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

There is a good chance you might catch sight of a lucky leprechaun on Sunday, March 14 at Kilkenny’s Irish Public House located at 400 West Front Street in Traverse City. The Lucky Leprechaun Ball, sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, features music, dancing and singing to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. This year, the event will also benefit The Father Fred Foundation.

“We are so fortunate to have the Ancient Order of the Hibernians supporting us through their Lucky Leprechaun Ball,” said Martie Manty, Executive Director of The Father Fred Foundation. “Because we do not accept any federal or state funding, community events like these are crucial in helping us provide food, clothing and financial assistance to our neighbors in crisis.”

Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for an evening full of fun events and live music by Song of the Lakes. Hopefuls of all ages are encouraged to join in the Danny Boy singing contest. This may be a step on your way to American Idol! An Irish Trivia Contest will be followed by the Couch Potato Auction, and an evening of music from The Wild Sullys is on the auction block for the House Concert Auction. The winning bidder will enjoy an hour of great entertainment at their place of business or residence.

“The Lucky Leprechaun Ball is designed to be very family-friendly; it’s smoke free and we’re offing a kid’s menu with items under $5. Admission is $10 for adults; free for kids under 16,” said Mike Sullivan, event organizer.

Tickets are available at Nolan’s Tobacco Shop, The Father Fred Foundation, NorthPeak, Kilkenney’s or at the door.

For those unable to attend this event, a secure donation can be made online at fatherfred.org, or mailed to The Father Fred Foundation, P.O. Box 2260, Traverse City, MI 49685-2260.

The Father Fred Foundation is a non-denominational charity providing food, clothing, household goods and financial assistance to families and individuals in crisis who live in the five county Grand Traverse region. Visit www.fatherfred.org or call (231) 947-2055 for more information.

The Northport-Omena Chamber of Commerce hosts the 6th Annual Winter Carnival. Come join the fun at Braman Hill Park on Saturday, February 27 when Northport throws off winter's cabin fever and celebrates the season at Braman Hill Park. It all begins at 11 a.m.

11-11:30 a.m. - Register for the Snowmobile Poker Run - $10.00 entry fee
11:30 a.m. - Nagonaba Foot Path dedication Remarks by committee member Andy Thomas followed by a Native American Blessing, ribbon cutting and unveiling of a trail sign.
11:45 - noon - Enter the Chili Contest with 6 quarts for tasting
Categories: traditional, combustible, wild game, vegetarian and white chili. $10.00 entry fee, $50 prize for the winner in each category.
12 – 2 p.m. - Chili Tasting - vote for your favorite
11:30 a.m. - Milk Jug Curling competition begins
12 noon - Broomball competition begins
12 – 4 p.m. - Free hot dogs and hot chocolate
12:30 p.m. - Race The Face Snowshoe Race
$5.00 entry fee. All racers will receive a T-Shirt and all profits from the race will be donated to the Northport Promise.
1 – 4 pm. - Brotherz Groove perform
2:00 p.m. - Cardboard Sled Race competition Northport Public School classes compete against each other.
3:00 p.m. - Northport Promise Winter Warm-Up Raffle Drawing
3:15 p.m. - Outhouse Race - $15.00 entry fee

Registration required for Poker Run, Chili Contest, Curling, Broomball, Race The Face and the Outhouse Race. Registration forms available at Scott’s Filling Station, Northport Fitness and Huntington Bank.

RSVP at the Northport Winter Carnival Facebook event page.

The 2nd Annual Great Indoor Folk Festival will take place on Saturday, February 13 in Building 50 at the Grand Traverse Commons.  The festival, which is family friendly and free,  will run from noon to 5:30.  There will be  6 different stages with over 60 musicians, including an open mic stage at Another Cuppa Joe and a stage at left Foot Charley winery.

The Northern Express reports that the festival started as an experiment last year.

Correll and fellow songwriter Bob Downes of the Acoustic Dynamite band organized the festival last year to boost the profile of folk music in the region. As crowds packed the halls of Building 50 throughout the day, the organizers knew their iffy experiment was a ‘hit.’

Merchants at Building 50 also vow to be better prepared for the eventhis year, offering suggestions for Valentine’s Day shoppers as well as a range of food and beverage options. The “stages” at Building 50 are actually just nooks and crannies of the Mercato shopping corridor, with performers located just a few feet away from the audience. The cozy venue offers a sense of intimacy that’s well-suited for acoustic music.

Read more about the festival and see a line of up musicians in this week's article in the Northern Express. Or read it online!

Photo credit: Musicians. by John Levanen

The Annual Glen Arbor Winterfest takes place this Saturday, February 13. It features a Chili Cookoff at Boone Docks Deck in Glen Arbor (from 12 Noon until the chili is gone) and a perch fishing contest on Glen Lake sponsored by The Sportsman Shop (starting at 7 AM).

The event is sponsored by the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce and all net proceeds benefited the scholarship fund at the Glen Lake School. Here's some photos from last year.

Photo: Chili cook off Glen Arbor Days by 1Cher

Winter Festival will be held for families at the Cedar HillToppers Snowmobile Club on Sunday, January 24, from 1-3 pm.

Bring your winter toys, take a snowmobile ride, and roast marshmallows by the bonfire.

Great family fun, fresh air, and exercise!

Here is a map to the HillToppers Snowmobile Club at 7949 S. Schomberg Rd from Google Maps.

Here's a guest post from the Beechnut Review, the online literary magazine of Leland School.  Beechnut has been online since 1995, and in  December 2009 it switched formats to become an ongoing blog, with new stories on a regular basis.

The bees buzz quietly by the stairs, attracted to the scent of lady slippers. Sand is lightly dusted across each worn wooden step, making my running shoes slide as I jog. The leaves of the birch trees rustle in the slight afternoon breeze and a morning dove’s call fills the air. The trail is covered with twigs and fallen leaves, and the path descends sharply downhill. I run at an even pace, taking care not to trip on any hidden roots. The sun rays are filtering through the boughs of the trees, warming my shoulders.

It is the perfect summer day, and I am in the perfect place: Houdek Dunes hiking trail. The path opens up into a heavenly meadow. Knee-high ferns stretch into the distance for an acre, and the path is nearly invisible, almost completely covered by foliage. As I wind through the field, the tips of the ferns lightly graze my legs. After a steep incline, I have reached the sandy part of the trail. The temperature is noticeably higher here because of the lack of tree cover, and if I squint just right, I can pretend that I am in the middle of the Sahara. I sink into the dune, my pace becoming slow and laborious, and my shoes filling with sand. I crave a cool drink, but no such thing is available out here.

The looping trail leads me back to the shade of the forest, and I am grateful for the break from the hot sun. After rounding a sharp corner, I reach a tree that is easily as tall as a two-story building, and over one-hundred years old. Beneath its ancient limbs rests a smooth wooden bench, donated by some charitable soul. But there is no time to rest today: I bypass the welcoming bench, and continue on home.

If you have comments, please share them here and on the original post.

The Traverse Area Photography Club is hosting their 11th annual Student Photography Competition.

The Record Eagle reports:

Geared to spark young photographers, these enticing words blaze from posters advertising the 11th annual Student Photography Competition. A yearly event hosted by the Traverse Area Camera Club, the contest is open to students in grades 9-12 in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Wexford counties.

With an entry deadline of Jan. 26, students are invited to enter up to three photos in the following categories: landscapes and waterscapes, architecture, human interest and photographer's choice. Printed photos may be film or digital, black and white or color, Photoshopped or straight up -- the sky's the limit. Entries should be unframed and unmatted; it's all about the image.

For more information, read the rest of the Record Eagle article here. Or visit the Traverse Area Photography Club's website! Good luck to all the students!

Photo credit: Haven Steinebach, TC West Junior

The Best for Kids Committee in Northport is hosting a Holiday Bake Sale and Bazaar This Saturday, Dec 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Willowbrook Mill, 201 Mill St., in downtown Northport.

All proceeds will benefit the two locations of the Leelanau Children's Center.

There will be cookies, pies, cakes, coffeecakes, candy, bark and snack mixes (just to name a few), all individually wrapped and priced. There will also be vendors selling local jams, jellies, relishes and maple products, along with floral arrangements, wreaths and books. A "grandmother's table" will feature handmade hats, gloves, mittens and more and there will be handmade child-size aprons and nightgowns.

Hugh Willey will be playing the piano during the bazaar, including many Christmas favorites. For more information, call Sue O'Connor, 386-7992.

Photo credit: Festive snowman. by John Levanen

Suttons Bay is stepping back in time for the Christmas in the Village on Dec 6. The Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce are asking patrons to dress in Dicken's era costumes. A contest will be held, and the winner will be reimbursed for their shopping that day, up to $250. The winner will be chosen prior to the tree lighting a 5:00 in the 5th/3rd parking lot. The costume contest winner also gets to ‘flip the switch’ to turn on the lights.

As tradition, Enerdyne will have their annual Antlers & Elves with real live reindeer from 12:30 - 3:30. Santa will be at Silvertree from 2:30 - 4:30. Also, don't miss the Christmas Concert at the Congregational Church at 3:00.

“Suttons Bay is blessed with a wonderful turn of the century back drop which gives the village its special charm” said Pat Cookman, owner of Enerdyne. “We as retailers and restaurateurs will be dressing up and we want to encourage as many of our visitors to do so too”

“The effect will be magical. It will be like experiencing Christmas a hundred years ago. There be mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and wandering carolers. It will be a very special day."

Photo: The Painted Bird. by John Levanen

The Leelanau Children’s Choir and Leelanau Youth Ensemble will perform their 17th annual Madrigal Concert on Friday December 4th and Saturday December 5th at the Northport Community Arts Center.

Performance times are 7:30 pm. The choirs will perform a variety of Christmas carols, both old and new, in the manner of a medieval celebration complete with period costuming and a boar’s head procession. A holiday cookie reception will follow each performance.

The choirs are directed by Margaret Bell and accompanied by Diantha Naftali. The choirs showcase the voices of 50 students selected by audition from Leelanau County schools, home schools, and TC West. Leelanau Children’s Choir and the Leelanau Youth Ensemble are generously supported by the Northport Community Arts Foundation.

Ticket prices are $15 for adults and $5 for students. Children under five are admitted free. Tickets are on sale now at Leelanau Books in Leland, The Painted Bird in Suttons Bay, Dog Ears Books in Northport, and at the Northport Community Arts Center.

Photo: Trees in Snow ~~ by KT of Lake Orion