Growing things is fun. A lot of people got into farming with that in mind, only to realize a mortgage or two down the road that there’s more to it.

The cards were stacked against Deb Allen when she began working as county administrator in January 2023. Allen had worked since 2015 as executive director of development and community engagement for the Grand Traverse Pavilions, a municipal senior care facility in Traverse City.

Thank goodness for dried cherries, both for their taste and their importance in sustaining the livelihoods of growers in Leelanau County and across the state. Cherries easily outperform raisins and cranberries in the dried fruit taste department.

Efforts by the County Board of Commissioners (BOC) intended to improve working conditions and efficiency in the county building continue to fester in controversy and hurt feelings. Faced with high turnover and internal tension within offices, the BOC approved hiring Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) to conduct an employee climate/culture study.

We were disheartened by the findings of an employee survey on the work culture within the county building released last week. Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI) regional president John Scholten presented the findings of a survey in which 85 of the county’s 117 employees responded.

By now many have taken down their holiday decorations. The boxes have been broken down and taken to the recycling center.

Sunday we will be closing the book on 2023. As we usher out the old and enter the new year, it’s important that we celebrate responsibly.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. And all went to be taxed, everyone into his own city.

The Pilgrims gathered after their first harvest in the New World to give thanks in 1621. It was one year since they had arrived on the shore of an unknown place to carve out a life free from religious persecution.

There was primarily one issue on the ballot Nov. 7: Glen Lake School’s $35 million bond proposal.