Leland Michigan

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Bear Man VanSteenhouse sues Leland Township in federal court over youth ministry dispute

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Legal supporters of Youth for Christ in Leland and Bear man Jim VanSteenhouse announced in a press release today that they filed suit against Leland Township yesterday afternoon in the federal district court for the Western District of Michigan as part of their bid for a youth ministry in a building VanSteenhouse owns in the heart of Leland’s business district. The Leland Planning Commission this spring rejected Apollos Properties’ bid for a special use permit following months of deliberation, legal analysis, and passionate public debate.

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Old Art Building hosts renowned New Yorker cover artist Gayle Kabaker

The Old Art Building in Leland is thrilled to announce a rare and captivating summer feature: Finding Beauty & Light: A Gayle Kabaker Exhibit, running daily from Saturday, Aug. 8 until Sunday, Aug. 16. The highly anticipated event kicks off with an Opening Reception on Friday, Aug. 7, from 6-8 pm, giving the public a first look at the collection alongside the internationally acclaimed artist. Kabaker is an award-winning painter, writer, and visual storyteller celebrated for her work through a distinctly feminine lens. Best known for her iconic New Yorker covers—including her debut 2012 cover “June Brides” celebrating marriage equality, and nine subsequent covers since—Kabaker’s career highlights also include painting 100 portraits for the book and Kennedy Center exhibition Vital Voices: 100 Women Using Their Power to Empower, as well as authoring The Washington Post column, Sketching My Way Through Crisis.

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Stick it to Leland

Viva the Stick! The Leland Stick hung on through blizzards and windstorms. For more than two years, a humble stick came to symbolize the spirit of Leland. Once hanging from a powerline crossing M-22 just south of Leland, the Leland Stick is no more. Around 3 p.m. on May 12, a tree crew clearing limbs removed the branch and almost certainly reduced it to undifferentiated chips. For many, it was the unofficial Welcome to Leland sign.

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Iconic Bluebird continues family tradition, now as riverfront restaurant

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The highly esteemed Bluebird in Leland reopened quietly this past fall by owners Skip and Lynn Telgard along with their family and loyal staff. The original Bluebird was the family home as well as the local café. The restaurant is a family tradition, with four generations of Telgards who have brought the business from a two-room little shack to a thriving corner business known far and wide. An iconic and nostalgic place since it was established in 1927, the Bluebird, affectionately nicknamed the “Bird,” takes full advantage of its location on the historic Leland River. Indoors, it gives diners delightful up-close and year-round views of the river through its new wide glass windows.

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Leland Wine & Food Festival returns to Historic Harbor

The Leland Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the return of the 2026 Leland Wine & Food Festival on Saturday, June 13, from noon to 6 pm at Leland Township Harbor. Drawing more than 1,400 attendees each year, this beloved northern Michigan tradition brings together community, craft, and breathtaking lakeside scenery for one unforgettable afternoon. Live music and dancing, great food, amazing wine, stellar views.

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Community supports Sebastian Smith, an athlete with true grit

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Sebastian Smith, the 37-year-old general manager of The Riverside Inn in Leland, suffered a life-changing accident in February while teaching his younger cousin how to snowboard at Boyne Mountain. A lifelong athlete, he has taught others in his chosen sport, kiteboarding, in locations throughout the world. In a moment that changed everything, Smith fell and fractured his neck. Though the shock and uncertainty following the accident has overwhelmed him and his family, through hard work, determination and inner strength Smith has shown his tenacity and strong spirit. A local benefit for Sebastian will be held on Wednesday, June 10, from 5-8 p.m. at the Hop Lot Brewing Company in Suttons Bay. Tickets are $40 and include dinner. The evening will feature a silent auction and performance by The Broom Closet Boys.

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Meet the Fishtown Family

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When most people think of Fishtown, they probably picture the busy thrill of excited summer crowds enjoying Cheese Shop sandwiches, submersed in the authentic atmosphere of a historic commercial fishing village. But Abby Chatfield thinks of a sweet moment there last December, with businesses closed for the season and only a handful of locals gathered around under the falling snow, watching her children and those of other Fishtown retailers circle around a giant red button as they anticipated the honor of pushing it to light up the shanty rooftops, together, in a legendary holiday light display. Each child was honored with a key to Fishtown, inviting them to become the future caretakers of this place that many consider to be the heart of Leland. Fishtown faces numerous challenges today, including threats to its tax-exempt status from powerbrokers new to the community, and the lack of regular commercial ferry service this year to the Manitou Islands. As such, Leland residents are reflecting on what makes Fishtown special and important to their town.

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Youth for Christ appeals to Zoning Board, reopens ministry. Leland citizens call on officials to play long game

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As expected, Apollos Properties and “Bear Man” Jim Van Steenhouse last month appealed to the Township’s Zoning Board of Appeals their special use permit application to hold Youth for Christ’s controversial Lighthouse ministry in a building they own that overlooks Fishtown in the heart of Leland’s business district. VanSteenhouse’s attorney Robert Parker informed lawyer Thomas Grier, with the Running Wise Law Firm, on April 28 that “while the matter is on appeal before the [ZBA], Youth for Christ intends to resume its activities at the property. Meanwhile, at the April 15 Planning Commission meeting, Leland citizens called on township officials to overcome fears of future litigation from VanSteenhouse and Youth for Christ. “If you feel you are currently considering approval to avoid a legal battle, then I urge you to move forward with another option: a legislative moratorium,” said Leland resident Lauren Connor. She and other citizens who spoke during the public comment period referenced several recent examples of villages and townships elsewhere in Leelanau County enacting moratoriums to stop developments from outside players that locals opposed. Those examples include dollar stores proposed in Empire and Maple City, an RV park in Leelanau Township, and a campground expansion along Lake Leelanau.

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Fresh off the Easel: 14th annual Leland Air returns to Old Art Building

The Old Art Building is thrilled to announce the return of its signature spring event, Leland Air, on Saturday, May 23. This 14th annual plein air tradition invites artists from across the region to capture the awakening Northern Michigan landscape in a high-energy, single-day celebration of art and community.

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Ugandan singer-songwriter Jon Muq brings global sound to Leland’s Old Art Building

The Old Art Building is proud to announce that international singer-songwriter Jon Muq will return and perform on the main stage–Saturday, May 16. This intimate performance offers Northern Michigan audiences a rare chance to experience the soulful, uplifting sounds of an artist whose journey has taken him from the streets of Kampala to the biggest stages in the world. Born in Uganda and now based in Austin, Texas, Muq’s music is a vibrant tapestry woven from African roots and Western pop influences. After a video of him performing for homeless children in Uganda went viral, Muq’s talent led him to a stint as a cruise line performer, eventually catching the ear of legendary Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), who produced his debut album.

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