Every Saturday in May the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will hold a ranger-led, educational walk in the Lakeshore. Meet at the Visitor Center in Empire on Saturdays at 1 PM. Here are the topics:
May 10 - The World of Frogs - What would spring be without the sound of frogs? Why are they singing and why are they disappearing all around the world? What might they be trying to tell us? Learn to identify several local varieties by sight and sound. This is a great outdoor adventure for the whole family.
May 17 - Hike to a Beaver Lodge - Look for one of the few animals that dramatically engineers their environment and has played a major role in this region’s history. See a dam, lodge, canals, and tunnels while learning more about beavers and their logging operations.
May 24 - A Flurry of Wild Flowers - Few places on earth have an abundance of wildflowers as the hardwood forest of Northwest Michigan in the spring. Join a ranger to marvel at this annual display of native plants as you hike through one of the best wildflower habitats in the region.
May 31 - Returning Birds - Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day by joining a ranger to welcome back several species of migratory birds. Learn about their winter adventures in far off lands and the distances they travel in between. This is a great opportunity for beginning birders. Binoculars provided.
Photo: Spring Beauties by Jim Sorbie (click over to get it desktop background size!)
The Leelanau School in Glen Arbor is hosting a Mother's Day Brunch this Sunday (May 11) from 10 AM to 2 PM to benefit Leelanau County Habitat for Humanity. This is a terrific brunch for the whole family and funds raised will help pay for a habitat house that is currently under construction in Maple City.
Grand Traverse Habitat for Humanity says:
Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses then are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. Volunteers provide most of the labor, and individual and corporate donors provide money and materials to build Habitat houses.
Partner families themselves invest hundreds of hours of labor—sweat equity—into building their homes and the homes of others. Their mortgage payments go into a revolving Fund for Humanity that is used to build more houses.
Photo credit: Habitat for Humanity - 6 by tukanuk
While Earth Day is next Tuesday (Apr 22), the 2008 Grand Traverse Earth Day Parade takes place next Saturday (Apr 26) at noon.
In addition to the parade through downtown Traverse City, there will be a "zero-waste" community picnic at Hannah Park (on the river) following the parade . There will also be a puppet & mask performance, Earth Day Green Fair and music from 3:00 - 4:30 PM by the Earthwork Musicians.
Much more about Earth Day activities and how you can get involved from The Little Artshram.
Photo: Bee's Eye View by Andy McFarlane (more pics from last year's Earth Day Parade)
The Exposures Open House will be held Friday (Apr 25) at the Old Art Building. The event features an exhibition of work from this year's Exposures magazine along with refreshments and music. The opening reception is on Friday, April 25 from 5 to 8 pm featuring original artwork, essay and poetry readings, hors d'oeuvres and live music by the "I Am Art" student band. The exhibit continues on Saturday, April 26 from 10 am to 4 pm and this is a great chance to support some wonderful student artists and writers from all of Leelanau County's schools.
Check out a few items from past editions of Exposures from Leelanau.com and the Northern Michigan Journal!
Thanks everyone for telling me that the annual Glen Arbor Winterfest already happened. It had been added to our calendar by someone with the wrong date - my apologies! Here's the report on the event from the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce:
2008 Chili Cook-Off Winners (There were about 400 chili tasters)
Traditional Chili
1st place-Peace Pole Makers
2nd place-Glen Lake Schools
Non-Traditional Chili
1st place-Bear Paw
2nd place-LaBecasse
Fishing results
1st. Jeremy Plamondon 13.25 in. 16 oz.
2nd. Tim Egeler 13.25 in. 15 oz.
The event was sponsored by the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce and all net proceeds benefited the scholarship fund at the Glen Lake School.The photo is Chili cook off Glen Arbor Days 08 by 1Cher.
The annual Winter Carnival for the Leelanau Children's Center will be held this Saturday (Mar 1) from Noon - 3 pm in the big gym at Leland Public School. There will be lots of fun games for kids, prizes, raffle and a tasty lunch! All are welcome!
For more information call LCC at 256-7841.
Learn more about this great program at the Leelanau Children's Center web site.
The Leelanau Township Chamber and the village of Northport invite you to their 4th Annual Winter Carnival. The event is free and will be held on Saturday (Feb 23) from 11 AM - 5 PM at Bramen Hill (on Morningside Drive off West Third Street just out of Northport).
The day of family fun features cardboard sled races, milk jug curling, broomball, outhouse races, chili cook-off and a snowmobile poker run!
Learn more at the Leelanau Township Chamber web site - and check out a larger view of the poster to the right!
I learned that when they say 2 PM in Empire, they don't mean 2:03 PM!
Fortunately Jim was there and able to capture some great shots from the Polar Bear Dip at Empire Winterfest 2008.
The annual Empire Winterfest will be held next weekend (Feb 8-9). Highlights from past years have included a Friday night bonfire and ice skating on South Bar Lake, kids games, curling and the the legendary Polar Bear Dip on Saturday and the Winterfest Parade from the top to the bottom of Empire's Base Hill.
There's a whole bunch of information from Empire Winterfest 2007 on the Leelanau Blog. You can see more photos from the Empire Polar Bear Dip and check the Empire Chamber web site.
Photo: Extra Points for Sheer Insanity detail by Andy McFarlane
The annual Winter Fun Festival at the Cedar HillToppers Snowmobile Club will be held Sunday (Jan 20, 2008) from 2-4 PM. They stress "WEATHER PERMITTING!" and it looks like the weather WILL permit. Bring your sleds, toboggans, XC skis, snowshoes, or take a ride on a snowmobile or ATV. Great family fun, fresh air, and exercise!
Here is a map to the HillToppers Snowmobile Club at 7949 S. Schomberg Rd from Google Maps.
Photo Credit: Winter Carnival by Joel Gaff. You can view many more pics by Joel at Gaff Photography!
