Glen Arbor Sun, Glen Arbor, MI (2025)

07/21/2025

Nikki Rothwell didn’t grow up with aspirations to be the National Cherry Queen. She was too interested in bugs. Nevertheless, the longtime director and educator at the Michigan State University Extension office in Leelanau County found herself waving to the crowd as an honored participant in the DTE Energy Foundation Cherry Royale Parade. No tiara, though—instead, “I did get (to wear) a red jacket, like the Masters,” she says with a laugh, as winners of that golf tournament receive a green sport coat. Rothwell was honored as the Cherry Industry Person of the Year at the 2025 National Cherry Festival.

Nikki Rothwell didn’t grow up with aspirations to be the National Cherry Queen. She was too interested in bugs. Nevertheless, the longtime director and educator at the Michigan State University Ext…

07/21/2025

Cherries are the calling card of Northern Michigan. They represent our home, just as citrus speaks for Florida, or as lobsters lobby for Maine. Here in the North, orchards define our landscape, U-Picking is a cherished tradition and a slice of pie means “I love you.” But cherry farmers these days face a perfect storm of challenges, from environmental to political. Erratic swings in temperature caused by climate change threaten cherry buds in the spring; cheap foreign imports have undercut prices that U.S. farmers can expect to earn; workers needed to harvest crops have grown scarce due to unaffordable housing prices and restrictive national immigration policies; and the local real estate frenzy has disincentivized growers from staying on their land when they can sell their orchards for millions.

Cherries are the calling card of Northern Michigan. They represent our home, just as citrus speaks for Florida, or as lobsters lobby for Maine. Here in the North, orchards define our landscape, U-P…

07/21/2025

Grocer's Daughter Chocolate features two special pop-ups within its gelateria in Empire this summer. One sells Miriam Teran’s Kichwa artisan wares from her indigenous community in northern Ecuador. The presence of Miriam’s crafts emphasizes the company’s connection to Ecuador, from which Grocer’s Daughter sources all its chocolate. The other pop-up, Adriana’s Kitchen, features traditional food from the Mexican state of Guanajuato, including steak and chicken tacos, tostadas and burritos, served with rice, beans and salsa. “Our intent behind the pop-ups is to uplift these incredible women and to try new, fun (and delicious) things at Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate,” said co-owner Jody Hayden.

Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate features two special pop-ups within its gelateria in Empire this summer. One sells Miriam Teran’s Kichwa artisan wares from her indigenous community in northern Ecuador.…

07/20/2025

Join the Glen Arbor Women's Club for a fun-filled day at the “Running Bear 5K Run/Walk & ½ Mile Kids Run” on Tuesday, July 22. Come out and take the challenge as the run continues for its 18th year. The chip-timed race is a favorite with the community and visitors.

Join the Glen Arbor Women’s Club for a fun-filled day at the “Running Bear 5K Run/Walk & ½ Mile Kids Run” on Tuesday, July 22. Come out and take the challenge as the run continues for its 18th…

07/19/2025

The Northport Arts Association is honored to continue its annual Plein Air event originated by Gene Rantz in 2013. Gene’s original “Paint Out & Wet Paint Sale” started out small and has grown each year to where it now hosts up to 50 artists to paint throughout the tip of Leelanau Peninsula. With the permission of Gene’s family, the event is named in honor of Gene. Join the NAA on July 19 from 6-9 pm at the opening reception.

The Northport Arts Association (NAA) is honored to continue its annual Plein Air event originated by Gene Rantz in 2013. Gene’s original “Paint Out & Wet Paint Sale” started out small and has …

07/19/2025

Parenting Communities is excited to welcome families to its fourth annual Street Fair on Saturday, July 19, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy campus in Lake Leelanau (7401 E. Duck Lake Rd.). In the event of rain, the celebration will be moved indoors to the VFW Hall. This free, family-friendly event is packed with fun for little ones and their grownups alike—face painting, balloon animals, a mobile museum, bubbles, crafts, live music and movement activities, and so much more. It’s a great chance to enjoy the day together, meet other local families, and connect with Parenting Communities staff and resources.

Parenting Communities is excited to welcome families to its fourth annual Street Fair on Saturday, July 19, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Leelanau Montessori Public School Academy campus in Lake Leelan…

07/18/2025

The Glen Arbor Arts Center is celebrating Youth Plein Air Month this July with a month-long initiative to inspire young artists and honor Glen Arbor’s rich history of plein air painting. Free Youth Plein Air Art Kits are available all month long at the Glen Arbor Arts Center. Each kit includes everything a young artist needs to head outside and start painting. Over 30 kits have already been checked out by young artists eager to explore plein air painting. Kits are free and available all month at the Glen Arbor Arts Center. Learn more at GlenArborArt.org or 231-334-6112.

The Glen Arbor Arts Center is celebrating Youth Plein Air Month this July with a month-long initiative to inspire young artists and honor Glen Arbor’s rich history of plein air painting. Free Youth…

07/18/2025

The Leelanau Conservancy announced in an email tonight that it has the chance to permanently protect Sugar Loaf mountain and bring this cherished location back to public access for the first time in a quarter century. Once a popular ski resort that brought families together for generations—and once the largest employer in Leelanau County—Sugar Loaf has remained closed since 2000, as a rotating door of colorful characters, criminals and real estate moguls promised northern Michiganders they would return the ski hill to its glory days.

The Conservancy reported on July 17 that it has raised more than $6 million during a “quiet phase” and seeks another $1.6 million in donations by the end of this year in order to permanently acquire the 285-acre property, implement an ecological restoration plan, and make it a community gathering place. This twist represents a remarkable rebirth for Sugar Loaf, which has long been the subject of mystery and wild speculation over its ownership and fate.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore a place that holds deep meaning for so many,” said Leelanau Conservancy executive director Tom Nelson. “We envision Sugar Loaf as a place where people of all ages and abilities can hike, bike, cross-country ski, play, and reconnect with nature—where conservation and community come together on the mountaintop.”

The Conservancy has scheduled the following community information sessions that are open to the public:
• Wednesday, July 30, at 6 pm at Solon Township Hall
• Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 6 pm at Glen Arbor Township Hall

Check out our July 31 print edition of the Glen Arbor Sun for a recap of the ski hill property’s colorful history.

The Leelanau Conservancy announced in an email tonight that it has the chance to permanently protect Sugar Loaf mountain and bring this cherished location back to public access for the first time i…

07/17/2025

You may have seen Severin Brotschul or his girlfriend Jessica He working summer days at the River Club Glen Arbor. Now you can watch them ply their trade on stage during an upcoming Traverse City Dance Project performance. The project is a realization of professional dancer and choreographer Brent Whitney’s dream to bring top-tier dance back to his hometown of Traverse City and to “ensure that the vibrant community of northern Michigan can readily access and afford opportunities to experience the art of dance at its finest.” Traverse City Dance Project launched in 2012. This is Severin and Jessica’s first year with Whitney’s company.

You may have seen Severin Brotschul or his girlfriend Jessica He working summer days at the River Club Glen Arbor. Now you can watch them ply their trade on stage during an upcoming Traverse City D…

07/17/2025

Enjoy Empire Anchor Days, which will be held Friday and Saturday, July 18-19. Events include a showing of the film “The Search For Anna and Levi” on Friday at 7 pm at Empire Township Hall. The Anchor Day Parade will be held ay noon on Saturday on Front St., Line up at 11:30 at Johnson Park. A Pop Up Book Sale will be held from 11 am-3 pm on Saturday at the Glen Lake Community Library. Join the community for the Lions Club BBQ Chicken Dinner at Johnson Park from 1-7 pm on Saturday. The menu will include Grilled Chicken, BBs, Coleslaw, Potatoes and Shortcake. Stop by for a treat and a bonfire at Grocer's Daughter Chocolate. Enjoy free hot dogs and s’mores from 6-8 pm. On Saturday from 9-11 pm enjoy street Dancing with music by The Luke Woltanski Band in front of Glen Lake Community Library Front Plaza and Street. Bring your own beverage, chair and dancing shoes. (In case of rain, the dance will be in Empire Township Hall). Anchor Days is organized by the Empire Area Community Center. Empire Chamber of Commerce.

Enjoy Empire Anchor Days, which will be held Friday and Saturday, July 18-19. Events include a showing of the film “The Search For Anna and Levi” on Friday at 7 pm at Empire Township Hall. The Anch…

07/16/2025

Our story series celebrating songs inspired by Leelanau County and the Sleeping Bear Dunes continues with “The Leelanau Theme Song,” which Leland resorter wrote during the 1940s. The Leelanau Enterprise first printed the song on September 21,1950. The lyrics, which capture the beauty and natural wonders of the peninsula, have been sung at weekly community sing-alongs at the Leland Country Club and the Leland Yacht Club for decades. The theme has also been sung by marchers in Traverse City’s National Cherry Festival. In 2017, the Oberhelman/Hickenlooper families donated the printing blocks and a copy of the sheet music bearing Hazel’s signature to the Leelanau Historical Society Museum.

Our story series celebrating songs inspired by Leelanau County and the Sleeping Bear Dunes continues with “The Leelanau Theme Song,” which Leland resorter Hazel Oberhelman wrote during the 1940s. T…

07/15/2025

When a family member or neighbor shares the news of a cancer diagnosis, we try to be helpful in any way we can. Medical personnel help with treatment plans and insurance can help with the cost of care, but what about other costs that don’t go away during recovery? The nonprofit Leelanau County Cancer Foundation recognizes that challenge and is ready to offer help when it’s needed. About 15 years ago, a group of community members began addressing the financial needs of patients with cancer, and in 2016, the Leelanau County Cancer Foundation was formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The all-volunteer board of directors consists of committed people who bring their personal and professional skills to their Leelanau neighbors.

When a family member or neighbor shares the news of a cancer diagnosis, we try to be helpful in any way we can. Medical personnel help with treatment plans and insurance can help with the cost of c…

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