Northern Latitudes Distillery holds grand opening, Oct. 24

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The wait is over in Lake Leelanau. Northern Latitudes Distillery will hold its long-awaited grand opening at its new location on M-204, just east of the village of Lake Leelanau, on Friday, Oct. 24, from 12-7 pm. Northern Latitudes staff invite the public to “come raise a glass in our beautiful new space—built for friends, community, and great spirits.” “We’re elated. It’s so much fun to be able to finally share this place with everybody,” said co-owner Mandy Moseler. “We’ve been working so hard for so long.”

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Friends of Sleeping Bear step up during government shutdown, keep trails safe, port-a-johns at Dune Climb

Three weeks into the federal government shutdown, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore visitors center in Empire remains closed, as are museum spaces and interpretive programs. However, popular destinations such as the Dune Climb and Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive are open. Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, a nonprofit partner of the Park, has raised approximately $2,500 in donations and used that to cover the cost of two porta-johns at the Dune Climb. Porta john rentals cost about $250 per month, said Friends’ executive director Laura Ann Johnson. With the National Lakeshore officially closed, and only rangers working to ensure visitor safety, the Friends have stepped up in other ways. Read more here.

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Leland Gal moves into new home

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After 13 seasons in her own location (previously Fishtown and then Main Street Leland), Maggie Mielczarek of Leland Gal is making a transition to move inside The Leland Harbor House. As the owners of the Leland Harbor House business, Maggie and her husband Greg Mielczarek had been pondering this idea since they first acquired the business in 2023, and the timing now makes sense. The Leland Harbor House is a 100-year-old storied building that has been a mainstay of Leland for decades, and will continue to offer apparel from top name brands as well as their own branded lifestyle apparel.

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Fishtown Preservation lands headquarters in Leland’s Van Raalte House

The Fishtown Preservation Society has announced the successful purchase of the John and Janice Van Raalte House and surrounding property at 101 South Lake Street, adjacent to Historic Fishtown in Leland. This landmark addition preserves a vital piece of the Leland riverfront and provides FPS with its long-sought permanent home to sustain and grow its preservation mission. Fishtown Preservation invites everyone who treasures Fishtown to join in support of this project and to share in this encompassing vision for Fishtown’s future. The goal is to complete fundraising by the end of October and begin renovation work before the end of this year, and for FPS to move into its new home by late in 2026.

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Glen Arbor Sportsman Shop torn down; rebuild scheduled for 2026

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The Sportsman Shop, a popular clothing outfitter and fishing destination next to Boonedocks in the heart of Glen Arbor, was torn down today. Captain Bob Smith, who owns the business together with his sons Wes and Brad, said they plan to rebuild the Sportsman’s Shop by next spring or summer. The Smiths decided to tear down the existing structure after incidents of flooding after the Michigan Department of Transportation changed the grade of M-22. The Sportsman Shop has been in Glen Arbor since 1948.

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Garden Theater holds 17th annual Frankfort Film Festival

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The 17th annual Frankfort Film Festival will be held Wednesday-Saturday, October 15-19, at the Garden Theater in downtown Frankfort. Click the link for tickets to individual films. “As always, we strive to show a collection of films that are powerful, thought-provoking, and diverse,” says Garden Theater communications director Nick Loud. “This year’s lineup of award-winning films from across the globe spans genres, languages, and overall themes. We could not be happier to share these movies with you.”

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Habitat for Humanity makes waves for new homeowners

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Two new families are moving into the New Waves neighborhood in southeastern Leelanau County. The Habitat for Humanity project welcomes Misty VanderMeulen and Jedidiah Spiers and their three children, and Khan and Razma Totakhil and their five kids, with a dedication ceremony Oct. 10. For the Totakhil family, dealing with road construction would be only a minor inconvenience. Their journey to their new home began more than 7,000 miles away. Khan worked with the U.S. military in Afghanistan, and when the Americans left in 2021, he was able to get a visa. He says the opportunity for a better life for his family was the overriding factor in leaving his home country.

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Shutdown closes Sleeping Bear visitors center, ranger programs. But campgrounds, Park destinations remain open

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s visitors center in Empire is closed due to the federal government shutdown that started today. Buses full of schoolchildren visiting from throughout Michigan will not have access to Park Ranger-led educational programing as they do most years. Nevertheless, the Park is open to all. Visitors can still enjoy the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb, Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, popular hiking trails and beaches, and the D.H. Day and Platte River campgrounds, which continue to operate with fee dollars.

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Leelanau Conservancy reaches $8 million goal to protect Sugar Loaf

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“French toast.” That was the codename that Leelanau Conservancy executive director Tom Nelson created for the top-secret project, 3.5 years in the making, to acquire Sugar Loaf, and turn the County’s once popular ski resort into a community gathering place. The Conservancy announced on July 17 that it will permanently protect the hill and 285-acre property in the heart of Leelanau County and bring this cherished location back to life for the first time in a quarter century. On Sept. 26 the Conservancy announced that it had reached its $8 million fundraising goal. Nelson said that more than 1,100 individuals have donated to the campaign. “This achievement is nothing short of historic,” said Nelson. “And it belongs to all of us. Overwhelming community support has made it possible to reach our $8M goal. We’re thrilled with the support and excitement.”

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Painting the positive

Debra Graetz used the cover story on Cindi John from our July 31 edition in her plein-air painting last month. She artfully painted over the text about the Walmart stabbing, and left untouched the narrative about John’s role as a local tribal fisherwoman.

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