Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced today that—as documented COVID-19 cases flatten—Regions 6 and 8 of Northern Michigan (which includes Leelanau County) are now in Phase 5 of the state’s plan to reopen. As such, hair salons, gyms and movie theaters may reopen, starting Wednesday, June 10.
On April 15, four sheriffs in northwest lower Michigan jointly issued a press release that questioned Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home executive orders at the height of the COVID-19 crisis in Michigan. It happened to fall on the same day that demonstrators planned “Operating Gridlock”, their first of what became several protests at the State Capitol in Lansing against Whitmer’s orders. State Representative Jack O’Malley and his staff helped the sheriffs organize and write the release.
Aaron Brown, a lieutenant at the Glen Lake Fire Department, is one of 19 first responders in Leelanau County equipped to handle calls that involve potential COVID-19 cases. The coronavirus pandemic has forced the fire department, and EMTs everywhere, to adapt in significant ways this spring.
Listen. Do you hear it? A robin chirrs from its perch on a nearby branch. In response, a blue jay jeers from its nest. A squirrel scampers through leaves. Where humans retreat, if only temporarily, nature fills the void. Such is the soundtrack of spring in Leelanau County during the time of the coronavirus—the pandemic that has ravaged the world, infected millions, killed hundreds of thousands, scared us all, forced us to distance ourselves from one another, and brought our economy to its knees.
The bustle of late-May and the annual race toward Memorial Day weekend are obvious at businesses in Glen Arbor. Of course, there is NOTHING normal about this holiday weekend—the typical start to the tourism season in Leelanau County. The state, the nation, and the world remain on virtual lockdown—and yet, restaurants and bars in Northern Michigan were suddenly given the exclusive green light by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Monday to reopen today. No one knows how busy—or not—this Memorial Day weekend will be.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced today that restaurants, bars, retail stores and offices in northern Michigan—including here in Leelanau County—may reopen at reduced capacity on Friday, May 22, in time for Memorial Day weekend.
In order to adapt to the new takeout business model necessitated by the coronavirus pandemic and state-mandated shutdown, Rove Estate winery is innovating by offering a “build your own wine picnic”.
To fill the gap created by coronavirus-related cancellations, the Glen Arbor Arts Center will continue to develop and facilitate all programming virtually through December 31. Plans are in process for converting the GAAC’s signature summer painting event, the Plein Air Weekend, to a virtual format. A variety of virtual classes and instruction are in development.
The coronavirus pandemic and need for social distancing has prompted the cancelation of this year’s Glen Arbor Fourth of July parade, the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb concert, the Manitou Music concert series, and the Port Oneida Fair.
Three of the five Leelanau Farmers Markets this year will offer online ordering and curbside pickup. All five markets will feature face-to-face ordering, with vendor booths spaced further apart, sidewalk chalk indicating where customers may stand, masks strongly suggested, and hand sanitizer available everywhere. “Markets are really community-based, social entities,” said board chair Ginger Bardenhagen. “People love to go there and see their farmers and chat with them. They love to have their coffee and eat their croissants while they buy their peas. It’s going to be a challenge this year to dissuade people from congregating, and convincing them to just buy their produce and leave.”