This past weekend was a glorious one in Northport on all counts — the weather, the events, and the community spirit. Leelanau UnCaged on Saturday and the Northport Tea Dance on Sunday were huge successes, providing fun and entertainment for local residents and drawing many visitors into Northport. It is estimated that over 9,000 people came to UnCaged this year. The two events showcased Leelanau Township’s commitment to the arts, diversity, inclusion, volunteerism, and community.
This was the 10th Annual Leelanau UnCaged. UnCaged is a Music, Dance, Art and Food Street Festival in downtown Northport, always held on the last Saturday in September. Thanks to the many volunteers who work almost year-round to make this event possible and to keep making it better and better for everyone. This year, with thanks to Northport Pub and Grill (NPG), they were able to add handicap accessible parking.
Another great addition was thanks to Ty Wessell and Jim Dyer, who worked with Spectrum to install temporary Wi-Fi for the festival. Vendors had a secure line and festival goers had separate access. In the past, festival goers and vendors were pulling from local businesses, which slowed down their transactions. Having this special Wi-Fi exclusively for the festival was a big deal for the event, and, according to a Spectrum rep, it was a first in Michigan. Janet Hethorn, the UnCaged Art coordinator said, “The addition of secure internet access made a huge impact on the success of our Art vendor sales at UnCaged. The vendors were enthusiastically appreciative. Many of our 46 vendors said it made a huge difference in their ability to conduct business and their interest in participating again in our festival.”
There were over 100 volunteers involved in this year’s UnCaged, mostly from Northport and Omena. The UnCaged Board members and committee leaders can be found on their website in the About tab in the menu. These volunteers, and many others, work almost all year planning for the next year’s event. You can also donate to UnCaged on that website. The event is free, and that is only possible because of the support of local businesses, foundations, and individuals. Donations are tax deductible. Check out the website and be sure to thank a volunteer!
The Northport Tea Dance was founded by Michael Chetcutie. The annual event creates awareness and visibility for the LGBTQ+ members of our community.
The Michael Chetcutie Foundation is the major sponsor for the event. Other major sponsors this year were Shapiro’s Delicatessen, owned by Omena seasonal residents Brian and Sally Shapiro, and Oleans. Shapiro’s contributed their very special deli hot dogs, all the way from their world famous deli in Indianapolis. Eric Allchin and the whole staff at Faro did a fabulous job of hosting the event, which drew a big crowd. Monique Madison and the Kittens, Michigan’s premier Drag entertainment group, did a great job as the highlight of the afternoon.
John and Agnes Cromartie were at the Rule Cottage this past week. They came from Kansas City to attend UnCaged and the Grand Traverse Democratic Party’s Obama Dinner at the Park Place, as well as Team Trivia at Knot Just a Bar. They also came to enjoy this fabulous fall weather, and to see cousins Rink Smith and Debby Disch and their families. Brian and Sally Shapiro were also major donors at the Obama Dinner.
Don’t miss the second annual “When Form Meets Function” exhibit at the Village Arts Building in Northport. The Opening Reception is this Friday from 5 – 8 pm, and the exhibit runs through October 27. It is open Tuesday – Sunday, 12 – 4 pm all month. It is a unique show of 3-dimnensional art, including pottery, wood, stone, and fiber.
Omena resident Oran Hesterman is one of the artists who will be exhibiting. The exhibit gets its name from Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy that “form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union.”
It’s never too late to start exercising. That’s why I’m waiting until later.
Now that Rosie is retired from politics, she says she’s not responsible for anything, including this column. So, I can’t blame her when I miss a week. I’m going to have to come up something else. Belated wishes to last week’s birthdays and anniversaries. Happy Birthday last week to Mark Frank, Mike Biskupski, JoAnn Brown, Greg McMorrow, Hannah Fitzgerald, Guy Kalchik, Jack Joyce, Doni Lystra, and to Drew Putnam, who turns 16. Happy Anniversary last week to Rich and Cheryl Huffman, David Lightner and Susan Valiga, and to John and Judy Smart.
Happy Birthday this week to Melissa Chenault, Kristie Hallett, Crystal Renz, Becky Kalchik, Bill Krusel, and to Ella Anderson, who turns 4. Happy Anniversary to John and Kristie Sommavilla.
