Leelanau.com Blog
leelanau county news • traverse city news • michigan news

*ojoyous1* creates a spook-taculor eerie mood with this untitled photo. Check out her other shots of the Brundage cemetery - Benzie county Michigan in her photostream.

Don't forget to check out all of the Halloween Happenings around Leelanau this weekend! Happy Halloween from Leelanau Communications!

Just north of Northport is an unassuming farm with a sign that simply says, "Antique Apples."   When visitors stop at the Christmas Cove Farm and farmer's market, they learn from John and Phyllis Kilcherman exactly what an antique apple is:

It is an apple that our ancestors grew and enjoyed. The origins date back in time, with varieties from the 1600s, 1700s, 1800s and early 1900s. They come from many foreign countries, as well as many states here in America. The flavors are a tasty treat; an experience to remember for years. They are very unique, and some varieties are extremely rare. Eat them sliced and you will be in for a gourmet experience. Enjoy the wonderful aroma, which will enhance the delightful tasting fun of every apple.

The Kilcherman's have 240 varieties of apples grown on the farm.   Not only are visitors able to purchase apples and fresh cider at the farm, but John also ships gift boxes all over the country.  Each gift boxe contains different varities of apples, and the history of each different apple.

The Christmas Cove Farm is definitely worth the drive up the peninsula to Northport.  You can also read more about the antique apples on their website.   Also, read about Andy's visit with the Kilchermans.

Photo: Kilcherman's Christmas Cove Farm by unit2345

Photo: 091018_5027_copy by jsorbieus

The big news in Leelanau this week, is that The Narrows Bridge is finally open! Cherie gave us a look back at a Fountain Point Resort on Lake Leelanau. We also gave a preview of all the haunting Halloween activities happening this weekend. And we featured another fabulous fall color photo of Shalda Creek, Leelanau County by tpowell923.

Week's Weather
(Oct 27) Peak conditions are being reported in Leelanau Country by Pure Michigan! Take advantage of the next few days of sun to enjoy the colors around the peninsula!

Oct 28: Partly sunny & 56 (56/41)
Oct 27: Partly cloudy & 53 (53/42)
Oct 26: Rainy & 50 (52/47)
Oct 25: Mostly cloudy & 50 (51/33)
Oct 24: Rain & 50 (50/33)
Oct 23: Rain & 53 (53/39)
Oct 22: Rain & 54 (56/39)

Post your comments about the week's news, observations of the weather or the natural world or events below!

You'll also want to check out the Leelanau Calendar and the latest news and features from Leelanau, Traverse City and the surrounding area in our blog! Here's the October 2008 archive, and Leelanau Almanac for the Week of October 15 - 21.

The Carl Oleson Jr Bridge, commonly known at the Narrows Bridge finally re-opened for car Traffic on Saturday, October 24. News spread quickly via phone calls, emails, and even facebook posts.

The Glen Arbor Sun reports:

On Monday, an email from Bob Felt from the Michigan Department of Transportation’s Office of Communications reported that the new M-22 bridge was open for business: “While crews have not completely finished the project, vehicular traffic can now cross the new $3.4 million bridge. … Restoration and railing work have yet to be completed. The pedestrian walkway is closed until further notice.”

To learn about the re-opening and history about the bridge, read the Glen Arbor Sun's article.

Photo: Glen Lake by creed_400

Nestled among a wooded country road stretching the distance of South Lake Leelanau, you may be surprised to discover one of the oldest historic resorts in the state of Michigan, second only to the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Known as Fountain Point, this enchanting hotel and collection of cabins summons guests back to a coveted time in American culture--when family stood at the forefront of our social and communal lives. Building on their own rich family history, brothers Erik Zehender and Theo Early are beginning a new chapter--as proprietors--with minds on a mission, while holding the Fountain Point's core values at heart.

First, to speak of Fountain Point with an eye on the future, one must understand a bit of the resorts past. The "Fountain" sprang up unexpectedly in the mid 1800's, when a French fur trader sank a drill in the sandy shore of Carp Lake, now known as Lake Leelanau. Hoping for oil, he instead struck a gushing geyser of fresh water flowing in a terrestrial river--900 feet deep--far below the glacial substrate that shaped the region and gave birth to Lake Michigan. Ownership of the land changed a few times, then a hotel was built before roads reached that far; families from mid-western states began ferrying from the south end of the lake, gathering at this aqua oasis for fun and relaxation.

In 1936, the depressed economy had whittled the resort's financial strength to the bone. Erik and Theo's great-grandfather, Victor A. Gebhardt, a diamond importer and Cincinnati jeweler (he and wife Blanche had been guests since 1917), purchased the resort and the establishment has remained under the care of this family since. The two men spent the summers of their formative years working for their mother. In that time, they observed and participated in the rich legacy of family traditions brought by their guests; today, some of those same families gather in the exact cabin they have shared for five generations. Under quiet observation, the brothers have relished the power of place and the renewal of family spirit that their guests experienced year after year.

The next generation of leadership at Fountain Point anticipates success and strength. Change is destined to greet the resort, as the brothers bring to life their personal dreams and visions for this historic treasure. Together they have witnessed the erosion of family values and are dually aimed at providing a place where restoration can occur for present and future generations. Collectively, the community and the seasoned guests are likely to benefit, as the new owners bring their rich and fond memories of the past at Fountain Point with their shared vision of the resorts success for years to come.

Check out the Fountain Point website, or drive by the resort on County Rd. 641 just before the village of Lake Leelanau. The place is a pure oasis of fun, old-time family style: without the television. The perfect setting for a romantic and playful wedding, a staff retreat or a family reunion. Turn in and tune up to a big Northern Michigan family adventure!

Shalda Creek, Leelanau County, MI, October, 2003 by tpowell923

Another fabulous shot showing the fall beauty of Leelanau. Be sure to check this picture out in the original size!

Photo: Manitou and Momma Bear by jimflix

Our stories for the week featured the Leelanau Vintners Toast the Season Wine Trail Tour and ticket giveaway. And the debut of a new Michigan grown cherry juice, Very Cherre. Also Bata is asking everyone to participate in their online 2010 Strategy Survey. And although we aren't seeing the fall color that we are used to, thankfully Pentax K1000 Gal has a great shot from a couple years ago of Mill Creek in Fall, that we featured on Photo Friday.

Week's Weather

(Oct 22) Though there's still lots of green, color is getting toward peak and this weekend may well be the best we get. We're seeing lots of yellows and reds, and more and more browns. The wind is starting to pull down the leaves, so although it will probably continue for at least a week, we're going to peg this weekend as peak color.

Oct 20:  Partly cloudy & 54 (54/48)
Oct 19: Partly sunny & 59 (62/44)
Oct 18: Partly cloudy & 51 (51/26)
Oct 17: Partly cloudy & 45 (45/28)
Oct 16: Cloudy & 44 (44/29)
Oct 15: Partly cloudy & 45 (45/34)

Post your comments about the week's news, observations of the weather or the natural world or events below!

You'll also want to check out the Leelanau Calendar and the latest news and features from Leelanau, Traverse City and the surrounding area in our blog! Here's the October 2008 archive, and Leelanau Almanac for the Week of October 8 - 14.

From the Grand Vision:

BATA, the Bay Area Transportation Authority, needs your help to create its public transportation strategy for 2010 and beyond.

Please provide your input by completing a short questionnaire. Look for the survey in your local newspaper or go to www.BATAsurvey.com to fill it out online. All registrants qualify for a prize drawing on December 15th. You could win one of several prizes. BATAsurvey.com

Courtesy of Absolute Michigan:

Leelanau Tarts (fo-lomo) by farlane

Old Orchard Brands debuts 'Very Cherre' premier line of cherry juice on mLive begins:

Move over exotic pomegranate, acai and mangosteen. The All-American tart cherry could be the next rage in superhealthy “superfruits.”

Old Orchard Brands is giving the simple pie fruit a chic makeover with its introduction of a premier line of juices called Very Cherre.

The Sparta-based fruit juice company will debut the 100 percent tart cherry juice product this week at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel, J.W. Marriott and other Amway properties. There, Very Cherre — available in Pure Tart Cherry and three cherry blends — will be added to sauces, mixed in cocktails and sold in gift shops.

“I think it’s a superb product,” said Gerhard Schmied, vice president/director of food and beverage for the Amway Hotel Collection. “It’s from our own backyard. I can’t emphasize how important that is.”

Very Cherre juice is made from Montmorency tart cherries grown in the Leelanau Peninsula. The northern Michigan region is the biggest producer of the Montmorency cherries.

Read the rest at mLive and check out verycherre.com - kind of cool to see a private company promoting their product AND the region it's grown in! (especially since it's in Michigan!)

The annual Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association Toast the Season wine trail tour is held on 2 separate weekends in November. A few tickets remain for both the November 7 & 8 weekend and there are also tickets for the November 14 & 15 weekend - get them while they last!

The annual Toast the Season wine trail tour is a great chance to experience the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula. event features a special wine pour accompanied by holiday themed gourmet food at each of the 17 Leelanau Peninsula member wineries. At your starting winery you will be given a commemorative glass and a holiday gift bag featuring a unique holiday ornament and food & drink from the members of Sleeping Bear Gourmet, a group of local, fair trade and organic food producers).

Toast the Season Giveaway!

In the spirit of giving (or at least giving away) Leelanau.com is offering a giveaway of a free couple's ticket to the weekend of November 14 & 15. All you need to do is send an email to lci@leelanau.com with the subject "Toast the Season Giveaway" to be entered. If you want to tell us what your favorite Leelanau wine is, please feel free!

The untitled photo is by metrolens and he has several more cool shots from a recent visit to Leelanau that you should check out!