The town is decorated for the holidays.  It’s beautiful and you should check it out!  Girl’s night is coming up next Thursday, Dec 10 from 5-8pm.

This stretch of M22 , just south of Leland, always has a great show of fall color.

This year, the fireworks in Leland will be on Friday, July 3, at Van’s Beach in Leland. It doesn’t get any better than sitting on the shore of Lake Michigan with family and friends to enjoy a small town fireworks display over our great Lake Michigan.  So for those of you who won’t be able to be here in person, I found this video online showing the 2008 fireworks on youtube. These are by Ken Scott Photography

It’s spring in northern Michigan…Trillium, daffodils, tulips and all of our spring flowers have been blooming, but this weekend is probably one of the prettiest times to be up here.  Cherry trees are in full bloom.   All of the orchards are full of the puffy white flowers.  It is so gorgeous.  I hate to go to work when all I want to do is drive around and see them everywhere.  Each view is better than the last.  Photo is compliments of Rick Lahmann.

In anticipation of summer and the ability to go outside without a winter hat on…the Leland Wine Festival baseball caps are now available online at the Leland Michigan Chamber of Commerce website.

Leland is beautiful in the winter – in definite contrast to summer, it is very laid back and relaxing.
photo by Molly

It’s getting closer to the re-lighting of the South Manitou Island lighthouse in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  After being dark for 50 years, the lighthouse will soon be lighting the way through the Manitou Passage again.  Thanks to the efforts and fundraising of several groups, an exact copy of the original Fresnel Lens that went out in 1958 has been installed.

The lighthouse was constructed in 1839 as it’s importance was recognized as marking a safe haven in the 300 miles from the Mackinaw Straits to Chicago.   For more information on this lighthouse and South Manitou Island check out Great Lakes Education , Grace Dickenson Johnson’s memories of life on the island, Lighthouse Friends,  Leelanau.com, and Terry Pepper for alot of historical info.

photo by David Hooper.  For more of his photos check out his photostream at Flickr .

Fall is in the air in Leland.  The summer crowds are gone and things are at a more manageable pace.  This is actually a wonderful time to visit Leland in particular and northern Michigan in general.  While a few businesses may have scaled back hours most are still open through the fall.  Traffic on the roads is lighter and lodging is now at fall rates and generally easier to find.

The Leland Heritage Celebration is scheduled for September 20.  It is sponsored by the Leland Historical Museum, the Old Art Building, and the Leland Chamber of Commerce. Some of the highlights are the Leland Classic, a exhibition of classic cars sponsored by Van’s Garage, Wooden Boats on the Wall, classic boats on display in the river, and activities in historic Fishtown.  This year, there will also be a historical walking tour through the village and I also heard that the Leelanau Conservancy will be doing something in the village green.

Oh, as a side note…Leland Wine and Food Festival posters are now on sale at the Leland Chamber of Commerce website.

August 3rd is the date for the 50th birthday party of the Janice Sue.  She is probably the most recognizable boat in the Leland Harbor.  Now forever a part of Leland history – the Janice Sue is owned by the Fishtown Preservation Society.  Some fun activities are planned for her birthday – a rubber ducky race over the dam. birthday cake at the Old Art Building and a Porthole Palooza contest.  I’m not really sure what that will be but it sounds like fun.  There is also an art exhibit of Janice Sue paintings by various artists and pen & ink drawings by Keith Burnham.  Check it out! 

Only a few more days till the annual Leland Wine and Food Festival.  It is held in the Leland Harbor, with great views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands.  The music this year will be performed by the Fabulous Horndogs so be ready for a really great time as they always put on a “fabulous” show.  Would you expect anything less?  You can sample wines from Leelanau Peninsula vintners and purchase many of your favorites at the Leland Mercantile  on Main Street, or the Village Cheese Shanty  down in Fishtown.  A really nice sampling of foods are available from several local restaurants and specialty booths.  Wine festival posters from this year and some of years past are available online at the Leland Chamber of Commerce website.