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This photo shows Bill Carlson tending the smoker in Fishtown, sometime in the 1970s. It was taken by Paul Serratoni, and the funny thing is that it's not all that different today.

One of the reasons for that is the work of the Fishtown Preservation Society. You can help support their work through the Benefit Brunch at the Bluebird next Sunday (October 23) from 10 AM - 2 PM.

For $30/person, you can enjoy a buffet brunch with your choice of mimosa / bloody mary / wine, plus door prizes, music and fun – and all while supporting Fishtown preservation efforts! Click the link above for more information and ticket locations or to purchase your tickets online.

The Leelanau Historical Museum, Leland Chamber of Commerce, and Old Art Building hold their annual celebration of Leland's history next Saturday (Sep 17). Via the Leland Michigan website:

The annual Leland Heritage Celebration takes place September 17. This annual event is free and open to the public. Highlights include the Leelanau Historical Museum's "Wooden Boats on the Wall", Van's Garage antique car show, and the Fishtown Preservation Society offering music and festivities in Fishtown.

There will also be an exhibit titled "Windows on Leelanau; Past, Present, and Future" will be the featured for the Leelanau Community Cultural Center at the Old Art Building. Exhibit hours are 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 12 to 4 pm on Sunday. The exhibit will feature original works of art using the window as a view on Leelanau. Artists will use the window as a metaphor beyond its mere architectural aspect. This will be a fun and creative exhibit by Leelanau artists.

The Leland Township Library gets into the act as well with their annual Fall Used Book Sale on the lawn at the Library. They will be featuring a display of the books of Leelanau County authors and books about Leelanau County. Library Director Sylvia Merz says, "We are always amazed at the number of authors who either currently or once upon a time called Leelanau County home. We’ve pulled as many volumes as we have and they will be featured on Saturday for visitors to browse and check out as they enjoy the events!"

Also check out the Leland Heritage Celebration photo gallery for photos from past celebrations.

2010 Winner Topher Fast

On Saturday, September 3rd, at 9 am, Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear (PHSB) will host the second annual Port Oneida Barn to Barn Run/Walk – a 5K on the Bayview Trail in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Sleeping Bear Dunes were recently voted as the most beautiful place in America by Good Morning America. "What ABC didn't mention in their wonderful coverage, is that in addition to its magnificent natural beauty, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore also boasts ‘one of the most prized historic landscapes in the nation' – an honor, and a treasure that contributes to this most beautiful place", said Susan Pocklington, Director of the nonprofit park partner.

The race starts and finishes at the Charles Olsen Farm located right off the trail in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District, 3 miles north of Glen Arbor on M-22. The course meanders through the Port Oneida Rural Historic District, passing old farmsteads and panoramic views of Lake Michigan. Kids can join in the fun too with a 1/4 mile Kids Dash to the Schoolhouse.

Pre-registration is $20 through August 27th and $30 after that. The event will be limited to 300 participants this year. For registration and details, visit www.phsb.org, or contact 231-334-6103.

We try to post positive stories on Leelanau.com, and there's no question that photos like this strike a chord for many as they think fondle of their childhood fishing memories or teaching their grandchildren how to fish.

I think it's important that everyone spend a little time learning about the major threats facing the Great Lakes from Invasive species. Read on for a great feature from IPR's Peter Payette and a little of Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs exploring a new threat from an invasive species we have been able to control until recently, the sea lamprey.
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The Glen Lake Association (GLA) is one of four recipients of a 2011 National Fish Habitat Action Plan Award, given for extraordinary achievement in Fish Habitat Conservation. GLA lake biologist Rob Karner  explains:

"There are seven GLA projects on which this national award was based. Each is an important part of resource conservation and protection. Without the commitment and oversight by the lake association, water quality and these other environmental initiatives would not exist."

The Glen Lake Association uses numerous outreach and educational campaigns to protect the Glen Lake watershed from aquatic invasive species, physical habitat degradation, and water quality impairment while promoting aesthetic and recreational enjoyment to riparians and the public. Last year the 800 member grassroots organization was named "Michigan Inland Lake Steward of the Year Award" by the Michigan Lake and Stream Associations in 2008.

You can learn about these programs right here. For additional information on the work of the Glen Lake Association and ways to become involved, visit www.glenlakeassociation.com or call 231 334.7645.

Photo Credit: - Glen Lake, Empire, Michigan. by creed_400 - get it background big right here!

Last year the Leelanau Conservancy purchased the Sonny Swanson Farm along with 90 acres including 73 acres of wetlands and 2000 feet of shoreline on Little Traverse Lake. One of the Conservancy's goals was to see agriculture return to the 15-acre farmstead. Numerous local farmers applied and Ben Brown's business plan was selected. The Conservancy explains that:

The bearded, bespectacled Brown, 27, earned a degree in Ecological Agriculture from the University of Vermont in 2007. He has apprenticed or worked on seven different farms—from family operated CSAs in Pennsylvania to cherry orchards on Old Mission Peninsula. Most recently he has worked growing vegetables for Leelanau Cultured Veggies, while running his new business Haymaker Poultry Co. on rented land. .

...The Conservancy's Board recently approved a 30-month lease with an option to buy possible after 24 months, if both parties are satisfied with the arrangement at the time. As for Brown, he can't wait to get going. "I've been looking for something to call my own," says Brown. "Something permanent." The agreement is expected to be signed soon.

The young farmer hopes to be stocking the famous yellow stand with at least a few varieties of vegetables this summer and is allowed to also bring in 50% of what he sells from other local farms too. But his main source of income will come from small-scale, grass-fed poultry raised on site that will also help restore the land's fertility and eliminate the need for any fertilizer or chemicals. Chickens and turkeys will graze in the fresh air in moveable, open pens, foraging for insects, grazing on rotated crops, while simultaneously enriching the soil. The result: hormone-free, antibiotic-free chickens and turkeys he will sell right from the farm. (To receive an order form to purchase a fresh bird – available every two weeks June through October, email Ben/Haymaker Poultry Co. at shasta707@yahoo.com.)

The public is invited to a community conversation about Natural Resources and the Economy on February 23rd asking the question: Is a View of the Bay Worth More Than Half the Pay?

How important do you think natural resources are to the future of our economy? Join business leaders and the Grand Vision Natural Resources Network for a panel presentation and community conversation on Wednesday, February 23rd from 6:00 – 9:00 pm to discuss how these resources help to drive our region’s prosperity. The event will be held at the Oleson Center in Traverse City, located on the main campus of Northwestern Michigan College. It is being hosted by the Natural Resources Network of the Grand Vision, which includes businesses, civic , and environmental organizations.

The event will feature opening remarks by Derek Bailey, Tribal Chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians; a panel discussion with Jim MacInnis, President and CEO of Crystal Mountain Resort, Matt Myers, Co-Owner of M-22, Deborah Wyatt Fellows - Publisher of Traverse, Northern Michigan’s Magazine, Kim Pontius, Executive Vice President of the Traverse Area Association of Realtors and Gene LaFave, Developer.

Panelists will share their perspectives on the importance of natural resources to the success of business in our region and then participants in the event will be invited to join break out groups to discuss the following questions as they relate to different topics such as recreation and access to nature, regulatory frameworks, education, energy, food, transportation, and housing.

Snacks will be served and door prizes, including several wildlife prints, will be awarded. There is no fee to participate, but pre-registration is encouraged due to limited space. You may register by contacting The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, 231-935-1514 Ex. 4 or by e-mail todbaker@gtbay.org. On-site registration on the day of the event begins at 5:30pm.

Photo Credit: Pyramid Point from Van's Beach in Leland by Trish P. - K1000 Gal

The Glen Arbor Sun reminds you that today (December 17) is the last day to provide community input on Port Oneida to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It's too late for regular mail but you can You can submit comments on the Park’s website today! Sun editor Jacob Wheeler writes:

The Port Oneida Rural Historic District — the picturesque tapestry of late 19th century farms, fields and rolling hills, just east of Glen Arbor on M-22 — will soon have a Cultural Landscape Management Plan, which Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (the local branch of the National Park Service, or NPS) will develop together with an Environmental Assessment.

“The purpose of the Plan,” according to a Park press release, “is to explore the various ways in which the NPS might preserve cultural landscapes in the District in order to protect cultural resources and provide for visitor interpretive and recreational opportunities.”

But first, the Park wants public comments on how to best to preserve and celebrate Port Oneida. The National Lakeshore is especially interested in how you envision the landscape looking many years from now. Will some fields be allowed to return to mature forest? Will some fields be cultivated or planted with cover crops?

Photo Credit: Basch Rd by Marty Hogan

While many people look at the snow & cold as a downside of the Leelanau Peninsula, this Leelanau Conservancy Why Leelanau? video celebrates the season with photos and comments from people about why they love Leelanau in the winter. Thanks to the Glen Arbor Sun for tipping us off!

The Grand Traverse Insider says that the Leelanau Conservancy has signed an option to purchase Sonny Swanson's farm and has until Jan. 31, 2011, to raise the $900,000 needed to complete the transaction.

The old farm stand along M-22 near Sugarloaf has stood there since it was built in 1931, and in spite of the changing times, visitors and locals alike knew they could depend on farmer Sonny Swanson to keep the pale yellow stand stocked with fresh strawberries, sweet corn, squash, and pumpkins in season.

They also appreciated, and honored his trust in them – his cash box, with its hand-lettered sign reading: “God knows everything. Thank you for being honest,” reminded everyone that they were worthy of trust, and most of the time, they were...

“This land is special to us and to the people in the area for a lot of reasons,” Price said. “What you see from M-22 is just a small part of what we’re preserving.”

Wetlands cover most of the property, which also has 2,000 feet of natural shoreline along Little Traverse Lake, a ridge overlooking the lake, and a half-mile of road frontage along the M-22 Scenic Heritage Route.

Read more at the Insider and also on the Conservancy's web site, where you can donate to help the project.

Photo Credit: Untitled by Jenny Murray