From a northern Michigan village, best-selling author Priscilla Cogan launches her latest novel, Clinging To The Moon and engages in a whirlwind book tour from Maine to Minnesota and states in between. The novel tells an unexpected love story and centers on the theme “that accidents can happen to anyone,” says Cogan. “Clinging To The Moon is a book about there being no guarantees in life, which is why my motto is to live intensely, love fiercely, and to always have two Shelties.”
Northern Michigan’s rural landscape — and its iconic, historic farm buildings — are the focus of Frankfort painter Ellie Harold’s exhibition at Center Gallery. “Barn Love,” a show of plein air and studio oil paintings opens July 5, at the gallery, 6023 S. Lake St., Glen Arbor.
The Glen Lake Library in Empire has kicked off its summer reading program on Thursday mornings at 11 a.m. Programs on the schedule include nature presentations, puppet and ventriloquist shows, and a special concert by local folk music favorites Song of the Lakes. Details are available on the library’s website at GlenLakeLibrary.net. Upcoming presentations include Journey to the Center of the Earth with Pippin Puppets on June 27, and take flight and learn about raptors with Wings of Wonder on July 11.
Get into the July Fourth spirit with the popular Northport Concert Band under the direction of Don Wilcox, the first concert of the 2013 Manitou Music Festival. This program of patriotic music takes place on the lawn of the Glen Arbor Athletic Club, M-22, Glen Arbor, Wednesday, July 3, 7 p.m. Bring lawn chairs, friends and family to catch the spirit of our Independence Day music. Rain location: Glen Arbor Town Hall. For more information please call the Glen Arbor Art Association, (231) 334-6112. This concert is free.
“Mom, sign me up for everything!” This was overheard at the end of one of the Glen Arbor Art Association’s (GAAA) children’s classes last summer. Another summer has arrived and with it a new round of exciting GAAA classes providing a variety of art experiences for ages 6-15. Who could resist titles like; Big and Bold Paper Fish, Fireflies in a Jar, Slime Monsters, Frog in Monet’s Garden, A Horse, of Course, It’s a Dog’s Life, and Clay for Kids? Older students expand skills in late afternoon drawing and painting classes on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The Glen Arbor Art Association hosts an exhibition of work by the Leelanau Women Artists (LWA) June 21-23 at the Art Association, 6031 S. Lake St., across from Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will again be hosting their successful barn restoration workshop June 18-22 at the Thoreson Granary and Corn Crib located off M-22 on Thoreson Road, four miles north of Glen Arbor. This year marks the 17th anniversary of the partnership between the Michigan Barn Preservation Network and the National Lakeshore in developing this series of “hands-on” workshops. The park and the Michigan Barn Preservation Network are providing the skilled labor to put on this workshop.
Local restaurateurs and northern Michigan breweries will show off their best as Glen Arbor kicks off the summer season with the annual BBQ & Brew Festival on Saturday, June 15 from 2 until 8 p.m.
The annual M-22 Challenge will lurch out of the starting gates at the Little Glen Lake Picnic Area on M-109 for the fifth time on Saturday, June 8, at 9 a.m. This unique and popular “up north” triathlon will feature a record 900 athletes this year — running 2.5 miles including a sprint up the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb, biking 17 miles around the Glen Lakes, and paddling 2.5 miles in Little Glen Lake. Athletes will include Keri Pawielski, who will compete for her fifth consecutive M-22 Challenge trophy, and Denny Paull, who has twice won the overall mens division once again.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is redoing Junior Ranger Day on June 8. The original event in April had winds of 40 miles per hour, snow, and freezing temperatures. The National Lakeshore invites everyone to join Park Rangers and Junior Rangers for a warmer afternoon of fun, where “Every Drop Counts.” Spend time with family and friends at the National Lakeshore while exploring, and learning about and protecting your national parks. Water is the theme of the day, so be prepared to have a “splashing” good time.