Misers’ Hoard will hold a grand re-opening celebration on Friday, June 24. After many years of dealing antiques, the Empire store recently expanded its business to include new items. Paul and Heidi Skinner’s expansion included giving up almost their entire first floor of living space — what dedication!
The Glen Lake Community Library in Empire will host a series of children’s programs beginning June 23. No advance registration is needed. All programs will take place on Thursdays at 11 a.m. unless otherwise noted.
The Dunegrass Festival — which since the early 1990s has been held the first weekend of August, either in Empire or on the Empire Eagles Field on M-72 eight miles east of town — has officially announced its move to Benzie County.
Volunteers are being sought to assist with the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s avian botulism beach monitoring program. An informational training program for prospective volunteers will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Thursday, June 2 at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore) Visitor Center, 9922 Front Street, in Empire.
Rebecca Lessard and Wings of Wonder will release a large Bald Eagle on Saturday, May 28 at the Empire Eagle’s Club property (the old Dunegrass Festival field) eight miles east of Empire, on M-72. The public is invited to attend this grand event, which begins at 11 a.m.
“M-22 is all about the northern Michigan lifestyle,” an excited Matt Wiesen says while standing behind the wine counter at his and wife Katy’s new apparel store and tasting room in Glen Arbor. “It’s about a glass of wine on the boat, beaches, bonfires and a laid-back attitude.”
On Friday, May 27 at 7 p.m. the program “The Coho Story: Gold Rush in Platte Bay,” will be presented at the Empire Township Hall. Learn about the most successful sport-fishing introduction in Great Lakes history and the Coho’s effects, including its triumphs and tragedies, on the Platte Bay area. Free popcorn will be served and donations are appreciated.
Empire Asparagus Festival 2011 poetry winners. First place, Kimberlee Johnson. Second place, Mary O’Neil. Third place, Paula K. Darling.
Area residents looking for one of the best NASA space shuttle launch viewing experiences outside of Florida’s Space Coast are invited to watch the Endeavour blast off at 8:56 a.m. Monday on the State Theatre’s huge screen, while listening to the rockets roar via a state-of-the-art sound system.
Suttons Bay’s farmers market will open Saturday in its new location, at North Park at the intersection of M-204 and M-22. The others lag a bit behind. Empire will open its farmers market on June 18 and remain open on Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., until September 10. Glen Arbor will hold its farmers market on Tuesdays, from 9 to 1, from June 21 until August 30.