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For the love of Cedar
Local PersonalityThe woman behind the free dance lessons at Polka Fest in Cedar, Michigan, is Beverly Jane (“BJ”) Christensen, a feisty woman with piercing blue eyes. In 2001, Christensen founded the Cedar Area Community Foundation, an organization that offers free, fun activities for all ages year round, from service events like outdoor clean ups and CPR classes to self-improvement activities such as walking groups and aerobics. Also on the calendar are kayak trips down the Victoria River, ice cream socials, crafting events and holiday parties—as well as the Polka Fest fun.
Fourth of July Flag Raising at Old Settlers
Upcoming EventThe Glen Lake Women’s Club is once again sponsoring the annual Fourth of July Flag Raising Event at Old Settlers Park. The club has done this every year since 1970. The Flag Raising starts at 10 a.m. on Friday at the Old Settlers Picnic Grounds along the southeastern shore of Big Glen Lake on Dunn’s Farm Road (CR-675).
New in town: mini golf, men’s clothing, and ice cream
Business FeatureThe scenic putt-putt golf course and play area on Oak Street in Glen Arbor is open once again. Gone is The River at Crystal Bend, and taking its place after a quiet 2013 is Dale’s Glen Arbor. The venue is named after the late Dale Sutherland, a principle at Glen Lake School, pillar of the community, husband of Mary, and father of Bob (Cherry Republic), Matt (Foreword Reviews magazine, The Box in Traverse City), Tim (local tennis guru), Mike (now The River Traverse City) and Paul (Financial & Investment Management Group). Dale’s, which is now owned by Paul, will specialize in putt-putt golf, Crystal River tube rentals and Moomers ice cream.
Glen Arbor Facebook page, an online portrait of beauty
Local Personality, NewsHow do lovers of Glen Arbor who don’t have immediate access to our beautiful dunes and lakeshore stay in touch with their favorite destination? Chances are they follow the Glen Arbor Facebook page, which is facilitated by Paul May and his son Keenan (with help from Glen Arbor Sun co-editor Mike Buhler, and occasionally Simon Winograd, too). Paul May and wife Kristin Hurlin produce and sell their furniture, photography, ink and watercolor illustrations under the brand Glen Arbor Artisans.
Sun sets on Britain and Empire
Business FeatureNearly 4,000 miles and five time zones, different cultures and histories separate England from Northern Michigan. But Julie Mecoli found a way to connect them. Mecoli’s project, “Empire Sunset”, involves showing a live webcam image of the view over Lake Michigan from Empire on screens at two venues in England. The five-hour time difference means that sunsets in Empire happen after 2 a.m., Greenwich Mean Time. The project was part of the Whitstable Biennale (which ended this spring) but continued through June as part of an exhibition in the Kent School of Architecture at the University of Kent, Canterbury.
22 Reasons to Love the M-22 Challenge
Letter to editor/OpinionMaybe it’s true—the third time is a charm. Though my first two M22 Challenges—the first in 2011, my second in ’13—were fantastic experiences, this year’s event proved especially rewarding. Not just because I made it to the podium—a first in my seven years of racing!—but because I felt so strong throughout this 22-mile run-bike-paddle race. Is there anything better than a race where everything just clicks?
Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail celebrates July 2 ribbon cutting
Upcoming EventSleeping Bear Heritage Trail partners are inviting the public to help celebrate the opening of the newest segment of the Heritage Trail during a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, at the Dune Climb of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Dune Climb to Empire segment more than doubles the miles of trail completed, bringing the total to 9.5 miles. In addition, the newly installed donor recognition plaza will also be unveiled, which recognizes donors of $1,000 or more.
National Park holds book signing for “To Keep the South Manitou Light”
Upcoming EventSleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will host a book signing with Anna Egan Smucker, author of the children’s book To Keep the South Manitou Light, at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center on Wednesday, July 2, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
What Do the Great Lakes Mean to You?
Upcoming EventThe public is invited to a special presentation about the Great Lakes on Sunday, June 29, at 1 p.m. at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire. Please join Cameron Davis in the epicenter of all Great Lakes legends and stories, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, to hear about current efforts to save the Great Lakes and share some of your own stories … after all, our own personal stories are part of what strengthen our connection to our beloved Great Lakes.
U.S. Olympian Jeff Smoke retains M-22 Challenge title
NewsJeff Smoke, 35 of Buchanan, Mich., is not a newcomer to the M-22 Challenge, the podium or paddle triathlons. Smoke kayaked on the 2004 U.S. Olympic team and took first place at the 2011 and 2013 M-22 Challenge. In past years Smoke has dominated the paddle portion of the race and this is where he would win the event. However, in 2014 he picked up his cycling pace, which proved to make the ultimate difference for him, as Denny Paull was only one second off Smoke’s paddle time. Paull, the 2010 and 2012 winner, came into the transition area from the run well ahead of Smoke, but lost valuable time to Smoke on the bike portion of the race. Paull finished second overall.