Saturday, May 24, 2025 at 1:41 AM

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Life in Leelaneu:

Diversions

Several J1 visa and migrant workers help to make Cherry Republic function throughout summer and fall. From left to right: Mustafa Yesilay (Turkey), Freda Fan (China), and Kafhief Barnswell (Jamaica). Enterprise photo by Brian Freiberger

Visa workers, taking care of business

Cherry Republic hires a signifi cant number of J1 visa, migrant, and other types of workers to help with their summer rush. Hear about their stories and experiences traveling and living in Leelanau County is an experience these students and workers dream for. 07/17/2024 05:06 PM

Vinni Ciricola, right, a student intern from Eastern Michigan University, learns medical response skills from Leland Township Fire & Rescue Lieutenant Chris Schelling at the Lake Leelanau station. Ciricola is interning with the department over the summer to fulfill course requirements...

Leland Fire intern getting valuable experience

Summer internships are relatively common these days. More than 60% of college students who graduated last year completed an internship, according to a National Association of Colleges and Employers survey cited by the Washington Post. 07/17/2024 05:06 PM

Dock hands keep Leelanau marinas and harbors going at the busiest time of the year — summer. Enterprise photo by Everett Howell

Dock hands play critical role

Dock hands are necessary to the smooth sailing for the marinas and harbors of the county. “They range from the age 15 to 22,” Leland Harbormaster Jeremy Anderson said. 07/17/2024 05:06 PM

Docents help interpret the flora, fauna and geological features of Leelanau Conservancy. Courtesy photo

Docents educate outdoor lovers

The Leelanau Conservancy’s role of protecting the natural land and water features of Leelanau County couldn’t be done without the role of docents, volunteers who traverse the terrain and lead groups to educate them. 07/17/2024 05:06 PM

15 Northport Youth Sailing School counselors are pictured together in 2023. This year, the program has three full time sailing instructors, 17 youth counselors, and numerous volunteers and family members that help to make classes a success for all to enjoy. Photo courtesy of Glenn VanOtter...

Sailing School celebrates 16th season

The Northport Sailing School is on track to having another record year in terms of student numbers, with approximately 176 kids filling 207 class spots this summer. The school has been operating for the last 16 years in the village of Northport and functions with the help of the board of directors and several different committees. 07/17/2024 05:06 PM

Some of the staff with the Northport Youth Sailing School are pictured last season with students from the program practicing their sailing skills on Northport Bay. Photo courtesy of Glenn VanOtteren

Some of the staff with the Northport Youth Sailing School

Some of the staff with the Northport Youth Sailing School are pictured last season with students from the program practicing their sailing skills on Northport Bay. 07/17/2024 05:06 PM

A fast and healthier alternative to typical snacks that people tend to go for can be trail mix. Enterprise photo by Meakalia Previch-Liu

Trail mix on the go: Snacks for the next hike, walk

A fast and healthier alternative to typical snacks that people tend to go for can be trail mix. The popular snack usually features different variations of dried fruits, nuts, granola, seeds, and peanuts, with the ingredients all offering a number of benefits when in need of a source of energy. 07/10/2024 03:48 PM

A group of hikers walk through a grassy field in the Clay Cliffs Natural Area near Leland. Clay Cliffs is one of the Leelanau Conservancy’s “must-see” trails, according to conservancy Communications Specialist Brighid Driscoll. Courtesy photo.

Conservancy’s most popular trails

When it comes to parks and trail systems, Leelanau County offers an embarrassment of riches. Many of the best areas are maintained and protected by the Leelanau Conservancy. But since this organization is steward to over 16,000 acres of land across 28 locations, it can be difficult to know where to start. And so, the newspaper reached out to the Conservancy to ask them which areas were the best of the best. 07/10/2024 03:48 PM

Palmer Woods Forest Reserve, a Leelanau Conservancy property, is perhaps the best location in the upper half of the Lower Peninsula for mountain biking. Courtesy photo

Biking your way through the county

Leelanau County has many trail systems, for all kinds of biking and hiking, even some for those that want a mountain biking experience. Leelanau County offers a wide-variety of trails for every kind of nature enthusiast, even some for the thrill-seekers. Hiking and biking thrive through the land and many take to two wheels to explore the county. When describing the state of biking in the county, Nick Wierzba the owner of local bike shop, Suttons Bay Bikes, said it has, “Never been better.” 07/10/2024 03:48 PM

DeYoung Natural Area is managed by the Leelanau Conservancy and includes lakeshore, cedar forest, naturalized fields, and active farmland. Pictured here are parts of the edible forest stationed along the trail at the natural area that people will see. Enterprise photos by Meakalia Previch-...

Trail finds in Leelanau County

The trails and natural areas of Leelanau County are filled with eye-catching scenery all yearlong, but perhaps one of the most interesting parts about the land are the plants, flowers, insects, and animals that inhabit it. 07/10/2024 03:48 PM

Members of this family can explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore as one group thanks to the Friends of Sleeping Bear. Courtesy photo

Volunteers improve park access

Laurie Pope, co-chair of the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes accessibility committee, said that the organization is in the process of acquiring a wheelchair bike that will park users will be able to reserve online, like their track chairs. She said they hope to make this service available to the national lakeshore’s visitors in the coming months. 07/10/2024 03:48 PM

Trailblazers on the Heritage Trail

Trailblazers on the Heritage Trail

Being a trailblazer in Leelanau County means embracing the area’s natural beauty by hiking and biking on its local trails. Traverse City native Jim Hirtreiter and Bob Resh spent their Sunday cruising down the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail from Bohemian Road to Glen Arbor and back. 07/10/2024 03:48 PM

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