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

Building What Connects Us

If March is when the work happens quietly behind the scenes, April is when you begin to see it come to life.

Even as the last of the snow lingers, it is beginning to loosen its grip. Just a couple of weeks ago we saw two to three feet fall, and with the possibility of more snow in the forecast, it is a reminder that this season never leaves quietly. And yet, across Suttons Bay, the shift is unmistakable.

Storefronts are changing, inventory is arriving, and there is a steady sense that the season is beginning to turn.

At the Chamber, much of what we do happens in that same spirit. Behind the events, newsletters, and website is a dedicated group of board members working year-round to support and connect our business community.

This month, one of those efforts becomes something you can see and use.

We are excited to introduce Explore Suttons Bay, our new digital map launching in mid to late April.

Designed to better connect people to our community, the map will highlight our growing network of nearly 100 member businesses, both within the village and throughout the greater Suttons Bay area. By scanning QR codes placed around town, users can explore businesses, view business photos, learn more, and navigate with ease.

It will also include helpful points of interest such as restrooms, trailheads, and bus stops, making it a simple but powerful tool for both visitors and locals.

This shift from paper to digital allows us to keep information current and expand how we share the full experience of our area, encouraging people to explore more deeply and stay a little longer.

We will share the link with subscribers in our next newsletter on May 1, and we hope you will take a moment to explore it.

As we look ahead, our first event of the season, the Artisan and Wine Walk on June 19, is just around the corner and marks the beginning of a vibrant summer in Suttons Bay.

We have a wonderful season ahead.

Warmly,
Cyndi Millns
President, Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce

——————————— BAY BOOKS ——————————-

New! 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!

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——————- 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 1st!

——————————— THE FRONT PORCH —————————

—————————— DART BANK ————————--——

Profit Mastery Workshop

Dart Bank is hosting a Profit Mastery Workshop May 4-5th at 202 E Grandview Parkway in Traverse City.

This hands-on workshop is designed to help business owners and all levels of management understand their financials to better understand their business. Grants are available to cover all costs if registering early.

This workshop also counts for 16 QAS/NASBA-Approved Accounting Credits for CPAs! Visit traverseconnect.com and visit their event page to register today!

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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!

——————————- NYKAMPING ————————-

It's no joke – the annual APRIL FOOLS DAY 50% off sale! For one day only, today, April 1st.

Take half off ready-to-ship pieces from 10am to 5pm in person or online at nykamping.com/shop/available (with free shipping).

————————— MAWBY —————————

bigLITTLE Trivia - Join us in the bigLITTLE tasting room for Trivia Night April 17.

From 5pm-6pm, hosted by Brand Experience Lead, Angela, we welcome you for some friendly competition, testing your knowledge!

How MAWBY Sparkles: Production tour!

April 17, come see How MAWBY Sparkles with a guided tour through our wine-making facility, ending with a special visit to our Tasting Room where you will get to put your knowledge to the test and build your very own wine flight. Book now at mawby.wine!

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Spring Cheese Social

May 9, Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend with a pairing experience built for spring. We’re teaming up once again with our friends at Leelanau Cheese for an unforgettable pairing experience featuring two timeless pleasures: sparkling wine and artisanal cheese.

Your wine lineup includes our seasonal spring release Honey, our 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. Book now at mawby.wine.

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

Preschool Story Time

Every Tuesday (through May 12) at 10:30 am in the library’s lower level Community Room, Preschool children of all ages and their caregivers are invited to join us for stories, songs and more!

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BOOKENDs Book Discussion Group

Join us Thursday, April 9 at 2 pm for BOOKENDs as we discuss Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant by Curtis Chin.

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 you can use the Libby app to borrow the title from the library’s digital collection.

Check out the upcoming lineup for Spring 2026!

• April 9: Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant by Curtis Chin

• 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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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, April 11

• 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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Family Fun with 4-H!

Drop by the library for Family Fun with 4-H Friday April 24 from 3:30 - 5:30PM.

Special guests from Leelanau County 4-H (including some real live farm animals!) will join us to share about some of the cool things that 4-H does.

No pre-registration needed. All ages welcome to come join in on this hands-on active fun with crafts and activities. A snack will be provided.

Tech Tuesday: Password Recovery

Join us next Tuesday April 7 at 2 pm in the library’s lower-level Community Meeting Room for Tech Tuesday: Password Recovery.

Passwords are supposed to keep other people out, not you! If you spend a lot of time locked out of your important accounts and get confused about all the different methods of password recovery, join us to learn all the things you may be asked to do to recover your password, how to do this, and how to set a secure password you can remember.

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.

Visible Mending Workshop

Saturday, April 18 at 10:30AM.

Learn how visible mending can turn clothes with wear and tear into wearable art with local menders Corrina and Tina Ulrich!

Bring one garment in need of basic repair and stitch with us. Supplies will be provided.

Registration is required and spots are limited. Registration will open the first week of April. Subscribe to the library’s monthly email newsletter to be the first to know when registration opens!

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

Leelanau Reads Author Event with Catherine Newman

There is no cost to attend this event. Registration is required. Registrants are limited to two seats.

Registration is NOW OPEN to all Leelanau County library cardholders! You can sign up by filling out the registration form HERE or visit the library’s website at www.sbbdl.org.

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.

——————————- BLACK STAR FARMS —————————

Experience the best of wine country dining at Black Star Farms throughout April. Savor a culinary journey through Tuscany in a lively communal setting at Bistro Polaris, our annual family Easter brunch, or indulge in an intimate, spring-inspired chef’s table-style dinner at the Inn—both offer optional wine pairings and are perfect for a memorable evening out.

For more information please visit our calendar of events HERE.

———————- FRENCH VALLEY & BEL LAGO ——————

Live Music Schedule: April 2026

Come have fun with us every Thursday from 3 - 6PM at French Valley!

Enjoy live music, locally crafted drinks, kid-friendly options, and tasty snacks for the whole family. 3655 South French Road, Cedar MI 49621.

• Thursday, April 2nd: Jakob Abraham

• Thursday, April 9th: Loose Change

• Thursday, April 16: Billy & The Kid

• Thursday, April 23: Jesse Jefferson

• Thursday, April 30: Luke Woltanski

Live Music at Bel Lago: Bryan Poirier

Experience a relaxing evening of lake views, live music, and exceptional wine at Bel Lago Saturday, April 11 from 5 - 7PM

While this is a FREE event, space is limited. Reservations are required! Please email marianne@bellago.com to reserve your spot and let us know if you'd like any special accommodations (mobility, etc.). 6530 S Lake Shore Dr, Cedar, MI 49621

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

—————————- BY THE BAY GARDEN CLUB ————————-