Cedar Michigan

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Achieving flow in art and life: Cedar jeweler Dana Fear

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There was great beauty in the design: the raised sterling circle and the bezel-set rose-cut pink sapphire and blue/black spinels drew my eye, writes Bronwyn Jones. But it was the sound accompanying the movement of rounded sterling wires as they slid from their slender tubes and tapped gently against the inside of the raised circle that called out to me, a group of tiny chimes giving gentle voice in response to the movement of my hand and body. Such is the magical multi-sensory aesthetic of Dana C. Fear’s unique and stunning hand-crafted kinetic jewelry. It must be seen and touched within the context of her compelling studio and retail space on Kasson Road in downtown Cedar to fully comprehend its brilliance. That ring became mine; its fluid movement speaks as I write.

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Folded Leaf hosts benefit for LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention

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Due to the defunding of the Youth LGBTQ+ Suicide Prevention Hotline, the Folded Leaf bookstore in Cedar will host a benefit concert and silent auction on Saturday, Aug. 2, from 2-6 pm to support suicide prevention efforts in northern Michigan and across the nation. Please join the Folded Leaf for an afternoon of music, conversation, and conscious community involvement to support LGBTQ+ youth.

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New owners, same shaggy dog story

Twenty years ago, Diane Lane and John Cusack starred in the movie “Must Love Dogs”. Tori Batson does them one better: She proves she loves dogs every day as the new owner of Wiggle Butts and Waggin’ Tails, which she officially took over in May. Kathy and Dave Crockett opened the Cedar doggie day care and overnight boarding kennel seven years ago as their retirement plan. When it came time to really retire, they began advertising the business for sale. Among the stipulations was an obvious one: Must love dogs.

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Cedar Tavern builds on its legacy

Icons. Institutions. Whatever you want to call them, most towns have at least one local business that has stood the test of time, weathering the ups and downs of the economy and changing tastes, and continuing to serve customers. The Cedar Tavern is a perfect example. The local watering hole has been part of the scene in Cedar for somewhere around a century, and was owned and operated by the same family—Ron and Joan Alpers, along with their daughter Ellen and her husband Roger Stachnik—for the last 47 years. Last year, Ellen and Roger Stachnik decided it was time for someone else to take the reins and put it up for sale. Earlier this year they found the buyers: Suzie and Jim Greene, and Jim’s aunt and uncle, Nadeen Kieren and Thom Greene.

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Bookstore, cultural haven coming to Cedar

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What would you call a cozy retail shop that sells books, plants and art? Oh, it also hosts music and some craft workshops. Don’t forget the occasional food truck, and whatever else Rachel Zemanek dreams up. Unsure what to call it? Zemanek calls it a snuggery. The dictionary definition is “a cozy or comfortable place,” which is just what she intends it to be. “It combines my love of nature and books,” Zemanek says. You can also call it The Folded Leaf, because that’s what she’s calling it. She named it for the way some people mark their place in a book. The fact that those are also the organs of a plant that provide sustenance is a happy coincidence. The Folded Leaf is located at 9044 S Kasson Street, across from the Cedar Tavern. Cedar’s newest retail entry is scheduled to open April 26.

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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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Christmas in Cedar, not long ago

Linda Alice Dewey’s painting “Christmas in Cedar, not long ago” is a collaboration with Anne-Marie Oomen’s poem, “Solstice”

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Iconic Cedar Tavern for sale

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The iconic Cedar Tavern in the heart of Leelanau County hit the market this week with a listing price of $1.2 million. Owner Ellen Stachnik confirmed the news on Facebook: “Well it’s out there. After a lot of talking we have decided to list the Tavern for sale. We love you all and appreciate your support and kindness over the years. 45 years it’s been a great time!!” In our 2013 feature story about the Cedar Tavern, Stachnik narrated the history of the business and its importance to campers and locals, alike.

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Boy in the blue jacket

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“Depending on how you look at things, it was either pure chance or divine intervention,” Chet Janik laughed as he described how he was able to leave Communist Poland as a young boy and immigrate to Cedar, Michigan. “Without the town supporting my great uncle, and without the kindness of the consular official, I never would have grown up here.” Reflecting on his life in the United States and his career as he winds down his time as Leelanau County’s longest serving administrator, Chet narrates the journey with vivid details.

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Tackling Cedar and Maple City with youngsters

Tucked away in the hilly heart of Leelanau County are two under-the-radar, off-the-beaten path towns that need to be moved up on your list of destinations. Maple City and Cedar are especially great Leelanau hubs if you’re a family with younger children looking for a more relaxed vibe, but still plenty to do.

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