Rarely do we take the time to thank tourists for their contributions to a vibrant Leelanau.

We received the following unsigned correspondence earlier this summer with an obvious bent toward Leland. With a few changes the same could be said of any community in the county. We thought it deserved reflection.

I Am the Tourist.

That rents your cottage

That buys goods from the Leland Merc instead of Walmart

That hires your workers to build and maintain our cottage

That increses the value of your land or keeps it stable

That pays taxes without the homestead deduction

That donates to the Conservancy to save open space

That helped save Fishtown

That donated to the fireworks for all to see

That donated to the Leelanau Historical Society

That hires your salmon guides

That frequents your golf courses

That owns and wears dozens of Leland clothing items

with pride

That fills the tables at the Bluebird, Early Bird, Riverside,

Cove or Ricks

That buys ice cream at the Harbor House way too often

That is only in Leelanau a fraction of the year

That buys your arts, baked goods and vegetables each

summer.

Do not harbor ill will (toward) me ... I am the Tourist.