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.
In the spirit of the Christmas season, the Glen Arbor Players will present A Christmas Carol on December 8-10 at the Glen Lake Church, 4902 West Macfarlane in Glen Arbor. Incorporating the festivity of the season and the spirit of redemption, Charles Dickens’ classic tale has never been out of print since its release in 1843. The novel proved very effective in promoting renewed enthusiasm for the joys of Christmas in both Britain and the United States.
The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes will present Picture-Perfect Sleeping Bear: The Rest of the Story at the Glen Lake Community Library in Empire on December 15 at 7 pm. Modeled after Paul Harvey’s famous radio program: And Now You Know the Rest of the Story, there is so much more to tell than what fit into the pages of our best-selling book. After a short introduction of the book, the following featured speakers will share funny and informative insight into our area history. We invite attendees to bring their own stories and photos to share. Photographs can be set out on tables or shared through a jump drive on a computer screen.
The Old Art Building in Leland will commemorate its 100th birthday with a Roaring 20’s themed party on Saturday, Dec. 10. The celebration is a ticketed event featuring the Gatsby Gang Jazz Band, known around the Midwest for their roaring 20’s/30’s jazz sound. Guests will enjoy dancing to the live music, heavy appetizers by Island Thyme Catering, and a cash bar featuring Champagne coupes and Prohibition cocktails.
The 10th annual Lake Leelanau Provemont Holiday Arts and Crafts Show will be held on Saturday, Dec. 3, from 10 am to 3 pm. This year’s art fair, sponsored by the Lake Leelanau Community Association, will be held at St. Mary’s school. Beautiful artwork and crafts from over 50 artisans from around the state.
Visit the Empire Artisan Marketplace on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. where you’ll find truly unique, quality, handcrafted items—created and sold by local items. The marketplace will feature a great array of items to help kick-start your holiday shopping.
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.
A special holiday tradition continues on Nov. 19 with an 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 are in need of 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.
Editor/publisher of the Glen Arbor Sun, Jacob Wheeler has written a new book titled “Angel of the Garbage Dump: How Hanley Denning Changed the World, One Child at a Time” (Mission Point Press), which recounts how a young woman from Maine launched a school in the hovels of the Guatemala City garbage dump and helped pull thousands of children out of the teeming filth of one of the largest urban landfills in the Americas. Join Wheeler for any of the following upcoming readings in Leelanau County: Suttons Bay Library (with Bay Books), Tuesday, Nov. 22, at 6 pm; Glen Arbor Arts Center (with fellow author Anne-Marie Oomen) Saturday, Nov. 26, at 11 am, and Glen Lake Library in Empire (with Cottage Book Shop), Wednesday, Dec. 7, at 7 pm.
After a successful first year, the Strolling Lights Festival at Crystal River Outfitters Recreational District in Glen Arbor returns for a second year. This event is a combination of holiday festiveness with the added bonus of supporting local youth and families. Twenty-two pre-lit trees will be placed around The District by November 12. Sponsoring groups and families must provide the decorations and have until November 26 to decorate it. After that, trees will be on display for the public to admire through the new year.