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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.
BAY CITY, MI
uptown Bay City’s Cream & Sugar Ice Cream Co. is back open for the 2023 season with limited-edition avors like peach cobbler made with Michigan-grown peaches and green peppermint Phoebe, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.
The seasonal ice cream shop, open from March to October and located at 160 Uptown Drive, is known for its ice cream made with locally sourced ingredients and its freshly made bubble waf e cones. Other limited-edition avors listed on the Cream & Sugar website include honey lavender, lemon blueberry, red velvet cake and salted caramel.
“Some of them are past fan favorites that we’ve had, and some of them are brand new,” said Cream & Sugar Ice Cream Co. Manager Tim Mangan. “Of course, we have our peppermint Phoebe because it is March, and St. Patrick’s Day is coming up.”
Other limited-edition avors coming soon include caramel cashew and maple. Also new this year, Cream & Sugar will offer curated sundaes, including “Brownie Bomb,” “Berry
Burst,” and “Caramel Crunch,” and pints and quarts of ice cream to go.
Cream & Sugar is open from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
JACKSON, MI
Chelsea Jones started baking as a hobby, but that hobby has since grown into a business known for a signature cake.
Jones, owner of Chelsea Cakes in Jackson, stumbled onto a Facebook post in 2016 of an image of a “Strawberry Shortcake Cheesecake Cake.” She knew she could recreate the pink and crumbly cake, so she made it for her family. She posted a photo of her creation on Facebook and said she was blown away by requests to make it for others.
“All types of people from Jackson and even the surrounding areas were wanting the cake,” Jones said.
Since then, she said she has perfected the strawberry cake with her own original and secret recipe. It is layered with cheesecake, which, besides its look, makes it stand out. Many people call it gourmet or a delicacy, she said.
The cake is so popular among customers that people have requested
it in cupcake form, Jones said. She also lls the cupcakes with cheesecake, she said.
“I don’t know if I ever go to the store and see a cupcake that says, ‘cheesecake lled,’” Jones said.
Jones’ business took off, prompting her to move out of her kitchen and into a brick-and-mortar building in November 2022. She has added several other avors of cupcakes and cakes to her collection,
including chocolate peanut butter, turtle, banana pudding and luscious lemon.
All are lled with cheesecake.
“They say the cake tastes like heaven,” Jones said.
Chelsea Cakes also sells cups lled with cheesecake and cake crumbles, as well as banana pudding, which Jones said has been a top seller. She also specializes in wedding cakes, birthdays and fondant icing, she said.
Jones is
planning an of cial grand opening of her business once the weather warms up, she said. While she has had
increase in customers since moving into the building, she is looking forward to meeting more people, she said.
A boating getaway is “one of Michigan’s best-kept vacation secrets,” and now we have a list of the 10 best places to rent that transient slip, courtesy of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The DNR provided MLive with a list of “10 harbors that
are ideal options for people who don’t necessarily sleep on their boat but want to experience the marina lifestyle.”
However, Michigan has 80plus state-sponsored harbors that circle the Great Lakes – and any one is great for a getaway.
downtown skyline from your boat.
• Ludington Municipal Marina: This thriving town is built around its waterfront. A slip here o ers access to many events that happen on the waterfront. Attractions include concerts in the park, the historic S.S. Badger car ferry making its daily roundtrip across Lake Michigan, breweries, art galleries and more – all within walking distance. There are many quaint motels for those who don’t want to overnight on their boat.
• Snail Shell Harbor: Located on Lake Michigan and accessed from the Garden Peninsula of the Upper Peninsula, this small harbor is alongside a historic townsite and at the base of limestone cli s that are home to the oldest trees in Michigan. You can always camp at Fayette Historic State Park, which is just a short walk from the marina.
• Duncan L. Clinch: You’ll be in the heart of it all in downtown Traverse City with a slip at this harbor. With the spray park, beach and TART Trail next to the dock, it’s easy to enjoy a summer day on shore, the evening fishing at the mouth of the Boardman River, then bike to your hotel or Airbnb.
• East Jordan: This is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a peaceful, small-town vibe on Lake Charlevoix, which o ers all kinds of things to see.
Located just one block from Main Street, the harbor o ers 27 transient slips for inland boaters to enjoy. Take a ride into Round Lake or even out into Lake Michigan through the channel in Charlevoix, or ride over to Boyne City and grab lunch. The fishing all is great all season.
• East Tawas State Harbor: Right in downtown Tawas, this harbor is close to dining, the lighthouse, camping and local events. It’s a great Lake Huron adventure destination.
• Straits State Harbor: Located in downtown Mackinaw City, this harbor makes it easy to ride your own boat over to the island, or just enjoy a ride along the shoreline or under the bridge. The waters can be choppy, so this trip is better for experienced boaters. There are hotels nearby for anyone not wanting to sleep on their boat.
• Grand Haven Marina: Located within view of the musical fountain, this harbor is a hidden gem for enjoying Grand Haven’s happening downtown. You can boat Lake Michigan, Spring Lake and the Grand River from this destination.
INFO
• Lime Island Recreation Area: Located in the St. Marys River, this island destination o ers on-site rustic cabins, hiking, history and lots more to enjoy. Because it’s only about a one-mile trip from the mainland, this is a great option for smaller trailered boats. You can put in at the boating access site in Raber, at the eastern edge of the U.P., then take the short trip over to Lime Island. You’ll need a harbor reservation and a cabin reservation if staying on the island. Bring your hiking shoes and get ready to enjoy freighter watching from the island. Enjoy this less-traveled paradise for up to two weeks at a time.
• Eagle Harbor: Located on the Keweenaw Peninsula, this quiet harbor is the ultimate getaway. Gaze at the lighthouse, watch the sunset, grab a slice of lobster pizza or just enjoy the breeze.
Reservations can be made at MiDNRReservations. com; select the Harbor tab. Some harbors take reservations directly.
• Petoskey City Marina: Located just down the hill from downtown, the marina o ers on-land recreation, fun day trips to Harbor Springs across the bay and if you happen to just want to shop for a few hours, they o er shopping docks at no charge, just hail the harbormaster on channel 16 to be guided to the best slip.
“Transient slips o er a great way to experience Michigan’s bigger waters and the marina lifestyle,” the release said. “You’ll also have easy access to fishing runs, ferry watching, and sunrises and sunsets from your boat.”
• Milliken State Harbor: On the shores of downtown Detroit directly on the Detroit Riverfront, this location has so much to enjoy.
The Outdoor Adventure Center, biking the Dequindre Cut to Eastern Market, fish the Detroit River or just enjoy the evening lights of the
State marinas also o er modern restrooms, showers, grilling areas and other waterfront amenities. On average, rates are about $1.60 per foot, which means a 20-foot pontoon costs about $32 a night.
these state harbors all o er transient slips, which are available for boats larger than 11 feet long that are staying for two weeks or less. Many of them also o er seasonal slips.
here’s another blockbuster concert lineup coming to the National Cherry Festival this summer. And while tickets already are in small supply for shows featuring “Chicago,” “3 Doors Down” and “Jordan Davis,” there are a few more big acts yet to be named.
Keep an eye on the festival web site and social media channels for the latest updates on the 97th annual event, scheduled July 1-8 in Traverse City. The festival typically breaks concert news on Monday mornings, with tickets going on sale the following Friday.
The headliners already announced for the festival’s eight consecutive nights of live entertainment include some pretty big names, and the yet-tobe-revealed performers are going to be exciting too, said Kat Paye, the festival’s executive director.
“They’re going to be the things that are missing from the lineup thus far,” she said. “We really try to have a very eclectic lineup, a something-foreveryone feel, and we’ve got to round out the week.
“You’ll see everything from country to classic rock to heavier rock ‘n roll, and then we always have a comedian or something non-musical.”
This year’s non-musical event on the open-air Pepsi Bay Side Music Stage presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan already has been announced: comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the
Cable Guy will close down the festival on Saturday, July 8. Some reserved chair seats can be had for $80, with $60 standing-room general admission tickets also still available.
Here’s the rest of what’s already on tap for the National Cherry Festival:
• Flo Rida on Sunday, July 2.
• Theory of a Deadman & Skillet on Tuesday, July 4.
• 3 Doors Down with special guest Candlebox on Wednesday, July 5.
• Country music artist Jordan Davis on Thursday, July 6.
• Chicago on Friday, July 7.
This summer’s lineup continues the National Cherry Festival tradition of bringing big names to the concert stage. Past festivals have showcased acts including Kane Brown, Pat Benatar, Styx, Dan + Shay, Nelly, Foreigner, REO Speedwagon and many more.
All of the shows are in the festival’s 4,500-seat open-air venue – the Pepsi Bay Side Music Stage presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The stage gets built each year, like creating a little city within Traverse City for the rst week of July.
“What a more beautiful way to enjoy a concert than right on the water,” Paye said. “I de nitely encourage you to get your tickets early.”
Although VIP packages that include food and beverage on The Deck are sold out for some National Cherry Festival concerts, reserved seats remain available for some shows as well as general admission tickets. Some artist holds also could be released in the coming weeks, so keep an eye on the festival web site and social channels for ticket availability.
Upcoming concert acts aren’t the only big National Cherry Festival
announcements to be on the lookout for this spring. Tickets are now on sale for special foodie events during the free air show featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds on the rst weekend of the festival. Some new events are also in the works including a pickleball tournament using the many new courts in Traverse City and a curling event at the Traverse City Curling Center. And, back this year for the rst time since before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019 is the National Cherry Festival pit spit contest. See if you can spit a cherry pit farther than the current 85-foot record!
“All of your favorite, traditional events are back at the National Cherry Festival for our 97th year,” Paye said. Check out the full National Cherry Festival schedule to plan your visit, and nd the perfect place to stay in the Traverse City. area for your trip.
Upwards of 500,000 people come to the National Cherry Festival each year to celebrate Traverse City as the Cherry Capital of the World.
tDETROIT
his place will be like a vacation for dogs while their owners watch them play while sipping on beer and cocktails. Detroit is getting its rst dog park and beer garden featuring 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space.
Barkside is set to open sometime this summer at 7960 Kercheval Avenue in Detroit’s West Village. It will be a huge space for unleased dogs to play safely in the park and indoor play areas while owners enjoy craft beers, cocktails and coffee.
“Barkside is a social destination for dogs and their humans to relax and enjoy a beverage in the company of others,” said owners David Oh and Cody Williams. “Our safe, monitored
EDWARD PEVOS | epevos@MLive.com
play yard allows dogs to have fun with their furry friends while their humans enjoy local beers - all among a friendly staff and community of fellow dog lovers.”
Barkside will also offer doggy snacks, treats and birthday pupcakes. It will host special events including dog yoga, adoption events, puppy training classes, trivia, singles events and more.
“We are both innately passionate about dogs,” Williams added. “Like many of us who love our dogs, we want to go out but often feel guilty leaving them at home. Visiting other dog bars around the country, we realized an urgent need for Barkside in Detroit. Not only are dog bars an exciting place for dogs to socialize, but it also allows like-minded people (animal lovers) a chance to gather and build a community.”
The indoor area of Barkside will be 3,000 square feet with an indoor dog park, bar and lobby. The 7,000 square feet outside green space will offer seating for more than 100 people. It will be completely fenced in with a
covered patio, televisions and another bar.
Barkside will offer both day passes as well as monthly and annual memberships. Admission is free for humans who visit without a dog. Along with this upcoming Detroit opening, Oh and Williams say they are scouting locations to expand into the Detroit suburbs and beyond.
fYPSILANTI, MI
ans of Basil Babe’s popup events can now find the Thai restaurant at its permanent location in Ypsilanti.
Basil Babe opened in January at 701 W. Cross St., which was previously home to Hamburger Mary’s and Tower Inn.
“It’s pretty much like a full circle (moment) being born and raised in Ypsi and going to Eastern (Michigan University),” Basil Babe Owner Haluthai Inhmathong said. “Now I’m taking over this place, and hopefully it becomes an Eastern staple.”
Basil Babe operates on a rotating weekly menu which includes appetizers, curries, noodles, stir fries, desserts and Thai tea and coffee. The menu also offers vegan and glutenfree options.
Basil Babe’s dumplings are “filled with love” and are a very popular item with customers, Inhmathong said. The restaurant’s menu features one meat and one vegan option that often rotate weekly.
Other popular items include the Crabby Rangoons and the OG Basil Stir-Fry, which features minced pork, garlic, Thai Bird’s Eye chili, bell peppers, green beans and Thai basil served with jasmine rice and side of Prik Nam Pla, which is fish sauce and Thai chili.
The Thai food restaurant began in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when Inhmathong and her mother, Vasanna, began making dumplings and delivering them to friends and family.
However, as interest grew for these dumplings, local Ann Arbor restaurants reached out to the mother-daughter duo. They then began pop-up events traveling to Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Detroit and Hazel Park.
Inhmathong eventually quit her job and fully committed to Basil Babe with the help of family members and her mother, who formerly owned her own Thai restaurant called Siam
for more than 20 years. Being surrounded by her mother’s business throughout most of her life has impacted what Basil Babe is now, Inhmathong said.
“I was raised on (my mom’s) kitchen floor at the restaurant, and I learned as much as I could. But then as I grew older, I found my own flavor,” she said. “(Basil Babe serves) dishes that I grew up eating, but they are the best versions of themselves.”
Inhmathong said she and her motivate each other, while finding “the perfect balance” of both of their ideas.
Inhmathong has some plans for the future of the business, including opening during lunch, hosting live music and block parties, as well as having late night hours accompanied by cocktails, local beers and wines, she said. Her favorite part, Inhmathong said, is seeing the faces of people trying Basil Babe’s food for the first time, as well as connecting with her customers. While it may not always be easy, she said the support from her customers and family makes it “all worth it.”
