Northwoods Hardware hires Borodychuk as new GM

Northwoods Hardware, Home, Garden & Nursery has hired Chad Borodychuk as its new general manager. He will assume the leadership reins from current owner Jeff Gietzen. “He has a clear understanding of what it takes to run a successful retail business,” said Gietzen. “It’s all about the people, product, and community you are serving, and I could not be more pleased to hand the leadership mantle over to him and see where he takes Northwoods in the future.”

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“You may now sniff the bride”

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What started out as farcical matchmaking between two girlfriends, Michele Aucello and Katie Dunn, steadily gained momentum, evolving into Up North nuptials to rival all others. The occasion was made all the more unique in that the betrothed, Lili and Boomer, are actually of the canine persuasion. Insouciant spitballing became semi-sacred reality on Aug. 11, a picture-postcard Sunday afternoon of cornflower blue skies suspended over the turquoise waters of Big Glen Lake. Dunn’s 1927 log cabin “Tonawatha” served as the wedding venue with the diminutive bride and her bipedal mother memorably making their arrival by pontoon. The processional required a protracted journey from the end of Towanatha’s dock up the steep steps to the deck where the ceremony took place.

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Empire benefit honors local artist Karen Jacob

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Empire resident and esteemed artist Karen Jacob will be honored at a special exhibit and celebration, “The Art of Karen Jacob,” on Friday and Saturday, August 23-24, at the Township Hall on Front Street in Empire. The exhibit is a charitable event, with all proceeds from art sales and donations contributed to the Michigan League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and the Empire Area Community Center. More than a hundred original works will be displayed. The exhibit will be open all day on August 23 and 24.

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Old Art Building kicks off capital campaign with recent riverfront property purchase

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The Old Art Building (OAB) just scored a major win for the Leelanau community with purchase of a 1.14-acre property parcel on the Leland River, kitty-corner from the cultural center’s established location in Leland. The purchase, finalized on July 31, secured 280 feet of additional Leland riverfront property for the community and almost tripled the nonprofit’s footprint. Campaign chair, Cindy Meeker, said, “The purchase of the property at 204 Cedar Street allows the Old Art Building to enhance its programming to meet the demands of this community for today and for many future generations to come. Additionally, it allows us to preserve this treasured property in the heart of Leland as we honor our past and build our future.” With just 2 ½ months to raise the money, a grant from Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation and generous donations from community members secured the $3.2 million needed to finalize the purchase, while also quietly kicking off a three-year capital campaign aimed at raising enough funds to achieve community-voiced goals on both the new and existing properties.

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Glen Arbor Arts Center features Allie on front porch

Traverse City singer-songwriter Allie Kessel performs on the Glen Arbor Arts Center front porch on Friday, Aug. 23, from 5-7 pm. This Manitou Music concert is free, and open air. Concertgoers should bring a chair, and refreshments. Kessell possesses a unique musical style that blends folk and soul influences. With a passion for spreading positive messages of inclusivity and unconditional love, Kessel’s songwriting reflects her personal experiences and observations of the world.

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It’s polka time again in Cedar

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The show must go on—and it will once again as Cedar celebrates its Polish heritage with the 42nd annual Cedar Polka Fest. With several bands playing variants on the polka theme, plus the Scottville Clown Band putting its own musical spin on the proceedings, the town will once again be dancing up a storm from Thursday, Aug. 22 through Sunday, Aug. 25. This year’s lineup includes Alex Meixner on Thursday and Friday; Bavarski, Friday-Sunday; Dynabrass, Thursday and Friday; Duane Malinowski on Saturday; Larry and his Larks Saturday and Sunday; and the Scottville Clown Band Saturday in the parade and again afterwards. Lisa Rossi-Brett, the executive director of the Cedar Polka Fest Foundation, says determining the bands is always a balancing act between favorites from years past and newcomers. “We try within reason to change bands,” she says. But the presence of beloved bands from past years is always welcomed.

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Iconic Bicentennial Barn property for sale again

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Leelanau’s iconic Bicentennial Barn is for sale once again. The 1890s farmhouse and barn on a 4-acre property on the corner of M-22 and Bohemian Rd was purchased in February 2021 by Greg and Heather (Nachazel) Ford, who over the last three and a half years “have been pouring their love into the farmhouse and have dealt with the structure, roof, and windows—all the unromantic things,” said Ranae Ihme of Leelanau Vacation Realty, which lists the property for $665,000. The Fords are moving out of state and “passing the baton to someone who can complete the process and put the ‘frosting’ on it.”

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Missing Wisconsin man found, arrested at Sleeping Bear Dunes

A man reported missing from Milwaukee was located by officials at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Tuesday afternoon, August 20. Steven Lisowski, 28, of Wisconsin, was taken into custody about 2:30 p.m. ET after an altercation between Lisowski and police officers. Lisowski had been reported critically missing by the Milwaukee Police Department on Sunday, August 18. A critical missing alert is used by the police department when an individual may be particularly vulnerable. On Tuesday, as officers attempted to detain Lisowski, an altercation ensued before he was eventually restrained with the assistance of the Benzie County Sheriff’s Office police K-9. Lisowski and the two officers were transported to Munson Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries sustained during the altercation. Charges against Lisowski are pending.

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Fountain Point’s successful music series continues with Djangophonique

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The sounds of music have been wafting across Lake Leelanau this summer, and there’s one more chance to catch a show at Fountain Point, though with a change from the original plans. The annual Accidentals Famgrove party originally planned for Aug. 11 is being moved to French Valley Vineyard due to some timing issues around licensing. That show will now take place Oct. 12, and tickets purchased for the original date and location will be honored at that show. There will still be an Aug. 11 show at Fountain Point. It will still feature the Gypsy jazz of Djangophonique and the indie-folk stylings of Spencer Lajoye. Best of all, that show will now be free. Series coordinator Amber Buist says it’s a way of saying thanks to those who have attended the shows this year and potentially bring in people who haven’t.

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Leland Library hosts program on youth mental health

The Leland Township Public Library will host Dr. Joanna Quigley on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 10 am as part of its Leland Library Summinars series. Dr. Quigley will deliver an important talk on the current state of youth mental health and strategies for supporting young people. Over the last decade, there has been a significant increase in anxiety and depression levels among American adolescents. Dr. Quigley’s presentation will explore this pressing issue and provide insights on how we can support youth facing mental health challenges. Attendees are welcome to bring questions.

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