Three generations of descendants of four different Lighthouse Keepers will assemble at the South Manitou Island Lighthouse on July 10. The families of Keepers Aaron Sheridan, Julia Sheridan, James Putnam Burdick and Ron Rosie will be working to restore the historic Fog Whistle Building below the lighthouse in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
The National Park Service at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will host a book signing with Anna Egan Smucker, author of the children’s book To Keep The South Manitou Light, at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center on Tuesday, July 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
The Homestead Resort invites you to settle in for four evenings of spectacular entertainment and unparalleled views during its summer 2013 Mountain Top Concert series. Guitarist and composer Ron Getz kicks off the series on Thursday, June 27. He has performed with a variety of jazz greats, including Arthur Blythe, Billy Hart, John Scofield, Steve Grossman, Bill Evans, Branford Marsalis and Marvin “Smitty” Smith (from the Jay Leno Tonight Show Band).
When the US Army Corps of Engineers measured Lake Michigan and Lake Huron water levels at the end of December, they discovered that the depth had receded to 576.15 feet above sea level — breaking the record for the previous all-time-low of 576.2 feet set in 1964. That’s not a record to celebrate. Numbers are complex and difficult to comprehend. But beaches along Sleeping Bear Bay offered more clarity, and sobering clarity at that. The shoreline has receded substantially from previous years, leaving behind a hard, rocky surface in places, and prompting widespread alarm.
Most of us in Glen Arbor head for the fireplace, a hot pot of soup, or Art’s Tavern, when the temperature dips below 30 degrees and a brisk breeze blows off Lake Michigan. But not intrepid photo-videographer Keenan May. Before heading back to San Francisco, the local dude drove down M-109 to Glen Haven, walked down the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail with his surfboard in tow, then pushed into Sleeping Bear Bay to catch a few December waves.
Local diver, filmmaker and author Ross Richardson has solved one local mystery — the location of the steamship Rescue, which owner Ralph Dorsey intentionally sank in Big Glen Lake 98 years ago. But the reason why Dorsey destroyed his boat is known only by the lake, and Dorsey’s ghost, leaving folklore to play a guessing game.
Cedar and birch trees lean out toward the light at the edge of the forest as the beach path leads you to Lake Michigan. Along the way, you pass wood lilies and false solomon seal with bright, striped berries. Moisture from the lake bathes the ferns and mosses, and releases the sweet earthy scent of crushed cedar needles covering the sandy path. Turquoise water beckons as you leave the cool forest and walk out into the blazing sun. Swim out into the cool water, float on your back and scan the blue sky for eagles and terns. Now this is living!
Managing Shoreline: Natural landscaping for lake health, erosion control, and nutrient absorption- a workshop for property owners will be held on Wednesday, June 27, from 7-9 p.m. at the Leelanau Government and Community Center, 8527 E. Government Center Drive, Suttons Bay. Registration is $5 until June 20. After the 20 and at the door registration is $10. To register call (231) 256-9812. Topics will include healthy lake ecosystems, design of natural landscapes on shorelines, problems with high impact landscape methods, use of native plants and State rules and permits. This workshop is hosted by Leelanau Clean Water in cooperation with the Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership. Leaders will be Buzz Long from the Leelanau Conservation District, Sarah U’Ren from the Watershed Center, and Rob Karner, field biologist from The Leelanau School.
Glen Arbor’s Cottage Book Shop will host author Jerry Dennis and illustrator Glenn Wolff (who will have engraving prints on hand) who will sign their book The Windward Shore: Great Lakes in the Winter from 11-2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19 at the Vintage Cottage Holiday Market at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay.
TV 7&4 News featured this video of the Glen Lake Fire Department’s new fire boat yesterday. The entire $265,000 cost of the 28-foot fire boat was raised by community members in three months. The Fire Chief for the Department says the boat adds new capability for fighting fires on boats, wildfires near the water, as well as homes along the waterfront. Nearly 75% of the homes in the Glen Lake area are within 1000 feet of a body of water.