Phase 2 of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, a 5.5-mile stretch between the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb and Empire, is close to completion. All spring, workers and heavy machinery have been clearing and flattening the path, and they began paving the trail on May 21. The National Park has set a deadline of July 1, but the Trail will likely be complete before then.
Step back in time with a visit to an historic Great Lakes village and United States Life-Saving Station during Glen Haven Days at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join Park Rangers and volunteers in hands-on activities related to Michigan’s maritime heritage that will bring history of the early 1900s to life.
Glen Arbor and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore area enjoyed an economic and tourism boom in the mid-1990s, and now the businesses borne of that boom are coming of age. Brad Anderson was a youthful 27 years old when he bought Steffens IGA in 1994 from Bill and Jan Heston and renamed it Anderson’s Market. Bit by bit he updated the interior and modernized the inventory, but not until this year did the grocery store in the heart of Glen Arbor get a complete facelift.
Anderson’s Market has just completed the full renovation of their corner market, and is celebrating this and their 20th anniversary with a four-day food-centric block of events. Festivities kick off on May 20 from 6-8 p.m., when owner Brad Anderson and his staff will host a casual cocktail party with wine tastings, Michigan-made product samplings and other tastes of fine foods from around the globe. “It’s a chance for us to give thanks to our community and customers for their support by treating them to a fun evening,” Anderson states.
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 next 5.5-mile segment of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail from the Dune Climb to Empire is expected to open by July. As part of the project, a donor recognition plaza will be constructed at the base of the Dune Climb to recognize donors of $1,000 or more. Donations received by May 5, will be included in the plaza this summer. After May 5, names on the donor wall will be updated once each year until the entire 27-mile long trail project is complete.
The Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce is organizing its first annual Glen Lake Restaurant Week, May 2-10. Click on the Chamber’s event page for more information, and “like” it on Facebook too. Participating establishments will offer their own three-course prix-fixe menus for $25. Some may offer $15 lunch specials as well. Simply show up to each restaurant on the list to experience a unique and mouthwatering time. Restaurant week is a great opportunity to discover new cuisine at a great price, and dine at your usuals too.
The Glen Arbor Art Association’s (GAAA) Artist-In-Residence program begins its 13th season May 4. Linda Beeman, an Owosso, Mich., resident specializing in Japanese woodblock printing is this year’s first resident-artist. Beeman’s residency continues through May 17. As part of the program, artists are asked to make a public presentation at the end of their residency. These talks are open to the public at no charge. Beeman’s presentation is Thursday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m. at the Art Association, 6031 S. Lake St., Glen Arbor.
Mark Evans, who had hoped to build a forest canopy walk this summer in Leelanau’s Kasson Township, confirmed to the Glen Arbor Sun that the prominence of Ash trees on the property (many infected with Emerald Ash Borer), and not the outcry from citizens opposed to the project, was what stopped him from moving forward.
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.