On Wednesday night I attended a very interesting event hosted by the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association <lpwines.com> (LPVA) regarding ways that businesses and organizations in tourism-related fields can work together for mutual benefit. A few of the ideas discussed by representatives from the wineries, chambers, arts organizations and galleries, lodging and agricultural businesses and others included:
- More "cross-marketing" efforts to copy the successes of states like Wisconsin, Western North Carolina (Handmade In America) and industries like the cruise industry and deliver a more complete visitor experience.
- More events for the January - June period.
- Input from geographic communities and also business sectors along with the creation of new initiatives like Project Authentic Leelanau, CraftWORKS Leelanau, a Leelanau Art Gallery Trail, a Leelanau Agricultural/Culinary Trail and the Leelanau Tourism Initiative.
- Joining together to tell more people what a wonderful experience the Leelanau Peninsula offers.
Working with the LPVA's Rick Coates, we at Leelanau.com have pledged to provide a space for discussion of these efforts and for periodic reports from ongoing meetings with all kinds of organizations & communities.
In early 2007 Rick will be coordinating community-brainstorming sessions in each of the villages. These will be open to all interested in coordinating a peninsula wide effort. Check back here for dates and locations of these sessions.
Have an idea or a question? Don't be shy - post a comment! Too shy for that? Call Andy at 231-256-2829!
Photo credit: Little Girl at Port Onieda Beach by Jim Sorbie
Northern Lights House by Andrew McFarlane
News from the Week
Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday, we only had one real story, a very disturbing report from the Traverse City Record-Eagle on bird & fish die-offs in the Great Lakes. The article conteds that not only are zebra mussels responsible for the type E botulism outbreak that killed an estimated 2,900 birds on the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore since August, it's just the tip of the iceberg.
The Week's Weather
We probably had the warmest run of late November weather in many years, with temps above 50 most days. After a dismal fall, not many folks were complaining.
November 23, 2006: A sunny & warm Thanksgiving Day! (54Ëš/30Ëš)
November 24, 2006: Sunny & upper 50s (59Ëš/28Ëš) Record High!
November 25, 2006: Cloudy & 50s (54Ëš/37Ëš)
November 26, 2006: Mostly cloudy & low 50s (51Ëš/39Ëš)
November 27, 2006: Cloudy, light rain & upper 40s (51Ëš/44Ëš)
November 28, 2006: Rain & upper 50s (57Ëš/42Ëš)
November 29, 2006: Mostly cloudy, light rain & upper 50s (57Ëš/39Ëš)
You can click for more northern lights photos and also get some northern lights wallpaper.
Click for the Leelanau news archive from November 24 - November 30th, 2005!
About a week ago, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported that not only are zebra mussels responsible for the type E botulism outbreak that killed an estimated 2,900 birds on the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore since August, it's just the tip of the iceberg. Mass die-offs of fish and birds in Lake Michigan are expected to become more common as invasive species change the ecosystem of the Great Lakes.
It's not just Lake Michigan either. In 2000, 583 bird death were reported on Lake Erie. The number has risen steadily, with 2004 having 2,771 deaths reported.
We'd like to warn you that there are pictures of dead birds, and then suggest that you read Special Report: Invasive species start to take a toll in the Record-Eagle. Also see Bird die-off update from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Photo credit: empty shells by 1ManWithaCamera.
The Leelanau Players will host an enjoyable evening of dining and theater with their upcoming production of "Three Tables" by Dan Remmes and directed by Susan McConnell. The show is one-act play that follows three very different couples at various stages of their relationships who are dining at the same restaurant. Performances are scheduled for December 1 & 2 at the Leland Lodge and December 8 & 9 at The Manor on Glen Lake. Both performances begin at 7 PM with appetizers at 6:30. Reservations can be made at the Leland Lodge by calling 256-9848 and The Manor at 334-0150.
Cost is $30 per person payable at the door (cash bar & tip billed separately). For more information, call 231-256-9929, email leelanauplayers@leelanau.com or visit the Leelanau Players web site.
I'm Jumpin' Jack Flash by Ryan Southen
News from the Week
The big news from the week was that in the space of just a week, county commissioners introduced and then approved a measure to end the county's Farmland Preservation Program. There was also news that the Suttons Bay football team fell to Saginaw Nouvel 35-6 in the state football semifinal game.
The Week's Weather
Some great weather, especially for November!
November 16, 2006: Cloudy & upper 30s (39Ëš/37Ëš)
November 17, 2006: Cloudy, some flurries & upper 30s (39Ëš/35Ëš)
November 18, 2006: Mostly cloudy, light rain & upper 30s (39Ëš/35Ëš)
November 19, 2006: Mostly cloudy, light rain/snow & 30s (36Ëš/28Ëš)
November 20-22, 2006: Weather not recorded - it was beautiful though!
Photo Credit: , part of a great set of Glen Lake summer photos. (I'm thinking that if I already have cabin fever in November that it could be a long winter indeed)
The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that Saginaw Nouvel started Saturday's state semifinal vs the Suttons Bay Norseman at its own 4-yard line, promptly fumbled the ball ... then recovered and raced 96 yards for a TD to take the lead with just 26 seconds gone. That set the tone for the game which Nouvel won 35-6.
Suttons Bay coach Joe Trudeau said "I couldn't be more proud of the guys for coming this far. They exceeded expectations and set the bar high for future teams: eight shutouts in 13 games and shutting out the entire league, which has never been done before.â€
Congratulations on a great year, Suttons Bay! Read Prep Football: Nouvel has way with Norse in the Record-Eagle. To see photos from the game, go to the Norse Pix page and then click to Suttons Bay Schools's Albums > SB Football 06 > Playoff#3 vs Saginaw Nouvel
At their first executive committee meeting after the Nov 7 election, county commissioners voted 5-2 to terminate the county's four-year old farmland preservation ordinance, a decision could be made final Tuesday (Nov 21) when commissioners hold their monthly meeting.
The majority clearly took the 62% vote against a 15-year, one-half mill property tax to fund farmland preservation as a blanket rejection of the program. Commissioner Watkoski said "I think this is a grand opportunity to take the county out of the farmland preservation business." Fellow commissioner David Shiflett disagreed saying "I think the voters reasonably said no to a tax. I can't support disbanding the ordinance and board at this time."
Read Farmland program faces ax in the Leelanau Enterprise and Farmland preservation program is voted down in the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
Leelanau (Port Oneida Schoolhouse) by leylabunny
News from the Week
This week's top story was (in my opinion at least) our post on Veteran's Day. We also had an article on Absolute Michigan that had a bunch of great stories and links about Michigan veterans. A close second is the fact that the Suttons Bay football team is marching toward a state title behind the #1 defense in the state. They play Saturday in Grayling in the state semis! Districts opened as well and Leland (plays tonight) and Suttons Bay (Friday) have made it to the District finals. We also posted news that the Grand Traverse Lighthouse is looking for volunteer keepers for 2007. Finally, I'd like to call everyone's attention to the Leonid Meteor Shower which will be visible this Saturday night.
The Week's Weather
We had some snow that made driving ugly Friday night and took down some power lines. It has (for the most part) melted ... meaning it's probably time for more!
November 9, 2006: Mostly sunny & 50s (57Ëš/39Ëš)
November 10, 2006: Cloudy, snow (3"+) & 30s (41Ëš/32Ëš)
November 11, 2006: Mostly cloudy, flurries & 30s (36Ëš/30Ëš)
November 12, 2006: Partly sunny & 30s (35Ëš/27Ëš)
November 13, 2006: Cloudy, flurries & 30s (36Ëš/32Ëš)
November 14, 2006: Cloudy & 30s (39Ëš/35Ëš)
November 12, 2006: Partly sunny & low 40s (43Ëš/32Ëš)
Click for the Leelanau news archive from November 3rd - November 9th, 2005!
Glen Lake & Suttons Bay squared off in Class C action at Kalkaska Monday night, and the Lady Norseman emerged with a 46-32 victory. On Wednesday night, they powered past Fife Lake-Forest Area 51-29. On Friday, Northwest Conference rival Kingsley downed Suttons Bay 65-41 in the Class C district basketball final. Read the Record-Eagle story.
The Class D district tournament opened Tuesday night at Traverse City Christian. Lake Leelanau St. Mary's fell to the TC Christian Sabres 68-33 in the opener. In the 2nd game, Leland topped Northport 55-30. Read Sabres, Comets advance to district final in the Traverse City Record-Eagle.
In the district final, TC Christian defeated Leland 56-32, giving Christian its first Class D district basketball title since 2001 and only its second overall. More in Prep Basketball: TC Christian claims district in the Record-Eagle.
The Traverse City Record Eagle reports that the Grand Traverse Lighthouse needs volunteer keepers to work for one or two weeks during the 2007 season (April - December). In addition to acting as tour guides to the lighthouse on the northern tip of Leelanau County, volunteer keepers also work in the gift shop, help with maintenance and grounds by sweeping, painting and trimming grass.
If you're a history buff who doesn't mind honest labor, this is a great program. For information, call (231) 386-7195.
Read Lighthouse needs keepers for 2007 in the Record-Eagle and/or visit the Grand Traverse Lighthouse web site.
Photo credit: Grand Traverse Lighthouse by Kevin Pierpont
