Sharon Oriel is always learning

Whether she’s leading a hike for the Leelanau Conservancy, exploring a town in a remote corner of the world or carefully editing a poem, following her curiosity is how Sharon Oriel lives her life.

“Selfishly it is such a learning experience,” Oriel said about her role as a docent for the Leelanau Conservancy. “I get to learn from the Conservancy staff, but because, as you know, the amazing variety of people that are up here, you have people with all sorts of expertise. So I’m sharing the good work of the Conservancy, but it’s also an enriching experience to just meet amazing people.”

That curiosity has shaped every stage of Oriel’s life, beginning long before she and her husband, Pat, made Glen Arbor their permanent home about 20 years ago.