Glen Arbor Sun, Glen Arbor, MI (2025)

12/10/2025

UPDATES to our story about Youth for Christ in Leland: Planning Commission meeting rescheduled for January; Cramers' application to volunteer at Leland School included "Student Led Bible Study"; Youth for Christ's lawyer elevates the legal stakes ...

The Leland Planning Commission will hold its rescheduled public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 7, at 5 pm at Northport public school, according to chair Ross Satterwhite. The Dec. 3 Planning Commission meeting was postponed as the room in the Leland library filled to overcapacity.

The Cramers filled out application forms to volunteer inside Leland School at the beginning of the 2024-25 school year. A redacted copy of the application—which the Sun acquired through the Freedom of Information Act—shows the Cramers answering the question “What type(s) of volunteering are you interested in?” with the following reply: “Elementary, Middle School, High School, Lunch Time, Student Led Bible Study.”

Mark Hearne, founding partner of the St. Louis-based True North Law Group—and whose family owns property in Leland—sent a letter on Nov. 21 on behalf of Youth for Christ USA to Larry Acker, and CCd Leland School superintendent Huppert, school board members and planning commission members. Largely in response to the community’s non-consent correspondence, the letter implies the legal stakes surrounding the Cramers’ and VenSteenhouses’ bid for a downtown ministry.

“You are embarking upon an extremely risky endeavor," Hearne ends his letter with a shot across the bow. "The effort to prevent Youth for Christ from exercising its constitutional right to free speech, to assemble and to worship violates the U.S. Constitution, numerous federal statutes, and Michigan law. Youth for Christ does not seek controversy. But Youth for Christ will stand firm in defense of its right to assemble, worship and declare the Gospel.”

A debate over the role of religion in public schools and in the public square has roiled tiny Leland, Michigan, this fall—the conversation a microcosm of an explosive reckoning on the national stag…

12/08/2025

Nj's Grocery in Lake Leelanau reopened this past weekend for the first time since June following a fire that caused structural and smoke damage. To celebrate NJ's reopening, we're reposting Susan Ager's story from 2021 featuring Rosie and her beloved Indian cuisine at the grocery store. (NJ's has a limited assortment of Indian food to start, and will add more as products arrive for cooking.) "In Rosie’s kitchen, there are no recipes, no measuring cups or spoons or scales," wrote Ager. "Ask Rosie how long it takes to make, say, her saag paneer (spinach with cheese), she will answer two to three hours. But more accurate is a lifetime: a lifetime of learning Indian cuisine, a lifetime of devotion to it." Read more here:

In Rosie’s kitchen, there are no recipes, no measuring cups or spoons or scales. Ask Rosie how long it takes to make, say, her saag paneer (spinach with cheese), she will answer two to three hours.…

12/05/2025

Each December, Cherry Republic launches a "31 Days of Giving" campaign, which in the past has supported farmers, environmental and renewable energy initiatives, and land preservation. During the first week of December 2025, the Glen Arbor-based company reported in a blog post that it is giving to organizations working to reduce the tremendous shortage of housing in Northern Michigan. The problem is particularly acute, especially here in Leelanau. "We are proud to have housing as a priority in our giving this December," the company reported in a blog post.

Each December, Cherry Republic launches a “31 Days of Giving” campaign, which in the past has supported farmers, environmental and renewable energy initiatives, and land preservation. D…

12/01/2025

As we travel across this country, we pass giant mounds of landfill—unpleasant evidence of how much we throw away. A group of dedicated neighbors in Northport have been trying for approximately 50 years to reverse that trend by recycling unwanted clothing into rugs. On Tuesday mornings, the members of Rag Bee gather around a table at Trinity Church UCC Northport MI to accomplish their mission. The next opportunity to purchase rugs is during the Women’s Club bake sale at Trinity Church on Dec. 6.

As we travel across this country, we pass giant mounds of landfill—unpleasant evidence of how much we throw away. A group of dedicated neighbors in Northport have been trying for approximately 50 y…

11/27/2025

"Gratitude doesn’t always arrive on schedule; sometimes it’s a day late. Somewhere between the boiling pots on the stove, embarrassing memories being dished out, and laughter echoing off the living room walls, my family and I find our own rhythm of Thanksgiving," writes Isabelle Plamondon. "My mom is a [Leelanau County] dispatcher who often has to work holidays since she’s a single parent. She’s worked on Thanksgiving almost every year, helping people whose holidays may not be going as planned. She, and other first-responders like her, see the dark side to every holiday before celebrating their own."

“Gratitude doesn’t always arrive on schedule; sometimes it’s a day late. Somewhere between the boiling pots on the stove, embarrassing memories being dished out, and laughter echoing off the …

11/26/2025

Glen Arbor (and nearby Empire) will host special holiday events in the hours and days after Thanksgiving. On Friday, Nov. 28, Glen Arbor businesses host a PJ Party from 6-9 am the morning after turkey day. Following that is the town’s Bed Parade from 9-9:30 am. Later that morning in Empire, the Glen Lake Community Library hosts a Community Blood Drive from 11-3:30. Glen Arbor’s Tree Lighting, Caroling + Marketplace Preview Party at the Township Hall start at 6:15 pm. The Town Hall hosts the Holiday Market from 6:30-8 pm. Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Glen Arbor (and nearby Empire) will host special holiday events in the hours and days after Thanksgiving. On Friday, Nov. 28, Glen Arbor businesses host a PJ Party from 6-9 am the morning after tur…

11/24/2025

Best wine hotel. Best American Riesling. Business of the year. The accolades continue to roll in for Black Star Farms. Managing owner Sherri Fenton says they are a testament to the staff at the Suttons Bay business fulfilling the vision of her father Kerm. “It’s exciting,” says Fenton. “It plays into the original vision of my father (for) world class customer service.” Earlier this year, The Inn at Black Star Farms was named the Best Wine Country Hotel in the country by USA Today Reader’s Choice Awards. Black Star Farms was first nominated for the award in 2020, when it was named to the top spot.

Best wine hotel. Best American Riesling. Business of the year. The accolades continue to roll in for Black Star Farms. Managing owner Sherri Fenton says they are a testament to the staff at the Sut…

11/21/2025

A debate over the role of religion in public schools and in the public square has roiled tiny Leland, Michigan, this fall—the conversation a microcosm of an explosive reckoning on the national stage. Leelanau Lighthouse missionaries Micah and Kya Cramer have used their savvy Instagram marketing—and until recently, their regular presence inside Leland school—to attract dozens of local high school students to Sunday evening worships and other faith events. Concerned parents have raised concerns that the group was using lunch hour at school to “pursue” minors. This local conflict has generated whiplash for some. Five years ago, a community letter that addressed race relations during Black Lives Matter protests prompted neighbors to retreat and reinforce their political and cultural walls.

A debate over the role of religion in public schools and in the public square has roiled tiny Leland, Michigan, this fall—the conversation a microcosm of an explosive reckoning on the national stag…

11/19/2025

On Saturday, Nov. 22, at 10 am, the Glen Lake Community Library in Empire invites the public to explore the U.S. Constitution, the foundational document of our democracy. In partnership with Michigan Writers, author and Empire Township resident Anne-Marie Oomen will lead this hands-on workshop, with participants copying the entire Constitution, section by section, then reading aloud and discussing their compiled work. This exercise will help refresh and refine our understanding of this core framework of democracy. Contact the library to register in advance. The Sun interviewed Oomen about her inspiration for initiating this event.

On Saturday, Nov. 22, at 10 am, the Glen Lake Community Library in Empire invites the public to explore the U.S. Constitution, the foundational document of our democracy. In partnership with Michig…

11/18/2025

When reading anything historical, while fascinating, it can be hard to connect to the information as it is not personally relevant or the idea that the historical event happened a long time ago creates a divide. The hurdle for the historian is how to bridge the reader to the past and make the information relevant? The newest release from the Leelanau Press, "Glen Arbor Township: A History to 1920" beautifully bridges the past for the contemporary reader.

When reading anything historical, while fascinating, it can be hard to connect to the information as it is not personally relevant or the idea that the historical event happened a long time ago cre…

11/17/2025

A collaboration between Buntings Cedar Market, local deer hunters, the Empire Area Community Center, and the Empire Area Food Pantry is supplying high-quality protein to families experiencing food insecurity during this hunting season, which runs the second half of November. A total of 14 deer (and counting) have been donated by local hunters to the Harvest with Heart Deer Donation Program, just a couple day into this year's rifle hunting season. The initiative is financially supported locally by donations through EACC and its new Basic Needs Initiative Fund, which launched during the federal government shutdown and pause in SNAP benefits. Venison processed at Buntings will be donated to the Empire Food Pantry, which is run out of the Glen Lake Church in Burdickville.

A collaboration between Buntings Cedar Market, local deer hunters, the Empire Area Community Center (EACC), and the Empire Area Community Food Pantry is supplying high-quality protein to families e…

11/14/2025

Jim Harrison returns to northern Michigan on Dec. 8. The longtime Leelanau County resident, widely considered one of the finest literary voices of his generation, died in 2016 after penning 21 books of fiction and 14 books of poetry, which influenced a generation of writers. Todd Goddard’s biography of Harrison, titled "Devouring Time: Jim Harrison, a Writer’s Life," published on Nov. 4. He will appear at the Traverse City National Writers Series at the City Opera House on Dec. 8. The Sun interviewed Goddard in late October about researching and writing the book. Read and watch the interview here.

Jim Harrison returns to northern Michigan on Dec. 8. The longtime Leelanau County resident, widely considered one of the finest literary voices of his generation, died in 2016 after penning 21 book…

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