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Historic Glen Arbor Cemetery hosts fifth annual Memorial Ceremony

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See 67 newly placed headstones placed on formerly unknown and unmarked graves at the historic Glen Arbor Cemetery on Friday, May 24. Previously, 13 marked graves were the only ones known to be there. Then, one year ago, Glen Arbor Township employed ground-penetrating radar (GPR), revealing 75 unmarked graves and a “potter’s field” which holds additional remains. The 10 am ceremony will feature a eulogy of Civil War veteran Edmund Trumbull, poetry by Anne-Marie Oomen, taps by Norm Wheeler, and the Glen Lake eighth graders will claim the names of those buried at the cemetery whom they each have studied.

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Kazoo Corps returns to Glen Arbor Fourth of July parade

Glen Arbor’s celebrated Fourth of July parade—proudly an “anything goes” fete for 60 years—has a few rules and structure now. But not too much will change. In late founder Stan Brubaker’s absence, the Glen Arbor Township will manage the parade, which lines up in Glen Haven and leaves for Glen Arbor at noon. Water guns, cannons and water balloons won’t be allowed this year. “People have complained in the past, and we’re getting rid of things that can hurt little kids or make older people wet. Getting creamed in the head by a water balloon you weren’t expecting is no fun, especially when you’re 75 years old.” Glen Arbor’s iconic citizen kazoo corps returns to the Fourth of July parade this year, following a three-year hiatus prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Glen Arbor hosts open house to discuss Heritage Trail connector route

Glen Arbor Township will host a community open house on Thursday, Aug. 19, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Township Hall, located at 6394 W. Western Ave, to discuss a preliminary design for a connector route for the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail.

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Zoning: The Laws of the Land

Codified into laws and upheld by the courts, modern zoning ordinances have evolved to become the “laws of the land.” In Leelanau County, townships possess police power to enact and enforce zoning ordinances, while the county takes an advisory role through its planning commission.

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Grist mill zoning spat confounds Glen Arbor Township

Glen Arbor was described in 2011 by the Good Morning America TV show as “The Most Beautiful Place in America.” Today Glen Arbor Township, which has experienced unprecedented growth pressure as a resort destination, faces a community reckoning. It involves a new resident with ambitious development plans, deep pockets, and close partnership with regional heavy hitters; longtime neighbors; zoning irregularities; and old wounds from a 40-year-old environmental controversy.

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Grist mill on Crystal River will host museum, community space, potential restaurant

The historic, 1870s era Kelderhouse-Brammer grist mill on the Crystal River is a step closer to being reborn—potentially next summer—as a museum, a café, and a community gathering space. Turner Booth, the ambitious entrepreneur who acquired the mill from The Homestead Resort two years ago, secured a site plan approval from the Glen Arbor Planning Commission on November 5.

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Crystal Harbor Marina purchase, major housing development sought by On the Narrows owner

The McCahill family hopes to greatly expand its boating business on the Glen Lakes by acquiring Crystal Harbor Marina. But they face staunch local opposition.

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Abandoned Glen Arbor Township Cemetery to be resurrected, with help of Glen Lake 8th graders

The former Glen Arbor Township Cemetery, located in the backwoods behind Boonedocks, has been buried in a tangle of trees since the brutal storm of August 2015. The place is dear to me because my first book, Aaron’s Crossing, began its life and death saga when I sensed a ghost there.

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Glen Lake Fire Department seeks new fire chief

The Townships of Glen Arbor and Empire are currently accepting applications and resumes for the position of fire chief. The Glen Lake Fire Department is a full-time, unionized, ALS transport agency which provides fire, rescue and EMS services to approximately 2,000 year-round residents.

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In support of a digital Glen Arbor Township sign

When the Glen Lake Chamber’s annual Pumpkin Festival was moved into the Township Hall due to rain, the swiftest and most accessible messaging—the new Township digital sign—was unavailable. Due to a regrettable dispute about its impact, the sign was turned off. Totally dark! Not to be used.

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