Ticks are always a concern close to the mind of wildlife biologists and medical providers, especially as the pest continuously expands north to the Leelanau Peninsula. “Black leg ticks are active anytime over 35 degrees...

I wonder what Leelanauts were saying about the weather in 1905? That’s the year of the “open winter,” as described by folks on Drummond Island, anyway. Betsey Price of Lake Leelanau was born and raised on the island, and heard about the weather phenomena that must have seemed totally out of place in an era still clinging to the Little Ice Age.

One St. Patrick’s day celebration in Leelanau County was sobering and a blast.

Winter has provided more cross country skiing than ice fishing opportunities, which doesn’t say much. “During the 10 days of winter, we groomed about every other day, and it was great,” said Kerry Kelly, chairman of the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes organization that maintains the Heritage Trail through volunteers.

It seems unlikely that hunting in Leelanau will be directly affected by the discovery of a bovine tuberculosis-infected deer in southwest Benzie County. But Emily Sewell, who leads the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) response team to the discovery of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in the wild deer herd, said cooperation from hunters will be sought to help identify and control the disease.

A $3 million donation from a private donor puts the Freshwater Research and Innovation Center ever closer to its $26 million goal for the new facility. Discovery Center officials said that the $3 million donor wished to remain anonymous, but they expect to release additional details at a later date.

The Pathfinder School will host its annual gala March 2 at the Delamar in Traverse City. The gala will feature a silent and live auction, offering exclusive items that cater to various interests.

The biggest deer shot by 88-year-old Alvin Ance may have been the one that required the least work. Ance, a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, may have shot more bucks in Michigan than any other hunter.

The hunter who shot the biggest deer entered in the “big buck night” contest and festivities hosted by Dick’s Pour House on January 14, was also celebrating a birthday of sorts. “I didn’t realize until after I shot my deer that this was my 50th deer season,” said Al Steimel of Suttons Bay Township, who claimed first prize in the firearms division.

The turkeys that have been paddling daily through deep, fluffy snow to munch on birdseed behind Chuck Bond’s house in Cleveland Township might be more accurately called Pennamites than Michiganders.