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Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 3:19 AM

Life in Leelanau

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Greg Julian loves living in Leelanau and gave up the business world to work as a carpenter. Courtesy photo
Julian exchanges spreadsheet for hammer
Kasson Township’s Greg Julian spent his first 20 years of professional life in marketing and finance out west in Denver, Colorado, and across Michigan before falling in love with carpentry. Julian and his family have been visiting the peninsula for the past 40 years. 06/26/2024 04:30 PM
Thoreson Farm: hub for makers
Thoreson Farm: hub for makers
The Glen Arbor Art Center’s (GAAC) main location is in the township, but they also host classes out of the old Thoreson Farm on the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. GAAC volunteers rehabilitated the 19th century farm buildings into a classroom and studio space. 06/26/2024 04:30 PM
Artist Rik Yannott is pictured next to two of his paintings at his studio in Peshawbestown, both of which are inspired by nature and hisAnishinaabek heritage. The top painting, which features images of an eagle, the moon, and a traditional sweat lodge is on canvas, while the bottom paintin...
Indigenous artist Rik Yannott inspired by nature and heritage
Living near the lake is essential for Indigenous artist Rik Yannott, whose work often features a body of water. Yannott, 51, lives in Peshawbestown with Lake Michigan not far from home. Since he was in the seventh grade and started drawing, Yannott has taken inspiration from nature and his Anishinaabek heritage. Like in Anishinaabe teachings, water is sacred and gives life, and Yannott said it helps keep him connected with mother earth. His artwork isn’t just a form of creative expression, but is part of a healing process in life that he cherishes. 06/26/2024 04:30 PM
Don Allington of Master Craft Tool & Extrusion says their list of customers includes some of the largest producers of aluminum in the world. Enterprise photo by Zachary Marano
Master Craft creates extrusion die and tools
Master Craft Extrusion Tools on 771 Mill St. in Northport, owned by Don Allington, has a unique specialty: tools and dies for aluminum and brass extrusion. In laymen’s terms, they create machines that compress these metals into various shapes, including pipes, mandrels, and other tools. 06/26/2024 04:30 PM
Kelsey Williams of Cedar makes and sells candles through her Leelanau Candle Company. Enterprise photo by Zachary Marano
Candlemaker turns hobby into business
The COVID-19 lockdowns meant spending a lot more time at home. During the pandemic, Kelsey Williams of Cedar decided to take up a hobby: candle making. Her interest in making candles rapidly developed from a way to pass the time indoors to selling her products to retailers, and now she owns her own store, Leelanau Candle Company, in Cedar. 06/26/2024 04:30 PM
Liz Neddo of Wool and honey of Cedar holds an art piece that her daughter Cecily made. Enterprise photo by Brian Freiberger
Wool and Honey with love
Wool and Honey is celebrating 24 years of business in the quiet yet bustling town of Cedar, leading to a prosperous life and opening its doors to the Leelanau wool-loving public. Liz Neddo is the fourth owner of the wool business. 06/26/2024 04:30 PM
Father and son, Dan (right) and Alex (left), of Empire Trellis are continuing the dream located right from the family farm in Empire Township. Enterprise photo by Brian Freiberger
Father and son duo: Dan and Alex Wiesen
Dan and Alex Wiesen are a father-son duo who have succeeded on the farm and beyond with their local business Empire Trellis. No job is too big or too small for Empire Trellis, according to Alex. 06/26/2024 04:30 PM
Rick Deering finished up his last year of driving the school bus for Northport Public School on Thursday afternoon. Deering is retiring after 33 years of driving for Northport. Enterprise photo by Meakalia Previch-Liu
Rick Deering retires after 33 years
After 33 years of driving the school bus at Northport Public School, Rick Deering, 72, is turning in the keys and is ready to retire. Other “work” projects could arise in the future, but for now, Deering wrapped up his last day on June 6, the district’s final day of instruction for the 2023-2024 academic year. 06/12/2024 05:52 PM
Cherry help needed for season
Cherry help needed for season
Are you looking for a summer job that puts you in cherry orchards? Then you may want to consider working for the Cherry Industry Administrative Board, which is looking for independent contractors to oversee diversions of red tart cherries out of the marketplace. The CIAB is authorized to restrict the size of cherry harvests to meet demand in an effort to increase prices paid to growers. 06/12/2024 05:52 PM
Glen Lake Valedictorian Dylan Cundiff sends off the 2024 class with his speech before walking the stage.
Leelanau County Graduation 2024
Leelanau County high school graduations were on full display over the weekend. Leland started out the festivities by graduating nearly 30 students on Friday night. 06/05/2024 08:28 PM
Congratulations Suttons Bay Class of 2024
Congratulations Suttons Bay Class of 2024
Congratulations Suttons Bay Class of 2024. 06/05/2024 08:28 PM
Front Row: L-R: Amanda Tarsa, Kendra Couturier, Sarah Bunek, Elena Grant, Leah Fleis, Della Bunek, Delana Kirt. Back Row: L-R: Will Grant, Carter Wolf, Lucas Jarvis, Jerry Schaub, Ben Freundl, James Licht, Luke Gallagher, Eli Kelenske
Congratulations St. Mary Class of 2024
Congratulations St. Mary Class of 2024. 06/05/2024 08:28 PM
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