MI Best - Weekend Edition - March 5, 2023

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When we chose the stories for this edition, all the events and dates were accurate. As always, find the mostup-to-date information on the event/activity website, Facebook page or other direct information source.

McDonald’s of Michigan’s

“Black History Makers of

Today” recognizes students impacting both their school and community

cDonald’s remains a leader in connecting today’s youth throughout Michigan to Black History. Forming this connection includes highlighting students who are doing the work today for the world they want tomorrow.

Each year, McDonald’s of Michigan selects high school seniors across the state for its Black History

Makers of Today scholarship program. The program this year will provide 28 students who exemplify leadership in their school with $1,000 a month to use toward future endeavors such as tuition and school supplies. Qualification for the scholarship stretches beyond grade point average, as candidates must exhibit leadership both in and outside the classroom. These are students who volunteer in their neighborhood, help with their family’s needs, tutor younger kids and more. Recipients are identified by high school leadership — such as principal, counselor or teacher — as exceling

Judith is a dynamic scholar who holds herself to the highest of moral and academic standards. Judith has maintained above a 4.0 GPA for the duration of her high school tenure while taking multiple advanced placement courses and eight college dual enrollment courses through Grand Rapids Community College. Her positive spirit shows through her work as a member of the UPREP Senior Executive Board and the National Honor Society chapter of Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy. She has volunteered as a peer mentor and collaborated with the staff at her school to create a mental health space. Her personal story and advocacy for the refugee population has given her the skills to become a true change maker in society.

Shionna is a Black History Maker of Today because she doesn’t mind helping others when in need all the while keeping a positive attitude, even in difficult times. She has recently volunteered at the Martin Luther King march, not only to help but to show dedication for her culture. Additionally, she regular volunteers her time doing community service, such as assisting teachers. After school, Shionna works at a childcare center to help the newest generation learn and grow. She has a 4.010 GPA while taking college courses at Macomb Community College as part of the dual enrollment program offered at her school.

students who balance family, school and maybe even a part-time job. The Black History Makers of Today scholarship program aims to recognize these students’ journey and commitment to personal growth. From a student who developed a mental health space at her school to a student who arrived in the U.S. from a refugee camp determined to help his family, here are five Black History Makers of Today.

This article is part of McDonald’s series on ‘Black History Makers of Today’, find other articles and links on mlive.com/michigansbest

Kobe is a Black History Maker of Today because he uses the blueprint of his ancestors’ leadership, contributions and resilience. He uses their guidelines to encourage people to make this world a fair and better place for everyone. Kobe is exceptionally bright and always brings joy to the people around him. He is very helpful and constantly looks for a way to help people excel as a student, a link leader, athlete and a sibling. After high school, he plans on going into residential construction. He is currently building a house for Habitat for Humanity that will be finished by the end of the school year.

Flint Southwestern Classical Academy – Flint

Everett is a dual-enrolled student who also finds time to work and participate in extra-curricular and community activities. While focusing on his own academic pursuits, he takes the time to make sure his peers understand presented material and invites them to get involved with public functions. There is no obstacle that stands in his way when chasing his dreams. His desire to play hockey did not get shattered by the fact his school doesn’t have a team. Nor was he deterred by the reality that it is uncommon for the urban population to play the sport. Knowing the rules and accepting the challenges describes Everett. He has been a valuable addition to the team of a neighboring school.

East Kentwood High School – Grand Rapids

Bonfils is an excellent student. His family moved here from a small refugee camp in Burundi. He’s worked hard to get his GPA up to a 4.0 so he can pursue an education here for not only himself but also his family. Additionally, once he got to the states, he struggled with keeping his grades up while also having immense family responsibilities. He missed two days of school per week because of those responsibilities. He made a promise to himself to work as hard as he could and now, he has a 4.0. He owes a lot of his success to his mother for being there whenever he needed her. Bonfils plans after high school to attend a four-year university. He wants to teach others and be a positive role model for other students. He is a Black History Maker of Today by being the first in his family to go to college and become a teacher. He is passionate about education and spreading his knowledge to others around him.

SP ON SORED By McDonald’s

SHIONNA PATTERSON

Mt. Clemens High School – Mt. Clemens

EVERETT GRAHAM

BONFILS MATENGA

JUDITH MUKAMURENZI Grand Rapids University Preparatory High School – Grand Rapids

KOBE JONES Lee M. Thurston High School – Detroit

Hotel Walloon

HOMEOF THE LOADED

MANCHESTER, MI hile most meals can be found on a plate, River Raisin Distillery is serving one up in in a glass.

Distilling started as a hobby for Joe and Krista Jarvis before they opened River Raisin Distillery in 2020 in an old welding shop. They specialize in making unique cocktails, including their popular Fully Loaded Bloody Mary.

All the basics of a Bloody Mary - plus a load of toppingsmake River Raisin Distillery a destination in Manchester, Joe said.

The drink starts with River Raisin Distillery’s Cane & Grain, which comes from an old family recipe, he said. The spirit was originally believed to be a rum, until the family submitted it to the federal government and were told it was actually a unique spirit made from cane and grain, Joe said.

“It doesn’t have a category, so the best way we can describe it is it has the grains of a whiskey, the sweetness of rum and is clean as vodka,” he said.

After this spirit is added to the salt-rimmed glass, people can choose their Bloody Mary mixer from four different spice levels.

Then toppings, including vegetables, small pretzels and bacon can be added, along with a plethora of other toppings, such as pizza pockets, a cheesy meatball, salami, pepperoni, cheese curds, a taquito, wing dings, half of a beer brat, a whole soft pretzel and a side car for nacho cheese.

Finally, a small piece of cheesecake is placed atop the straw for dessert.

The drinks and are popular with customers because of the food, the good quality of the drink and it’s “selfie factor,” team member Kate Austad said.

“No one at your table can touch it until you can get a photo,” Austad said.

The Fully Loaded Bloody Mary is only served from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday and costs $25. But the distillery sells other handcrafted spirits, including agave and rum, and other drinks, including a Lemon Drop, Orange Cream, The Flying Dutchmen and the Manchester Mule, throughout the week.

Crystal Mountain resort rolls out mid-week specials for overnight stays

iTHOMPSONVILLE, MI

f you’ve got calendar space for a mid-week getaway - or want to work remotely in a spot that puts you slopeside for easy ski access - Crystal Mountain resort is offering big savings on overnight stays through March. The Thompsonville resort is offering Stay and Play Midweek specials, with 20% off all lodging.

If you love your skiing, fat tire snow biking or winter hiking - but don’t like the crowds - this deal is designed to give you some quiet time outdoors.

“Tranquil slopes. Vacant lift lines. Solitary crosscountry trails. Welcome to weekdays at Crystal Mountain,” resort staff said in describing the special.

For families staying at Crystal Mountain:

• Kids 6 and younger stay, ski and enjoy breakfast free (two children can eat for free when accompanied by one paying adult).

• Kids 17 and under stay free anytime.

• Sign up for midweek Ski and Snowboard lessons that fit your skill level.

Not a downhill skier? No worries. Because Crystal is a four-season resort, there are always lots of other things to check out. Cross-country skiers and fat tire snow bike riders will find groomed trails. You can bring your own gear or rent equipment. Places to hike out in the snow crisscross this

wooded resort. This includes Michigan Legacy Art Park, an outdoor sculpture park that is tucked into Crystal’s acreage. There’s a lot of art to see there, even in the winter. And if you’re really looking to relax, book yourself into the Crystal Spa for a little self-care and make it a wellness retreat.

A couple date-specific restrictions apply, so check the resort’s website for details.

For those looking to make it a home base for other mid-week adventures, the popular Iron Fish Distillery is nearby. Crystal Mountain is also about a 40-minute drive to Traverse City, and a shorter drive to Frankfort.

For package details and reservation information, contact Hotel Walloon at hotelwalloon.com

Ernest Hemingway’s grandson to lead spring writers retreat in Northern Michigan

EMILY BINGHAM | ebingham@mlive.com

tWALLOON LAKE, MI

he grandson of literary giant Ernest Hemingway will lead a special retreat in Northern Michigan this spring aimed at guiding writers in honing their craft. Writer and journalist John Patrick Hemingway is to be the special guest and moderator at the second annual Walloon Lake Writers Retreat, a threeday event offering “an inspiring, intimate and collaborative setting for those seeking stimulation and ideas for their literary works,” according to organizers.

The retreat will be held April 13-16 at Hotel Walloon in Walloon Lake, the Northern Michigan village where Ernest Hemingway spent his summers as a child.

Retreat highlights include talks and writing leadership sessions lead by John Patrick Hemingway and other published writers, a guided caravan tour of nearby Hemingway locales hosted by the Michigan Hemingway Society, access to unique locations around Walloon Lake for private writing time, a group dinner, networking and collaboration, and more.

a “management hunt.”

“It confirms what wolf advocates and scientists in Michigan have long known: the state’s wolf population was already stabilizing itself, as top carnivores will do if just left alone,” said Jill Fritz, senior wildlife protection director the Humane Society of the United States. She said the stable population reflects that Michigan’s wolves have a self-sustaining and genetically diverse population that maintains connectivity with neighboring wolf populations while fulfilling its ecological role.

“A stable population is not an invitation to hunt Michigan’s wolves. In fact, it is an indication that they have only achieved sustainability in the

Michigan’sgray wolf population stable for last decade, state says

michigan’s Upper Peninsula is home to more than 600 gray wolves spread across 136 organized packs, numbers which experts say show the species’ population remained stable there for more than the last decade.

Researchers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said the estimated minimum number of gray wolves in the U.P. is 631, give or take 49 wolves. The average number of wolves per pack is between four and five.

State wildlife officials recently released this data from the 2022 Michigan gray wolf population, a scientific wintertime analysis done every two years across the U.P., including Drummond, Neebish, and Sugar islands. Wolves on Isle Royale are not included in the count and are managed by the National Park Service.

Cody Norton, DNR wildlife biologist and wolf specialist, said the state’s gray wolf population has not statistically varied since 2011, which indicates the species may have reached its biological carrying capacity. That means an equilibrium exists between available habitat and the number of animals of a particular species that can be supported there over time.

State scientists said the numbers may have remained the same, but the density of gray wolves across the U.P. shifted through the years, decreasing in western areas, and increasing in the eastern region. They suggested that could be linked to major winter weather events between 2013 and 2015, which greatly reduced deer densities in deeper snowfall zones.

Both wolf protection advocates and

hunting proponents said there were no surprises in the wolf numbers released this week by the DNR. In fact, both camps pointed to the data as proof Michigan either should or should not make plans to hunt wolves.

The gray wolf has steadily recovered over the last three decades across the U.P. following statewide extirpation because of a state bounty only repealed in 1960. The species has repeatedly been protected – and not protected – by the federal endangered species law either because of policy changes or court orders.

Currently, the gray wolf remains federally protected across most of the United States and cannot be killed unless in defense of human life. That doesn’t mean there hasn’t been plenty of talk about hunting wolves in Michigan, though.

Wolf numbers hovering within the 618-695 range for years on end shows the species has now fully recovered from its eradication in Michigan, said Amy Trotter, executive director at Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

That’s why the hunting advocacy group supports state wildlife authorities putting together plans for a wolf hunt, should the federal protective status for the species change again. They want some rules on the books now.

“I’m not talking about numbers

I’m talking about the framework for a season. So, the timing, the method, how we would report harvest, all those things can be done,” Trotter said.

She also explained why she finds it encouraging state officials are set to broaden how they track wolf populations. Current population counts are done solely in winter but will be expanded to other seasons when numbers are apt to be greater, she contended.

“They can actually start talking about how many wolves on average do we have versus this one snapshot of the lowest possible point in time,” Trotter said.

It’s widely believed across the U.P. hunting community that there is an overabundance of wolves.

Gary Gorniak, president of the Straits Area Sportsmen’s Club, said Yoopers with whom he’s spoken all believe the DNR underestimated wolf numbers. He said the club did a survey last fall asking U.P. residents whether they were seeing more bears or wolves on their trail cameras given the DNR at the time pegged populations at 10,000 bears and 695 wolves.

“Sixty-seven percent said more wolves,” Gorniak said.

However, wolf protection advocates argue the very same data about stabilized populations show no need for

absence of trophy hunting,” Fritz said.

A spokesperson for the Native Anishinaabek Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party said their goal is to reorient conversations about wolves away from the “distraction and controversy” of a hunt.

“Data and science confirm that with pack numbers consistently stabilized, there is no need for generalized lethal intervention, and it is time to focus policies on preserving those numbers so we may better understand and appreciate the ecological benefits wolves provide,” said Nichole Biber, wolf preservation team leader for the caucus.

DNR officials last year updated the state’s wolf management plan and included guidelines for regulators to decide whether hunters in Michigan would ever get a shot to bag North America’s apex canine predator should wolves ever be de-listed again. That only happens with a decision by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission.

In February 2022, a federal judge in California restored federal protections to gray wolves after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service de-listed the species in the last months of the Trump administration. The Biden administration appealed the decision two months later.

The shifting legal status for wolves has often sparked contentious debate over whether state wildlife regulators should allow wolves to be killed to control livestock predation or for recreational hunting and trapping.

Sip sip, hooray!

Michigan’s Best Local Eats: Sip on the Brown Bear latte at Cahoots Cafe in Ann Arbor

tANN ARBOR, MI

his Ann Arbor shop offers the three things most important to any working professional -coffee, carbs and coworking.

Cahoots Cafe opened in January 2020 to cater to members of Cahoots tech hub along with anyone else looking for a pick-me-up.

“(Cahoots Cafe) was always meant to be a space open to the public, but it was also a really great perk for members,” Chelsea Hohn, executive director of Cahoots, said. “It was meant to be something that was nice for them to just pop down and grab coffee.”

The space is meant to be a “comfortable” experience for people as they explore what Cahoots has to offer, Hohn said. She said the cafe hosts some of its own events like markets and open mic nights. The space is also open to the public to host clubs and other events.

customer that ordered the latte so much that he came up a name for it, Hohn said.

“It’s really straightforward, but it’s just really good,” Yeary said.

Other popular drinks include the Fig and Cardamom Latte and the 5 Spice Latte made with fennel, cinnamon, clove, star anise and Szechuan peppercorn. Yeary said fig and cardamom can be used in an espresso latte or a matcha latte.

Yeary has been in their role for five months now but has seven years of experience as a barista. They said they are hoping to bring some new drinks to the Ann Arbor coffee scene.

“We try to have a rotating set of seasonal drinks, so ... we’re always looking for new syrups and new flavors,” Yeary said.

4 p.m. Monday

“We want this to be more than just a place where you can come and have a surface level conversation,” she said. “...It’s been like a second home for me... so I hope it benefits and brings comfort to others as well.”

When it comes to coffee, the cafe’s Brown Bear is one of its top sellers, Cahoots Cafe manager Abby Yeary said. The latte is made from espresso that melts over a pump of maple syrup and brown sugar topped with steamed milk.

The drink was inspired by a regular

Milk + Honey pastries tend to be the cafe’s staple during the weekdays, Yeary said, adding the business will feature Bird Dog Baking on the weekends. Pastries may include anything from muffins, scones, cookies, rye tea cakes to egg, cheese and sausage hand pies.

There is also a rotating selection of breakfast burritos from Juicy Kitchen and a Vietnamese dish called banh mi from Ginger Deli.

Yeary said the cafe is planning to bring bagel sandwiches and make its own homemade overnight oats and chia pudding in the near future.

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