Northern Express - August 25, 2025

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NORTHERN MICHIGAN’S WEEKLY • august 25 - august 31, 2025 • Vol. 35 No. 34

Northern Express Weekly • august 25, 2025 • 1

Almost forgot that this is the whole point.

Come discover our sweet small town.

Come discover Elk Rapids.

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Discover Your Passion 2 • august 25, 2025 • Northern Express Weekly

letters Keep Writing, Tess I’m a retired composition instructor, and your recent column penned by Tess TarchakHiss instantly shows her to be one of your best contributing writers and one of the best published writers working in town. She fills her piece with terrifically specific details and references—Lofthouse Frosted Sugar Cookies, Cafe Nervosa, Asian Buffet—and crafts superb verbs: to flump, to mirror, to bedrot. She used parentheses (for humorous asides) and quotation marks perfectly (none needed there).

If that weren’t enough, her piece has excellent unity and a firm message: I’m now convinced that TC needs a spot for teens to gather.

Please encourage her to write more for your publication.

James Hallemann | Traverse City Do I Feel Safe?

On a recent visit to Traverse City, my husband and I were looking for a restaurant with vegan options. Mediterranean food is often a good bet, so when we saw there was a Palestinian place in town, we headed there directly.

The food was very tasty and the atmosphere and staff quite pleasant. However, when I went up to the counter to fetch some salt, my eye fell on a chalkboard that read, F&?% ISRAEL! The sight of it sent a jolt through my body and put me into what I’ve come to recognize as fight or flight mode.

Afterward, I went to the restroom, where a flyer with the question, “Do you feel safe?” was posted. While I’d seen similar posters before and knew they pertained to human trafficking, I couldn’t help but reflect that in that moment, my answer was no.

As an American Jew, this a very difficult and scary time. The attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, shook me to the core, as they did Jews across the U.S. and around the globe. The ensuing war with Hamas, and efforts to get the hostages out of Gaza, have been nothing short of horrific. My heart feels deeply the death of every innocent person in Gaza. One image in particular, of a young Palestinian girl who just lost her mother, haunts me.

For years, I toured with a Jewish musical group whose primary message was one of peace in the world and the Middle East in particular. Making room for all people in the region is a fervent personal wish.

Also, like most Jews, I don’t support many of the ways in which Netanyahu and the Israeli government have prosecuted the war in Gaza.

But I also believe strongly that Israel has a right to exist and to protect its citizens, Jewish and otherwise.

The crass message I saw scrolled on the chalkboard in the Traverse City restaurant does nothing to promote peace. I would argue it does the opposite, while also alienating any Jewish patrons who might otherwise be allies.

Shana Levy McCracken | California Elections Have Consequences It broke my heart to read “Last Stop for Antiques Roadshow?” in the Aug. 11 issue of the Express.

Thanks to the reprehensible funding cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting passed by the GOP-led Congress, the great programming on NPR and PBS that most of us have come to enjoy for decades is now in jeopardy of extinction.

Some would argue that these funding cuts are necessary to achieve fiscal stability, however,

a budget that balloons our national deficit while taking away programs that Americans value greatly (of which there are many) is about something else.

I implore everyone to contribute generously to our public broadcasting entities; together we may be able to keep this valuable media resource afloat until voters elect more thoughtful leadership.

Tom Vajda | Traverse City

CONTENTS

features

Labor Day Events...............................................11 Head Start.........................................................12 What’s New at TCAPS.....................................14 The Aspen House............................................17 Population Pressures......................................18 IMLS Funding Cuts...........................................20

columns & stuff Top Ten..........................................................4 Spectator/Stephen Tuttle..................................6 Guest Opinion/De Vecchi..................................7 Weird............................................................8 Guest Opinion/Teichner.....................................9 Dates..........................................................22 Nitelife.........................................................28 Crossword...................................................29 Astro..............................................................29 Classifieds..................................................30

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Northern Express Weekly is published by Eyes Only Media, LLC. Publisher: Luke Haase PO Box 4020 Traverse City, Michigan 49685 Phone: (231) 947-8787 Fax: 947-2425 email: info@northernexpress.com www.northernexpress.com Editor: Jillian Manning Finance Manager: Libby Shutler Distribution Manager: Roger Racine Sales: Lisa Gillespie, Kim Murray, Kaitlyn Nance, Abby Walton Porter, Michele Young, For ad sales in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne & Charlevoix, call (231) 838-6948 Creative Director: Kyra Cross Poehlman Distribution: Marc Morris, Gerald Morris, Dave Anderson, Joe Evancho, Jason Ritter, Sherri Ritter, Roger Racine, Sarah Racine, Brandy Grames, Rachel Cara, Jackson Price, Lisa Price, Peggy Bell

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Northern Express Weekly • august 25, 2025 • 3

this week’s

top ten Labor Day Live Gear up for Labor Day and beyond at Crystal Mountain. Their Labor Day Live weekend runs Aug. 29-Sept.

1 with live music across the resort, lawn games, and tons of family-friendly activities. Plus, Crystal’s annual tent sale goes big with up to 70 percent off ski and snowboard apparel and gear, along with golf apparel and accessories, athleisure wear, and more. (Don’t forget to check out the yard sale corner for gently used items!) See the full slate of fun at crystalmountain.com.

Cheers to Nine Years of Iron Fish!

Every good birthday party should last at least four days, right? Iron Fish Distillery in Thompsonville is planning to live it up for number nine from Thursday, Aug. 28, to Sunday, Aug. 31. They’ll be giving tours of their facilities (25 percent off with code ANNITOUR9) and offering live music each night. The weekend highlights include a Whiskey Club release on Thursday (5-7pm); a barrel making demonstration on Friday (3pm); a Bagpipe Blessing of the Spirits (12:30pm), children’s piñata (6pm), and birthday cupcakes on Saturday; and wagon rides from Fantail Farms (4-7pm) and a corn roast (time TBD) on Sunday. Find all the details—and start shopping Iron Fish spirits, cocktails, and the summer food menu—at ironfishdistillery.com. Then join the party (and be sure to bring the whole family and the doggos!) at 14234 Dzuibanek Road.

4 Hey, read It!

Run for the Hills

For 32-year-old Madeline Hill, life on the organic farm she runs with her mom is perfectly fine—monotonous, flannel-clad, boyfriend-less fine. Honestly, she probably wouldn’t have chosen this life if not for her farmer father, who walked out on them in Mad’s childhood. Everything changes, though, when Rueben Hill, her long-lost halfbrother, shows up at her house one morning. Turns out, their dad was a serial father, with at least two more kids in other states. And, according to the P.I. Rueben hired, he’s living another new life in California. Armed with this knowledge, the pair hatch a plan: Together, they’ll travel west, collecting their siblings along the way, before finally coming face-to-face with the man who left them. What could possibly go wrong? In his newest novel, Run for the Hills, bestselling author Kevin Wilson takes readers on a rollicking road-trip full of giggles, heartfelt deepdives, and more than a few familial speedbumps. Buckle up!

2 tastemaker

Birch & Maple’s Strawberries & Cream French Toast

We don’t know how long the summer menu will last at Birch & Maple of Frankfort, so we advise heading over for brunch ASAP. While there’s a lot to love on their menu (their Crispy Chicken Sandwich gets our top marks in all of northern Michigan), this time we recommend the Strawberries & Cream French Toast ($15) for a sweet summertime treat. Three thick slices of French toast are slathered with sweet vanilla cream and strawberry compote, then topped with a liberal dusting of powdered sugar and more berries. Maple syrup (the real kind) comes on the side so you can drizzle or dunk to your heart’s desire. Add a side of bacon or a crispy egg for a little protein boost to balance the sweet with some savory. Find the goods at 727 Main Street in Frankfort. birchandmaplefrankfort.com

4 • august 25, 2025 • Northern Express Weekly

FOOD • DRINKS MUSIC & MORE SCAN FOR DETAILS

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6 Pierre Bensusan and

Stuff We Love: The Kitty Corner

50 Years of Jazz

French-Algerian jazz guitarist Pierre Bensusan returns to the region for the first time in eight years when he performs Aug. 28 at the Chalfonte in Elk Rapids (aka the cinema). “I’m celebrating 50 years of doing this. I’m shocked at 50 years,” he says with a chuckle. Over that halfcentury he’s earned countless fans, among them numerous guitarists: Leo Kottke, Mark Knopfler, Andrew York, and Steve Lukather are among those who have sung his praises. He’s recorded some 16 albums since his first foray at 17; his most recent is Azwan but the latest recording to feature his guitar is Donny Osmond’s Start Again (he only met Osmond in person on this tour).

As a solo performer, Bensusan revels in seeing each performance as a new chance to explore his music with a new audience. For ticket information, go to PierreBensusan.com and click Tours.

What do you get for the cat lover who has everything? (Asking for a friend…)

Well, start your search at Sanctuary Goods, tucked inside The Mercato at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City.

While this gift shop specializes in jewelry and artwork, head to the far left side of the shop to find what we’re dubbing the “Kitty Corner.” On our visit, we found books on cat astrology and zodiac (to truly understand your feline), adorable little figurines, catshaped coasters, patches, bowls, and even handmade woolen cat toys (which allow you to skip plasticky, synthetic toys and help your four-legged friend clean their teeth).

Head to 800 Cottageview Dr #50 to shop the meow-velous collection, or visit them online sanctuarygoods.com. (And the Commons are pet-friendly…just saying!)

Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra Turns 25 Speaking of big milestones, the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra (GLCO) has reached a quarter of a century performing in northern Michigan. The Petoskey-based ensemble was founded in 2000 with a goal of bringing together local musicians and supporting the development of youth orchestra. Fast-forward to 2025, and GLCO is gearing up for a big and busy season. The opening concert will feature Beethoven’s Eroica at Bay View on Sept. 6 ($35$65). Other Mainstage Series concerts include a Fall Color Tour to explore color in music and painting; Violins of Hope to tell the story of a violin recovered from a concentration camp; and Lights, Camera, Music to tie in with award-winning films. Messiah by Candlelight and Family Holiday Pops will shine in the holiday season. And, for the pièce de résistance, GLCO will make its debut at the famous Carnegie Hall in June 2026. Stay tuned and find event and ticket info at glcorchestra.org.

8 bottoms up Beards Brewery’s House Cider

Still Outside Embrace the Season…

Al Fresco & Indoor Dining

NORTHSI DE FOOD & SPIRITS

PETOSKEY | CHARLEVOIX | Wineguys Restaurant Group

Cider, not beer, at a brewery?! Yes, yes, we know, but sometimes we like to venture off the beaten path. So on our most recent visit, we ordered a pint ($7) of the House Cider at Beards Brewery in Petoskey. The cider—all apples, no nonsense—is made in partnership with Mackinaw Trail Winery, and you can taste the wine influence with a teensy bit less carbonation and a slightly wine-inspired flavor profile. From a sweet vs. dry perspective, this cider falls right around the middle of the pack, making for easy sipping on a hot summer day.

Enjoy on the patio overlooking Little Traverse Bay, turn it into a cider mimosa with a splash of OJ, or ask for your pint to go and explore Petoskey’s social district. Find Beards at 215 E. Lake St. in Petoskey. beardsbrewery.com

Northern Express Weekly • august 25, 2025 • 5

LYING ABOUT CRIME

Delamar

spectator By steven Tuttle First, you spend years and years denigrating and devaluing institutions on which people rely. You call the data they produce “fake news” or a “hoax” or a “scam.” When the numbers and reports do not emerge exactly the way you want, you fire whoever is reporting them. Then you just make up your own data.

We’ve seen this most recently with crime statistics, illegal immigration, and jobs numbers, plus a revisit to the old lies surrounding the 2020 presidential election.

Crime, we are told, is out of control in Washington, D.C., and you are constantly at risk of being mugged, carjacked, robbed, raped, or shot anytime anybody ventures out. It’s so bad that Senator Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, says he doesn’t even use a seat belt anymore so he won’t be trapped in his vehicle during a carjacking. Never mind that the crime rates in both Tulsa and Oklahoma City are higher than that of Washington, D.C.

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In fact, the crime wave Trump ranted about and used to justify sending in federal troops was a delusion—the crime rate in the nation’s capital is actually the lowest its been in 30 years, with homicides, robberies, carjacking, and rape down from last year and years past. And those figures are from Trump’s own Department of Justice (DOJ), which also reports crime is down nationally.

The crime lie was likely nothing more than an attempt to distract from the Jeffrey Epstein ugliness. Washington, D.C. isn’t even in the top 10 for per capita crime rate and ranks behind St. Louis, Memphis, Birmingham, Detroit, and Baltimore for violent crimes. According to those same DOJ numbers, Memphis is the most dangerous major city in America.

Interestingly, of the 30 largest cities in the country, El Paso, Texas, is the safest. Isn’t that a border city that’s supposed to be awash in illegal immigrant criminals?

The lies about illegal immigrants started way back in 2015 when Donald Trump first descended his golden escalator and went on his diatribe about the bad people Mexico was sending. Much to the surprise of most of us, Trump claimed Mexico and other countries were emptying their jails and sending us rapists, murderers, terrorists, and violent mental patients.

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6 • august 25, 2025 • Northern Express Weekly

That was the primary justification for the development of essentially a national police force tasked with finding and deporting all those violent criminals that were sent here. We were told repeatedly by Trump and others in his administration that the focus would be on illegal immigrants who committed crimes while in the U.S.

There is widespread support from the far left and the far right and the political ideologies in between for the removal of criminal illegals; come here illegally and then commit crimes, and we’d all like you gone. Unfortunately, that’s not how it’s working out.

And never mind that according to DOJ and Census data, legal and illegal immigrants are much less likely to commit crimes than native-born Americans.

According to the Deportation Data Project, an arm of Trump’s own Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), fully 75 percent of those we’ve deported in 2025 have no criminal convictions elsewhere and none here other than their illegal entry into the country. After all the claims and promises and publicity, a scant 12 percent of those being deported have committed crimes classified as violent or potentially violent.

Among those deported have been at least a dozen children who are American citizens but whose parents were deported.

In one infamous case, a four-year-old American boy with leukemia in the midst of treatment was shipped off to Honduras with his mother.

(A word, if we may, about the masked law enforcement folks doing the Home Depot stakeouts and making arrests; the claim is the work is so dangerous they must keep their identity secret. What utter nonsense.

Our city police, sheriff deputies, and state police arrest dangerous people every day, some of whom have even more dangerous friends, testify openly in court against those dangerous folks, and never once feel obliged to wear a mask. Those masked law enforcement officers look like third-world thugs afraid not of danger but of being held accountable.)

When he can, Trump simply fires anyone reporting information he doesn’t like. Dr. Erika McEntarfer, former Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, discovered this unfortunate fact when she revised job growth numbers for the last three months downward. Trump didn’t like that, called this long-time government employee who has worked for multiple administrations of both parties a “Biden hack,” and fired her.

One assumes the next commissioner will be expected to report Trump-approved numbers.

Next on Trump’s hit list? Voting machines and mail-in voting. He was told both methods of voting generate fraud and rigged the 2020 election—never mind that no widespread fraud was ever found despite exhaustive investigation. Trump’s advisor on the subject? Vladimir Putin.

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED GUEST OPINION

by Quinn De Vecchi Imagine this: You’ve decided to move suddenly from one state to another, totaling over 2,000 miles. You have a choice to take a slightly expensive flight and mail all your belongings later, like many do. All you have to do is book the ticket and make a quick stop at USPS. Easy.

But what if you didn’t do that? What if—and hear me out on this—you decided to cancel those plans and instead drive the distance for two days on a highway with your trunk stuffed to the brim. And let’s make it even better: You lengthen the trip to five days so you can see a variety of kooky roadside attractions and make it just in time to snag the keys to your new place.

“hard things” every once and a while. I take the stairs, I pay with cash, and I do road trips whenever I can.

For example, the five-day trip my mother and I took when we decided to move from Miami to Denver. During this “nightmare” of a ride, I saw Georgia’s Rock City (an extremely tall waterfall on a cliff in the middle of nowhere), Metropolis in Illinois (hello, Superman statue!), and the bizarre Hillbilly Toyland in Kentucky (dolls, junk art, and a swamp).

And recently I drove with my mom and sisters from Nashville to Denver after touring Vanderbilt University. It was a winding, 17hour journey where my mom and I swapped

While a road trip may be considered the perfect getaway when you need some “me time,” it seems almost horrific to imagine choosing the grit of a cross-country drive to a comfortable and easy flight.

Sounds like a logistical nightmare, right?

Except it isn’t, and I did this trip with my mom on my fourteenth birthday as a present—thanks, Mom! And it wasn’t that bad as you might think.

First: the road-trip rep. When I begin telling people about my drive escapades, it’s like I’ve just screamed “bomb” in a TSA security line. While a road trip may be considered the perfect getaway when you need some “me time,” it seems almost horrific to imagine choosing the grit of a cross-country drive to a comfortable and easy flight. Why heave all your things in a tiny car to drive over half the country when you can just ship everything and fly?

seats—marking it a day closer to me getting my shiny new license (watch out, Colorado!) and more time to spend with my mom. We drove through hilly roads as we sang to The Beatles, my mom’s country-rock, and my favorite obsession: Broadway musicals.

Of course, not all road trips go to plan.

That’s where the real terrifying tales of these vacations come from.

When going from Miami to Denver, we popped a tire right before passing into Kansas. And promptly after, we then became the unfortunate new owners of a $150 speeding ticket—for going five miles per hour over on a highway. Thanks, Kansas!

Except, try to remember the last time you had such a memorable (in a good way) flight that you talked about it for years after. A flight is so quick that we usually forget we’re passing so much land at such an astonishing speed. There’s a real sense of adventure in being able to travel long distances—but how are you supposed to say you’ve travelled when you haven’t seen anything? When you chose the easiest route?

And when driving back to Denver from Nashville, we almost got wiped out by a tornado storm…also in Kansas. Not a good look.

As our society further shifts into the ease of instant convenience, life, we start seeing things as the “basic.” Driving to a 7-Eleven when it’s a 10-minute walk is the basic, so is ordering food online instead of just walking to said 7-Eleven, or (let’s get real) booking a flight when you can drive.

All that to say, sometimes doing the harder thing can be the most rewarding. I don’t remember anything from any flight, other than getting peanuts when I asked for plantain chips.

On road trips you pick your own snacks. And you remember all the great—and, of course, all the bad too. That’s what makes any trip fun.

For me? There was a 7-Eleven eight minutes’ walking distance from my home in Florida that I would walk barefoot to for a bag of Twix. We couldn’t afford to order DoorDashstyle delivery back then, so we would wait until we were all out, and then as a family, all go to an Aldi together. And we never flew.

So what would you choose? The mostly comfortable airline seats with free movies, air conditioning, and time to sleep, or the janky car with cramping legs, burnt coffee, and a need to keep your eyes on the road?

So I try to ignore this convenient lifestyle we all live with now and force myself to do the

Quinn De Vecchi is a creative writing senior at Interlochen Arts Academy.

Even so, both times my mom and I figured out a way to get past it. For the tire, we spent the eight hours refueling the air every time we saw a gas station. We sadly paid off the ticket. And we narrowly survived the tornadoes by speeding right through!

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Northern Express Weekly • august 25, 2025 • 7

MAPLE + BATTER The Passing Parade The South China Morning Post reported on Aug. 5 that adults in China are turning to pacifiers to ease their stress, improve sleep and stop smoking. The adult binkies are larger than the infant models and come in different colors, and shops say they're selling more than 2,000 each month. "It's high quality, soft, and I feel comfortable sucking it," said one buyer. "It does not impede my breathing." But Chengdu dentist Tang Caomin isn't a fan: "By sucking the dummy for more than three hours a day, the position of your teeth might change after a year."

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Nope Talk about rodents of unusual size. A giant rat -- perhaps the biggest ever caught in the United Kingdom -- was recently captured in North Yorkshire, reported The Independent on Aug. 5. The rodent, removed by exterminators from a home in the Greater Eston area, measured 22 inches long and was described as "almost the size of a small cat." (For reference, rats in the U.K. usually stay under 11 inches, on average.)

Some local leaders say pest issues have dramatically worsened since the end of free services for residents in the area. Eston ward councilor David Taylor said the rodents were becoming "brazen," adding, "The longer this is ignored, the worse it will get."

In Fort Collins, Colorado, residents have reported seeing rabbits with black, tentaclelike protrusions on their heads, KUSA-TV reported. Colorado Parks and Wildlife said the horny growths are caused by a virus that is not dangerous to humans or pets, but warned people not to touch them just the same. The "Frankenstein rabbits" are not in pain, CPW said, unless the spines grow on sensitive areas like the eyes. There is no known cure.

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8 • august 25, 2025 • Northern Express Weekly

Recent Alarming Headlines Dan Burton, owner of Urban Trapping Wildlife Control in Salinas, California, alerted officials of Monterey County and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to a discovery he made while trapping wild pigs in early August. The Los Angeles Times reported that when Burton cut into one of the animals, he discovered that the flesh was ... off-color. "I'm not talking about a little blue," he said. "I'm talking about neon blue, blueberry blue." Fish and wildlife officials say the blue flesh is probably caused by exposure to a poison popularly used by farmers to control rats, mice, squirrels and other rodents.

They are warning trappers and hunters not to consume the blue flesh, and some of the poison traps have been pulled from the fields because of pigs seeking them out.

The Missouri Department of Health and Human Services is warning visitors to the Lake of the Ozarks about a rare "brain-eating" infection called Naegleria fowleri, KSHB-TV reported on Aug. 13. A man who had been water skiing in the lake is now being treated in intensive care at a Missouri hospital, officials said. The infection enters the human body through the nose, then travels into the brain.

132 Days Until Christmas Three Deutsche Post volunteers -or elves, you might call them -- left St.

Nikolaus, Germany, on Aug. 9 and started cycling toward Santa Claus Village in Finland, the Associated Press reported. The trio are carrying more than 30,000 letters and Christmas wish lists that have been delivered to the German village and are expected to arrive in roughly two weeks.

The traditional journey dates back to 1967.

Unclear on the Concept In reference to what seems like an obvious enough policy, Starbucks Korea has posted signs in all its shops across the country, warning customers that they may no longer bring desktop computers and printers to the locations to work. United Press International reported on Aug. 11 that Starbucks has also banned setting up large partitions and leaving valuables at a table for long periods of time. The targeted customers are known as "cagongjok," which combines the Korean words for "cafe," "study" and "tribe." Starbucks made the policy change after other customers complained about cafe squatters taking up too much space; laptops will still be welcomed.

Crime Report Everyone should be trying to move to East Greenbush, New York, where police have been busy chasing down the community's hardened criminals, WNYTTV reported on Aug. 11. Officers have received multiple reports of juveniles playing "ding-dong-ditch" during overnight hours, they said. They called such aberrant behavior disruptive and a violation of state law. Police said if the kids are caught, their antics could lead to charges of harassment, trespassing and disorderly conduct. Zillow, here we come!

The Neighbors Gary Boyadzhyan of Van Nuys, California, told KTLA-TV on Aug. 13 that he has a mysterious long-running grievance with the Los Angeles Police Department, and that's why he's been blasting home alarms and a train horn from his house for months. "He does this periodically several times during the day," said neighbor Bob Donovan. "It has a range of 3.5 miles. It's an actual train horn." Boyadzhyan says the horns are his way of getting LAPD's attention. "I do sincerely apologize to my neighbors," he said, "but I don't know what else to do." Neighbors are unclear about what kind of help the man needs to solve his problem, but they're at wits' end about the noise. But maybe a solution is on the way: Boyadzhyan was arrested on Aug. 13 on unknown charges.

Bright Idea There's something in the water at Loch Ness in Scotland ... but it's not the famed monster. The Daily Record reported on Aug. 13 that Domino's Pizza has launched a delivery submarine that can reach speeds of 45mph and leap 5 meters out of the water.

Pizza Delivery Innovation spokesperson Izzy Gardener said the company is "always looking for new and unexpected ways to deliver to our customers." Loch Ness seemed like a "perfect place to test the waters," Gardener said.

THE EPA IS IN DANGER

FALL CLASSES NOW ENROLLING

Youth and Adult Programming

GUEST OPINION

by Lauren Teichner Red alert. The Trump Administration is now going after the very cornerstone of U.S. climate action: the Environmental Protection Agency’s 2009 Endangerment Finding. This landmark legal and scientific determination is what gives the EPA its authority to regulate climate pollution under the Clean Air Act. On Aug. 1, 2025, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin filed a proposed rule that would “repeal all . . . emission standards for lightduty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles and engines,” which includes cars, power plants, and other major sources of carbon emissions. This proposed rule is one of the most consequential Trump moves you may never have heard about. It is a brazen attempt to erase science, dismantle climate protections, and rewrite the law to benefit polluters.

The legal basis for limiting this dangerous pollution is unequivocal. In the landmark 2007 case Massachusetts v. EPA, the U.S. Supreme Court held that greenhouse gases are pollutants under the Clean Air Act and that the EPA has a legal obligation to regulate them if it determines they endanger public health or welfare. That’s exactly what the EPA did in 2009, issuing the Endangerment Finding after an exhaustive review of peer-reviewed science and more than 380,000 public comments.

Since then, every major legal challenge to the Endangerment Finding has failed. Never before has an administration attempted to overturn it. Zeldin’s effort to do so now isn’t just unprecedented, it’s a direct attack on the rule of law, science-based policymaking, the public’s right to clean air, and efforts to protect our planet for future generations. It’s like pretending cigarettes don’t cause cancer or that seatbelts don’t save lives.

The science underpinning the 2009 Endangerment Finding is not up for debate either. The science is even clearer today, 16 years—and countless climate disasters— later. Climate pollution is driving more extreme heat, catastrophic floods (like the recent horrific flooding in Texas), intense wildfires, and dangerous air quality.

These are lived realities, right here in Michigan and across the country. Children are missing summer camp and having asthma attacks because of smoke-filled air. Seniors are dying during heat waves.

Farmers are struggling with unpredictable growing seasons and water shortages, leading to rising food prices.

The EPA’s job is to follow science, not twist it for political ends. And yet, in a disturbing contradiction, the agency is now claiming— on its own Instagram page, no less—that it is “fulfilling its mission to protect human health and the environment” even as it attempts to dismantle the very basis for regulating climate pollution.

Under the banner of its newly coined slogan, “Powering the Great American

Comeback,” the EPA is abandoning its core duty in favor of polluter-friendly spin.

The “environment” itself isn’t mentioned in that new slogan for a reason; ironically, protecting the environment is no longer part of the EPA’s agenda.

Let’s talk about what’s really going on here.

Reversing the Endangerment Finding isn’t some technical policy tweak that you can ignore. It is a deliberate, full-scale assault on the very tools we rely on to protect public health and clean up our air.

If Zeldin succeeds in dismantling this cornerstone, the EPA will lose its legal authority to limit pollution from cars, trucks, power plants, oil refineries, and industrial facilities—the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the country.

The consequences would be immediate and far-reaching. More air pollution, more heatrelated deaths, more respiratory illness, and more climate-driven disasters. Zeldin’s proposal serves polluter interests at the expense of the public interest.

In Michigan, we know what happens when the government turns a blind eye to science. Flint unfortunately taught us that.

And according to the Environmental Law & Policy Center’s report Climate Change in the Midwest: 2025 Update (which you can find online), Michigan is already experiencing more extreme heat days, heavier rainfall events, and an increase in heat-related deaths and illnesses, as well as respiratory diseases.

The report makes clear that climate change is not a distant threat—it’s a public health emergency already right here in Michigan.

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The EPA should be protecting public health and the natural environment, not rewriting reality to suit polluters and their allies in Congress and the White House. This effort to erase the Endangerment Finding is a betrayal of the agency’s mission, the law, and the people it was created to serve.

Thankfully, we still have a chance to speak up. The EPA is accepting public comments on its proposal to reverse the 2009 Endangerment Finding through September 15, 2025. You can make your voice heard by submitting a comment (be sure to include Docket ID # EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194) at regulations.gov.

Tell the EPA that climate pollution is dangerous, that the science supporting the 2009 Endangerment Finding is stronger than ever, and that the agency must fulfill its legal and moral duty to protect our health, our air, and our children’s futures. Don’t let Administrator Zeldin kill and bury the important truths of the 2009 Endangerment Finding under a mountain of bureaucracy and spin.

Lauren Teichner is the founder and principal attorney at Teichner Law, a public interest environmental law firm based in Traverse City.

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Labor Day 2025 in Northern Michigan 14 events to explore this weekend

By Ellen Miller Labor Day weekend marks a seasonal shift Up North. The weather is still beautiful (we hope!), and “locals’ summer” is about to kick off.

On the flip side, kids are headed back to school and the long summer days are fading. So take advantage of the holiday weekend by checking out one of the region’s fun, mostly free events!

FRIDAY, AUG. 29 1. Historic Bike Tours at Sleeping Bear Historic Sleeping Bear | 9:4511:45am | $25 per adult, $15 per child ages 8-17 Explore historic Sleeping Bear on two wheels with a close-up guided tour. Learn more about the area’s farming, logging, and maritime heritage, and check out the interiors of some of the historic buildings. As a bonus, you’ll be giving back—this program raises funds for historic preservation and interpretation in the park. BYO bike or rent from The Cyclery in Glen Arbor for a discount. Learn more: phsb.org/experience/programs/ historic-bike-tours 2. Benzie County Players Presents Steel Magnolias Mills Community House, Benzonia | 7pm nightly | $20 Mark your calendars for this rendition of the iconic Steel Magnolias. Directed by Rachel Higgins, this heartwarming story about love and friendship will play nightly from August 2831. Learn more: facebook.com/ BenzieCountyPlayers

SATURDAY, AUG. 30 3. Water Is Life Festival Petoskey | 12-9pm | Free This year will be the festival’s seventh iteration, held on the shores of Little Traverse Bay at 200 Wachtel Ave in Petoskey. The event features live music, a youth art area, food trucks, kayak rentals, and canoe rides. Plus, Northsky Raptors will be on-site to talk about birds of prey, while The Water Connection will be showcasing artesian water from across the state.

There’s also a Friday night potluck “gratitude” dinner and open mic night.

Learn more: waterislifefestival.org

4. Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm Day Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm | 10am-5pm | Free This fun, free family event is an annual tradition! Walk through the alpaca pastures to meet this season’s babies and enjoy free animal park admission, food trucks, crafts, face painting, a bounce house, and other fun. Learn more: crystallakealpacas.com/eventscalendar 5. Mushroom Foray Pigeon River Discovery Center, Gaylord | 10am-1pm | Free Dianne Farner of HeadWaters Land Conservancy will lead a mushroom identification tour in the PRC. The tour will start with a presentation about different types of mushrooms, followed by a hike where you can put your mushroom finding skills to work. Dress for the weather, with sturdy footwear. While free, registration is required. Learn more: pigeonriverdiscoverycenter.org/event/ mushroom-foray 6. Elk Rapids Arts & Crafts Show Downtown Elk Rapids | 10am-4pm | Free (until you buy something) Get to know over 60 arts and crafters in the heart of the Village of Elk Rapids on River Street. From fine art and jewelry to soap and candles, there’s something for everyone. Learn more: business.elkrapidschamber.org/ events/details/elk-rapids-arts-craftsshow-46424 7. Barrel Proof Peach Release Party Traverse City Whiskey Co. | 10am1pm | Pay-as-you-go Local distiller Traverse City Whiskey Co. is throwing their first ever Barrel Proof Peach release party to celebrate the spirit’s launch. There will be a peach-inspired brunch by Le Metro, handcrafted peach cocktails, and music

by DJ Zeb on the patio. Learn more: traversecity.com/ event-detail/barrelproof-peach-releaseparty/23791

8. Laborfest & Annual Labor Day Parade Manistee | Parade at 12:30pm, concerts begin at 1pm | $16.95 in advance LaborFest is a celebration of the Manistee region’s rich industrial history and the laborers who support the salt, lumber, and sand industries.

The 12-hour music marathon will be headlined this year by Manitou Truckin’ Co. All proceeds go to community projects; the current project is a state-of-the-art iconic amphitheater to be built on the shores of Lake Michigan. Learn more: saltcityrb.com

SATURDAY & SUNDAY, AUG. 30-31 9. St. Mary’s Annual Labor Day Quilt Show & Bake Sale St. Mary’s, Lake Leelanau | 10am-6pm | Free (until you buy something) St. Mary’s annual quilt show and bake sale benefits St. Mary School & Church. There will be over 100 quilts for sale and a variety of tasty treats.

Raffle tickets will be available for $5 each to win a 90-inch-by-99-inch quilt (need not be present to win).

Learn more: leelanauchamber.com/ events/st-marys-annual-labor-dayquilt-show-bake-sale 10. Minnehaha Brewhaha Music Festival Arcadia | Saturday 12pm - midnight, Sunday 1:30-10:30pm | $25 for Saturday, $35 for Sunday (presale, +$5 at the door); kids 12 and under free This music festival highlights talented local bands that call northwestern Michigan home, from students who are just starting their music careers to the homestyle jamboree bands locals clamour to hear. “We believe that local acts deserve a spot in the limelight,” they say. Grab a ticket, BYO lawn chair (seating is limited), and come hungry—there will be food trucks! Performers include Adrian + Meredith, Whiskey Wolves of the West, Benzie Playboys, the Jim Cummings Band, and more.

Acts are different Saturday and Sunday; check the website for details. (There’s also a 5k and 15k happening Saturday!) Learn more: music-moves-me.org

SUNDAY, AUG. 31 11. Thunder Over Waters Downtown Waters | 8am - dusk | Free This festival brings families and the community together to promote the village of Waters (just south of Gaylord) and all it has to offer. Come out early for a pancake breakfast, followed by a craft fair and a parade at 1pm; fireworks at dusk. Learn more: facebook.com/ thunderoverwaters 12. Bad River Film Screening Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey | 2 pm |Free Bad River is a documentary film that chronicles the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band’s ongoing fight for sovereignty, including “a David vs.

Goliath battle to save Lake Superior, the largest freshwater resource in America.” The film is offered in partnership with the Water Is Life Festival, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Natural Resources Department, and 50 Egg Films.

Registration is required. Learn more: crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ bad-river-film-screening-freeregistration-required

MONDAY, SEPT. 1 13. Mackinac Bridge Walk Mackinaw City | 7am-noon | Free A Labor Day weekend list wouldn’t be complete without the annual Mackinac Bridge walk!

Walk from either end of the bridge and turn around midway, or walk the whole way across. (Just be sure to arrange your own transportation to get back!) The bridge will be closed to public traffic from 6:30am to noon; walkers must start by 11:30am. mackinacbridge. org/events/walk 14. More Bridge Walks Various locations and times | Free If the Mighty Mac feels a bit overwhelming, you can make a shorter crossing with the Charlevoix Little but Mighty Bridge Walk or the State Street Bridge Walk in Cheboygan, both on Labor Day. For another bridge adventure, check out Boyne’s SkyBridge Michigan “Strings the Sky” concert on Aug. 29, featuring Jordan Hamilton and Dixon’s Violin.

Northern Express Weekly • august 25, 2025 • 11

BUILDING STRONG CHILDREN, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES Head Start looks toward another year of early education

By Lourin Sprenger For more than half a century, northern Michigan’s Head Start, a governmentfunded program offered through Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA), has been a cornerstone of early childhood education and family support.

“We’re providing comprehensive services—educational, social, and healthrelated—that support both children and their families,” says Shannon Phelps, NMCAA director of child and family development.

“It’s about making sure families have the resources and tools they need to thrive.”

Since its launch in 1974, the anti-poverty program has provided generations of children with a strong start in life. According to NMCAA, since the year 2000 alone, Head Start has reached more than 28,000 children and their families across 10 northern Michigan counties.

By blending Head Start federal funding with Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program state funding, the agency is able to serve 573 Head Start (preschool-aged kids) slots and 317 Early Head Start (infants and toddlers) slots in our region this year, offering both center-based and home-based services. Those services can include play groups and parent groups, parent-teacher conferences, family events and workshops, learning plans, and a play-based curriculum to make lifelong learning fun.

Navigating the Need According to HeadStart.gov, families qualify for Head Start if their household income is at or below the poverty level.

“Families who receive public assistance (TANF, SSI, or SNAP), and those with children in foster care or children who are homeless, also qualify regardless of income,” the website notes.

Today, the need for Head Start’s services has never been greater. Rising childcare costs and limited openings at Up North facilities are pushing more families to seek affordable, high-quality care.

Despite uncertainty in national and state budgets—the independent, nonpartisan Center for American Progress found that the reduction in SNAP benefits in President Trump’s “One Big, Beautiful Bill” would put 37 percent of Head Start enrollees and parents at risk of losing access—Head Start’s funding has remained consistent thus far.

“We will continue to be here for those who need us most,” Phelps says. “Regardless of what happens moving forward, we will keep showing up and be there to support our families.”

As the program looks to the future, outreach remains a priority. Leaders want to ensure that families—especially those in rural or isolated areas—know Head Start is available and accessible. Their message is simple but powerful: Head Start changes lives, whether it’s a toddler learning their first

12 • august 25, 2025 • Northern Express Weekly

words, a parent gaining confidence through leadership, or a teacher watching their students thrive.

From Parent to Teacher Perhaps no story embodies the transformative power of Head Start more than that of Judy Abernethy. Now a lead teacher with more than three decades of experience, Abernethy began her journey as a young parent in the program.

“Head Start was there for my family when I needed it most,” she says. “Two of my children had special needs, and the program gave us the support, resources, and encouragement to help them succeed.”

For Abernethy, the transition from parent to teacher was life changing. “Head Start doesn’t just prepare children for school—it empowers parents to become leaders. Many of our staff, myself included, were once Head Start parents. Today, 35 percent of our employees have that personal connection,” she says proudly.

Abernethy has seen first-hand how the program boosts school readiness, particularly in language, social-emotional development, and early math skills. “We’re giving kids a foundation they can build on for the rest of their lives,” she says.

While supporting kids is the focus, supporting parents has ripple effects across the community. NMCAA notes that several former parents now serve on the state board,

influencing early childhood policy and advocacy.

Melanie Chaney, another parent whose life was changed by the program, shares her journey from participant to leader on the organization’s Policy Council. “Being involved in Head Start gave me skills, confidence, and a network of support,” she says. “It helped me grow as a parent and as a person. I wouldn’t be where I am today without it.”

“Head Start is more than school readiness— it’s life readiness,” Abernethy concludes. “It’s about building strong children, strong families, and strong communities. That’s something worth celebrating.”

ENROLLMENT INFORMATION Although the main Head Start application season begins in March (families are encouraged to apply early), the agency intentionally saves space for those who need services most.

“We want to make sure we can respond to urgent needs, whether it’s a family experiencing sudden hardship or a parent looking for a lifeline,” Phelps explains.

Families are encouraged to apply in March for the upcoming school year, but applications are accepted year-round.

To learn more or to see if your family qualifies, visit nmcaa.net/preschool.

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Move to NMC’s Front Street Campus gives GVSU students more possibilities

Joseph Martin

Grand Valley State and other university Grand Valley State University partners will offer classes in Traverse City from Northwestern Michigan College’s Front Street Campus, rather than the University Center, beginning in the fall semester.

Shannon Owen, director of the Northern Michigan Region, said the move is part of NMC’s master plan to make the Front Street Campus more vibrant.

She noted that staff from both GVSU and NMC hope the relocation will strengthen their partnership while enhancing student experiences by placing GVSU’s office on NMC’s main campus, closer to NMC advisors, shared resources and opportunities to connect with other students.

Being on NMC’s Front Street Campus gives students access to a coffee shop, café, additional study spaces and computer labs. GVSU’s space in the Beckett Building features updated classrooms with state-ofthe-art technology, modern furnishings and several collaborative areas designed to encourage peer support. Located just steps from a café and NMC’s library, the building is less than a quarter mile from Traverse City’s East Bay Park, offering easy access to the waterfront.

said that she’s taken some course prerequisites through GVSU and her experience with the university has been great so far.

“I’m looking forward to the cafeteria,” Rushlow said.

“Access to the cafeteria makes it simple to stay fueled, which sets me up for academic success.”

She also looks forward to using the disc golf course on campus, along with finding some new study spaces in the library.

GVSU students in Traverse City will take classes in the Beckett Building on NMC’s Front Street Campus beginning in August. The move will provide students with a vibrant campus, more shared resources and opportunities to make more connections.

Amy Rushlow is a GVSU student enrolled in the Physician Assistant Studies program. She graduated from Northwestern University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, but after a mid-life career change, she enrolled in the PAS program.

Rushlow will begin the first semester of the master’s degree program in Traverse City this August. She’s an avid cyclist, reader and weightlifter. Rushlow

Owen said that GVSU’s presence in the Northern Michigan region offers additional advantages, such as the personalized learning environment that comes with smaller class sizes. She also highlighted the campus’s scenic location, with close access to nature trails and East Bay, making it ideal for students who want a balance between academics and the outdoors.

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Northern Express Weekly • august 25, 2025 • 13

What’s New at TCAPS Virtual learning, new buildings, student support, and safer schools

Construction at West Senior High School reworked the school's entry, eliminating one of the school’s two traffic lights and consolidating to one entrance and exit at the Herkner Road light.

By Anna Faller Like everyone else, Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) is headed back to school. And this year, the district has several major projects in the works or nearing completion, from construction to curriculum and beyond.

Virtual Learning In the truest back-to-school form, a top order of business for TCAPS is enrollment and attendance. Though the region is still below pre-pandemic enrollment levels, TCAPS leaders are optimistic.

“We’re hoping we might be up just a touch with what we’re doing with innovative options, but even to maintain that [current enrollment level] would be a win,” TCAPS Superintendent Dr. John VanWagoner says.

One of those innovative options is the district’s new Middle School Virtual Program, which TCAPS has poised to launch in time for fall and with it, a potential influx of about 25 students. Per VanWagoner, the program will be housed at East Middle School, and much like the Compass Learning Center for senior grades, will offer a Michigan Meritaligned curriculum, complete with certified teacher instruction, that students can access via the Acellus platform.

Along with offering virtual coursework and customized schedules for those with exceptional needs (think: travel, medical requirements, and the like), the new center will also provide “drop-in” opportunities,

where students can receive in-person support from their teachers when needed or complete certain assessments.

“We’ve had a lot of [demand] for a middle school option, which we haven’t had [in the past]. This was a new opportunity, and we’re excited to see where it goes,” VanWagoner says.

For more information on the Middle School Virtual Program, contact Traverse City East Middle School at (231) 933-7300.

Innovation & Manufacturing Centers The 2025-26 school year also marks the hard launch of the long-awaited Innovation and Manufacturing Centers (IMCs) at Central High and West Senior High schools.

The facilities, which were funded by the district’s 2018 capital bond, first opened at temporary occupancy in early May, allowing teachers and students to enjoy a few weeks of pre-summer settling. Since then, the TC Central location’s played host to two weeks of STEM-themed camps, and both facilities are earmarked as home base for each school’s First Robotics teams.

Inside, the facilities have nearly-identical square footage and will offer access to stateof-the-art equipment, from band saws to jet cutters and 3D printers (VanWagoner hints at a mini-CNC mill!), to allow for broader instruction in manufacturing, engineering, and STEM topics—especially for the schools’ freshmen and sophomores, who are too young to take Career Tech Center courses.

Consequently, the IMCs have already

14 • august 25, 2025 • Northern Express Weekly

seen a wave of fresh curricula, including new training and demonstration opportunities for established courses, as well as proposed mathematics and skilled trade concepts that are increasingly sought-after by local employers. There’s even talk of connecting students with industry mentors through organizations like Traverse Connect.

Central Grade Another big project on the TCAPS docket is the renovation of Central Grade School, a concept that’s been in the school board’s periphery for decades.

“At this point, Central Grade was the last elementary school [in the district] that had not received a major update,” says VanWagoner, with other recent sites including Eastern Elementary (2018) and the relocation of TC Montessori. In response to public feedback, the board ultimately agreed to consider restoration efforts at Central Grade as part of the 2024 bond. From there, he adds, they’re “moving forward with those plans as they identified.”

Though details of the renovations are still in the early planning stages, the district anticipates a three-year timeline and $50 million budget, with construction scheduled to begin following the 202526 year. In the interim, the Glenn Loomis building will serve as a temporary outpost for Central Grade staff and students, while administrators will be dispersed to buildings throughout the district.

According to recent visioning sessions,

VanWagoner

the reconstruction will involve restoring the building’s century-old facade while also outfitting the interior with the trappings of a 21st-century facility like updates to electrical function, modern plumbing, HVAC, etc. A complete renovation of the school’s third floor, which poses health issues due to asbestos, as well potential classroom expansions, and updates to Lars Hockstad Auditorium are also part of the plan, VanWagoner notes, though he stresses that finalized design will hinge on what’s possible for work crews.

“Right now, that’s what we’re looking

Central High School's new Innovation & Manufacturing Center will be up and running for the 2025-26 school year.

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While you were sleeping... at, but we won’t know exactly where [those things] might land until we get to construction and bid times,” he adds.

Other large-scale projects throughout the district include a sweeping series of HVAC replacements, headlined by the installation of about 200 new heat pumps at West Senior High, as well as 20 additional bathrooms and an overhaul of the building’s entrance and parking facility, the first half of which is scheduled for completion by September 1.

A few building expansions are also underway at Traverse Heights Elementary, as are locker updates throughout the district and a new elementary reading curriculum.

The creation of permanent music spaces at each of the district’s elementary schools is also scheduled to wrap up in time for the fall semester. Meanwhile, TCAPS’ secondary music facilities are on the table for future expansion, with West Middle School taking top priority, as are talks of security and ADAcompliance upgrades to Central High School.

Student Support Network The TCAPS Student Support Network (SSN), which provides free services for students in need of housing and other necessities, is another program TCAPS hopes to grow this year through increased community action.

Some sobering, but necessary context: according to the federal definition, which highlights the lack of an “adequate nighttime residence,” more than 200 TCAPS students qualify as homeless every year (though note that the exact number often fluctuates).

“People are often amazed to hear that,” VanWagoner says. “So many people think of Traverse City as Front Street and the bay.

They don’t realize the reality of some of the rural poverty we have.”

According to the district’s estimates, about $100,000 of student needs aren’t covered by federal funding, and while VanWagoner underscores the impact of local outreach already in place—the Sunrise Rotary’s Backpack Program, “Sunshine Bus” summer meals, and Boots for Kids, as well as in-kind and cash contributions—local need consistently exceeds the supplies and dollars those efforts provide.

“It’s an awesome program, and we’re planning to increase outreach to [inform] the community of that need and what we’re doing with those funds,” says VanWagoner.

“We want to do everything we can for these kids to get them a diploma and help them step into a successful life.”

For more information on the TCAPS Student Support Network or to make a donation, head to tcaps.net/page/studentsupport-network.

Berger

SAFER KIDS, SAFER SCHOOLS

In addition to district-led initiatives, TCAPS has also partnered with a number of community organizations to better meet the needs of its students, one of which is Safer Kids, Safer Schools (SKSS).

Founded more than three years ago in response to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, SKSS is a Traverse City-based advocacy group focused on developing strategies to support the safety of local youth.

Per the organization’s co-founder, Jay Berger, safe and supervised spaces where kids can interact with their peers, like after-school programs, are an effective way to do that. Resources for high-quality programs, though— like LIFT Teen Center in Suttons Bay, The Rock of Kingsley, or SEEDS—are all but nonexistent through TCAPS funding.

To bridge that gap, SKSS has partnered with Megan Motil of Parallel Solutions, a local strategic planning consultant, and through a $10,000 grant through the Rotary Club of Traverse City, conducted a study aimed at determining how best to implement this kind of programming.

Berger expects the findings to reinforce what the SKSS already knows: “that school connectedness to the community is something we really need to focus on,” he says. The next step, he adds, is to use that data as a tool to garner community funding, and from there, build a number of pilot programs, which the group hopes to launch in area middle schools by January, 2026.

“We know that this is going to be up to us,” Berger adds. “We have the [TCAPS] space, we have the community to bring along with us, and we hope the report will help with that.”

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Co-working and Childcare at The Aspen House The Suttons Bay startup has found success, but expects fall hurdles

By Ross Boissoneau “Reliable internet, a hot cup of coffee, a quiet workspace to take calls and meet clients, and a flexible yet affordable way to coordinate some kind of childcare.”

That’s what Kendall Rose was looking for.

A working mom with a young child, she ended up purchasing a membership at the YMCA in Traverse City, where she could take advantage of its child watch program while getting some work done. From stealing glances at other young parents working in the common room at the Y, she knew she wasn’t alone.

When she couldn’t find what she was looking for, she founded it. Fast-forward and Rose is helming The Aspen House, the Suttons Bay child care/co-working space. “I started working on the concept in February 2024,” says Rose. “This April I secured a location and opened June 9.”

The Co-working Vision The facility is located in Suttons Bay in the Hansen Foods plaza, in the back half of the building housing Coldwell Banker Schmit Realtors. “We have 3,000 square feet. Half is co-working, half is childcare,” Rose says.

The Aspen House operates on a membership basis. There are three options, from an Unlimited Monthly Membership at $1,299 to a Flexible Monthly Membership at $750 and a $500 Weekly Visit Membership.

The scheduling is flexible, with no longterm commitment or paying for days that aren’t used.

The co-working space is available on a first-come, first-served basis, with the option to reserve meeting space and the private call room. The facility includes a communal kitchen space with coffee, tea, and other beverages, and the private care room for breastfeeding, pumping, or feeding.

Given the longstanding need for daycare and the increasing numbers of solopreneurs and remote workers, especially since the pandemic, why haven’t more people tried to do what Rose has done at The Aspen

House? One reason is funding. “It’s still a new business model. A challenge is finding funding. It’s hard to find startup capital. It’s still so new a lot of people don’t know what to do with it,” says Rose.

“Childcare is tricky,” she adds. “It’s not scalable.”

She believes The Aspen House is the first such endeavor in Michigan, certainly the first in this region. “There are less than 20 in the U.S. We all have chat groups, share resources and ideas. Most started in the last four or five years,” she says.

The Childcare Services Rose says because the parents are working at the same location as their little ones, the licensing regulations for childcare are not as onerous as those for facilities where parents leave their children. “We’re license-exempt as parents are on-site,” she notes.

Even still, the ratio of children to staff is four to one or less. She has two parttime childcare coordinators and she fills in on the childcare side as needed. “We have a capacity of 12. Our average per day has been four to eight,” she says.

She notes the proximity to both the town and nearby natural resources and attractions as offerings that other facilities cannot offer.

Rose intends to build on to offer not only programming for little ones but options and events for adult clients as well.

One such example is the Naturful Fridays Playgroup. The group meets at The Aspen House at 10am, then heads to the Leelanau Trail to walk to Leo Creek Preserve. She also hopes the Aspen House becomes a hub for parent-centric events such as pre- and postpartum support groups, breastfeeding and lactation classes, mental and physical health drop-in sessions, and more.

An Uncertain Path Ahead But as she looks forward to the start of the school year, Rose does so with some trepidation. Most of her business thus far has come from those visiting the area who needed

Kendall

someplace to work while their offspring are engaged and safely supervised. Come fall, Rose isn’t sure how many fulltime residents will want to take advantage of the service.

“The earliest buy-in came from summer residents. I’m struggling with what it looks like to stay open through the end of the year,” she says. She is concerned that those who don’t need to work in a company office may opt to simply work at home without looking into a combo daycare/workspace model such as The Aspen House.

While the space in Suttons Bay works for her now, she’s not averse to moving or expanding to another location, such as in or nearer Traverse City, with its larger population and larger pool of potential customers. Wherever she goes, she says there are certain elements that are crucial for the success of the childcare/co-working business, as it must cater to both the children’s and the parents’ needs. “Parking is essential. Outside time is pretty essential for this age group. Other [daycare facilities] don’t offer the outdoor component.”

Though Rose isn’t sure what the future holds, she remains optimistic. She says being

flexible may be the key to expanding or even simply continuing the business. “Do we need to be licensed to drop off? Do the paperwork to become a nonprofit and get grants?” she wonders.

What does make her hopeful is the reaction from those who have utilized The Aspen House. “The response has been amazing,” she says.

If all the clients are as enthusiastic as Kelsey McCabe, Rose may not have much to worry about. “This is beautiful for both of us,” McCabe says of herself and her sixmonth-old, Jude.

McCabe and her husband moved to Traverse City a year ago because they saw the area as a great place to raise a family.

Both are remote workers, but while her husband has a multi-screen setup in their home office, McCabe is more portable, with a laptop and a cellphone. Plus she wanted to get out and meet more young parents, and what better way to do that than in a coworking/childcare setting?

“The care is like it’s a trusted family member. He’s close by. If they need to, they can come and get me,” she says.

Northern Express Weekly • august 25, 2025 • 17

POPULATION

PRESSURES

UP NORTH A look at demographic changes in northern Michigan

By Ren Brabenec According to Bridge Michigan, K-12 Michigan’s student enrollment fell again in 2024-25, though the 0.5 percent drop was the smallest drop Michigan has seen in several years. Statewide, 6,441 fewer students enrolled in the 2024-25 academic year compared to the 2023-24 academic year.

The drop is being felt closer to home, too. In the 2024-25 school year, Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) had 8,584 students. That figure was 9,007 in 2020-21, 9,625 in 2015-16, 10,385 in 201011, and 10,627 in 2005-06.

Why Are There Fewer Kids in School?

Housing, access to good-paying jobs, and the overall cost of living are playing increasingly decisive roles in whether young adults can realistically settle down and raise families in northern Michigan. Or if they can even start those families in the first place— in a July 2024 Pew Research poll, 36 percent of respondents under age 50 said they were unlikely to have kids because they couldn’t afford to raise a child.

Housing in particular is a major cost concern, with much of the region’s housing being purchased as second homes or vacation rentals, resulting in bidding wars and cash offers that price working-age adults out of the market. According to our sister publication, The Leelanau Ticker, in Leelanau County, only 40 percent of homebuyers are locals, and fewer than half of the homes in the county are registered as primary residences.

Even in northern Michigan counties that are experiencing population increase, like Grand Traverse County, the influx of new

residents is primarily comprised of people over 55 who likely won’t have children in the region’s schools.

Yarrow Brown, executive director at the nonprofit Housing North, helped us dig a little deeper on housing and other barriers to entry for working-age Americans arriving in and staying in northern Michigan.

Brown opened our discussion with what she calls her “elevator presentation” of the problem. “The cost of living combined with lower-wage, mostly-seasonal jobs constrains

renter households are spending over 30 percent of their monthly income on housing, and 20 percent are spending over 50 percent of their income.

2) Childcare costs. Brown added that a recent survey of young, working families showed that access to childcare was their number one obstacle to creating a life for themselves in northern Michigan. “Limited affordable childcare restricts workforce participation, particularly for young parents, further constraining population growth in

“The cost of living combined with lower-wage, mostly-seasonal jobs constrains population growth by limiting the in-migration of young families, increasing outmigration of working-age residents seeking higher wages elsewhere, and reinforcing an aging population structure as retirees remain the primary source of new arrivals,” says Yarrow Brown of Housing North. population growth by limiting the inmigration of young families, increasing outmigration of working-age residents seeking higher wages elsewhere, and reinforcing an aging population structure as retirees remain the primary source of new arrivals,” she says.

Brown expanded on the three challenges Housing North sees as major impediments to growing the population of young people in northern Michigan: 1) Housing costs. Brown says many young people currently in the area are “cost burdened,” meaning they’re paying so much in rent they can’t afford to save for a home.

Approximately 43.3 percent of the area’s

18 • august 25, 2025 • Northern Express Weekly

those younger age cohorts that we need to see more of in northern Michigan,” she says.

3) Job market structure and wages.

Some time ago, Michiganders pulled the state out of a decades-long recession partially by branding the Great Lakes State as a tourism destination. Many agree the effort helped save the state, but Brown and others interviewed for this article note it’s time to shift the narrative and market/brand northern Michigan as a place to live, not just a place to visit. Why? Because many of the jobs young people currently have access to in northern Michigan are designed to serve the state’s tourism and seasonal-resident economy, jobs that do not pay well enough

to support living in the region.

How Do We Make the Region Family Friendly?

Warren Call is president and CEO of Traverse Connect, the lead economic development organization for the Grand Traverse region. In 2019, the organization noted a regional decline in the core workingage population of 35- to 49-year-olds, amounting to a 10 percent decline from 2010 to 2017.

To Call, reversing that trend is essential to building economic vitality in the region.

“We want economic vitality that grows family-sustaining careers,” Call says. “All jobs are good jobs, but we’re most focused on growing the economy in such a way that people can afford to live here and enjoy what makes this place special.”

Traverse Connect identified the above population decline issue as its “North Star” and rolled out a strategy in 2020 aimed at reversing the trend. “Our work essentially constitutes three key pillars of economic development,” Call says.

1) Focusing on “placemaking.”

According to Call, people used to move to places where the job market was appealing, whether they liked the place or not. Now, they’re more likely to move to appealing places and get a job to support life in that place. To attract working adults, Call says Traverse Connect is making the region as competitive as possible for economic growth by advocating for state and federal funding for high-speed internet, good roads, infrastructure improvements, and expanded air service, among other initiatives.

2) Diversifying economic opportunity.

Call states another pillar of their work is to attract advanced industries that are expected

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Warren Call (left) at a "Let's Grow Michigan" blue tech roundtable.

to grow and operate year-round, such as technology, health sciences, value-added agriculture, and manufacturing.

3) Strengthening the workforce talent continuum. Traverse Connect also collaborates with stakeholders, state and local governments, and nonprofits to expand access to housing and continuing education. For example, Traverse Connect was able to secure grant funds from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to offer qualified applicants $5,000 toward their rent or down payment for a house, incentivizing a move to the TC area.

Call ticks off numerous initiatives Traverse Connect is involved in to accomplish the above goals, like Michigan’s Creative Coast Program, which was designed to attract and retain talent.

According to Call, they’ve seen an 8 percent growth in 35- to 49-year-olds since 2020, and the 25-35 age demographic is also beginning to turn around.

“At Traverse Connect, we believe that reversing Michigan’s population decline requires more than just demographic shifts, it demands structural reform,” Call says.

“These aren’t just economic strategies.

They’re human-centered solutions designed to build a more vibrant, resilient future for northern Michigan.”

What’s Happening on the State Level?

Next, we spoke with Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer at MEDC. Doe tells us the mission at MEDC is to achieve long-term economic prosperity for Michiganders by investing in communities, enabling the growth of good jobs, and promoting Michigan’s strong image worldwide.

She adds that population growth is essential because population decline is existential. She also notes that, while the first two decades of the new century saw Michigan falling behind overall U.S. population growth trends, the past two years have shown promising signs of change.

“Some of the places that haven’t grown in a long time are growing again,” Doe said.

“Detroit grew its population for the first time in 50 years. Flint did the same for the first time in 25 years. Last year, 66 percent of Michigan counties experienced population

Yarrow Brown

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growth, with the greatest per-capita growth occurring in rural counties. Also, our young adult population [22- to 40-year-olds] is growing faster than in 45 other states.”

Doe says statewide population growth comes down to just a few key factors: 1) Find out what people need. Doe tells us she and her MEDC teams traveled the state and spoke with 20,000 Michiganders in person to determine what they needed to grow their economies and populations.

2) Enact policies that support sustainable growth. Doe referenced one example where a bipartisan council in the state government voted 19 to 1 on policy recommendations that would help spark growth. These recommendations became bills that became laws, including universal PreK, first-time-homebuyer assistance, relocation help through the Make Michigan Home initiative, and an Innovation Fund to support entrepreneurs.

3) Tell the story. Like Traverse Connect, MEDC has launched comprehensive storytelling campaigns that tell Michigan’s story, leading to 50,000 qualified candidates from out of state moving all the way through the Make MI Home career portal in just 18 months.

“Through our robust public engagement, we learned our state’s diverse needs require unique, locally-driven growth strategies,” Doe says.

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Interior of the Cadillac Wexford Public Library.

SHARING IS CARING AT THE LIBRARY Why a heavily used NoMi library service might disappear next fall

By Kierstin Gunsberg With more than 400,000 books, movies, games, and curious finds (ukuleles! weaving looms!) available across the Traverse Area District Library (TADL) system, the sixbranch network has almost everything.

But for what it doesn’t have, there’s the Michigan Electronic Library Catalog, or MeLCat, a saving grace for anyone who’s ever stood in front of their friendly neighborhood librarian with an obscure title request.

Launched in 2005, the service allows its 436 participating libraries across the state to exchange materials with one another through interlibrary loans.

That means if a specific book is only available at a library downstate, a northern Michigan cardholder can still borrow it, pick it up at their local branch, and return it there. Once finished, it’s sent back to its home library.

TADL cardholders request an average of 50 titles through MeLCat every day, and they’re on track to break their annual borrowing record, a number that’s climbed from 13,816 in 2020 to over 28,000 in 2024.

It’s one way Michigan libraries expand access while saving money, treating libraries across the state as an extension of their own collections rather than purchasing materials that might otherwise collect dust on another shelf.

And as it celebrates its 20th year, MeLCat may be in big trouble.

MeLCat and the IMLS Funding Cuts From staff and programming to building operations, Michigan libraries are funded primarily by the people who use them through their local taxes. Then, to round everything out, a small amount of supplemental dollars comes in through the state, too.

MeLCat is different though. About threequarters of its cost is covered by federal funds, provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), which awards $4.8 million to The Library of Michigan annually. The Library of Michigan uses some of that money to administer MeLCat, which participating libraries can then use their own (locally provided) funds to purchase.

But since the Trump administration

20 • august 25, 2025 • Northern Express Weekly

moved in March 2025 to dismantle the IMLS—now partially restored while court battles play out—it leaves the programs that it funds, like MeLCat, hanging in the balance. For now, Michigan libraries are being told that IMLS funding, which accounts for between 0.003-0.005 percent of the total federal budget, is safe through September 2026.

Whether or not it continues after that is up in the air.

If the money does disappear, the Library of Michigan would lose a major chunk of its budget, making programs like MeLCat much harder to keep running.

The Impact in Cadillac For patrons of rural libraries, the loss of MeLCat would be a hard hit. “We’re very heavy users, especially for a library of our size,” says Cadillac Wexford Library director Tracy Logan. “It is so vital to us.”

Last year, patrons of the Cadillac Wexford Library, which houses an 80,000item collection, borrowed 18,000 additional items from other libraries using MeLCat, effectively boosting their materials access by

22 percent. Some of MeLCat’s top users at the library are homeschoolers digging into unit studies, budget-conscious college students borrowing textbooks for their classes, and even pastors researching their next sermon.

“It’s such a great service for learners of all ages working on all kinds of projects,” says Logan. “I’m always excited when I see somebody who’s maybe putting in an herb garden for the first time, so they check out a bunch of books from the MeLCat to help them complete that project.” And, she notes, “It is an incredible return on investment for the money that is spent on it.”

According to the Michigan Department of Education, that ROI is $25 for every dollar spent.

And while just about every topic of information is a Google search away, Logan worries that if her patrons lose access to bigger book collections, they’ll also be losing the in-depth research and fact-checking that isn’t so easily found for free elsewhere.

“It’s certainly easy to access preliminary information online through things like Wikipedia and other websites, but downdeep information is not so easily accessible

improving spaces to create and often is behind paywalls,” she notes, adding that allocating money to make up for the thousands of items that would no longer be available to her patrons through MeLCat is a nonstarter.

“Our library budget for books is not going to get bigger because the MeLCat doesn’t exist. It will stay the same. But people’s needs will grow in ways that we won’t be able to respond to because we don’t have more money.”

The Impact in Elk Rapids “Uncertainty is really what we know,” says Pamela Williams, another rural library director for the Elk Rapids District Library, who along with other Up North librarians has been meeting with the Library of Michigan monthly for updates on the IMLS because MeLCat is “super important” to her and her 4,876 patrons. “Some library consortiums are meeting and trying to do some brainstorming on ways that we can fund it,” says Williams.

One option is for every library to pitch in to fund the service themselves. But as Logan pointed out earlier, not every library budget has the wiggle room. And, if libraries do end up putting up the money to sustain MeLCat, “It would be taking money away from our own collection,” explains Williams. “But it would also open the door to sharing with others.”

If the service goes down, physical materials aren’t the only resources that will be lost, she adds. “There’s also some digital content that we really like that will probably go away.”

“As librarians, we’re really resilient and we’re going to move forward,” Williams says.

“We’re going to try our best to keep MeLCat some way or another. It might be a scaleddown version.”

No matter the size of the district or the collection, she says, it’s vital for people to have as much access to as many resources as possible. “We want to be able to provide information to everyone.”

And as a spot of good news, while libraries are facing the potential for disruption at the federal level, folks in northern Michigan are proving that we really do love our libraries. In an early August vote, a $3.5 million millage was approved by voters to help construct a new building for the Elk Rapids District Library, which has been located in the charming but aging Island House, a Michigan State Historic Site, since 1949. The new building, unlike

Pamela Williams poses with an "I Love My Library" sign.

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the Island House, will be designed to serve both its users and its collection, another step toward keeping information accessible, whatever challenges come.

What Is the IMLS?

An independent federal agency founded in 1996 to support the educational, informational, and cultural reach of museums and libraries, the Institute of Museum and Library Services “envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage.”

IMLS’s budget appropriation table shows that they requested $280 million from Congress for fiscal year 2025. Some of their funding is also supported by private donors and organizations.

Along with helping fund MeLCat, IMLS awards grants and provides research resources to institutions across the country, including northern Michigan’s own Dennos Museum Center, Leelanau Historical Museum, and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

For more information, visit imls.gov

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Northern Express Weekly • august 25, 2025 • 21

AUg 23

Saturday

BALLOONS OVER BELLAIRE: Featuring 15+ hot air balloonists at Shanty Creek & Bellaire behind the Lakeview Hotel. This morning at 7:30am the balloon flight runs over Torch Lake (location TBD based on weather & wind conditions). Tonight at 6:30pm the balloon launches run from the tubing hill behind The Lakeview Hotel. shantycreek.com/event/balloons-over-bellaire-2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - 43RD ANNUAL CEDAR POLKA FEST: Under the big tent, Cedar. Today features the Flipping Pancake Breakfast, Run 4 The Kielbasa, Craft Fair & Farmers Market, Ultimate Air Dogs, Cedar Polka Fest Parade, Kids Day, The Scottville Clown Band, Polka Generations, Larry and His Larks, Leelanau Sands Casino, Veterans Tribute, & more. cedarpolkafest.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - CORVETTE CROSSROADS AUTO SHOW & MACKINAC BRIDGE PARADE - 36TH ANNUAL: Downtown Mackinaw City. Beginning Fri., Corvettes of various vintages will begin arriving in the area, cruising & getting registered for Saturday’s festivities. On Sat., hundreds of Corvettes will be on display in Mackinaw City from 10am-2pm. A poker walk for show participants will also be offered during the day. Peoples’ choice style of judging will determine winners in several different award classes. Winners will be announced at an awards presentation at 3pm. Saturday’s festivities will culminate with a parade of Corvettes across the Mackinac Bridge, beginning at 7pm. Free for spectators; $25-$35 for participants. mackinawcity.net/mackinawcity/ event/Corvette_Crossroads_Auto_Show/357 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL RUN: Manistee National Forest, Big M trail system near Wellston. Featuring a 50 Mile Ultra Marathon, 50K Ultra Marathon, 26.2 Mile Marathon & 13.1 Mile Half Marathon. northcountrytrailrun.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - FIRST-EVER ZUCCHINI BREAD BAKEOFF: Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts, 301 E. Lake St., Petoskey. Bakers of all ages & skill levels are invited to enter & show off their most delicious recipes all while supporting the Manna Food Project. Bakers may submit one mini-loaf (or half loaf) of homemade zucchini bread in one of three categories: Classic, Creative Twist, or Kids (14 & under). Entry drop-off is between 9-11am day of event. A $15 donation to Manna (cash or check only) is required at drop-off. Judging begins at noon & winners will be announced at 3pm. Bakers must sign up in-store only.

Full rules & event details can be found instore or by calling 231-347-2603.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - LOPE FOR LOONS 6K TRAIL RUN: 9am, Mt. McSauba Recreation Area, Charlevoix.

Money raised will go to the Little Traverse Conservancy to provide updated signage to help protect loons at boat launches around the area, & also to support Mt. McSauba’s outdoor education infrastructure. $35. runsignup.com/Race/MI/Charlevoix/LopeForLoonsTrailRunK - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - MICHIGAN PARKINSON FOUNDATION HERO WALK: 9am, GT County Civic Center, TC. The Parkinson Hero Walk is a team/pledge walking event that allows the continuation of critical programs & services free of charge, to help ensure no person with Parkinson’s in Michigan is without quality care & support.

Adults: $20; 17 & under: free. parkinsonsmi.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - SUMMER SIDEWALK SALE: 9am-8pm, downtown Gaylord. gaylordmichigan.net/ event/gaylord-sidewalk-sales

TRAVERSE CITY FOOD & WINE: Aug. 2024. Today includes The Art of Riesling Tour & Barrel Room Tasting at Chateau Grand Traverse; The Grand Tasting hosted by Amy Smart & Carter Oosterhouse at Open Space Park; The Indigo Sessions: Sunset, Saffron & Sound at Hotel Indigo, & much more.

Some events are sold out. traversecity.com/ food-wine/events/all-events - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - 119TH EMMET-CHARLEVOIX COUNTY FAIR: 1129 Charlevoix Ave./U.S. 31, Petoskey, Aug. 18-24. Today includes Autocross Racing, Skerbeck Family Carnival, animals & much more. emmetchxfair.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - BENZIE AREA RADIO CONTROL CLUB’S 28TH ANNUAL AIRSHOW: 10am-4pm, Thompsonville Airport. Watch radio control pilots from all over northwestern Michigan fly model aircraft of all types & sizes. Bring chairs. Free.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - BIRD WALK & NATIVE PLANT ID: 10am, Antrim Creek Natural Area, Ellsworth. Join Katie & Tyler from CAKE-CISMA for a guided walk focused on birdwatching & learning to identify native plants & invasive species. Meet at the natural area north entrance along Rex Beach Rd. This educational outing is free & open to all; a $5 donation is suggested to support future projects at Antrim Creek Natural Area.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - GAYLORD ART & CRAFT SHOW: 10am5pm, downtown Gaylord, Court Ave., by Pavilion. There will also be a food collection for local food banks, including United Way & Community Lighthouse. daniellesblueribbonevents.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - IN-WATER TRITOON BOAT SHOW: 10am2pm, Holiday RV Park & Campground, 4860 US 31 South, TC. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - MACKINAW PREMIER ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: 10am, Conkling Heritage Park, Mackinaw City.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - MADE IN CHEBOYGAN SUMMER CRAFT SHOW SERIES: 10am, Washington Park, downtown Cheboygan. More than 30 crafters & artists will display jewelry, home decor, artwork & much more. Free. facebook.com/ madeincheboygan - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - TUNNEL OF TREES ART TRAIL: 10am5pm. See web site for locations. Featuring art workshops & demos at scenic properties & nature preserves, a quill work exhibition, Odawa art demonstrations, & a local art show. Trail maps available at local galleries & Harbor Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Free. goodhartartistresidency.org/tunnel-oftrees-arts-weekend - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - SAY NO TO ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE: 11am12:30pm, corner of Grandview Parkway & Union St., TC. Join in showing solidarity with the people of Palestine who are being killed

by Israel while our communities pay for the weapons. Demand that the U.S. Government serves America, not Israel. Meet every Sat. mideastjustpeace.net - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - PROTEST TO STOP AVELO / NO ICE AT TVC: Noon-2pm, entrance to TVC Cherry Capital Airport, 727 Fly Don’t Drive, on the bike/walking path, TC. Join this protest against Avelo Airlines’ ICE flights as part of a national day of action. Please register online. mobilize.us/traverseindivisible/event/826853 JOSH VEITH BOOK SIGNING: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Veith is the author of “Island and Main: The Sudden Quiet: Book I” & “Dark Straits: Sudden Quiet: Book II.” horizonbooks. com/event/josh-veith-book-signing - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - FROZEN KIDS: 2pm & 5pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Join Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Sven, &

22 • august 25, 2025 • Northern Express Weekly

august

23-31

send your dates to: events@traverseticker.com

Lots to choose from at the Cadillac YMCA Festival of Races, Sat., Aug. 30! Try the fast and flat Boston Marathon Qualifier Full Marathon or Half Marathon, 1 Mile Kids Fun Run (8 & under), 1/4 Mile Lake Swim Race, 7 Mile Team Relay Run around Lake Cadillac, a 5K or 10K. There will also be live music by Honeybadger, food trucks and more. See web site to register and find various starting times and locations. cadillacareaymca.org/cadillac-festival-of-races

all your favorite characters as they embark on an ice-filled journey of self-discovery, camaraderie, & the real meaning of true love.

Performed by students from the 1-Week Intensive Musical Theatre Camp. Adults, $22; youth under 18, $15. oldtownplayhouse.com/youthlearning/performances/frozen-kids.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - THE PRINCE OF EGYPT: 2pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Based on the beloved, Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film, you’ll journey through the wonders of Ancient Egypt as Ramses & Moses, two young men raised together as brothers in a kingdom of privilege, find themselves suddenly divided by a secret past. $25-$48. oldtownplayhouse.com/performances/special-events/prince-of-egypt.html - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - BUILDING THE COMMONS: 4-7pm, Studio 231, downtown Elberta. A DIY Pop-Up Art & Music Event. At the heart of the event is a community mural project. You’ll also be tiedying & will have a song circle. Bring a paintbrush, a musical instrument, or a craft you’d like to share. Free. elbertalaborheritagecenter.org/event/building-the-commons-elberta - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - FLICK & FLOAT WITH THE WARHOUNDS: 4-6pm, Otsego County Sportsplex, Gaylord.

Tubes & noodles provided. Appearances by Warhounds semi-pro hockey players. Prizes & giveaways. $5.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: 7-9:30pm, Camp Daggett, Petoskey. Camp Daggett is celebrating 100 years of adventure, growth & community. Enjoy cake, ice cream & a drone show by Firefly Drone Shows on Walloon Lake. RSVP required. campdaggett. org/events/centennial-celebration - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - NWS: DISHING IT OUT - CHEFS TALK LIFE ON CAMERA: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Chefs Mei Lin & Sarah Welch will take the stage with television producer Jim Berger to dish about what it’s like to be on a reality competition show & how it compares to real life in the kitchen. Lin was the winner of sea-

son 12 of Top Chef & season 4 of the Food Network’s Tournament of Champions. Welch was a Top Chef finalist in season 19 in 2022.

She & her restaurant, Marrow, in Detroit, have been recognized by the James Beard Foundation. Food writer & TASTE podcast host Matt Rodbard will moderate the panel. $28.25-$39.55. cityoperahouse.org/node/682 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - SATURDAYS IN THE PARK: JEFF HAAS BIG FUN ELECTRIC BAND: 7pm, GT County Civic Center Amphitheater, TC. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - GREENSKY BLUEGRASS: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium.

This five-piece band from Kalamazoo is renowned for their signature sound–described

by Parade as “traditional bluegrass stylings meet Grateful Dead influences.” This band performs Aug. 22-23, each featuring a different set. Tickets start at $38. interlochen.org/ events/greensky-bluegrass-2025-08-23 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - THE FOUR FRESHMEN: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Formed in 1948, this jazz group rose to prominence with hits such as “It’s a Blue World” & “Mood Indigo.” Their innovative vocal blend left a lasting mark on future artists, notably Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. $25-$40; Veterans, $5 discount; students, $10. theoperahouse.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - MUSIC IN MACKINAW - THE CHITANS (CARIBBEAN): 8pm, Conkling Heritage Park, Mackinaw City.

aug 24

Sunday

NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL RUN: (See Sat., Aug. 23) ---------------------119TH EMMET-CHARLEVOIX COUNTY FAIR: 1129 Charlevoix Ave./U.S. 31, Petoskey, Aug. 18-24.

Today includes the Skerbeck Family Carnival & much more. emmetchxfair.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - 43RD ANNUAL CEDAR POLKA FEST: To-

day includes Polka Mass Under the Big Tent, Larry and His Larks, Polish Pooch Pageant, Polka Generations, Ultimate Air Dogs, Cornhole Tournament, Bavarski - Polkas NYC & more. cedarpolkafest.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - GAYLORD ART & CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., Aug. 23) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - MADE IN CHEBOYGAN SUMMER CRAFT SHOW SERIES: (See Sat., Aug. 23) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - BLESSING OF THE PETS: 10:30am, 1st Congregational UCC of Charlevoix. Join with your furry, fuzzy, feathered, or scaled friends for a special service where you can have your pets blessed. There will be treats for all pets.

You do not need to be a regular participant in the church to have your pet blessed. If you can’t bring your pets, you can bring a picture & they can be blessed that way. Free. chxucc.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - COFFEE WITH THE AUTHORS: 11am, Glen Arbor Arts Center, Main Gallery. Learn about building the history of a place, in this case Glen Arbor Township: A History to 1920, a new, hardcover book edited by Andrew White; & written by Paul Dechow, Mary Severson Tris, Barbara Siepker, & John Tris.

GAAC Gallery Manager Sarah Bearup-Neal will explore the mechanics of how a group of writers build a cohesive history, & what current day residents can glean from the past.

Free. glenarborart.org/product/coffee-withthe-authors-glen-arbor-township-history - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - NORTHPORT COMMUNITY BAND END OF SUMMER CONCERT: 3pm, Northport Performing Arts Center. Featuring wellknown Northport pianist & organist Bobbie Lange. $15 adults; $5 students - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - -.

BAYSIDE CONCERT SERIES: LAURA CROWE: 5-7pm, Petoskey’s Waterfront, on the Promenade near waterfront clock tower.

Bring lawn chairs or blankets. bigwatercreativearts.org

aug 25

monday

BOOKKEEPING MADE EASY: 9-11am, Suttons Bay Community Center.

Small business &/or personal finance support with a Quickbooks Certified ProAdvisor. Drop by if you have questions on Quickbooks Online, spreadsheets, or business admin tasks.

Free! eventbrite.com/e/august-free-drop-inbookkeeping-admin-support-tickets-151407 9716189?aff=oddtdtcreator - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - AGELESS GRACE: Noon, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. The Ageless Grace Brain Health Program is based on consciously choosing to change the brain through physical movements similar to playful childhood activities that fired neurons & developed neural pathways from birth to mid-teens. Free. tadl.org/ event/ageless-grace-17088 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - UPCYCLED JEWELRY: 6pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Bring your old jewelry in to restyle into clips. Tools provided.

RSVP. 231-223-7700.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - JAMMIN MONDAYS ON BETSIE BAY: 7-9:15pm, Waterfront Park Amphitheater, Elberta. Enjoy jazz, R&B, folk & Judaic music with the Jeff Haas, Big Fun Electric Band.

MONDAY NIGHT MOVIE: 7:30-10pm, Voorhies Hall, Bay View Association, Petoskey.

Featuring “A Case for Love.” Free. bayviewassociation.org/monday-night-movies

aug 26

tuesday

aug 27

wednesday

QUILTS FOR KIDS: 10amnoon, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Transform fabrics into quilts for kids facing serious trauma. RSVP. 231223-7700.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - KALKASKA FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY: 4pm, Kalkaska County Library. All Friends are welcome to attend. Free. kalkaskalibrary.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY MONTHLY MEETING: 5pm, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library, lower level Community Meeting Room.

Held the fourth Tues. of the month. sbbdl.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - LIVE ON THE BIDWELL PLAZA: LEVITATOR: 5:30-7pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Bidwell Plaza, Petoskey. Enjoy northern Michigan-based psychedelic rock band Levitator. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ live-bidwell-plaza-levitator

KIDS’ CONCERT: 11am, Peninsula Community Library, TC. OMP’s very own Mary Sue Wilkinson will perform a special kids’ concert.

231-223-7700.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - NAMI CONNECTION & NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP: Noon, Christ Church, lower level, 430 Fair St., TC. NAMI Connection is a support group for people with mental health conditions. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges & successes of others, & the groups are led by trained leaders who’ve been there.

Both groups are held on Wednesdays at the same location & at the same time. Free. namigt. org/support-and-education/support-groups - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - LINE DANCING W/ TIP-OF-THE-MITT WILD SOUL: 5-10pm, Castle Farms, Charlevoix.

Lessons from 6-8pm; open dancing from 8-10pm. Food truck, firepit & s’mores. $5 at door. castlefarms.com/events/line-dancingwith-the-charleviners - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - REGIONAL BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5:30-7:30pm, Legs Inn, Cross Village. Join Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, & Mackinaw Chamber of Commerce for this end-of-the-work-day networking event. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar refreshments, & a chance at winning door prizes. $10 members; $15 not-yet members; cash only. petoskeychamber.com/business-after-hours - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - MEDICARE 101: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. This is a non-sales educational only seminar, open to the public.

Participants will learn all about Medicare & the process of signing up. Led by Fred Goldenberg.

Free. tadl.org/event/medicare-101-22392 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - SUMMER MUSIC SERIES: LAURA CROWE: 6:30-8pm, Old City Park Gazebo, Boyne City. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - STRAITS AREA CONCERT BAND: 8pm, Conkling Heritage Park, Mackinaw City.

aug 28

thursday

COFFEE @ TEN, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Erika Van Dam, vice president & Jeremy Pearson, head of sales at Van Dam Custom Boats, will talk about the history of Van

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Dam Custom Boats, the processes of creating, designing & building one of the world’s finest wooden boats, & how the company has evolved over time. Free. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-petoskey/coffee-ten-history-andprocess-creating-worlds-finest-wooden-boats - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - GENEALOGY MEETING: 1pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. The GT Area Genealogical Society will feature speaker Judy Nimer Muhn presenting “Testing DNA - Companies, Understanding How It Works.” gtags.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - GETTING INTO THE FLOW: THE ART OF CREATIVE IMMERSION WITH DR. ELIZABETH FERGUS-JEAN: 6-7:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey.

For 12th graders to adults. Registration required. Free. crookedtree.org/class/ctacpetoskey/getting-flow-art-creative-immersiondr-elizabeth-fergus-jean-free-registration - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - THE BENZIE COUNTY PLAYERS PRESENT “STEEL MAGNOLIAS”: 7pm, Mills Community House, Benzonia. Set in late 1980s northwest Louisiana, this beloved comedy-drama centers on the deep bond among a group of spirited southern women. $20 adult/$10 student. Facebook.com/BenzieCountyPlayers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - VIRIDIAN STRINGS PRESENTS: REFLECTIONS AND INNOVATIONS – A STRING QUARTET EXPLORATION: 7pm, The Alluvion, TC. Journey through the elegance of the past, the colors of impressionism, & the bold voice of today as Viridian Strings presents an evening of captivating string quartet music. $25 in advance; $30 at door. thealluvion.org/tickets/viridian-strings-8-28-25 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - THE ULTIMATE CHICAGO TRIBUTE NIGHT FEAT. CHICAGO TRANSIT: 7:30pm, City Opera House, TC. The band, with its three piece horn section, five piece rhythm section & five lead vocalists is able to cover all the Chicago material from the early horndominant classics like “Make Me Smile,” “25 or 6 to 4” & “Saturday in the Park” to the later, softer, keyboard-oriented ballads like “If You Leave Me Now.” $39-$69. cityoperahouse.org/node/675

aug 29

friday

KIWANIS BOYNE CITY LABOR DAY WEEKEND CAR SHOW: 6-9pm, Boyne City.

Classic cars will be lined up on the 100 & 200 blocks of Water St. tonight during Stroll the Streets.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - LOOP THE LAKE: 6pm, Hull Park, TC. Featuring a 4 mile run/walk, 8 mile run, & 2 person relay (4 miles each). The races follow the Boardman Lake Loop Trail. There is also Pre-Race Yoga hosted by Dharamsala TC at Hull Park at 5pm (free; must register). $40$45. runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/TraverseCity/LoopTheLake - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - THE BENZIE COUNTY PLAYERS PRESENT “STEEL MAGNOLIAS”: (See Thurs., Aug. 28) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - VIRIDIAN STRINGS PRESENTS: REFLECTIONS AND INNOVATIONS – A STRING QUARTET EXPLORATION: 7pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Journey through the elegance of the past, the colors of impressionism, & the bold voice of today as Viridian Strings presents an evening of captivating string quartet music. $45 GA; $40 OAC member; $120 VIP Bridge Seats. tickettailor. com/events/oliverart/1635722 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - JERSEY BOYS: 7:30pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Follow the fascinating evolution of four blue-collar kids who

became one of the greatest successes in pop-music history. Winner of Best Musical at both the Tony Awards & Olivier Awards, Jersey Boys takes you behind the music of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons to discover the secret of a 40-year friendship as the foursome work their way from the streets of New Jersey to the heights of stardom.

Tickets start at $52 before fees. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/jersey-boys - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - BRETHREN DAYS 2025: Tonight features Outdoor Night Club Karaoke & DJ, along with a beer tent. facebook.com/search/ top/?q=Brethren%20Days

aug 30

saturday

CADILLAC YMCA FESTIVAL OF RACES: Featuring a fast & flat Boston Marathon Qualifier Full Marathon & Half Marathon, 1 Mile Kids Fun Run (8 & under), 1/4 Mile Lake Swim Race, 7 Mile Team Relay Run around Lake Cadillac, 5K & 10K, live music by Honeybadger, food trucks & more. See web site to register & find various starting times & locations. Free to $75. cadillacareaymca.org/cadillac-festival-of-races - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - BRETHREN DAYS 2025: Today includes a softball tournament, High Bridge Hustle 5K, pancake breakfast under the gazebo, horseshoe pitching tent, live music with Wandering Aimlessly, Tim Krause, Cheryl Wolfram, & Working on Famous, fireworks & more. facebook.com/search/top/?q=Brethren%20Days - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - KIWANIS BOYNE CITY LABOR DAY WEEKEND CAR SHOW: The judged Car Show will take place in Veterans Park. Registration will open at 8am, judging will begin at 10am, & prizes will be announced at about 2pm.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - FRIENDS OF ALDEN DISTRICT LIBRARY BOOK SALE: 9am-2pm, Helena Township Community Center, Alden. Books, audio books, DVDs, music CDs & puzzles. Proceeds will benefit Enrichment Programs for Adults and Children. 231-331-4318.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - 5TH ANNUAL TORCH LAKE LABOR DAY ART & CRAFT SHOW: 10am-5pm, Depot Park, Alden. Please bring a canned good for food drive. Downtown Alden Sidewalk Sales are happening - up to 50% off.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - ELK RAPIDS ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: 10am-4pm, downtown Elk Rapids. 60+ artisans & crafters feature art & homemade items in many areas including coastal art, home decor, jewelry, ceramics, woodcrafts, photography, & much more. elkrapidschamber.org/arts-crafts-show - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - ELKS LODGE CAR SHOW: 11am-2pm, TC Elk Lodge #323, TC. ELKamino Car Show.

Free admission for spectators. Lodge open to public. Classic cars, food, music & patio fun. Proceeds support TC Elks Lodge, supported by Hagerty. $20/vehicle entry. hagerty12.regfox.com/2025-elk-amino-traversecity-elks-lodge-car-show - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - LABOR DAY WEEKEND TENT SALE: 11am-5pm, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Featuring up to 70% off ski & snowboard apparel & gear, along with golf apparel & accessories, athleisure wear, & more.

There will also be a Ski Racer Sale, where you can meet representatives from brands such as Atomic, Salomon, Head, Lange, & Dynstar. Don’t forget to check out the yard sale corner for gently used items. Held at the tent near the base of the Loki Quad chairlift. crystalmountain.com/events-activities/ events/event-calendar/labor-day-live - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - -

MINNEHAHA BREWHAHA MUSIC FESTIVAL: Arcadia Marine. Featuring three music stages with Cousin Curtiss, Benzie Playboys, Whiskey Wolves of the West, Dobros Heal the World, The Ride with Jake Allen & more. Fourteen local bands, 60+ craft brews, food trucks, kids activities & 5K & 15K races.

Camping at the festival available. $25-$30. music-moves-me.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - SATURDAY FAMILY CONCERTS: 11am, TC Philharmonic Center, TC. Featuring Peer Gynt

by Grieg. Designed for ages 5-12 & their families. Each performance takes a masterwork— opera, ballet, or concert piece & brings it into a small setting with a few players, dancers or singers, & a storyteller. Free. tcphil.org/concerts - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - SAY NO TO ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE: (See Sat., Aug. 23) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - THE BAY TO BRAMAN BOLT 6: ULTIMATE UPHILL CHALLENGE: Noon, Northport Bay Marina. This 1.1-mile uphill race has three age categories: 19+, 10-18, & 9 & under.

Proceeds are donated to Northport Museum. $0-$40. runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/ Northport/thebolt6 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - LABORFEST 2025: First Street Beach, Manistee. Free afternoon music from 1-5pm; ticketed event from 6-11pm. Featuring seven bands including Pajamas and Manitou Trucking Co. A Salt City Rock and Blues event. $15 advance; $20 at door. saltcityrb.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- JERSEY BOYS: (See Fri., Aug. 29, except today’s times are 2pm & 7:30pm.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - LOCAL AUTHOR ANN GOETHALS: 3pm, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. Ann will read from her debut novel, “The Doublewide.” Set in rural northern Michigan, the novel is an account of a young woman’s journey towards creating a life, & a home, of her own. The novel explores social & economic issues that will resonate with area readers. glenlakelibrary.net/Events - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - SATURDAYS IN THE PARK: 7pm, GT County Civic Center Amphitheater, TC. Featuring The Schleppinbop Kids.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - THE BENZIE COUNTY PLAYERS PRESENT “STEEL MAGNOLIAS”: (See Thurs., Aug. 28) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - NO QUARTER COMEDY PRESENTS JEFF RICHARDS WITH JAYSON THIBAULT & BILLY DODARO: 8pm, City Opera House, TC. SNL & Mad TV alumni Jeff Richards headlines with feature comedians Thibault & Dodaro. Meet & Greet with Jeff Richards & Friends after the show. GA: $20. cityoperahouse.org/node/695

aug 31

sunday

BRETHREN DAYS 2025: Today includes Community Church services, softball tournament, pig roast, cornhole tournament, grand parade, live music by The Nephews, Andy McQuillen, & Duke and the Studebakers, & much more. facebook.com/search/ top/?q=Brethren%20Days - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - 5TH ANNUAL TORCH LAKE LABOR DAY ART & CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., Aug. 30) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - LABOR DAY WEEKEND TENT SALE: (See Sat., Aug. 30, except today’s time is 10am2pm.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - ARTIST MARKET: Noon-4pm, Walloon Lake Winery, Petoskey. Join in the pavilion for a variety of vendors to visit. Local artists come

together with all different products to give you a chance to see how much creativity northern Michigan has to offer. walloonlakewinery.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - MINNEHAHA BREWHAHA MUSIC FESTIVAL: (See Sat., Aug. 30) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - “BAD RIVER” FILM SCREENING: 2-4pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey.

A documentary film that chronicles the Wisconsin-based Bad River Band’s ongoing fight for Sovereignty, presented in collaboration with the “Water is Life” Festival. Registration required.

Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ immersed-free-public-programming - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - JERSEY BOYS: (See Fri., Aug. 29, except today’s time is 4pm.)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - BAYSIDE CONCERT SERIES: CONTINUOUS IMPOSITION: 5-7pm, Petoskey’s Waterfront, on the Promenade near waterfront clock tower. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. bigwatercreativearts.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - 7TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY CEREMONY: 6pm, The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, TC. Honor those we have lost to substance use disorder & give hope to recovery.

There will be a moment of silence, community speakers, recovery speakers, music & lighting candles of remembrance & hope.

Presented by Moms on a Mission. Free.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - THE BENZIE COUNTY PLAYERS PRESENT “STEEL MAGNOLIAS”: (See Thurs., Aug. 28)

ongoing

TERRIFIC TUESDAYS: Tuesdays, 4-6pm, Leland United Methodist Church. Join 5Loaves2FishNMI for a community meal.

5loaves2fishnmi.org - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - BOYNE CITY’S STROLL THE STREETS: Downtown Boyne City. Held Friday evenings at 6pm through Aug. 29. Enjoy live music, children’s activities & much more. Free. boynecitymainstreet.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - GUIDED WALKING HISTORY TOUR OF TC: This tour is an easy 2 mile walk that includes the historic neighborhoods & waterfront of TC. Begins & ends at the Perry Hannah Plaza, located at the corner of 6th & Union streets near downtown. There is no charge for the tours, but gratuities for the guides are appreciated. Groups of six or more can schedule tours at other times. Tours run at 10am every Weds. through Sept. walktchistory.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - BRIGHTLETICS AGELESS GRACE PARKINSON’S CLASS: Mondays, 11-11:50am, GT County Senior Center, TC. Brightletics founder Lisa George teaches this class that is done in a seated chair & is structured in a seven part sequence targeting specific challenges or symptoms of Parkinson’s. Sponsored by Parkinson’s Network North.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - DOCENT LED TOURS OF DOUGHERTY MISSION HOUSE MUSEUM, TC: Explore the former inn where the region’s fruit industry began & 15 acres of trails. See American chestnut trees. Tours are Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11am to 4pm. doughertyoldmissionhouse.com - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - WEEKLY WILDFLOWER WALK: Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Every Tues., 10:30am-noon through Aug., take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Natural Area alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the variety of wildflowers & learn to identify their unique beauty. Keep an ear out for the melodies of birds that call Grass River home. grassriver.org

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GUILD POP-UP EXHIBIT: RENE BIEGANOWSKI: Held in the Libragallery, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. A Crooked Tree Guild member from Petoskey, Rene is a self-taught artist who works in acrylic, watercolor, & alcohol inks. Her favorite subjects include pet portraits, children, & the landscapes of northern Michigan. Runs through Sept. 6. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traversecity/guild-pop-exhibit-rene-bieganowski - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - AN ART PAIRING WITH DEBRA LAROCQUE & MARILYN STOVER: Twisted Fish Gallery, Cottage Gallery, Elk Rapids.

Featuring acrylic painter Debra LaRocque & ceramicist Marilyn Stover. Breathe in nature & pause to appreciate Mother Nature.

Runs through Aug. 24. Hours: Tues. through Sat., 11am-5pm; Sun., 11am-3pm. twistedfishgallery.com/event/an-art-pairing-debralarocque-marilyn-stover - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - SPECTRUM OF REALISM: The Ramsdell Theatre, Hardy Hall Gallery, Manistee. Featuring art by Amelia Gorman, Anna Hansen, Arthur Marshall & Sierra Valencia. Runs through Aug. 24. Gallery is open daily, noon3pm. ramsdelltheatre.org/art - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - JRAC MEMBER EXHIBIT: Jordan River Arts Council, East Jordan. This event features diverse works by more than 30 JRAC member artists. Runs through Aug. 30 from 12:304:30pm daily. jordanriverarts.com/2025-events - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - THE QUILT AS ARCHIVE: Cedar North, Cedar. A solo exhibition of new textile work by artist & writer Cody Cook-Parrott. The show explores the quilt as a container for memory, devotion, time, & personal record. Runs through Sept. 13 on certain days at certain times. Contact Cedar North for available days & times. A free Closing Reception & Artist Talk will be held on Sept. 13 at 6pm. cedarnorthtc.com/classroom - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - SUMMER SALON: Charlevoix Circle of Arts.

6th annual salon-style exhibit showcasing regionally inspired work by local & area artists.

Runs through Aug. 30. Hours: M-F, 11am-4pm; Sat., 11am-3pm. charlevoixcircle.org/exhibits-2025 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY: - ALONG OUR WAY: THE ART OF DOUG BARRON & BRIAN GOFF: Held in Atrium Gallery through Aug. 30. Check web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ along-our-way-art-doug-barron-and-brian-goff - OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: Saturdays, 10am-1pm in Visual Arts Room. Free drop-in art studio for the whole family. New projects are offered weekly. crookedtree.org - IMMERSED: An immersive exhibition exploring aesthetic, cultural, environmental, & historical dimensions of water - through art, artifacts, sound, & motion. Runs through Aug. Check web site for hours. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/immersed-free-public-programming - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC: - JOAN FITZSIMMONS: INTO WHAT WORLD?: Runs through Aug. This is a solo exhibition by Joan Fitzsimmons & a personal investigation into landscape as a place of dreams & imagination. It consists of selections from three of her photographic series called “The Woods,” “Blue Moon,” & “Plant Life.” Hours are Tuesdays through Sundays, 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org - MATT SHLIAN: EVERY LINE IS A CIRCLE IF YOU MAKE IT LONG ENOUGH: Runs through Aug. See a world where art, science & engineering converge. Renowned for his intricate paper sculptures, Shlian transforms

flat sheets into dynamic, dimensional forms, exploring the beauty of structure, pattern, & movement. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org - RECLAIMED: THE ART OF ECOLOGY: Runs through Aug. San Francisco’s waste management service Recology believes that art plays a unique role in educating & inspiring the public. Each year they award residencies to artists, which include a stipend, coveted studio space, & scavenging privileges at their Transfer Station & Recycling Center. These 33 artists have created this exhibit. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org - CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE CERAMICS FROM THE HORVITZ COLLECTION: Runs through Sept. 28, 2025. An array of works by contemporary Japanese ceramic artists, this is a sampler of the great diversity of styles, forms, glazes, & ages. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/ art/upcoming-exhibitions/index.html - A STYLE ALL OUR OWN: CANADIAN WOODLAND ARTISTS: Runs through Sept.

28, 2025. In the early 1960s, young Indigenous artists from the Great Lakes region created a unique style of painting known as the Woodland School of Art. Early members of this prolific art community included Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray, Roy Thomas, Sam Ash, Jackson Beardy, & Daphne Odjig. Perhaps the best-known of the group is Norval Morrisseau, who is often referred to as the Father of the Woodland School. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/now-onview/canadian-woodland-artists.html - SECOND SUNDAY ART PROJECT: Take part in a vibrant artistic experience every second Sun. of the month from 1-3pm. From printmaking to painting & weaving, each session offers a unique & creative activity. Included with museum admission. $0-$10. simpletix.com/e/ second-sunday-art-project-tickets-219823 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER: - HISTORY / HERSTORY: WHOSE STORY?: This exhibition explores the idea that the victors have written history. Whether it’s visual art, literature, film, sports, science, politics, education, animal, mineral, real or imagined history, this exhibition asks: Who’s telling what stories? Who’s included in the official record? Who’s excluded? Omitted?

Erased? Twenty-four exhibitors take on these questions. The exhibition runs through Oct. 23. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org - RANDOM EXHIBITION: Runs through Aug. 28 in the Lobby Gallery. “Random: Collages From The Scrap Pile,” an exhibition of spontaneous compositions by Leelanau County artist Mark Mehaffey. Random is also a tutorial about remaining alert to creative possibilities. glenarborart.org/exhibits - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT: - EILEEN KELLY: A RETROSPECTIVE: In recognition of Eileen Kelly’s 96th birthday, The Oliver Art Center will host this retrospective exhibit of her work from the past several decades. Runs Aug. 29 - Oct. 5. The Oliver Art Center is open Mon-Sat from 10am-4pm & Sun from noon-4pm. oliverart.org - HORIZONS: ALTERNATIVE LANDSCAPES: A fresh look at the landscape genre, exploring it through the lens of several artists with a unique twist on the subject. This exhibit runs through Sept. 5. An artist talk will take place on Fri., Sept. 5 from 2-4pm. Hours are Mon. - Sat., 10am-4pm & Sun., noon4pm. oliverart.org - “SMALL WORKS: COMMUNITY COLLAGE” PROJECT, HONORING LEGACY OF JOE MUER: Runs through Aug. This engaging project underscores the Oliver Art Center’s commitment to fostering awareness & accessibility of the visual arts by inviting artists of all ages & abilities to contribute their creativity. oliverart.org

Northern Express Weekly • august 25, 2025 • 27

Grand Traverse & Kalkaska APACHE TROUT GRILL, TC 8/28 – Jim Hawley, 6-9:30 CHATEAU CHANTAL, TC Thu -- Jazz at Sunset w/ Jeff Haas Trio & Laurie Sears, 7 ENCORE 201, TC 8/22-23 & 8/29-30 -- DJ Ricky T, 9 FANTASY’S, TC DJ IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC 8/25 – Vinyl Night w/ DJ E-Knuf, 5-8 8/26 – TC Celtic, 6-8 8/28 – Beyond Trivia, 7-9 KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC 9:30: 8/22-23 -- Risque 8/29-30 -- The Off Beat Band KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING 8/26 – Open Mic Night w/ LaRose Duo, 6-8 8/28 – Trivia Night w/ Marcus Anderson, 6:30-8:30 LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM: 8/25 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9 TASTING ROOM: 8/29 – Laura Thurston, 5-7 MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC 8/23 -- Jesse Jefferson, 6-9 8/27 – Trivia Night, 7-9 8/28 – Open Mic Night, 7-9; Signups at 6:30 8/29 – The Rupple Brothers, 6-9 8/30 – Loren Kranz, 6-9 MT. HOLIDAY, TC BEER GARDEN, 6-9: 8/28 -- Headwaters Band 8/29 -- End of Summer Party w/ Split Decision NORTH BAR, TC 8/23 – John Richard Paul, 1-4

8/24 – Brady Corcoran, 5-8 8/27 – Jesse Jefferson, 7-10 8/28 – Mal & Mike, 7-10 8/30 – Rhett DuCouer, 1-4; Skin Kwon Do, 9-12 8/31 – Craig Jolly, 1-4; Daniel Staggs, 5-8 OLD MISSION DISTILLING, SEVEN HILLS, TC 8/23 -- Twlight Tunes Dueling Pianos, 5 8/24 -- Jacob McLeod, 6 8/25 -- Caleb Caudle & The Sweet Critters, 6-9 8/27 -- Jimmy Olson, 7-9 8/28 -- Jonathan Stoye, 6-9 8/29 -- DJ Ras Marco D, 6-9 8/30 -- Gemini Moon, 6-9 SAIL INN BAR & GRILL, TC PATIO: Wed -- Live Music w/ Josh, 6 Thurs, Sat – Karaoke, 9 TC GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB 8/29 -- Jim Hawley, 6-9 THE ALEXANDRA INN, TC BLUSH ROOFTOP TERRACE: Mon -- John & Madeline Piatek, 4-6 THE ALLUVION, TC 8/23 -- Cory Henry, 7 8/28 -- Viridian Strings Presents: Reflections & Innovations - A String Quartet Exploration, 6:30-9:30 THE COIN SLOT, TC 7: 8/23 -- Protea 8/27 -- BYOVinyl Night with Eugene’s Record Co-op 8/29 -- Rhythm Theory 8/30 -- The Neighborhood Dogs THE HAYLOFT INN, TC 8/22-23 & 8/29-30 -- Off Duty, 7:30-11 THE LITTLE FLEET, TC 8/29 – Brother Wolf, 6-10

8/23 – Nick Vasquez, 6-9: John Piatek, 9-12 8/26 – Jesse Jefferson, 8-11 8/27 – Rob Coonrod, 8-11 8/28 – Jimmy Olson, 8-11 8/29 – Clint Weaner, 6-9; Jay Cotter, 9 8/31 – White Party w/ Jimmy Olson, 8-12

BEL LAGO VINEYARD, WINERY & CIDERY, CEDAR 8/23 -- Larz Cabot, 3:30 8/24 -- Jedi Clampetts, 3:30 8/26 -- Zeke Clemons, 5:30 8/29 -- Swingbone North, 5:30 8/30 -- Dominic Fortuna, 3:30 8/31 -- Larry Perkins, 3:30 BLACK STAR FARMS, SUTTONS BAY LAWN, 6-8: 8/23 -- Audrey Mason 8/30 – Zack Meyers BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU 8/24 -- Bryan Poirier, 4-6:30 8/27 – Andre Villoch, 5:30-8 8/31 – Jim Hawley, 4-6:30

Send Nitelife to: events@traverseticker.com

THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC 8/23 -- Delilah DeWylde, 8 8/26 -- Open Mic w/ Zak Bunce, 7 8/28 -- DJ Trivia, 7 8/29 -- Hot Flat Pop, 8 8/30 -- Zie Simmons, 8 8/31 -- Full Tilt Comedy: Comedy Mixtape #25, 7 THIRSTY FISH SPORTS GRILLE, TC PATIO, 6:30-9:30: 8/23 -- J Hawkins 8/28 -- TC Knuckleheads 8/29 -- DJ1 Wave 8/30 -- Timebombs & Stone Travelbee TOWNLINE CIDERWORKS, WILLIAMSBURG 8/29 -- Jerome Forde, 6-8 8/31 -- LaRose Duo, 4-6 UNION STREET STATION, TC 8/23 -- 74 Marauder, 10 8/24 – 74 Marauder, 8 8/28 & 8/31 -- DJ1 Wave, 9 8/29 -- Candid Antics, 10 8/30 -- Kenny Olsen Cartel, 10

THE PARLOR, TC PATIO:

A summer favorite, especially in the Straits of Mackinac, Will Springsteen hits the Noggin Room Pub in Petoskey, Sat., Aug. 23 from 7:30-10:30pm, and Brandy’s Harbortown in Bay Harbor, Weds., Aug. 27 from 6-9pm.

HOP LOT BREWING CO., SUTTONS BAY 5-8: 8/23 -- Drew Hale 8/29 -- Levi Britton 8/30 -- Rock Hat IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE 8/23 -- Gretchen Woell, 6:30-8:30 8/24 -- DJ Rhet, 4-6 8/28 -- Brian Curran, 7-8:30 8/29 -- Matt Gabriel, 4-6; Allie Kessel, 6:30-8:30 8/30 -- Adam Carpenter & The Upper Hand, 6:30-8:30 8/31 -- Keith Scott, 3:30-5:30; Wink, 6-8 JACOBSON MARINA RESORT, FRANKFORT 8/23 & 8/30 -- Jim Hawley, 3-6

CICCONE VINEYARD & WINERY, SUTTONS BAY 8/24 -- Michelle Chenard, 2-4:30 8/28 -- Rhett & John, 4-6:30 8/31 – Rhett & John, 2-4:30

DUNE BIRD WINERY, NORTHPORT 3-6: 8/24 -- Dennis Palmer 8/27 -- Luke Woltanski 8/31 -- Chris Smith

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLLE BARR PARK, 6-8: 8/24 -- Jim Hawley 8/29 -- Highway North 8/30 -- Jason Locke 8/31 -- Jesse Jefferson

FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH 8/27 -- Open Mic w/ Andy Littlefield, 7-9

KINLOCHEN PLAZA, 6-8: 8/23 -- A to Z 8/30 -- Sean Baldwin

FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR 8/25 -- Larz Cabot, 4 8/28 -- Rob Coonrod, 4 8/31 -- Summer Slam Jam w/ Touch of Grey, Loose Change, & Manitou Truckin' Company, 2

LEVEL4 LOUNGE, 8:30-10:30: 8/23 & 8/31 -- Cole Caspers 8/24 -- Nick Vasquez 8/27 & 8/29 -- Jakob Abraham 8/28 & 8/30 -- Fred Drachus

FURNACE STREET DISTILLERY, ELBERTA PATIO, 6-8: 8/23 & 8/30 – Andy Littlefield 8/29 – Jason Locke

28 • august 25, 2025 • Northern Express Weekly

edited by jamie kauffold

THE PUB, TC 8/23 – One Hot Robot, 9-12 8/24 – David Marton, 5-8 8/25 – Karaoke w/ DJ Shawny T, 8-11 8/26 – Open Mic Tues. w/ Chris Sterr, 8-11 8/27 – Zeke Clemons, 8-11 8/28 – Music Bingo, 7:30-10 8/29 – Henry Herig, 5-8; David Marton, 9-12 8/31 – David Marton, 5-8; Keep it Casual Trio, 9-12

LEELANAU & BENZIE 45 NORTH VINEYARD & WINERY, LAKE LEELANAU 8/28 – Larry Perkins, 5-7

nitelife

AUG 25-AUG 31

LAKE ANN BREWING CO. 8/26 -- New Third Coast, 6:309:30 8/27 -- Jesse Jefferson, 6:30-9:30 8/28 -- Luke Woltanski, 6:30-9:30 8/29 -- Fri. Happy Hour w/ Ben Steer, 3-6; Rock Hat, 7-10 8/30 -- The Daydrinkers Series w/ Mike Moran, 3-6; Fifth Gear Band, 7-10 8/31 -- Daydrinker's Series w/ Chris Skellenger & Paul Koss, 3-6; The Dune Brothers, 7-10 LEELANAU SANDS CASINO, PESHAWBESTOWN SHOWROOM, 8: 8/23 – Club Night feat. DJ Mark Wilson 8/30 – Club Night feat. 1Wave DJs LITTLE TRAVERSE INN, MAPLE CITY

8/29 – Thomas & Hyde, 6-9 BEER GARDEN, 4-7: 8/24 -- Wild Sullys 8/31 – Jazz North RIVER CLUB, GLEN ARBOR 8/23 -- Jason Locke, 1-4; Empire Highway, 6-9 8/24 -- Chris Smith, 5-8 8/25 -- Drew Hale, 6-9 8/26 -- Ben Richey, 6-9 8/27 -- Loose Change, 6-9 8/28 -- Andre Villoch, 6-9 8/29 -- Surprise Guest, 6-9 8/30 -- Jesse Jefferson, 1-4; Kevin Paul, 6-9 8/31 -- Ben Richey, 1:30-4:30; Surprise Guest, 5-8 SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY 4-7: 8/23 -- Luke Woltanski 8/29 – Friday Night Live w/ The Real Ingredients 8/30 – Dennis Palmer SOUL SQUEEZE CELLARS, LAKE LEELANAU 4-7: 8/23 -- TC Knuckleheads 8/28 -- Laura Thurston 8/29 -- Rhett & John 8/30 -- Luke Woltanski ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH 8/23 -- Billy Blanchard, 1-4; Wink, 5-8 8/24 -- Brian Curran & Ivas John, 3-6 8/25 -- Audrey Dupuis, 5-8 8/26 -- Luke Woltanski, 5-8 8/27 -- Bill Frary, 5-8 8/28 -- Blair Miller, 5-8 8/29 -- Doc Probes, 5-8

8/30 -- Keith Scott, 1-4; Chelsea Marsh, 5-8 8/31 -- Jabo Bihlman, 1-3:30; Aaron Dye, 4-6:30 STORMCLOUD BREWING CO., FRANKFORT 6-8: 8/27 -- Dann The Band ft. Chester 8/28 -- Jen Sygit 8/29 -- Silver Tree & Fowl SUTTONS BAY CIDERS 8/24 -- Steve Sikes & Barb Pons, 5:30-8 8/28 -- Thurs. DJ Trivia, 6:30-8 8/31 -- Luke Woltanski Band, 5:30-8 SWEET’S BAR & GRILL, HONOR Mon. – Music Bingo, 7 Fri. – Music Bingo, 8; Karaoke, 10 Sat. – Karaoke, 8 THE CABBAGE SHED, ELBERTA 8/23 -- Gabrial James, 5:30-8:30 8/27 -- Vinyl Vednesday w/ DJ T.J., 5-8 8/28 -- Open Mic Night, 6:30-9 8/29 -- Jake Frysinger, 5-8 THE FOLDED LEAF, CEDAR 6-8:30: 8/23 -- A.S. Lutes 8/27 -- Big Fun 8/30 -- Hunter Bell THE HOMESTEAD RESORT, GLEN ARBOR WHISKERS, 6-9: 8/23 – Dan Merryman 8/29 – Billy & The Kid 8/30 – Bryan Poirier TWO K FARMS CIDERY & WINERY, SUTTONS BAY 8/23 – Rebekah John, 4-6

lOGY

AUG 25 - AUG 31

BY ROB BREZSNY

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In Andean cosmology, the condor and the

hummingbird are both sacred messengers. One soars majestically at high altitudes, a symbolic bridge between the earth and heaven. The other moves with supple efficiency and detailed precision, an icon of resilience and high energy. Let’s make these birds your spirit creatures for the coming months. Your challenging but feasible assignment is to both see the big picture and attend skillfully to the intimate details.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In Persian miniature

painting, entire epics are compressed into exquisite images the size of a hand. Each creation contains worlds within worlds, myths tucked into detail. I suggest you draw inspiration from this approach, Leo. Rather than imagining your life as a grand performance, play with the theme of sacred compression. Be alert for seemingly transitory moments that carry enormous weight.

Proceed on the assumption that a brief phrase or lucky accident may spark sweet changes. What might it look like to condense your full glory into small gifts that people can readily use?

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): ): In the ancient

Greek myth of Psyche, one of her trials is to gather golden wool from violent rams. She succeeds by waiting until the torrid heat of midday passes, and the rams are resting in the cool shade. She safely collects the wool from bushes and branches without confronting the rams directly. Let this be a lesson, Libra. To succeed at your challenges, rely on strategy rather than confrontation. It’s true that what you want may feel blocked by difficult energies, like chaotic schedules, reactive people, or tangled decisions. But don’t act impulsively. Wait. Listen. Watch. Openings will happen when the noise settles and others tire themselves out. You don’t need to overpower. You just need to time your grace. Golden wool is waiting, but it can’t be taken by force.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In 1911, two

teams tried to become the first humans to reach the South Pole. Roald Amundsen’s group succeeded, but Robert Falcon Scott’s did not. Why? Amundsen had studied with Indigenous people who were familiar with frigid environments. He adopted their clothing choices (fur and layering), their travel techniques (dogsledding), and their measured, deliberate pacing, including lots of rest. Scott exhausted himself and his people with inconsistent bursts of intense effort and stubbornly inept British strategies. Take your cues from Amundsen, dear Scorpio. Get advice from real experts. Pace yourself; don't sprint. Be consistent rather than melodramatic. Opt for discipline instead of heroics.

SAGITTARIUS

(Nov. 22-Dec. 21): A lighthouse isn’t concerned with whether ships are watching it from a distance. It simply shines forth its strong beams, no questions asked. It rotates, pulses, and moves through its cycles because that’s its natural task. Its purpose is steady illumination, not recognition. In the coming weeks, Sagittarius, I ask you and encourage you to be like a lighthouse. Be loyal to your own gleam. Do what you do best because it pleases you.

The ones who need your signal will find you. You don’t have to chase them across the waves.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 1885,

Sarah E. Goode became the fourth African American woman to be granted a U.S. patent.

Her invention was ingenious: a folding cabinet bed that could be transformed into a roll-top desk. It appealed to people who lived in small apartments and needed to save space. I believe you’re primed and ready for a similar advance in practical resourcefulness, Capricorn. You may be able to combine two seemingly unrelated needs into one brilliant solution— turning space, time, or resources into something more graceful and useful.

Let your mind play with hybrid inventions and unlikely pairings.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I expect you

will be knowledgeable and smart during the coming weeks, Aquarius. But I hope you will also be wise and savvy. I hope you will wrestle vigorously with the truth so you can express it in practical and timely ways. You must be ingenious as you figure out the precise ways to translate your intelligence

into specifically right actions. So for example: You may feel compelled to be authentic in a situation where you have been reticent, or to share a vision that has been growing quietly. Don’t stay silent, but also: Don’t blurt. Articulate your reality checks with elegance and discernment. The right message delivered at the wrong moment could make a mess, whereas that same message will be a blessing if offered at the exact turning point.

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): Liubai is a

Chinese term that means “to leave blank.”

In traditional ink painting, it referred to the portions of the canvas the artist chose not to fill in. Those unpainted areas were not considered empty. They carried emotional weight, inviting the eye to rest and the mind to wander. I believe your near future could benefit from this idea, Pisces. Don’t feel you have to spell everything out or tie up each thread. It may be important not to explain and reveal some things. What’s left unsaid, incomplete, or open-ended may bring you more gifts than constant effort.

Let a little stillness accompany whatever you’re creating.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In some Buddhist

mandalas, the outer circle depicts a wall of fire.

It marks the boundary between the chaotic external world and the sacred space within.

For seekers and devotees, it’s a symbol of the transformation they must undergo to commune with deeper truths. I think you’re ready to create or bolster your own flame wall, Aries. What is non-negotiable for your peace, your creativity, your worth? Who or what belongs in your inner circle?

And what must stay outside? Be clear about the boundaries you need to be your authentic self.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Centuries

ago, builders in Venice, Italy, drove countless wooden pilings deep into the waterlogged mud of the lagoon to create a stable base for future structures. These timber foundations were essential because the soil was too weak to support stone buildings directly. Eventually, the wood absorbed minerals from the surrounding muddy water and became exceptionally hard and durable: capable of supporting heavy buildings. Taurus, you may soon glimpse how something you've built your life upon—a value, a relationship, or a daily ritual—is more enduring than you imagined. Its power is in its rootedness, its long conversation with the invisible. My advice: Trust what once seemed soft but has become solid. Thank life for blessing you with its secret alchemy.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In Inuit myth,

Sedna is the goddess who lives at the bottom of the sea and oversees all marine life. If humans harm nature or neglect spiritual truths, Sedna may stop allowing them to catch sea creatures for food, leading to starvation. Then shamans from the world above must swim down to sing her songs and comb her long black hair. If they win her favor, she restores balance.

I propose that you take direction from this myth, Gemini. Some neglected beauty and wisdom in your emotional depths is asking for your attention. What part of you needs reverence, tenderness, and ceremonial care?

CANCER (June 21-July 22): In ancient Rome,

“Jonesin” Crosswords "There's a Catch"--you may scramble to get there. by Matt Jones

ACROSS 1. Enewetak, e.g.

6. "Super" interest group 9. Assumed a role 14. TV chef Bastianich 15. Web address, familiarly 16. Flying waterfowl 17. Determining direction 20. "Death Becomes Her" costar 21. Big-eyed barn bird 22. Richards played by Pedro Pascal in "The Fantastic Four: First Steps" 23. Air travel delayer 25. Nice reply?

27. Underwater projectile system 36. Outwit, in a way 37. Bachelorette party, in the U.K. 38. Soccer stadium shout 39. Supposing 40. Jason of the "American Pie" films 41. Additions 42. Magritte's "The ___ of Man" 43. Night watch 44. "All good here" 45. Their syllabi may involve a reading list 48. Abbr. after an attorney's name 49. ___ Lanka 50. Be boastful 53. "Cocoon" transport 56. Burdens 61. Difficult (and a hint to the challenge of interpreting the circles in the grid) 64. More than apologize 65. Painting medium 66. Funny bone's nerve 67. ___ straw 68. Pen variety 69. Histories

the lararium was a home altar. It wasn’t used for momentous appeals to the heavyweight deities like Jupiter, Venus, Apollo, Juno, and Mars.

Instead, it was there that people performed daily rituals, seeking prosperity, protection, and health from their ancestors and minor household gods. I think now is a fine time to create your own version of a lararium, Cancerian.

How could you fortify your home base to make it more nurturing DOWN and uplifting? What rituals and playful ceremonies might you do 1. "The Sound of Music" backdrop to generate everyday blessings?

2. Pinball fail 3. Funk 4. Low-cal, on a label 5. Library penalty 6. Bit of "Bob's Burgers" menu humor 7. 2012 Oscar winner for Best Picture 8. Crab's grabber 9. Some time ___ 10. Former "Today" host Katie 11. Went really fast 12. "To be" in Latin 13. Monopoly card 18. Obsolete music holder 19. Storm warnings 24. Be graceful, per a Michelle Obama quote 26. Game with 108 cards 27. Poke fun at 28. "Come on down!" announcer Johnny 29. Feeling regret 30. Adobe file ext.

31. Aboveboard 32. Trigonometry measurements 33. Provide with quarters?

34. "I'm hunting wabbits" speaker 35. Sits for a bit 40. Lobster soup 41. ["I can't believe it"] 43. "___ for Vengeance" (Grafton book) 44. Freezing over 46. All-time great 47. Elvis's middle name 50. Say too much 51. "The ___ of Spring" 52. "Don't Matter" singer 54. Lily pad occupant 55. "Garfield" dog 57. Home of the Bruins 58. ___ serif fonts 59. State of pliÈ?

60. Former political divs.

62. "Over here!"

63. Under the weather

Northern Express Weekly • august 25, 2025 • 29

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Plan, design, develop & deploy AI/ML & other data-driven predictive & prescriptive algorithms for collector vehicle auto insurance claims. Min Master's in Data Science, Business Analytics, Computer Science or related field & 2 yrs exp as Data Scientist or related occupation w/ statistical data modeling & analysis w/in insurance industry required. Exp w/ SQL, Tableau, R & Python required. This role can be worked from any U.S. remote location. Full posting & apply to Hagerty Management. https://www.hagerty.com/about-us/careers

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Emmet & Cheboygan BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY 8/23 -- Elisabeth Christe, 2-6 8/29 – Michelle Chenard, 4-7:30 8/30 – Michelle Chenard, 2-6 8/31 – Pete Kehoe, 1:30-5 BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, BAY HARBOR 8/23 – Ty Parkin, 12:30-3:30 8/24 & 8/31 – Joey Hickman, 12:30-3:30 8/25 – Ricky Hill, 6-9 8/26 – Two Track Mind, 6-9 8/27 – Will Springsteen, 6-9 8/28 – Chris Calleja, 6-9 8/29 – Kevin Johnson, 12:30-3:30 8/30 – Tweed Tones, 12:30-3:30 CHESTNUT VALLEY GC, HARBOR SPRINGS BIRDIES TAVERN: 8/27 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9 CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY 8/29 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30 DIXIE SALOON, MACKINAW CITY 8/31 -- Pete Fetters, 8-11

NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY 8/23 -- Will Springsteen, 7:3010:30 8/28 -- Lara Fullford, 7-10 8/29 -- Mike Ridley, 7:30-10:30 8/30 -- Charlie Witthoeft, 7:3010:30 NORTHLAND BREWING CO., INDIAN RIVER 8/23 -- Chris Michels Band, 7-10 8/28 – The Crosscut Kings, 6:308:30 8/29 – TBD, 6-8; The Bootstrap Boys, 8-11 8/30 – Dane Tollas, 6-8; Galactic Sherpas, 8-11 8/31 – The Real Ingredients, 5-7; Charlie Millard Band, 7-10 ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES: 8/23 – Battle of the Bands, Round 1, 8-10 8/29 – Live DJ, 9 8/30 – Battle of the Bands, Round 2, 8-10

POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS 8/23 -- Sugarbush, 5-8 8/24 -- Terry Coveyou, 3-6 8/28 -- Disney Trivia Night, 6-8 INN AT BAY HARBOR 8/29 -- Twilight Tunes Dueling CABANA BAR, 6-9: Pianos, 5-8 8/25 – Adam & The Cabana Boys 8/30 -- The Smokin' Dobroleles, 8/28 – SAS4UIA 30 • august 25, 2025 Northern Express Weekly 5-8 8/31 – The Smokin’ Dobroleles, INN BETWEEN, INDIAN RIVER 3-6 8/28 -- Mike Ridley, 2-5 INDIAN RIVER MARINA 8/31 -- Nelson Olstrom, 2-5

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ANTHRIM & CHARLEVOIX SEASONS OF THE NORTH WINERY, INDIAN RIVER 8/29 -- Duffy King, 6-9

BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT ON DEER LAKE, BOYNE FALLS 8/29 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6-9

CITY 8/30 – Local Ground: Steel & Wood, 6; The Series: The Hackwells, 7:30

8/29 -- Keith Scott, 6 8/30 -- John Richard Paul, 6 8/31 -- Gemini Moon, 6

THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN 8/23 – Brian McCosky, 8 8/28 – Musician’s Playground, 7 8/29 – Silver Creek Revival, 8 8/30 – Silver Fox Supernova, 8

BOYNE CITY TAPROOM 7: 8/23, 8/28 & 8/30 -- Adam & The Cabana Boys 8/29 -- The Sleeping Gypsies

LOST CELLARS WINERY, CHARLEVOIX 8/29 -- Ty Parkins, 5-8

THE DIXIE SALOON, MACKINAW CITY 8/29 -- Pete Fetters, 8-11

THE DAM SHOP, ELK RAPIDS PATIO, 6: 8/23 – Zeke Clemons 8/29 – Nick Vasquez 8/30 – Chris Smith 8/31 – Silver Creek Revival Band

BOYNE RIVER INN, BOYNE CITY 8/28 -- Nelson Olstrom, 7-10

THE HIGHLANDS AT HARBOR SPRINGS SLOPESIDE PATIO: 8/27 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6-9 THE 19TH TEE: 8/30 -- Nelson Olstrom, 3-6 THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER 8/28 -- Dominic Fortuna, 7:30-9:30 WALLOON LAKE WINERY, PETOSKEY 8/28 -- Duffy King, 6-8

BRIDGE STREET TAP ROOM, CHARLEVOIX 8/26 -- Patrick Ryan, 7 CHALFONTE THEATRE, ELK RAPIDS, THE PLATFORM: 8/24 – PuppetArt’s Kolobok, 2 8/28 – Pierre Bensusan, 7 ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS OUTDOORS, 8-11: 8/23 – The Reverend Jesse Ray 8/30 – Tower of Bauer 8/31 – One Love Reggae Party w/ DJ Franck & DJ Yakob, 4-7 FIRESIDE LOUNGE, BELLAIRE PATIO, 7-10: 8/29 – Eric Jaqua 8/30 – Matt Mansfield JAX NORTHSIDE, CHARLEVOIX 8/23 & 8/30 -- Karaoke Night, 9 LAVENDER HILL FARM, BOYNE

MAREK'S HARBOR GRILL, CHARLEVOIX THE FLYBRIDGE (ROOFTOP BAR): 8/22-23 -- Boardman River Band, 8-11 8/24 & 8/31 -- Lou Thumser, 7-11 8/28 – Karaoke, 7-11 8/29 – Jake The Dog, 7-11 8/30 – Dejayimar, 7-11 MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY 8/29 -- Seasonal Road, 6-9 PEARL'S NEW ORLEANS KITCHEN, ELK RAPIDS 8/30 -- Pete Fetters, 6-9 SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE BEER GARDEN, 7-9:30: 8/23 -- The Hey! Makers 8/28 -- Shortstop 8/29 -- Charlie Millard Band 8/30 -- Knee Deep 8/31 -- The Go Rounds SHORT'S PULL BARN, ELK RAPIDS 8/23 -- Alex Teller, 6 8/24 -- Charlie Arnott, 2-5 8/28 -- Kevin Wolff, 6

TOONIE'S, BELLAIRE 9: 8/23 & 8/30 -- Karaoke 8/29 – Ultralounge VUE WINE BAR, CHARLEVOIX 8/27 -- Jessica Dominic, 7-9 WATERFIRE VINEYARDS, KEWADIN 8/30 -- Randy Reszka, 1-4

otsego, Crawford & Central ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD 6-9: 8/23 -- Rick Woods 8/29 – Lou Thumser 8/30 – Craig Soderberg C.R.A.V.E., GAYLORD 8/23 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6

Mike Annelin Enthusiastic & Experienced

231-499-4249 | 231-929-7900

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141 Rivers Edge Drive, #309 | $425,000

1 bedroom, 1 bath condominium in the heart of Downtown Traverse City. Boasting nearly 1,200 sq ft, large windows allowing for lots of natural light, open floor plan, natural gas fireplace, Boardman River frontage, underground parking and maintenance-free living.

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5151 Hidden Gables $715,000

605 Third Street, #9 $350,000

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214 W Sixteenth Street $500,000

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MIKEANNELIN.COM Northern Express Weekly • august 25, 2025 • 31

Labor Day your way.

G E T 4 0 % O F F YO UR O R D E R WH E N YO U SP E N D $ 60 TRAVERSE CITY: FRONT ST. & MUNSON ST. HONOR | K ALK ASK A | PE TOSKEY

P R O MO C O D E

NE40

Expires 9/5/25, Limit One Per Transaction Per Day, Non-stackable, Exclusions May Apply, Excludes Merch & Gift Cards FOR USE BY INDIVIDUALS 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER ONLY. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF MARIHUANA. NATIONAL POISON CONTROL CENTER 1-800-222-1222.

32 • august 25, 2025 • Northern Express Weekly