My parents moved to Leelanau County to leave the city behind. I was three years old, and for the same reason I stayed. Northport is where I grew up in the 50’s. Folks didn’t lock their doors; car keys were left in the ignition. Walking cross country wasn’t encumbered with fences and no trespassing signs.
After graduation from Central Michigan University where I studied natural science and painting, I spent a number of years in the service of the National Parks: Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Park, and Haleakala National Park in Hawaii.
My spare time was spent traveling/working the world. On each trip home to Leelanau, it became evident that the county should be saved for its unblemished beauty. Fresh air, lakes, woods, dark sky, and quiet should be conserved for all generations.
With this understanding, I joined the docent team at the Leelanau Conservancy.