Join the Leelanau Historical Society and the Omena Historical Society on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Suttons Bay High School Auditorium for “A Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabe History Project Summary: talking about the past for the present (and the future).” This free event is open to the public. The Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabe History Project was started in 2021 by Emily Modrall in an effort to bring greater visibility and awareness to the very long history of this region as an Anishinaabe homeland. Her presentation this evening summarizes this project and its outcomes as the project enters its final months.
On Saturday, Nov. 25, Empire is making spirits bright this season by offering three locations to find handcrafted gifts from local artisans. The Empire Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Artisan Marketplace featuring 20 artisans at the Empire Town Hall from 10 am-4 pm. In addition to the beautiful items available, customers will also be able to have a delicious snack or lunch prepared by local chefs, Mel and Fel.
The Northport Arts Association along with Willowbrook Mill will host their seventh annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale on Nov. 25 from 10 am-4 pm. The Holiday Arts & Crafts Sale started in 2017 in the Village Arts Building. In 2019, Mimi Heberlein offered space for artists at the Willowbrook Mill and the venue expanded to host more talented artists. That year, the Willowbrook Mill was decorated as Harry Potter’s Hogwarts and it was magical. The group looks forward to another magical holiday in the Village of Northport this year. Enjoy adult and kid versions of tasty gourmet hot chocolate and visit Santa at the Willowbrook Mill. Santa will take time from his busy season and arrive about 2 pm.
Following your family’s Thanksgiving turkey feast, visit Glen Arbor for weekend festivities, including the Pajama Party from 7-9 am on Friday, Nov. 24. The PJ Party is an annual tradition in the Glen Arbor business district, where you are invited to wear your pajamas and come out for special sales and offers with participating local merchants for a “Better than Black Friday” shopping experience. Among other holiday traditions in Glen Arbor, the fun and quirky Bed Parade returns on Friday from 9-9:30 am. On Friday evening, from 6:15-8 pm, celebrate the season with a community tree lighting and caroling at the Glen Arbor Township Hall, followed by shopping the opening of the Holiday Artisan Marketplace. Then on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 10 am-4 pm, shop a curated variety of local artisan goods during the 2023 Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace. Santa Claus will visit on Saturday between 11 am and 1 pm.
A special holiday tradition continues on Nov 18 with the Glen Lake Community Library’s annual call for children’s books. The Friends of the Glen Lake Library are once again collecting donations of new children’s books for children whose families need assistance this holiday season. Any family can find themselves in hard times, and the goal is to make sure the children still have some holiday joy in the form of a special book. The list is compiled from Glen Lake Elementary School, Parenting Communities, The Benodjenh Center, Leelanau Children’s Center and Family Daycare Homes and is available at the Glen Lake Library in Empire and at the Cottage Book Shop in Glen Arbor.
Leland Harbor House is proud to announce its first annual coat drive, in collaboration with the esteemed nonprofit organization 5 Loaves to Fish. With winter fast approaching, this initiative aims to collect gently used, good condition coats to provide warmth and comfort to those in need within our community. Under the motto, “Give a coat, get our thanks,” Leland Harbor House invites community members to join in this endeavor by donating their gently used coats. All collected coats will be distributed through the 5 Loaves to Fish network to individuals and families in need.
On Monday, Nov. 20, at 1 pm, the Leland Township Public Library will host David Milarch for a program called “Why Save Old Growth Trees?” Milarch, of Copemish, is well-known for appearing in the book The Man Who Planted Trees by Jim Robbins, which was released in 2015, and remains popular. Milarch’s goal was to clone the world’s champion trees—the giants that had survived millennia and would withstand the challenges of climate change. He founded the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, whose mission is restoring the lungs of the planet.
Do you know how Sex got its name? Did you know Mawby wine has been to the North Pole? Do you want to know what the Leelanau County winemaker has planned for the next 50 years? Join Mawby for a sparkling evening of stories, both old and new, at the Bay Theatre in Suttons Bay on Thursday, Nov. 16, at 6 pm. Interlochen Public Radio news director Peter Payette will sit down to talk with with founder Larry Mawby and current owners Mike and Peter Laing.
The Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District is kicking off the holiday season in Glen Arbor with the third annual Strolling Lights Festival. The event is a great way for families, friends, teams, businesses and organizations to express their festivity, all while supporting a great cause. This year, the cause is near and dear to the hearts of CRO customers and team. In August, lead buyer Kelly Florip was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in her life and has a major journey ahead of her with treatment and travel for this treatment. The cost is $150 per sponsored tree with proceeds going towards Glen Lake School on behalf of the Kelly Florip family. Twenty pre-lit trees will be placed around the CRO District by Nov. 17. Sponsoring groups and families must provide the decorations and have until Nov. 25 to decorate it. After that, trees will be on display for the public to admire through the new year.
How can creativity help one navigate the experience of caregiving for other humans? The Glen Arbor Arts Center’s HeARTful Care: Nurturing the Caregiver’s Soul Through Art is the second in a series of Creative Wellness retreats focused on increasing wellness through art practice. This retreat occurs on Saturday, Nov. 11, from 9 am-5 pm at Pine Street Studios, next door to Glen Arbor Arts Center.