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Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak hosts musical duo
Upcoming EventMark your calanders for some toe-tapping fun on Friday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the green space between the Empire Post Office and Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak. Beryl Skrocki reports that the Surf & Kayak shop will host the Texas musician duo of Kevin Higgins & Barbara Malteze.
M-22 Challenge Turns Five
NewsThe annual M-22 Challenge will lurch out of the starting gates at the Little Glen Lake Picnic Area on M-109 for the fifth time on Saturday, June 8, at 9 a.m. This unique and popular “up north” triathlon will feature a record 900 athletes this year — running 2.5 miles including a sprint up the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb, biking 17 miles around the Glen Lakes, and paddling 2.5 miles in Little Glen Lake. Athletes will include Keri Pawielski, who will compete for her fifth consecutive M-22 Challenge trophy, and Denny Paull, who has twice won the overall mens division once again.
National Lakeshore celebrates Junior Ranger Day do-over
NewsSleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is redoing Junior Ranger Day on June 8. The original event in April had winds of 40 miles per hour, snow, and freezing temperatures. The National Lakeshore invites everyone to join Park Rangers and Junior Rangers for a warmer afternoon of fun, where “Every Drop Counts.” Spend time with family and friends at the National Lakeshore while exploring, and learning about and protecting your national parks. Water is the theme of the day, so be prepared to have a “splashing” good time.
Celebrate National Trails Day on Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
Upcoming EventYou can celebrate National Trails Day, June 1, on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail (SBHT) at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. National Trails Day encourages all Americans to get outside to celebrate the importance of natural places where you can recreate, breathe some fresh air, and experience what nature can offer, including inspiration, education, solitude, amazing scenery, and peace of mind. There will be information, activities, and a refreshment stop hosted by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes (FSBD) and Park Rangers along the first segment of the SBHT, which runs from the Dune Climb to Glen Arbor. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking is available at the Dune Climb, the historic village of Glen Haven, or in Glen Arbor at the lower Alligator Hill trailhead.
“Pickin’ on Joah”, Empire to remember a gentle giant
Local Personality, Upcoming EventThis Sunday, May 26, from 4-6 p.m. at the Village Inn in Empire, the Empire Area Community Emergency Fund will hold its monthly fund-raising concert to honor and celebrate the memory of Joah Dye, a beloved member of the community — not a musician, but rather a lover of music, people and life. The performers have chosen to “headline” Joah at this event. Among some of his favorite musicians are Chris Skellenger, Tom Fordyce, Norm Wheeler, Paul Koss and Patrick Niemisto who lovingly coined this event “Pickin’ On Joah”.
Glen Arbor Art Association announces 2013 Manitou Music Festival lineup
Upcoming EventThe Glen Arbor Art Association (GAAA) has announced this year’s Manitou Music Festival lineup of musicians. The highlight will be this year’s Dune CLimb concert, on Sunday, July 14, featuring the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra.
Glen Arbor Art Association features Jim Jacoby
Upcoming EventPhotographer Jim Jacoby of Livonia, begins his artist-in-residency with the Glen Arbor Art Association June 2. Jacoby will focus on the region’s special natural features — from the dunes in pre-dawn and dusk hours to other ecosystems off the beaten path.
Fill ‘er up, work your core, launch the boat, taste delicious chocolate
Business Feature, Talk of the TownWhat services are imperative for a small town like Glen Arbor? How about a grocery store, a hardware store, a gas station and an active Chamber of Commerce. Check three of four for Jeff and Georgia Gietzen, the Grand Rapids transplants who acquired Northwoods Hardware three years ago (and became sole owners in 2011), who have also become Chamber leaders, and this spring bought the gas station just north of town. Northwoods Filling Station now boasts vintage 1950s signage, sells gasoline and quick bites, and most importantly stays open 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. That’s a big improvement over having to drive to Empire or Maple City for petrol.
Misleading Bike Signage
Talk of the TownThis sign at the eastern edge of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, as it approaches Glen Arbor, misleads bikers (and everyone else) into thinking they should turn right to access downtown Glen Arbor and its restaurants, shops and galleries. In fact, to reach Glen Arbor, folks should turn left and proceed 0.3 miles on Forest Haven Drive, and then turn right on M-109 (West Harbor Highway) for 0.1 miles. See the Google Map below.
Federal sequestration wrecking ball hits Sleeping Bear
Investigative Article, Talk of the TownNational Park week, which begins April 20, is typically an opportunity for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore to strut its stuff and demonstrate its value to the local community a month before the summer tourism season opens with Memorial Day weekend. During this year’s National Park week, the Lakeshore will hold a water testing demonstration on Esch Road Beach, a swearing-in ceremony for junior rangers, a showing of the film Chasing Ice at the Empire Visitor Center and a star gazing party on Platte Point Beach.