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Affordable bunkhouses debut at Indigo Bluffs
Business Feature, NewsAs the month of June came to a close, four new family bunkhouses were added to Indigo Bluffs RV Park & Resort in Empire. With a queen bed and four bunks, the new 320 square foot accommodations sleep six, a number that campground owner Gary Becker described as “magic” in hospitality. “The three generation vacation,” he said. “Grandparents, parents, children. Figure two plus two plus two.” Beyond providing an enjoyable place to stay, the campground is concerned with “preserving and defending the opportunity for families to come here,” said Becker. Which is precisely why, at the height of the tourist season in July, the bunkhouses are under $130 a night.
What’s in a name? Truths and mistruths behind Leelanau’s names
Historical FeatureA rose by any other name would smell as sweet. So said Juliet in the Bard’s most famous work. But would Leelanau really be such a land of delight if that’s not what its name really meant? Spoiler alert: The name Leelanau doesn’t come from any Native American source. That’s despite the stories that have sprung up around it, some of which were spread by the person who came up with the name. Many of the county’s locations have stories surrounding their names. Start with Sleeping Bear Dunes, the story of which is well-known. Mama bear and her cubs swam across Lake Michigan to escape a forest fire. When Mama reached shore, she looked back, waiting for her cubs. She eventually became the sand dunes, while the cubs became the Manitou Islands.
French Valley Vineyard announces partnership with Leelanau Conservancy to benefit Sugar Loaf
Business Feature, NewsFrench Valley Vineyard, part of the Harmony Estate Wineries of Leelanau portfolio, announced the release of two new wines: Sugar Loaf Red and Sugar Loaf White. Created in partnership with the Leelanau Conservancy, the wines support the long-term stewardship of Sugar Loaf, the iconic Leelanau County landmark recently protected from development for generations to come. French Valley Vineyard invites the community to celebrate the launch with a release party on Friday, July 31, from 7-9 pm at French Valley.
Friends of Leelanau Township Library Writers’ Series host Robert ‘Carlos’ Fuentes
Historical Feature, Local PersonalityFriends of Leelanau Township Library in Northport announce their final evening in the Writers’ Series Tuesday, July 28, at 7 pm. Just in time for the cherry harvest, Lansing author Robert ‘Carlos’ Fuentes will discuss his recent book, The Vacation: A Teenage Migrant Farmworker’s Experience Picking Cherries in Michigan.
Run faster than the bear at Glen Arbor’s Running Bear Run
Upcoming EventPlease join the Glen Arbor Women’s Club at the Running Bear 5K Run/Walk & ½ Mile Kids’ Run on Tuesday, July 28. Come out and take the challenge as the run takes off for its 19th year. What makes a beautiful summer day even better? Spending it with family and friends who take the challenge. You can run or walk the 5K. As a chip timed event, the Women’s Club has 16 categories from 10 & under to 80+ as well as an Overall Best Award for our top male and female runner. Winners will receive medals and prizes from Cherry Republic and Crystal River Outfitters and The Cyclery. Ninety percent of all proceeds go for college scholarships for Glen Lake students with the balance going for community projects.
Flow Water Advocates launch Great Lakes Passport
NewsFlow Water Advocates, based in Traverse City, is proud to announce the release of the Great Lakes Passport, a free educational guide that invites Michiganders and visitors alike to explore the Great Lakes while learning about the rights, history, and legal protections that safeguard these shared waters. Designed for families, educators, outdoor enthusiasts, and all friends of the Great Lakes, the Great Lakes Passport combines travel inspiration with practical knowledge about public access to one of the region’s most important natural resources.
Foothills Café and Motel seeks the ‘right buyer’ to carry on its legacy
Business Feature, Local PersonalityYou know the overused adage, “All good things must come to an end”? Though admittedly cliché, it’s with that very sentiment Shari Bernstein, the owner of The Foothills Café and Motel in Maple City, concludes her 16-year journey at the property she calls “magic.” “There’s an old oak tree, an old maple tree,” Bernstein smiled. “It feels… It’s got a vibe.” But, alas, “We are all ready for our next chapters, filled with new opportunities, growth and experiences, where we can slow the pace and be present,” Bernstein wrote last fall in a Facebook post. “That’s why we are selling.” She and her family listed the “double whammy” that is the motel and cafe in December. And because winter is famously quiet in these parts, Bernstein “didn’t expect interest until people started coming up for the season.” So far this summer, there’s been “a lot of interest.”
Poor Farm Barn hosts fundraising concerts
Upcoming EventLeelanau County’s historic Poor Farm Barn will host some of the area’s finest musicians at a string of three fund-raising concerts beginning on Wednesday, July 29, with subsequent concerts scheduled for Aug. 12 and Aug. 26. These Picnic Concerts are being organized by the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society to help fund the last big item needed to open the barn to wider community use—a set of bathrooms.
Glen Arbor Arts Center celebrates Harvey Gordon
Upcoming EventJoin the Glen Arbor Arts Center on Sunday, July 26, from 6-7 pm for a special musical performance celebrating local artist Harvey Gordon, whose acrylic paintings and inventive glazing techniques have captivated audiences for decades. The program features a musical tribute by his son, tenor David Gordon, with pianist Susan Snyder, performing songs and arias by Bernstein, Sondheim, Mozart, Beach, Berg, and more.
A quest to visit 250 historic sites
Dispatch from Afar, Historical FeatureCelebrating a national anniversary is kind of similar to looking ahead at a milestone birthday, with good, bad, and sometimes ugly aspects. Linda Engelhard writes that she is still breathing but not everything in her past is cause for a party. She and her husband John escaped snowmageddon last winter and were heading toward the coast of Georgia, surrounded by Civil War history on the way. Without snow to shovel, they began to contemplate what a genuine celebration of the Declaration of Independence might look like for us. “We love this country. That said, we also love justice, honesty, kindness, generosity—the values we grew up with that seem to be less embraced by our country in 2026. We settled on a quest to celebrate by learning more history and visiting 250 historic sites by the end of the year.”