Over on our Absolute Michigan web site, we're featuring Leelanau's own National Lakeshore in Dig Michigan: Sleeping Bear Dunes. It begins:
The October 21, 1970 Act of Congress that established the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore declared that "...the Congress finds that certain outstanding natural features, including forests, beaches, dune formations, and ancient glacial phenomena, exist along the mainland shore of Lake Michigan and on certain nearby islands in Benzie and Leelanau Counties, Michigan, and that such features ought to be preserved in their natural setting and protected from developments and uses which would destroy the scenic beauty and natural character of the area."
Before it's all over, you will have hopefully enjoyed the photos, maps and links and checked out 5 "must-do" ways to experience the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. (I'm hoping folks who know and love the Dunes can add many more tips for visitors!)
Check it out - I'm really happy with how it came out!
Photo: canyon of trees by metrolens
Color by Andy McFarlane (wallpaper sized)
News from the Week
The top story was unquestionably news that Sugar Loaf may have a buyer. The Record-Eagle reported that Brad Lutz, a seasonal Leelanau County resident, is close to finalizing a purchase agreement (we'll of course be following this story). In other news, we also looked at the BATA renewal that's on the ballot for Tuesday. Suttons Bay won the Regional Soccer title last week, but fell to Muskegon Western Michigan Christian 5-1 yesterday. Congratulations on a great season, Norsemen!
The Week's Weather
The weather was pretty darn late Octoberish. There's still a surprising amount of leaves on the trees though.
October 25, 2007: Mostly sunny & 50s (57Ëš/28Ëš)
October 26, 2007: Early suny, then clouds & 60 (60Ëš/33Ëš)
October 27, 2007: Rain & low 50s - not a great day (55Ëš/36Ëš)
October 28, 2007: Sunny & 40s (48Ëš/33Ëš)
October 29, 2007: Mostly sunny & 50s (57Ëš/36Ëš)
October 30, 2007: Sunny & 60s - a gorgeous day! (66Ëš/37Ëš)
October 31, 2007: Partly sunny, very windy, some rain & 50s (61Ëš/45Ëš)
Click for the Leelanau news archive from October 2006!
Dawn, Looking West Across Sutton's Bay by kiddharma
News from the Week
In a addition to a few fall events: the Suttons Bay Fall Art Walk and the Leland Fall Frenzy, we also noted a forum being held in Traverse City (tonight) that will explore controversy on the Michigan Supreme Court and featured another Leelanau blog, Stories of the Purple Plate, that seeks to help folks share their appreciation for others. That Fall Frenzy article also has a photo of M-22 just south of Leland that is available in wallpaper size.
The Week's Weather
The weather was up and down, with a gorgeous weekend and fall color that was pretty darn good.
October 18, 2007: Wind, rain, storms & 70s (75Ëš/57Ëš)
October 19, 2007: Early rain, the sun & low 60s (64Ëš/53Ëš)
October 20, 2007: Morning showers, then sunny & 60s (64Ëš/53Ëš)
October 21, 2007: Sunny, breezy & 70s - an amazing day! (75Ëš/61Ëš) just 3Ëš off the record!!
October 22, 2007: Mostly cloudy, some rain & 60s (69Ëš/46Ëš)
October 23, 2007: Cloudy, rainy & low 50s (55Ëš/43Ëš)
October 24, 2007: Mostly cloudy, scattered showers & 40s (48Ëš/41Ëš)
Click for the Leelanau news archive from October 2006!
The village of Leland invites you to visit this Saturday (Oct 27) for the annual Fall Frenzy - a day-long, town-wide, end of the season sale. Celebrate the end of the summer season in Leland and historical Fishtown with cider, doughnuts, and special sales.
Visit the Leland Chamber of Commerce for more about Leland's shops, stores & restaurants!
Photo: M-22 just south of Leland by Andy McFarlane (view bigger)
One of the highlights is the Empire Eagles' Field of Screams Haunted Hayride held this weekend and next (Oct 19 & 20 and 26 & 27) on M-72 just east of Gilbert Road. (more info)
Other Halloween events include:
- Haunted Lighthouse at the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum on October 20 & 21 from noon - 4 PM. Visit grandtraverselighthouse.com for details!
- Cedar's Halloween Haunted House on October 26, 27, 28 and Halloween night from 6-9 pm (at the south end of Nelson St - call 228-3426 for details)
- Glen Arbor Trick or Treating for Children on Sunday (Oct 28) - Glen Lake Chamber
- Children's Halloween Party at the Empire Town Hall on Halloween at 6 PM (call 326-5439)
If you know of any more, please post a comment below!
Oswegatchi by John Clement Howe
John adds some nice detail about Oswegatchi:
Oswegatchi, also known as the D.H. Day Farm, has long been a prominent landmark of what is now the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Oswegatchi? To read about D.H.Day and why he gave the farm this name visit these links from the National Park service: www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/dhdayfarm.htm
www.nps.gov/slbe/historyculture/dkhday.htm
News from the Week
Stories from the week included a look at a neat new blog called Northern Michigan Foodies that seeks to highlight our great local food & drink, a feature on the role of the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation in Leelanau County and the latest national mention of Leelanau, this one from MSNBC.com's fall color guide.
The Week's Weather
Last weekend and the early part of this week was simply amazing - sunny & temperatures in the 80s. Then things went south ... or north I guess into the 40s. Somewhere in there we missed that beautiful 60s to low 70s thing.
October 4, 2007: Sunny & upper 70s (78Ëš/46Ëš)
October 5, 2007: Sunny & 80s (84Ëš/57Ëš) Tied record high!
October 6, 2007: Partly sunny, some rain & upper 80s (87Ëš/66Ëš) Record high!
October 7, 2007: Mostly sunny & upper 80s (88Ëš/66Ëš) Another record high!!
October 8, 2007: Mostly sunny & upper 80s (88Ëš/64Ëš) Yet another record high!!!
October 9, 2007: Mostly cloudy, rain & 60s (71Ëš/46Ëš)
October 10, 2007: Wind, rain & upper 40s (53Ëš/44Ëš)
Click for the Leelanau news archive from October 2006!
The latest from the national desk is MSNBC.com's feature on the Leelanau Peninsula as the best destination for Michigan color in its Autumn in America series:
"Fall color? Right here!" says retired teacher Ann Hackett of the Leelanau Peninsula, the crooked pinky on the 'hand' of Lower Michigan. The maples and beeches are now starting to peak, she adds, "and the contrast with the pines is just beautiful.
To experience it, circumnavigate the peninsula on Highway M-22. From Traverse City, the road winds along the shores of Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan, passing historic sites, several wineries and the massive sand dunes of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Rolling hills and glacial moraines provide airy views of forests, beaches and the Manitou Islands.
Photo: Lonely tree in the morning by Jim Sorbie.
The Leelanau Enterprise reports that the Empire Area Museum will host their annual Heritage Day this Saturday (Oct 13) from 1-4 p.m. President and caretaker of the museum, Dave Taghon says:
“We’ll have people making apple cider, ice cream, butter, apple butter, maple sugar candy, sauerkraut and cement blocks,†he said. All the items will be made using turn of the (20th) century methods. Taghon said there will also be activities and entertainment with woodworking, live music, recorded old phonographs, music boxes and a player piano. Old classic cars, trucks and tractors will be on display as well.
...Empire Heritage Day is also designed for families, and anyone interested in putting on an historic display of old crafts, collections or vehicle may contact him at 326-5519.
This museum is one of the coolest things in Leelanau County - trust me, you'll be amazed!
Photo: Empire Area Museum by Andy McFarlane
Leelanau shore by Jeff Lamb
News from the Week
Stories from the week included a look at the proposed plans for the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. There are four alternatives being proposed by the Lakeshore and you can comment on them until October 19th. Events featured included the annual Fall for Art Gallery Tour.
The Week's Weather
The week's weather has been beautiful and it looks like we will have very good color this weekend but due to the warm nights, the peak will probably be around the 12th.
September 27, 2007: Partly sunny & upper 60s (68Ëš/45Ëš)
September 28, 2007: Sunny & low 60s (64Ëš/46Ëš)
September 29, 2007: Partly sunny & 70 (70Ëš/41Ëš)
September 30, 2007: Mostly cloudy, windy & upper 70s (78Ëš/64Ëš)
October 1, 2007: Mostly cloudy, misty rain & 70 (73Ëš/60Ëš)
October 2, 2007: Partly sunny & 70 (71Ëš/60Ëš)
October 3, 2007: Mostly sunny, windy & low 70s (73Ëš/54Ëš)
Click for the Leelanau news archive from September 2006 and October 2006!
You're invited to Leland for a special one night sale next Wednesday (Oct 3), with shops & restaurants throughout the village offering sales, fun and refreshments
Participating stores including Molly's, Blackbird, Whim du Jour, Manitou Outfitters, Leelanau Books, Harbor House Trading Co, Leland Toy Co, Tampico, River & Main, Americana Collection, Pixie Room, Cyber Espress-o, Sassi, The Bluebird, Fish Hook, Niki's Harbor Fare, Haystacks and Fishtown stores!
More about Leland on the Leland Chamber of Commerce web site. Photo courtesy Rick Lahman. View larger in the Fishtown photo gallery at lelandmi.com.
