———————— LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT ———————-

As we move into another exciting season in Suttons Bay, I’m thrilled to share that our new interactive Explore Suttons Bay map is now live! Designed to help visitors and locals alike discover everything our area has to offer, the map highlights shopping, dining, lodging, wineries, parks, trails, public restrooms, parking and more throughout the village and greater Suttons Bay area.

Simply scan the QR code below to explore the map from your phone and keep Suttons Bay at your fingertips all season long.

At our last Chamber meeting, we had the opportunity to hear from Inland Seas Education Association about the exciting transformation of the Millside Building into the future Inland Seas Education Center, a project that will become a premier Great Lakes education hub for our region.

This expansion will dramatically increase their ability to provide STEM and watershed education for students while creating a permanent home for the maintenance of their schooners, Alliance and Inland Seas. The project represents a tremendous investment in both education and our community’s future.

They are now in the final stretch of fundraising and currently have a matching donor campaign underway through June 30th, meaning every dollar donated is doubled. If you would like to support this incredible effort, you can learn more here.

As always, thank you for supporting the businesses, organizations and people that make Suttons Bay such a special place to live, work and visit.

Cyndi Millns
President, Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce

————————— VILLAGE OF SUTTONS BAY —————————-

A reminder that Village curbside leaf and brush pick-up goes through the morning of Monday, May 4th. 

Leaves must be separated from brush and brush length shall not exceed 4 feet. 

If you live on a private street, please bring your leaves to the closest public street.

After May 4th, Bio Bag pick up will start for each Monday thereafter until Fall leaf pick up.

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———————- CARS & COFFEE ————————

We’re excited to share that Cars & Coffee is coming to Suttons Bay!

If you are unfamiliar with the Cars & Coffee event, it's an incredibly informal meet-up where vehicle enthusiasts gather, park in a designated space and share coffee, (often) donuts, and conversation. Unlike a carshow, there is no registration fee, and it is a quiet event where the only driving associated with it are the comings and goings of the vehicles as folks arrive and depart. 

The first meet-up will take place on May 31 in the 5/3 bank parking lot from 10AM - 12PM. 

Direct questions to organizer Ralph Pompea via email at rpompea@yahoo.com.

——————————— BAY BOOKS ——————————-

A new chapter is beginning at Bay Books, every third Thursday at 6:00.

Our Bay Books Silent Reading Club will begin at 6:00 PM Thursday, May 21st, with a time of socializing, sharing what we’re reading, pouring a cup of tea or perhaps a glass of wine from a bottle that someone brought to share, and then settling in for silent reading from 6:30 to 7:30. 7:30- 8:00 it’s more time to socialize and share other things you might be reading. If you need to browse around a little bit, we’re there to help you with that too.

Mark your calendars for future dates too: June 18, July 16, August 20, and September 17.

Come get comfy at Bay Books!

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Kick off PRIDE month with LBGTQ+ author, Marshall Thornton on June 4th at 5:00 pm!

Winner of three Lambda Awards and author of the local favorite Henry Milch series, Marshall will discuss his newest novel, "The Pink", sign autographs and pass along tips for writing your best murder mystery novel ever.

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If you didn’t do so last week, come join us on the 28th for our next Books & Bourbon Book Club! Bay Books is proud to partner with Northern Latitudes Distilling (SB) to bring this fun monthly event to our community.

We’ll be discussing great books written by Michigan authors while enjoying world-class spirits distilled right here in northern MI. Let’s Read and Drink LOCAL!

Book Club held in the NLD Suttons Bay tasting room, the last Thursday of each month, 5-6:30. Join us for May, Thursday the 28th.

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Ayurvedic Yoga & Mindfulness Retreat with Bay Books - FULL!

Thank you to everyone who has registered to join us at June’s Ayurvedic Yoga & Mindfulness Retreat. The event is sold out for the weekend, but we have three day passes available for Saturday. These passes:

• Include all Saturday activities

• Include dinner (but not breakfast)

• Are $300 each

Learn more and inquires about these passes HERE.

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Join author Eloise Corvo at Bay Books on June 13th 5:00 pm, for a discussion on how to sharpen your eye as a reader, or watcher, of mystery fiction!

Eloise will pull back the curtain to show how she plots a murder mystery, and will share tips and tricks when you're trying to figure out "whodunnit." We'll also chat about her latest book, Tunnel Vision, the second in the bestselling Stone's Throw Mystery series.

Audience Q&A and book signing included.

———————— BLACK STAR FARMS —————————

Mother's Day Brunch

Sunday, May 10, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM

Celebrate Mother’s Day in style with an unforgettable brunch at the elegant Inn at Black Star Farms! Treat your family to a memorable experience at our stunning winery estate. Savor a delicious brunch buffet featuring both savory and sweet delights, all in a unique setting designed to make Mom feel truly special.

Some seatings are already sold out, so get your tickets today.

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Bistro Dinner: In Bloom—A Celebration of Cherries

Fridays, May 8 & 29 | 6 PM

Step into cherry blossom season with an evening designed to capture the essence of spring. In this three-course dining experience, bright, tart, and floral cherry notes are layered throughout each dish—from fresh arugula with wine-soaked cherries to seared duck with a dark cherry glaze to a beautifully delicate cherry blossom cheesecake.

Enhance your evening with optional wine pairings crafted to elevate every course. Tickets here.

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Wine School Series: Chardonnay

Friday, May 8 | 6:30 PM

Join us as we explore the enchanting world of wine, venturing beyond the glass to discover the intriguing story of Chardonnay. Trace the history of this iconic Burgundian grape while sampling a curated selection of current and library vintages. Experience firsthand how different growing years, winemaking techniques, and bottle aging shape the unique character of each wine. 

Tickets here.

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Foraged and Found: A Wild Food Dinner Experience

Friday, May 15 | 5 PM

Step into the wild side of Northern Michigan with an immersive foraging-and-dining experience to celebrate spring! Begin your evening with an optional guided foraging hike led by Clay Bowers of No.MI Forager, exploring the seasonal bounty of Leelanau County.

Then, return to the estate for a thoughtfully curated 5-course “wild food” dinner, highlighting ingredients foraged from our farm and the surrounding area—artfully prepared to showcase the true flavors of the region, and thoughtfully paired with Black Star Farms wines. Tickets here.

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Umami: A Mushroom Cooking Class

Saturday, May 16 |  2 PM

Take a deep dive into the world of mushrooms—earthy, complex, and endlessly versatile. In this guided, hands-on cooking class, you’ll work with a range of cultivated and wild varieties, learning techniques such as roasting, sautéing, and building layered flavors. The experience concludes with a shared tasting of the dishes you’ve created. Small sips of wine included. Wine by the glass is available additionally. Tickets here.

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Black Star Farms is Hiring:

—————————— DART BANK ————————--——

Open House

Dart Bank will be hosting their open house May 5th from 3p - 6p with a ribbon cutting at 4p.

Join us for Cinco De Mayo with celebration tacos and cocktails provided by, Locals Lake Leelanau.

Our office is located at 440 W Front Street #100 with parking along Oak and Front St. See you there!

——————————— GREEN SUTTONS BAY ——————————

—————- INLAND SEAS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION —————

Walk the Wetland: Spring Ephemerals

Join us May 13th from 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. at Leo Creek Preserve to experience the Fleeting Beauty of Spring Wildflowers!

Shake off the last of winter and immerse yourself in the vibrant, short-lived world of spring ephemerals. These early-season wildflowers are short-lived on the forest floor, blooming in a rush of color before the trees leaf out and shade the ground.

Join ISEA for an educational guided walk through the beautiful Leo Creek Preserve. We will explore the unique wetland ecology and identify the delicate blooms that signal the true arrival of spring in Northern Michigan.

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Weeding Wednesdays at Leo Creek Preserve

Every Wednesday, May 6th through June 10th, join us from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. at Leo Creek Preserve for our Weeding Wednesday series! We are gathering at the Leo Creek Preserve native garden to get our flower beds ready for a beautiful season of growth.

This is a fantastic weekly opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, learn about native plants, and meet fellow community members who share a passion for local ecology.

Each week, we will focus on light weeding and general gardening tasks within the native garden area. Whether you are an experienced gardener or a beginner looking to pick up some new skills, these sessions are designed to be relaxed, educational, and social.

This is a drop-in event! Whether you’ve been volunteering with ISEA for years or want an excuse to play in the dirt, all are welcome!

———————————— MAWBY ———————————

Online Only Shipping Promo for New Spring Wines: Now through Sunday, May 3, get $20 shipping on 4 bottles, $15 shipping on 6 bottles, and $10 shipping on cases when you include at least one bottle of either:

• North

• Sandpainting XIII

• Once 2025

• Eff Nat

• Honey

No promo code necessary!

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Need a special gift for mom?

(Online Only) Gift Certificate Promotion for Mother's Day: May 4 through May 10, get a $125 gift card for $100 or a $50 gift card for $40, no promo code needed!

Celebrate her everyday with some Northern Michigan Bubbles.

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Spring Cheese Social - Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with a pairing experience built for spring. MAWBY is teaming up once again with Leelanau Cheese for an unforgettable pairing experience featuring two timeless pleasures: sparkling wine and artisanal cheese.

Your wine lineup includes a seasonal spring release Honey, a collaborative Panther Cuvée, plus North, a brand new Méthode Champenoise bubbly not available to the public until late April 2026. Each pour will be paired with a locally crafted cheese, including one exclusive cheese made specifically for this event.

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Icons Dinner Series: White Horse Inn Dinner - This spring MAWBY is joining up with iconic Michigan restaurants for a series of dinners celebrating historic food establishments in our region. We are calling this the "Icons Dinner Series 2026."

Join owner Michael Laing for an unforgettable evening with The White Horse Inn and MAWBY Vineyards. This exclusive wine dinner features a thoughtfully curated five-course menu paired with six MAWBY wines, each selected to complement and elevate the dining experience.

Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase featured wines after dinner, with a 10% discount when purchasing six or more bottles.

Icons Dinner Series: Fischer's Happy Hour Tavern - This spring MAWBY is joining up with iconic Michigan restaurants for a series of dinners celebrating historic food establishments in our region. We are calling this the "Icons Dinner Series 2026."

Join owner Michael Laing for an unforgettable evening with Fischer's Happy Hour and MAWBY Vineyards. This exclusive wine dinner features a thoughtfully curated menu paired with MAWBY sparkling wines.

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bigLITTLE Wines Trivia Night - Join us in the bigLITTLE Tasting room on May 22nd for a 90's themed trivia night. Pair your trivia skills with some Leelanau estate, small-batched wines.

Winners get special prizes, so start studying!

————————— PENINSULA PROVISIONS ——————————-

A thoughtfully curated destination in the heart of Lake Leelanau, Peninsula Provisions is where exceptional food, specialty wine, and community come together.

From beautifully crafted catering spreads to unique pantry staples and sommelier-selected bottles, every detail is chosen with care and intention.

Whether you’re preparing for a celebration or simply elevating an everyday moment, Peninsula Provisions offers a refined yet welcoming experience—rooted in quality, flavor, and connection. 

————————— SHARECARE OF LEELANAU ————————

Adult Spelling Bee Fundraiser

Come see celebrity judge Joe Charlevoix, help ShareCare meet (or exceed) their 10-team goal for this year’s event, and support a great cause!

Round up your team and register to participate by May 20. Not a speller, but still like to support? Spectators are welcome as well!

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Positive Approach to Dementia Care

May 20 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Leelanau County Government Center Community Room, join PAC Certified Independent Trainer, Lisa George for a Positive Approach to Dementia Care.

Fueled By: Accelerate The Care Using Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach To Care™

• Explore the brain’s memory systems and how dementia impacts behavior, vision & sensory processing
• Effective communication approaches, even during distress
• Responses to challenges like sundowning and paratonia

To sign up, contact Erin at 231-256-0221 ext 305 

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ShareCare Informational Session (TODAY) & May 12

Join Dawn Bousamra, Executive Director of ShareCare of Leelanau, to learn about ShareCare services that help neighbors age 60+ stay independent and connected, including:

• Medical and wellness rides

• ShareCare programs

• Caregiver resources and Memory Cafes

• Local referrals and support services

• Volunteer opportunities

No pre-registration required, so bring yourself and your questions!

Today’s program will be held in the Suttons Bay library’s lower level Community Room at 10:30 am.

May 12th’s program will be presented at Leland Township Public Library on at 1 pm.

——————- SUTTONS BAY SCHOOLS ——————

Partner with us as a Hole Sponsor and put your business in front of a strong, community-minded audience at Bahle Farms Golf Course.

The Suttons Bay Golf Scramble brings together families, alumni, and local supporters—all while raising funds for Norse student-athletes. Your support makes a difference on and off the course.

Sign-up for a four-some is also open, with registration closing May 10th!

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Dia del Nino Parade (TODAY!)

This afternoon, we encourage you to pop out of your businesses as time allows to wave hello to students and staff from Suttons Bay Elementary as they walk through town for their Dia del Nino parade!

Students will depart from the school at 1:30PM and will take Fourth Street to the TART, connect to St. Joseph St. and take that to Jefferson. After turning up Jefferson, they’ll head south down St. Mary’s, west on First, and then follow Elm back to the school.

Unable to partake in the fun in person, but interested in knowing more?

Día del Niño, or "Day of the Child," is a widely celebrated holiday in Mexico and various Latin American countries—and increasingly in the United States—that honors children, celebrates childhood, and promotes well-being.

———————- SUTTONS BAY TOWNSHIP ————————-

The township has announced its capital campaign to help raise the remaining funds for an accessible playground at Herman Park. 

We would like to ask our local businesses for their support, whether that be in the form of donations, gift donations for upcoming fundraising events, or just spreading the word.

———— SUTTONS BAY BINGHAM DISTRICT LIBRARY ————

ShareCare Informational Session (TODAY) & May 12

Join Dawn Bousamra, Executive Director of ShareCare of Leelanau, to learn about ShareCare services that help neighbors age 60+ stay independent and connected, including:

• Medical and wellness rides

• ShareCare programs

• Caregiver resources and Memory Cafes

• Local referrals and support services

• Volunteer opportunities

No pre-registration required, so bring yourself and your questions!

Please note that this program will be held in the library’s lower level Community Room at 10:30 am.

Can’t make it? The same program will be presented at Leland Township Public Library on May 12 at 1 pm.

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REGISTRATION FULL: Leelanau Reads Author Event with Catherine Newman

This event is now FULL. But not all hope is lost! To be added to the WAITLIST, please fill out the waitlist form HERE or visit the library’s website at www.sbbdl.org.

Complete event details below:

Author Event with Catherine Newman, author of Wreck

Saturday, May 2 @ 7pm - French Valley Vineyard (3655 South French Rd in Cedar). Doors and a cash bar open at 6pm

We are thrilled to be co-hosting this with the other three Leelanau County public libraries and would like to say a big thank you to French Valley Vineyard for sponsoring this event.

We hope you'll read Wreck with us and join the conversation!

Questions? Call the library at 231-271-3512 or email at information@sbbdl.org

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Preschool Story Time

Tuesdays May 5 & May 12 at 10:30 am, preschool children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs and more in the library’s lower level Community Room.

Please note that there will be NO Preschool Story Time May 19 - June 9, but mark your calendars for Outdoor Story Time which begins June 16 at 10:30 am.

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Book Donation Drop-Off Day

Doing some spring cleaning? Donate your used books to the Friends of the Suttons Bay Bingham District Library!

Donors can drop off used books on scheduled Saturdays between 11am – 1pm. Spring Book Donation Drop-off Days are:

• Saturday, May 9

• Saturday, June 13 (tentative)

Bring your used books to the parking lot located at the south end of the library, a volunteer will be at the door to assist you.

Only books and puzzles in clean, usable and salable condition will be accepted.

Please visit, call the library at 231-271-3512 or check the library’s website for more information about which items will be accepted for donation.

Donations will become the property of the Friends of the Library. Thank you for donating to the Friends!

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BOOKENDs Book Discussion Group

Join us for BOOKENDs, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library’s book discussion group.

The group meets at 2pm on the second Thursday of each month (except July, August & December) in the library’s lower level Community Meeting Room.

Books for the upcoming month will be available at the library’s front desk, or use the Libby app to borrow the title from the library’s digital collection.

Check out the upcoming lineup for Spring 2026!

• May 14: Wreck by Catherine Newman (2026 Leelanau Read)

• June 11: Violet and Jobie in the Wild by Lynne Rae Perkins

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Tech Tuesday: Navigating Your Android Phone

Join us this coming Tuesday May 5 at 2 pm for a tutorial and Q&A on Android basics.

Dave Ulrich from Glen Lake Community Library will provide a basic tutorial, information about useful apps, and be available to answer questions. Bring your Android phone and your questions! Free and open to anyone wanting to learn how to learn tips and tricks for getting the most of your Android phone.

This program will be held in the library’s lower-level Community Meeting Room.

What are Tech Tuesdays? These FREE hour-long technology presentations give general information about a technology topic, with time to ask your questions. No registration necessary! The same presentation is given at all four Leelanau Libraries throughout the month. All dates are on Tuesdays, and all presentations are at 2pm.

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Leelanau Reads Book Discussion

Join us Thursday, May 14 at 7 pm for a discussion of this year’s Leelanau Read title, Wreck by Catherine Newman.

Copies of the book are available at the library’s front desk, or use the Libby app to borrow Wreck from the library’s digital collection.

All readers are welcome to attend!

Bookmark Design Contest - Voting

Come to the library to VOTE for your favorite bookmark designs May 11 - 22.

Bookmarks created by area preschoolers through adult artists will be on display in the library.

Created in support of our summer reading theme, UNEARTH A STORY, the 4 winning bookmarks will be professionally printed and used by library patrons throughout the summer months.

Thanks to the Friends of the Library, these 4 winners will also receive a $25 gift certificate to Bay Books!

Help determine the winners by voting during the aforementioned voting period! 

——————————— THE FRONT PORCH —————————

————————- TRAVEL WITH LISA BAIRD ———————

Taste your way through Italy next fall — Naples, Puglia & the Amalfi Coast.

Two weeks of authentic meals, handpicked wines, scenic drives and cozy hotels: Sept 27–Oct 10, 2027.

Flights, fine hotels, several meals, deluxe motor coach and delicious Italian wine are included. Sign up with just $99 and an easy payment plan.

Spots fill fast — reserve today. Link HERE. Buon viaggio!