“Ode to Joy” resonates through the Dunes

Press release One of the most-anticipated events of the summer, the Manitou Music Festival’s annual Dune Climb Concert, will be held Sunday, July 17, at 7 p.m. Free to the public, this popular event opens the Festival and is held at the base of the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb. Families are encouraged to bring chairs, […]

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Wildflowers celebrates 25 years with tent sale and birthday bash

By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor Occasional summer resident and a lovely young woman, Sarah Armbrecht commented several years ago how thrilled she was to dig her hands into the womb of Mother Earth, and get paid for it, as part of her summer job at Wildflowers. What a wholesome way to make a living, she […]

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Latino with local roots showcases south-of-the-border scenes in photography

By Jacob Wheeler Sun editor Ever so slowly the burro trudges along, down the Callejon de Los Muertos, named for the graveyard at the end of the street with the neon-lit crosses. The donkey is carrying big bags of sugar, and his owner raps on every single door with his walking stick to advertise the […]

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ESPN knows Liz, but Hollywood knows TJ

By Norm Wheeler Sun editor You know that kid from down around Empire who’s a smart, strapping, good-looking super-athlete who’s on TV all the time? You’re thinking Liz Shimek? Well, yeah, but I’m talkin’ about the OTHER Shimek, TJ, the one who’s been to Hollywood. He’s not just on TV, he’s in movies, too. The […]

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Koolaid

By Lois Beardslee Sun contributor Part of an ongoing series by this renowned local Indian author on Native American issues While she dipped and swished at the white five gallon bucket, Ima Pipiig fantasized about addressing the audience: “I’d like to answer that one question about Indians that has been on everybody’s lips… “Why is […]

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A horse lover pens her early memoir in the saddle

By Nadine Gilmer Sun contributor Like many horseback riders I began riding at a young age, although I started later than most. Since the day I learned what horses were I have loved them. When my parents and I drove to Traverse of Empire I would watch out the window for horses in their pastures. […]

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Trail dangers: What to watch out for in the Sleeping Bear Dunes

By Jane Greiner Sun nature correspondent With recent press coverage of the cougars in our area, many people worry about the dangers of hiking the trails in the National Park, particularly if they have small children. When people asked me about it, I responded that I am much more afraid of getting lost or injured […]

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Bicentennial Barn, turning 30, needs a facelift

By Norm Wheeler Sun editor One of Leelanau County’s landmarks is preparing for a facelift. The patriotic paint job on the Bicentennial Barn near Good Harbor is fading, but hopefully the community spirit that initiated it is not. Owner Susan Shields and painter Dennis Gerathy are hatching a plan to restore it, and they are […]

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Cedar Polka Fest gets ready for season number 24

By Pat Stinson Sun contributor The community of Cedar is abuzz this week preparing for its biggest annual event: the renowned Cedar Polka Fest which begins this year with a flag-raising ceremony on Thursday, June 30, followed by music, dancing and special events until 9 p.m., Sunday, July 3. Merchants are busy stocking their shelves […]

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Fine food in the heartland: North, Windows at Le Bear celebrate grand openings

By Norm & Jacob Wheeler Sun editors Windows at Le Bear The chilly-looking whitecaps on Sleeping Bear Bay and the clouds blotting out the sun on June 16th weren’t the kind of postcard images that draw people up north, but the seagulls flirting on the boat launch at the end of Lake Street had a […]

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