Michigan BLUE | Winter 2025

WISH YOU WERE HERE.

Scan for more tips, tricks, and photos!

“Cheers to the dream team that made my home dreams a reality!”

— Kayla

View more photos of Molly’s home!

Meet Kayla of The Minted Grove

Creative mom Kayla strikes a balance between designing a functional space where her family and her small business can both grow, while intentionally leaving some things “undone” so she can enjoy adding her own artistic magic. It’s the home – and community – of her dreams in cozy Crowner Farms nestled in DeWitt, MI. This will be her 3rd Eastbrook Home!

With the help of Eastbrook Homes she recently completed her magical experience with her Mayfair Home plan! Learn more about Kayla’s journey below.

How did you incorporate your family’s lifestyle?

With this being my 3rd Eastbrook home, I knew my basic needs when picking out the floorplan as well as the necessity to make the home multifunctional throughout. For example, I knew I wanted the master bedroom on the first floor, separated from my kids on the second floor. I knew I needed to customize the pantry, making it more functional for a large family. When it came to the mudroom, I knew I needed an area that could be utilized for a built-in desk for a homework workstation. I didn’t need a third stall garage, but I knew I needed extra space to allow my creative side to come back to play through my small business, @themintedgrove.

What does “Home” mean to you?

Home is where my heart is full, my hands are busy, and my soul is happy. Home is where my little ones run around with muddy feet, right after the floors were mopped, where there is always a chaotic symphony of laughter, messes, and love. It’s somewhere we are proud to invite friends to, yet also a cozy spot where we can whip up the latest slime at the kitchen table, well knowing it will get messy.

What was your Eastbrook Experience like?

Though this is my third Eastbrook home, this is my second building experience. Just like the first time through, it was smooth and painless. I did my research a few years back on builders in the area and confidently chose to build with Eastbrook due to their quality. As life changes, so do your needs and finances. I found peace in knowing I could yet again build with Eastbrook without needing to fork over all the money upfront because it is not like a traditional construction loan.

FEATURES

35 And the Winners Are ... The inaugural Michigan BLUE Design Awards showcases 90 top honors in waterfront living — from boat houses to landscaping and interiors. This section also reveals who made up the judges’ panel and what home was voted the favorite Overall Home by our readers.

WATERWAYS

14 Field Guide

Travel trends, land protection in the Upper Peninsula, and upgrades at Tahquamenon Falls State Park.

14 Sky, Sand & Surf

Forest bathing can help us unwind, and snowshoeing routes lure exercise and outdoors enthusiasts. By Maureen Stine and Amy S. Eckert

20 Get Outdoors

Winter activities energize Cadillac, and frozen treasures await discovery in the Upper Peninsula. By Bill Semion and Dianna Stampfler

DESIGN CURRENTS

28 Designers’ Notebook

New antiques options in Charlevoix, and a design studio in Holly partners with another interiors company. By Megan Swoyer

28 Studio Visit With a sharpened awareness of nature, artist Samantha Hall draws detailed colored-pencil works. By Megan Swoyer

32 The Elements

Butter Up! These warm and creamy-toned accents are sure to add light to your home this winter. By Jamie Fabbri

ANCHORS AWAY

70 Tasting Room

Folklor Wine & Cider in Charlevoix prioritizes the farming aspect of wine-making as it works to achieve organic certification. By Giuseppa Nadrowski

74 Discoveries

With venues in three Lake Huron cities, this annual film festival spotlights the importance of guarding the world’s water supply. By Dianna Stampfler

76 Book It

A 1958-era Harbor Springs motel underwent a major overhaul that features thoughtful modern design. By Megan Swoyer

IN EVERY ISSUE

10 Reflections

Congratulations! By Megan Swoyer

80 Postcard

A photographer finds peace on Grand Haven’s Fisherman’s Pier.

By Sarah Goodwin

ON THE COVER

This Michigan BLUE Design Awards winning fireplace, by Cottage Company Interiors with Cottage Company of Harbor Springs, impressed judges with its design and placement. Photo by Beth Singer

FIND YOUR WINTER HERE.

Winter is the perfect time to sneak away for a rejuvenating getaway to Pure Ludington. Whether you are a winter enthusiast looking for outdoor activities that will enliven you like taking on snow-covered trails on a fat-tire bike, or just looking for a recharging getaway to reconnect and enjoy good food and craft beer, there is a place for you here. Don't hide from winter. Make plans to embrace all that a Pure Ludington winter has to offer!

Congratulations!

The competition for Michigan BLUE magazine’s firstever design awards was electrifying, to say the least. Being our first year conducting the competition, we didn’t expect to get an avalanche of entries — but we did! Congrats to the top three winners in 30 categories that range from bathrooms and kitchens to pools and boat houses, all in the name of waterfront living. I think you’ll love how these pages inspire with beauty and interest, thanks not only to the great home designs, but also to our topnotch art director, production crew, copy editor, and contributing photographers.

As you’ll see on the following pages, I called on notable design professionals for our mix of judges. Using their years of experience, the extremely talented panel was able to discern which projects deserved a top award. I know it wasn’t easy, as I helped prepare the entries for the jury.

Look for this competition to grow in the future and include a special awards ceremony at a noteworthy location somewhere in Michigan. And it’s never too early to start thinking of next year’s competition. Visit mibluedesignawards.com this summer to review the entry packet. It’s likely that we’ll add some new categories, too, including lodging.

information on a site that warrants further exploration. I’m on it! The Chippewa Nature Center in Midland comes to mind, and a story in this issue reminds me that I need to pack my snowshoes for a wintry romp around its 19 miles of trails along the Pine and Chippewa rivers.

Speaking of lodging and travel, I’ve found that many people find the commute Up North dull and slow-going. I feel lucky that I can’t wait for the journey, and here’s why. First, my husband and I set sail in a large Chevy truck, so there’s a great deal of room to accommodate my computer and lap desk. Next, as the editor of Michigan BLUE, I get to check out all kinds of stops along the way. You never know what might inspire a story idea for this magazine!

Perhaps one of our writers has shared

Other breaks we take advantage of on our treks north provide my husband and me with excellent opportunities to forestbathe, which helps us peel o the stressful conditions of urban, modern living. If you make forest bathing an intentional pursuit (we’ll often pack a picnic and stroll along a river or Great Lake as part of our journey), as suggested in a story in this issue, and avoid screen time when you’re able to, dozens of benefits are there for the taking. We did a little of that recently on our way to Harbor Springs. Rather than sticking to a direct route to the new Otis (see the story on this remarkable transformation in this issue), we took a jaunt over to Clear Lake and the Kirtlands Warbler Management Area in Montmorency Township. Cruising down a sandy two-track, we knew we wouldn’t see the warbler (long gone at this time of year, and now in the Bahamas), but we could check out its special habitat of young jack pine forests so we’ll know where to go next spring when we research the area for a bird population update in this magazine.

The explorations we make as we head to our cottage quickly fill up the pages where I keep track of future story ideas and new design-awards categories. But for now, I’m closing my laptop and getting ready to forest-bathe in Michigan’s inspiring and soul-soothing beauty.

Volume 20 | Issue 1 mibluemag.com

PUBLISHER: Jason Hosko

EDITORIAL

EDITOR: Megan Swoyer

TRAVEL EDITOR: Ron Garbinski

COPY EDITOR: Anne Berry Daugherty

WRITERS/STYLISTS: Amy S. Eckert, Jamie Fabbri, Sarah Goodwin, Giuseppa Nadrowski, Bill Semion, Dianna Stampfler, Maureen Stine

DESIGN & PRODUCTION

CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Lindsay Richards

ART DIRECTOR: Keagan Coop

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CIRCULATION

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Michigan BLUE magazine is published quarterly by Hour Media. Publishing office: 5750 New King Dr., Suite 100 Troy, MI 48098. Telephone 616-459-4545; fax 616- 459-4800. General email: info@hour-media.com Copyright ©2025 by Hour Media. All rights reserved. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Michigan BLUE magazine,1965 E. Avis Dr., Madison Heights, MI 48071. Subscription rates: one year $14.95, two years $24.95, three years $34.95, U.S. only. Single issue and newsstand $5.95 (by mail $8.95). To subscribe or to order back issues, please contact Circulation at 866-

WATERWAYS

A fascinating natural site, Kitch-iti-kipi, at Palms Book State Park, means “big cold spring” in Ojibwe. Read more about it in the Get Outdoors section.

14 Field Guide

Keweenaw Land Association’s mineral exchange, new boardwalk underway at Tahquamenon Falls State Park, and more.

14 Sky, Sand & Surf Forest bathing can help us unwind, and snowshoeing routes lure exercise and winter enthusiasts.

20 Get Outdoors Cold-weather activities energize Cadillac, and frozen treasures await discovery in the Upper Peninsula.

FIELD GUIDE

Exploring Michigan: Tips, trends, and tidbits

Travel Trends: Booking.com’s travel predictions for 2025 include insights such as this: 41 percent of American parents say they would rather spend money on a trip of a lifetime than leave an inheritance to their children; 46 percent say they would go, or they would encourage a man in their life to go, on a men-only trip (it jumps to 69 percent for Gen Z and 65 percent for millennials); and 52 percent of travelers would pay for a vacation with the sole purpose of extending their lifespan and well-being. The three most popular wellness activities are light therapy (47 percent), stem cell treatment (35 percent), and cryotherapy (32 percent).

Trading Partners: In October, the Keweenaw Land Association Ltd. transferred 8,392 acres of mineral rights beneath Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. It’s part of mineral-for-mineral exchanges by both parties to protect the 60,000-acre Upper Peninsula park, and provide the Keweenaw Land Association with other DNR mineral rights in 9,551 acres of Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Iron, Menominee, and Ontonagon counties that are believed to contain copper, gold, and nickel.

Waterfall Viewing: A $3.275 million construction project at the Upper Falls in the day-use area of Tahquamenon Falls State Park near Paradise will provide a new, fully accessible 900-foot-long boardwalk with benches, as well as other park enhancements. The walkway will wind through the forest and replace the aging stairway structure that leads to the brink viewing platform. Access to the 200-footwide falls and most of the existing three viewing platforms will be open during construction, which is expected to be completed by August 2025.

— Compiled by Ron Garbinski

Have news that pertains to Michigan’s natural resources, travel, or exploration? Send a note to MSwoyer@Hour-Media.com.

Take Time for a Breather

Forest bathing can help us unwind and unplug while reconnecting with the serenity of nature this snowy season

By Maureen Stine

Winter is a compulsory time-out for all flora and fauna, including us. Following our intense summer hustles and autumn’s waning weeks of festive celebrations with family and friends, we arrive in the soft, still, reflective part of the year. During this season, everything seems to slow down, and nature gently encourages us to take an essential break.

Yet, as a certified forest therapy guide, I don’t hibernate during the winter months. Michiganders are an innately outdoorsy people, and it’s within our collective DNA to escape cabin fever and indulge in our favorite seasonal pastimes.

My go-to jam is ice fishing. Following the gradual freeze across the inland waterway of the northern Lake Huron watershed, I be-

gin in Emmet County, targeting perch from Crooked Lake, later moving east to Cheboygan County’s Burt Lake to pursue walleye, and finally heading to the mighty Mullett Lake for some bonus, late-season trout.

During one recent winter solstice before the hard water was ready, I cozied up at home reading an article about a peculiar-sounding trend called “forest bathing.” I was immediately drawn to this somatic practice of decelerating, grounding, and recentering oneself through nature — an idyllic activity for any time of year, but one that so fully complements the serenity of winter.

The Practice

Forest bathing translates from the Japanese term shinrin-yoku and was first coined in 1982 by Tomohide Akiyama during his tenure as director of Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The practice gained popularity during a national endemic of stress-related illnesses, ultimately attributed to heightened urbanization and poor work-life balance.

Akiyama’s idea was to link forest visits to health and wellness-oriented ecotourism. Forest bathing is now part of a global e ort to tend to the stressful conditions of living in a modern industrialized civilization.

Of course, with every gentle walk in a park or heavy tromp through the woods, we’ve all been forest bathing this whole time without ever calling it that. What’s new is the intentional pursuit of avoiding screen time: unplugging and spending agenda-free hours outside, and momentarily getting out of our heads and focusing on our bodies.

While forest bathing, we’re not there to get our steps in and we’re not looking to expand our birding life list. The purpose is to move slowly down a trail, using all available senses to notice the surrounding nature, sounds, and smells. Forest bathing is the quintessential way to be “here now.”

Top left: Forest-bathing participants can decelerate among crisp wintry blue skies and snow-lalden tree branches. Top right: Author Maureen Stine entertains her group by playing an earth fl ute during one of her outings. Above: While in your outdoor no-stress zone, you’ll start to see nature as art.

Why Be Guided?

The Science

I invite you to pause and inhale deeply. Exhale slowly. When outdoors, we inhale phytoncides allelopathic, antibacterial, volatile organic compounds defused by trees and non-woody plants to kill the bacteria, fungi, or insects on them.

The mammalian body, by contrast, loves phytoncides. Contact with phytoncides through our respiratory tract has been directly correlated to improvements in our frontline immune defenders. Research shows that forest bathing lowers blood pressure, increases cerebral blood flow, significantly decreases the levels of stress hormones, and alleviates tension, anxiety, anger, and fatigue.

The sites forestbathingfinder.com and anft.earth can help interested individuals find a nearby certified forest-bathing guide for optional group outings.

PLAN IT!

Head to your favorite trail and try my invitation, called “Meet a Being.” Wear comfortable clothing, bring water, a snack, a pen and paper, and something to sit on. Bring or leave behind whatever it takes to avoid excuses to cut your outing short.

Since anyone can forest bathe anywhere, anytime, what’s the purpose of hiring a professional guide? Well, not always, but often, when we aimlessly wander outside alone, our minds can begin to move in cycles of distraction. We may start to dwell on our nagging mental baggage, such as the laundry spoiling in the hamper, the overdue oil change, the banking, the shopping, the meeting next week that we haven’t prepared for — and we start psyching ourselves out and thinking, “I’ve got more important things to be doing!”

However, if we make plans to join a guided community forest bathing walk, it provides an excuse to fully engage in the practice. Professional guides hold time and space for others to let go, relax, and enjoy mindfulness in nature.

Upon arrival, congratulate yourself for saving this time for you. Reflect momentarily on the area watershed or the Native American Anishinaabek — the original wildland tenders of the Great Lakes region. Next, move slowly to a place that calls to you, using all available senses as you wander, and meet a being from the more-thanhuman-world. Whatever it is, let it emerge naturally to your gaze like a slow reveal. Upon discovering the being, draw a picture, write a poem, or simply sit comfortably with it for a while.

My new book, “ Grass Left Standing: A Park Interpreter’s Road Map to Forest Bathing” (Mission Point Press), offers lots of other ideas and ways to experience this activity. Or grab some friends for a truly unique adventure and hire a certified guide through these two sites: anft.earth or forestbathingfinder.com

Verdant green pines, an inviting boardwalk, and the sound of soft snow underfoot along the Keweenaw Peninsula’s Swedetown Trails can transport hikers to another plane of Pure Michigan peace.

The snow lies deep in Michigan’s most popular recreation areas come winter, and many of the state’s loveliest waterside trails are transformed into pristine snowshoe paths in the off season. Swap your hiking boots for a pair of snowshoes this winter and venture out on one of these spectacular Michigan escapes.

Chippewa Nature Center (Midland) DIFFICULTY: EASY

Keweenaw Peninsula snowfalls impress adventure-seekers along 8.5 miles of Swedetown Trails near Calumet.

Inset: Nineteen miles of relatively

Outdoor Sampler

From easy to challenging trails, the terrain at state recreation areas transforms into rousing snowshoeing routes come winter

By Amy S. Eckert

Dormant trees bear tiny buds and seed pods, promises of next spring’s growth. The snow-covered forest floor reveals brushes of wing prints and the divots of animal tracks, and if you look closely, you can see tunnels sculpted by mice and chipmunks that have burrowed beneath the snow in search of buried food or shelter.

Naturalists at the Chippewa Nature Center love introducing the hidden beauties of winter to snowshoers along the park’s 19 miles of trails. It’s a location well-suited to beginners, given the park’s reasonably flat elevation along the Pine and Chippewa rivers.

Snowshoers of all levels can explore the winter woods on trails that wind through the forest of white and red pine, maple, and beech. Along the way, visitors frequently spot juncos, cardinals, and Bohemian waxwings, and observe signs of winter residents such as deer, coyotes, and owls.

TIP: Register for a guided 90-minute snowshoe walk or a self-guided snowshoe sampler to try snowshoeing free of charge.

flat snowshoeing trails around the Chippewa Nature Center in Midland enthrall visitors.

Pigeon Creek Park (West Olive)

DIFFICULTY: EASY

Centrally located between Grand Haven, Holland, Muskegon, and Grand Rapids, Pigeon Creek Park truly shines in the winter. Criss-crossed by dedicated cross-country and snowshoe trails, and home to a wildly popular sledding hill, the Ottawa County park draws winter sports enthusiasts from west Michigan and beyond.

A deep layer of snow buries the landscape at this park, which lies just inland from Lake Michigan. On a quiet winter’s day, the sun glints off the frost-covered hardwood branches overhead and snow carpets the banks of the Pigeon River. Evergreens border the gently hilly forest landscape and shelf fungi on tree trunks support tiny drifts of fallen snow.

TIP: The Pigeon Creek Lodge, open only during good snow conditions, offers snowshoe and ski rentals, concessions, restrooms, and a fun place to warm up between snowshoe outings.

Ludington State Park (Ludington)

DIFFICULTY: MODERATE

The approach to Ludington State Park is among the most beautiful of any state park, passing alongside Lake Michigan and wending its way through windswept dunes. The park is no less beautiful in winter.

The park only offers snowshoers access to 4 miles of trails this winter because its northern reaches are closed for enhancements until July 1, but visitors can also venture off trail across the ancient dunes. It’s nearly impossible to get lost on snowshoes — just follow your tracks back to your starting point.

Along the way, enjoy landscapes marked by towering hardwoods, frozen swaths of dune grass, and the icy Sable River, a magnet for the park’s deer that connects Hamlin Lake and Lake Michigan.

TIP: Check the park’s website for details on four guided lantern-lit snowshoe hikes 6-8 p.m. along the south side of the river. A bonfire and hot chocolate are part of the event.

PLAN IT!

As a cold-weather courtesy, avoid snowshoeing on dedicated cross-country ski routes because the snowshoes’ teeth will damage groomed trails.

Chippewa Nature Center chippewanaturecenter.org

Pigeon Creek Park miottawa.org/parks/ Ludington State Park michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/ Swedetown Trails swedetowntrails.org

Tahquamenon Falls State Park michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/

The Swedetown Trails (Calumet)

DIFFICULTY: MODERATE

Thanks to Lake Superior, the snow is famously deep in the Keweenaw Peninsula. That means that no matter the level of snow elsewhere in Michigan, you’re likely to find great snowshoeing here.

Some 8.5 miles of dedicated snowshoe trails meander up and over the rolling wooded hills of Swedetown. Two miles of trails are dog-friendly and wide enough to accommodate a side-by-side conversation with a friend, but it’s also worth exploring the park’s narrower trails, where the path offers the feel of a winter wilderness experience, weaving between densely packed evergreen trees that spill their snow like frozen confetti on passers-by. The Swedetown Chalet offers changing rooms and a warming station between hikes.

TIP: Make a weekend of your visit to the Keweenaw with stops at McLain State Park, Mount Bohemia, and the grounds of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge — all excellent snowshoeing destinations.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park (Paradise) DIFFICULTY: CHALLENGING

Tahquamenon Falls State Park ranks as one of Michigan’s most popular destinations in summer. The crowds thin as the snowfall increases, making this park a perfect spot to enjoy the beauty of winter.

The River Trail, which extends 4 miles one way through the park’s thick forest and along the banks of the Tahquamenon River, leads snowshoers from the Upper to the Lower Tahquamenon Falls.

The river valley’s sometimes steep ups and downs render this trail challenging any time of year, but in winter, a thick carpet of snow smooths over twisted tree roots and turns staircases into ramps. Snowshoe over wetland boardwalks to see the park’s namesake waterfalls, framed by snow and amber-colored icicles.

TIP: Begin your trek at the Lower Falls and enjoy a lunch break at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub near the Upper Falls before returning.

The Keweenaw Peninsula gets rave reviews from snowshoe enthusiasts seeking a wilderness experience.

Cruising Cadillac

Cold-weather activities energize this laid-back lake community, making it a wonderful winter weekend playground

By Bill Semion

Like many northern Michigan towns, Cadillac, next to two lakes and surrounded by thousands of acres of forest, began life as a lumber town.

And, like many, it’s now harvesting tourists with four-season fun, which in winter is dependent on two all-important ingredients: snow and cold.

After years of hanging out in this laidback wonderland, I know firsthand that if you’re looking for a winter weekend exploration destination, you’d better bring your skis, snowmobile, ice fishing gear, and other outdoor fun stuff with you because, whether it’s on the slopes, trails, or the ice, Cadillac’s cool when the white stuff piles up.

On a weekend, it’s hard to do it all, but giving it a try will definitely keep you busy.

Carefee Touring

Just a 20-minute drive from downtown Cadillac is one of Michigan’s first des-

PLAN IT!

Cadillac Area

Visitors Bureau cadillacmichigan.com

Caberfae Peaks has been around since 1937. Today, with at least a 485-foot vertical drop, it has four chairlifts serving three slopes. Love cross-country skiing? Try the 10-mile MacKenzie ski trail that begins near the day lodge.

tination ski areas, and one of the oldest ski resorts in the country. Folks who love going downhill fast began visiting Caberfae in 1937, when its lone rope tow was powered by an old Ford Model A engine.

Today, Caberfae Peaks has four chairlifts and one Magic Carpet conveyor tow (gone is the resort’s last rope tow) serving its three peaks. Thanks to a lot of earth-moving over the last few decades, it boasts some of the Lower Peninsula’s highest terrain, with at least a 485-foot vertical drop. The newest addition, East Peak, is still being tweaked, and you can stay slopeside at the 39-room Mackenzie Lodge. Caberfae just increased its snowmaking by one-third for this season. Bring your skinny skis, too, as there’s access to the beautiful 10-mile MacKenzie Cross-Country Ski Trail near the day lodge.

Drive a few more miles northwest along M-115 and you’ll arrive at the ski resort

that rightly claims title to best family friendly and environmentally friendly ski complex in the state: Crystal Mountain, near the Betsie River. It boasts 59 runs, three terrain parks, beautiful cross-country trails, and great lodging with options ranging from hotel rooms to homes. Both Crystal and Caberfae offer night skiing.

You can also rent a fat-tire bike for another workout at Crystal’s base, snowshoe to its Legacy Art Park, and then relax at the nearby Iron Fish Distillery — or drive a bit farther northwest to sample mead, made with fermented honey, at St. Ambrose Cellars near Beulah.

For more cross-country skiing, try the Cadillac Pathway northeast of town. It follows the Clam River and features loops from 1 to 11 miles.

That brings us to the area’s two inland lakes — Mitchell, west of downtown, and Cadillac, on the city’s west side. They’re connected by a canal dug during the lumber era that runs just past the campsites of Mitchell State Park.

Another attraction worth checking out is the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center, with its interactive outdoor sports exhibits and nature trails. It’s open weekends beginning in January.

Trail Outings

Cadillac’s also made for sled heads, with nearly 140 miles of snowmobile trails criss-crossing the Manistee National Forest.

One to make tracks for is the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park. It runs for 92 miles on an old railroad bed connecting Cadillac with the Grand Rapids area, and is the state’s second-longest linear park and a favorite of bike riders in warmer months.

Don’t have your own snowmobile? There are at least four spots in town to rent a sled, including K&R Outfitters. Owner Randy Cornell has been taking riders on guided 70-mile trips for five years now, and is the only one in the area doing it.

Cornell started with four rental sleds and is up to a dozen. “I lead the pack through Manistee, Wexford, Lake, and

Osceola counties,” Cornell says. Rides usually last six or seven hours and speeds average 30 mph. All trips include a lunch stop. “A guided trip is much better because you don’t have to worry about anything. I’m there,” he explains.

Pine River Rafting

There are only a few businesses in Michigan that take paddlers on a water-winter wonderland river ride, and Pine River Paddlesports Center and Campground is one. Climb aboard for a guided raft trip on the Pine River, a designated National Scenic River. Trips run 60 to 90 minutes along a twisty but tame stretch of this

river that, in summer, is known for its rapids, according to Pine River Paddlesports owners Jacob and Alaney Iltner.

Afterward, either grab a ride back or extend your outdoor time with a 2-mile riverbank walking path back to your vehicle.

Ice It Down

Some weekend warriors are just happy to hang out in a fishing shanty, and in Cadillac, you’ve got two big choices to make. Do you fish for panfish, walleye, and pike in Lake Cadillac, nearest downtown, or fish for the same species in Lake Mitchell, at Mitchell State Park just west of Lake Cadillac?

Pick up your ice fishing gear or bait at spots such as Pilgrim Village on Lake Mitchell, which has been giving fish a hard time since 1994.

At the end of a fun-filled day, try a dinner at spots such as Lakeside Charlie’s or any of three Mexican eateries downtown, or tap into 40 brews to go with dinner at the Clam Lake Beer Co. While these are only a few of my favorite hangouts, you’ll discover more where you can fuel up in a town that knows how to enjoy a Michigan winter.

Top: Caberfae’s deck welcomes winter revelers at night for after-ski activities. Bottom: Nearly140 miles of snowmobile trails criss-cross the region’s Manistee National Forest; K&R Outfitters can suit visitors up for a guided group tour, complete with your own sled.

Frozen Treasures

As snow carpets the U.P., its most popular destinations continue to shine

By Dianna Stampfler

Every year, thousands of visitors flock to the Upper Peninsula’s wilderness expanses in search of peaceful landscapes, natural wonders, and historic charm. Many of the region’s warm-weather tourist hotspots also become cool attractions worth a winter visit.

Eben Ice Caves DEERTON

The 4,000-acre Rock River Canyon Wilderness, part of the Hiawatha National Forest, is home to the famed Eben Ice Caves. Massive walls of jagged stalactite icicles form when water seeps through the cliff’s cracks, freezing into unique and sometimes colorful formations.

Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear cleats or crampons to provide much-needed traction on the often icy and slippery route. After parking along Frey Road or in the small, plowed lot nearest the trailhead, visitors hike nearly 2 miles, round trip, to explore the ice caves.

The first quarter mile is flat, crossing through a private farm field, but the remaining stretch can be a bit treacherous with some steep areas that pass alongside deep ravines. The interior of the caves is hard-packed snow and ice, and at times crowded as visitors immerse themselves in the frozen scenery.

“The ice formations in our area aren’t only beautiful, they’re unique,” says Katherine Reynolds, of the Alger County Chamber of Commerce. She also advises that people be flexible with their travel plans, as quickly changing weather conditions can impact access or the quality of the ice formations.

The Eben Ice Caves are located between Marquette and Munising. Access is free, and leashed dogs are allowed. There are portable restrooms in the parking area, alongside a concession stand selling hot chocolate and snacks.

Tahquamenon Falls PARADISE

Approximately 50,000 gallons of water rush over the 200-foot-wide crest every second, cascading 48 feet below the Upper Tahquamenon Falls — even in winter. These falls rarely freeze entirely, although the smaller Lower Falls are typically iced over by January.

“A thick blanket of snow seems to quiet the woods, but you can still hear the roar of the falls as you get near,” notes Eric Cowing, Eastern U.P. parks & recreation

At stunning Tahquamenon Falls near Paradise, visitors can still hear the roar of the falls during the winter months, says Eric Cowing, of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

district supervisor for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “You may catch a glimpse of colorful ice that forms on the walls near the falls, as well.”

Tahquamenon Falls State Park features 35 miles of trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling, with an average annual snowfall of 106 inches. The park offers free snowshoe rental and lantern-lit trail events on Saturday evenings in February.

The Upper Falls parking lot is plowed, and the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub reopens in mid-December. Access to the Lower Falls requires a hike of about a mile each way, as the lot is blocked off for the winter.

Fayette Historic State Park GARDEN

PENINSULA

The former Jackson Iron Co. town, located beneath the towering limestone cliffs along the southeastern shore of Big Bay de Noc, was once home to about 500 residents. The iron operations were shortlived, and by 1891 the area was a ghost town. In 1959, the remains became the 711-acre Fayette Historic State Park.

“While Fayette is picturesque in the summer, nothing compares to a visit in the winter when you’re surrounded by the quiet solitude of the abandoned structures and can take in the historical landscape,” says U.P. native and Manistee resident Frank Post.

Three-and-a-half miles of scenic trails traverse through hardwood forests and along bluffs that are ideal for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The nearby Furnace Hill Lodge is a fully furnished rustic abode, nestled in the woods directly off the entrance road and within walking distance of the historic townsite. It’s available for year-round rental, with overnight accommodations for 10.

Kitch-iti-kipi at Palms Book State Park MANISTIQUE

One of Michigan’s most enchanting natural sites is Kitch-iti-kipi, whose name means “big cold spring” in Ojibwe, which you’ll find inside Palms Book State Park.

PLAN IT!

A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for entrance to the state parks.

Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association uptravel.com

Michigan State Parks michigan.gov/stateparks

A self-operated observation raft floats over the state’s largest natural freshwater spring, which stretches 200 feet in diameter and encompasses a half-acre.

Every day, crystal-clear waters vigorously emit more than 10,000 gallons of water per minute from crevices in the limestone 40 feet below the surface. At a constant 45 degrees Fahrenheit, Kitch-iti-kipi rarely freezes, adding to its mystical allure.

Palms Book State Park is located at the northern end of M-149, about 15 minutes north of U.S. 2, in Thompson Township (Schoolcraft County). The parking lot is cleared in the winter and is a stone’s throw from the spring.

Benny the Beard Fisher GERMFASK

Lounging along the banks of the Manistique River, Benny the Beard Fisher is the creation of Danish artist Thomas Dambo. At 30 feet long and 14 feet tall, this wooden troll sits inside the Northland Outfitters campground and is accessible to the public year-round. Unveiled in August 2023, Benny is the only such sculpture in Michigan, although there are more than 100 worldwide.

“Benny is glorious in all seasons, but there’s extra magic seeing him with a blanket of snow,” says Durea Brady, who owns the park with her husband, Levi. “This time of year, the trumpeter swans from the Seney Wildlife make their way from the frozen ponds of the refuge to the flowing river water, so Benny is surrounded by all his wildlife friends.”

Access to Benny is from a small lot on M-77 just north of Germfask, followed by a short boardwalk and trail to the river’s edge. Parking is $10 per vehicle (or groups of six people).

Come winter, icy blue-green colors in the water and a frosty white-and-silver backdrop make up the palette of beautiful Kitch-iti-kipi at Palms Book State Park in Manistique.

TOP LAWYERS PERSONAL FINANCE

BASED UPON A SURVEY OF THEIR PEERS

These LEADING LAWYERS have been recommended by their peers to be among the TOP LAWYERS in Michigan.

Donald F. Carney Jr. Berr y Moorman PC

Harvey B. Wallace II Berr y Moorman PC

Jeffrey D. Moss Dawda Mann Mulcahy & Sadler PLC

Roy A. Luttmann Frasco Caponigro Wineman Scheible Hauser Luttmann

Peter J. Bill Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC

Robert A. Bryant Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC

Thomas P. Cavanaugh Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC

Kara S. Ferrara Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC

Julius H. Giarmarco Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC

Salvatore J. LaMendola Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC

George M. Malis Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC

John M. Pollock Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC

Arthur L. Malisow Mall Malisow & Cooney PC

Sanford J. Mall Mall Malisow & Cooney PC

Harley D. Manela Mall Malisow & Cooney PC

Anthea E. Papista Papista & Papista PLC

Patricia Kefalas Dudek Patricia E Kefalas Dudek & Associates

Shirley A. Kaigler Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP

Elder; Trust/Will/Estate

Elder; Trust/Will/Estate

Trust/Will/Estate

Elder; Trust/Will/Estate

Elder; Trust/Will/Estate

These EMERGING LAWYERS have been identified by their peers to be among the TOP LAWYERS in Michigan who are age 40 or younger OR who have been admitted to the practice of law for 10 or fewer years.

John J. Giarmarco Giarmarco Mullins & Horton PC

Adrianna Agosta Nichol Howard & Howard Attorneys PLLC

Sarah E. Pangburn Mall Malisow & Cooney PC

Trust/Will/Estate

DESIGN CURRENTS

28 Designers’ Notebook

New antiques options in Charlevoix, and a design studio in Holly partners with another interiors company.

Sherwin-Williams’ White Raisin paint gives these walls a pretty dose of sunshine in which homeowners can bask even on cloudy days. See more sunny-side-up accents in this section.

28 Studio Visit Meet Bellaire-area artist Samantha Hall, who does wonders with colored pencils. Loons, bears, stones, and more impress.

32 The Elements

Add light to your interiors this season with fresh-colored accents, from creamy wall paints to soft throws.

DESIGNERS’ NOTEBOOK

Tiips, trends, and tidbits

Are Your Designs Award-Worthy?: It’s never too early to start thinking about next year’s Michigan BLUE Design Awards competition. Are you a builder, designer, architect, landscaper, or furniture-maker? Consider entering your work in the annual Michigan BLUE Design Awards (see this year’s winners in this issue). Keep an eye out for entry forms next spring at mibluedesignawards.com.

Oldies but Goodies: The Parson’s Nose Antiques, an extraordinary decor emporium based in Oak Park and run by Brad Stanwick, opened a second shop in Charlevoix this past summer. The original shop has been specializing in English antiques and home decor since 2016. Closed for the winter, the new Charlevoix location will reopen in May. theparsonsnoseantiques.com

Teaming Up: Holly-based Artichoke Interiors is partnering with Swan Home and Decor, bringing clients even more furniture options, designs, and elevated home accessories. Catherine and Cole Swan have been in the retail and design business for more than 20 years. artichokeinteriors.net

Let There Be Light: The new Enlighten holiday light spectacle runs through Jan. 4 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. The event features a mile-long winterscape where art, light, and nature meld with cutting-edge installations choreographed to music and enhanced by interactive elements. “It’s the beginning of an annual holiday light tradition at Meijer Gardens,” says Kim Skeltis, a publicist for the destination. Visitors follow an illuminated path and encounter masterpieces by artists, including Henry Moore and Auguste Rodin. Expect a fascinating fusion of sculpture and immersive technology. meijergardens.org — Compiled by Megan Swoyer

Have news about home design and waterfront living? Email MSwoyer@Hour-Media.com

Artist Samantha Hall contemplates a color selection for her next drawing in her Bellaire-area studio.

Drawn to Pencil

With a sharpened awareness of nature, artist Samantha Hall creates colorful and detailed works

By Megan Swoyer

During her years in high school and in college, Samantha Hall tried just about every art medium out there — but one in particular captured her heart. “As soon as I tried colored pencil, I knew that was the medium I was supposed to do, and I never looked back,” says Hall, who graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids with a BFA in illustration. After graduation, she says her intention was to make a living as an artist. So, as a freelancer, she illustrated children’s books for a while. “But doing kind of the same thing for 30 pages wasn’t fun,” Hall says, “so I started to create my own work.”

Today, she draws what she wants and is making a living as an artist working out of her home studio near Bellaire. Her sense of place shows up everywhere in her art: Consider her Forage and Michigan Rocks/Gems series, both of which speak volumes of the intriguing nuances of northern Michigan. A morel’s creamy lightness complements the rich, deep browns of its dimensional surface, while tiny specks of white adhere to a fiddlehead’s stem, surrounding pointy leaves — each so small, but showcasing dark, light, and medium hues, and treating the viewer to fascinating details. Meanwhile, serene blues pop from a Leland blue stone, while magical line work stretches here and there atop a Petoskey stone.

warmer months. In the winter and early spring, she contemplates and works on new projects.

Hall’s signature look often features the subject with little or no background. “I like the work to be about the subject,” she explains. Her beautiful paper selections (she uses a bristol vellum paper or illustration boards) ensure that her depictions pop. Hall says she loves to draw deer, eagles, bears, and birds, and when she creates loons, she sometimes adds a bit of blue water or a nest beneath them.

“People are crazy about loons. I posted one loon drawing and had at least a hundred messages from people asking if they could buy it,” she laughs.

The artist says the walls in her home don’t feature her work — not even one drawing. “I’m never 100 percent happy with anything I do, so if it were hanging I’d constantly be telling myself what I could do to change it.” Instead, works by her colleagues and peers grace her home.

Hall and her husband, Joe, didn’t always live in northern Michigan, but after traveling to the region over the years from Grand Rapids, they fell in love with its vibe. When Hall graduated, they decided to make a permanent move about 35 miles northeast of Traverse City, in Antrim County. “We’re five minutes from beautiful Torch Lake,” the artist enthuses. Using combinations of the 300 Prismacolor-brand pencils in her collection, Hall turns out astonishing works that you may see at farmers markets (including the Bellaire and Boyne City farmers markets) or at art fairs around northern Michigan. “I also have about 500 pencil stubs that I keep in a jar and take with me to my shows,” she shares. “People don’t understand the colored-pencil medium, and this is one way to show them. Some have asked, Is it watercolor? Digital? AI?” Hall says she travels to about 40 shows and markets per year, mostly during

Hall does admit, though, that her Isle Royale greenstone drawing is one of her favorites. (greenstone, Michigan’s state

OF JAMES SULLIVAN

Above: It’s all in the details, including the minute fur marks, the refl ections in the eyes, and the subtle blending of colors in this black bear drawing by Samantha Hall. Bottom left: Hall’s greenstone artwork ranks as a favorite drawing.

Artist Hall says as soon as she tried colored pencil, she knew it was the medium for her, and she never looked back.

and you see little green flecks in the bread. It’s beautiful.” (She makes ramp salt by dehydrating the leaves, grinding them up, and then mixing them with Kosher or flaky sea salt.)

As for the ins and outs of colored-pencil work, many challenges face the artist during the process. “If you’re working in a light section, you have to be careful not to put too much color down. And if you’re working in a dark section, you can’t put a lot of light pencil down.”

gem, is very rare and found only in a small area in the Keweenaw Peninsula and on Isle Royale.) “I like the way my greenstone turned out. It was hard, with all those white veins going through the stone.”

Beyond fauna and flora, Hall draws food, and lots of it. “I’m a huge cook and baker, so a lot of the food I make to eat, I’ll draw. Northern Michigan is amazing. In the spring we forage for morels, ramps, and fiddleheads,” which show up on her dinner plate and also in her portfolio. “My life is where I get most of my inspiration,” she says.

When morels pop in the spring, she and her husband will indulge in a mushroom-topped white pizza. “I make a bechamel-style sauce and then roast or sauté the morels and place them on mozzarella.” With thousands of wild leeks growing on the couple’s wooded property, Hall can make ramp butter using her handmade ramp salt. “I use the ramp salt in my sourdough bread,

PICTURE THIS!

The Bellaire-based Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology (which works to build strong communities through the intersections of art, farming, ecology, and economy), and the Bellaire and Elk Rapids libraries, have chosen artist Samantha Hall as the illustrator for four visiting writers who will be in the region documenting their experiences.

“Writers go (to Crosshatch) every few months, and for (this group), I’ll be illustrating their works. The final pieces will be coming out (next) summer,” Hall says. The organization’s Antrim Writers Series focuses on the Grass River Natural Area. For more information on this project, visit crosshatch.org

Now and then, Hall will use a white gel pen to highlight an area that’s too small for a pencil to fit. She also sharpens her colored pencils regularly throughout the drawing process, depending on the need. “For fur, you have to sharpen every few strokes, but if I’m layering or blending, it’s OK if the tip is soft. There’s a lot of layering and blending in colored-pencil work,” Hall says.

The artist says the medium is generally unforgiving. “There’s not a lot of room for error,” she says. “I only have a couple layers to get it where I want it, or I’ll physically damage the paper. You must get it right, almost right away, and know that you can’t change it if you don’t like it.”

When she’s not drawing whatever inspires her, Hall accepts commission work. She’s especially fond of turning out pet portraits, the smallest of which are about 5 x 7 inches in size. She sells notecards, tea towels, original drawings, prints, and more online. “I do my own printing, using an Epson Artisan printer. I make my cards by printing a 4 x 6 and then inserting it into a notecard so people can easily frame them if they’d like. It’s a card and a gift in one.”

MORE INFORMATION:

To see more of Samantha Hall’s artwork or learn about her classes, visit samanthahallart.com or follow her on Instagram @ samanthahallart. Her canine works will be showcased at a new dog park/café/ taproom (Two Brothers) that’s scheduled to open in the spring in Traverse City. She was commissioned to draw all of the founding members’ pets.

Samantha Hall adds reflections to a loon drawing. “People are crazy about loons,” she says. “I posted one loon drawing and had at least a hundred messages from people asking if they could buy it.”

These warm accents are sure to add light to your cottage this winter and beyond

Styled by Jamie Fabbri

1. Made of pure merino wool, the Serena Throw by MARZOTTO is soft and cozy. $245, Design Within Reach, Grand Rapids, dwr.com.

2. BRUNSCHWIG & FILS ’ Viceroy Stripe II fabric in Canary is happy and bright. To the trade, Kravet | Lee Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, kravet.com, michigandesign.com.

3. The Cords Sunny fabric by KRAVET is sure to warm up your décor. To the trade, Kravet | Lee Jofa | Brunschwig & Fils, Michigan Design Center, kravet.com, michigandesign.com.

4. A POTTERY BARN scalloped wine glass, $52, is light and airy in color and feel. potterybarn.com.

5. The Kitts Chair by ARTERIORS shines in a plush, marigold velvet. $3,900, arteriorshome.com.

6. Every day smells like vacation with this pineapple-scented Modern Marble Reed Diff user by CAPRI BLUE . $32, Cottage Works, Ludington, capri-blue.com, yourcottageworks.com.

7. Add a whimsical touch to your cooking adventures with the Mustard Honey Bee Apron from STOFFER HOME . $38, Stoffer Home, Grand Rapids, stoff erhome.com.

8. The Risom Lounge Chair by KNOLL comes in a variety of colors and fi nishes, and is shown here in sunny Maize. $1,461, Design Within Reach, Grand Rapids, dwr.com.

9. This darling Poppy Hand-Painted Dish by STOFFER HOME adds a sweet and homey touch to your kitchen or nightstand. $8, Stoffer Home, Grand Rapids, stoff erhome.com.

10. UTTERMOST ’s Florero Table Lamp features a pale yellow crackled glaze. Price upon request, Lighting Resource Studio, Michigan Design Center, Troy, michigandesign.com, utter-most.com.

11. SHERWINWILLIAMS’ Quilt Gold paint is as warm and cozy as a, well, quilt! SherwinWilliams, multiple locations, sherwinwilliams.com.

12. Go for the gold with Hubbard Squash by SHERWINWILLIAMS. SherwinWilliams, multiple locations, sherwinwilliams.com.

13. Create an inviting space with FARROW & BALL’s Farrow’s Cream paint color. O’Leary Paint Co., Shelby Township, farrow-ball.com.

Your Path to Simply Beautiful Living.

We’re a custom cabinetry showroom and design studio here to transform the way you live. Give us a call today to schedule your consultation.

And the Winners Are ...

Ninety beautiful spaces wowed our judges in BLUE ’s first Design

JEFF GARLAND

MELANIE LYBRAND

Happy House Interiors, California, happyhouseinteriors.com

Melanie Lybrand, a graduate of the interior design program at West Valley College in Saratoga, Calif., is a certified practitioner of Flying Stars Feng Shui. She’s lived in several areas of the country, and her time in the Midwest and Eastern U.S. has given her a creative take on California style. She loves blending disparate styles, eras, and colors to devise a magical mix that’s surprisingly harmonious and refreshingly unique. She draws inspiration from faraway places and ordinary objects, from fine art and folk art to the glimmer of gemstones and the textures of rocks.

KATELYN BLOOMQUIST

Midwest Design, Minnesota, midwesthome.com

As editor-in-chief of Midwest Home magazine, Katelyn Bloomquist leads the strategic content development across the print, digital, and social media platforms of Minnesota’s only stand-alone, subscription-based home and garden publication. Her leadership has helped elevate and transform the Midwest Home Design Awards competition and the magazine’s Luxury Home Tour event, where thousands of discerning visitors peruse multimillion-dollar new builds and remodels across Minnesota and Wisconsin. Bloomquist’s expertise in the home design industry has led her to regularly appear on TV, emcee galas, judge competitions, moderate panels, and speak at industry events.

Meet the Panel

These astute judges reviewed hundreds of great entries before selecting the winners

MELANIE ZAELICH

Happy Place Interiors, Minnesota, happyplaceinteriors.com

Melanie Zaelich is an award-winning interior designer who’s known for her down-to-earth approach and creativity. As the only designer with a consult-based, à la carte business model in the Twin Cities, she’s transforming the way people experience interior design. Zaelich’s talent has garnered regional and national design awards, and she and her work have been featured in regional publications like Midwest Home and Axios Twin Cities, as well as on prominent national platforms such as Apartment Therapy. Her passion for design and her belief in its power to bring happiness to people’s lives are contagious.

HOLLY BELL

The Bell Design Group, Illinois, hollybelldesign.com

Holly Bell is an architectural interior designer based in Chicago’s North Shore, and she brings more than 13 years of residential design and construction experience to her role as owner of Holly Bell Design. With a corporate background in marketing, a deep passion for architectural design that was ignited in high school, and a love for European travel, she has successfully converted her love for all things classic into designs for clients in Australia and Chile, as well as stateside projects in California, New York, Texas, Illinois, Hawaii, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky.

CHARLES R. STINSON

Charles R. Stinson Architecture + Design, Minnesota, charlesrstinson.com

Charles R. Stinson is an internationally acclaimed architect whose work brings together people and home, and their relationship to nature. Using form, line, light, and materials to erase the boundary between inside and out, his compositions invite and celebrate the human connection to the beauty and rhythms of the natural world. He’s a featured architect in the Master Architect Series, Charles R. Stinson: Compositions in Nature, and his work appears in numerous architectural journals and magazines. His most recent book is “Charles R. Stinson Architects: Connections.”

Addition Project

This White Lake house underwent a remarkable transformation, both inside and out. The renovation involved a complete gutting of both levels, repositioning the kitchen, and removing interior walls and ceilings to create a more open, spacious layout. Outside, the landscape was completely redesigned, and the exterior was revitalized with a split-faced stone facade, metal accents, and clear cedar siding, giving the home a contemporary yet timeless appearance that’s virtually unrecognizable from its original form.

ALLEGRETTI ARCHITECTS

THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE CBI DESIGN PROFESSIONALS WITH COLLEEN FARRELL DESIGN

WAYUP MEDIA

BETH SINGER

JAMES HAEFNER

FIRST PLACE

DESROSIERS ARCHITECTS

This cedar shingle-style boathouse garage is nestled into the shoreline of a large Michigan inland lake. The entire interior walls and diagonal ceiling boards are made of 1’ x 6” natural cypress. The composite automated floor system lowers below the water to launch the boat, but is raised flush with the floor level to allow for easy stowing, access, and maintenance.

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

M.J. WHELAN CONSTRUCTION

TEXTURE PHOTOGRAPHY 2 nd

MARK SCOTT HOMES

3 rd

MEGAN WILLIAMSON

JEFF GARLAND

Historic Remodel (50 years or older)

FIRST PLACE

CBI DESIGN PROFESSIONALS WITH INTEGRATED ARCHITECTURAL

INTERIORS

In the early 20th century, this home on Gilbert Lake was built for a prominent community leader. The original siding was wide beveled cedar lap; new siding was special-ordered to match it. The stone mason, meanwhile, made sure the fieldstone matched the original. Windows were replaced or repaired, to improve their functionality, and mechanical systems were updated to improve efficiency. Unique features, like a horse trough, were maintained as special items.

SECOND PLACE

MATHISON | MATHISON ARCHITECTS

THIRD PLACE

CBI DESIGN PROFESSIONALS WITH INTEGRATED ARCHITECTURAL INTERIORS

BETH SINGER

JAMES HAEFNER

JAMES HAEFNER

Overall Home

FIRST PLACE

d SPACE STUDIO ARCHITECTURE

Rugged beauty drew the owners to the property, but it also presented challenges, including rising lake levels and wildfire risk. Clad in sand-colored stucco, the house will be obscured by beach grass and junipers over time. A steel superstructure enables an ultra-thin roof with overhangs for passive solar design that can withstand gale-force winds and heavy snow loads. A courtyard offers refuge on windy days. Layers of light and an edited palette of materials and textures unify the interior.

SECOND PLACE

SEARL LAMASTER HOWE ARCHITECTS

THIRD PLACE

DESROSIERS ARCHITECTS

TONY SOLURI

JAMES HAEFNER

TY COLE

Stair & Railing

FIRST PLACE

ELLWOOD INTERIORS INC. WITH VANBROUCK AND ASSOCIATES | VANTAGE CONSTRUCTION

The stairway of this Prairie-style lake house was placed in the core of the home to become a “sculptural piece of modern art.” Beautifully articulated horizontal and vertical lines that define the exterior are repeated in the design of the stairway, rendered in wood, metal, and glass, with minimalistic detailing. The metal handrails, glass-panel supports and fasteners, and structural steel were finished with a topical acid and hand-brushed to create the unique pewter/zinc finish.

DESROSIERS ARCHITECTS WITH NORTHERN STAIRCASE

THIRD PLACE

SECOND PLACE MPN FINE HOME BUILDERS

BETH SINGER

JAMES HAEFNER

CERYS FRYCZYNSKI

Flooring/Rugs

FIRST PLACE

COTTAGE COMPANY INTERIORS

The most unique rug in this residence anchors the great room and sets the tone and color for the rest of the home. Every thread color and composition were hand-chosen and viewed with the other fabrics and finishes in the room. Even the combinations and percentages of Tibetan wool and silk threads were carefully contemplated and considered before three rounds of samples were created by artisans in Nepal.

SECOND PLACE

GEMMA PARKER DESIGN

THIRD PLACE

SCHAERER ARCHITEXTURAL INTERIORS WITH PATRICK WIDING CUSTOM BUILT HOMES

BETH SINGER

DUSTIN HALLECK

STEVE KROODSMA

Interior Use of Stone or Tile

FIRST PLACE

HELLER AND ASSOCIATES WITH DAVIS AND DAVIS

This project showcases meticulous craftsmanship and innovative use of stone and tile, resulting in a luxurious and inviting atmosphere. An expertly crafted mitered-stone fireplace surround serves as a stunning focal point, combining precision and artistry to enhance the warmth and sophistication of the living spaces. Throughout the interior, walls clad in stone slabs add a sense of texture and depth, seamlessly integrating natural elements with contemporary design aesthetics. Meanwhile, a backlit stone bar exudes elegance and functionality, merging innovative lighting techniques with the inherent beauty of the stone, to create a captivating ambience for entertaining.

SECOND PLACE

CBI DESIGN PROFESSIONALS

THIRD PLACE

DESROSIERS ARCHITECTS

JONATHAN HUMPHREY

ERIN ATTWOOD

JAMES HAEFNER

Interior/Exterior Lighting

FIRST PLACE

HELLER AND ASSOCIATES WITH DAVIS AND DAVIS

The fusion of custom fixtures and indirect lighting enhances this home’s functionality and aesthetic appeal, ensuring every corner exudes a harmonious balance of light and shadow. Thoughtful consideration of lighting angles and intensities enhances the overall ambience, providing a tailored experience for residents and guests alike. Custom craftsmanship meets innovative technology to ensure the spaces are not only illuminated, but imbued with a sense of elegance and comfort.

SECOND PLACE

OUTDOOR LIVING

THIRD PLACE

JOHNSON CUSTOM HOMES WITH WITMER DESIGN

JONATHAN HUMPHREY

STEVE KROODSMA

MARTIN VECCHIO

Fireplace

FIRST PLACE

DESROSIERS ARCHITECTS

There’s no place cozier than around this fireplace. The focal point for the great room, the gas-flamed fireplace rises from its cantilevered stone base and is surrounded by a massive wall of porcelain slabs rising all the way up to the cedar ceiling. Matching the 6-foot width of the fireplace is a flat-screen TV, ensuring the homeowners stay warm and toasty while watching their favorite show. The integrated design is bookended by floor-to-ceiling Fon-du-Lac stone columns.

SECOND PLACE

AUTHENTIC KITCHEN & DESIGN

THIRD PLACE

CONCETTI

JAMES HAEFNER

JEFF GARLAND BRETT MOUNTAIN

Custom Cabinetry or Furniture

SCHAERER ARCHITEXTURAL INTERIORS WITH GALLERY STEEL FIRST PLACE

Conceptualized from a client’s travel-based inspiration photo, these modernindustrial hanging chairs became reality. The design was created by combining preferences regarding shape, size, and formality. A local metal artist engineered and constructed the chairs from metal sheets and rods to accomplish the vision. Once a metal shell foundation was formed, custom leather upholstered seat cushions were fabricated to fit the one-of-a-kind chairs, which hang along a wall of retractable glass doors with invisible screens.

SECOND PLACE

COTTAGE COMPANY INTERIORS

THIRD PLACE

AUTHENTIC KITCHEN & DESIGN

STEVE KROODSMA

BETH SINGER

JEFF GARLAND

FIRST PLACE

DESROSIERS ARCHITECTS WITH VOGUE FURNITURE

This magnificent foyer showcases six two-story pencil-stripped sapele columns designed in a chevron herringbone pattern with recessed horizontal bands that match the railing levels. The two-story curved-face fireplace façade, meanwhile, features plain-sliced sapele mahogany wood bands with oiled bronze reveals separating the panels.

SECOND PLACE

SCHAERER ARCHITEXTURAL INTERIORS WITH PATRICK WIDING CUSTOM BUILT HOMES

THIRD PLACE

HELLER AND ASSOCIATES WITH DAVIS AND DAVIS

JAMES HAEFNER

STEVE KROODSMA

JONATHAN HUMPHREY

FIRST PLACE

MICHAEL J. DUL & ASSOCIATES

This home’s entertainment terrace would be incomplete without the shaded masonry outdoor kitchen. A generous porcelain counter with built-in stainless-steel appliances, a shade structure, and a large dining table round out the space. The shade structure integrates fully operational louvers and an internal gutter system to manage water. Automatic vertical shades can shield the intense southern exposure. Included in the shade structure are dimmable LED recessed lights and a ceiling fan.

SECOND PLACE

CONCETTI

THIRD PLACE

SCHAERER ARCHITEXTURAL INTERIORS WITH PATRICK WIDING CUSTOM BUILT HOMES

JAMES HAEFNER

BRETT MOUNTAIN

STEVE KROODSMA

FIRST PLACE

ALLEGRETTI ARCHITECTS

This dwelling stands among the forested dunes of New Buffalo. With its carefully articulated footprint, it beckons the residents to embrace the tranquility of its greenery-filled surroundings while indulging in the comforts of modern luxury. Situated behind the owner’s main home, the transformation from a simple secondary dwelling into a possible primary place of residence reflects the enduring allure of its dune setting and the magnetic pull of its outdoor amenities.

SECOND PLACE

ZAREMBA AND CO.

THIRD PLACE

OUTDOOR LIVING WITH ACTION WATER SPORTS

JAMES HAEFNER

WAYUP MEDIA

STEVE KROODSMA

Use of Stone/Tile/Concrete

FIRST PLACE

ZAREMBA AND CO.

Nestled in the crook of an L-shaped house, a court features a patio that’s ideal for special occasions and everyday use. The bluestone paving is clean and simple, and adds to the understated elegance of the court. A custom fire table of natural stone warms the space, while a crushed stone driveway adds historic charm. From the patio, a natural cleft bluestone stepper path directs the eye toward an enticing destination: the lakeside terrace.

SECOND PLACE

ZAREMBA AND CO.

THIRD PLACE

MICHAEL J. DUL & ASSOCIATES

CHRIS MAJOR

WAYUP MEDIA

JUSTIN MACONOCHIE

Swimming Pool/Spa

FIRST PLACE

d SPACE STUDIO ARCHITECTURE

Designed in collaboration with clients who wanted a weekend sanctuary, Horizon House evokes a sensuous lifestyle on the shores of Lake Michigan. A saltwater pool includes an integrated hot tub for recreation and relaxed entertaining, and a sun shelf leads to wide steps that cascade into the pool, creating space to lounge — drink in hand, and toes in the water. The design also includes an Ipe sundeck, private outdoor shower, and outdoor kitchen and dining area.

SECOND PLACE

AZD ASSOCIATES INC. WITH WATSON CUSTOM BUILDERS

THIRD PLACE

DESROSIERS ARCHITECTS WITH GILLETTE BROTHERS POOL & SPA

TY COLE

WAYUP MEDIA

JAMES HAEFNER

FIRST PLACE

Bluestone pavers set the backdrop for the outdoor spaces of this spectacular home, which boasts three patios, a breezeway with a fireplace, a sun deck off the primary suite, a screened porch with a wood-burning fireplace, and a veranda for outside dining. With multiple covered and uncovered areas, and numerous sitting arrangements, there’s a perfect spot to curl up and enjoy a good book, a morning cup of coffee, or even an evening beverage.

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

BETH SINGER

WAYUP MEDIA

WAYUP MEDIA

Outdoor Fireplace/Fire Pit

FIRST PLACE

SCHAERER ARCHITEXTURAL INTERIORS WITH GALLERY STEEL

This family wanted to expand their children’s study/sitting area so they could enjoy nature and the beautiful setting. An expansive fireplace, designed with the help of a local metal artist, became the focal point of this third-floor terrace. A monumental yet modern feeling is found in the fireplace, with custom steelwork set in natural stone. To add a personal touch, one of the family’s favorite Bible verses was engraved in the steel.

SECOND PLACE

COTTAGE COMPANY INTERIORS WITH COTTAGE COMPANY OF HARBOR SPRINGS

THIRD PLACE

ANGELINI & ASSOCIATES ARCHITECTS

STEVE KROODSMA

BETH SINGER

JEFF GARLAND

Landscape Design (Floral, hardscape, beach, lake access, etc.)

FIRST PLACE

ZAREMBA AND CO.

Clean-cut stepper pathways allow access to all garden spaces, while concrete steps slip between oversized planting beds and traverse the steep transition in grade. At the lowest level, the intimate pool terrace is comfortably nestled between the house and lake. An array of plantings of varying scales ensures that the garden can be enjoyed up close, but also from afar. Natural stone outcroppings echo the textures and character of the surrounding woods.

SECOND PLACE

MICHAEL J. DUL & ASSOCIATES

THIRD PLACE

AGUAFINA GARDENS INTERNATIONAL

SALLY MATAK

JAMES HAEFNER

JAMES WILCOX

Specialty Room (Bar, gym, wine, music, crafts, billiards, etc.)

FIRST PLACE

The homeowner decided an existing bedroom would make an elegant and cozy reading room. The location is central to the upper hall and is the first space you see at the top of the stairs. The deep color of the room helps to highlight the windows and creates an atmosphere that’s ideal for reading. The bookcases and millwork, meanwhile, fit the character of the historic home and perfectly house the owner’s book collection.

SECOND PLACE

M.J. WHELAN CONSTRUCTION

THIRD PLACE CBI DESIGN PROFESSIONALS WITH INTEGRATED ARCHITECTURAL INTERIORS

BIRCH DESIGN ASSOCIATES

JAMES HAEFNER

JEFF GARLAND

JEFF GARLAND

FIRST PLACE

SCHAERER ARCHITEXTURAL INTERIORS WITH PATRICK WIDING CUSTOM BUILT HOMES

The outdoors is brought in through an all-seasons room with retractable glass doors, a fireplace, and hanging swing chairs. History meets the present as salvaged steel windows, transformed into doors, invite you from the front of the home into this space. The doors, when closed, also serve an important function: segregating and containing the outdoor environment of the all-seasons room from the temperature and humidity-controlled environment of the rest of the home.

SECOND PLACE

CONCETTI

THIRD PLACE

M.J. WHELAN CONSTRUCTION WITH AUTHENTIC KITCHEN & DESIGN INC.

STEVE KROODSMA

BRETT MOUNTAIN

JEFF GARLAND

Guest Room

FIRST PLACE

DECOR AND MORE DESIGN STUDIO

The goal for this guest room was to make it inviting for visitors of all ages. To achieve this, patterns were mixed and layered throughout the room. Custom scalloped bed frames and linens and the notched detail of the headboards integrate perfectly with the scalloped clouds in the wallpaper. Greek key drapery panels provide another layer of dimension on top of the nature-inspired wallcovering. The oversized mirror mimics feathers, evoking grace and movement.

SECOND PLACE

WHITE & LIEBLER ARCHITECTS WITH GEMMA PARKER DESIGN

THIRD PLACE

MARK SCOTT HOMES

KAT STEVENSON

DUSTIN HALLECK

MEGAN WILLIAMSON

Bath (Powder room, primary, etc.)

FIRST PLACE

HELLER AND ASSOCIATES WITH DAVIS AND DAVIS

This primary bath is a serene and sophisticated retreat. Floor-to-ceiling butt glass windows frame a vessel tub, while symmetrical vanities with custom millwork enhance the sense of balance and elegance. Tile in matching light tones adds harmony, and thoughtful lighting design enhances the overall experience. A backlit floating mirror adds a touch of modernity, creating an inviting ambience. The careful integration of luxurious materials, innovative lighting, and expansive lake views creates a spa-like environment.

SECOND PLACE

WHITE & LIEBLER ARCHITECTS WITH GEMMA PARKER DESIGN

THIRD PLACE

JOHNSON CUSTOM HOMES WITH WITMER DESIGN

JONATHAN HUMPHREY

DUSTIN HALLECK

MARTIN VECCHIO

FIRST PLACE

KITCHEN WEST DESIGN STUDIO

Adune ridge informs the kitchen footprint at this home in Pentwater and presented a design challenge in the south wall. The unique island shape marries the linear and angular, and provides a functional workstation. Easy access to the dining area allows for intermingling between the two spaces.

Special details include a cleverly concealed pantry closet, a dog-feeding station, and a prominent display of the client’s family dishes, which have been passed down through several generations.

SECOND PLACE

KITCHEN WEST DESIGN STUDIO

THIRD PLACE

DESIGN GALLERIA

ASHLEY AVILA

LINEA PHOTO

MARTIN VECCHIO

Primary Suite

SCHAERER ARCHITEXTURAL INTERIORS WITH VOGUE FURNITURE FIRST PLACE

This suite, complete with a fireplace and outdoor balcony, is truly a refuge. The seating area’s coffee table has hidden features that allow it to morph into a small writing desk. To the right of the fireplace is a hidden bar. The majestic bed has a dramatic overhead canopy — a feature reminiscent of a bygone era. The combination bath and dressing area has a tile floor with accents matching the bedroom’s wood floor borders.

SECOND PLACE

HELLER AND ASSOCIATES WITH DAVIS AND DAVIS

THIRD PLACE

CONCETTI

STEVE KROODSMA

JONATHAN HUMPHREY

BRETT MOUNTAIN

Great Room

FIRST PLACE

DECOR AND MORE DESIGN STUDIO

The goal was to make the great room a worthy focal point, while not obstructing the lake views. The oversized room was painted Extra White by SherwinWilliams, keeping it bright and airy. Infusing texture and warmth through furnishings and accessories softened the overall aesthetic. A combination of bespoke, modern, and vintage pieces creates a curated, custom feel. Thoughtfully curated accessories pay tribute to the homeowners’ backgrounds in Grosse Pointe and South Africa.

SECOND PLACE

THIRD PLACE

COTTAGE COMPANY INTERIORS

KAT STEVENSON

MEGAN WILLIAMSON

BETH SINGER

MARK SCOTT HOMES

FIRST PLACE

CONCETTI

Every room in this house tells a story of self-expression, but one stands out as the cornerstone for the partnership of beauty and function. The moody, masculine home office contains a variety of materials and finishes, in addition to custom bookshelves, but an asymmetrical, show-stopping desk takes center stage. It can be used on either side, and it also contains a components pop-up box. Custom cabinetry in a deep blue pays homage to Michigan’s water wonderland.

SECOND PLACE

WHITE & LIEBLER ARCHITECTS WITH GEMMA PARKER DESIGN

THIRD PLACE

VINTAGE DESIGN STUDIO

BRETT MOUNTAIN

DUSTIN HALLECK

COURTNEY WOOD

Use of Local Art (Nautical-themed)

FIRST PLACE

GEMMA PARKER DESIGN

autical without the kitsch, this vintage kayak was beautifully refinished and is the perfect addition to this living room on the Old Mission Peninsula in Traverse City. The height of the living room called for a large piece that would ground the space. Yearning for something sculptural, the design team chose this vintage kayak, as it was so relevant to the setting on Lake Michigan and incorporates a warmth that exudes character.

SECOND PLACE

M.J. WHELAN CONSTRUCTION WITH AUTHENTIC KITCHEN & DESIGN INC.

THIRD PLACE

VINTAGE DESIGN STUDIO

DUSTIN HALLECK

JEFF GARLAND

COURTNEY WOOD

Use of Fabrics

FIRST PLACE

COTTAGE COMPANY INTERIORS WITH COTTAGE COMPANY OF HARBOR SPRINGS

This two-bedroom condo showcases a masterful use of color and pattern through fabrics. The primary challenge was to employ a red, white, and blue color scheme without evoking an overtly Fourth of July or overly patriotic feel. This was achieved by using periwinkle blue as the dominant color and limiting navy and red to the details. Balancing the colors in each space and ensuring they tied together was key.

SECOND PLACE

CONCETTI

THIRD PLACE

MAISON BIRMINGHAM WITH ELLWOOD INTERIORS AND BRIAN NEEPER ARCHITECTURE

JACQUELINE SOUTHBY

BRETT MOUNTAIN

MARTIN VECCHIO

FIRST PLACE

SCHAERER ARCHITEXTURAL INTERIORS WITH PATRICK WIDING CUSTOM BUILT HOMES

Acustom backlit quartzite bar, a restored vault door, custom wallpaper with hundreds of handwritten scriptures that had been written on the joists during the home’s building process, and a unisex locker room result in a fun setting. Displaying treasured artifacts is more than a hobby for the homeowners, and many historic items are built into the design of the lower level.

SECOND PLACE

HELLER AND ASSOCIATES WITH DAVIS AND DAVIS

THIRD PLACE

AUTHENTIC KITCHEN & DESIGN

STEVE KROODSMA

JONATHAN HUMPREY

JEFF GARLAND

Utility Room (Laundry room, mudroom, dedicated pet space, etc.)

FIRST PLACE

MAISON BIRMINGHAM WITH BRIAN NEEPER ARCHITECTURE AND ELLWOOD INTERIORS

A“command center” desk helps keep track of school and sports schedules, while large lockers, deep drawers, and a built-in bench supply ample storage. A sink and cleaning station provide a convenient spot for quick cleanups and hand-washing.

SECOND PLACE

BIRCH DESIGN ASSOCIATES

THIRD PLACE

DESROSIERS ARCHITECTS

MARTIN VECCHIO

JEFF GARLAND

JAMES HAEFNER

Best Overall Home by Birch Design Associates

TRADITIONAL LAKEFRONT HOME

By Megan Swoyer | Photography by Jeff Garland

Ahuge congratulations goes to Tiffany Birch and her company, Birch Design Associates of Ann Arbor, which took top honors in this issue’s first-ever Readers’ Choice Award, part of the inaugural Michigan BLUE Design Awards. The Devils Lake gem, located in Lenawee County, was one of dozens of homes that were featured online at mibluemag.com for several weeks during the competition, in which readers could vote for their favorite home.

Birch says she embraced the opportunity to work with the clients, whose family has had cottages in the area since the 1920s; they’ve had a summer lake house there since 1979. The clients waited several years before building their dream home on the idyllic lake — the largest in Lenawee County, with a maximum depth of 63 feet.

Upon entering the home, one can’t

placed between the great room and a well-appointed library. “Everything is open, but there are places to sit — quiet spots where you can just be, yet still feel a part of the action,” Birch notes.

help but be impressed by the vastness of its space, while simultaneously feeling embraced by its warmth. This balance was ultimately achieved by designing specific areas for daily activities, while retaining the home’s open concept, designer Birch says. Nearly every surface of the interior is made of wood, which was chosen to provide a sense of quality and as a nod to its nautical roots. Shiplap, bead board, and hand-hewn beams offer a variety of textures. A dramatic threestory stairs tower is a showpiece that also offers an abundance of natural light.

The heart of the residence is the kitchen, which is wrapped in white millwork. A large quartz island stands front and center, overlooking the full expanse of the great room and dining room. Brass lighting fixtures are scattered throughout, and contrast nicely against a double-sided stone fireplace thoughtfully

The designer says she got to know the clients well when the husband hired her to do interior design work for the Devils Lake Yacht Club, where he’s a very involved member. Birch explains that she understands the cottage vernacular because, as a child, she spent every summer on Devils Lake.

The goal was to create a home where the couple’s three grown daughters would love to gather with their families and enjoy many fun moments. The couple was also after a kid- and dog-friendly vibe.

To that end, Birch says it was a must to have synthetic deck flooring and a luxury vinyl tile for the interior, both of which can handle water, water, and more water. “Most of the fabrics are indoor-outdoor, so no one has to worry about getting water on, say, the sofas,” she adds.

What’s a dream home without a space to create? The designer says she’s crazy about the first-floor craft room, which also won a Michigan BLUE Design Award for a top specialty room.

Thank you, readers, for casting your vote. And well done, Birch Design Associates!

Birch Design Associates creates a special family-style home in Lenawee County

Left and above: Pops of red show up throughout the house. “Red is the homeowners’ favorite color,” Birch says. “I go with what my clients love.”

ANCHORS AWAY

Have a seat in a Mid-century Frederic Weinberg bar stool at the Otis lounge, an inviting space in the recently renovated hotel.

70 Tasting Room Folklor Wine & Cider in Charlevoix prioritizes the farming aspect of wine-making.

74 Discoveries The 13th Annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival anchors in northeast Michigan.

76 Book It

A renovated 1958era Harbor Springs inn showcases thoughtful, modern design.

A Charlevoix Newcomer

Folklor Wine & Cider prioritizes the farming aspect of wine-making as it works to achieve organic certification

By Giuseppa Nadrowski

Derrick Vogel and Izabela Babinska, the husbandand-wife duo who founded Charlevoix’s Folklor Wine & Cider in 2023, are blazing their own trail on the Michigan wine scene. With their “vineyard first” philosophy — focusing on the health of their soil, plants, and ecosystem — they create minimal-intervention wine and hard cider that reflects the landscape. But as focused on the farming aspect of

wine-making as Vogel and Babinska are, it wasn’t always about agriculture for the northern Michigan couple.

Before heading to Charlevoix, the couple was residing downstate and working in careers far removed from agriculture — Vogel in laboratory science, and Babinska in fundraising and grant development.

“When we moved to northern Michigan (in 2016), we were already interested in wine and wanted to figure out how to get some hands-on experience,” Babin-

ska recalls. “We started volunteering and working for some of the local wineries in the Tip of the Mitt AVA. Through that process, Derrick did a viticulture and enology certificate program and an apprenticeship.”

In 2018, the couple launched Phenology Vine Care, a vineyard management company, to assist local farms in caring for their vineyards. “We did that for four years,”

Inset: Folklor Wine & Cider owners Izabela Babinska and Derrick Vogel take a moment to enjoy the vineyards. Here: Babinska shares information about Folklor’s wine with her guests.

she says. “Through the process of being in the vineyards, we realized we wanted to farm in a really specific way, and we were really interested in selecting different grape varietals that we thought would reflect our northern Michigan climate. That led us to wanting to purchase our own land and plant our own vineyards.”

The couple’s 52-acre property, at nearly 800 feet above sea level, was purchased from a multigenerational family that had been growing apples, cherries, and pears. While all the cherry trees had been removed, several hundred apple and pear trees remained. “That’s where the cider piece came into the equation. We initially were looking specifically for a vineyard site, but the cider just made so much sense, and when we saw the orchard, we fell in love with it,” Babinska says.

Vogel and Babinska planted their first 2 acres of grape vines in 2021 and added more in 2023. They grow cold hardy hybrid grapes such as L’Acadie Blanc, Marechel Foch, and Osceola Muscat, as well as Zweigelt, Riesling, and Gruner Veltliner, which are European varietals.

“We’ve been really intentional about planting different grape varieties that we can blend together to create a really balanced wine, rather than having to manipulate the grapes in the cellar after we pick them,” Babinska says. She notes that they’re currently working on an organic certification that they hope to have within the next few years.

The couple is also striving for another goal: 100 percent estate production. “Our estate vines are so young, so we’re just starting to produce our first estate vintages,” she says. “In the meantime, we’re sourcing grapes from local growers that are as close to the farm as possible.”

Customer favorites include their two Rieslings, and the most popular of those is Row Boat. “It really adapts to place. I think Michigan Rieslings are really distinctive, and really stand out.”

Folklor’s ciders are also an expression of the land. “Because our orchards are so old and hadn’t been managed in years, the trees produce biannually. We take what

Right: The Folklor owners planted their first 2 acres of grape vines in 2021 and they’re now starting to enjoy the fruits of their labors.

Below: The proprietors say they’re intentional about planting different grape varieties at their vineyard so they can blend flavors to create balanced wines. Based on Babinska’s Polish heritage, when deciding to name the winery the pair dropped the e in folklore to come up with Folklor, the Polish version of the word.

ing local Michigan favorites. For those who want to learn more about Folklor (the Polish spelling of folklore), their innovative farming practices, and their products, Babinska suggests booking a farm tour, offered from May through October.

“Derrick and I personally do all the tours. We take folks out in the vineyard and they get to taste the wine right alongside the grapes and apple trees, which is how I like to drink wine. It’s the most romantic part of wine.”

we have and blend it together. That way, the trees and the vines kind of guide what the final product is going to be.”

While Away, a canned hard cider, has become Folklor’s flagship and is available in retail outlets throughout the state. “I call that my lawn-mowing cider,” Babinska says. “It’s nice, light, and bright. It’s a little bit acidic and made from a blend of apples from our farm.”

The popular Field Blend Perry, a cider made from pears, is “not something we thought we’d ever get to make, but when we bought the property, it had a couple hundred old pear trees,” she says. “Folks really enjoy that because it’s something unique and different.”

Guests can drop in year-round at the tasting room to sample the various offerings and order from a snack menu featur-

This coming spring, Folklor will launch a wine club, offering members releases of their smaller-batch estate wines.

“It feels like such an exciting time in the Michigan wine industry,” Babinska says. “We have an amazing legacy of folks who have been doing it for so many years before us, and we’re at the point where we have a really good amount of information about what types of grapes grow well here, and we’re able to kind of build on that.

“For us,” she says, “(it’s about) prioritizing farming, working toward organic certification, and (emphasizing) our vineyard-first mentality, which we try to show through how we run our business, how we make our wines, and how we invite folks to participate in that by coming out into the vineyard with us. It’s something we’re trying to make a core of our business.”

Making Cinematic Waves

With venues in three Lake Huron cities, this annual film festival spotlights the importance of guarding the world’s water supply

By Dianna Stampfler

Recognizing an opportunity to enhance its mission in a creative and immersive way, the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Alpena launched a multi-day, regional event more than a decade ago that continues to spark thoughtful conversations about protecting and preserving the Great Lakes’ aquatic resources and maritime heritage.

The 13th Annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival (TBIFF), the only

water-focused cinematic event in the state, takes place Jan. 22-26 at three distinct venues along the Lake Huron shoreline. The national sanctuary’s vast boundaries run from Cheboygan to near Oscoda and all the way to the lake’s Canadian border.

Over the course of five days, a variety of more than 50 films can be viewed at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena, the historic Rogers Theater in Rogers City, and the Alcona County Library in Harrisville. Some screenings are accompanied by post-viewing discussions, many with filmmakers; educational activities, including some for young people; and social gatherings, such as a Friday night gala reception.

One of this year’s featured films is a 90-minute documentary by the Canadian husband-and-wife team of Zach Melnick and Yvonne Drebert.

“The film ‘All Too Clear’ takes us on a journey throughout the underwater world of the Great Lakes, exploring how quadrillions of invasive quagga mussels have transformed the lakes’ ecosystem at a scale not seen since the glaciers,” Melnick says. “Nowhere has that impact been greater than in northern Lake Huron, including the waters of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.”

Quagga mussels, which are native to the Black Sea and Caspian Sea regions, made their way to the Great Lakes through ballast water from commercial ships in the late 1980s. Living up to five years, the small aquatic bivalve mollusks are wreaking havoc on these freshwater seas. “All Too Clear” delves into uncharted waters to tell their complex story.

“We spent 150 days using advanced underwater drones to film under the waves of the Great Lakes, with more time in Lake Huron than anywhere else,” notes Drebert, who produced and co-directed the film. “I believe that even people who think they know the lakes are going to be shocked and amazed after seeing this film.”

In addition to Great Lakes filmmakers, TBIFF sources thought-provoking movies from the International Ocean Film Festival in San Francisco and presents them to new audiences. Topics range from invasive species to climate change, watershed protection, behavioral changes, and other issues related to water and the organisms, wildlife, flora, and humans that are dependent on the conservation of the world’s

Canadian husband-and-wife filmmakers Zach Melnick and Yvonne Drebert are shown near their Lake Huron home with the remotely operated vehicle they named Kiyi. Their film, “All Too Clear,” takes viewers to the underwater world of the Great Lakes. It will be featured during the Thunder Bay International Film Festival.

Below: A variety of films will be shown during the festival weekend in three different locations, including the Rogers Theater in Rogers City. Another location, not shown, is the Alcona County Library in Harrisville.

most important natural resource.

“You have to connect with something before you can care about it and this event does that, visually,” says Stephanie Gandulla, the sanctuary’s resource protection coordinator. “This festival is truly a unique event, as attendees bond with others who really care about the ocean and the Great Lakes, while also being entertained and educated.”

The festival has become a mainstay of the sanctuary’s education and outreach program, creating awareness about the countless treasures underneath the waves. It’s an opportunity to share information with the public, many of whom may not otherwise have access to the documentary world and certainly don’t have personal interaction with those who bring these stories to the big screen.

“We have essentially created a passport for attendees to travel around the world and learn about these places under the water, as well as showcase how Thunder Bay is part of a national marine protection system,” Gandulla adds. “What we do here affects the world’s water, and what happens in the ocean impacts us here on the Great Lakes. The festival a powerful

PLAN IT!

way to engage the public.”

In 2000, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration designated the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary as the nation’s first such preserve in the Great Lakes region. The designation is similar to that of a national park. The boundaries were expanded in 2014 and today the sanctuary encompasses 4,300 square miles that are home to more than 200 shipwrecks — only half of which have been identified and cataloged — and eight historic lighthouses, along with other unique aquacultures.

“Alpena is lucky to have this resource-rich event to inform and inspire

Tickets for the Thunder Bay International Film Festival include an All-Access Thunder Pass for $125, and the Great Lakes Gala Reception & Films on Friday, which features hors d’oeuvres and dessert, along with a cash bar, for $30. Tickets for individual viewings and events are $10 to $20.

Thunder Bay International Film Festival thunderbayfriends.org

us to continue to care for our natural resources,” says Mary Beth Kline-Stutzman, president and CEO of the Alpena Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Residents and visitors can stay connected with larger-scale projects and thought leadership regarding our water resources, whether it be about the oceans or our Great Lakes.”

Above: Festival attendees await a film at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena. it’s also the site of the 2025 opening night gala.

BOOK IT!

Otis otisharborsprings.com

Mid-century Makeover

A 1958-era Harbor Springs inn underwent a major overhaul that showcases thoughtful modern design

By Megan Swoyer

Photography by Charles Aydlett

Ashuttle bus full of revelers rolled up to a new hotel on splendid, winding M-119 on a beautiful October evening, and out poured a group of Bay Harbor-area friends who belong to a dinner club and regularly enjoy restaurants and pubs in northwest Michigan’s Harbor Springs region. On this night, they were in for a treat more astonishing than the tunnel of trees they had just passed through: the warm and inviting Otis!

The iconic Mid-century-style facility has been a part of the Harbor Springs scene since the 1950s. Back then, Chicago banker-turned-farmer Joseph E. Otis called it Birchwood Farm Estate. Later, it was known as the Birchwood Inn.

Most recently, the hotel (now simply called Otis, after Joseph Otis) was trans -

formed into a destination for locals and overnight visitors craving unique design, gourmet-with-a-twist bar fare, and seasonal craft cocktails that inspire patrons to linger. Original wood beams and a huge stone fireplace add to the dreamy quality of the gathering spaces — but it’s not a dream; it’s as real as the hardwood that burns in its fireplaces.

“We were after authenticity,” says Ty Humpert, one of the owners, who joined a few other entrepreneurs and investors who could see the facility’s potential. Their renovation goal for the hotel, which opened this past June, was to “embrace the original Mid-century design and make it feel like a home away from home,” Humpert says.

Humpert, who grew up in Saginaw Township, adds: “I remember coming here and staying at this hotel 25 years

Original wood beams, authentic Mid-centurystyle furnishings, and a huge stone fireplace make Otis’ lounge extremely welcoming.

ago with my grandparents.” Never did he dream he’d someday help make the Birchwood Inn into what it is today.

Without changing the footprint of the facility, most of the renovation focused on repairing, updating, and adding panache at every turn.

That meant researching the era’s design bent and procuring just the right décor. Humpert, who is also an artist and oversaw the facility’s look and style, brought various experts to the table. He and his partner, also an owner, have a cottage in Harbor Springs, which made it convenient for them to be hands-on during the redo.

Those who contributed to Otis’ metamorphosis, and all the hotel employees, share a philosophy that its director of food and beverage, Shannon Welsh, coined: “If you do things the right way, then the whole experience of staying or dining here has soul. When a place is lacking soul, it’s something you can feel.”

A sense of soul does, indeed, envelop the place. You feel it when sipping a craft cocktail swirling over ice delivered from Michigan Clear Ice in Bay City; sinking into the lounge’s plush blue-velvet sofas, the inspiration for which was discovered in the basement; and listening to the calming rustle of ornamental grasses outdoors.

Small plates and shareables grace the menu, which reflects seasonal options that focus on inventive, Head Chef Shane

Abe notes. The Irish stout beef stew with mashed potatoes features a horseradish cream, while the popular russet potato waffle is complemented by king salmon gravlax, crème fraiche, and chives.

“For the waffle, I hand-grate the potatoes and then rinse the starch out for what seems like forever,” Abe shares.

Outdoors, stylish black steel tables and chairs (orginal Russell Woodard/Sculptura) make their home on the sprawling deck. Views of a horse farm, matte-black benches and planters, and cinnamon-red shade umbrellas create a serene feel.

Overnight guests will discover a variety of layouts in the 31-room facility, from a pass-through style (with front and back doors leading to the courtyard) to family suites and smaller spaces. The forest-green doors to each room evoke the verdant pines of northern Michigan.

“The rooms needed functionality and wearability, but they also had to look good and fit the style,” Humpert says. Working closely with Daniel Caudill, who helped launch the Shinola brand in Detroit, Humpert and the team selected textural window shades that open from both the top and bottom, allowing guests to take in pastoral views, while single-ball bubble pendant lighting from Australia adds whimsy. Plush armchairs, luxurious linens, high-end bath amenities, beamed ceilings, and huge breakfast pastries add to a memorable stay.

The team called on Michael Hsu, of the Michael Hsu Office of Architecture, to help them reimagine the front lobby and Fireplace Lounge areas. Landscape architect David Hocker created a lovely layout that balances the hotel’s architecture and site. Rows of purple salvia and fernleaf yarrow, and containers of boxwood and pines, star in the design.

A courtyard behind and between the buildings showcases interesting plant species, over which a sculptural pine tree reigns supreme. Louis A. Hoffman Nursery Inc., of Harbor Springs, also worked with the team and maintains the beautiful grounds, which include a bocce ball court. This winter, guests will likely be able to sit at a bonfire or warm up in a clear, heated tent. As for artwork, guests notice two head-turning paintings by Bernard Park upon entry, and there’s a fascinating gallery wall in the lounge. Don’t miss the oil painting by Jennifer Haver that’s adhered to the wall, mural-style, on both sides of the bar. The artist echoed the colors and shapes from a Mid-century painting. If the walls could talk, it’s no doubt plenty of interesting stories would unfold. One woman told Humpert she got engaged in the lounge many decades ago, and “Now she and her husband come here often for date night,” Humpert says. Other locals, like Ron Barry, who lives up the road from Otis, also adore the spot. “We’re so glad it was remodeled,” he says. “The community is so happy.”

“The rooms needed functionality and wearability,” says Ty Humpert, an Otis owner.

Above: Mural-style art by Jennifer Haver adorns the bar. Inset: Head Chef Shane Abe and his wife, Shannon Welsh, director of food and beverage, know a thing or two about tasty fare.

Icy Tranquility

Michigan is home to a wealth of beautiful lighthouses — an impressive 129 in total. I have so many personal favorites that I’ve jokingly been known to say, “They’re all my favorites, because it’s impossible for me to pick just one!” One of those is easily the iconic Grand Haven inner and outer lighthouses, which are magical in each of Michigan’s beautiful four seasons.

I thoroughly enjoy every one of our seasons, and that absolutely includes winter. I’m such a winter-loving person, in fact, that there’s nothing I enjoy more than getting bundled up in my cold-weather gear and playing in the snow. I love exploring Michigan’s beauty: our hiking trails dressed in snow, the countryside, our frozen lakes, and, of course, our lighthouses!

One of the many magical elements about winter is how piers and lighthouses are transformed into elegant snow- and ice-glazed fortresses. There’s something so majestic about a lighthouse that’s coated in snow and ice — and the icing on the cake is the ice pancakes that form offshore. Being immersed in this magnificence on a peaceful winter’s day or evening is simply unmatched.

The combination of hearing the ice pancakes softly gliding though the channel and watching them roll in rhythmic unison with the water is a mesmerizing and zen-like experience. The evening I captured this image was no

exception. I put my ice spikes on (safety first, always!) and ventured out to the end of Grand Haven’s Fisherman’s Pier, where I took in the immensely beautiful frozen tranquility.

This image was captured with my Nikon Z6II (using a 24-200mm). I had my camera set for an ISO of 200, a halfsecond shutter speed, and a f5.6 aperture. To get this shot, I also used a tripod.

Sarah Goodwin, of Spring Lake, is a photo ambassador for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. She owns SG Captures and sells her work on Etsy/SGCaptures. Follow her on Instagram at @sg.captures.

A photographer finds peace on Grand Haven’s Fisherman’s Pier

Text and photo by Sarah Goodwin

P.S. More about Grand Haven’s lights: Established in 1839, the two lights on the south pier, both painted red, are joined by a lighted catwalk that also connects them to the shore and the Grand Haven Boardwalk. The inner light is cylindrical, and the foghouse’s outer light stands on a huge concrete foundation.

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