Leelanau Christian Neighbors (LCN) has announced the recent purchase of a house located at the corner of M-204 and Co Rd-641 in Lake Leelanau — a strategic acquisition aimed at mitigating the affordable housing and rental crisis in Leelanau County. This initiative was made possible through LCN’s Affordable Housing Fund, underscoring the organization’s commitment to aiding those with inadequate resources the opportunity to live and thrive in the community.
What started out as farcical matchmaking between two girlfriends, Michele Aucello and Katie Dunn, steadily gained momentum, evolving into Up North nuptials to rival all others. The occasion was made all the more unique in that the betrothed, Lili and Boomer, are actually of the canine persuasion. Insouciant spitballing became semi-sacred reality on Aug. 11, a picture-postcard Sunday afternoon of cornflower blue skies suspended over the turquoise waters of Big Glen Lake. Dunn’s 1927 log cabin “Tonawatha” served as the wedding venue with the diminutive bride and her bipedal mother memorably making their arrival by pontoon. The processional required a protracted journey from the end of Towanatha’s dock up the steep steps to the deck where the ceremony took place.
A group of Leelanau County locals traveled to Kenya in November to visit some of the world’s most famous wildlife parks. They explored the Maasai Mara with its prides of lions and other rare cats, and Amboseli National Park, notable for the world’s longest study of elephants and its large population of massive tuskers. That traveler group will hold a fundraiser for the rural Maasai school and other needs of children in the village from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30, in the community room of Keswick United Methodist Church in Suttons Bay. Come to enjoy a (by donation) meal of African soups and chai, live music, the chance to learn more about the region and to purchase or bid on beaded crafts made by village women.
Leelanau Christian Neighbors will host their annual fundraiser, “Buy the Runway Gala”, on Sunday, July 30, 5–7 pm. This year the event will be held in the beautiful barn at French Valley Vineyard, located at 3655 S French Rd near Cedar.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Cherry Republic’s 31 Days of Giving annual campaign, which runs through December. Throughout the past decade, the Glen Arbor-based company has provided grants to dozens of well-deserving organizations—“from loyal stewards of our climate to big-hearted groups that care for our neighbors who need a bit of a hand up during difficult times,” the company wrote in a news release. We caught up with Sara Harding, Cherry Republic’s vice president of climate and community impact, to learn more about the giving campaign.
Join The Homestead resort in Glen Arbor in a drive to collect clothing and supplies (for all ages), non-perishable food items, cash and checks that will be donated to Leelanau Christian Neighbors. The Homestead will match any cash donations up to $5,000.
Leelanau Christian Neighbors is auctioning off one pass for two people to experience a once-in-a-lifetime climb of the 552-foot tower of the Mackinac Bridge as part of the Mackinac Bridge Authority’s limited Tower Tour. As of press time, bidding was at $350. Bidding ends on Sept. 29. Click here to bid in the auction: LeelanauChristianNeighbors.org/auction.
FoodCorps recognizes that healthy eating is important for students, not only for their physical health, but also for their educational success. However, simply telling students that they should eat well does not result in healthier students. Students in low-income areas often face food insecurity. They don’t know where their next meal may come from, let alone if it will be a healthy option. Fifty-seven percent of students enrolled in Suttons Bay Elementary School last year were considered economically disadvantaged and qualified for free and reduced-price meals. In Michigan a family of four that makes less than $32,630 per year qualifies for the program.