Chief Bryan Ferguson led the procession along with various other speakers, and traditional bagpipes played several songs, along with moments of silence.

Unlike larger events that host a single, specific national keynote speaker, this ceremony is designed around rotating, local voices — including regional pastors, community leaders, and local musicians — coming together to share reflections.

According to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, 19 terrorists hijacked four commercial airplanes on September 11, 2001, deliberately crashing two of the planes into the upper floors of the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center complex and a third plane into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The Twin Towers ultimately collapsed because of the damage sustained from the impacts and the resulting fires. After learning about the other attacks, passengers on the fourth hijacked plane, Flight 93, fought back, and the plane was crashed into an empty field in western Pennsylvania about 20 minutes by air from Washington, D.C.

The attacks killed 2,977 people from 90 nations: 2,753 people were killed in New York; 184 people were killed at the Pentagon; and 40 people were killed on Flight 93.

It is a charming, funny, sometimes bawdy story of four middle-aged gals who form a lasting friendship and learn that it’s “never too late to make old new friends.”

Staggering out of a hot yoga class that’s way too hot for older ladies, Dot, Randa, and Marlafaye commiserate and then impulsively plan a Friday evening happy hour at Randa’s. Jinx, invited almost by accident, joins them, and the four women become inseparable, healing each other and restarting lives stalled by disappointment, sadness, and hurt.

Randa’s professional life, central to her identity, is stolen from her when she’s replaced by a 30-year-old, bow tie wearing twit. Dot grieves her husband’s untimely death just as they were starting their golden retirement. Marlafaye is furious that her lying, cheating husband has run off with a 23-year-old dental hygienist. Jinx, rootless and embarking on her new career as a life coach, turns out to be adept at helping the others find their lost enthusiasm for life, but she nearly misses the chance to be her own best client.

“The Savannah Sipping Society,” a boisterous comedy set in the South with dynamic roles for women and snappy one-liners, is characteristic of the plays by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope and Jamie Wooten, referred to collectively as Jones Hope Wooten. Their plays are community theater favorites, and they’re dubbed “America’s Playwrights” for

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their support of local theaters across the country. They are also former TV sitcom writers. GAP’s audience may see similarities with one show in particular, The Golden Girls. The play, however, isn’t merely non-stop wisecracks. Each character shows her depth in well-placed monologues that break the “fourth wall” and reveal feelings any audience can identify and empathize with.

The Savannah Sipping Society cast is familiar to GAP’s audience. Jean Jenkins plays logic- driven workaholic Randa Covington; Janet Stipicevich is Texas fireball Marlafaye Mosely; Jan Ross is sweet widow Dot Haigler; and Dorothe Wepking is budding life coach Jinx Jenkins. Director Don Kuehlhorn, a theater enthusiast for decades with Old Town Playhouse, says he does pretty much any theater job there is. He recently directed “Whose Life Is It Anyway? at OTP. He has worked with GAP for several years now as actor, videographer, tech support, and director. Don and the ladies invite all to enjoy their onstage toast to “knowing life is better when you have somebody to talk to, laugh with, and share a glass with every now and then.”

Performances of “The Savannah Sipping Society” are on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 18 and 19 at 7 p.m. and Sunday September 20 at 2 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25 and 26 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. at The Leelanau School, 1 Old Homestead Rd. Glen Arbor 49636. While admission is free, a suggested gift of support is $10. Complimentary refreshments will be served at intermission.

As the final whistle on Thursday’s highly competitive game blew, tensions verbally flared as coaches and players went through the handshake line.

The Lakers defeated Harbor Springs 27-18 in a hard-hitting ball game.

“We always have to keep our heads up and come in every week, expecting to be in a dogfight,” Glen Lake junior running back Ben Diotte said. “Play every game like it’s a playoff game.”

Glen Lake was moving along with momentum until the end of the first half when Harbor Springs found a spark and scored two touchdowns in the final minute.

After Glen Lake (2-0) took a 13-0 lead late in the second, Harbor Springs (1-1) marched down the field and scored to make it a game, 13-6.

On one of the final plays of the second half, Harbor Springs senior Chaz Brainerd recovered a fumble deep in Laker territory and returned it to the house with four seconds left to go into the break, down a point, 13-12.

“I told the guys we can’t make mistakes like that. We can’t let teams stay around ... We go back to the eight seconds (motto),” Glen Lake coach Jesse Smith said. “You can’t come in overconfident, cocky, because Harbor Springs; everybody’s going to give you their best shot.”

Harbor Springs saw early success, but Glen Lake’s defense stalled the Rams and forced them into a turnover on downs. Kickers were used sparingly as both teams combined for at least six turnovers on downs throughout the game.

The Rams punted on their first possession, which was followed by a 4th-and-17 conversion by Glen Lake thanks to a lob from junior quarterback Max Lamerson into the outstretched hands of senior tight end Dominic Stein to take a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter.

On the next possession, a Harbor Springs muffed punt set the Lakers up on the Rams’ 2-yard line, which was converted by senior running back Max Galla to claim a 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

“Our offense stepped up a lot in the second half,” Galla said. “We were pretty slow to start, but then we made a lot of halftime adjustments and really got it going. We have to be a more resilient team.”

Down 14 early, Harbor Springs wouldn’t send their punter out on fourth down, and on a 4thand- 3 from the Rams’ own 33-yard line, junior quarterback Thaddeus Cosens busted through the line for a 50-yard run all the way down to the Glen Lake 10.

But it came to nothing, as the Lakers bent but didn’t break inside their 10-yard line and forced a turnover on downs after defensive backs Parker Robinson and Kingston Palmer recorded pass breakups in the end zone.

On the next possession, a Harbor Springs muffed punt set the Lakers up on the Rams’ 2-yard line, which was converted by senior running back Max Galla to claim a 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

“Our offense stepped up a lot in the second half,” Galla said. “We were pretty slow to start, but then we made a lot of halftime adjustments and really got it going. We have to be a more resilient team.”

Glen Lake began marching down the field, in part by a 3rdand- 9 conversion pass from Lamerson to senior Toby Bradford for 25-yards and into Ram territory. After entering Harbor Springs territory, Lamerson threw an interception as Harbor Springs senior Nick Lemieur leaped to make a game-changing play with 5:10 left in the half.

Harbor Springs would go on to convert a 4th-and-8 as Cosens

The special Sunday School Kick-Off celebration will mark the return of weekly classes, followed by a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser benefiting the church’s Children and Youth Ministries. Everyone in the community is invited to attend.

Sunday School classes are available for children and youth of all ages. PreK through 2nd grade students will focus on foundational lessons about God and Jesus’ love, learning how to show and share that love with others and exploring the importance of prayer.

Third through fifth grade students will build on these early concepts while exploring God and Jesus through the stories and books of the Bible.

Sixth through grade 12 students will explore their personal relationships with God and Jesus, discover their unique roles within the church, and discuss how faith influences their everyday lives.

This age group will also have opportunities to begin their journey toward Confirmation.

“Families with infants and young children will find welcoming spaces designed to make Sunday worship comfortable for children of all ages,” said Ashley Heyboer, Christian education director. “There is a kidfriendly area in the back of the sanctuary stocked with books, coloring materials, quiet games, and toys. For families who prefer to remain closer to their children when they are dismissed from worship for Sunday School, the service is livestreamed on a large screen in our lower level, where additional activities for babies and young children are available.”

Leland Community United Methodist Church also offers an active calendar of events for children and youth beyond Sunday worship and Sunday School. Upcoming activities include a Fall Festival, Trunk or Treat, a visit to a Live Nativity, Winter Sledding, Valentine Crafting, and an Easter Egg Decorating and Hunt.

Middle and high school students can look forward to Movie Nights, Outdoor Laser Tag, Pool Parties, and the annual SpringHill Winter Retreat. Children are welcome to join Sunday School at any time throughout the year and are always encouraged to bring friends.

For more information about Sunday School classes, upcoming children and youth events, or the Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser, contact Leland Community United Methodist Church or visit the church for the 10 a.m. Sunday worship service.

Leland Community United Methodist Church is committed to an “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors” philosophy, welcoming everyone regardless of background, gender, race, or who they love. Communion is offered on the first Sunday of every month, and everyone is welcome at the table.

What would a chapter about life in Good Harbor be without some mention of crime? After all the people were not saints but ordinary folks like we meet today. Among them were people who committed assault, stole items, and sold intoxicants illegally in a dry township. Theses personal stories will be told in a later chapter. Here are a couple stories that are only peripherally associated with Good Harbor but are very interesting in the action as well as in the account of the story.

On May 21, 1885 the Leelanau Enterprise included this tale of ineptitude on the part of the sheriff. It is recorded here in fall without editing.

“Gone Again! John Herzog, hailing from Chicago, and giving all appearances of a confirms criminal; landed at this place several months ago; and, up to the time of his arrest, in February, last, spent his time in drinking and carousing. As before stated in the Enterprise, L.J. Grobben’s store in the village was broken into on the night of Jan. 15, and silver to the about of $60, among several marked pieces, was abstracted from the till. Herzog, though not presenting a very admirable appearance, having, up to this, shown up considerable money was not suspected; and the home of an innocent party had to be ransacked at the hands of our blundering Sheriff. Satisfied at finding nothing, and beginning to think that what he discovers, comes to him, he quietly waited. The now supposed thief, Herzog, goes on spending plenty of silver; and emboldened by the awkward movement of the man ‘Guy’, forces another entrance into said store: but finding’ no money’, went award laden with some patent bitters which, quite probably, he drank at his leisure.

“With his blood purified, and while quietly resting at his mother’s home; a knock at the door announces the presence of the main ‘Guy’ and the pillaged merchant. Diligent search is instituted, noses are plunged into every crock, jug and pot to be found from cellar to garret; till, finally, they discover something that has, at least, somewhat the color of the missing bitters. This is sufficient evidence for them, and a warrant issued.

Herzog is hurried to jail to be fed at the expense of the people. Soon a marked piece of silver is discovered to have been squandered by the (now) prisoner, and another indictment is entered against him. A sly grin may now be imagined to pass over the face of the main ‘Guy’. indicative of having done some fine work. The accused partakes of his meals, as often as he gets them, amusing himself as best he can till the night of March 16, when he proposed to usher in St. Patrick’s Day with a bonfire.

Another charge is now entered against him, and a second grin of satisfaction, for valuable service rendered, may be imagined to pass over the face of the main ‘Guy’.

The house breaker, the thief and incendiary, only for sport of course, now adds to his many pranks by cutting the bars of his prison window; and escaping through a hole 5 1/2 inches wide, puts on his overcoat and walks leisurely away. We now hear tell of the authorities, not withstanding the snow is still deep in the woods, searching the forests around Carp Lake where he may chance to have camped out; while others suggest the idea the main ‘Guy’ is in hot pursuit with an ox team. But the escaped getting weary of their fruitless efforts to discover him, walks down from Good Harbor, and quieting goes to bed at the home of his mother, in this village. With shackles in hand, and ‘Sand’ in his boot, our sheriff wends his way to the side of ‘Sleeping Beauty’, and after he manacled, stirs him up with his cow-hide.

Then another grin of satisfaction might be seen to pass over the countenance of the main ‘Guy’, and the man is to be condemned, is again, lodged in jail, while the conqueror lies down for the night well satisfied that noble work has been done for the county. But, for the present, he is fully determined not to again lose his grasp on the prize that has cost the expenditure of much nervous energy to plan and successfully carry out the acute scheme that has resulted, in his capture; and the next morning, with neither sleighing nor wheeling, to the great delight of the imprisoned, he is safely place in Grand Traverse County Jail. Perhaps a prayer is not offered; but a sense of great relief is undoubtedly felt.

When the court reconvenes, stimulated by the fact of having taken the prisoner safely over the same road before, he bring him back to Leland, where, in due time he is tried for breaking into the store of Mr. Grobben and acquitted; but, convicted on the second charge of setting a fire to the county jail and sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labor at Jackson. It is now evident to the main ‘Guy’ that another and greater trip is to be made; and preparations are at once set on foot to perform the perilous journey, At about 3 a.m., May 14, he leaves this place with the condemned, thoroughly fettered, for prison. On reaching Traverse City later in the morning with appetite considerably sharpened by his cool morning ride; he pulls up at the Front Street House for breakfast.

Thus, in the midst of a great city with plenty of help at hand, past experience teaches him there can be no danger in taking off the hand-cuffs, thus allowing the prisoner to remove what dust may have accumulated during their rapid transit from Leland; while he steps into the hall-way or kitchen to order refreshments. But, perhaps being delayed by delivering his extensive order, the bird takes wing and flies. Soon the main ‘Guy’ returns, and after groping about fails to put his hand on the desired object.

A lost prisoner, ruined reputation which has been wrought up by past faithful services flashes before his eyes, causingconsternation which has been wrought up by his past faithful service flashes before his eyes, causing consternation to seize upon his very soul.”

Eventually, Cosens would find paydirt off a quarterback power to make it 13-6. Brainerd would scoop and score to reset the game at half.

In the final second of the half, Lamerson threw another heave that Lemieur again intercepted.

Glen Lake would rely on Diotte’s legs for the rest of the game as he was given a heavy dose of runs.

Diotte would score from 2 yards out after the Lakers converted on a 4th-and-4 earlier in the possession with 10 minutes left in the third quarter, 19-12.

Over the next three possessions, Glen Lake and Harbor Springs would turn the ball over on downs.

The Lakers would tally a final touchdown to go up 27-12.

Harbor Springs was not finished as senior Luke Dickinson found space off an end-around to get the Rams to within 27-18.

“We didn’t give up. We battled all night,” Harbor Springs coach Eric Slifka said. “I’m really proud of the kids, win, lose or draw. We had a few plays that I’d like back, a couple of mistakes. But other than that, our kids just played with grit. With honor.

They played hard, and as a coach, that’s all you can ask for ... Glen Lake made some great adjustments on us and made it a lot tougher to move the ball. Still, we were able to make some counter adjustments to that and put one more on the board ... Our kids gave it their all, and I’m very proud of them.”

Leelanau Love Tennis will offer a four-week after-school tennis program for young players this fall, held at the Herman Park tennis courts in partnership with the Leelanau Community Tennis Association.

Sessions run 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. on four Tuesdays: Sept. 15, Sept. 22, Sept. 29 and Oct. 6; a rain make-up date is set for Oct. 8. The program is open to players ages 5 to 11, and the cost is $65.

Registration is open at www. leelanaulovetennis.com.

Questions can be directed to 231-330-3984 or kristenrwilson@live.com.

In the Applebee Series, Paradox topped the standings with 47 points after two throwouts, holding off Exit Strategy (27) for the title; Kristin B II and Pegasus tied for third with 23 points apiece, and Feng Shui and Outrageous rounded out the top six. Exit Strategy took the fleet’s final race, followed by Paradox, Feng Shui and Kristin B II; Estella, Pegasus and Grin filled out the top seven.

Paradox also ran away with the Collins Series, finishing with 48 points to Pegasus’ 32 and Outrageous’ 27, with Exit Strategy fourth and Estella fifth. Paradox won that series’ last race too, edging Exit Strategy by one second, with Pegasus third and Estella fourth.

The Suttons Series title went to Outrageous, which posted 37 points held off Feng Shui (22) and Exit Strategy (20); Kristin B II, Grin and MacGuffin were tightly bunched behind them. Paradox, though, closed out the series with the Race 11 win, trailed by MacGuffin, Pegasus and Exit Strategy.

Feng Shui, Exit Strategy, Kristin B II and Pegasus were among the fleet’s most consistent boats all year, finishing near the top across all three series.

Across the three series, throw-outs — the club’s practice of dropping a sailor’s worst two or three finishes from the season tally — reshuffled several places, most notably lifting Outrageous and Feng Shui in the Suttons standings and pulling Kristin B II above Pegasus in the Applebee finish order.

Glen Lake senior Hawthorne Sutherland defeated Ryan Higley 6-2, 6-4 to represent the only Laker wins against the Orioles.

Porter Martin, Owen Pierce and Levi Lamb all battled admirably.

After Elliot MacTavish and Keegan Bridges fell in No. 1 doubles, the Laker No. 2 and No. 3 doubles teams earned victories.

Bryce Cundiff and Luke Selby earned a 6-2, 6-2 win, while Brodie McKeller and Garrett Bridger won 6-3, 6-2.

Norse hit field after forfeiting

Suttons Bay football wasn’t absent from the gridiron, as it was in its first week, when the Norsemen had to forfeit due to injuries.

The Norse fell to Brethren 60-14.

Suttons Bay will travel to Marion Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. before hitting the road to Mesick Sept. 19.

Lakers sunk by Petoskey

Glen Lake fell to Petoskey last Thursday, 3-2 in a highly competitive game.

The Lakers were led by senior Ollie O’Neill’s two penalty kick goals. Glen Lake senior goalkeeper Anthony Forton had 15 saves and a penalty kick save on the day “Glen Lake stayed competitive, creating chances and keeping Petoskey out of the net during that stretch. After the game, both Glen Lake coaches praised their team’s effort, energy, and attitude as the game finished,” Glen Lake coach Jared Boynton said.

Comet girls finish fifth at tournament

Leland girls golf continues its competitive season with a fifthplace finish at the Elk Rapids invite Wednesday.

Leland senior Lillian Connor led with a 10th-place finish, shooting a 98, and leading the Comets.

Leland senior Maya Hamelin and Elise Vann finished 16th and 18th, respectively.

Ariah Amin finished 31st, and Jaelyn DeFour had a 28th-place finish.

Team Scores: Traverse City West, 374; 2. Petoskey, 388; 3. Alpena, 392; 4. Elk Rapids, 399; 5. Leland, 408; 6. St Francis, 409; 7. Cheboygan, 410; 8. Cadillac, 433; 9. Traverse City Central, 464; 10. Grayling, 469; 11. Inland Lakes, 491; 12. Boyne City, 502; 13. Harbor Springs, 504; 14. Charlevoix, 516.

Many residents of the Lake Michigan coastline are familiar with hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) after the past six years of frequent outreach conducted by the State of Michigan and their partners.

HWA is a small, aphid-like insect that is almost invisible to the naked eye. They situate themselves at the base of hemlock needles and feed off the tree’s nutrient supply, eventually causing mortality of the tree. The effect on landscapes can be ecologically significant, as exemplified in the Appalachian forests where HWA was first detected in the United States. HWA was first detected in Benzie County in 2023 and has since spread to Manistee and Leelanau Counties.

As HWA continues to be discovered, it’s important that landowners know how to protect their hemlock resources! While ISN conducts surveys and treatments across their four counties, they can’t be everywhere. Join ISN and LCD to learn how to prepare for, protect from, and manage HWA on your own property. This workshop will include HWA identification, management techniques, and forest management insights. You may also qualify for a free survey by LCD’s Forestry Assistance Program Forester, and may receive up to 60 free tree tubes.

Free to all community members all are welcome to attend the first of several events will take place today, Sept. 10 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Leelanau Government Center.

The workshop will also offer a hybrid option, with a link sent out at least one day before to those registered.

Similar programs will be offered on Thursday, Sept. 17 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Mills Community House in Benzonia, or in Grand Traverse County on Thursday, September 24 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Boardman River Nature Center in Traverse City.

Registration is required as space is limited. Please register at www. HabitatMatters. org/ Events or contact ISN Coordinator Audrey Menninga at amenninga@habitatmatters. org or 231-252-4148.

John added a new feature to the event with the singing of This Land Is Your Land. The sing-along was led by Scott Heiser on guitar, and vocalists Cathy Stephenson and Kanda McKee. John even added a new verse that he had written.

When the sun came shining, as I was strolling, The cherries swinging, and the sweet corn boiling, I saw Omena, and she was calling This land was made for you and me.

Two families had three generations there. Bob and Caryn DeVries and their daughter and son-in-law, Kendra and Troy Austin, and their children, Brock and Maryn are regular Bridge Walk attendees. They were all at the second Omena Bridge Walk in 2014, and Brock and Maryn were two of the youngsters who participated in the first Labor Day Rubber Duck Races down Bob’s Brook.

It’s become a tradition for the Austins to stay for the Bridge Walk before heading back downstate right away after spending the holiday weekend with Bob and Caryn.

The other family with three generations was the Le Guen’s. Bastien and his wife, Kaitlyn, were there with their daughter, Mira, and his father, Denis. It was their first Bridge Walk. Denis also gets the award for having come the farthest, as he was here from Paris, France visiting his son and family. The Le Guens had come to Kathy Miller’s step class before the Bridge Walk, and joined her at the walk. Denis was impressed by the hospitality that he encountered there. Mira, who is 4½, loved the rubber duck races, walking the bridge, and the brownies. Kathy even helped her catch a small frog, which she got to hold before putting it back in the pond.

After the walk, they enjoyed lunch with Kathy followed by a swim and a pontoon ride on Omena Bay. It was a perfect Labor Day.

Bob’s Brook was named by John Putnam in honor of Bob Krist, the previous owner of the home and founder of the Omena Labor Day Bridge Walk. As a spoof of the Mackinac Bridge Walk and all the other smaller bridge walks that sprouted up around Michigan, in 2013 Bob laid a split log over the creek in his garden and invited some neighbors over for a “bridge walk”. Seventeen people, including Bob and his wife Julie, attended. It was so much fun that the for the next year, Bob built an actual bridge and invited a few more people. About two dozen attended that year. It grew to over 50 attendees by 2018.

After John and Lee bought the house in 2019, they wonderfully continued the tradition, with about 60 attendees in 2022. The Omena Bridge Walk has been held every year since 2013, with the exception of 2023. It was even held in 2020. That year, this column reported: “In the past, Omena has hosted the smallest known Labor Day Bridge Walk. But in these surreal times of 2020, the Omena Bridge Walk may have been Michigan’s largest, and perhaps only, Bridge Walk. Led by Mayor Sweet Tart McKee, over 30 people crossed Krist Creek. However, refreshments were cancelled this year in light of COVID. Even though masked and distanced, everyone had a good and safe time. Many thanks to John Putnam for the use of his bridge and to Helen Putnam Bradley for hosting the event while John was in Vermont visiting his first grandchild.”

As one attendee this year commented, “This kind of gathering is the best of small-town living.”

Happy Birthday this week to Debbie Zinger, Bill Sulau, Jaron Huffman, Terri Harris, Susan Siemer, Kyle Colling, Don Lystra, Joey Potrzebowski, who turns 10, and Harper Bilek, who turns 5.

Happy 15th Anniversary to Tony and Amanda Brown, and to Carter and Amy Smart Oosterhouse. Happy Anniversary also to Tim and Dorella Mulligan, Eric and Kristi Hallett, and Brian Towne and Claire Ziegeler.

Northport Public School Art Teacher Jen Evans has been selected for the 2027 Michigan Art Education Association (MAEA) Secondary Art Educator of the Year Award. Evans will receive the award at the upcoming MAEA fall conference in Port Huron on Nov. 6, where she will speak at the event.

Evans, who has worked as an art educator for the last 21 years, said the recognition is incredibly meaningful, and feels less like something that belongs solely to her, but rather, an award for Northport.

“When I completed the application, I had to look back across 21 years of teaching. I went through photographs, student work, community projects, exhibitions, National Art Honor Society activities, letters from former students and colleagues, and hundreds of newspaper clippings, many of them from the Leelanau Enterprise. Seeing all of those years collected in one place gave me an opportunity I had never really had before: to step outside of the day-to-day work of teaching and see the larger story,” Evans said in an email. “And one of the clearest things I saw was the remarkable role this community has played in that story… Although my name happens to be engraved on this particular award, I do not see it as recognition that belongs only to me. It represents hundreds of students who were brave enough to try something new, coworkers who collaborated with me, administrators and board members who trusted my vision, families who showed up, and a village that has spent more than two decades saying yes to its kids.”

Throughout her years at Northport school, Evans said she’s brought “some pretty avant-garde ideas” to her students and to the village. From projects involving spray painting on fences and painting a door walk that wove through the marina grounds, to transforming enormous vehicles into works of art and building community- wide exhibitions, Evans has taken art beyond what most people would traditionally picture happening in a school art room.

“But these projects are not simply outlandish ideas for the sake of being unusual. There is always an educational foundation underneath them. They are designed to ask students to problem-solve, collaborate, communicate, take creative risks, work with people outside their own age group, respond to their community, and recognize that their ideas are capable of having an impact beyond the walls of the school,” she said. “What is remarkable is that Northport has never simply stood back and allowed us to do these things. This community has repeatedly stepped forward and said yes.”

The people, such as fellow school staff, parents, and neighbors, who continuously invested and helped support the many art projects Evans has coordinated have made all the difference in making Northport the strong community that it is today. Evans said she’s been very fortunate to work with administrators and school board members who have not only supported these projects but have also rolled up their sleeves and become part of them.

“During ‘Origin and Echo,’ Superintendent Neil Wetherbee, who would probably be the first to tell you he is not an artist, created his own work of art in response to a student’s piece. Board members, including Nancy Peterson, Ben Hale, Tom Wetherbee, Ben Purdee, Ryan Blessing, Dan Duffiney, and many others over the years, have participated in projects, supported students, walked through haunted trails, attended exhibitions, and helped make ambitious ideas possible,” she said. “That matters tremendously to me. A teacher can have all the ideas in the world, but ambitious education does not happen in isolation. It requires people who are willing to say, ‘how can we help?’” Evans said what drives her the most as an educator is watching students discover they are capable of something they did not think they could do. She said she’s never believed that her job was to simply teach students how to draw or paint, and noted how art teaches students to “problem solve, take risks, revise ideas, tolerate frustration, communicate, and create something that did not exist before.”

“Young people also spend so much of their lives consuming information, images, videos, and ideas. Art asks them to do the opposite. It asks them to originate something,” she said. “I also want students who say, ‘I’m not an artist,’ to discover that creativity belongs to them too. Their strength may be painting, but it might also be building, designing, leading, organizing, collaborating, or figuring out how to make an ambitious idea actually work. That is why I have always tried to expand what an art project can be. Sometimes it is a drawing or painting. Sometimes it is an installation, a public event, a giant collaborative project, or something that transforms a space in the community. The finished product matters, but the experience of creating it matters even more.”

Evans acknowledged that while artwork by students will “undoubtedly disappear” over the years, she hopes that the experience stays with them.

“I hope they remember being trusted with a big idea, solving something they thought was impossible, and discovering that their ideas had value,” she said. “If students leave my classroom a little more willing to imagine something that does not exist yet, and a little more confident that they can help create it, then I think I have done my job.”

“The experience is everything for me. That’s why I find three jobs.

I want to experience everything, because here is America. Everything for me is fresh, and I do something different every day. Whether it’s some drink or ice cream. Everything’s different. I spend a lot of money here every day. I can’t walk into the grocery store,” Gent said.

The 21-year-olds are now off for leisure before returning to their home country of China. Gent is heading to New York City and Caspian is traveling west to see Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.

“Working here, made my whole summer. That was really wonderful. I never thought that this would be such a nice place, and I would have a nice time here. I worked every day, but I don’t feel like I’m tired, because they are just so nice to me. And the hospitality along with it,” Caspian said.

Caspian is excited to connect with other J1 friends in Colorado, and Gent is heading to the Big Apple with a goal of seeing the Statue of Liberty.

That’s the first time both of them explored outside of their respected country and provinces.

Gent is from the Jiangxi Province in southeast-central China. Caspian hails Guangdong Province, which is a coastal province in South China. Both are college students in China and are trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives just like any other young adult.

It’s safe to say, they both have the travel bug now.

Gent worked the cash register and Caspian managed cooking in the back at NJ’s, along with working at Fiddleheads and Leelanau Steakhouse.

Both Gent and Caspian admit there’s a big difference on the culture and environment from China to the United States, but at the end of the day, humans are humans.

Both Gent and Caspian had to find an agency to connect with a sponsor and help find a job, while arranging visa documentation to land a job stateside.

Caspian spent his time in the kitchen, cutting all of the vegetables, and helping cook Rosie’s famous Indian food.

“The people are pretty nice, even hilarious. I’m talking with them everyday, having fun with them and we are both making each other laugh ... I treat it like a compliment,” Caspian said. “I learn from (Rosie). I learned a lot of ingredients them because Rosie kept teaching me.”

Both Caspian and Gent believe this experience has helped them become more openminded.

“When I get here, I feel like the people are accepting of each other, accepting the people around you,” Caspian said. “If you’re nice to other people, then maybe they would treat you back in the same way.”

Gent loves to hike and is looking forward to getting out and capturing true Leelanau beauty with a few days break before heading to New York City.

J1 workers are a crucial backbone to the Leelanau economy and without them, most of the restaurant, and stores would be running on even thinner staffs than what they have now.

John Dennis Murphey Trust (Self) Residential alteration – Change of Use: Convert existing covered porch into four season room at 10200 W. Niagara Street ($14,210).

Village of Northport

Avner and Rena T. Porat (Self) Residential Alteration – remove and replace 51 linear feet of existing crawl space at 515 S. Shore Drive ($255).

Village of Suttons Bay

Helen M. Wransky Trust (Self) Residential demolition of barn at 726 N. St. Joseph Street ($0).

Bingham Township

Arlene D. Dawson Trust (AccuLevel Inc.) Residential Alteration – Install powerpost pier support power post in existing crawl space at7640 E. Sierra Drive ($4,530).

Scott C. Flaska (Leelanau Construction LLC) Residential elevated boardwalk at S. Stanley Street ($27,540).

Centerville Township

Michael and Elizabeth Mulkerrin (Bay Area Contracting Inc.) Residential Alteration – Install new footings and posts on existing rear deck at 2157 S. Ridge Road ($0).

Cleveland Township

Nicholaas and Seychelle Engelhard (Self) Residential Alteration – construct roof over existing deck at 5760 S. Lime Crest Drive ($5,280).

Elmwood Township

Samp Dindia LLC(Self) Residential Ground Mount Solar Array – 7 Panels at 8230 E. Lakeview Hills Road ($14,000).

Glen Arbor Township

Jon R. and Julianne K. B. Robinson (Ayers Basement Systems) Residential Alteration – install sub floor WaterGuard in existing basement at 3 Pine Trace ($13,955).

Suttons Bay Township

Carrie Gingras (Self) Residential Pre-Engineered detached garage at 3750 N. Kenosha Trial ($24,000).

Allen D. Ackerman Trust (Self) Residential Alteration – remove and replace existing deck at 345 S. Nanagosa Trail ($5,270).

26 in Elmwood Township Kathleen A. Skibowski, 83, of Garfield Township died August

29 in Elmwood Township Dawn M. Blough, 67, of Empire Township died August

30 in Empire Township

Jacques-Brett and Nancy C. Burgess to themselves, Section 10 in Suttons Bay Township.

Jacques-Brett and Nancy C. Burgess to themselves, Lot 4, Section 28 in Suttons Bay Township.

Barbara Henshaw, Trustee of the Revocable Living Trust of Barbara Henshaw to Lake Sunset Properties, LLC, Lot 1, Section 1 in Elmwood Township (Valuation Affidavit filed).

August 27, 2026

Burton L. Jamieson, III, Successor Trustee of the Shelly S. Jamieson Irrevocable Trust to himself, Trustee of the Burton L. Jamieson, III Revocable Trust, Lot 21, Roaring Brook in Leelanau Township.

Leelanau County Land Bank Fast Track Authority to Habitat for Humanity – Grand Traverse Region, Unit 1, New Waves Development in Elmwood Township.

Habitat for Humanity – Grand Traverse Region to Jacob Dean and Ava Flores, Unit 1, New Waves Development in Elmwood Township ($335,000).

Jean A. Case, Trustee of the James E, Burkhart Trust No. 1 to Scott C. Flaska, Section 34 in Solon Township ($300,000).

Catherine E. Cunningham to herself, Lot 43, Scenic Mountain View Estates in Cleveland Township.

Mark E. and Julia H. McCloskey to themselves, as Trustees of the Mark E. McCloskey and Julia H. McCloskey Trust, Unit 15, Park View Town Homes South in the City of Traverse City.

Kevin A. Kowalk and Rachel A. Warner to themselves, as Co-Trustees of the Kevin A. Kowalk and Rachel A. Warner Trust, Section 17 and Section 18 in Cleveland Township.

Forrest Gunderson to himself, Lot 4, Section 4 in Leland Township.

Alan R. Vanderpaas, Trustee of the Alan R. Vanderpaas Living Trust to Robert and Myra Ottoson, Lot 1, Section 1 in Empire Township ($690,000).

Benjamin I. Cole and Amy Ballinger-Cole to Robert G. and Susan A. Sullivan, Unit 30, Harbour Ridge Condominium in Cleveland Township (Valuation Affidavit filed).

Adam Skiba and Susan L. Light, Co-Trustees of the Barbara A. Rufli Trust to Jason Schuringa, Section 34 in the Village of Northport (Valuation Affidavit field).

Christine and Jason Emerick to Joseph G. DiCamillo, Co-Trustee of the Rhonda Kidd DiCamillo Revocable Trust, Lot 3, Bayscape Hills in Suttons Bay Township (Valuation Affidavit filed).

Ann K. Watkins, Trustee of the Ann K. Watkins Trust to Rebecca Woerner, Unit 5, Rivertown Leland Condominium in Leland Township (Valuation Affidavit filed).

Gregory K. Moore to John P. Miller and Lisa C. Miller, Co-Trustees of the Peter and Lisa Miller Revocable Trust, Lots 1, 3 and 5, of Block 8, E.E. Chandler’s Park Addition to the Village of Leland in Leland Township (Valuation Affidavit filed).

August 28, 2026

Barbara A. Bachi, Trustee of the Barbara A. Bachi Trust to Alexander and Debra A. Franzoni, Lot 3, Section 9 in Elmwood Township (Valuation Affidavit filed).

Erica Kirt to Hannah and Gabriel Bunek, Unit 8, The Orchards Condominium in Suttons Bay Township ($734,000).

Randall S. Heemstra and Molly L. Heemstra to Candace K. and Mark A. Kleinheksel, Section 11 in Leland Township (Valuation Affidavit filed).

Richard and Rhonda Garthe to Tiffany Comfort and Chad Comfort, Unit 2, Cedar Cove Estates in Solon Township.

Nori Obata to herself, as Trustee of the Iron Pines Trust, Lot 1, Section 14 in Glen Arbor Township.

Scott S. Thurrott and Susan A. Howard to Keirsun T. Scott and Cora M. Scott, Unit 10, Leland River Lots Condominium in Leland Township.

Britton J. Carter to Aaron and Madison Neddo, Section 5 in Solon Township ($178,500).

Aaron and Madison Neddo to Madalyn Knutson and Justin Pippel, Section 5 in Solon Township ($415,000).

Todd Koca and Craig Koca to Gerald and Laurie Brown, Section 26 in Kasson Township ($250,000).

Joseph G. Williams to Timothy and Nichole Bannen, Section 25 in Kasson Township ($225,000).

Michael Hanrahan and Sara Hanrahan to Andrew Graham, Lot 130, Sugar Loaf Chalets No 3 in Centerville Township ($55,000).

Michelle M. Mork to Teresa Mork, as Trustee of the Michelle M. Mork Irrevocable Trust, Section 8 in Suttons Bay Township.

Gregory O. and Michelle M. Mork to Michelle M. Mork, Section 8 in Suttons Bay Township.

James C. Anderson to himself, Section 6 in Kasson Township.

Donna P. Anderson, an undivided ½ interest to herself, Section 6 in Kasson Township.

James C. Anderson, by his attorney-in-fact, Donna P. Anderson, an undivided ½ interest to James C. Anderson, Section 6 in Kasson Township.

Donna P. Anderson to herself and James C. Anderson, each as to an undivided ½ interest of Section 6 in Kasson Township.

William P. Winowiecki, Jr. to himself and Stephanie Winowiecki, Section 35 in Solon Township.

Trustee of the Florian L. Czerniak Living Trust, Trustees of the Joseph and Martha Czerniak Living Trust, Trustee of the Daniel B. Peplinski Revocable Trust and Fred L. Peplinski to Gregory K. Kilinski, Section 31 in Centerville Township ($310,000).

August 31, 2026

Cathleen J. Abbott to Gary Abbott, as Trustee or his successor of the Irrevocable Trust Solely for the benefit of Cathleen J. Abbott, Lot 2, Section 11 in Centerville Township.

Phillip P. and Stephanie A. Rice to Phillip and Stephanie Rice Joint Declaration of Trust, Section 33 in Centerville Township.

Maureen J. Kufskie to Evan K. T. Sykes, Section 34 in Cleveland Township.

Rebecca K. Hoog to herself, Trustee of the Rebecca L. Hoog Revocable Trust, Lot 2, Section 12 in Empire Township.

Rebecca L. Hoog, Trustee of the Rebecca L. Hoog Revocable Trust to Martha K. Long and Sean P. Wade, Trustees or their successors in interest of the Puerco Canyon 2026 Trust, Lot 2, Section 12 in Empire Township (Valuation Affidavit field).

Heidi and Beverly Kruse to Robert F. and Marcia S. Moglia, Lots 12, 13, ½ of Lot 11 of the Plat of Terrace Place in Leland Township (Valuation Affidavit filed).

Kimberly S. MacDonnell, as Successor Trustee of the Ronald W. Sanborn and Nancy K. Sanborn Trust No. 1 to herself, Lot 5, Plat of Skeba’s Plat of Cozy Bay Subdivision in Bingham Township.

Donald A. Thomas and Kathleen M. Vezina to themselves, Section 17 in Elmwood Township.

Eric J. Steinheberl, Jr. to The Kruse Family Trust, Section 12 in Bingham Township (Valuation Affidavit field).

Cheryl L. Pero, Trustee of the Kenneth Pero and Cheryl Pero Trust No. 1 to Vincent and Janna O’Brien, Unit 32, Sapphire Shore in Elmwood Township ($945,000).

Stuart J. Salisbury, Trustee of the Chester F. Salisbury Trust to Melissa P. LaValley and Alphonse M. Thibodeau, Lot 4 and 5, Laure’s First Addition to Village of Empire in the Village of Empire ($550,000).

Haley A. Atkin and John T. O’Callaghan II to Second Restatement of Richard M. Singer Revocable Living Trust, Section 21 in Bingham Township ($515,000).

James P. and Paula S. Meyer to themselves, Lot 1 Section 13 and Lot 5, Section 14 in Bingham Township.

Steven J. Dawson, Janet D. Knight and Richard A. Dawson, Co-Trustees of the Arlene D. Dawson Trust to Richard A. Dawson, Lot 3, Section 24 in Bingham Township.

Robert and Kris Send to Emily Send, Lot 5, Section 28 in Elmwood Township.

Kelly M. Hagan, as Trustee of the Edwin D. Ricker Revocable Trust to Darci L. Ricker, Section 28 in Empire Township.

Allan R. and Joanne M. Dalzell to themselves, and their successors, as Trustees of the Dalzell Trust, Section 23 in Leelanau Township.

Virgil T. Goodrick to himself, Section 23 in Kasson Township.

James VanSteenhouse (Lake Leelanau Excavating) Remove farm home, garage, shed, grainery and barn returning to natural conditions at 4331 S. French Road ($150).

Elmwood Township

Sara and James Provencher (Keystone Contracting, LLC) Replace existing deck and staircase at 9995 E. Pickwick Court ($150).

Empire Township

Faber Land Company LLC (Levi Faber) Excavate new home build at 11950 S. Karnes Road ($1500).

Glen Arbor Township

Derik Deconinck (Keilty-Lucas Construction) Demo of existing structures and construction of new residence at 5772 S. Dunns Farm Road ($1500).

Leelanau Township

Philip Popvin and Lindsay Ackers (Jeff Phenix) Excavate for new home, septic and driveway at 15763 E. Cherry Park Drive ($1000).

Lauren Thomas-Kincaid and Anthony Kincaid (Samual Scott-Scott Carpentry) New construction of a 24’x32’ garage at 104 E. Smith Street ($300).

Leland Township

Dana Delbridge and Bill Kavtz (Peninsula Pavers/Cysilia Schaub) Rip rap installation in front of existing sea wall and additional rip rap along unprotected shoreline at 4835 W. Wildwood Trail ($150).

Solon Township

Dan Birchmeier (Todd’s Service’s, Inc.) Shoreline protection rip rap at 8307 S. Solon Park Road ($300).

Suttons Bay Township

Steve Benedick (Greener Earth Landscaping) Landscaping: two retaining walls, replace steps and patio at 601 S. Nanagosa Trail ($300).

“We didn’t do it last year with a conflict of timing and just didn’t work out, but this will be our second annual Cider by the Bay Fest,” Two K Farms co-owner Max Koskela said. “We’ll be sampling not just cider and wine, but also apples, so we’ll have a lot of the heritage apples for sampling and purchasing, um, and a lot of the small batch apples.”

The festival runs from noon to 6 p.m. with two musical acts, including the Nightcrawlers, which includes Sierra Cassie, along with John Richard Paul in the afternoon.

The festival runs on a commemorative cup purchase with eight tokens, allowing participants to sample products and glass pours.

“It’ll be a good time for all,” Koskela said.

Earlier this summer, Two K brought home the “Great Lake Winery of the Year” at the Great Lake Winemaker Challenge.

Two K was also recognized by receiving Double Gold for Pinot Deux and 2023 Honeycrisp Ice Cider. Gold medals were awarded for Gamay Noir, 2024 Lee Pointe Block Riesling, and Apple Brandy. The Silver medal was awarded for Kingston Black Bourbon Barrel Aged. “To be named Great Lakes Winery of the Year is a true honor for our team,” said Kurt Berry, Winemaker, Two K Farms. “We are passionate about crafting the highest quality cider, wine, and spirits that reflect our orchards, Michigan microclimate, and vineyard’s character. This recognition means a great deal to the whole team at Two K Farms. The vision and passion of the owners, brothers George and Max Koskela, is a statement of their commitment to making outstanding product that meets the challenge of creating exceptional wine and cider from fruit and fermentation.”

The evolution of our vineyard’s grapes has been fantastic. The Double Gold-winning wine, 2025 Pinot Deux, made from pinot gris and pinot blanc grapes, has notes of tropical fruit, white peach, and cream soda that fuse into the ultimate effervescent treat. A sweet bubbly wine that doesn’t overwhelm the palate; it’s fruit-forward yet balanced. The first gold medal winner, the 2024 Gamay Noir, was aged in French oak for one year. It has rich notes of dark chocolate, berries, white pepper, and spice. The second gold medal winner for the 2024 Lee Point Block Riesling is not too dry or sweet – bringing forward aromatic notes of peach and honeysuckle.

Michigan Apple Cider Contest now open

The Michigan Apple Cider Contest is open to commercial producers and takes place at the Great Lakes Expo on December 9, 2026.

The Michigan State Horticultural Society and the Michigan Apple Committee are sponsoring the contest. The Michigan Apple Cider Contest and the Sweet and Hard Cider educational program are both part of the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market EXPO conference, held Dec. 8–10 at the DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Entering the contest is easy;: bring 2 gallons of thawed cider to the Exhibitors Registration booth in the EXPO Registration area on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Wednesday from 8 a.m. to noon. Judging will take place Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 9. Many of the winning ciders in this competition over the years have been frozen cider made earlier in the fall.

The Sweet and Hard Cider Educational Sessions will be held Tuesday morning, Dec. 8.

Apple Maturity Report

Honeycrisp is being picked this week across Northwest Michigan as apple maturity testing will occur weekly.

Some growers started Minnesota varieties harvest earlier this month (Sept. 2), and some are starting later in the week and into the weekend.

Apple size is variable across orchards: some blocks have decent-sized apples for this time in the season,, while other orchards have small apples.

“We have had very little rain in late July and through August, so if growers did not have irrigation, apples are small. The rain this week has been welcomed. McIntosh, Gala, and Honeycrisp samples for this week are immature,” NWMI Horticulture Center Director Nikki Rothwell said.

Apple harvest typically starts in mid-August and goes until the end of fall. This year’s predicted apple harvest dates from the Michigan State University (MSU) Extension note that most varieties will have slightly early to normal harvest dates, but depending on temperature changes, that prediction could be slightly adjusted.

Despite a cold spring with multiple freeze events observed earlier this year, the crop load is looking good for most locations though. MSU Extension reported that regional differences in predicted peak harvest dates across Michigan are very evident this year, and there is clear separation for varieties by region.

Kevin VerSnyder of VerSnyder Orchards in Lake Leelanau said they will likely be harvesting a large apple crop this fall. With the amount of rain that occurred during the “cell division” period this summer, the fruit size is also bigger. The cell division period in fruits takes place primarily in the three to four weeks after full bloom, according to MSU Extension, and the potential final fruit size is determined by the number of cells in a fruit, so the cell division period after bloom is critical.

“We have a lot of sandy-loam soil which is good for fruit trees, too, and good drainage,” VerSnyder said. “The cooler temps are also great for color.”

VerSnyder Orchards’ grows dozens of apple varieties every year, with earlier season varieties being Zestar, Sweet Maia, Premier Honeycrisp, and Red King. Some of the later varieties include Evercrisp, Ludacrisp, Crimson Crisp, Kudos, Golden Russet, Hudson’s Golden Gem, and dozens more of cider apple varieties good for making juice.

Some of the varieties people tend to go for when looking for a sweeter, juicy apple include Hudson’s Golden Gem, Ludacrisps — which have tart notes as well — Golden Russet, and EverCrisps. For more of a tart apple, VerSnyder said any of the red-flesh apples have sharp sour flavors and include varieties like CrimsonCrisp and Honeycrisps. VerSnyder’s Orchards’ three best-selling apples are usually their Honeycrisps, EverCrisps, and Ludacrisps. The apple harvest has a longer season than most of the other fruits grown on the property, so apples are like their bread and butter, VerSnyder said.

New apple varieties VerSnyder planted this spring, about 20-40 trees, will produce fruit in the next two years. The new varieties are called Red Zeppelin, Scruffy, and Amarilla Soul — with the latter being a newer yellow-skinned apple and known as a cross between Honeycrisp and Fuji apples. He also put some red-flesh Honeycrisp crosses in called Lucy Glo and Lucy Rose, offering more tangy and sweet flavors for apple fans to try.

“I think people really like the varieties, they really do, and I’ve learned to just not have too much of all of them. Every two weeks we offer another a new one and people really like that,” VerSnyder.

At Bakker’s Acres Orchards in Suttons Bay, the family-run fruit farm is currently in the first third of apple harvest. The orchard grows 23 varieties, and Lynn Baker, co-owner of Bakker’s Acres Orchards, reports that so far, everything looks promising — apples are ripening, there has been abundant moisture so the trees are healthy, and there hasn’t been any frost yet.

“We are very dependent on the weather, but so far, so good,” Bakker said in an email. “Early varieties so far have been tasting deliciously crisp… The first ones have been popular with customers at the Leelanau Farmer’s Markets, and we expect folks will continue to enjoy the flavors offered.”

Bakker said their new crisp and tangy variety, SweeTango, is now available, and Honeycrisp, another popular variety that’s currently ripening, will be available until late in the fall.

“Paula Red, Pristine, Golden Delicious offer sweeter flavors, Ginger Gold, and a variety of Macintosh types, as well as the Honeycrisp and SweeTango, offer a sweet/tart tang, and we have tarter varieties, like Viking, and Lodi,” Bakker said. “What is preferred is dependent on the customer. Some choose a new flavor to try. Some have a preference, some a tradition. Different flavors work better for pies or applesauce. So what variety is preferred is very subjective.”

Bakker’s Acres apples can be found at their roadside stand located at 2677 Setterbo Road and make filling up on apples whenever needed easy and convenient. The VerSnyder Orchards farm stand, which also has an abundance of apples and other produce available, is located at 1530 S Lake Shore Drive in Lake Leelanau.

In addition, their apples, as well as other local orchard’s apple produce, can be purchased at Leelanau Farmer’s Markets, which are still going for several more weeks in various locations. The last day of Glen Arbor’s Farmer’s Market is on Tuesday, Sept. 15, while Northport’s last market is set for Friday, Sept. 18. Suttons Bay Farmer’s Market, held on Saturdays, goes until Oct. 17.

I’m sure we can all remember the high water woe’s that beset the country this spring, and plague some areas still-Michigan was not immune, and in Northwest Michigan, Grand Traverse county and Leelanau County had their problems as well. But closer to home, Little Traverse Lake in Cleveland Township was unable to mitigate this high water occurrence in a timely manner, leading to compromised septic systems, flooded crawl spaces, exterior water damage (leading to mold), and considerable shoreline erosion.

The Cleveland Township Board was once again asked to take a role in solving Little Traverse Lake’s inability to mitigate high water levels during high water occurrences. And as in 2015, Cleveland Township contracted, at considerable expense, with the engineering firm of Gosling Cuzbak of Traverse City to do a study on how best to mitigate high water in a timely fashion during high water occurrences.

And guess what!! The 2026 study came back pointing to the same issues that the 2015 study did- “any drainage improvements made at the West Traverse Lake Road crossing of Shalda Creek are highly contingent on no downstream impediments (i.e. beaver dams) in Shalda Creek leading out of Little Traverse Lake.

This gives the Township reason for pause- Einstein’s definition of stupidity is stated as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Well, I can assure you that myself and Cleveland Township are done being stupid!

As a longtime, 22 years, Cleveland Township supervisor I am tired of dealing with this issue, as is the township. The key to a solution rests with the National Park Service, and without a suitable agreement to keep the Shalda Creek downstream drainage, out of Little Traverse Lake, free of impediments (i.e. beaver dams), as noted in both the 2015 and 2026 engineering studies, Cleveland Township will take no further action, financial or otherwise, on the drainage at the Shalda Creek crossing at West Traverse Lake Road.

About the author: Mr. Stein is the supervisor of Cleveland Township

To the editor:

I met Stacey Brugeman seven years ago and was impressed by her excellent communication skills, respect for all, and dedication to our community. Her involvement in Leland has led to many interactions through sports and school events, which has given me great confidence in her commitment to our township. Her tireless work ethic and thoughtful research help her understand different viewpoints. As an independent, Stacey is committed toward listening to others and representing Leland Township constituents. My vote will be for Stacey Brugeman for Leland Township Trustee in November, and I hope yours will be too.

Karen Kirt Lake Leelanau

The Leelanau Township Board Tuesday scrapped a proposal to construct a communications tower at the Braman Hill Recreation Area.

It was the second such proposal to be considered in the past 21 months.

In January 2025, the Leelanau Township Zoning Board of Appeals, upheld a Planning Commission denial of a special use permit to construct a communications tower off Kitchen Road.

It’s no secret that cell phone coverage in the Northport area is spotty. In fact, the need for improved coverage has been discussed for more than a decade.

Thirty years ago, Leelanau County met opposition from persons living in southern Leland Township, who alleged that plans for a new communications tower would upset the flight patterns of migrating birds.

Ultimately, the tower was erected and there were no other issues with neighboring property owners.

Plans for a telecommunications tower atop Braman Hill in Northport failed Tuesday by a 2-3 vote. The project, proposed by The Towers, LLC, called for placement of 195-foot monopole at the Braman Hill Recreation Area, owned by Leelanau Township.

Those opposed to the new tower site say it would still fall within the “fair to poor outdoor coverage,” for cell users.

However, it would have increased Verizon coverage in the immediate area of town.

The Braman Hill cell tower isn't the first proposal rejected by the township. Last year, the Leelanau Township Planning Commission voted 4-2 to deny a special land use application for a 200-foot communication tower on Kitchen Road.

Emergency responders call the first 60 minutes after a traumatic injury the “golden hour,” referring to the idea that prompt medical care is essential for a patient’s outcome.

Meanwhile, residents and visitors in Leelanau Township, could be in jeopardy as calls made for assistance may not go through. Delaying treatment after the first 60 minutes (the golden hour) could have an negative impact for those needing help.

Let’s hope they come up with an alternative plan. After all, it could be a matter of life or death.

And I have to agree wholeheartedly. No surprise for Enterprise readers who have seen this enthusiasm cross over into my monthly column.

Sunday is National Grandparents Day and while it’s unlikely that there will be cake and ice cream, there could be a treat in the form of a visit with my grandchildren.

Last weekend was special with my eldest granddaughters.

Michelle, who just started second grade, with my encouragement, auditioned for the Leelanau Children’s Choir and Youth Ensemble.

It was exciting, a special experience with “Andma.”

That’s what the grands call me. Michelle’s never known a Christmas holiday without the Children’s Choir. Since she’s been able to sit still for more than 10 minutes, the Madrigal Concert has been on our shared holiday calendar.

She looks forward to it every year as an Andma and Michelle “date.”

Director Margaret Bell is no stranger to the Hubbells. Our oldest daughter, Emily, and son, Tim, sang together for one season. Tim is Michelle’s father.

“I’ve been waiting for you,” Mrs. Bell told my second generation singer Michelle.

Sunday is National Grandparents Day. As far as I know we don’t have anything special planned.

But the benefits of spending time cannot be ignored.

Evolutionary biologists call it the “grandmother hypothesis.”

And it goes like this: When grandparents invest heavily in their grandchildren, they dramatically boost how well those children survive and flourish.

So spoiling your grandchildren is basic biology.

Grandparents are hardwired to pour into grandchildren because for ages human survival hinged on exactly that across generations.

When neuroscientists scanned the brains of grandparents, they found that looking at photos of their grandchildren lit up the emotional empathy regions much more intensely than nearly any human relationship.

In addition to the “audition” Friday, we made a stop at Samaritans’ Closet where Michigan “scored” a waterbottle and a snazzy pair of shoes to go with her Madrigal Concert garb.

She also got an after-hours tour of the Enterprise facility, complete with huge rolls of newsprint and an impressive press — the last remaining of its kind in northern Michigan.

My heart melted as she thanked me from her backseat booster chair.

Saturday, it was time for Maeve, Michelle’s younger sister, who became unglued when she wasn’t included in Friday’s activities.

There was no tryout. So Maeve’s time with Andma was a little different. She, of course, had to go to Samaritans’ and to and Andma’s office.

But, she did manage to go to the pharmacy and to Hansen Foods with me.

There’s no greater love than a child and their grandparents.

Happy Grandparents Day.