The Glen Lake Community Library in Empire will host a series of special events for area students during the week of Spring Break, from March 31 to April 4. Click here to view the library’s planned activities.
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Leelanau Christian Neighbors announced today the expansion of its retail operations with a second Samaritans’ Closet thrift store, located in Empire. This new location aims to better serve the residents and visitors of the west side of Leelanau County, providing easier access to affordable goods and a convenient local donation center. LCN has officially signed the lease and is currently in the process of renovating the facility to create a welcoming shopping and donation experience. The organization expects to begin accepting community donations in mid-May. If renovations stay on track, LCN aims to host a grand opening and be fully operational by Memorial Day weekend, providing a fresh shopping destination just in time for the start of the summer season.
As northern Michigan continues to experience a very snowy and cold winter, the Empire Area Community Center (EACC) plans to embrace the elements with the annual Empire Winterfest. Events will be hosted throughout the village of Empire on Saturday, Feb. 21, including the long-standing tradition of a polar plunge in South Bar Lake.
The Lively NeighborFood Market continues its focus on supporting small local farms by inviting area chefs and neighbors to come together around a Farm-to-Table Dinner Series that celebrates the bounty of our region—even in the winter months. On Mondays in January and February the NeighborFood Market is hosting multi-course meals for 26 guests with reservations seated at a beautiful candlelit community table. The guest chefs come from a wide range of backgrounds, but all have strong connections to western Leelanau County.
The Glen Lake Library will host author and environmentalist Stephanie Mills on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 6-8 pm. She’ll lead a participatory workshop to depict your knowledge of and raise questions about the nature of your home territory. Using Peter Berg’s classic workbook, Mills will facilitate graphic descriptions and revelations of our whereabouts. Space for the workshop is limited, so please contact the library to register in advance.
The Empire Area Museum celebrates Heritage Day this year on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 1-4 pm with old-time music and old-fashioned arts and crafts and tricks and treats. Treats include Moomers ice cream, free popcorn and samples of homemade maple sugar candy, sauerkraut cake, apple cider and butter made on site. Exhibits include demonstrations of yarn spinning, hand quilting, rug hooking, chair caning, corn shelling, washboard laundering, sauerkraut making and log cutting.
Cars have been a passion for Craig Olvey for as long as he can remember. The owner of Dave’s Garage in Empire can’t exactly say when his love affair with automobiles began, but it was early on. “Growing up, I always had a fascination with cars,” he says. “I lived down the street in Cincinnati from a Porsche dealer. I grew up working at a carwash.” And it appears he’s passed his passion on to his sons. Craig and his older son Caden will be participating in the Empire Hill Climb Sept. 13.
As I write this piece, thunder rumbles in the distance. It sounds like it’s moving closer, writes Jessica Sharry. Wind pushes through the window screens. I wonder if I’ll get to run this morning. I love weekend mornings. I lace up my running shoes, unhurried, and head out the door and onto the streets of Empire. I often choose the same route because, for me, running is less about the destination or itinerary, and more about the experience, and benefits derived. I like morning runs the best, though some days I run in the evening after work. I always have running shoes and running-ready attire in my car.
Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate features two special pop-ups within its gelateria in Empire this summer. One sells Miriam Teran’s Kichwa artisan wares from her indigenous community in northern Ecuador. The presence of Miriam’s crafts emphasizes the company’s connection to Ecuador, from which Grocer’s Daughter sources all its chocolate. The other pop-up, Adriana’s Kitchen, features traditional food from the Mexican state of Guanajuato, including steak and chicken tacos, tostadas and burritos, served with rice, beans and salsa. “Our intent behind the pop-ups is to uplift these incredible women and to try new, fun (and delicious) things at Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate,” said Grocer’s Daughter co-owner Jody Hayden.
Enjoy Empire Anchor Days, which will be held Friday and Saturday, July 18-19. Events include a showing of the film “The Search For Anna and Levi” on Friday at 7 pm at Empire Township Hall. The Anchor Day Parade will be held ay noon on Saturday on Front St., Line up at 11:30 at Johnson Park. A Pop Up Book Sale will be held from 11 am-3 pm on Saturday at the Glen Lake Community Library. Join the community for the Lions Club BBQ Chicken Dinner at Johnson Park from 1-7 pm on Saturday. The menu will include Grilled Chicken, BBs, Coleslaw, Potatoes and Shortcake. Stop by for a treat and a bonfire at Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate. Enjoy free hot dogs and s’mores from 6-8 pm. On Saturday from 9-11 pm enjoy street Dancing with music by The Luke Woltanski Band in front of Glen Lake Community Library Front Plaza and Street. Bring your own beverage, chair and dancing shoes. (In case of rain, the dance will be in Empire Township Hall).