5-7 pm to honor its newest owner, Stephanie Schlatter. Following a period of transformation and growth, Arbor Gallery is excited to welcome community members to join in the festivities.
Since opening a year ago on June 24, and pumping even more excitement into an already thriving downtown, the River Club Glen Arbor minigolf course and outdoor lounge has hosted wedding receptions, corporate events, family reunions, many kid playdates, a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta, the M22 Challenge afterparty, and at least one marriage proposal on the venue’s sky deck. Sheldon and his team built the venue on the banks of the Crystal River large enough to be able to accommodate both special events and everyday customers. “What’s unique about this place relative to the alternatives is that we can handle a massive amount of people and not have it overwhelm the system,” said Sheldon. “You couldn’t go to average bar or small winery [elsewhere in Leelanau County] and do that. Plus, we have live music, and the river, and food. People are discovering that it’s an ideal location if you have a group.”
This summer, the sounds of blues, bluegrass, pop, reggae, rock and jazz will once again fill the air at The Homestead. The popular Music on the Mountain series is returning for the first time since before the pandemic. The shows will take place at 7 p.m. on alternate Thursdays, beginning July 10 with the Luke Winslow-King duo. They will take place at the top of Bay Mountain, the resort’s ski hill. Patrons can ride the ski lift to the top. The backdrop, with the sun setting behind the sparkling waters of Sleeping Bear Bay, is like no other in the area.
Not all resorts can claim a connection to a world-renowned, award-winning poet and novelist, but the Leelanau Peninsula resort Jolli-Lodge can. Rebecca G. Carlson features the Jolli-Lodge in her third story in our series on the history of Leelanau County resorts and getaways. Jolli-Lodge is that unexpected surprise at the end of the path. As guests and visitors drive through the gently, rolling hills of the 16-acre property, the most amazing view appears when driving to the main lodge. Built in 1924, the classic white and green shuttered lodge sits against the sweeping jewel-tones of Lake Michigan. Standing along the 700-frontage feet of shore, the visitor is offered miles of sandy beach along with deceptively close views of both North and South Manitou Islands. It’s breathtaking.
Twenty years ago, Diane Lane and John Cusack starred in the movie “Must Love Dogs”. Tori Batson does them one better: She proves she loves dogs every day as the new owner of Wiggle Butts and Waggin’ Tails, which she officially took over in May. Kathy and Dave Crockett opened the Cedar doggie day care and overnight boarding kennel seven years ago as their retirement plan. When it came time to really retire, they began advertising the business for sale. Among the stipulations was an obvious one: Must love dogs.
The Cottage Book Shop in Glen Arbor, which Jenny Puvogel acquired last year, will celebrate its 40th birthday with an author signing on Saturday, June 28, from 5-7 pm. “We will have several local authors signing books under the tent outside—some new books, some older books—and some light refreshments,” said Puvogel. The author lineup includes: Sue Boucher (Sleeping Bear Dunes Day), M Christine Byron (Perfect Omena Day), Bryan Gruley (Bitter Frost), Mark Lindsay (The Soul of Sleeping Bear), Tim Mulherin (This Magnetic North), Steve Reddicliffe (The New York Times Essential Book of Cocktails), Kit Robey (The Sleeping Bear Wakes Up), Barbara Siepker (Historic Cottages of Glen Lake) and more.
When one thinks of Finland or things Finnish, cuisine might not be the first that comes to mind. Saunas, reindeer, hockey and that Finland recently joined NATO are the more likely associations. Finnish foods, however, are lesser known except by those who’ve ventured to the Nordic land or who are of Finnish heritage. If you happen to long for a good Rye or salmon-soup, Finnish fare from chef Tero Valtonen can be found at Lively NeighborFood Market by those who have placed their order for the special Finnish themed farm-to-table dinner to happen Sunday, June 29.
Nestled in a small sage green Victorian cottage in Glen Arbor, Inn and Trail Gourmet has been a celebrated destination for locals and visitors since its inception in 2021. The soft creak of its storm door gives way to an aromatic haven beckoning shoppers with freshly brewed organic coffee, made-from-scratch baked goods, savory quiches and simmering soups. Beloved owners and spouses Julie Zapoli and Liz Erdmann are moving back to Montana. To the relief of their customers, they have handed over the reins to a worthy duo who share the same love for gourmet provisions and local connection. Sisters Annabel Moore and Corinne Cochran never foresaw owning a food store together, but life served up something unexpected. “I always wanted to have a bed and breakfast,” Corinne says. “And now I kind of do, but I don’t have to make beds!”
Sleeping Bear Surf is proud to announce the return of Beryl Days, a heart-forward grassroots celebration honoring the spirit of freshwater, community, and joy at the doorstep of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This unique event, held from Friday, June 20, through Sunday, June 22, in the village of Empire, invites locals and visitors alike to gather for three days of connection, education, and fun. Beryl Days (pronounced “barrel”—yes, like a barreling wave!) honors the legacy of Beryl Skrocki, founder of Sleeping Bear Surf and beloved mother, trailblazer, activist, and community leader. Beryl Days is more than an event; it’s a vibrant reminder of the power of community and our shared responsibility to protect and cherish the Great Lakes environment that fuels so much of our joy and culture.
“To come once is to linger, and the next year to come again,” said Albert Meafoy, Fountain Point’s second owner. As someone who used to beg my parents to go to the Alpine Slide on a daily basis to feed my inner-speed demon, writes Rebecca Carlson, part-owner and co-general manager of Fountain Point Resort, Theo Early, mentioned having a water slide at the resort on the same idea as the toboggan run at The Alpine Slide. The Fountain Point Resort water slide operated from the 1930s until the 1990s. Built on the shores of Lake Leelanau, it was a combination toboggan run that slides into the water—genius! I would have asked my parents to move in permanently to Fountain Point Resort. As Theo and I walked the property, he pointed to where the water slide was located. Sadly, insurance liability issues ended those days of reckless fun. Insurance companies are party poopers. I vote to re-instate the “Water-Chute” of Fountain Point.