This spring in Empire, a heated debate has ignited over whether visitors from outside the Township ought to begin paying $1 per hour to park their automobile at one of 87 spots at the popular Lake Michigan public beach. The payment would be made at one, centrally located machine that accepts credit cards. Nearly empty during the cold months, the beach fills up fast in July and August.
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.
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.
HomeTown Pharmacy announced yesterday that the Newaygo-based drugstore chain will close its Glen Arbor location, effective May 1. “With the local Doctor Matthew Houghton’s decision to retire, the business took a marked decrease in prescription volume. An already low volume went lower, and the sustainability was not looking like it would ever be regained,” wrote regional manager Anna Rider.
Eco-tourism guide Mark Evans will likely not pursue a forest canopy walk with views of the Glen Lakes in Leelanau County’s Kasson Township, the Glen Arbor Sun has learned. A site study conducted late this winter revealed that many of the ash trees on John and Wendy Martin’s 83 acres — perhaps as many as 60 percent — were infected with, or at least affected by, the emerald ash borer invasive species, which has decimated hardwood forests across the eastern United States. Only 40 percent of the trees affected were deemed treatable.
The Glen Lake Community Library in Empire will host a special exhibit called “Footprints in the Sand – Tracing the Path that Led to the Birth of the Village of South Manitou Island” from April 4 through May 17. The exhibit tells the story of the Village using historical photographs, maps, drawings and narrative. The display opens with a reception on Friday, April 4 from 6 t0 8 p.m. Refreshments will also be served. It then can be viewed during regular library hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.
Ten local, state and national organizations have joined together in endorsing a statement calling on The Homestead Resort and the Michigan Department of Enviromental Quality to work together to correct the problem of partially-treated wastewater spray blowing into a portion of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, rendering it unavailable for public use.