5 YEARS AGO

August 30, 2007

The National Park Service announced plans to relight the historic 1858 South Manitou Island Lighthouse, which has been dark since 1958. The project will cost $81,000 and will have a solar powered replica of the original Fresnel lens. The lantern room and stairway will also be restored.

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It’s been a challenging week for Leelanau County administrator David W. Gill. Immediately after he returned to work from vacation last week, Gill learned that the county is being investigated by the state Bureau of Construction Codes. He also learned that the county is facing a lawsuit from the former head of the county building inspections department, Robert VanDyke.

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Leland is the only county public school that is significantly bucking the trend of falling or flat enrollment. They have hired a half-dozen new staff members to serve the growth of more than 30 new students realized over the summer.

10 YEARS AGO

August 29, 2002

It’s the most wonderful time of the year for parents — “back to school” — with just over 2,900 county students expected in classrooms next week. While 30 short of last year, that preliminary figure falls in line with estimates used to prepare budgets for the county’s four public schools.

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The St. Mary’s parish community is putting its dreams on paper, and launching a $2 million building campaign for expansion of the church and school. School officials were in Gaylord to gain approval of a 13,000 square-foot addition to the front of the 107-year-old church and construction of a 500-seat gymnasium and community center. The gym and community center will be built east of the current school.

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A jail project completed nine years ago in Benzie County with similarities to one being planned in Leelanau County should be considered before forging ahead here, according to county commissioner Melinda C. Lautner. She has expressed concern about whether the county will be able to fund larger jail operations once a new facility is constructed.

35 YEARS AGO

August 25, 1977

An inventory of Leelanau County land usages will be taken during the next three months, Gene A. Perfect, director of the County Planning Department said. The planning director explained that population growth could have been as much as 25 per cent or more in some areas since a similar land use inventory was take in 1972.

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Federal investigators this week began the task of trying to determine what caused a seaplane to plunge into South Lake Leelanau near Cedar last Thursday night, taking the lives of three Cedar area residents and the pilot. Killed in the crash were James Lawicki, 22, his brother Kurt, 10, and Robert Frixen, all of the Cedar area, and the pilot, David N. Race, 23, of Carbondale, Pa.

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Two eating establishments in southwestern Leelanau County are among five places cited for dining during a recommended fall weekend color tour of Northern Michigan by the Automobile Club of Michigan. Listed in the September issue of the Motor News are the Homestead at Glen Arbor and the Friendly Tavern at Empire, described as a “modest tavern run by friendly natives.”

60 YEARS AGO

August 28, 1952

There has been no explanation of the loud explosion heard in the East Leland area about 2:00 a.m. Wednesday. Persons who were awakened by it said the sound was similar to exploding dynamite.

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Jack Hadra, manager of the Manitou Island Association on North Manitou Island for more than 10 years, announced that he has resigned. In addition to his duties as island manager, Mr. Hadra has served as postmaster, deputy sheriff, storekeeper, bookkeeper, and conservation department fire warden.

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All public and parochial schools in the county, with the exception of those at Lake Leelanau and Northport, will open next Tuesday morning. St. Mary’s of Lake Leelanau will open September 3 and Northport September 8. In accordance with state law, all pupils, in order to enter kindergarten, must be five years old by December 1, 1952.

113 YEARS AGO

August 24, 1899

Henry Barnes of Northport, was in this village Monday on business.

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Miss Ida Mork, of Suttons Bay, died Friday of last week of heart failure.

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William Core and wife, of Bingham, was in our village today calling on friends.

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Prosecutor Bunting, and George Williamson of Empire, were in our village on Sunday last.

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Prof. Blackwood is arranging to give a musical entertainment at the school house in the near future.