Here’s how to support Ukraine in Leelanau County.

According to statistics from the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, 0 new positive cases of COVID-19 were reported yesterday, Feb. 21. That’s the first day without reported cases since last September 5, when the weather was still warm, people still fraternized outdoors, and before the Omicron variant spread. “It is great news that the number of cases is declining in our state and our region,” Lisa Peacock, health officer for the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department, said in a press release today. “We want to keep this downward trend continuing and prevent another surge. Therefore, it is still critical that anyone who is eligible get vaccinated and receive their booster shot.”

Miserable weather conditions in the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 19, didn’t stop these hearty souls at Glen Arbor’s Winterfest. Fifty-three people braved white-out snow conditions and below-zero temperatures to participate in a perch fishing contest with proceeds benefiting the Glen Lake School scholarship fund. All told, the event raised more than $9,100 raised for Glen Lake scholarships.

The Glen Arbor Sun caught up recently with Clay Carlson, a fifth generation son of Leland fishermen whose paintings capture the legacy of historic Fishtown. We asked Clay about his family history in Leland and the importance of fishing for each generation, what Fishtown means to him, what inspires his paintings and what they tell us about the history of Leelanau.

The M22 Challenge returns on Saturday, June 11, 2022. This unique bike, paddle, run event showcases the area’s natural features with a 2-mile run up the Sleeping Bear Dune climb, a bike race around Big and Little Glen Lake, and a a paddle race in Little Glen. Registration will open March 1 at 8 a.m. sharp, and fills up quickly.

The second annual Icebreaker ice sculpting event will take place on Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Old Art Building in Leland. The event features a sculpting demonstration by a professional ice artist, along with teams comprised of community members of all skill levels.

The Tusen Takk Foundation is pleased to announce the 15 artists who have been selected for a solo or collaborative residency at Tusen Takk from August 2022 through December 2023. The foundation’s second season brings a group of exceptionally talented people to an inspiring place to work in a variety of media including painting, monumental paperworks, photography, music composition, textile arts, and creative writing.

Due to improving conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department announced that the First Amended Order which requires masks to be worn in school settings will be lifted on Thursday, February 17.

As a local health officer serving six counties in northern Michigan, I see the profound impact of prevention and direct services delivered through public health professionals and innovative community partnerships on the health of people and environments. Successes of public health have contributed in a vital way to a 30-year increase in life expectancy since 1900 in the United States. Thanks to vaccinations for children and adults, there is decreased illness and mortality. However, I write this out of concern as a citizen for the future of our health and well-being.

The Accidentals released the music video Friday, Feb. 4, for their beautiful new song “Eastern Standard Time.” The visuals feature local hobby videographer Elijah Allen’s awe-inspiring footage of himself ice skating across frozen Lake Leelanau in January. Click here to watch the video. The Glen Arbor Sun caught up with Allen to learn more about his incredible video and how he teamed up with The Accidentals.