Leelanau Conservancy, Shimeks protect fourth-generation farm

If you’ve driven around Leelanau, you’ve likely passed the Shimek farm. A quintessentially Leelanau picture, the farm stand, red barn, and silos at the bend of M-72 have inspired painters and photographers for decades. The Leelanau Conservancy recently announced that this beloved view will forever be an inspiration and a farm. With support from the Regional Conservation Partnership Program of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Conservancy has successfully protected 232 acres of the Shimek family farm with a conservation easement.

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Andrew Dost brings Christmas mischief, fun to Leland’s Old Art Building

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Andrew Dost, the Frankfort native and Grammy Award-winning member of the indie rock band Fun., whose hit single “We Are Young” topped the charts for six straight weeks in 2012, will headline a sold-out Christmas Variety Show at the Old Art Building in Leland on Friday, Dec. 23. Read our full interview with Dost, who talked about why he returned to northern Michigan, therapy dogs and his beloved Pitbull named Carly, his love for cooking and foraging, his support for LGBTQ activism, and what he envisions for future Christmas variety shows at the Old Art Building. Spoiler: Dost wants fun, silly pet tricks including rats dressed in basketball jerseys all going after a meatball.

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Glen Lake Library hosts Wheeler reading “Angel of the Garbage Dump”

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Local author and Glen Arbor Sun editor and publisher Jacob Wheeler will share his new book Angel of the Garbage Dump on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 7 pm at the Glen Lake Community Library in Empire. This moving profile documents the work of Hanley Denning, a young woman from Maine who dedicated her life to humanitarian projects in Guatemala.

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Great day game warden

Recently, writer Tim Mulherin met Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ veteran Rich Stowe, 57, a former Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office deputy. While researching a book on the impact of the pandemic, climate change, and tourism on northwest lower Michigan, Mulherin had the opportunity to ride along with Officer Stowe in late September. “It’s always a great day to be a game warden,” Stowe told him.

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Field Trip anyone?

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A new gift shop opened in Empire last month. Field Trip, offering home goods and apparel, is located on M-22 on the north end of Empire, across the street from Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate. The store carries products from local artisans as well as artisans from around the world. What the items have in common is that they are modern, fun, and unique pieces to add a pop of color and joy to any space. The owners, Trey and Lauren Springer, are a young couple in their early-30s who moved to the area unexpectedly at the beginning of the pandemic.

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Fighting food insecurity

For 43% of Leelanau County’s 22,000 residents, Thanksgiving does not necessarily feel like a time of abundance and cheer. It is like most other days of the year when the stress of food insecurity is a nagging reality. Bill and Michelle White, residents of Leland and founders of 5Loaves2FishNMI, would like people to know is that it is okay to ask for help. According to Bill, “There is a stigma behind being food insecure, and pride stops people from asking.” 5L2F is an outreach group that promotes social justice by providing nourishing meals, infused with love, to those experiencing food insecurity and homelessness. The Whites founded the nonprofit to serve people in need around Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties.

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Leland Old Art Building welcomes Sarah Mills as new executive director

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Sarah Mills has been selected to lead the Old Art Building (OAB) as its next Executive Director. Mills has worked for the OAB since 2020 and began volunteering there in 2015. She currently serves as the Program Director.

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Dotti Thompson revives Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace

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The annual Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace returns on Thanksgiving weekend with the “preview party” on Friday, Nov. 25, from 6:30-8 p.m. and the Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The market is known for showcasing a variety of quality, artisan-made goods. It is a popular annual event for year-round and seasonal residents, tourists, and vendors. The Holiday Marketplace nearly went on hiatus this year, but local resident and business owner Dotti Thompson stepped forward to take over as event coordinator.

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Election 2022: County Commission District 7 race features Lautner vs Flanagan

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The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners District 7 race features Republican incumbent Melinda Lautner, who has served on the body for more than 25 years, vs challenger Nancy Flanagan, who won a crowded Democratic primary that saw her win one more vote than the second runner-up. Both Lautner and Flanagan responded to our questions.

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Election 2022: County Commission District 6 race features Allgaier vs Collins

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The Leelanau County Board of Commissioners District 6 race features incumbent Democrat Gwenne Allgaier, who has served one term in office, vs Republican challenger Garrick Collins, a family physician. Allgaier responded to the Glen Arbor Sun‘s questions; due to a death in the family, Collins did not.

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