Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 3:08 PM

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Life in Leelanau:

Diversions

Leland native Ethan Hohnke first saw the northern lights in 2021 and never looked back. Since then he has been busy chasing spectacular Leelanau auroras. Courtesy photo

Leland photographer takes aim at night sky

Snapping sunrises, sunsets, and eventually night skies have been Leland native Ethan Hohnke’s passion ever since he first picked up a camera or cell phone. On March 20, 2021, Hohnke saw the northern lights for the first time. 07/24/2024 03:46 PM

Star parties at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore offer a chance to get a close up view of the moon and more.

Look to the heavens

Star parties at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (SBDNL) have quickly become a Leelanau family tradition of admiring the night sky in northern Michigan. SBDNL hosted a star party earlier this month. 07/24/2024 03:46 PM

The Lanphier Observatory, on the campus of The Leelanau School in Glen Arbor, is open for stargazers who see constellations, potentially planets and northern lights, and the international space station as it makes its way overhead. Courtesy photo

Public welcome to stargaze at Lanphier Observatory

This summer, the Leelanau School’s Lanphier Observatory is open to the public for stargazing, Wednesdays and Thursdays. It takes place every Wednesday and Thursday starting through Aug. 07/24/2024 03:46 PM

The Robert H. Manning Memorial Lighthouse in Empire was built in memory of Robert Manning, a passionate boater and fisherman, who often spoke about his desire to see a lighthouse in his hometown. When Manning passed away at age 62 in 1989, his family and friends privately built a small lig...

Advancements in technology have greatly reduced the need for conventional lighthouses and their keepers, and there are no active manually operated lighthouses in Leelanau County. However, this infamously lonely and physically straining job was essential to keeping boat traffic moving in a time when much of the county’s economy depended on sea travel. 07/24/2024 03:46 PM

The “nourishing mind” cocktail, one of three zero-proof drinks featured on the menu of the first Hive Social Club event in March, is made of Audacia’s floral berry elixir and paired with Hive housemade raspberry syrup and Alchemy & Co’s nourish herbal tea, garnished with a smoking spri...

Hive Social Club offers night activity alternative

While Hive Coffee Company in downtown Suttons Bay is known for its tasty hand-crafted lattes, sandwiches, and waffles, it’s also the gathering place for its “social club” events typically held from 6 to 8 p.m. when scheduled. 07/24/2024 03:46 PM

Friday nights in Northport are hopping with Music in the Park. Enterprise file photo

Music in the Park

Every Friday night throughout the summer, both visitors and locals make their way up the peninsula to attend Music in the Park at Northport’s Marina Park. This year is no different, except for the fact that longtime sound technician and Northport native Kent Holton has retired. 07/24/2024 03:46 PM

The Northern Lights were on dazzling display last Thursday evening throughout much of the state including northern lower Michigan. Enterprise photo by Meakalia Previch-Liu

Dark skies in Leelanau dazzle stargazers

With all of the natural beauty found on the Leelanau peninsula during the daytime, it’s no surprise that the county is also just as fantastically eye-catching during the evening. Michigan is a great place for stargazers to take in the night sky all year-round. 07/24/2024 03:46 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

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

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

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

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

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