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Devouring Time: a consuming biography of a northern Michigan legend

It takes nerve to write a biography about such a revered, almost mythological northern Michigan writer as Jim Harrison. Kudos to Todd Goddard for taking on such an important project for posterity with sensitivity, level appreciation, and a North Star dedication to accurately portraying this gigantic personality and prolific writer of master works of poetry and fiction. As well, it takes some daring to share one’s impression of the Harrison biography, writes Tim Mulherin. I’ve long been a fan of Harrison’s work. I’m in awe of his vast intellect and artistic range, his turn-of-phrase genius and ability to connect so deeply with his ardent readership.

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Devouring Jim Harrison: National Writers Series features biographer

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Jim Harrison returns to northern Michigan on Dec. 8. The longtime Leelanau County resident, widely considered one of the finest literary voices of his generation, died in 2016 after penning 21 books of fiction and 14 books of poetry, which influenced a generation of writers. Todd Goddard’s biography of Harrison, titled “Devouring Time: Jim Harrison, a Writer’s Life,” published on Nov. 4. He will appear at the National Writers Series at the Traverse City Opera House on Dec. 8. The Glen Arbor Sun interviewed Goddard in late October about researching and writing the book. Read and watch the interview here.

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Jolli-Lodge: “The Inspirational Retreat”

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Not all resorts can claim a connection to a world-renowned, award-winning poet and novelist, but the Leelanau Peninsula resort Jolli-Lodge can. Rebecca G. Carlson features the Jolli-Lodge in her third story in our series on the history of Leelanau County resorts and getaways. Jolli-Lodge is that unexpected surprise at the end of the path. As guests and visitors drive through the gently, rolling hills of the 16-acre property, the most amazing view appears when driving to the main lodge.  Built in 1924, the classic white and green shuttered lodge sits against the sweeping jewel-tones of Lake Michigan. Standing along the 700-frontage feet of shore, the visitor is offered miles of sandy beach along with deceptively close views of both North and South Manitou Islands. It’s breathtaking.

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Glen Arbor Sun wins six awards from Michigan Press Association’s 2024 Better Newspaper Contest

The Glen Arbor Sun won six awards in four different categories from the Michigan Press Association’s 2024 Better Newspaper Contest. Winners included Jacob Wheeler, Tim Mulherin, Eric Carlson, and Daniel Wanschura, who won awards in the following categories: News Enterprise Reporting; Best Opinion; Sports Writing, and Public Service Award.

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Overlooking Jim Harrison

One rainy October day, about a decade ago while visiting Horizon Books in downtown Traverse City, Tim Mulherin surrendered to his nagging curiosity about Harrison’s work and purchased “The Woman Lit by Fireflies,” one of his novella collections. That evening, he began reading the first novella, “Brown Dog.” It only took a few pages for him to become a fan of BD, the protagonist who would appear repeatedly in novellas to come as one of Harrison’s central characters. The middle-aged half Finn/half Michigan Chippewa Indian lives by impulse, finds utter joy in trout fishing and six packs of cheap beer, is easily entranced by the opposite sex, and has a nonnegotiable moral compass. For this former warhorse of the white-collar workplace, who would occasionally daydream from his desk of casting for trout in a crystalline northern Michigan river, Brown Dog’s exploits gave him vital comic relief.

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Leelanau Fall reads: a rundown of local new books in 2021-22

Now is the time to cozy up by the fire and read a good book. Here’s our roundup of local books, or books written by local authors, that were published in late 2021 and 2022. Please find them at Leelanau County’s locally-owned, independent bookstores

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Michigan Legacy Art Park to feature “Birds & Words” digital event celebrating art, literature and ornithology in northern Michigan

Social distancing practices have changed the way Michiganders do everything, including bird watching. On Saturday, May 9, at 10 am, Michigan Legacy Art Park at Crystal Mountain Resort and Here:Say Storytelling will team up with artists, musicians, and writers for an online celebration of winged wonders. The event features special guest Joyce Bahle reading poetry by her late friend, colleague, fellow bird lover, writer Jim Harrison.

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Joyce Bahle’s heartfelt mission keeps Jim Harrison’s writing alive

Joyce Harrington began working as the late Jim Harrison’s aide-de-camp in 1979 following a handshake in the granary and writing studio behind the author’s house in Lake Leelanau. She was his literary assistant, business manager, and guardian, freeing Harrison to lead a prolific, international writer’s life that would produce hundreds of poems, novels, essays and screenplays. Efforts are underway to keep Harrison’s work alive and to share it with a new generation of readers, poets and writers—across the United States and the world.

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Season of good reads, part 2

What follows is part two of our short survey of adult books by, or including, area authors, poets and essayists, as well as books with a connection to the area. From first-time to familiar authors, their ability to harness words will impress you and leave you impatient for more. Grab the woolen blanket and come along for the ride.

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Glen Lake Film Festival launches Monday nights

The Glen Lake Film Festival, a new addition to Glen Arbor this summer, will celebrate four “book-to-movie” screen classics on Monday nights at 8 p.m. at the Glen Arbor Township Hall.

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