This spring in Empire, a heated debate has ignited over whether visitors from outside the Township ought to begin paying $1 per hour to park their automobile at one of 87 spots at the popular Lake Michigan public beach. The payment would be made at one, centrally located machine that accepts credit cards. Nearly empty during the cold months, the beach fills up fast in July and August.
It’s spring — at least according to the calendar book, and to the tourism arrival schedule (Memorial Day weekend is just a week away!). And yet, Leelanau County today knows only rain and a chilly 40 degrees (and tomorrow could yield snow!). Nevertheless, Empire’s 11th annual Asparagus Festival commences tomorrow, May 16, with a dance and pig roast from 7-10 p.m. Eat fresh pork supplied by Art’s Tavern and wash it down with asparagus beer from Right Brain Brewery in Traverse City. Then stomp your feet to music from the Benzie Playboys.
The Empire Chiropractic Health Center invites the public to a community open house on Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — the weekend of the Empire Asparagus Festival — in their space in the same building as State Savings Bank. Dr. Jason Van Skyhock is excited to introduce new team member Lance Mazurek, a certified massage therapist specializing in Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal, sports and orthopedic-rehabilitative. Mazurka was recently voted third place in MyNorth.com’s Red Hot Best of Northern Michigan.
The Glen Lake Community Library will host local writer Mardi Link, author of Bootstrapper: from broke to badass on a northern Michigan farm on Thursday, May 15, at 7 p.m. Link’s memoir details the challenges of raising three sons as a newly single mother, while also managing the immense workload of her centennial farm home. Whether battling the elements, wrangling chickens and hogs, or chopping wood, all while coping with a looming divorce, her humor and optimism shine through. Bootstrapper has received rave reviews, and was selected as a 2014 Michigan Notable Book by the Library of Michigan.
The next Empire Area Community Emergency Fund Concert will be held on Sunday, April 27, from 4-6 p.m. at Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor. The featured performers include the legendary “Jim Crockett and the Beach Bards” . Come out and celebrate the second anniversary of the Empire Area Community Emergency Fund Program.
The Glen Lake Community Library in Empire will host a special exhibit called “Footprints in the Sand – Tracing the Path that Led to the Birth of the Village of South Manitou Island” from April 4 through May 17. The exhibit tells the story of the Village using historical photographs, maps, drawings and narrative. The display opens with a reception on Friday, April 4 from 6 t0 8 p.m. Refreshments will also be served. It then can be viewed during regular library hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.
As darkness falls on Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the glorious night sky becomes visible. You can enjoy special night sky experiences at the National Lakeshore this year through a series of monthly astronomy programs from April through October. Join Park Rangers and the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society (GTAS) for guided explorations of the night sky and even a few daytime events as well. The first Star Party is Tuesday, April 15, 1:30-5:30 a.m., when participants can view a total lunar eclipse.
The Empire Area Community Emergency Fund’s next monthly concert will be held on Sunday, March 30, from 4-6 p.m. at Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor, and feature the amazing talent of Robin Lee Berry and Glenn Wolff. As always, these fine performers are donating their time and talent to support the relief efforts of the Empire Area Community Emergency Fund. Every dime that is collected from your free-will donation is used to assist people of need within our community.
Patients of Glen Arbor physician Matthew Houghton received the sad news last week that “Doc” Houghton is closing his practice, effective March 10 — “due to sudden personal health changes on March 1,” Houghton wrote in a recent letter to patients. He added that longtime assistants Vicki and Marion will be at the office to help with your record release for the next six months, on a limited basis.
The next Empire Area Community Emergency Fund Concert will be held on Sunday, March 2, from 4-6 p.m. at Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor with a featured performance by “Good Boy”. Learn more about how the Empire Area Emergency Fund is helping anonymous local individuals in need.