The Glen Arbor Sun has a great writeup on the strongest storm in Great Lakes history, the October Storm of 2010 with 60+ MPH winds, waves over 20' in Lake Michigan and countless people without power.
While the storm boasted intense winds and rock-bottom low pressure, it pales in comparison to the deadliest storm ever experienced in the Great Lakes happened nearly 100 years ago. Known as the "Freshwater Fury" or the "White Hurricane", it was a blizzard packing hurricane-force winds that ravaged the Great Lakes November 7-10, 1913. With the sinking of 19 ships, the stranding of another 19 and a death toll of at least 250, it remains the deadliest and most destructive natural disaster in Great Lakes history.
“No lake master can recall in all his experience a storm of such unprecedented violence with such rapid changes in the direction of the wind and its gusts of such fearful speed! Storms ordinarily of that velocity do not last over four or five hours, but this storm raged for sixteen hours continuously at an average velocity of sixty miles per hour, with frequent spurts of seventy and over.
Obviously, with a wind of such long duration, the seas that were made were such that the lakes are not ordinarily acquainted with. The testimony of masters is that the waves were at least 35 feet high and followed each other in quick succession, three waves ordinarily coming one right after the other.
Read more about this storm and see a slideshow of the damage and video of the ships that were lost in Freshwater Fury: The Great Storm of 1913on Absolute Michigan.
We at Leelanau.com would like to encourage you to get out and VOTE today! Over at Absolute Michigan, we have a 2010 Michigan Election Resources page that gives some great information and links to help you make your decision on statewide issues.
TV 7&4 has a nice feature on Leland High School's Mock Election, a bi-annual affair that drew over 1000 area students to learn about and meet candidates for office. A Leland student (who I'm pretty sure I know) produced this video from the 2008 Mock Election that gives you a taste of what this 20 year old program is all about.
The musical OLIVER, directed by Jeremy John Evans, hits the Leland stage November 5th–7th and 12th –14th. Tickets may be reserved in advance or purchased at the door. For tickets, call 256-9857 ext 3895. $8 adults, $5 students.
A cast of fifty Leland students grades 3-12 bring to life the classic Dickens' characters of Oliver, Dodger, Nancy and Fagin. Oliver opened London in 1960, where it became the longest running production, playing for 2,619 performances. The music and the lyrics are written by Lionel Bart and you can get a classic number from movie of the musical.
Tomorrow night (Friday, Oct 22) be sure to head to Suttons Bay for the Suttons Bay Area Chamber of Commerce's Fall Finale Art Walk from 5 pm - 9 pm. Visit participating village galleries & shops hosting award winning regional artists, sample wines from Leelanau County's wineries and have a chance to win a $250 village shopping spree!
There will also be a one-night special Leelanau Farmers Market in Suttons Bay during the Art Walk downtown in front of the Ice Cream Factory!
The Leland Michigan Chamber of Commerce hosts their annual Fall Frenzy, a huge, end-of-season sale from participating business merchants held from 10 am - 5 pm this Saturday, Oct 23. Cider, doughnuts, special sales for the end of the season in Fishtown.
A favorite activity this time of year in Leland is watching the fish jump the dam, and if you can't get there, here's a video from Michael Drinian!
Facebook is a great way to connect with people who love Leelanau and Northern Michigan, and we'll be featuring some of our favorite Facebook pages on the Leelanau blog. Of course you are invited to share them on the Leelanau.com Facebook page as well!
While sensible people tend to shun the waters of Lake Michigan in October, many of the folks who frequent Northern Michigan Surf on Facebook are excited because the real surfing season is in full swing!
The heart of the page are updates from the admin and others about where the waves are likely to be breaking. You can also let others know where you'll be surfing - a great thing because surfing in the fall (or really any time there are big waves) is not something that you want to do alone.
You can check out some great photos that folks have taken and share your own. They also have a cool video that you'll want to check out!
You're invited to Leland for a special one night sale this Wednesday (Oct 6), with shops & restaurants throughout the village offering sales, fun and refreshments
One of Leelanau County’s more famous geographical landmarks is known as The Whaleback, Carp Point or simply Whaleback. This distinctive point juts into Lake Michigan just south of Leland and forms the north point of Good Harbor Bay. When viewed from the north or south along the shoreline or just offshore, it is shaped like a beached whale, but I was told as a kid that Whaleback is actually named for its resemblance to a style of ship common on the Great Lakes called a whaleback.
Technically, Whaleback is a moraine, having been formed by earth and stones deposited there by a glacier. Specifically, The Whaleback is a drumlin, defined as “a long, oval mound of boulder clay molded by glacial action.”
Whaleback is protected by the Leelanau Conservancy as the Whaleback Natural Area. It's a beautiful trail leading up onto the bluffs looking out over Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands. The trail is steep so be prepared, but the view is worth the effort of the climb. The Whaleback trail snakes through an area that is home not only to a variety of animals, but also, in the spring, to vast swaths of forest flowers such as trillium and columbine.
Cool things to do on the climb: spot trillium and columbines in the spring, spot freighters passing by when you reach the top, try to name the islands you see.
Spring Specialties: thimble berries, bird-watching Summer Surprises: monarchs on milkweed Fall Fun: brilliant colors Winter Wonders: cross-country skiing, snowshoeing
Over on Absolute Michigan we've posted Michigan Invasive Species: Asian Carp that takes a look at what is likely the greatest threat to fishing in Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes that we've seen. Imported by Mississippi catfish farmers in the 70s, Asian carp escaped during flooding in the 1990s and have marched up the river to the point where their knocking at the door in Chicago (they may have even passed through). Asian Carp and the Great Lakes from the Great Lakes EPA says:
Asian Carp are a significant threat to the Great Lakes because they are large, extremely prolific, and consume vast amounts of food. They can weigh up to 100 pounds, and can grow to a length of more than four feet. They are well-suited to the climate of the Great Lakes region, which is similar to their native Asian habitats.
Researchers expect that Asian carp would disrupt the food chain that supports the native fish of the Great Lakes. Due to their large size, ravenous appetites, and rapid rate of reproduction, these fish could pose a significant risk to the Great Lakes Ecosystem.
Fishing is big business in Leelanau and Michigan and an even bigger part of what makes us a premier tourist destination. I'll leave you with a request to talk with your elected representatives about doing everything they can to stop this invader. Here's a frightening video of Asian carp in action.
Update (Sept 9): There are still 3 Leelanau Farmers Markets open this weekend: in Northport on Friday mornings and in Empire and Suttons Bay on Saturday Morning. And lots of great produce and products available. Apples anyone? See the complete list on their website and check them out on Facebook!
2010 Leelanau Farmer's Markets are underway in Glen Arbor, Lake Leelanau, Leland, Northport and Suttons Bay. They offer you a chance to get out and connect with farmers and other folks who produce food in Leelanau County. You can also connect with Leelanau Farmer's Markets on Facebook!
Tuesdays in Glen Arbor
9 am—1 pm
June 15—Aug 31
Location: Downtown, behind the Glen Arbor Township Hall
Thursdays in Leland
9 am—Noon
June 17– Sept 2
Location: Parking lot,across from the Bluebird Restaurant
Fridays in Northport
9 am—1 pm
June 18—Sept 17
Location: The Depot, next to the marina
Saturdays in Suttons Bay
9 am—1 pm
May 15—Oct 16
Location: Ice skating rink, corner of Lincoln & Broadway Streets
Saturdays in Empire
9 am—1 pm
June 12—Sept 25
Location: Downtown, next to the Post Office
Sundays in Lake Leelanau
10 am—2 pm
June 13—Sept 5
Location: Parking lot, next to Kejara’s Bridge Restaurant
Taste the Local Difference is a comprehensive guide that includes farm, farm market, CSA, winery and other listings with addresses, phone numbers and an index to seasonal food availability.
The annual Leland Heritage Celebration takes place September 18 & 19. 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
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!"
The Glen Arbor Sun has a great writeup on the strongest storm in Great Lakes history, the October Storm of 2010 with 60+ MPH winds, waves over 20' in Lake Michigan and countless people without power.
The musical OLIVER, directed by Jeremy John Evans, hits the Leland stage November 5th–7th and 12th –14th. Tickets may be reserved in advance or purchased at the door. For tickets, call 256-9857 ext 3895. $8 adults, $5 students.
