By Helen Westie Sun contributor Some residents of Empire refer to Dave Taghon as “Mr. Empire”. He certainly deserves such an appellation because he has done more for the town than any other single person. Affable and always upbeat, Dave knows everyone in town and also knows every facet of Empire history. Born in the […]

By Maggie Meyers Sun contributor Have you been surprised to notice someone walking on local trails or roads with what appear to be cross-country ski poles? What you have actually seen is a new fitness trend that is rapidly gaining steam in Glen Arbor, and beyond. Ski Walking — an off-season training technique that world-class […]

By Norm Wheeler Sun editor It’s not as if he just flew in from Paris with a “chippering trill” upon ascent and then a “burbling warble” as he descended*, but Frenchman Guillaume (pron. Gee-OHM) Hazael-Massieux will soon rule the roost at legendary La Bècasse. Guillaume is fixing up the adjacent house as his lovely wife […]

By F. Josephine Arrowood Sun contributor Octogenarian William Bricker doesn’t typically practice inverted postures, but he does turn on its collective head some stereotypical notions of what it means to grow old in youth-obsessed America. In appearance, the white-haired, tanned Glen Arbor resident blends in with many a retiree as he negotiates his three-wheeler bike […]

By Dan Herd Sun contributor Wine touring in Leelanau County is a religious pilgrimage, involving a group, an ideal, and a passion for the process. It is for this process that we return annually to the Leelanau hills. With church bells ringing on a recent Sunday, we seven seasoned friends gather at Kejara’s Bridge in […]

By Maggie Meyers Sun contributor Among the woods, among the trees The Yarn Shop sits in peace and ease The shop is more than ordinary The yarns are magical, people merry It holds great yarns, a different kind No other place these yarns you’ll find It’s full of color, full of light The greatest pleasure […]

By Ron Schmidt Sun contributor GRAND MARAIS, Michigan — I bolt upright from a deep sleep and try to get a handle on what has roused me so abruptly. The clock reads 2 a.m. and I’m not expecting company. My cabin is three miles from the nearest neighbor and I rarely hear any man-made sounds. […]

By Jen Semanco Sun contributor Every seventh grader at my middle school was required to take a class called “Guidance.” This class was supposed to help “guide” us through the beginning of adolescence — to teach us how to make good choices, to educate us about our changing bodies, to build our self-esteem. Towards the […]

By Shelley Yeager Sun contributor One must look closely to find it. You almost need to train your eyes to pick it out, much like finding Petoskey Stones on the beach or Morel mushrooms among the dead leaves. You must carefully observe the patterns of leaves and flowers in the woods around you. Once you […]

Empire folk festival brings in nationally known acts By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor Just when it looked like Empire’s eclectic annual music festival might brown and die like an undernourished field during a scorching August, the Dunegrass Festival suddenly has a new lease on life. Stephen Volas and Jeremiah Sequoia (great name!) of Grassroots Productions […]