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"One lifetime isn't enough to learn a county, a town, even a backyard"
~Jerry Dennis

Local author Jerry Dennis has a new book out. Titled The Windward Shore, it explores winter in Great Lakes country and the issues facing our beloved lakes, complete with illustrations from artist Glenn Wolff.

Outdoor writer Dave Richey says:

Jerry Dennis is a natural treasure, and he keeps writing new and more wonderful books. Fitting him into a specific category can be a bit difficult because he is at once, an outdoor writer, a conservationist, a nature lover, a dreamer, who develops words of magic that capture the soul and spirit of those of us lucky enough to live near the Great Lakes.

Winter around Lake Michigan may hardly seem a great topic for a book, but once Dennis sank his teeth into this tasty morsel that he and I both call home, and the result is the magic of this book about the area, the lives of nearby inhabitants, and stories painted by word pictures about this snow and ice-bound area. He teaches us about living in a log cabin along Lake Superior, more about desolate and wind-swept beaches, the power and the magnetic pull a winter storm has on those of us who stay here all winter rather than heading south with other snowbirds.

Dennis gracefully takes us along with him as we plod along frozen shorelines, listen as the surf pounds at shelves of ice, and we hear and feel the moan of an angry wind as it lashes the North County. We see, feel, hear, taste and touch winter along the Great Lakes, and we rejoice with the author as he examines everything about winter in this area.

Definitely check this book out - Jerry is one of the best! FYI, the book trailer was produced by Jerry's son Aaron of Stone Hut Studios - definitely a good idea to encourage your kids to be creative!

From the Glen Arbor Sun:

Tom Van Zoeren has published a new booklet about the Port Oneida Rural Historic District in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore north of Glen Arbor, titled The Thoreson Farm and Its Neighbors, which, Tom says “is based mainly on oral history recordings with Leonard Thoreson, and on his photo collection.”

The book starts with Leonard’s ancestors and the beginnings of the farm, continues through his boyhood there, the eventual sale of the farm, and its inclusion in the National Lakeshore (which is part of the National Park Service).

Thoreson Farm includes a few pages about the neighboring Fred & Ellen Miller Farm, the Watkins Cottage, and the Brunson Farm, and includes maps of all farmsteads based on aerial photos. The book also includes an audio CD with excerpts from Leonard’s interviews, so you can hear him tell stories with your own ears.

The Thoreson Farm and Its Neighbors costs $18 and is available at the Glen Lake and Traverse City Libraries, Laker Shakes, The Cottage Bookshop, Horizon Books in Traverse City or online at VZOralHistory.com. For more information, call Tom Van Zoeren at (231) 334-4608.

Dick Kerr, longtime owner and publisher of the Leelanau Enterprise, was known for this fiery editorials, which often targeted public officials. Kerr has turned his recollections and stories into a book, "Of Cabbages and Kings."

He transformed a traditional but rather sleepy weekly newspaper into a true source of local news, reports theRecord Eagle in a February 27 article.

Readers loved it. Most local officials didn't mind the scrutiny, and even appreciated the coverage.
But some hated it, particularly if they were on the wrong end of one of Kerr's sharp edits. A handful of Leelanau powerbrokers complained long and loud about Kerr and the Enterprise. They verbally attacked newspaper staffers in public settings, pulled advertising, and urged others to do the same. It wasn't unlike what the Record-Eagle went through a few years ago when a Grand Traverse County string-puller campaigned against us to our then-corporate board, an effort designed to scare the paper away from doing its job.

Another article in the Grand Traverse Insider says about Of Cabbages and Kings,"

Kerr’s memoir is filled with the excitement of meeting important personages and celebrities of the day, both in Leelanau County and in his two decades as a journalist in the Ypsilanti area. “Being in on” area happenings, and reporting on the events and people that shaped the character of the areas he served have made for an exciting career. But most of all, Kerr cites his having made friends with “many, many fine, great people” as that which has brought him the most satisfaction.

Copies of Dick Kerr’s memoir, “Of Cabbages and Kings,” are available for purchase at The Business Helper and Known Books in Suttons Bay, Leelanau Books in Leland, and the Cottage Book Shop in Glen Arbor.

Photo credit: Dick Kerr by Kristine Morris of the Grand Traverse Insider

The National Writers Series and Doug Stanton Present - A Special Valentine’s Evening With Amy Alkon, the Advice Goddess!

Lively, witty and hilarious conversation about Love, Lust and Bad Manners!

NATIONAL WRITERS SERIES, Traverse City's year-round book festival, KICKS OFF ITS SECOND SEASON FEATURING AMERICA'S BEST STORY TELLERS AND WRITERS.

Following on the heels of the National Writers Series' evening with Elmore Leonard and Peter Leonard last Fall, Amy Alkon leads the 2010 season with an evening on the Opera House stage, February 11, 2010. Doors open at 6 p.m., Event begins at 7 p.m.

Amy will answer, in her famous light-hearted way, questions from the love-lorn, love-struck, and loveless in a lively dinner party format at Traverse City's downtown City Opera House. Don't be shy! You won't have to say anything at all to have fun.

In addition to the great conversation, the evening's guests will enjoy chocolates, Indian music, free tarot card reading, and delicious Indian food compliments of Wellington Street Market (and included in the ticket price). The night's festivities are capped off with a reception (cash bar will be offered by Stella Trattoria) and personal book signing with Amy. Amy's books will also be for sale at the Opera House.

Amy Alkon is nationally syndicated advice columnist, author, journalist, and blogger with a wild wit. She is well-known to Northern Michigan through her popular weekly column in Northern Express in which she talks straight about love and lust. Her advice column runs in more than 100 other newspapers across the U.S. and Canada. Her New York Daily News series won a first place award in the Southern California Journalism Awards. She has appeared on numerous television and radio shows, including Good Morning America, The Today Show, NPR, CNN, MTV, Entertainment Tonight, Dennis Miller, Politically Incorrect, and Biography Channel, where she was featured in "The Advice Minute, with Amy Alkon."

The evening will culminate with a special auction of treats only the energetic and witty Amy can provide. In fact, auction items include Amy herself-- so to speak. Winners will be delighted with their prizes, including attending a sumptuous brunch (February 12) with Amy.

The prize of the evening, however, may be Amy's offer to record a special voice mail greeting on your phone. Feeling bullish with callers? Amy can oblige. Want to sound like Scarlett O'Hara? Amy can do that.

New York Times best-selling author Doug Stanton will share the stage with Alkon, as Amy talks romance, manners, humor, and the writer's life. Amy's new book is I See Rude People, One Woman’s Battle to Beat Some Manners Into Impolite Society. She also co-authored Free Advice -- The Advice Ladies on Love, Dating, Sex, and Relationships.

This is the first event in the new season of the National Writers Series. The Series, now in its second season, will bring best-selling authors, journalists, and storytellers to Traverse City in 2010. Founded in 2009 by Doug Stanton, New York Times best-selling author, Traverse City attorney Grant Parsons, and Northern Express writer Anne Stanton, the Series hopes to raise $50,000 in five years for aspiring writers to pursue writing in college.

The mission of National Writers Series is to support young writers through college scholarships, and inspire writers of all ages.

Net proceeds will be donated to a National Writers Series scholarship fund benefiting college-bound writing and arts students that attend Grand Traverse Region schools. Winners will be published in the Midwest's best literary review, The Dunes Review, and receive their awards at a special reading multi-day gala event also featuring nationally prominent writers.

The evening event is supported and/or sponsored by FIM Group, Beia Family, Copy Queenz, Courage Project, Crema, Debbie Sparks, Horizon Books, IRONKEEP, Lakehouse Publishing, Oryana, Porterhouse Productions, Realtor Marsha Minervini, Stella Trattoria, and Wellington Street Market.

Advance tickets* are $15, Seniors $10, Students $5. Tickets at the door are $20.

TICKETS ON SALE at the Traverse City Opera House box office at 106 East Front Street, or online at: www.treatickets.com or www.cityoperahouse.org.

* Advance ticket price does not reflect outlet or on-line handling fees.

For more information: www.nationalwritersseries.org

Today's feature is courtesy Absolute Michigan, and you can click to read about many more Notable Books on Absolute Michigan. The Michigan Notable Books program annually selects 20 of the most notable books published in the year. The selections are reflective of Michigan's diverse ethnic, historical, literary, and cultural experience. Learn more about the program at www.michigan.gov/notablebooks.

Leelanau Press -- More than 50 historic cottages' interiors and exteriors are documented in this beautiful publication detailing the resort community nestled in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes in Leelanau County. Like taking a trip back in time, the book's descriptive narratives and lavish photographs highlight each individual cottage's lore and memories, and will delight readers with interests in local history, architecture and family traditions.

Rarely seen interior images of fifty cozy summer cottages and narratives provide a portrait of a special place and state of mind evoked by summer cottage living on beautiful Glen Lake. These cottages are viewed against the backdrop of early summer resort life in northern Michigan the first half of the twentieth century. Dietrich Floeter’s duotone photographs and author Barbara Siepker’s captivating historical narratives include personal anecdotes on each cottage. The cottage is shown in its glory and reveals its importance in the lives of its owners and the broader community. In total they document the essence of these wonderful old cottages as well as life and time of bygone years.

These rich cottage images have been captured with care and reverence by Traverse City photographer, Dietrich Floeter. His intention choice of a wide view camera replicates the type and style of camera that would have been used during the time period of the early resort era. Floeter has captured their essence through close attention to light and detail which he has meticulously set up and framed. Floeter has been a commercial photographer for twenty-three years, specializing in architectural, industrial and aerial work.

A few articles of interest include Historic Cottages of Glen Lake on the Glen Arbor Association website, Siepker’s book remembers historic cottages on the Glen Arbor Sun website and Glen Lake Book Wins Big on MyNorth.com. You may also want to check out this slideshow of Glen Lake from the Absolute Michigan flickr pool.

If you want more information or would like to purchase this Michigan Notable Book visit The Cottage Books website, which is owned by author Barbara Siepker.

The world-wide release party for Newbery Award-winning author and Leelanau resident Lynne Rae Perkins will Newbery award winner Lynne Rae Perkins' newest children's book, "The Cardboard Piano" takes place at 5 PM this Saturday (Oct 18) at Brilliant Books of Suttons Bay.

The children's picture book is about two friends and their love of the piano and is accompanied by a stop-animation film created by Perkins and local animator Chris Allen-Wickler. Both artists will be on hand to sign copies of the book and talk about their work.

You can learn more about the book and even take a peek inside at The Cardboard Piano from publisher Harper-Collins.

Photo credit: Breakwall Rocks II by Andy McFarlane

News from the Week

News from the week included a story about Leland grad Alisha Glass's success in college volleyball, including being names to first team all Big Ten and helping Penn State to a #1 ranking. Right now they are in the Sweet Sixteen, so look for her on TV! Other stories included a nice Enterprise piece remembering Leelanau historian Larry Wakefield and a photo of a storm building over the Manitou Passage.

The Week's Weather

We had some stormy, windy weather last weekend and though the winds have died down, we've been getting steady snow and cold temps. Great news for area ski resorts!

November 29, 2007: Breezy & low 30s (33°/19°)
November 30, 2007: Snow, wind & 20s (24°/16°)
December 1, 2007: Windy & low 20s w/ heavy overnight snow (24°/15°)
December 2, 2007: Wet snow & low 30s (34°/24°)
December 3, 2007: Light snow & low 30s (32°/24°)
December 4, 2007: Light snow & 20s (27°/19°)
December 5, 2007: Snow & teens (21°/17°)

Click for the Leelanau news archive from December 2006!

The Record-Eagle reports that the Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library will appeal to voters again to authorize a lower and shorter-term millage. The library is requesting 0.47 mills for five years to pay for operations at the library. Voters rejected a .77 mill measure in August with no ending date.
Read Library millage back on ballot in the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

The public is invited to a book signing and reception on Tuesday, May 16th at the Hagerty Center in Traverse City from 6-8:30 PM featuring Governor Milliken and the author of the Milliken biography Dave Dempsey. Appetizers will be served and complimentary wine will be provided by the vintners of Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas. There is no charge for the event.

You can read more about the book William G. Milliken: Michigan's Passionate Moderate and also check out a great interview of the former governor at Absolute Michigan.

Fishtown is a historic fishing village 100 years old. Fishtown was first settled by Native Americans. When white settlers realized what a good fishing port it was, Fishtown developed into a fishing community and settlment. Fishing reached its peak in the 1930s and quickly declined due to overfishing. Although Fishtown is not home to a large fishing community anymore, it is home to a many charter fishermen, Carlson's fishery, a wide variety of shops, and the only ferries to the Manitou Islands.

Cool things to do: take a ferry to the Manitou Islands with Manitou Island Transit, shop in the old shanties, buy fish from the 5 generation old Carlson family fishery, look for fish in the Leland River, and eat a sandwich from The Village Cheese Shop.

http://www.leelanau.com/leland/