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February is the time to celebrate winter in Northern Michigan and Leelanau County has three great festivals that do exactly that!

Just in: the Empire Winterfest takes place THIS Saturday (Feb 11) with activities including a Lion's Club Pancake Breakfast and the amazing Polar Bear Dip at 2 PM SHARP! It's sponsored by the Empire Chamber. Here's a slideshow of Empire Polar Bear dip photos from the Leelanau (dot com) pool!

Glen Arbor’s  annual ode to winter will take place again this year with the Glen Arbor Winterfest, on Saturday, February 18th!

The Glen Arbor Winterfest is sponsored by the Glen Lake/Sleeping Bear Chamber and takes place Saturday February 18. Highlights include a perch fishing contest, a chance to "fish" for deals at Glen Arbor stores and the Chili Cookoff at Boonedocks along with live music and plenty of warmth from the cozy wood-burning fire pits on the deck. Don't miss the video of the Cookoff courtesy Michael Buhler and the Glen Arbor Sun below!

The Northport-Omena Chamber of Commerce Winter Carnival takes place on Saturday, February 25th at Bramen Hill Recreational Area. They haven't updated it for 2012 yet but their Winter Carnival page has some pics!

If that's not enough, there's also the Cherry Capital Winter WOW Fest in Downtown Traverse City!

Michigan author Jerry Dennis shared this except from his new book The Windward Shore from University of Michigan Press with us on Absolute Michigan. It features Leelanau's Lake Michigan shore, so in case you missed it, here is is!

The Lake in Winter
by Jerry Dennis

(January, Cathead Point, near the tip of Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula)

It changes every day, every hour. It is a thousand lakes, changing faces with every shift in wind and light - flurried by offshore wind, whitecapped in squalls, colored flannel gray or pearl-white or stormy black beneath the winter clouds, a dozen blues when the sky is blue. (more...)

Jackson Atwater Thomson took this photo one year ago at Peterson Park, on the Lake Michigan shore near Northport. I don't have a photo from today, but let me assure you that snow is not something we have much of right now.

See it bigger and see more from the day right here.

This Sunday (December 11) at 3 PM the Northport Community Arts Center presents their annual Christmas Concert. The Northport Community Band and the Village Voices will combine their talents to bring you a seasonal "Holiday Highlights". Voices, keyboards, and instruments will join in bringing back special musical memories for all of us, plus a surprise or two.

Bring the kids, and plan to sing along on some of your favorites. This is definitely a relaxed and fun-filled evening for the whole family! To order tickets for this concert as well as season tickets and flex passbooks call their office at 231.386.5001, Monday through Friday, 10 am to 2 pm.

"Food was important to have on hand. When I was in the Guard, there was one keeper who knew we were coming and threw all his food out for the gulls. The wind shifted and blew like hell for four or five days--he had to go out to the beach and get what he could from the gulls. As a Group Commander, one of my rulings was to leave canned food in all the lights over the winter. People who got stuck in the ice could often make it to a lighthouse or crib and that food could save their lives."
~former GT Lighthouse resident Doug McCormick (from NMJ)

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse is located nine miles north of Northport, Michigan at the very tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. While the post of keeper was an arduous one in wintertime in the 1930s, it's an easier post now. The lighthouse is accepting applications to live in the historic lighthouse and be a winter or summer keeper for the 2012 season through their Keeper Program.

Keepers live in the fully furnished northern apartment of the lighthouse and have full access to the lighthouse tower which boasts amazing views of the Manitou Passage and Grand Traverse Bay. There are two bedrooms with twin beds, a full and half bath, a well appointed kitchen and large living room, all with views of the lake.

The regular program runs from May through November, and keepers are responsible for greeting visitors at the admissions desk and providing them with historical information. They also run the gift shop, and work on building and grounds maintenance, cleaning and other related lighthouse projects. They must be energetic, comfortable speaking with the public, in good health, able to climb stairs and be on duty 8 to 9 hours per day with breaks. There is a program fee of $195.00 per person per week.

The Winter Keeper Program runs from December through April. For $100.00 per night up to four people can stay at the lighthouse. There is a minimum two night stay. Children are welcome and families encouraged to visit. Although the museum and gift shop are closed to the public the grounds are open for cross country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, bird watching and other wintery activities. Lighthouse work projects will be expected from all keepers.

Get all the details at the link above or contact Lisa Drummond at the GTLM office at (231) 386-7195/progcoor@triton.net.

Photo Credit: Grand Traverse Light, Leelanau St Pk, MI by arrdubyazee

Halloween dates back to ancient Celtic times, and although modern celebrations may not resemble the ancient ones, they're still a favorite of kids and adults alike! Here's our list of weekend activities in Leelanau and the surrounding area. Did we miss something? Undoubtably - add it as a comment below!

The Grand Traverse Lighthouse invites you out this Friday or Saturday night and next for a ghost walk where you can learn the stories of those who once dwelt there. Click through to get details from them. Also next Saturday Oct 29 in Northport is a free Halloween Concert at the Northport CAC featuring the Northport Community Band, The Village Voices and others - wear a costume!

Glen Arbor Trick or Treating for Children happens on Sunday, October 30 from 1-4 pm. The Empire Chamber invites you to the Town Hall on Front Street Halloween night (Oct 31) from 6pm to 8 pm for a spooktacular time filled with games & treats.

From 5-9 PM Cedar's Haunted House will again be scaring people October 31 starting at 5:00 pm. Come see what everyone is talking about!

The Haunted Hayrides at Black Star Farms will scare even the bravest of goblins, and are offered October 21, 22, 28, and 29, from 7-10 pm. $10 per person. Please call 231.944.1251 to confirm if the weather is iffy!

The Riverside Inn in Leland has reported ghostly activities in year's past, and while we have no official word, you should probably check it out. You might also enjoy Jacob's Corn Maze on M-72.

Looking for something unusual to do on Halloween? Check out the Zombie Run, sponsored by TART, a 5K Run/Walk starting at 9am on Saturday, October 29 at Right Brain Brewery. You are invited to register as "Infected" or "Survivor." "Survivors" will be given a one-minute head start at the beginning of the race and will want to be prepared to RUN FOR THEIR LIVES before the infected pursue their morning snack.

If you're wanting a little Halloween spirit in your cup, how about Vicious, an American wheat IPA from North Peak that pays tribute to Michigan's legendary Dogman? Read about the Dogman from Weird Michigan & Absolute Michigan. If beer's not your thing, Michiganvine.com suggests Leelanau Wine Cellars Witches Brew as the perfect treat. The secret recipe is made with cinnamon, cloves and other natural spices and is best served by warming it gently in the microwave by the glass or by simmering it in a crock pot with a cinnamon stick for a true “witches brew.”

Photo: Noche de luna llena - Full moon night by Flowery *L*u*z*a*

Fall is here and the Northport Omena Chamber of Commerce invites you to Northport's annual Fall Festival this Saturday (Oct 15) from 11 - 4! The village is decorated for fall and the merchants are looking forward to greeting you when you visit. Enjoy the fall colors & decorations and dine at one of the local eateries. They will once again offer free rides on the horse-drawn wagonette, and local restaurants will be offering specials:

• Barb's Bakery - Pumpkin donuts and apple cider
• The Galley - A free order of breadsticks with any large pizza
• Garage Bar & Grill - Squash soup, roasted root vegetable salad, prime rib and apple crisp made with Kilcherman's apples.
• North End Eatery - A cup of butternut squash bisque, grilled cheese and a fountain drink for $8.00
• Stubbs - A full or half-rack of pork ribs at a reduced price
• Treasurer Chest - Boiled dinner soup (cabbage, ham, carrots etc.) and caramel apples

photo credit: KAScott_20111002_4456tmaBb by Ken Scott

I finally realized that I should post the great photos we have each week in our Almanac with a little more of an eye for posterity!

This week's photo is a panorama of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse by Ken Scott. Ken says that Sunday was an 'awesome cloud day'.

Check it out bigger or in his fantastic light'house's slideshow.

The annual Leelanau Peninsula  Wine, Food, & Music Festival will be held this Saturday, August 13 from noon to 6 PM at Haserot Park in Northport. The event features wines from the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas, one brewery and one hard cider vendor, music from Dawn Campbell and  food from area restaurants.  The $15 admission includes a souvenir glass and 2 wine-tasting tickets.  For more information visit the Leelanau Peninsula Chamber of Commerce or call 231.271.9895.

Also in Northport on Saturday is the annual Northport Dog Parade, which starts promptly at 1 PM. The theme for the 2010 Dog Parade in Northport is "Dog Gone With the Wind". The parade is open to all, but only those who have registered will be eligible for prizes. Advance registration is $5 and is available in Northport at Dog Ears Books, The Pot of Gold Re-sale Shop and the Old Mill Pond Inn. Late registration begins at noon on parade day and is $10 per dog. Judging takes place at the Mill Pond before the parade. Bring the kids, the dogs & the entire family.  Prizes for all!  For more information, please call David Chrobak at 231-386-7341.

via lpwines.com!

How Mario Batali Gets His Drink On In and Around Traverse City, Michigan from nation food magazine Bon Appetit features 5 of Mario's favorite Leelanau wines & ciders. There's Black Star Farms Arcturos Cabernet Franc which Batali names "the best Michigan wine ever", Gill's Pier Semi-Dry Riesling (recommended with pork with roast grapes), 45 North Winery Icebox Gewurztraminer (a succulent dessert wine with classic notes of apricot, honey, and ginger spice), Tandem Ciders Smackintosh "It's become my new drink, I drink cider as an aperitivo now. Even back in New York. Where they're all from France and they're not as awesome." and L. Mawby Cremant Classic NV, named "arguably the Leelanau Peninsula's signature wine".

There's also a more narrative & lengthy feature about how the rock-star chef spends his summers in Leelanau. Mario says:

The food scene has really exploded in the region. There are farmers' markets and hip-looking people farming and butchering. It's very cool. Even in Northport, our town of less than 1,000 people, there's a great weekly farmers' market in the summer. The chefs involved in the scene celebrate what's here; they're not trying to be anything they're not. Now people are coming for gastronomic tourism.

There's a whole lot more to read and he highlights Leelanau standards like Fishtown, the deck at the Cove, Boones in Suttons Bay and Pleva's Meats. These are really great features that tout what many folks have known for years - the wine and the food of the Leelanau Peninsula and the surrounding area have arrived.

The table is set, come on up and check it out!

Photo credits: Apples & a Growler by Trish P. - K1000 Gal