The Leelanau News Blog
leelanau county news • traverse city news • michigan news

We at Leelanau.com would like to wish everyone a happy (and safe) New Year. Thanks for all your support!

You can click for a wallpaper / computer background sized image of the above photo.

The Enterprise reports that the Fishtown Preservation Society has reached the $2.5 million goal it set to buy Fishtown and are on track to close in early January. Owner Bill Carlson said:

"There are just a couple of details that need to be worked out before we close. We're very excited and pleased that the Fishtown Preservation Society has reached its fundraising goal so that Fishtown can stay as it is."

The next phase of the society's plan for Fishtown will seek to raise an additional $2 million for efforts to maintain and preserve Fishtown's historic structures, fishing boats and equipment and to create historical interpretation and education programs to reflect the history of commercial fishing on the Great Lakes. The Leelanau Historical Society and the Inland Seas Educational Association have agreed to collaborate in that effort.
Read Over the top in the Leelanau Enterprise. Photo: Fishtown by Oldbrushes

Fishtown Christmas (2004) by Andrew McFarlane (click for a background/wallpaper sized image!)

News from the Week

The top story was the passing of former President and Michigan native Gerald R. Ford. Ford brought common sense and fair dealing to Washington at a time when our country was sorely tested. Other stories included a look at how folks wrote 100 years ago in Leelanau, a grant to cover some needed repairs at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse and severe weather damage to crops in 2006.

The Week's Weather

There might have been dreams of a white Christmas, but when we opened our eyes, it was pretty much browns, grays and greens. The mercury even hit 50 degrees on Friday.

December 21, 2006: Early sun, afternoon clouds & upper 30s (39Ëš/28Ëš)
December 22, 2006: Mostly cloudy, light rain & upper 40s (50Ëš/37Ëš) Record high
December 23, 2006: Cloudy, light rain & mid 30s (37Ëš/35Ëš)
December 24, 2006: Sunny & low 40s (44Ëš/32Ëš)
December 25, 2006: Mostly cloudy & mid 30s (37Ëš/33Ëš)
December 26, 2006: Mostly cloudy & low 30s (36Ëš/28Ëš)
December 27, 2006: Early clouds, afternoon sun & mid 30s (39Ëš/28Ëš)

Click for the Leelanau news archive from December 22nd - December 28th, 2005!

Click over to Absolute Michigan for the story on President Ford's passing.

The Record-Eagle has a feature that talks with Leelanau county cherry & apple farmer Sarah Korson who has experienced significant weather damage over the past few years. About USDA low-interest loans, Korson said "The interest is low, but it's still something that has to be paid back. (T)his weather seems to be playing tricks with us these last few years and it's hard to keep up."

Read Northern Michigan farms devastated by several storms in 2006 in the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Photo credit: Apple Orchard, West Leelanau Peninsula by tscolclasure.

Grand Traverse Light in Christmas garb by Jim Sorbie

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that the Grand Traverse Lighthouse will receive $40,000 from the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program. The money is part of the over $200,000 raised by the sale of Michigan "Save our Lights" plates and will be used to repair water damage from a leaking foundation.

Read Michigan lighthouses to receive preservation grants in the Record-Eagle, get more information on the Michigan Lighthouse Program and read more articles about the Grand Traverse Lighthouse.

The feminine business spirit of Suttons Bay, has also made itself manifest in the personages of Mrs. F. F. Smith who conducts a grocery and dry goods store. Miss Emma Otto, has also demonstrated that the millinery business can be made most successful here and has a millinery parlor that looks very fascinating and enchanting to the fair sex.

Yes, it is a slow, slow, slow news day. Head back 100 years with the Grand Traverse Herald.

Check out more great old photos from the Suttons Bay Area Chamber of Commerce.

Champion II by Andrew McFarlane

News from the Week

I suppose this week's top story was news that the Michigan champion cottonwood in Leland was granted a reprieve by the Road Commission. Three experts have been hired by a preservation group to examine the tree. The group will accept the results of these studies, even if they say the tree should come down. They are also seeking donations to help pay for the experts - stay tuned to Leelanau.com for details! Other stories included creation of a voluntary recycling payment program in townships where the recycling measure was voted down, the addition of two prominent directors to the Traverse City Film Festival board, and the return of the Northern Lights Log (with a nifty northern lights photo!).
The Week's Weather

If you don't like snow, then this past week was gorgeous. Even if you do like snow, you had to enjoy the uncharacteristic amount of sunshine and unseasonable balmy temps.

December 14, 2006: Partly sunny & 40s (46Ëš/37Ëš)
December 15, 2006: Mostly cloudy, sprinkles and low 40s (45Ëš/35Ëš)
December 16, 2006: Mostly cloudy & mid 40s (48Ëš/30Ëš)
December 17, 2006: Sunny & 40s - Gorgeous! (46Ëš/32Ëš)
December 18, 2006: Mostly cloudy & 30s (35Ëš/25Ëš)
December 19, 2006: Mostly sunny & upper 30s (39Ëš/25Ëš)
December 20, 2006: Early sun, afternoon clouds & low 40s (45Ëš/34Ëš)

Click for the Leelanau news archive from December 15th - December 21st, 2005!

Update! The Leland Champion Tree group is seeking donations to help with the cost of professional analysis of the tree!

The Traverse City Record-Eagle reports that the Leelanau County Road Commissioners voted unanimously to rescind a motion calling for the huge white poplar to be taken down in January.

Leland resident Jim Carpenter said the preservation group hired three experts to examine the tree and will present written results to the road commission before the end of January. He said members will accept the results of those independent studies, even if they say the tree should come down.

Read Trees life, limbs spared in the Record-Eagle.

Photo credit: Champion by Andrew McFarlane.

Friday's Traverse City Record-Eagle reported that the current TC Film Fest board of filmmaker Michael Moore, photographer John Robert Williams and author Doug Stanton (all pictured right) will be joined by directors Larry Charles and Terry George. Charles directed the top-grossing comedy of 2006, Borat and was also a writer for TV's Seinfeld. George directed the Academy Award-nominated "Hotel Rwanda” and co-wrote "In the Name of the Father."

The Record-Eagle quotes Moore as writing:

"This decision by Doug, John and me is to acknowledge that the TCFF has two missions: bring great films to northern Michigan and be advocates for preserving the fine art of cinema. Our two constituencies are the people of this area and people anywhere who love film. We want from now on to have a small representation of the filmmaking community on this board, as they do at Sundance and Telluride. That can only help to make this a better and more popular festival."

Read Filmmakers join TC's festival board at the Record-Eagle and/or visit the Traverse City Film Festival web site.

Photo Credit: Film Fest Founders by Andrew McFarlane.