5 YEARS AGO May 28, 2020
Traffic jams in Leland during the warmer times of the year are nothing new. Tomorrow night, from 7 to 8 p.m. the Leland High School Class of 2020 will be sitting in their cars in the parking lot of the Leland Township Harbor so family and friends may drive by on Lake Street and wave to the graduates. It’s kind of a “good luck” gesture for the future and a nod to the restrictions imposed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to stop the spread of the coronavirus. *** With few businesses in Leelanau County firing on all cylinders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Memorial Day weekend was “not real exciting,” according to Sheriff Mike Borkovich. The sheriff’s Marine Patrol helped a number of boaters; there were some reports of barking dogs and at least one complaint about people shooting off fireworks.
10 YEARS AGO May 28, 2015
The newest section of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail opened on Friday — just in time for an influx of visitors to Leelanau County over the long Memorial Day weekend. The latest 3.5-mile trail segment runs from Fisher Road east of Glen Arbor to Port Oneida Road. *** Suttons Bay’s highly successful football coach is one of several teachers being pink slipped by the district as part of budget cuts planned for the 2015-16 school year. Superintendent Chris Nelson said coach Joe Trudeau’s departure is part of the school’s “right-size” initiative. The layoffs are projected to save $350,000 to $400,000.
25 YEARS AGO June 1, 2000
County commissioners are interested in property owned by Fred and Molly Petroskey to locate new county facilities near the Binsfeld Center. The Petroskeys haven’t been approached and likely won’t be willing to sell. The couple bought the property in 1997 after the county Board of Commissioners failed to snatch it up. Two other properties also located along M-204 are being considered – a 20-acre parcel owned by Dean and Cindy Robb, and 46 acres owned by the Walter family. *** Ownership of the property on which the Grand Traverse Lighthouse sits could be transferring from the Coast Guard to the Grand Traverse Lighthouse Foundation. U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) will propose legislation that would turn land and federally owned lighthouses over to local groups that could oversee the preservation of the properties.
50 YEARS AGO May 29, 1975
Engine failure resulted in the crash of a helicopter Saturday evening in Bingham Township, Leelanau County, but the pilot escaped without injury. Leelanau County Sheriff’s Department was told by the pilot, Peter C. Morrison, that the engine quit at an altitude of some 800 feet. *** A dreary morning turned into a sunny afternoon Sunday at Suttons Bay and, as a result, the eighth annual Chamber of Commerce Chicken Barbecue attracted some 1,850 diners. Bill Klein, co-chairman with Cole Gronseth for the event, said a tally of total proceeds was still being made at midweek.
75 YEARS AGO June 1, 1950
Raney and Walton of Elmwood Wednesday finished driving the first 210 feet of sheet piling for the $325,000 yacht anchorage at Greilickville Harbor. The crew expects to begin Monday on sheet piling and slips along the inner shore for the local project. *** More than $500 in prizes, and free coffee and donuts will feature the opening of Gauthier’s Super Market Friday and Saturday in Lake Leelanau Gerald Gauthier, owner, will give away 25 baskets of groceries Friday and Saturday and the winner’s choice of a new Frigidaire refrigerator or automatic washer at the end of the first two weeks.
100 YEARS AGO May 28, 1925
Miss Faith Johnson, who has been principal of the Leland high school for the past two years left Wednesday morning for her home at Rosebush. *** Several from Leland attended the play “It Pays to Advertise” at Suttons Bay and report it very good. This play will be given Friday night May 29th in the community hall here.
