Old Man Winter arrived early this year, and Ullr is pleased. Mark Lentini, the new mountain manager at The Homestead, says the snow and cold temperatures have helped make the conditions better than ever at this point of the year. The resort is also offering special pricing to kick off the season. The popular four-season resort is opening for ski season the day after Christmas, as long as Mother Nature continues to cooperate.
The Glen Arbor Beautification committee planted 20 seedlings on Nov. 6 on the back property of The River Club with Mike Sheldon, the owner’s approval and support. This is the first official planting by GAB, according to the group’s co-founder Chris Sack. Cherry Republic plans to do a planting in Spring 2026 to support GAB’s initiative. Rebecca Benedict, GAB co-founder, provided the trees: 20 x Blue & White Spruce that she obtained from Leelanau Conservation District. Kait Springsdorf, the other GAB co-founder, was at the planting as well as many members of The River Club’s managerial team.
This holiday season Fishtown Preservation Society is lighting the rooftops of Leland’s Historic Fishtown with strings of white lights. FPS has scheduled a lighting event on Friday, December 12, starting at 5 p.m. in Fishtown, Leland, with the rooftop lights being turned on for the first time that night at 5:30. The light display will continue nightly from Dec. 12 through Jan. 5, 5-10 p.m. The lights will also be on every morning from 5-8 a.m. for those who enjoy an early morning winter stroll.
As we travel across this country, we pass giant mounds of landfill—unpleasant evidence of how much we throw away. A group of dedicated neighbors in Northport have been trying for approximately 50 years to reverse that trend by recycling unwanted clothing into rugs. On Tuesday mornings, the members of Rag Bee gather around a table at Trinity Church to accomplish their mission. The next opportunity to purchase rugs is during the Women’s Club bake sale at Trinity Church on Dec. 6.
Glen Arbor (and nearby Empire) will host special holiday events in the hours and days after Thanksgiving. On Friday, Nov. 28, Glen Arbor businesses host a PJ Party from 6-9 am the morning after turkey day. Following that is the town’s Bed Parade from 9-9:30 am. Later that morning in Empire, the Glen Lake Library hosts a Community Blood Drive from 11-3:30. Glen Arbor’s Tree Lighting, Caroling + Marketplace Preview Party at the Township Hall start at 6:15 pm. The Town Hall hosts the Holiday Market from 6:30-8 pm.
On Saturday, Nov. 22, at 10 am, the Glen Lake Community Library in Empire invites the public to explore the U.S. Constitution, the foundational document of our democracy. In partnership with Michigan Writers, author and Empire Township resident Anne-Marie Oomen will lead this hands-on workshop, with participants copying the entire Constitution, section by section, then reading aloud and discussing their compiled work. This exercise will help refresh and refine our understanding of this core framework of democracy. Contact the library to register in advance. The Sun interviewed Oomen about her inspiration for initiating this event.
A special holiday tradition continues on Nov. 14 as the Friends of the Glen Lake Community Library kick off their annual call for children’s books. The Friends are once again collecting donations of new children’s books for children whose families are in need of assistance this holiday season. Donors are asked to purchase a book for a child on this list and deliver it gift-wrapped to the library by Dec. 13. The Cottage Book Shop will provide a 20% discount on any books purchased for the drive. They will even gift wrap and deliver the books for you.
The Strolling Lights Festival within The Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District has become an annual tradition for both families, groups or individuals to join together to decorate a holiday tree in honor of a worthy cause, or to get visitors in the holiday spirit when they light up The District in Glen Arbor. Proceeds from the 2025 Strolling Lights Festival will support the Empire Area Food Pantry which serves all of Leelanau County. This once-a-week Food Pantry, which is hosted at Glen Lake Community Reformed Church on Tuesdays year-round, serves an enormous need in our community to help support those who are struggling to put food on their tables.
Want to apply to one of the Glen Arbor Arts Center’s 2026 exhibitions, but not sure of the process? The GAAC will host a one-hour tutorial about its online application process November 8, 11 am. There is no charge. Gallery Manager Sarah Bearup-Neal will discuss how to apply using the online application, creating effective photographic images of one’s artwork, and writing an artist’s statement.
On Wednesday, Nov. 5, at noon the League of Women Voters of Leelanau County will host a public forum: “Federal Dollars & Rural Healthcare: What’s Ahead for Our Region?” at the Leelanau County Government Center off M-204, between Lake Leelanau and Suttons Bay.