Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore (SBDNL) biologist Erica Adams is living the dream as she monitors the endangered Piping Plover and is a lead on educating the public. Adams, 29, originally from Rochester Hills, has paved her way through the National Park system at various parks throughout the country, but eventually wound up back in the Sleeping Bear Dunes in 2019.

David Johnson of Suttons Bay is currently the president-elect of Suttons Bay Rotary Club. He’s had a storied legal career practicing as a lawyer in three states, including Ohio, New Mexico, and Missouri, and up until the end of last year, he was actively maintaining a law practice.

Terry Lautner was impressed when his father was feted by the Michigan Milk Producers Association after 35 years of membership in the co-op. Now it’s Terry’s turn.

Relocating to Leelanau County full-time has always been a dream for Jim Dyer and his wife, Jeanette, but they finally made that dream come true and found a home in 2023. Dyer also accepted the Village of Northport manager position last year and started as a full time employee in October. Since then, he’s been settling into the new home and job and embracing all that the county has to offer.

Elijah Nykamp is in a lane of his own in the fashion world. Nykamp, owner of Nykamping in Suttons Bay, has a love for both oversized outerwear and thrifting – along with the desire to take textile sustainability, circular fashion, ethically sourced and zero waste to its absolute max, according to his website at nykamping.com Nykamp, 28, has owned the business for nearly a year and he is looking forward to his second summer at the 100 Adams Street shop in the village of Suttons Bay.

Tall Ships America, a national sail training organization, recently honored Northport resident Ben Hale as the “sail trainer of the year” for 2023. Hale was recognized for his work as senior captain for the Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) in Suttons Bay, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing hands-on experience aboard their two tall ship schooners.

Linda Oosse, known by many in the community as someone who cares for all sorts of animals — from goats and cows to chickens and pigs — has been looking after and learning about farm animals since she was a child. Oosse’s focus these days has turned to adopting rescues though, as well as continuing to care for the growing number of goats and other animals on her property.

Suttons Bay Township resident Jim DeWildt is just one of many examples that you never really know who is relaxing in the woods somewhere in Leelanau County. He has an art gallery and studio tucked in the hills and woods of East Fort Road that features a large collection of art.

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is looking for service providers for two competitive Commercial Use Authorizations (CUA) to provide firewood vending for D.H. Day Campground in Leelanau County the and Platte River Campground in Benzie County and for calendar years 2024 and 2025.

Bobbie Ditzler, of Northport, recently celebrated her 80th birthday on Jan. 11. Shortly after reaching this milestone, Ditzler sat down with the newspaper to recount some of her knowledge about local history and her experiences watching her home village develop.