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Welcome to October, everyone! Come take a look at what’s in store in and around the Village of Suttons Bay as we welcome the fall season. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Click “View in Browser” above to see the full version of our newsletter. ————— LETTER FROM THE BOARD: BRAYTON FARR ————- My name is Brayton Farr. For those I haven't yet had the pleasure of meeting, I was raised just up the road in the village of Northport and am proud to still call Leelanau County home today. Growing up in our tight-knit community taught me the importance of putting others first and building meaningful, lifelong connections. After graduating from Grand Valley State University with a double major in Finance and Marketing, I built my career around helping people achieve their goals. Today, I work as a Senior Mortgage Loan Officer with Citywide Home Mortgage, a Life Insurance Professional with Farmers Insurance, and I am the founder of Solutions By Farr, LLC. When I am not working with clients or volunteering, you can usually find me turning wrenches on cars, tackling house projects, or exploring beautiful Northern Michigan with my rescue dog, Ranger.
One of the things I value most about serving on the Suttons Bay Chamber board is the opportunity to foster community engagement and highlight the incredible businesses that make our village thrive. As the crisp autumn air settles in and the colors begin to change, we are gearing up for one of our favorite seasonal traditions to do exactly that.
Please mark your calendars for the Fall Artisan & Wine Walk on October 16 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM.
This annual Fall Artisan and Wine Walk is a fantastic opportunity to stroll from store to store, celebrate the creativity of local artisans, and sample excellent local products! Events like this truly showcase the hospitality and energy that make Suttons Bay such a special place to live and visit.
I am incredibly excited to personally welcome you to this year's event. I will be stationed right out in front of Bayside Gallery passing out the walking guides to kick off your evening. Please stop by, say hello, and grab your guide—getting it stamped along the way enters you for a chance to win $200 in gift cards from our participating businesses. Thank you for your continued support of The Suttons Bay Chamber and for making Suttons Bay such an incredible community. I look forward to seeing you in front of Bayside Gallery on the 16th! Hope to see you on October 16th, Brayton Farr
———- YOU’RE INVITED: CHAMBER ANNUAL MEETING ———--
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We are excited to invite all Chamber members to our 2026 annual meeting! This annual meeting is a time for members to come together to see what the Board has accomplished in the current calendar year, and what’s to come in 2027. Board elections also take place during this gathering. All members in good standing are encouraged to come share their voices and votes to help ensure that all vacant Board positions are filled with passionate individuals who will work hard to provide a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to help our village thrive. Whether you’re a regular at our monthly meetings, or this would be your first time ever joining us in person, we hope to see you Tuesday, October 20th at 8AM at the V.I. Grill. —————————- AURORA CELLARS —————————- Harvest Party Candlelight & Music ———————— BAY BOOKS ————————--
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An RSVP is required to attend, and RSVP’s may be made by calling Bay Books at 231-944-6809 or by emailing us at baybooksmi@gmail.com. ———————— BAYSIDE GALLERY ———————-
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Join local artist Brandy Wheeler on Monday, October 19th for a hands-on workshop inspired by her original travel postcard collection. Brandy's artwork celebrates the places we love most—from the shores of Lake Michigan and the villages of Leelanau County to favorite scenic views across northern Michigan. During this beginner-friendly class, she'll share her creative process and demonstrate techniques for using watercolor markers and ink to create vibrant, expressive artwork. Participants will receive a pre-printed sketch based on one of Brandy's original postcard designs and will learn how to bring it to life using watercolor marker techniques and ink details. You'll leave with a finished piece of artwork and the confidence to continue exploring the medium on your own. Class Details: Monday | October 19th 5:30pm - 7:30pm Location: Bayside Gallery | 204 N. Saint Joseph Street, Suttons Bay, Michigan
What's Included • All materials provided
• Step-by-step instruction from the artist
• Pre-printed sketch to paint
• Finished artwork to take home
• Suitable for beginners and experienced creatives alike Location & Accessibility The workshop will be held in the upstairs studio above Bayside Gallery. Access to the class area requires climbing one flight of stairs. Elevator access is not available. Space is limited and advance registration is recommended. https://baysidegallery.com/products/class-brandy-wheeler We hope you'll join us for an evening of creativity inspired by the beauty of Northern Michigan. ——————— BLACK STAR FARMS ———————-
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Harvest Celebration Dinner: October 30th, 2026 – 6:30pm at the Inn at Black Star Farms. Join us for an intimate four-course culinary experience celebrating Northern Michigan’s fall harvest. Local produce, autumn flavors, and thoughtfully paired Black Star Farms wines are featured. From roasted grapes and butternut squash to slow-braised short rib, each course celebrates the season’s warmth and abundance. Price includes dinner, wine pairings, tax, and gratuity. ———————— BY-THE-BAY GARDEN CLUB ————————
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Take a look! By-the-Bay Garden Club's Beautification Committee, led by Kris Sommavilla and Ann Muennich, replanted the flower pots in town in preparation for fall. Thank you, Beautification Committee, for helping keep our Village beautiful, and for preparing us for the arrival of fall! ———————— CHATEAU FONTAINE ————————
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October Live Music Dates & Performers Join Chateau Fontaine every Wednesday and Sunday throughout October for live music. ——————- COSMETIC SKIN AND LASER CENTER ——————
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National Survey Finds Most Women Still Dismissed by Doctors - Even After FDA Lifted Hormone Therapy Warnings In November 2025, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration took the unusual step of stripping decades-old boxed warnings for cardiovascular disease, breast cancer and dementia from many hormone therapy products — one of the most significant shifts in menopause care policy in a generation. Nearly a year later, a new national survey from RegenCen finds that shift has not reached the exam room, or the women it was meant to help. The State of Menopause Care Report, based on responses from 1,251 women ages 35 and older, found that 63.2% have felt dismissed, minimized or not fully heard by a healthcare provider about their menopause symptoms — 49.3% more than once. Meanwhile, 42.2% remain unaware the FDA's labeling change happened at all, and 36.9% say a provider has never discussed the risks and benefits of hormone therapy with them, full stop. “Unfortunately, the findings did not surprise me. We hear the same frustrations every day from women who feel their symptoms were dismissed, their providers lacked up-to-date knowledge, or they were told it was simply a phase,” said Dr. Gustav Lo, co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of RegenCen. “What did surprise me was how few women knew about the FDA’s November 2025 labeling change. There has been little public education following that landmark announcement, and without continued attention, its importance is already beginning to fade.” The survey also points to a persistent lack of preventive-health counseling. Fifty-five percent of respondents said a provider had never discussed the possible long-term considerations and benefits of hormone therapy relating to bone, heart, brain and sexual health. Only 17.8% said these subjects had been discussed in detail. Treatment experiences varied considerably. Antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication was the most frequently recommended treatment category, reported by 34.2% of respondents - more than any individual hormone therapy option. Another 16.1% said no treatment had been recommended, while 11.2% had been told they were not candidates for hormone therapy. The full State of Menopause Care Report, including detailed findings, methodology and limitations, is available at regencen.com/menopause-care-report. ——————— GILCHRIST FARM WINERY ———————— Gilchrist Farm Winery has a few special events planned for October in downtown Suttons Bay. ————————————————————————————————-- An Afternoon with Author Molly Moynahan On October 15, we’ll welcome author Molly Moynahan for “An Afternoon with Author Molly Moynahan,” a special gathering featuring conversation, book signing, wine, and food available for purchase. ————————————————————————————————--
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On October 16, Gilchrist Farm Winery will participate in the Suttons Bay Fall Artisan & Wine Walk. On October 20, artist Jennifer Franzoni returns to Gilchrist Farm Winery for an oil painting class, with wine and a relaxed afternoon of creativity in Suttons Bay.
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Harvest season is also underway, and our menu is changing frequently with new seasonal offerings. Be sure to check the menu page on our website for the latest updates. ————————- GREEN SUTTONS BAY ————————-
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Bulbs and Brews Green Suttons Bay is planning a community event called BULBS AND BREWS on Friday, October 23, at 5pm. This is an opportunity for the whole community to join together in planting bulbs throughout the village green spaces along M22, then celebrate our volunteers with free food provided by Green Suttons Bay. Please consider bringing planting tools and gloves. Imagine hundreds of spring bulbs blooming in the Village of Suttons Bay after a long, dark winter! ————————————————————————————————- Green Suttons Bay General Meeting: Tuesday, October 13th at 2 pm in the basement of the SBBD library. Help us make plans for the upcoming months!————————————————————————————————- If you are interested in learning more about Green Suttons Bay contact us at greensuttonsbay@gmail.com ——- LEELANAU PENINSULA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ———
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————-——— LIFT TEEN CENTER ————————
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———————- MAWBY ———————— Wine Weekend at The Bay Community Theater: TODAY! October 1st from 6:00 PM–9:30 PM Wine Weekend We’ll kick off the evening with a tasting of select MAWBY wines paired with small bites, along with a little behind-the-scenes insight into what’s in your glass. Then, grab a seat, get cozy and settle in for a screening of Eat Pray Love. ————————————————————————————————-- Uncork Up North: TOMORROW! October 2nd from 6pm - 10pm Uncork Up North Guests can enjoy a strolling dinner, wines from featured local producers, and the chance to explore the Hagerty Garage while supporting women in Northern Michigan facing a breast cancer diagnosis. Funds raised through the event benefit patients via the Cowell Family Cancer Center at Munson Healthcare, easing some of the financial burden that treatment can bring. ————————————————————————————————-- MAWBY at Oryana West: October 10th from 1pm - 4pm Oryana West Tasting Stop by Oryana West for a free taste of MAWBY Honey. Oryana West is one of the few retailers where you can find Honey outside of MAWBY, and our current release is almost gone for the season. With the next bottling not expected until late spring or early summer, this is a pretty sweet chance to taste it while you still can. ———————————————————————————————— MAWBY & bigLITTLE at Lake Distric Wine Co.: October 15th from 5pm - 7pm Lake District Wine Co. Tasting Stop by Lake District Wine Co. for a free tasting featuring four wines from MAWBY and bigLITTLE. The lineup will include two wines from each winery. Whether you already know your MAWBY and bigLITTLE favorites or want to discover something new, swing by, taste the lineup and find a bottle (or two) to take home. ————————————————————————————————-- bigLITTLE Trivia Night: October 19th from 5:30pm - 7pm bigLITTLE Trivia Join us in the bigLITTLE Tasting room for themed trivia! We recommend keeping your teams to 2-4 people, but we welcome multiple teams from your party! This is FREE to play and prizes will be awarded to the winning team. Theme will be Trick or Trivia - think of all things spooky and creepy (but still fun!). Come and test your Trivia skills with some good people and great wine! Tasting room seating is limited, so secure your spot by emailing reservations@biglittlewines.com. ————————- OLTERSDORF REALTY ————————-
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———————— RIDE LEELANAU ————————
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Ride Leelanau E-Bikes Connects the Trail
Suttons Bay Chamber member Ride Leelanau E-Bikes is celebrating an incredible year of national recognition and regional growth. Father-and-son co-founders Lee and Tristan Millns have officially opened their second location, a flagship store in Greilickville, which perfectly bookends the beautiful Leelanau Trail alongside their original Village of Suttons Bay shop. This strategic expansion gives trail riders two convenient hubs to experience Northern Michigan and funnels vibrant trail tourism directly into our local business community.
Ride Leelanau boasts a robust fleet of over 100 rental e-bikes, offers comprehensive service for all brands, and specializes in retail sales for Velootric and Lectric e-bikes. Their dedication to excellence has put Leelanau County on the national map: out of more than 1,600 retail partners nationwide, Ride Leelanau was selected as one of only 18 Velotric Showcase Dealers in America. This exclusive showcase status allows local customers to explore and test-ride every Velotric model in every size and color.
Supporting their retail success, Ride Leelanau is deeply invested in our community's workforce, proudly employing six local high school students and three former high school teachers. As a reward for the team’s outstanding, nation-leading sales this year, Lee and Tristan have been invited to travel to Beijing this January to tour Velotric’s advanced manufacturing complex and celebrate their success at the Great Wall. Congratulations to the Millns family and the entire Ride Leelanau team on their remarkable success. Whether you are a visitor exploring the corridor or a neighbor looking for a new way to commute, stop by and discover the joy of riding! Find out more about Ride Leelanau at www.RideLeelanau.com. ————- SUTTONS BAY BINGHAM DISTRICT LIBRARY ————- Take a look below for some of the upcoming events at your Suttons Bay Bingham District Library! ————————————————————————————————-- Tech Tuesday: iDevices - Tuesday, October 6 at 2:00 PM in the library’s lower level Community Room. Join us for a tutorial and Q&A on iDevice basics. Corey Buchan of BuchanTECH will provide a basic tutorial and be available to answer questions. Bring your Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac laptop, or Apple Watch) and your questions! Free and open to anyone wanting to learn how to learn tips and tricks for getting the most of your iDevice. This program will be held on Tuesday October 6 @ 2pm 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. ————————————————————————————————-- Story Time with BATA Preschoolers of all ages and their caretakers are invited to join us Tuesday, October 13 for a Special Story Time with BATA.
We will read stories, sing some songs, and ride a BATA bus that will be here just for us.
Honk honk!
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——————— SUTTONS BAY PUBLIC SCHOOL ——————
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———————————————————————————————— Artist Market Interest Survey We are hoping to begin an annual artist market to coincide with the Holiday in the Village run by the Suttons Bay Chamber of Commerce. The fees from this market would go directly to support our fine arts programs at Suttons Bay Public Schools. Potential vendors, please fill out this survey to help us gauge interest for this and next year. —————— THE FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITY CENTER ——————
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The Friendship Community Center All are welcome! Check out classes, activities and rental availability by visiting www.thecentersb.com, and contact us at info@thecentersb.com with questions or to learn more. Upcoming events for October: The Write Ups with Giant Puppy and Trashcan Symphony October 3, ————————————————————————————————- Community Potluck October 7, 6-7 PM Join us for an evening of community, delicious food, music and celebration. Bring a dish to share. Theme: Oktoberfest celebration ———————————————————————————————— Special arts event October 10, 7-9 PM In Good Company with Nathan Salsburg (musician) and Nic Theisen (writer) Tickets: $10 (advance purchase) ———————————————————————————————- Every Wednesday at The Center 4-5:30 PM Food resources available to anyone in the community. Prepared meals from 5Loaves2Fish. Fresh and frozen food from Food Rescue. ——————- TRAVELS WITH LISA BAIRD ———————-
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Food and Wine of Italy: Naples, Puglia, Amalfi Coast Taste your way through Italy next fall — Naples, Puglia & the Amalfi Coast. 🇮🇹🍷 Two weeks of authentic meals, handpicked wines, scenic drives and cozy hotels — October 18-31, 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 are filling fill fast — reserve today. Contact Lisa Baird 616-292-3109 or msbaird2@yahoo.com and click HERE to learn more. ——————- WILLOW WINERY ———————- Remember! All Chamber members receive $5 off any event and every tasting or glass of Willow Wine during their visit all month long. Cheers!
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