July 4th Flag Raising Ceremony at Old Settlers Park
What Was Happening in Our Country and the World in 1776?
Celebrate the founding of our nation in a patriotic, joyous ceremony with community members of all ages. The Flag Raising will be performed by members of the local VFW. What was going on in our country in addition to a revolution in 1776? Tom Petersen, a retired Navy officer who became a Methodist minister, will share thoughtful comments about what was happening in the world and in our country in 1776. A singalong of well-loved and familiar patriotic songs will be led by the Summer Singers. Cookies and lemonade immediately following. Flags will be distributed to all children.
The Flag Raising Ceremony begins at 10 am, July 4th , at the Old Settlers Picnic Grounds, located on the south eastern shore of Glen Lake near the corner of Dunn’s Farm Rd. (CR 675) and Burdickville Rd (CR 616). Please bring your own lawn chairs.
Event sponsored by Glen Lake Woman’s Club. For more information contact Pat Smith at [email protected] or 231-334-3301
Comments Off on Gallery Talk: Historic Cottages of Glen Lake
More than 20 years ago Barbara Siepker, a Glen Arbor book publisher with a keen interest in local history, began a project to memorialize the heyday of summer resort and cottage life in the Glen Lake area. The result is the book Historic Cottages of Glen Lake. Siepker is joined by Traverse City architectural photographer Dietrich Floeter, her collaborator, to discuss the project on July 7, 2 pm at the Glen Arbor Arts Center, 6031 S. Lake St., Glen Arbor. This program is open to the public without charge.
Historic Cottages of Glen Lake, first published in 2008, is visually stunning coffee table book with images of 50 summer cottages. Siepker’s desire to commemorate these iconic dwellings was prompted by concern – as more cottages were torn down and replaced by modern lakefront structures, Siepker feared the loss of important local history. Siepker and Floeter worked together to capture these old cottages’ visual memory, and their contribution to the character of the locality.
This program is offered in conjunction with the GAAC exhibition “New Views: Home/Place,” an exploration of home and place identity. It can be viewed in the GAAC gallery from June 7 – August 8. For more information go to GlenArborArt.org
Offering an array of dining options “from French Fries to French Cuisine.”
Don’t miss the 5th annual foodie event happening in Leelanau County.
Friday, April 26 – Saturday, May 4, 2019
Throughout the week around Glen Arbor, book a time to dine at each restaurant on the list for a unique and mouthwatering experience.
Participating establishments will offer their own appetizing (3 course) prix-fixe menus from $25-$35. Some establishments may be offering lunch specials as well.* To participate in the event, simply contact each establishment (listed with menu’s and locations info below) to make your reservation. No tickets. Open to the Public.
*Reservations with each purveyor are recommended for dining during this event.
Sponsors
Thank you Sponsors for helping make the marketing of this delicious event possible! The Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce is a 501c organization. Email us if you are interested in supporting this Event or the Chamber and it’s mission.
It was another great year this 2019 president’s day weekend to be up north and out and about in Glen Arbor. We had fun seeing our friends and neighbors and visitors too, great shopping deals and fun to be had at local watering holes. Despite the cold, the sun came out and we enjoyed getting outside, on the ice or grabbing some skis or snowshoes and hitting the hill or trails.
Perch Fishing Contest
The Glen Lake Perch Fishing contest, organized by The Sportsman Shop drew over 100 entries this year. The results from the contest are as follows:
Comments Off on Glen Lake Film Festival : August 6th
Glen Lake Film Festival: Books to Movies
Monday nights @ 8:00 pm at the Glen Arbor Township Hall
August 6 : “The Third Man”
A 1949 British film noir directed by Carol Reed and written by Graham Greene, starring Joseph Cotton-Valli, Orson Welles, and Trevor Howard. The film takes place in post-World War II Vienna. It centers on Holly Martins, an American given a job in Vienna by his friend Harry Lime. When Holly arrives in Vienna he gets the news that Lime is dead. Martins meets with Lime’s acquaintances in an attempt to investigate what he considers a suspicious death.
Monday nights @ 8:00 pm at the Glen Arbor Township Hall
July 30th : “The Great Gatsby”
1974 romantic drama based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, directed by Jack Clayton and produced by David Merrick from a screenplay by Francis Ford Coppola. The film stars Robert Redford along with Mia Farrow, Sam Waterston, Bruce Dern, Karen Black, Scott Wilson and Lois Chiles. The film follows the life and times of millionaire Jay Gatsby at the height of the Roaring Twenties, as recounted by his friend neighbor Nick Carraway.
Comments Off on Old Friends, A Simon & Garfunkel Tribute Show
Old Friends is a stunning recreation of Simon & Garfunkel’s 1981 Concert in Central Park. Simon & Garfunkel’s Concert in Central Park was one of the largest and most beloved concerts of all time. Although it was attended by over 500,000 people, most of us didn’t have the opportunity to attend this amazing show. This upbeat 90 minute show will take the audience back in time to that cool September night in New York City when Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel reunited for a free concert.
Mrs. Robinson, Homeward Bound, Bridge Over Troubled Water, The Boxer, Scarborough Fair, The Sounds of Silence…these are just a few of the featured songs that have made Simon & Garfunkel one of the most successful and beloved artists of all time.
Nick Foresman and Jason Elsenheimer recreate this awe inspiring show with attention to every detail. They pay ultimate homage to this amazing American duo and stays true to the beauty of their timeless songs. Complete with a full 8 piece backup band, Nick and Jason’s warm blending harmonies and crisp guitar work recreate the sound, look and feel of this legendary duo in their most famous performance ever. Remember the songs, remember the harmonies, remember the mood and the magic…
A free will offering will be taken to benefit Glen Lake Young Life, Empire Food Pantry, and Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
Comments Off on 4th of July Boat Parade on Glen Lake
4th of July Boat Parade
Join the community for some fun in the sun, on the water! All boats welcome on Glen Lake. The more the merrier. Decorations encouraged but not required!
Time: 4:00 pm
Meet: In Front of the Glen Lake Yacht Club ( 6617 Sunset Drive, Glen Arbor )
Follow the “On the Narrows Marina” lead boat along the shore of Glen Lake, through the bridge & Little Glen and back…Then drop anchor where a water volleyball net will be set up! Visit with other boaters – Play some volleyball – Celebrate the 4th!
Offering an array of dining options “from French Fries to French Cuisine.”
Don’t miss this annual foodie event happening in Leelanau County.
Friday, April 27 – Saturday, May 5, 2018
Throughout the week around Glen Arbor book a time to dine at each restaurant on the list for a unique and mouthwatering experience.
Participating establishments will offer their own appetizing (3 course) prix-fixe dinner menus for ~$30. Some establishments may be offering lunch specials as well.* To participate in the event, simply contact each establishment (listed with menu’s and locations info below) to make your reservation. No tickets. Open to the Public.
Art’s Tavern • LUNCH & DINNER MENU • (231)334-3754 • 6487 Western Ave, Glen Arbor, MI
Blu • MENU • (231)334-2530 • 5705 S Lake St, Glen Arbor, MI
Funistrada • MENU • (231)334-3900 • 4566 W MacFarlane Rd, Maple City, MI 49664
Cafe Manitou at The Homestead • MENU • (231)334-5000 • 1 Woodridge Rd, Glen Arbor, MI
La Becasse • MENU • (231)334-3944 • 9001 S Dunns Farm Rd, Maple City, MI
Little Traverse Inn • MENU • (231)228-2560 • 149 E Harbor Hwy, MI 49664
The Manor on Glen Lake •DINNER MENU ~ LUNCH MENU•(231)334-0150 • 7345 W Glenmere Rd, Empire, MI 49630
Western Avenue Grill • MENU • MENU • (231) 334-3362 • 6410 Western Ave, Glen Arbor, MI
*Reservations with each purveyor are recommended for dining during this event.
Sponsors
Thank you Sponsors for helping us make promoting this event possible! Email us if you are interested in supporting this Event or the Chamber and it’s mission! The Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce is a 501c organization.
Comments Off on 2018 Glen Lake Winter Fest + Chili Cook-Off
Join us for the annual Glen Lake Winterfest on Saturday, February 17, 2018! Festivities include a Perch Fishing/Contest + Chili Cook-Off.
Perch Fishing Contest
Festivities start at 7am with the beginning of the Perch Fishing Contest, with prizes for 1st through 4th place catches. All participants will bring their biggest catches from Big and Little Glen Lake to the Sportsman Shop at 1pm, and winners will then be crowned. Entry fee for this event is $20, and all ages are welcome.
Administered by Glen Lake Schools, the Chili Cook-off, kicks off at 12 Noon at Boonedocks in Glen Arbor. Entrants will compete to earn chili bragging rights. 1st through 5th Place winners, as determined by popular vote, receive a plaque commemorating the Chili Cook-off. Get there early for a seat inside Boonedocks. Dress warm and join us out on the deck for a winter-time party! Plenty of heaters, drinks, music, family, friends and chili to keep you warm!
There’s only one category: CHILI ! – however you define it!
Proceeds from this event go directly to the Glen Lake Schools Scholarship Fund. This is a family friendly event, just be sure to dress warmly! If you’d like to participate, the entry fee is $25 per chili. Winners will be crowned as the event wraps up around 3pm.
Admission is $10 per person, which includes unlimited chili samples. $5 Admission for Seniors, over 70, and kids, 12 and under.
Essential oils extracted from plants have been used for thousands of years in many different cultures, to improve physical, mental and emotional health. Sole Wright, a certified fitness trainer, will share her knowledge of essential oils, offering practical tips on their use, and guidelines on how to select the best botanicals.
At the Glen Lake Community Library, 10115 W. Front Street, Empire on Tuesday, February 13, 7:00 pm. Admission is FREE.
Comments Off on Pajama Party ~ Shopping Event in Glen Arbor
“Better than Black Friday” shopping in Glen Arbor happens annually at participating restaurants and retailers from 6-9am on Friday, Nov. 24th, 2017.Join the community for this fun holiday shopping event in your pajamas.
Comments Off on Trick or Treating in Glen Arbor, MI
Join us on Sunday just before Halloween for a fun afternoon of trick or treating in downtown Glen Arbor! Dress up in your Halloween finest and bring the whole family for treats from all participating businesses. This is a wonderful event, open to the public, and free for all to enjoy!
Sunday October 29th 2017, just before Halloween, from 12-4pm
Beyond trick or treating, it’s a great time of year to shop off-season sales, see the end of fall colors, get some locally-sourced gifts for the Holidays and dine at a variety of eateries.
Enjoy plenty of family-friendly recreation from a simple hike in the National Park, take a bike ride on the new section of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, play at the Glen Arbor community park, or take a relaxing scenic drive.
Comments Off on Sidewalk Sale Days in Glen Arbor ~ Labor Day Weekend
Come on out to shop, dine and seek some recreation in Leelanau. You won’t want to miss the stellar end-of-summer deals during Sidewalk Sale days in Glen Arbor, held annually Labor Day weekend. Starting Thursday Aug 31 and continuing on thru Monday Sept 4 – Labor Day.*
Thursday, Aug. 31 – Monday, Sept. 4 2017
The town puts on a great shopping experience each year, rain or shine! There’s a few new shops and others that have moved locations in town, so enjoy discovering Glen Arbor in new ways! From gift shops, clothing and gear, art galleries, home goods, gardening and more – there’s something for everyone. The deals don’t stop outside – there’s always more inside!
Eat great food around town. It doesn’t end with Art’s and Boonedocks, make your way to other ends of town. You can get something quick like a hot dog, slice of pizza, burger, or something homemade from a deli, all the way to a fine dining experience with a view of Lake Michigan.
Recreation is at it’s prime right now, with activities for any age. Locals and visitors alike can experience the Natural Beauty that the area has to offer: From Putt Putt Golf in town, to pickin up a Paddle board and getting out on the Glen Lakes. Try a different section of the Heritage Trail which can be walked or biked; Get out and rent a boat or go fishing; Kayak the Crystal river or Lake Michigan, and hike a trail in the National park!
*Participating merchants each have their own specials and hours.
Independence Day gets celebrated usually beginning the day before the 4th with some free, local live music, followed by things to do for everyone. On the “Old School House” lawn – bring your chairs/blankets. From 7 – 8pm, on July 3rd, the Northport Band plays live. FREE to attend, Donations to the Band welcomed.
On the 4th:
The Flag raisingceremony takes place at 10am in Old Settlers Park (located on the corner of Dunns Farm Road and Burdickville Road – CR 616). Organized by Glen Lake Women’s Club, the ceremony begins at 10 am with Invocation by Pastor Logsten of Empire United Methodist followed by Boy Scout Troop 105 presenting the Flag Raising paired with patriotic songs performed by Summer Singers. Key Note: Laurel Jeris / Glen Lake Woman’s Club: Daughters of Liberty – Roles of Women during the American Revolutionary War. Cookies and lemonade for everyone and Children to receive US Flags!
Head on down to Glen Arbor and shop/dine – most places are open for at least half the day for visitors. Grab a spot and enjoy the big Parade downtown Glen Arbor beginning at 12pm. Parade leaves from Glen Haven then makes it’s way through to the North/East end of town.
If you’re a boater, you can join in on the boat parade 4th of July evening on Glen Lake beginning at 4pm in front of the Yacht Club.
To Participate in the Parade…
Want a front row seat at the parade? Volunteer! We always need as many parade volunteers as possible.
Volunteers can pick up a parade t-shirt at Art’s Tavern the week prior to the 4th. Bring your own broom to help walk with the parade and sweep the candy back towards the crowd, to keep kids off the street and safe.
Want to participate in the parade?Everyone is welcome! Bikers (kids and families) and Walkers can join in the parade starting at the Christian Science Church. Cars and Floats participating in the parade, please meet at Glen Haven to line up 45 min prior to the parade start time. The parade begins at Noon.
Adventure and beauty awaits
There’s tons of things to do, in and around the Glen Arbor area. From Dining and Shopping, to the arts; Beaches & Boating and a variety of outdoor recreation; to specific places to visit that are great for kids & families. Visit our “Things to Do” page to get started on your Pure Leelanau adventure.
Visit the National Park ~ Discover a new hike, trail, scenic drive or outlook or ride.
Visit our Events page to see what other businesses and community organizations are up to.
The Glen Lake Chamber celebrates the kick off of the season each year with this Springtime dinner for members and friends. Hosted this year by Graeme at Little Traverse Inn.
Tuesday May 16th
Social time | 6:00 – 6:30
Chamber Business | 6:30 – 6:45
Dinner service | 6:45
All members and friends are welcome to attend. Open to the public community ~ Please RSVP if you can!
MENU:
$30 + tax, gratuity & beverages
Salad House Salad – Wedge with green onion, sundried tomato and homemade buttermilk ranch
Entrée Selection : Chicken Tikka Masala – Cream onion and tomato based dish made with garlic, ginger and coconut milk, prepared with marinated chicken breast. Beef Wellington – Prime Cut Tenderloin baked in a filo pastry crust served with a mushroom duxelle Chutney Burger – Our jalapeno, cheddar cheese and bacon stuffed 1/2lb patty topped with Canadian Bacon, Swiss cheese and our homemade Apple and Tomato Chutney. Served with our signature French fries Fish & Chips – Flaky Pollack wrapped in our special Yorkshire Beer batter, served with our signature fries and tartar sauce Pan Seared Salmon – Seasoned filet of Scottish Salmon pan seared with garlic butter, served with asparagus and seasoned rice
After a few years of this event taking place in some of the worst winter storms to date, everyone who attended this year enjoyed Spring-like weather with temperatures in the 50’s, sunshine and blue skies. Because of the snow and cold we had prior to this President’s Day weekend, the Glen Lake were still safe enough to ice fish on.
Chili Cook-Off winners
#1 – Boonedocks
#2 – Pleva’s Meat
#3 – Market 22
#4 – Shipwreck Café
#5 – Anderson’s
The Fishing Contest
#1 – Nick Rice
#2 – Clay McNit
#3 – Hannah Nowicki
#4 – A Three Way Tie: Leif Sporck, Tim Egeler, Matt Rice
Congratulations To All The Winners! Thanks To ALL Who Participated!
Join us for the Annual Glen Arbor Winterfest on Saturday, February 18, 2016! Festivities include the Perch Fishing Contest + Chili Cook-Off.
Perch Fishing Contest
Festivities start at 7am with the beginning of the Perch Fishing Contest, with prizes for 1st through 4th place catches. All participants will bring their biggest catches from Big and Little Glen Lake to the Sportsman Shop at 1pm, and winners will then be crowned. Entry fee for this event is $20, and all ages are welcome.
The Chili Cookoff, kicks off at Noon at Boonedocks in Glen Arbor. Entrants will compete to earn chili bragging rights. 1st through 5th Place winners, as determined by popular vote, receive a plaque commemorating the 2016 Chili Cook-off. Get there early for a seat inside Boonedocks. Dress warm and join us out on the deck for a winter-time party! Plenty of heaters, drinks, music, family, friends and chili to keep you warm!
There’s only one category: CHILI ! – however you define it!
All proceeds from this event go directly to the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce’sGlen Lake Schools Scholarship Fund. This is a family friendly event, just be sure to dress warmly! If you’d like to participate, the entry fee is $25 per chili. Winners will be crowned as the event wraps up around 3pm.
Admission is $10 per person, which includes unlimited chili samples. $5 Admission for Seniors, over 70, and kids, 12 and under.
Since 1995, Glen Arborites close out the summer season with the annual Labor Day Bridge walk. The walk goes .3 miles across the Narrows Bridge, that passes over the two Glen Lakes. Meet at noon at On The Narrows Marina to participate!
Before and after the ceremonial walk, find plenty of recreation and things to do for the whole family. >Browse more “Things to Do”
This year, Glen Arbor Bridge walkers can buy a commemorative T-shirt for $15. Lunch served on the North side of the bridge by Art’s immediately after the walk.
Comments Off on Escape to Glen Lake | Art poster Series
We’re running a series of posters, developed by our 2016 Chamber Marketing Committee.
Thank you (Angela Brown of LVR, Brook of La Becasse, Jamie Jewell of the Homestead, Bob Ashmun of Ashmun Portrait Art, and Jeff Gietzen of Northwoods Hardware) for our many brainstorm sessions held at LVR around the conference table over Angela’s cookies. The group collectively dreamt up this concept as a way to promote the places to see and many things to do that uniquely represent our greater Glen Lake area that includes Glen Arbor, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Empire, Burdickville, The Narrows, and even stretching to Maple City. After the concept was completed, the poster design/layout was done by Raquel of Rockwell Art & Design. The campaign is also being used as a part of print ads and online promotion, in the GL Chamber’s advertising efforts.
Photographic images are still being collected, taken or submitted for future poster designs in the series. Feel free to email us your high resolution images and you may get your photo selected to be a part of this poster series! Each photo will be “stylized” using a graphic design technique, to give the image a “painted” retro feel.
Below is one of the first released in the new poster series, titled “Independence Day” to represent the 4th of July celebrations, highlighting the parade in Glen Arbor. This photo was provided by a local, Don Miller.
The series is designed to capture the many things about the Glen Lake area that make it special for residents and visitors alike. The things that make us literally “Escape” when we take in the natural beauty around Glen Lake. The posters will capture the essence of both “Points of Interest” that you must go to or see when you’re here and also the many “Things to Do” that highlight the variety of recreation. The top priorities on our list include •Hiking/Trails •Fall Colors/Wine Tour/Scenic Drives •Pierce Stocking •Heritage Trail •4th of July •Winter Recreation and •Summer Time. And there’s more on the list too.
The Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that the first two 18×24″ Art Posters have been printed and are available. They are also available through Jeff Gietzen at Northwoods Hardware for pick up and distribution. The posters can be displayed inside and out – we’ll have exterior building acrylic holders to show off the image on the outside of your shop or home, so you may change out the poster with the next one, year round. They may also be displayed in your own frame/holder on an interior wall or window, as an art piece to proudly represent the area. Rolled up posters in sleeves will also be sold in retail. The retail price will be $15.
Contact Jeff or Raquel if you’d like to display these art pieces on the interior or exterior of your business and/or sell the poster at a location. Extras will be kept at Northwoods Hardware. We will wholesale them to any interested member or party!
Images desired: 1. The ultimate Fall Color/Recreation image either touring colors along M-22 or another Iconic scenic drive 2. The Heritage Trail/Biking in our area. Faces not the focus, but someone or a group/family using the trail. 3. Snowshoeing or Cross Country skiing. Must include something in the image that identify’s it as our area, and doesn’t look like it could be just anywhere.
To submit: 1. Your images must be a high resolution (300 dpi) jpg, and be in Portrait (Vertical) Orientation 2. Email your images and name to credit to Raquel Jackson: [email protected] If selected, your name will be included in print on the poster.
Independence Day gets celebrated usually beginning the day before the 4th with some free, local live music, followed by things to do for everyone. On the “Old School House” lawn – bring your chairs/blankets. From 7 – 8pm, on July 3rd, the Northport Band plays live. FREE to attend, Donations to the Band welcomed. View Event
On the 4th – the Flag raising ceremony at Old Settlers Park at 10am sharp, to the Parade downtown Glen Arbor beginning at 12pm in Glen Haven then making it’s way through to the North/East end of town. If you’re a boater, you can join in on the boat parade 4th of July evening on Glen Lake beginning at 4pm in front of the Yacht Club.
To Participate in the Parade…
Want a front row seat at the parade? Volunteer! We always need as many parade volunteers as possible.
Volunteers can pick up a parade t-shirt at Art’s Tavern the week prior to the 4th. Bring your own broom to help walk with the parade and sweep the candy back towards the crowd, to keep kids off the street and safe.
Want to participate in the parade?Everyone is welcome! Bikers (kids and families) and Walkers can join in the parade starting at the Christian Science Church. Cars and Floats participating in the parade, please meet at Glen Haven to line up 45 min prior to the parade start time. The parade begins at Noon.
Adventure and beauty awaits
There’s tons of things to do, in and around the Glen Arbor area. From Dining and Shopping, to the arts; Beaches & Boating and a variety of outdoor recreation; to specific places to visit that are great for kids & families. Visit our “Things to Do” page to get started on your Pure Leelanau adventure.
Visit the National Park ~ Discover a new hike, trail, scenic drive or outlook or ride.
Visit our Events page to see what other businesses and community organizations are up to.
Come Dance & Dine on Art’s Taverns famous Pig Roast and wash it down with one of your favorite Right Brain Brewery Brew!! It will be a foot-stompin’ butt swingin’ good time with music from STROBELITE HONEY!!!!
Saturday, May 21st
10:00 AM – 5K Kick Ass-paragus Fun Run/Walk
Registration for the run starts at 9.00am at Empire Public Beach
At The Dunes Golf Club two man teams set up as a scramble. Each player will kick off and then take the best shot to kick from again, until they hole out. Prizes for closest to the Asparagus Spear & longest kick. Cost $20 per person includes free soda water & snacks. For more info contact Chris wall at [email protected]
Sunday, May 22nd
Sunday May 19th Empire Lions Club Famous Breakfast
The Glen Lake Library in Empire will host Northern Michigan’s own poet bard Terry Wooten, who will share varied works from his long career as a poet and storyteller. His latest book “The Stone Circle Poems” was selected as a 2016 Michigan Notable Book by the Library of Michigan.
Join us for the Annual Glen Arbor Winterfest on Saturday, February 13, 2016! Festivities include the Perch Fishing Contest + Chili Cook-Off.
Perch Fishing Contest
Festivities start at 7am with the beginning of the Perch Fishing Contest, with prizes for 1st through 4th place catches. All participants will bring their biggest catches from Big and Little Glen Lake to the Sportsman Shop at 1pm, and winners will then be crowned. Entry fee for this event is $20, and all ages are welcome.
The Chili Cookoff, kicks off at Noon at Boonedocks in Glen Arbor. Entrants will compete to earn chili bragging rights. 1st through 5th Place winners, as determined by popular vote, receive a plaque commemorating the 2016 Chili Cook-off.
There’s only one category: CHILI ! – however you define it!
All proceeds from this event go directly to the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce’sGlen Lake Schools Scholarship Fund. This is a family friendly event, just be sure to dress warmly! If you’d like to participate, the entry fee is $25 per chili. Winners will be crowned as the event wraps up around 3pm.
Admission is $10 per person, which includes unlimited chili samples. $5 Admission for Seniors, over 70, and kids, 12 and under.
“Lake Michigan and its bays are renowned for being the most scenic of the Great Lakes, with turquoise-colored waters similar to the Caribbean because of sandy bottoms and varying depth levels of the water. You almost expect to see palm trees, though a visit during winter would dispel that notion…”
Out on the west side of the county, most people don’t even know where the bear sleeps, or that it’s a national park. But, wow, Sleeping Bear Dunes can offer a similar outdoor adventure experience as the best parks of the West.
Sleeping Bear Dunes is a national lakeshore, not a “national park,” but nevertheless is part of that national program administered by the brown-hat rangers of the Department of the Interior.
When Sleeping Bear Dunes was carved out of the Michigan landscape in 1970, much of the land already had uses that predated park status. It was a lot easier to bestow the title of national lakeshore on it because it gives managers more flexibility to mesh federal, state and private lands into a workable park.
Sleeping Bear Dunes covers 71,000 acres on the Lake Michigan shore of Michigan’s lower peninsula. As a point of reference, Sleeping Bear Dunes is across the great lake from Green Bay in Wisconsin and sits quiet close to the 45th parallel of latitude, which also runs through Oregon at Salem and Lincoln City.
The gateway city is Traverse City, with air service from Detroit, Chicago and Minneapolis year round and other major cities during the busy summer tourist season.
Unlike Wisconsin, which gives up most of its sand to the winds, Michigan collects that sand and has miles of gold sand beaches on the east shore of Lake Michigan. The highest dunes are at Sleeping Bear, though they are “perched dunes” because they sit atop a 450-foot high ridge above the lake
that was left behind by the glaciers of the last ice age.
Just inland are huge swaths of sand in this part of Michigan, not unlike the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area on the central Oregon coast. But unlike in Oregon, the dunes of Michigan’s national lakeshore are limited to non-motorized recreation, though you can take a dune buggy tour beyond the boundaries.
In addition to the dunes, the national lakeshore is known for two islands that helped give the landscape its name. As the native legend goes, long ago a great fire was burning on the Wisconsin side of the lake, causing a mother bear to flee across the water with her two cubs. She made it to the Michigan shore and sat down to await their arrival. Alas, they never made it, instead becoming islands out in the lake where they drowned. The mother bear never gave up her vigil as she cast her gaze westward to North Manitou Island and South Manitou Island.
Erosion over the years changed the profile of a bear asleep on the shore, but the two islands are still there to explore. Both were inhabited by pioneer settlers long ago, but life was so difficult that everyone either moved to shore or were buried on the islands.
The National Park Service acquired most of the islands’ acreage as part of the national lakeshore. A seasonal passenger ferry transports day trippers and overnight backpackers to the islands from the mainland port of Leland. The only long-term inhabitants on the islands are national parks staff,
though in winter they are not occupied.
Lodging in historic buildings that were preserved on the islands is limited to official visitors, but that doesn’t stop a steady stream of overnight visitors during the busy June to September season. Walk-in campgrounds are less than a half-mile from the ferry landings on both the North and South Manitou Island, or you can hike further for more privacy in other campgrounds, or look for you own campsite on the north island. South Manitou still has one of the best preserved lighthouse of the several hundred that line the shores of the Great Lakes.
A visit to the islands can provide unimaginable quiet, the darkest night skies in the American Midwest and easy, mostly level, walking to pocket beaches, a lake and sand dunes. The only similar experience in the Pacific Northwest would be to visit one of Washington’s uninhabited San Juan Islands, though there would not be public ferry service to get there.
The mainland farms and towns around Sleeping Bear Dunes are amazingly tidy, with none of the urban blight in evidence you would expect in the factory zones in the industrial southern part of the state.
In 2011, viewers of ABC’s “Good Morning America” named Sleeping Bear Dunes the “Most Beautiful Place in America.” Visit and it’s easy to understand why. Lake Michigan and its bays are renowned for being the most scenic of the Great Lakes, with turquoise-colored waters similar to the Caribbean because of sandy bottoms and varying depth levels of the water. You almost expect to see palm trees, though a visit during winter would dispel that notion.
The area has dozens of inland lakes that send crystal clear rivers flowing gently through the landscape. There are even enough rolling hillsides to allow for a few downhill ski areas, though they would only qualify as the bunny hill in the West.
The Leelanau and Old Mission peninsulas, just north of Traverse City, are Michigan’s wine growing region. Mainly known for cool weather German varietals, Michigan’s wine isn’t widely known, but is very popular locally and gets consumed without having to travel far.
In addition to the two Lake Michigan islands, the national lakeshore has two auto campgrounds, wilderness designated by Congress, outstanding dune and lake vistas from Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive and an historic shipping port and U.S Coast Guard station at Glen Haven.
Adjacent sites include the historic fishing port of Leland, from where the ferry to the islands runs; the prettiest small town park you will ever see at Empire; and the Betsie Point Lighthouse, where Lake Michigan does its imitation of the Pacific Ocean when winds crash waves 10 feet high on shore.
This year will be a good time to find a new adventure in a U.S. national park. May it be as pleasant as what waits at Sleeping Bear Dunes, which will be celebrating it’s 100th year!
If you go:
Sleeping Bear Dunes Air: Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport has regular service on Delta Airlines to Detroit and Minneapolis and on American Airlines to Chicago. Air fare is around $500.
Lodging: Traverse City, population 15,000 but 10 times larger in the commercial area it serves, is one of the busier vacation destinations on the Great Lakes. It has all types of lodging and related services; Traverse City Tourism, 800-872-8377, traversecity.com.
The dunes: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore headquarters at Empire is 25 miles west of Traverse City. The lakeshore goes 25 miles north from there, to the ferry port at Leland, or 15 miles south through the park’s Platte River section. Small towns next to the park’s districts offer a variety of services and lodging. Besides hiking, main park activities are paddling the clear rivers, sun bathing on the beaches and biking the long distance Sleeping Bear Heritage multi-use path; 231-326-5134, nps.gov/slbe.
The islands: Spending a night or more on North and South Manitou Islands ranks among the great national park experiences in America. Book passage with Manitou Island Transit, 231-256-9061, manitoutransit.com.
Comments Off on Old Settlers Park for your up north wedding!
There’s more and more reasons why our area is an amazing place to host your Up North Michigan wedding. Leelanau Peninsula and our greater Glen Lake area offers tons of variety in settings for ceremony’s and receptions. From wild flower fields to a lake Michigan resort, you’re sure to find just the place you seek.
Old Settlers Park is a little treasure preserved in our area, hosting annual 4th of July events to weddings. It’s quaintly located on the southeastern shore of Glen Lake, on S. Dunns Farm Road (County Road 675). Early settlers’ established it as a picnic ground in 1892 with access to Glen Lake.
The chapel located on the grounds of the park is available for use and is coordinated and maintained by the Glen Lake Woman’s Club on a first come, first serve basis, as well as the Gazebo.
Dates available: May 15th – October 31st. Capacity 50-70.
Comments Off on PJ Party, Tree Lighting & Holiday Markets
There’s plenty to do during Thanksgiving weekend around the Glen Lake area.
Start by shopping early during the PJ Party in Glen Arbor on Friday morning for special sales at participating merchants. Eat out Friday then come back after dark for the annual Tree Lighting and Christmas caroling to get you in the holiday spirit. Then on Saturday, you’ll have a great opportunity to buy from your local artisans during two Holiday Marketplaces!
Glen Arbor and Empire both host an annual holiday market featuring a variety of artisans showcasing different types of gifts/work, with an emphasis on local and handmade products/artworks. There’s different artisans at both markets and plenty of time in the day for you, your friends and family to drive and shop both markets!
Plus, Saturday on November 28th is the nationwide #ShopSmall Saturday. Visit all the #SmallBiz around town for the Holidays! *Available at participating restaurants and shops.
PJ Party
Friday, November 27th, 2015 | 5am – 8am
The town’s version of the day-after-Thanksgiving shopping. Shop the downtown district stores in your PJ’s for extra special discounts and fun! Shops offer special discounts during this time on clothing, gourmet foods, household decor, Michigan/USA Made products, local Artisan gifts, Art, Jewelry, Toys and More! Shoppers can grab some coffee, baked goods and breakfast or lunch while in Glen Arbor that morning too.
Tree Lighting, Caroling & Holiday Market preview party
Friday, November 27th, 2015 | 6:30pm – 8pm
at the Glen Arbor Township Hall
Glen Arbor’s annual Tree Lighting and Caroling, located outside in front of the Town Hall, off of M-22/Western Ave. in downtown Glen Arbor. The Holiday Market “Preview Party” is located inside the Town Hall immediately following the tree lighting. Mingle, shop and get first picks of all the goods during the Holiday Marketplace preview party!
Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace:
Saturday, November 28th, 2015 | 10am – 4pm
in the Glen Arbor Township Hall
Shop locally made artisan goods at the Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace. During the market from 10:30am-3pm – Meet Santa & Mrs. Santa Claus! They will be at the Glen Arbor Holiday Marketplace with some little toys and goodies! Bring the kids and your camera for some great fun and photo opportunities.
(If you are a vendor or artisan and have any questions, please contact Betsy at [email protected])
Empire Holiday Market:
Saturday, November 28th | 11am-5pm
in the Empire Town hall
Shop the Empire Artisan’s Market. Following the Market, will be a Tree Lighting Ceremony in the Village of Empire!
The Glen Lake Library in Empire invites preschool children and their caregivers to a lively hour of stories, music, crafts and other learning activities, every Thursday morning at 11:00 am during the 2015-2016 school year.
These sessions are free, thanks to support from the Friends of the Glen Lake Library, and no advance registration is required.
Every Thursday morning at 11:00 am, during the 2015-2016 school year
1. Take your time. Don’t be in a rush to implement a plan without careful consideration of a successful plan. This is not a race to see who restores their property first.
2. Do not burn accumulated brush – rather, chip it and use it as mulch as a way to prevent forest fires
3. If trees were destroyed on or near a septic tank or drain field, have your septic hauler do an inspection. If the septic system has been damaged, have it repaired as soon as possible
4. Whenever possible, leave stumps/root balls. They are your “starter kit” for natural restoration. If removal is required or desired, grind the stump as a second choice and as a last resort, dig out the stump and haul it away.
5. You must obtain a permit from the MDEQ when removing tree stumps within 100 feet of the shoreline. Give strong consideration to leaving stumps at the water’s edge and plant around them.
6. Treat trees with bark or limb damage with a coating to prevent insect disease. (Foresters differ with this – just another layer for the tree to heal over and it doesn’t allow the cells to compartmentalize and dry out which is desired.)
7. Successful restoration includes planting a variety of tree species that will do well in Northern Michigan.
8. Ideally, plant trees in the spring or fall and plan on providing each tree with plenty of water during the acclimation phase of the planting process.
9. Work together with neighbors to help with clean up costs and the sale of timber for lumber to ensure the best leverage for bartering power.
10. Take every effort to prevent erosion – especially on land with a slope. Mulch bare soils in the early going with chipped brush or bark mulch.
11. Consider landscaping with a Northern Michigan “look” vs. the suburban “look”.
12. Take advantage of native plant/tree sales in the spring and fall at the Leelanau County Conservation District. Stay tuned to the Glen Lake Association website where we will post the dates and locations of these native plant sales.
13. Take care not to over fertilize plantings in the first and second years of growth and to wean plants off any fertilizers in the third and subsequent years. Only use zero phosphate fertilizers within 100 feet of the shoreline.
14. Re-growth of plants/trees will take time before you see measurable results and to understand that your property will likely be much different that it was prior to the storm.
15. To avoid “blue stain fungus” from damaging your lumber logs, only cut trees from their stumps when you’re ready to process/sell the logs. This avoids having sellable logs be down graded for quality and thus, reduce their value.
16. The Farm Services Agency administers the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP). It looks like the county level FSA administers it for all natural disasters other than drought and insects. More info about the program is at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/emergency-forest-restoration/
17. Landowners should also be able to apply for financial assistance through the normal EQIP programs at their county NRCS office.
18. Seek advice and help from professionals – either a forester, arborist, landscape architect, landscape installer, permit specialist from the MDEQ, or watershed biologist (See contact info below).
Kama Ross, Leelanau Conservation District | Forester | (Free)
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 231.256.9783 ext. 264
Rob Karner, M.S., Glen Lake Association | Watershed Biologist | (Free)
Email: [email protected] | Phone: 231.883.2776
Foresters in the Leelanau, Grand Traverse, and Benzie | Steve Alguire
3800 S. Lee Point Road, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
Phone: 231-271-6620 | email: [email protected]
Lynn Bakker
2677 Setterbo Road, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
Richard Cooper | Cooper-Gerhart Consulting Forestry LLC
5412 Indian Hill Road, Honor, MI 49640
231-325-2175 | [email protected]
Paul Drysdale Forestry & Consulting*
408 Leeson Avenue, Cadillac, MI 49601
231-779-2989 | Cell: 586-531-2866 | [email protected]
www.drysdaleforestry.com
Scott R. Erickson | MichiTree, Inc.
2650 W. Fisher Road, Ludington, MI 49431
231-845-0142 | Cell: 231-723-9946 | [email protected]
www.michitree.com
Paul Gerhart | Cooper-Gerhart Consulting Forestry LLC
Gerhart’s Tree Service LLC
PO Box 597, Beulah, MI 49617
989-600-7452 | [email protected]
Ben James/Andrew Klein
Packaging Corporation of America
766 Filer Street, Filer City, MI 49634
231-723-8164 | 231-499-1346 (Ben) | 231-499-9444 (Andrew) [email protected] | [email protected]
Steve Kalisz | Old School Forestry, LLC
Bryce Metcalfe | Metcalfe Forestry, LLC
402 Chestnut Street, Grayling, MI 49738
989-348-3596 | Cell: 989-619-7086 | [email protected]
www.metcalfeforestry.com
Shawna Meyer, Principal | Natural Resource Insight, LLC
934 Thomas St SE, No. 1, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
517-388-6954 | [email protected]
www.naturalresourceinsight.com
Daniel Schillinger*
5138 Hidden Glen Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684
231-633-8733 | [email protected]
www.michiganforester.net
Jessica Turino-Kernonhan | Weyerhaeuser NR Company
4111 West 4 Mile road, Grayling, MI 49738
231-824-9480 | 231-631-9233 | [email protected]
Jon Witkowski | Biewer Forest Management, LLC
6251 West Gerwoude Drive, McBain, MI 49657
231-942-1026 | [email protected]
www.biewerlumber.com
AAA Tree Service LLC | Tree trimming, removal, chipping
Dave Rogers and Christel Klockes
231-275-5700
Tree Care Professionals
Serving Leelanau, Grand Traverse and Benzie Counties
Since 1995, Glen Arborites close out the summer season with the annual Labor Day Bridge walk. The walk goes .3 miles across the Narrows Bridge, that passes over the two Glen Lakes.
Before and after the ceremonial walk, find plenty of recreation and things to do for the whole family. Kayak the Crystal River, Paddleboard or rent a boat on the Glen Lakes, Hike a trail, Visit the park, grab a bite to eat and shop around Glen Arbor. >Browse more “Things to Do”
This year, Glen Arbor Bridge walkers can buy a commemorative T-shirt for $15. They can be purchased in advance of the walk at the Dune Dogs wagon in Glen Arbor or at Roman Jones, 11679 S. Lacore Road in Empire. Proceeds from all T-shirt sales go to a Glen Lake Cub Scout Troop.
The Friends of the Glen Lake Community Library host their biennial Home Tour on Thursday July 23rd from 10 am to 4 pm.
As one of the Friends’ primary fundraisers, the event showcases five distinctive and diverse Glen Lake area homes.
The range of homes in this year’s event is striking, yet each offers design savvy, expressed differently, through the appreciation of art and color as well as the love of nature, most often seen in lovely landscapes and exquisite gardens. Whether it is the authentic, yet updated, historic 18th century farmhouse or a newly-built Arts & Crafts home, a contemporary design element skillfully blended with
English antiques, a “knock-out” view of Alligator Hill or a pastoral view of apple orchards, an elevator or 12’ Endless Pool, there is something for everyone in this collection of stunning homes.
Tickets for the Home Tour are $15 each and are available at the Empire Library and the Cottage Book Shop as well as Northwoods Hardware in Glen Arbor.
The Glen Arbor area celebrates the 4th of July weekend, with plenty of things to do:
Friday, JULY 3rd…
• 7 pm | Northport Community Band playing live music is favorite activity for the whole family. Bring your lawn chairs, friends and family and enjoy this Glen Arbor tradition. This is a free concert on the Old School House Lawn in Glen Arbor. Rain: Leelanau School Auditorium
Saturday, JULY 4th…
• 10 am | Flag raising ceremony at Old Settlers Park
• 12 pm | Parade – through downtown Glen Arbor. (line-up is at 11am)
• 4 pm | Glen Lake boat parade – open to all that want to participate!
Sunday, JULY 5th…
• 8 am – 12pm | Fire Department Pancake breakfast at the Glen Arbor Township Hall
More things to do…
There’s tons of things to do, in and around the Glen Arbor area. From Dining and Shopping, to the arts; Beaches & Boating and a variety of outdoor recreation; to specific places to visit that are great for kids & families. Visit our “Things to Do” page to get started on your Pure Leelanau adventure.
