Paintings of Leelanau County’s land and water—as processed through the imagination of Grand Rapids artist Margo Burian—are on display next at the Lake Street Studios Center Gallery in Glen Arbor. A public reception opens the show on July 18 at 6 p.m.
The Glen Lake Women’s Club holds its 43rd annual Art Fair on Wednesday, July 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Glen Arbor Town Hall. This event hosts close to 100 artisans carefully chosen to represent most areas of the art world. They come from as far away as Florida and bring their best work to share with us. The artist selection meets in January and February to find the venders who will reflect the high standards of the club. The criteria include originality, creativity, category and sales appeal.
There are women in Glen Arbor who are addicts. Their drug of choice? Mah jongg, an ancient tile game not unlike gin rummy. “It’s addictive,” said Linda Gretzema, and happily one might add, “because every hand is new. It’s crazy. It has become a huge thing.”
The Glen Arbor Garden Club has some news for you: Better living through chemistry is not a strategy that works for bees. In addition to the threat posed by habitat loss, pesticides used in both home gardening and commercially-produced plants do a real number on our pollinating pals. Kills them, for one thing.
Here’s a quick timeline of events surrounding Sugar Loaf since the resort reemerged in the headlines last September. Below that you’ll also find a list of major questions that remain about Sugar Loaf and its ownership.
BATA’s “Bike-n-Ride” program, which allows cyclists to pedal paved trails one way and ride the bus back in Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties, is in its second season this summer—and it’s growing. Due to its popularity and demand for more service, a new Loop route has been added as well as additional weeks of service.
The Glen Arbor Art Association’s Manitou Music Festival has a new director this summer. The successor to Harry Fried is Jack Conners, who has enjoyed a long career in the recording industry, and is no stranger to this popular local festival. This year’s Manitou Music Festival kicks off with patriotic music by the Northport Community Band on July 3 and crescendos with the annual Dune Climb concert on July 13. We spoke to Conners about his new role, and about this year’s lineup.
Cedar’s Polka Fest isn’t the only Polish attraction in these woods. The Duneswood Resort along M-109, and right on the popular new leg of the Sleeping Hear Heritage Trail, is a hit with Poles from Detroit and Chicago, and even Warsaw and Krakow. Owner Debbie Rettke began displaying a Polish flag along M-109 last summer because she had employees from the central European nation. Lo and behold, people began pulling off the road to ask her (she recalled in a pronounced Polish accent), “What do you have my flag here for?”
The scenic putt-putt golf course and play area on Oak Street in Glen Arbor is open once again. Gone is The River at Crystal Bend, and taking its place after a quiet 2013 is Dale’s Glen Arbor. The venue is named after the late Dale Sutherland, a principle at Glen Lake School, pillar of the community, husband of Mary, and father of Bob (Cherry Republic), Matt (Foreword Reviews magazine, The Box in Traverse City), Tim (local tennis guru), Mike (now The River Traverse City) and Paul (Financial & Investment Management Group). Dale’s, which is now owned by Paul, will specialize in putt-putt golf, Crystal River tube rentals and Moomers ice cream.
How do lovers of Glen Arbor who don’t have immediate access to our beautiful dunes and lakeshore stay in touch with their favorite destination? Chances are they follow the Glen Arbor Facebook page, which is facilitated by Paul May and his son Keenan (with help from Glen Arbor Sun co-editor Mike Buhler, and occasionally Simon Winograd, too). Paul May and wife Kristin Hurlin produce and sell their furniture, photography, ink and watercolor illustrations under the brand Glen Arbor Artisans.