Thirty-six years ago this month, Doug Manning and Michelle Stryker discovered an anchor in 18 feet of water while canoeing off the coast of Empire. Ever since then, the village has celebrated Anchor Days on the third Saturday of July. The quirky impetus for the party fits this unique town. After all, Empire is best known for dressing up and honoring the asparagus stalk in May.
As Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate celebrates 10 years in Leelanau County, it also fetes the new ownership of the business under Jody Dotson and D.c. Hayden of Traverse City, who acquired it from Mimi Wheeler on April 1. The ingredients of a successful business in Leelanau County would seem to include: a unique, high-quality product, community-minded entrepreneurial spirit, the ability to identify trends, a strong network of employees, like-minded business owners and customers, and a pinch of good luck.
On Tuesday, July 16, at 7:30 p.m. the Beach Bards will present a House Concert performed by Claudia Schmidt and Dean Magraw at the Happy Place Lodge (Gerry and Charol Shiffman’s home) at 10120 W Phillips St in the Village of Empire.
The Friends of the Glen Lake Community Library host their biannual Home Tour on Thursday, July 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. As one of the Friends’ primary fundraisers, the event showcases five distinctive Glen Lake area homes.
The Glen Lake Library in Empire has kicked off its summer reading program on Thursday mornings at 11 a.m. Programs on the schedule include nature presentations, puppet and ventriloquist shows, and a special concert by local folk music favorites Song of the Lakes. Details are available on the library’s website at GlenLakeLibrary.net. Upcoming presentations include Journey to the Center of the Earth with Pippin Puppets on June 27, and take flight and learn about raptors with Wings of Wonder on July 11.
The Empire Area Community Emergency Fund’s Solstice Concert on June 23 in Johnson Park more than doubled the group’s previous donation record, reported Gerry Shiffman. “We raised just under $6,500 including sponsorships, donations and sales of product,” said the admittedly tired, but overjoyed event organizer. “It was a beautiful day and a wonderful experience. The event was a blast, the weather was great, the performers were awesome, and the energy was sweet and mellow.”
The Empire Area Community Emergency Fund has gone into overdrive. Instead of the usual Sunday afternoon concert at a local venue, organizers Gerry Shiffman and Chris Skellenger have planned a day-long Summer Solstice Celebration for this Sunday, June 23, from noon until 9 p.m. at Empire’s Johnson Park. Two stages will feature continuous live music performed by 29 talented local musicians who have volunteered to support this effort.
WaveJet Propulsion, a revolution in water sports, will take Empire by storm on June 21 as part of its 2013 WaveJet Experience Summer Tour. Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak shop invites people to come and watch WaveJet in action. Numerous boards will be available for demos at the Empire public beach from noon-6 p.m.
Empire’s Asparagus Festival this year drew the attention of Japanese food importer Tsukasa Miyakawa (pictured here with Miser’s Hoard owner Paul Skinner), who intends to purchase locally-grown asparagus and import it to Japan. Miyakawa visited Skinner in Empire on June 3. His company imports approximately 800 tons of frozen asparagus each year, and looks to grow that market by 250 tons over the next five years, according to Skinner. Northern Michigan may become their new supply source.
Mark your calanders for some toe-tapping fun on Friday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the green space between the Empire Post Office and Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak. Beryl Skrocki reports that the Surf & Kayak shop will host the Texas musician duo of Kevin Higgins & Barbara Malteze.