The Leelanau News Blog
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The annual Manitou Music Festival Dune Concert takes place next Sunday (July 13, 2008) at 7 PM at the Sleeping Bear Dune Climb. This year is the 10th Annual (amazing) and the theme is Two Cellos Ride the Dunes: Crispin Campbell & Eugene Friesen. Crispin Campbell is the former MMF Artistic Director and Eugene Friesen is a cellist with the Paul Winter Consort. Also, a six-piece string and percussion ensemble will perform Campbell’s blues and original improvisations and Friesen’s South American arrangements.

Pack a picnic and be sure to attend this concert in one of the world's most beautiful concert settings. Visit the Manitou Music Festival web site and/or check out photos on Flickr from the Manitou Music Festival.

You can get a nice photo of the "nosebleed seats" at the dunes right here and there's also a photo gallery from 2005 on the Song of the Lakes web site.

Got something to say? Click over to the July 2008 Page. For today's weather, weather links, this week's events, a new weekly photo and comments, click the "more" link.

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The Leelanau Community Cultural Center Artist's Market takes place every year on the second Saturday of July - Saturday July 12th 2008 from 10 AM - 5 PM. There will be upwards of 70 booths on the lawn and inside of the Old Art Building, including food booths and a free kid's booth.

Call 231-256-2131 or visit the all-new Old Art Building web site for details, and also check out our Leelanau on Location entry for the Old Art Building!

photos by Keith Burnham/Leland Report

Through a variety of sources, we've come up with our Leelanau Fourth of July event listing. Did we miss something? Post a comment letting us know below!

• Leland Patriotic Sing on the Village Green at 8 PM on July 3rd
• Leland Fireworks on Tuesday, July 3rd
• July 4th Flag Raising at Old Settlers Park, 10 AM
• Glen Arbor parade at 12:15 PM on July 4th
• Leland parade at 3 PM on July 4th
• Glen Lake Boat Parade, 3:30 PM at the Glen Lake Yacht Club, Big Glen Lake on July 4th
• Village Voices (7 PM - 9 PM) in Northport, July 4
• Fireworks at Northport on July 4th

Photo courtesy Rick Lahmann/Leland Chamber of Commerce

PS: If you like fireworks, check out these pictures from the Detroit Freedom Festival show on Michigan in Pictures - amazing!!

The Leelanau Enterprise reports that this Sunday (Jun 29) from 11 AM - 3 PM is the fourth annual Kids Fishing Day at the former Veronica Valley Golf Course (map). They say that while the state has been slow in forwarding funds for the sale to the county as a park, owners Bill and Diane Grant are holding the free event. Because bluegills are so aggressive, kids are pretty much guaranteed to catch some:

Many of the bluegills planted in past years have held over. They are found in such abundance that growth is starting to stunt.

DNR fish biologist Todd Kalish said 1,310 bluegills were planted this year in the ponds on the Grant property, most going 6-7 inches. A few were larger...

In addition, 25 rainbows that went up to 14 inches and weighed up to 2 pounds were planted, and should be available.

...More than 30 volunteers will be on hand to help in any way they can, from tying on hooks to taking off fish. Everything is free, including hot dogs, pop and potato chips

Photo: Nice...Boy with Giant Salmon Card by UpNorth Memories - Don Harrison

The annual Cedar Polka Festival runs Thursday through Sunday (July 3-6). Highlights include a parade on Saturday at noon, softball tournament, a polka mass and (of course) polka under the big, big tent with the big names of polka.

Thursday, July 3, 2008
The 27th annual Cedar Polka Festival begins with the flag raising ceremony at 5:00 p.m. Music and dancing begins immediately after the ceremony. Musicians are The Diddle Styx (Grand Rapids, MI) and Prime Time (Junction City, WI) and will alternating hourly until 1 am.

Friday, July 4, 2008
Music and dancing beings at 2 pm with Prime Time. From 5:30 pm until 1 am John Stevens' Doubleshot (Swayersville, PA) will alternate hourly with New Brass Express (Bad Axe, MI).

Saturday, July 5, 2008
Polka Fest Parade beings at noon at the Solon Twp. Hall. All participants should be at the Solon Twp. Hall by 11:30 am sharp.

Music and dancing begins at 2 pm with John Stevens' Doubleshot. From 5: 30 pm until 1 am dance to the music of New Brass Express, alternating with C.J. & The Krue (Grand Rapids, MI).

Sunday, July 6, 2008
Polka Mass celebrated with Bishop Cooney begins at 11 am under the tent. Music is provided by Pan Franek & Zosia Polka Towners (Muskegon, Michigan). Music and dancing resumes at 1 pm with Pan Franek & Zosia POlka Towners alternating with C.J. & The Krue.

Admissions (per person)
Thursday - $5.00
Fri. & Sat. - $10.00
Sunday - $5.00
3 Day Pass - $20.00
Ages 13-20 - 1/2 price when accompanied by parent
Ages 12 & Under - Free when accompanied by parent

Bands subject to change. Space available for rent on the tennis court.

For Info Phone: (231) 228-3378 or (231) 228-5562

2009 Polka Fest Dates: July 2, 3, 4, & 5

The photo is Polka Dancing in Krakow by beastiekeith.

Check out the Library of Congress Local Legacies

and the Leelanau.com/map Cedar Polka Fest location

The annual Leelanau Children's Center Silent Auction takes place on Friday, June 27, 2008 from 6-10 PM at Gill's Pier Vineyard and Winery (on M22/North of Leland). Tickets are $10 advance ($15 door). The event is one of the major fundraisers supporting preschool programs in both Leland & Northport and features a wide range donated items, fantastic food, music and mingling with friends!

A new twist this year is an online portion to their Silent Auction - click here to bid online through eBay!

For more information or to reserve tickets, contact LCC at 231-256-7841 or visit the Leelanau Children's Center web site.

The River at Crystal Bend in Glen Arbor features Miniature Golf, Carriage Rides, Free Wireless, Birthday Parties, Rustic Trading Post & More!

Latest Giveaway!

The last question was apparently too easy, so here's a tougher one:

Who was the first European explorer to record a sighting of the Sleeping Bear, when did they sight it and what did they call it in their native tongue?

Be the first person to post a comment below with the answer below and you'll receive SIX FREE ROUNDS OF GOLF AT THE RIVER!

Past Giveaways

• The first question was the year that John LaRue moved from South Manitou Island to set up a trading post at Sleeping Bear Bay and Mark Haveman had the correct answer of 1848

The Heartwood Furniture & Fine Art Show, an annual showcase of handmade furniture and art by Northern Michigan's finest artisans benefiting the Leelanau Community Cultural Center, will be held this weekend (June 20-22, 2008) at the Old Art Building in Leland.

The Opening Reception takes place on Friday from 6-8 PM and the exhibition continues on Saturday from 10 AM - 6 PM and Sunday from 10 AM - 4 PM. The show features hand crafted furniture by Matt Joppich, Joe Buteyn, Joe Stearns, Bob Purvis, Jim Rantala, Larry Hammond, fine art by Mary Fuscaldo, Kaye Krapohl, Angela Schuler, Sue Quinlan, E.P. Lewandowski and woodturning by Larry Skendzel. Artists will be on hand throughout the weekend to greet the public.

Click for a large view of the 2008 poster!

Update from Jolynn Paige of Paige Pro Communications!

Over 300 people attended the 15th anniversary gala celebration of the Leelanau Children's Choir and Youth Ensemble, under the stellar direction of Margaret Bell. Approximately 70 students, some returning alumnae, performed at Northport Community Arts center last Friday evening (June 20th). The audience was thoroughly entertained by several of costume changes and crowd pleasing favorites from current broadway musical hits ranging from Les Miserables to Wicked. Guest singer Guy Molnar brought his professional stage talent to the spotlight as he sang "All Good Gifts" from Godspell and "Mr. Cellophane" from Chicago.

Smiles and hugs abounded, and a fabulous, classy catered event (Silvertree) following the concert brought people together under a candle-lit canopy. Guests were serenaded by a string trio and munched on local strawberries covered in chocolate and other Leelanau County local delicacies.

The board of the LCC/LYE gave out three generous scholarships to graduating seniors Hans Dalton, Sophia Mosher, and Juliana Lisuk. This tradition will now be continued in future years.

(pic 1) Sophia Mosher, Juliana Lisuk, and Hans Dalton, all graduating seniors, received generous scholarships from the board of the LCC/LYE.

(pic 2) Juliana Lisuk receives a hug and a scholarship from director Margaret Bell.

The Leelanau Children's Choir and Leelanau Youth Ensemble celebrate 15 years of music under the direction of Ms. Margaret Bell with a special concert this Friday (Jun 20) at 7:30 PM at the Northport Community Arts Center. The concert will feature current and returning members of the choirs and special guest artist, Guy William Molnar.

An afterglow reception to celebrate this milestone will follow the concert. Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $5.00 for students 18 years and under. You can call 231.883.SING or visit the Leelanau Children's Choir and Youth Ensemble web site for more information.