It was a vacation in 1964 that first brought Ed Love to Leelanau County. His family enjoyed it so much they tried to make it an annual event.

To help fulfill the goal, his parents bought property in Empire Township in 1968, and that’s where he lives today.

Ed Love

Love moved his family from the Detroit area to Leelanau County five years ago. He said the beauty of Leelanau and abundance of unspoiled land was a major draw, as was the chance to hunt and fish. He also was attracted to the small community lifestyle and the personal attention area schools provide to students. His oldest son graduated from Glen Lake as valedictorian in 2004, and his youngest, now 16, attends Glen Lake as well.

Love grew up in northwest Detroit and learned at school that he had a gift with his hands. In high school, there were three different “shop” classrooms: a car shop, a boat shop and a wood shop. It was this last one where Love found his true calling.

He’s been an independent contractor and carpenter for many years.

“I was handy with my hands,” he said, adding there was no one person who taught him the skills he now possesses. “I’m pretty much self-taught. I’ve always been blessed with good mechanical ability,” he said.

There was a time in his life, however, when a German man named Seig Scholler served as an on-the-job source of learning. For seven years, Love worked on-and-off with Scholler, who taught him how to intricate trim work, among other skills.

“We’d spend three months in a room the size of my deck,” said Love, as he pointed to the relatively small, wooden structure off the back of his house. During his time with Scholler, many projects involved molding and trim work in large houses around the Detroit area.

“He’s an amazing, amazing craftsman,” Love said, “I think I learned the most from him.”

When Love moved his family to Leelanau County, he said he had to learn patience – which served him well while transitioning between a metropolitan area and a county with less than 25,000 people. He said there’s a big difference between working in a city and working amid a National Park.

His home looks out over Little Glen Lake. To the left are the sand dunes; to the right is Alligator Hill. He has a large backyard where his two golden retrievers can play, and they enjoy swimming in the lake.

While business has changed since coming to Leelanau, Love said he remains busy.

“I’m run by my clients,” Love said. “But, I like the people who live here, they are a pleasant crowd. I’m very lucky to be here.”

While working with clients can be a challenge, he understands it’s part of the job.

“People can afford to change their minds, and God bless them, it keeps us busy,” he said.

Love is also happy to have overcome health problems, and doing what he does best.

“I enjoy what I do. It’s nice when you get (a project) done and people are happy with the work you do,” said Love.

He has also carved out a good reputation, and said that’s part of what keeps him going.

“I’m not a trophy keeper,” Love said. “You tell people what you can and can’t do, and it’s good if you don’t have to pull out a book to see.”