Captain Gerry Shiffman offers sailing excursions to at-risk youth

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The goal of Empire resident Gerry Shiffman’s Seaside Sailing Excursions & Charity Charters is to take at-risk and underprivileged youth out for sailing adventures at no cost. Anyone who pays to sail automatically supports that mission. Shiffman’s is a carpe diem story of seizing opportunities. He grew up in Toronto, left a dysfuctional home six weeks after turning 16, and immigrated to the United States in 1978. The following year he started Master Plaster Patcher in Grand Rapids, refurbishing many of the former furniture barons’ Victorian homes. Shiffman helped start the Empire Area Community Center as president in 2011. The organization holds concerts to raise money for locals who have fallen on hard times while also protecting their anonymity.

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Abra Berens finally turns to fruit

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Chef Abra Berens

Chef Abra Berens has worked in Chicago, Ann Arbor, even Ireland. But she hasn’t forgotten her time in Leelanau County. That’s reflected in her continuing visits and efforts here. It’s also part and parcel of her cookbooks, including her latest, “Pulp: A Practical Guide to Cooking with Fruit,” which published last month. Like its predecessors, the book concentrates on one of the food groups. In this case, that’s fruit, complementing vegetables and grains. Berens will preside over a series of 50th anniversary dinners at Mawby Vineyards July 23, Aug. 20 and Sept. 17. She will also hold a book signing at Horizon Books on July 22.

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“Flat white guy” writes the book on cocktails

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For the longest time, the owners of Inn and Trail Gourmet called him “flat white guy” because they didn’t know his name. Steve would frequent the Glen Arbor business almost every day and order a flat white—an espresso coffee drink. Turns out that Steve Reddicliffe edited “The New York Times Essential Book of Cocktails”—a spirited tome of recipes, stories, and reflections written by quaffing legends. On Thursday, June 1, from 5-6:30 p.m., Steve will sign copies of the book at Inn and Trail while guests sample a couple special drinks he has created for the event.

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Kissing the artist’s spring ground

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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.”

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LIFT launches Summer of Hope campaign, expands youth support

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Bekah TenBrink’s dream of building an after-school program for Leelanau teens continues to grow. LIFT Teen Center has expanded from the Suttons Bay area into Suttons Bay and Northport schools, with Leland on the brink. TenBrink said discussions continue about adding other county schools. “We hope to be at every single school in Leelanau County,” she said. LIFT has helped chaperone field trips, work with the school’s Career Day and college visits, and other special events, such as rock climbing at the Elevate climbing gym in Traverse City. “We fill in the gaps,” TenBrink said.

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Leelanau students perform at Interlochen Arts Academy

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At the end of every school year, Interlochen Arts Academy hosts a festival commemorating the hard work and talent demonstrated by their student body. This celebration includes Morp, the palindrome that the students and faculty affectionately call their prom, multiple performances around campus, all of which are open to the public, and to wrap up the year, commencement. The festival, which runs May 24-27, is the long-awaited crescendo of a successful school year, and it features several Leelanau County students currently attending the academy.

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New owners, same Funistrada

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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.

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Nittolos eat Italy and Spain, bring tapas home

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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.

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Thornhill, Wessell, Moore receive NMEAC environmental awards

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The Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council—an advocacy group which has fought to protect northern Michigan’s environment through citizen action and education since 1980—held its 34th environmentalist of the year award celebration on April 14 at the Milliken Auditorium at Northwestern Michigan College. Leelanau County residents Kate Thornhill, Ty Wessell, and Taylor Moore received awards.

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Glen Arbor Arts Center hosts Creativity Q+A LIVE with Angela Saxon

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How do artists think, work, and practice? Those questions are explored during Creativity Q+A LIVE, a series of conversations with Northern Michigan artists at the Glen Arbor Arts Center (GAAC). On Sunday, April 23, at 1 pm Leelanau County artist Angela Saxon talks about her practice with Sarah Bearup-Neal, GAAC gallery manager. The program is free. No reservations are required. Doors open at noon.

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