Up North Buzz
GREEN MACHINES TO A MOTOR-FREE ISLE by LYNDA TWARDOWSKI WHEATLEY
Making waves with new eco-friendly ferries.
M
ackinac Island Ferry Company (formerly called Star Line) has more than a fleet of high-speed rooster-tailed ferries to crow about. The iconic ferry service is the first in Michigan to become Green Marine certified—i.e., exceeding regulatory standards and taking tangible, voluntary action to preserve the environment. The company’s effort began small, with more energyefficient lighting, recycling bins on every ship, electric vehicles for company use on the St. Ignace and Mackinaw City Docks and the like. But recently, it’s gone far bigger:
photo by Michigan Sky Media
NEW UP NORTH
Thanks in part to a $3.06 million award from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE), the company’s ’60s-era Chippewa ferry is trading out its two old diesel engines for two electric propulsion motors—a conversion estimated to cut 14,152 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents and 887 metric tons of nitrogen oxides over the boat’s lifetime. The future might hold even more reason for those roosters to strut: If the Chippewa’s two- to three-year project and associated hull refurb go well, Mackinac Island Ferry Company plans to do the same for 28 other boats in its fleet.
Cool finds, community updates and sweet new businesses.
BENNY’S FROYO AND MO
SEVEN HILLS
207 S. MITCHELL ST., CADILLAC
13795 SEVEN HILLS RD.,
A REASON TO CELEBRATE … 30 YEARS: ROAST & TOAST
Frozen yogurt made with dairy sourced from the family’s fourthgeneration creamery, and a whole lot “mo.” Grab-and-go sandwiches and salads, baked goods and locally raised meat, cheese and milk. bennysfroyo.com
OLD MISSION PENINSULA
309 E. LAKE ST., PETOSKEY
Home to Mission Proper Café (a coffee shop with grab-and-go lunch items, pastries and small plates), Old Mission Distilling (the tasting room has cocktails on draft) and a community center with workspace and games. sevenhillstc.com
What you might not know about the much-loved coffee roaster and shop owned by Bob and Mary Keedy is that it’s also known for its soup menu. The kitchen has a collection of 135 recipes, making four each day. roastandtoast.com
Know of a business that just opened or have a fun community update? Let us know at editorial@traversemagazine.com.
AUGUST 2023
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