As acquisition date nears, hurdles loom for Sugar Loaf resort

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Eneliko Smith linked to Remo Polselli through business ties, but Smith maintains, “I’m nobody’s front man” By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor Eneliko “Liko” Sean Smith still plans to acquire Sugar Loaf resort this spring from Kate Wickstrom, and open the long shuttered ski hills this coming winter, though he might not ink the deal by […]

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Mr. Smith comes to Michigan

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Eneliko “Sean” Smith, Sugar Loaf resort’s enigmatic, aspiring new owner By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor There’s a new guy in town, and he’s definitely not from around here. All this month the local papers, TV stations, and gossip have focused on Eneliko Sean Smith, the enigmatic 39-year-old boxer turned businessman who recently moved to northern […]

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The Glen Arbor Sun interview with Liko Smith

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Eneliko “Sean” Smith, Sugar Loaf resort’s enigmatic, aspiring new owner Glen Arbor Sun: It’s been interesting to see how the local papers have reacted to an outsider coming in and hopefully acquiring Sugar Loaf. What do you think about the local media’s reaction to you so far? Liko Smith: Sugar Loaf is a very emotional […]

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Students become teachers at The Homestead’s yoga course

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By Pat Stinson Sun contributor Bending over backward, forward or sideways for her students is a natural state of being for UNION/YOGA Owner-Director Sandra Carden, who will bring her enthusiasm and 12 years of teacher training experience to The Homestead starting Jan. 31, for a 28-day, 200-hour beginning yoga-teacher certification program. “We are thrilled to […]

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Rifino Valentine’s spirited enterprise goes against grain

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By F. Josephine Arrowood Sun contributor Micro-distiller Rifino Valentine is going against the grain with his one-batch-at-a-time Valentine Vodka, which he launched in 2009. Searching for a high quality alternative to mass-produced spirits, he envisioned the ideal formula that would let him use local, sustainable resources, control the entire distilling process, and provide discerning drinkers […]

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Taste the Passion of wine, chocolate and art along Michigan’s wine coast

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From staff reports Love is in the air as you celebrate an early Valentine’s Day at the “Taste the Passion” weekend, Feb. 5-7. This special weekend highlights wine, chocolate and art — all precursors to true love! The combination of winter’s beauty in Leelanau County with the special pleasures of life always makes for a […]

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Cedar Sol Hydro Farm satisfies strawberry cravings

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By Pat Stinson Sun contributor Like their new neighbors at Farm 651, Nichole (Nikki) and Mike McHugh are not farmers, or at least they weren’t three years ago when they began operation of their hydroponic farm on County Road 651 in Cedar. Nikki grew up in Grand Rapids, and Mike hailed from Grosse Pointe. Both […]

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Farm 651: Sowing sustainability in Cedar

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By Pat Stinson Sun contributor Never underestimate the power of the Internet, the promise of good wine or the beauty of Leelanau County. The first two brought Junie Zou and Jason Roggensee from their home southeast of Phoenix to a Leelanau Peninsula wine trail event last fall. The third compelled them to purchase 80 acres […]

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Art’s bans smoking

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From staff reports Patrons will no longer walk out of Art’s Tavern — one of Leelanau County’s most popular drinking holes — smelling like an ashtray. Effective Nov. 1, owner Tim Barr (who we like to call Glen Arbor’s unofficial mayor) banned the use of cancer sticks on his premises. “These days, it seems like […]

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Sustainable Thanksgiving

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Say “thanks” this turkey day with local foods that honor nearby farmers and the land they tend. By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor I am not politically aligned with my in-laws, with whom I spend Thanksgiving. When we vote, we support different values and visions. But when it comes to food — what we eat, where […]

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