The Riverside Inn, a charming restaurant and inn on the banks of the Leland River, has been a landmark in Leland for over 100 years. The Inn boasts waterfront views and fine dining in a casual atmosphere. The lobby bar, dining rooms, and decks offer an innovative menu for dinners and Sunday brunch, as well as a wide list of world-class wines, featuring the best of Leelanau Peninsula vineyards.

The original Riverside Inn was built nearly single-handedly in 1902 by Jacob Schwarz, a portable saw-mill operator. The summer tourist population was steadily growing, and Schwarz had realized there was a need for inns and hotels in Leland.

After Schwarz and his wife died, the Inn continued in operation, managed by his two daughters. Catastrophe struck the Inn in the fall of 1924 when fire broke out on the third floor and completely destroyed the building. Having no fire department at that time, the men of the village formed a bucket brigade that extended from the bank of the river to the very peak of the building. They managed to remove nearly all of the furniture and to protect the neighboring buildings, but the Inn itself was a total loss.

Faced with this challenge, the family decided to carry on without constructing a new building. Instead they took over the dance hall that Jacob Schwarz had built on the banks of the Leland River. They turned it around to parallel the river, raised the roof to make it a two story structure, and converted it into the second Riverside Inn. This was accomplished in 1925 and the Inn was operated under the same management until 1957.

Barb and Kate Vilter, a mother-daughter team took over the operation of the inn in 1997. Since that time, the Vilters have been slowly adding their unique touch to a landmark of Leland. They have emphasized locally grown foods, and have cultivated lasting friendships with the farmers, hunters, and fishermen on Leelanau peninsula. The local products they feature range from Carlson’s whitefish, Glacier Springs trout, Bardenhagen berries, Leelanau Cheese raclette, vegetables and herbs from all over the area, and many Leelanau wineries.

The Inn, which claims to be the area’s most romantic getaway, offers several charming suites in a variety of styles. The “Islands Suite” overlooks the Leland River and has a sitting room with an antique wardrobe. The “Petoskey Suite” features a soothing palette and a four-poster bed. The Inn is also a popular location for weddings throughout the year.

The Riverside Inn is open seven nights a week and for Sunday brunch.  Located at 302 River Street. 231.256.9971 or 888.257.0102.

Several Leelanau wineries were among the top medal winners at the 31st annual Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition.

East Lansing was awash in Michigan wine last week, as 24 wine experts from around the country and across the state gathered for the 31st annual Michigan Wine and Spirits Competition. Judges included two Master Sommeliers, internationally known wine writers, winemakers, and knowledgeable retailers and restaurateurs.

Some judges who were new to the Michigan competition were pleasantly surprised by the wines they tasted. “The overall excellent quality of Michigan wines has been a revelation,” noted Ian Barry, winemaker for Swedish Hill Winery in Romulus, N.Y.

Master Sommelier Madeline Triffon and wine writer Ron Sober also praised the overall quality of the wines:

“The wines are very good, from an international standard, not just compared to other similar regions,” said Sober.

“Michigan has come a long way,” Triffon added. “Each flight had notable wines.  The tasting experience was a pleasure.”

Taking “Best of Class” honors were Chateau Fontaine winery for its 2007 Dry White Riesling, and Longview winery for its 2007 Rustic Red.

Double gold medal winners included Bel Lago winery for its Leelanau Peninsula Brillante, Black Star Farms‘ 2006 Arcturos Merlot, and Chateau Fontaine’s 2006 Pinot Gris.

A complete list of medal winners is available at www.michiganwines.com.

Nestled in the heart of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, The Cottage Book Shop services the small summer resort community of Glen Arbor with new and used books, including a large selection of northern Michigan titles.

Barbara Siepker, owner and local author, purchased The Cottage Book Shop in 1995. After a few years of moving the shop around Glen Arbor, it finally settled into its current home, a quaint and crooked log cabin on Lake Street.  This relocated cabin was the first resort log cabin on Glen Lake, built by the cousin of Glen Haven’s first entrepreneur, D.H. Day.

Whether passing through town for a weekend or returning to a second home for summer, The Cottage Book Shop is a good place to stop to find a new release, a rare title you thought was out-of-print, or a unique northern Michigan “gift book” from one of the many artists and authors who call the region home.

The Cottage Book Shop

5989 Lake Street (across from Cherry Republic)

Glen Arbor, MI

(231) 334-4223

Open 10:00am to 5:00 pm, daily

“This poem came about as I began playing with alliteration,” says Debra Kraft of Pinckney, Michigan.  “The recurring sound of the letter ‘s’ began to make me think of sand in a whispering wind, and ultimately of the dunes.  Over a period of months, I found myself adding words, changing words, and experimenting with formats until I finally arrived at the current version, which is intended to give the visual appearance of a dune or hill that gradually descends from the summit, but not at a consistent angle.  Portions of this poem, like the dunes that inspired it, remind me of being a child.  Too small to make the climb, I slid backwards and giggled in “silly shrill squeals” with every step I took.”

Sleeping Bear Dunes

the wind

whispers sifting

shifting soft streams

of sliding sand gliding

sand swirling in swiftly

whipping a gift of frivolous

spores seeping into the pores of

every poured drifter who wanders

unwary enticing toes buried in sun

washed white grains it summons sweet

strains out of childish play an inane serenade

in silly shrill squeals such delicious soft peals

sneaking snickering laughs amidst challenging

gaffs from scavenging gulls scoring lost souvenirs

slyly ravaging holes in soul-stealing pride as each

downward ride sends more sand shifting and sifting

and drifting and streaming as sliders slip into dreaming

soon blissfully scheming to finally surrender to old mother

bear who’s always there watching awaiting her small island

cubs sand-worn and weary     s  u  s  p  e  n  d  e  d i n  t i m e

Debra Kraft attended Wayne State University as a merit scholar in the early 80s, where she studied under Detroit poet M.L. Liebler. Recent publishing credits include a poetry book  published in 2004, and a fantasy novella, “A Throne’s Stowaway,” published last year in the web-based magazine Lorelei Signal. Her speculative poem “In the End” is expected to appear in Aberrant Dreams before the end of this year. More of her poetry can be found through her website, www.dmkraft.com.

The Port Oneida Fair, a two day living history event at five historic farms, will be held this Friday and Saturday August 8 and 9.  Over 90 folks will be demonstrating traditional rural skills and crafts.  Draft animals will be mowing hay and free horse and wagon rides are just some of the many activities. Step back in time as you travel between the historic farms by shuttle bus, horse and wagon, bike or walking the paths through the fields.  Each farm along the way has different activities to experience.

So try your hand at shelling corn, cross cut sawing, washing clothes with a hand ringer, or pitching hay. Or you might pet some lambs, feed some chickens or brush an ox.  Several of the farm houses, barns and school house will be open for tours.

The Port Oneida Rural Historic District is located four miles north of Glen Arbor on M-22.  It is part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Need a break from a busy shopping day in Glen Arbor?  Then stop by the charming green cottage restaurant-Thyme Out-for a reprieve.  Thyme Out features focaccia sandwiches, tempting pastries, specialty coffees and teas, and fresh-fruit smoothies.  Most items are made with either local ingredients from the Glen Arbor Farmers’ Market across the street or straight from the garden in back.

Owner Carol Worsley, a cooking instructor and caterer with French training, is well-known in the community. She also owns the Thyme Inn, a Bed and Breakfast across Western Avenue.  The Inn features sweetly-appointed rooms, including a Beatrix Potter children’s room. 

Like her Finnish grandmothers, Worsley believes in using only the best ingredients in her cooking.  As a little girl growing up in the Upper Peninsula, she helped pick seasonal berries and learned how to make pastries without ever consulting a cookbook.  Local pastry chef Susan McConnell shares the same vision and uses an abundance of fresh ingredients for the best results.

McConnell’s creations, displayed under a glass canopy, feature all sorts of delights: berry crumb cakes, fine pastries, fruit muffins, scones, cookies, and chocolate truffles.  You can balance them with a low-calorie smoothie or a hearty sandwich and head to one of the tables inside or out to the English garden oasis in the back.  A grand willow arbor covered with greenery anchors the garden and offers cushioned seating and a view of strolling shoppers through a fence of lavender.

Thyme Out also offers a variety of options for the picnic-bound.  Stash a few sandwiches and other fare in your basket and take it all to go.  However, you just might want to bring an extra basket for all the other great finds in the store.  Kitchen ware, gourmet jams and spreads, soaps, and unusual gift items-it’s all here.

Thyme Out is located at 6453 Western Avenue in downtown Glen Arbor. 231-334-8179

Open Tuesdays- Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Closed Sundays and Mondays.

The Manitou Music Festival is this Sunday-July 20, 7:00 p.m.

Ride the chair lift, take a golf cart, or walk to the top of the ski hill at The Homestead for a magnificent view of Lake Michigan and music by the Neptune Quartet.  Formed in 2001, the quartet is a collaboration of cellist Crispin Campbell, Don Julin on mandolin, guitarist Angelo Meli, and bassist Glenn Wolff. The group plays original compositions as well as music by the likes of Django Reinhardt, Frank Zappa and Hank Williams.

Tickets $15 advance/$18 door.  Tickets are also available at Glen Arbor Arts Association office (231.334.6112) until 3:00 P.M. on Friday and at Lake Street Studios (231.334.3179 ) over the week-end 11:00-5:00.

Chair lift and golf carts will start running at 6:00p.m.  Chairs will be set up, but concert goers are welcome to bring blankets for grass seating.  Rain location on site in the beautiful Mountain Flower Meeting Center.

The Homestead asks that concert goers not bring food or drink to this event.  Restaurants on the grounds will be open and a cash beverage bar will be set up at the venue: beer/$5.00 bottle or can, red and white wine/$7.00 per cup, soda/$3.00 per can, water/$4.00 per bottle, fruit juice/$4.00 per bottle.

GAAA would also like to thank this year’s Manitou Music Festival Sponsors: The Homestead Resort, Cherry Republic, Anderson’s Market, Art’s Tavern, and the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce.

Ever dream of owning your own art gallery?  Read on…

Synchronicity owners, Marion and Dick DeVinney, stepped into the gallery business one “synchronicity” at a time. As a retired couple, they never planned to spend their next step with their own business to run. However, from the day they bought the cozy little house in downtown Glen Arbor - with enough space among the trees to build a contemporary gallery - “the way was clear and the universe was helpful.”  The business took off and each of the 13 years that have passed has shown an increase in both sales and interest among artists.

The gallery was designed to make use of natural light filtered green through the surrounding trees. It features high cathedral ceilings and stacks of windows. This bright and pleasant background makes a perfect landing for the incredible displays of contemporary art. Over 100 award-winning Michigan artists provide the wide variety of media from paintings, sculptures, jewelry, pottery, and hanging mobiles.

The DiVinneys are looking to retire from their retirement jobs and hope to see the gallery continue to prosper under new owners.  Asking price: $550,000.    

 Open daily from May through October.

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sundays.

Synchronicity Gallery
6671 Western Ave., PO Box 338
Glen Arbor, MI 49636
Phone: 231-334-4732

This Sunday, climb the dunes and listen to some tunes. Once again the Glen Arbor Art Association and the Manitou Music Festival have teamed up with the National Sleeping Bear Lakeshore to bring a free open-air concert.

To celebrate 10 years of magnificent Dune Climb concerts, Crispin Campbell, former MMF Artistic Director, Eugene Friesen, cellist with the Paul Winter Consort, plus a six-piece string and percussion ensemble will perform Campbell’s blues and original improvisations and Friesen’s South American arrangements.

The Dune Climb is located between Empire & Glen Arbor on M-109 and features a park store and information center, modern restrooms, and a large picnic area. If you get there early, you can embark on the full adventurous hike — a 3.5 mile round trip sandy voyage up the dunes and back to Lake Michigan. However, for the concert you only need to climb a few steps to have the best seat in the house.

The Dune Climb FREE concert is from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 13^th.

A park pass is required to enter the Dune Climb parking lot.  Call the Park for further information: 231-326-5134.

 If rain, relocated to Empire Town Hall.

Pack your bathing suit, some towels, and get ready to enjoy some of what Leelanau County has to offer. 

For starters, wake in one of the many elegant rooms available at The Homestead and grab a leisurely breakfast at Nonna’s Ristorante.  You’ll need the energy as you head to the “Big Lake” for sun, swimming–maybe a little lounging on a floatie–while the kids create a sandcastle.

A local favorite beach spot is south of Empire at Esch Road beach where Otter Creek meanders from woods to the lake, making a winding path of shallow water right through the beach.  It’s great for entertaining small ones as well as older “engineers” who can create dams with the abundant rocks or manipulate the creek flow by digging new paths in the sand.

If you can break away from the water, head back north on M-22 for a lazy afternoon in Glen Arbor. Enjoy a break for lunch at Art’s Tavern - burgers, salads, and a great selection of local and imported beer. 

Afterward, plan to go a few miles south to historic Glen Haven, a restored hamlet with interactive exhibits of the area’s industry.  The program “Heroes of the Storm” starts at 3:00 at the Maritime Museum and reenacts a shipwreck rescue with help from the audience.

Have another go at the beach in Glen Haven, where you can swim out a bit to see the old docks.  The beach is covered with white sand, driftwood, and colorful stones.  You can also explore the other buildings around Glen Haven, including a General Store, Blacksmith Shop, and the Cannery Boathouse.

After a long day, have a relaxing casual dinner at Beppi’s back at The Homestead.  From the beach below, watch the sunset through pink and orange clouds, or, if you still have any energy left, take a slow stroll along the beach.  Either way, know you’ve had a day of enjoying some of the best spots the area has to offer.