Leelanau

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Moroccan cycles solo through Northern Michigan, finds kindness along the way

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At the end of July, a 24-year-old woman solo bike packed from Mackinaw City to Grand Rapids, tracing the Lake Michigan shoreline in what she remembers as “an amazing 11 days.” Not only was it Yasmina Ahlmaris’s first time outside her home country of Morocco, it was also her first time camping. “My last name means people from Mars,” she laughed. “That’s probably why I’m so crazy.” On her journey, Ahlmaris pedaled through Petoskey, Traverse City, the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Manistee and other towns, developing the itinerary with a little help from her friends.

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Looking up the coast for clues to solve the housing riddle

The region’s need for housing has been well documented. That’s particularly true for homes priced for sale between $150,000 and $300,000, as well as long-term rentals commensurate with that price. In Leelanau County, with a median price of $640,000 and an average price of $937,506, the challenge is acute. Perhaps part of the answer lies in looking north. Emmet County’s housing market mirrors that of Leelanau in many ways. It is a popular resort and vacation area with a number of high-end second and vacation homes. In trying to get arms around the problem, the Leelanau Peninsula Economic Foundation undertook a survey of county businesses, which concluded the number one barrier to doing business is the lack of workforce housing. Now the Leelanau County Housing Collaborative, an arm of the LPEF, is asking workers, employers, and other community members to take part in the Leelanau County Attainable Housing Survey. The survey is designed to gather public input on housing needs and community priorities to help inform future housing solutions across the county.

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Boyds thank community for Larry’s Dunes & Dogs fundraiser

The Boyd family would like to extend their appreciation to the many people who assisted in making the Larry’s Dunes & Dogs inaugural event on July 2 a success. The fundraiser was held in honor of Lawrence Boyd IV, a Traverse City parking services employee who last November was shot and killed on the job.

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Versatile guitarist returns to The Homestead’s Music on the Mountain series

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They say you can’t go home again, but guitarist Joe Taylor would beg to differ. The South Carolina native returned to the Palmetto State after decades in New York City and hasn’t missed a beat. Now he feels like he’s coming home again, with a date: Aug. 19 at Music On The Mountain at The Homestead. “The fellas and I are really looking forward to it,” he says of himself and his bandmates. “We love the place.”

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Video spotlight: Young journalists document life, stories around Leelanau, Benzie Counties

Twelve-year-old Tanner Brown can tell you all about the Fourth of July fireworks in Northport, where he lives. In fact, Brown’s narrated video story, “The flare behind Northport’s Fourth of July fireworks display,” premiers our Meeting Young Journalists Where They Are video storytelling series, which the Sun is publishing online and on social media together with our Benzie County-based sister publication, The Betsie Current.

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Northport Arts Association holds Harbor of Creativity opening reception

Northport Arts Association is thrilled to invite five exceptional Northwest Michigan artists, whose talents reflect the vibrant and diverse spirit of the arts, to participate in their 2026 invitational art exhibition. The exhibit opens Saturday, Aug. 15, from 5-7 pm and continues until Sept. 12. The Northport Arts Association is located at 301 Mill St.

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Business is good in Lake Leelanau

Summer is here, and for three Lake Leelanau beverage-centric businesses, it’s been worth the wait. The owners of Northern Latitudes, Locals Lake Leelanau and Peninsula Provisions all say things are looking good. Northern Latitudes opened the doors of its new facility last October. Mark Moseler, who owns the business with his wife Mandy, says the project took longer than anticipated, but that’s invariably the case.

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Homestead Resort, Oliver Art Center partner on new gallery

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The Homestead near Glen Arbor is adding to its many attractions by creating an art gallery in the resort’s Welcome Center lobby in partnership with Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts of Frankfort. The Homestead’s gallery will display works depicting the region, from the dunes and Lake Michigan to Leland Fishtown, the lighthouse at Point Betsie and more. Oliver Art Center will showcase its members with a rotating exhibit. The two will also collaborate on a plein air event to take place on the grounds of The Homestead this fall.

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Upcoming fundraiser helps 5Loaves2Fish continue feeding community

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Throughout the week, 5Loaves2Fish travels around the area, serving meals in Traverse City, Suttons Bay, Lake Leelanau, Northport and Leland. “We meet people where they’re at,” said co-founder Michelle White. And it’s Josh Miller, the executive chef of the operation, who is tasked with cooking the meals. “He’s for sure a chef,” said Bill. “Executive is a bit fancy.” Sometimes, Bill continued, cooking at 5Loaves2Fish can be a “wild card. Fifty people will show up to Veteran’s Park one day, and the next 70 will come.” “So, we set up for 80,” said Miller. “We bring the extra food back or send it somewhere else.”

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Community unites to create NoMi‘s first annual yoga festival

Leelanau-based yoga teacher and holistic wellness coach Shelley Smith has organized the community’s first annual yoga festival, Aug. 15 at Twin Lakes Park outside of Traverse City. It’s a one-day, all-day, collaborative event called Northern Resonance Yoga Festival, featuring over 30 of Leelanau and Grand Traverse County’s leading yoga teachers and holistic wellness facilitators.

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