Northern Michigan drivers: Welcome to summer. Here’s a news flash: Neither snow, ice, rain, or dead of night impact traffic safety as much as too many people in great big vehicles going too fast.
The facts: about one-third of all traffic fatalities are caused, at least in part, by excessive speed. How many times have I been passed by a roaring pickup truck only to be sitting right next to them at the traffic light they so urgently needed to get to? Is it really worth wrecking your car, hurting or killing someone, or being dead or disabled yourself to get to that light 10 seconds sooner?
Same goes for pulling out in front of oncoming traffic. If the approaching driver has to brake, you pulled out too soon. Period. Then there’s tailgating—another affliction caused by self-important drivers in a great big hurry. The rule is this: for every 10 miles of speed, allow one car length between you and the driver ahead of you. At 70, that’s seven car lengths.
The air inside my own car is blue from yelling at the offenders. Slow down and show some respect for human life, please!
Greta Bolger | Thompsonville
What Comes Next for the Island House?
Geri Dietze's piece (June 8) covering groundbreaking for the new Elk Rapids District Library provided a fine review of past, present, and what’s to come in the future. As a visitor to Elk Rapids by sea, I have enjoyed time spent at the District Library both inside and outside of the historic Island House scenic grounds.
However, this otherwise thorough update failed to address a related question to which this reader would have appreciated an answer: What is to become of the historic Island House property, given the donor's stipulation which restricts the property’s use “for the benefit of the community”?
Joan Brovins | Northport
“Affordable” Housing
Should taxpayer revenue be shifted to subsidize local affordable housing projects?
(Response to Stephen Tuttle’s “Nobody Home,” June 8 issue.) There’s more to the story. Yes, the shortage is that of affordable housing. There is indeed a current crisis, a natural result of changes in socioeconomic realities and the free market and slow-toadapt local government policies.
Single-family home prices have recently spiked. The buying power of some groups, including wage earners, has significantly decreased over a longer period. They’ve been priced out. This new economic climate has caused an affordable housing shortage. It is higher priced homes which the free market currently favors, at least in part of northwest lower Michigan. These are a big portion of the homes currently being built.
Local governments decide which land is developed within their boundaries, by enacting land use ordinances. These ordinances designate which property is available for residential uses and specify the conditions for developing it. Over time, as more land has been developed and less is available, rural/suburban zoning
codes favoring single-family homes on large parcels have begun to disfavor more affordable housing options, such as duplexes, condos, and apartment building s.
Proposed projects for multifamily housing have been opposed by some existing single-family homeowners. Changes in policy which could facilitate the development of more modestly priced housing have only recently been made in only some areas. Meanwhile, the shortage has become a crisis. Building the most affordable housing quickly has become an almost insurmountable challenge.
Building more affordable housing units in TC, where there is more infrastructure, more jobs and new residents can walk/ bus to work, etc., does make sense. But the free market isn’t building enough affordable housing anywhere. Maybe start now in the mid-income scale, where some improvement is still feasible with tax incentives.
Robert MacKenzie | Harbor Springs
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
Creative Director: Kyra Cross Poehlman
Finance Manager: Libby Shutler
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
Contributors: Joseph Beyer, Ren Brabenec, Eric Cox, Anna Faller, Ellen Miller, Stephen Tuttle, Todd VanSickle
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
Listings Editor: Jamie Kauffold
top ten
It’s a big week for the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society! On Thursday, June 25, get out on the water for the Blessing of the Fleet, an annual boat parade tradition in Little Traverse Bay. Per their website, “Vessels of all shapes and sizes are welcome from canoes, kayaks and paddleboards to sailboats, motor boats and yachts.” If you’d like to participate, the blessing is free, but donations are encouraged. Or you can watch the parade by setting sail aboard the flagship Harbor Princess, which gives out the blessings and where your $75 registration includes a drink ticket and snacks. The parade starts at 6pm. The evening concludes at the Pier Restaurant for the historical society’s Summer’s Launch Party with hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, trivia, and a raffle. Learn more at harborspringshistory.org/events.
Summer tradition awaits at The Manitou Restaurant in Honor, where dining amid Sleeping Bear Dunes gets the seasonal cherry treatment. Enter: the Northwoods Crispy Duck! The perfect rich-but-lighter bite to showcase some cherry good sauce (ingredients: northern Michigan cherries, cinnamon, clove, and a splash of tart lemon and orange juices), this dish features half of a slow-roasted duck, which gets crisp and golden in the fryer to finish, served alongside a base of long-grain rice and accompanied by a brimming side of cherry-packed sauce for dunking, drizzling, or (let’s face it) savoring by the spoonful. A little sweet, a little savory, and—dare we say it—pure Michigan, it’s the perfect plate to kick off the summer! Feed the first of many cherry cravings at 4349 N Scenic Hwy in Honor. themanitourestaurant.com
An Herbal Hike
Get your steps in, enjoy the sunshine, and learn how to identify wild herbs/explore their medicinal uses! Sierra LaRose of Bear Earth Herbals has teamed up with Grand Traverse Conservation District to lead you on a guided hike and hands-on herbal workshop where you can make your own herbal tincture, oil, or vinegar. Register for this event ($35) that takes place Saturday, June 27, from 10am-noon beginning at Boardman River Nature Center in TC. gtcd.wufoo.com/forms/smcmueu1pt0qkp/
Hey, Watch It! Not Suitable for Work
If Mindy Kaling had written a modern-day Friends reboot (except they start off more like enemies), it would probably feel a lot like her latest for Hulu, Not Suitable for Work. On one side of the hall are Abby and AJ, college besties reunited in New York and pursuing their dreams as a stylist and investment analyst, respectively. On the other side are Davis (AJ’s smitten coworker), Josh (a nepo baby trying to get out of his father’s shadow), and Kel (a med school drop-out trying to make it as an actor). All of these twenty-somethings are navigating work, romance, and responsibility with various levels of success and failure—and plenty of laughs along the way. The premise of growing up in the big city feels familiar, but there’s plenty of drama and interpersonal twists to keep you watching. New episodes air Tuesdays on Hulu.
Ready, Set, Paint Outside!
Crooked Tree Arts Center is known for many artistic endeavors between Petoskey and Traverse City, but one of the nonprofit’s crown jewels is Paint Grand Traverse, a plein air painting festival and competition that runs June 21-28, followed by an exhibition July 1-Aug. 22 at the Traverse City location. Dozens of painters from across the country come for a variety of events, including art demos and workshops, gallery visits, activities for kids, and the Fresh Paint Party on June 27 where the newest works are displayed and sold. (Tickets for the party are $75—plus, there will be half a dozen local artists to cheer on as they face the jurors!) Expect to find painters popping up all over northern Michigan, from Old Mission Peninsula to Elk Rapids to Fishtown. See the full schedule of events at crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/events/ paint-grand-traverse.
Stuff We Love: Peony Season
Peonies are the ultimate summer bloom—big, fragrant showstoppers that bring some serious flower power to any bouquet or arrangement. The season in northern Michigan is intense, and the team at Inevitable Farm Peonies has been working hard from late May onward to nurture and collect all the pink, purple, and white flowers (in all, they grow about 15 varieties) that they can. After gardening together for years, downstaters Denise Samuels and Jim Lemire bought a farm on Leelanau Peninsula back in 2015, and during their first spring, they found about a thousand peonies on the property. Talk about inevitable! The farm, which sits just a few miles outside downtown Traverse City and just down the road from Lakeview Hill Farm & Market, does a brisk business with florists, grocers, and restaurants—plus weddings and individuals. Put an order in while the peonies are blooming through mid to late July! inevitablefarm.com
Call for Thoughts on America 250!
Back in May, we invited readers to share answers to the question, “What does it mean to be an American?” for our Fourth of July issue. We still have some space available and would love for the voices of the northern Michigan community to be marked for the 250th anniversary of the United States. To submit your thoughts, please send responses to info@ northernexpress.com with the subject line “What does it mean to be an American.” Responses must be 100 words or fewer, and you must include your full name and city/ town of residence with your submission to be considered. (We’re open to many points of view, but it should go without saying that we will not print any responses with information that cannot be fact checked or that include foul language or threats.) We’ll publish as many answers as we can in our Fourth of July issue.
Entertainment SUMMER
HUCKLEBERRY GROOVE LIVE
Friday, July 17 | Saturday, July 18
JULY-O-WEEN
Saturday, July 25
ANNEX KARAOKE
Fridays All Summer Long
up Chateau Chantal’s 0% Line
A few years ago, Chateau Chantal debuted their 0% wine, an affordable ($18) white blend with the alcohol removed. Fast-forward to 2026, and designated drivers and nondrinkers are finally getting their moment. Whether you’re shopping at Meijer (where the winery recently got placement) or sitting on the Old Mission winery’s stunning patio, there’s a whole NA line to explore. Try the 0% Sparkling Brut, which is crisp, bubbly, and oh-sorefreshing on a summer day. For a sweeter touch, pick the 0% Sparkling Rosé, which has the classic pink look and can literally allow you to rosé all day. Last but not least is 0% Red, a rarer find as most NA wines are white! The red is semi-sweet and made with varietals grown in northern Michigan. Opt for a 0% flight on your next visit at 15900 Rue de Vin in Traverse City. chateauchantal.com
Pictured: Work by oil painter Kevin Barton of Petoskey.
JUDGE FOR YOURSELF
spectator
By steven Tuttle
President Donald Trump just turned 80. Already the oldest person to ever be elected to the office, he will be the oldest to have ever served if he finishes his current term. There are many questioning if he is mentally up to the task.
This comes on the heels of Joe Biden being ridiculed, insulted, and effectively run out of his reelection efforts after a poor debate performance. It was clear, his critics claimed, he was suffering from dementia. As the criticism increased, Biden dropped out of the race just 104 days before the election, leaving Kamala Harris with little chance to mount a coherent effort, though she only lost by 1.5 percent.
and day-to-day operations to prevent his resignation and the succession of vice president Thomas Marshall.
Richard Nixon seems to have taken some vacations from reality as Watergate crashed his second term. Some aides reported he had taken to having conversations with the portraits of previous presidents. It should be noted he did understand math and when it became clear the U.S. House had enough votes to impeach him and the U.S. Senate had the votes to convict him, he resigned.
Ronald Reagan was ultimately diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and many believe the effects had started during his second term in the White House.
Sunday, July 5
10 AM – 6 PM
Downtown TC: Union St
Hosted By: Downtown Traverse City Association
It is not clear we would even know if a president was suffering from dementia unless it was acknowledged or those closest announced it.
Which brings us to our current president and the growing concerns about his mental health. It is true enough it is frequently difficult to follow his train of thought, and sometimes it’s not clear that train ever left the station. But does that qualify as the onset of dementia as his detractors and, to be fair, others have suggested?
Trump likes to brag, ad nauseam, about a cognitive test he’s now taken three times, occasionally misidentifying it as an IQ test. The president claims he “aced” the test and calls such a result rare.
The president has actually been taking the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) but why he has felt obliged to take it three times is a bit of a mystery. The test is easily available online and you can take it yourself. Designed to determine if there is cognitive impairment, it consists of 30 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
So, are Trump’s incoherent ramblings a sign of dementia or just part of his normal difficulty staying on subject? How would we absolutely know and which type of dementia would he be suffering?
The most common and famous, or infamous, is Alzheimer’s disease, a build-up of plaque in the brain that robs a person of coherent thought, memory and, ultimately, basic lifegiving functions. Early symptoms could include short-term memory loss, difficulty with names and dates, slurring words, frequent repetition, or asking the same question repeatedly, and becoming easily agitated or anxious. The president does exhibit some language quirks, does frequently slur his words, and does repeat the same information—especially when it isn’t true, like his delusions about the 2020 elections.
Not exactly a brain teaser, the test, among other things, asks you to draw a clock face, to repeat words, to identify the different animals so you know the difference, for example, between a crocodile and an elephant. A score of 26 or higher would indicate a lack of cognitive impairment, and Trump claims he has a perfect score of 30 on each test. (Should you decide to take the test, you will discover a perfect score is somewhat less challenging and surprising than the president wants us to believe.)
It is not clear we would even know if a president was suffering from dementia unless it was acknowledged or those closest announced it. Trump would not be the first president with some impairment.
Woodrow Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke in 1919, but his wife Edith successfully kept the news from his cabinet. She functioned as his gatekeeper for issues
Another symptom is called “sundowning,” a state of increased confusion and anxiety toward the end of the day and into the evening. Here, Trump’s late night social media rants, some of which go on for pages of confusing nonsense, do fit this symptom, and it’s in evidence almost daily.
The second most common form is vascular dementia which, as it implies, involves circulation, or lack thereof, of blood getting to the brain. This can be marked by dysarthria, the slowed thinking and slurring of words or mental disorganization jumping from subject to subject.
Then there is Lewy body dementia, symptoms of which include fluctuating alertness, sleep disruptions and, sometimes, vivid hallucinations, a stooped posture, unsteady gait, and shuffling of the feet.
Watch the president as he walks away from Air Force One. Listen as he speaks or tries to answer questions. Read the full transcript of any recent interview. Judge for yourself.
THE OVERLOOKED ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL TOOL YOUR TOWNSHIP MAY ALREADY HAVE
GUEST OPINION
by Lauren Teichner
Concerned about a proposed data center, shoreline development, tree clearing, or loss of rural character in your community? Here is something many Michigan residents— and even local officials—do not realize: your municipality may already have an overlooked legal tool that can help local officials respond to environmental concerns before projects proceed.
It is called the Michigan Environmental Protection Act (MEPA), and while many people think of it primarily as a law used in lawsuits, it can also serve as a framework in local land use decision-making when projects raise legitimate concerns about impacts to natural resources.
Local officials and residents often assume that addressing environmental concerns in zoning proceedings is simply “EGLE’s job.”
To be clear, much environmental regulation in Michigan falls within the purview of the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The agency oversees permitting and regulations involving wetlands, water quality, air emissions, and more. State expertise matters, and state law often preempts local regulation.
But that is not the end of the story. Local governments often have authority—and, I would argue, good reason—to thoughtfully consider environmental impacts through the lens of MEPA. Michigan law does not require municipalities to conduct a formal MEPA analysis as part of every zoning decision, but it can function as a useful supplementary framework when potential harms are raised.
An important question too often missing from zoning conversations is: “Could this project significantly affect natural resources, and are there reasonable ways to reduce those impacts?” In appropriate cases, bringing MEPA into the picture can help local governments explore risks and consider whether project redesign or conditions (such as vegetative buffers, tree preservation, or dark sky protections) could make projects more compatible with local values, more legally defensible, and more likely to earn public trust.
Environmental lawyers like me love the fact that Michigan’s Constitution declares conservation of natural resources to be of “paramount public concern” and directs the legislature to protect them. In response, Michigan enacted MEPA in 1970, which asks administrative bodies to seriously consider whether proposed conduct has or is likely to cause pollution, impairment, or destruction of air, water, or other natural resources—or the public trust in those resources—and, if so, whether feasible and prudent alternatives are available before granting approval.
Michigan courts have long affirmed that local governments have a legitimate interest in protecting the environmental features and natural resources that define their communities, so long as they do so in a way that does not conflict with EGLE’s authority or other state law.
Importantly, these priorities are not invented out of thin air. They are often reflected in community Master Plans, documents developed through years of public meetings, surveys, and resident input about what people value in the places they call home. In northern Michigan, those values often include clean water, healthy forests, dark skies, open space, farmland, and rural character.
Local concerns can also include cumulative impacts, community character, site-specific consequences, and long-term stewardship of natural resources—all considerations germane for planning commissioners as they deliberate on land use standards.
Bringing MEPA into the discussion does not mean local governments are stepping into EGLE’s shoes or reflexively saying “no” to development. Nor does it mean every zoning matter suddenly becomes an environmental case. It simply means thoughtfully exercising existing authority in service of the community values residents have identified.
Some may worry that bringing MEPA into local decision-making risks slowing urgently needed development or infrastructure. At a time when Michigan needs more housing, clean energy, transmission, and emerging technologies, that concern deserves to be taken seriously.
But thoughtful environmental review and progress are not mutually exclusive. Projects are often stronger when environmental concerns are addressed early before any conflicts arise or litigation is filed. Likewise, communities that proactively update ordinances to reflect local environmental values are often better positioned to welcome new infrastructure while maintaining public trust and protecting their natural features.
When local decision-makers face difficult land use questions, they bring practical wisdom, local knowledge, and a genuine commitment to protecting the places their communities care about while accommodating change. Their work deserves strong legal tools.
MEPA is not a mandate to stop development or a silver bullet for every conflict. But it is often an overlooked tool for asking key questions before important decisions are made: What could be harmed? What alternatives exist? How can impacts be reduced?
EGLE’s role in state permitting is essential, but environmental stewardship does not begin and end in Lansing. Local governments have a role to play too, and MEPA already exists as a complementary framework that can help guide when environmental concerns arise. The challenge now is simply to use it in those cases by asking better questions before natural resources are altered in ways that cannot easily be undone.
Lauren Teichner is the principal attorney at Teichner Law, an environmental and land use law firm based in Traverse City.
Sauerkraut
That's One Way to Do It
One Australian couple's wedding reception had it all: speeches, cake ... tug-ofwar, a potato-sack race. You know, the usual. When Melbourne couple Brett Borland, 30, and Georgie Abela, 31, were preparing to tie the knot, they couldn't decide what their new last name would be as a married couple. "We plan to have a family and want everyone to have the same last name," Brett told People Magazine, "but Georgie wasn't sold on parting with her surname and I was open to taking her last name." Borland and Abela each come from large families and wanted them to mingle at the wedding, so the couple came up with an idea to help address both issues: They hosted a "Battle of the Surname" at their wedding reception, an all-day series of competitive games for their families to play against each other. The winning family would determine the couple's new last name. After competing in tug-of-war, a potato sack race, a soccer shoot-out and a twerk contest, the Borland family took home the trophy, and the couple took home their family name. "To be honest, everyone really locked in -- which we absolutely knew would happen," Borland said. "The stakes were high, and everyone rose to the occasion." The Borlands shared the "Battle of the Surname" on social media with the caption, "Two names enter, one name leaves," inspiring a few other couples to do something similar at their own nuptials. [People, 6/9/26]
Faking It
An Air Canada pilot faces allegations of using a fake license during his nearly 30-year tenure with the airline. CTV News reported on June 9 that Geoffrey Wall, 59, of Barrie, Ontario, lacked a crucial portion of his license, the Airline Transport Pilot Licence for Aeroplanes (ATPL(A)), that qualified him to fly passengers in the Boeing 767, 777 and 787, yet he flew roughly 900 flights and thousands of passengers in those planes. "As captain, the accused was considered the pilot in command and was ultimately responsible for aircraft operation and safety during flight," Det. Sgt. Chad Michell said. Air Canada maintains that passenger safety was not compromised, but law enforcement says pilot regulations are safety regulations. "Regulations, licensing requirements, they exist for a reason. They exist to keep people safe," Peel Police Deputy Chief Nick Milonovich said. "When we misrepresent the qualifications that we have, to me, that is a safety issue." Investigators first found anomalies in March 2025, when Wall's credentials were flagged in Toronto. They also discovered that he filed a false police report in order to conceal his forged documents. Charges against Wall include fraud over $5,000, uttering forged documents, possession of counterfeit mark and public mischief. Wall retired from Air Canada in 2025, the same year the investigations began. He is scheduled to appear in court on June 29. [CTV News, 6/9/26]
Amanda Maria Souza de Oliveira, 37, of Santa Catarina in Brazil, is charged with fraud and identity theft after impersonating a 12-year-old girl and deceiving a local church into providing for her financially. Oddity Central reported on June 5 that de
Oliveria befriended a local pastor, gained his trust and that of his congregation and was even referred to a local family who took her in; the family planned to adopt her, and threw her a birthday party and paid for her weight loss medication. Her fraud was discovered when a relative of the prospective adoptive family raised suspicions and notified police. Despite de Oliverira's obvious mid-30s appearance, the congregation and family believed she was 12 because she acted like a child, drinking milk from a baby bottle, faking night terrors and speaking in a highpitched voice. Police say this is not the first time she has done this, and that she has impersonated minors in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. De Oliveria is currently in jail, awaiting a psychiatric evaluation. [Oddity Central, 6/5/26]
In Memoriam
One pet lover in the UK is taking "(wo) man's best friend" to a whole new level. When Claire Hobson's beloved dog, Patch, died recently, the permanent makeup artist decided to honor her pooch in an unusual way: by mixing his ashes into eyeliner ink and wearing the mixture as semipermanent eyeliner. "I thought, 'Oh, I'm getting my eyeliner tattooed and I'm sure people have their loved ones tattooed into body tattoos, so why not just have it in my eyeliner?'" Hobson said. "Dogs, they're loyal, they're consistent, they show up every single day and they kiss you when you come home from work and, like, it's the purest form of love." The Patchinfused eyeliner will last Hobson a few years, and she has plenty of his ashes left for a reapplication. "He's going to be there a long time," she said. [Oddity Central, 6/5/26]
New Fear Unlocked
On June 7, a woman sustained serious injuries after falling 10 floors down a trash chute in an apartment building in Hackensack, New Jersey, ABC 7 News reported. She entered the chute on the 14th floor and came to a stop at the fourth floor, where piles of garbage broke her fall. When firefighters arrived, they had difficulty finding her at first, thanks to all the trash in the way. They eventually had to cut into the metal chute and clear away the garbage before rescuing the woman feet-first. One firefighter cut his arm during the ordeal. Police say drugs and alcohol likely led to the incident. [ABC 7 News, 6/9/26]
Smooth Criminal
A Louisiana man was attacked by an alligator while on the run from police, NBC News reported on June 8. Louisiana State Police clocked Victor Rivas, 40, driving recklessly in Jefferson Parish, part of the New Orleans metropolitan area. When they caught up to him and pulled him over, police say he was showing signs of impairment and fled on foot as they were preparing to arrest him for driving while intoxicated. He landed in a nearby swamp, where he was attacked by an alligator and sustained injuries to his arms. Undeterred, he ran on, but police captured him with the help of drone technology. "Impaired driving can lead to serious and unpredictable consequences," state police said. Rivas is currently being held in the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in Killona.
are michigan’s forests at risk?
MSU professor speaks on U.S. Forest Service shakeups, invasive species, and ethical forestry practices
By Ren Brabenec
Depending on where you grew up, an acre of land can feel like a lot or a little, yet everyone can picture this parcel size and relate to it in terms of scale. But zoom the lens out to 20 million acres, and the sheer vastness of that land becomes almost impossible to fathom—yet that is exactly what Michigan can lay claim to, in terms of forests.
Trees cover more than half of Michigan’s total landmass, and while much of it is private or statemanaged, about three million acres fall under the purview of the National Forest Service, with Michigan being home to more national forest land than any state east of the Mississippi River.
Under the current federal administration, a significant shakeup is underway in the National Forest Service, so we checked in with a prominent Michigan forestry expert to find out what our forests need.
“Everything about forestry comes down to regeneration,” says Professor Richard Kobe, who is currently serving his 14th year as the chairperson of the Michigan State University Department of Forestry. “Forests are essential to the planet, so the most critical question we have to answer in forestry becomes, ‘How do we ensure our forests regenerate, i.e., continue?’”
USDA Plans to Move Forest Service Headquarters
On a national scale, the science of trees and how that science is leveraged through forest management hinges on the whims of federal policymakers. Case in point, on March 31, the USDA announced it will move the Forest Service headquarters to Salt Lake City, Utah, and begin a “Sweeping restructuring of the agency to move leadership closer to the forests and communities it serves.”
It is natural for forests to experience disturbances such as fire, windstorms, ice storms, droughts, and floods. But how the forest bounces back from natural disturbances or from timber harvesting is what scientists like Kobe seek to understand and support through management programs.
Kobe says that, in some respects, it is advantageous to have federal agencies located closer to the people and places relevant to those agencies.
“There’s pros and cons, because at the same time, there are a lot of important interactions taking place in D.C., including coordination with other agencies,” Kobe says. “D.C. is where the conservation groups are. It’s where the forest products industries are. It’s a centralized hub. Taking the Forest Service out of that hub could mean taking the Forest Service employees out of the essential conversations happening in D.C. that determine the future of our forests.”
Kobe says he’s in a “wait and see” mode about the move, but that he also worries about the institutional knowledge that may be lost if long-time Forest Service employees are unwilling to relocate from D.C. to Salt Lake City and instead retire early or pursue other employment.
Forest Service Field Research Offices in Michigan Slated for Possible Closure
Another news bulletin came across the wire this spring regarding the USDA’s intent to close Forest Service research centers across the nation, including four in Michigan: East Lansing, Houghton, L’Anse, and Wellston.
“It appears this move is mostly about cost-cutting and closing research centers that are seasonal or expensive to maintain,” Kobe says. “As the order is currently laid out, the intent is not to fire or layoff the Forest Service employees who work out of those centers, as the centers slated for closure in Michigan are either seasonal or they have nearby locations where the employees can work out of.”
Kobe identified the Wellston and L’Anse research centers as primarily seasonal. The Houghton and East Lansing centers are close to university spaces at Michigan Tech and MSU, where Forest Service researchers and scientists already have existing relationships and workspaces.
“As long as the USDA is just trying to reduce their operating costs without sacrificing people or knowledge, we should be ok,” Kobe says.
Managing Michigan’s Forests: Climate Change
No matter what happens at the federal level, Kobe is staying focused on the big threats to our forests: climate change and invasive species.
“Talk to any person, and I mean any person, who works in forestry, and they will tell you they are observing and planning for changes in weather patterns,” Kobe says. “Not
Photos courtesy of MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
all of them label it climate change, but everyone has observed it, and we need good research to make decisions on how we can prepare our forests for these shifting patterns and the cataclysmic weather events they cause.”
Kobe ticked off a few changes people can expect, including larger rainfall events and flooding, followed by longer dry periods and a higher risk of fire, plus more extreme storms with wind, ice, and snow.
“There are practical considerations you have to take into account when budgeting for climate change,” Kobe says. “If we’re trying to regenerate a forest that was recently harvested, do we plant larger seedlings that are more resistant to drought? Doing so may be more expensive, but it may be the correct choice.”
Meanwhile, few factors affect a forest’s ability to regenerate as much as invasive species, and Kobe says that here, too, scientists have to find answers that promote regeneration, and policymakers have to listen.
“When the Emerald Ash Borer came through the Port of Detroit a few decades
ago, it spelled the end for tens of millions if not hundreds of millions of ash trees in Michigan alone,” Kobe says. “That had a devastating effect. Ash trees are often the first to start growing in an area that had been disturbed, like a former agriculture area, so it’s an important species for forest regeneration. It has been an essential timber species, too. Most baseball bats and many tool handles are made from ash. The tree has played a pivotal role in human life, ecologically, economically, and socially. Seeing it devastated by a human-caused and preventable source is tragic.”
Kobe continues, “Having research on the movement of those pests and others, knowing what could be coming in from around the world, how we could control for them, if we could find tree genetics that are resistant to invasive species, all of that data-finding and scientific research is critically important to managing these issues. We always have to be proactively thinking about the next invasive species while also mitigating the ones we already have.”
Where Ecology and Economy Meet
Then there’s the matter of forestry as it pertains to sustainable timber harvesting.
“Forests are one of the few places in Michigan where ecology, sociology, and economy all meet,” Kobe says. “Humans value the forests for their recreation potential. The woods mean something to us, whether it’s for hiking, hunting, camping, or simply disconnecting from urban America. And ecologically, we and countless other lifeforms survive because we have trees that create habitats while also absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. But we need even more incentives than that to protect forests; mainly, we need science-based markets that connect forests to the economy.”
Though it may seem paradoxical, Kobe explains the need for an economic connection to the woods by describing how, if a landowner can make money from sustainably harvesting his forest, he’s less likely to sell the land and see it developed
LEELANAU
into a strip mall or a data center. Kobe says there’s a way to integrate forests into the economy that protects forest health and incentivizes regeneration. “Remember, the absolute worst thing that can happen to a forest is to remove it, so we have to find additional incentives to keep them here,” Kobe says.
Kobe describes an MSU program called MassTimber, which is developing new ways to integrate timber products into modern construction, enabling the construction of up to 18-story buildings with engineered wood products. The technology is associated with much lower greenhouse gas emissions than current building methods, and it incentivizes the production and maintenance of healthy forests.
“From climate change to invasives, fire prevention, storm mitigation, and promoting economic activity, we need knowledge on how to preserve our forest resources, and science gives us that knowledge,” Kobe says in closing. “If we can get policymakers to listen to the science, our forests will be ok.”
Kobe speaks at a forestry event in 2023 at Baker Woodlot, one of 26 preserved natural areas on and around MSU's campus.
Interlochen
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country & Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives
A Midsummer Night’s Dream Interlochen Shakespeare Festival
Tchaikovsky & Abels Detroit Symphony Orchestra
18
St. Vincent Live with Orchestra
Emmylou Harris & Graham NashTwo Legends. One Legendary Evening
23
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Renée FlemingVoice of Nature: The Anthropocene
Stray Cats
Joe Bonamassa and Gov’t Mule
Brothers Osborne
Accidentals and Emma Zinck with special guests A to Z Music
Yacht rock the Dock w/ Ambrosia, John Ford Coley, Peter Beckett, and Walter Egan
20
‘OUR MARKET IS STRONG AND VERY RESILIENT’
Airport director Kevin Klein sees blue skies ahead
Cherry Capital Airport Director Kevin Klein and TVC are on a roll. We grabbed a moment with him to hear about the airport’s massive expansion, another possible summer record, and what direct destinations are on his wish list.
1 > We attended your new terminal groundbreaking in May and it was a great turnout and event!
It was just a great event. Seeing the community support and all the people coming out for it was beyond belief. With an event like that you never know how many will attend, but it really shows the belief in this project, even with weather. I was very grateful. And this expansion will impact the entire community for the next 50 years. So it’s one that’s needed and I think is going to make a major economic impact on the region.
2 > Curious how much of your time you spend on this project these days versus maybe a year or two ago.
It’s a big part of my day, but also a great part of the day. A year ago we were working on design and having your typical meetings on financing and bonds and that entire path. But now today, those are in place, so we’re really focusing on the constructibility, and meeting with contractors every day to make sure the execution happens. And it’s fun because you’re seeing something tangible. It’s such a great team with our project lead Bob Nelson, who’s our airport engineer; he lives and breathes it 24 hours a day. And we have great consultants and contractors, including M&M Excavating and The Christman Company. It’s a lot of coordination right now because when you have grant financing, you build per the description because that’s how the money flows. So right now it’s the civil work and site readiness for terminal. Then Christman will be working on the demolition of the tie-ins to our current building and then working out to the site shortly with foundations being set in June.
3 > So how much of your time is dedicated to expansion right now?
It’s probably about 50% of my day right now, and it will be less and less over time, when it will be shifting more to working with the airlines and air service development.
4 > You must at this point have a very accurate picture of how summer 2026 will be?
I just received this morning the latest report, and it shows
240,000 seats in the next 90 days for our peak season. That would be a record, so it’s feeling very strong, even with the FAA changes required of United and American in Chicago.
5 > What were those?
On May 17 they had to reduce their flight schedules out of Chicago due to safety and air traffic control, so that cut about 3,500 seats from our market immediately. But what’s great is that both airlines switched aircraft sizes with larger seats to recover a lot of those lost seats and we really fared well. Meanwhile United had announced they were expanding into 10 cities, but some of those were cut way back and some had to be eliminated all together.
6 > Our market is strong even with all the consumer headwinds?
Our market is strong and very resilient. Some airfares are certainly higher; the longer stage routes are running maybe $600-$700. But even now in markets with heavy competition like Boston, routes from here are still $180-$220, so still some really good fares. Florida fares remain really inexpensive, and I still see Chicago fares at $234.
7 > So are fares up overall around 15% with the fuel costs and all?
Yes, in that ballpark. But instead of increasing just the base fare, most airlines are putting some of those increases on bag fees and other ancillary charges.
8 > How is business travel doing these days?
I think it remains strong. I was listening to a local group talking about the number of trips they have to take this summer for training purposes and I was surprised. Business travel remains strong right now. We’ll see as things shake out with the crisis in the world that might slow things down, but I go back to other challenges like in 2022 coming out of COVID, or even the 2008 downtown. Business travel here tailed off a bit but remained consistent. For this year so far we are down 2%, but mostly due to March weather, so we have not seen a slowdown. April was up 5.6%, and we will probably beat last year’s totals.
9 > I keep going back to how people here just don’t appreciate that being in a winning airport market is so rare.
It’s very true, and it takes some effort on our part to explain that. But we’ve always been very underserved (for air service) for the population we have. There’s obviously a dramatic difference between January and July traffic. We’ve been able to get airlines to right-size their equipment and get the right city pairs at the right time, but it took years of going to airlines and helping them trust our information. Other markets say they also need the big airlines, but then they can’t support them. We’ve proven ourselves here.
10 > But there are lots of other tourism markets that also have seasonal swings.
That’s also true, and some ski markets have really struggled. But again we’ve been successful because we don’t put something out there unless we know it’s going to be successful.
11 > What are some next direct destinations you’d love to add to the roster here?
There are a couple. First we’d like to extend Denver to year-round, which went to December 1 last year. It’s our hottest market when it comes to revenue for the airlines; most people think it’s Chicago, but Denver in the summer outpaces Chicago revenue-wise. That’s our two- to threeyear goal. And Dallas is the next one. It’s very strong for American, and they keep extending it on each side of the summer peak, so that’s another one. Those two cities are priorities. From a wish list, it would be Los Angeles and San Francisco. Those two are the best West Coast hubs and can connect anywhere on the West Coast. We also have a lot of people from here who go to Hawaii.
12 > Are you all set for parking?
Yes, the parking is in place. The economy lot is doing very well and has offset some of the stress, especially through spring break. What I’ll call the immediate longterm goal is to expand the economy lot, and then even longer-term we’re looking at a parking deck. We will need one sooner or later.
13 > Everything set for the Cherry Festival this year?
Yes, the Cherry Festival is great. Our agreement is in place for the daytime (air) show and also the agreement for the nighttime show. I’m really looking forward to that!
mountain biking trails and expert tips
TOMMBA and TOMTC share their favorite places to ride
By Todd VanSickle
There are more than 460 miles of dedicated mountain bike trails in the region, according to the Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association—and more trails are in the works. Luckily, finding the right trail is getting easier than ever thanks to several volunteer organizations that are clearing the way for cyclists of all levels. Let’s check in with a few of them and get their recommendations.
Top
of Michigan Mountain Bike Association
Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association (TOMMBA) board chair Lynn Wolf tells us there is a range of trails in NoMi from flat beginner trails to expert level with features like jumps, drops, and obstacles.
“We have a theme, especially when you’re getting into trails that have features. Pre-ride, re-ride, free ride,” Wolf says. “That means pre-ride it, inspect it and know what you’re getting into. Re-ride it to ingrain it
into your brain, then let it fly.”
One of the more recent trails to officially open up to the public is an older trail system on the backside of Boyne Highlands off Bigfoot Road. It was legitimized last year and includes about 16 miles of trails that lead to the top of Boyne Highlands with more than 1,400 feet of climbing.
“We had to bring all the players together so that we could get permission to do everything,” Wolf says. “We just got the Memorandum of Understanding signed by everybody. It’s a sore spot for some, because it’s been their hidden trail system for years. But as more people are finding it now, we can do a better job of signage and a better job of safety.”
Currently, there is no signage and Wolf warns unless you have a guide, you will get lost.
“It is a fun one to ride, but I’ve gone out and I can get to the top of Boyne Highlands and I can get back, but there’s no guarantee I take the same route twice,” she says.
Wolf says collaboration is the most
important thing when it comes to developing and maintaining trails. TOMMBA often works with the Top of Michigan Trails Council and the Little Traverse Conservancy.
“I have never had the privilege of being with three different organizations that collaborate together so well,” Wolf says. She adds the trio are on the same page when it comes to funding and developing public land for recreational use.
For example, most trail maintenance is volunteer-based and relies on donations for upkeep.
“Mountain biking in northern Michigan is a grassroots effort building a sense of community,” says Wolf. “As we are all volunteer-based associations, be kind and always leave a little in the donation tubes.”
Top of Michigan Trails Council
Like TOMMBA, Top of Michigan Trails Council organization oversees various trail systems in the region.
“We are all eight counties at the tip of the
mitt,” Executive Director Brent Bolin says. “You can actually ride from Charlevoix to Alpena in our trail network. We’re more like linear trails—rails to trails.”
Bolin highlighted the 77-mile North Central State trail that starts at the Otsego and Crawford county line near the town of Waters. The trail then heads to Cheboygan and Mackinaw City for about 77 miles.
“We have a bunch of long trails, like the Little Traverse Wheelway and the Boyne Valley Trail,” Bolin says. “And then we do have a couple areas, Black Mountain and Wildwood, that are DNR properties that are primarily for winter cross-country skiing use, but in the summer it’s a single track where some people do mountain biking there.”
He added that the 80-mile High Country Pathway through the Pigeon River State Forest is an option for mountain bikers looking for a longer, secluded and scenic ride. The loop can take two to three days to complete.
Photos courtesy of TOMMBA
“It’s not like a traditional mountain biking loop, but if you want to get out and do a long ride in the woods, that’s really an amazing place,” Bolin says. “The High Country Pathway is pretty rugged. There’s a very small group of volunteers that work very hard to maintain it. It’s a long trail system, so it’s going to be a different kind of experience. It’s much more like biking on a hiking trail than it is like riding your typical mountain bike loop.”
The Shingle Mill loop is a shorter option on the High Country Pathway. It is about 12 miles and is a popular scenic section that starts at the Pigeon Bridge Campground.
“Pigeon River [Country State Forest] has beautiful trees and a little bit of rolling hills,” Bolin says. “There are kettle lakes and there’s lots of DNR roads so you can figure out different places to go in and out. If you really want to get out in the woods by yourself on your bike, it’s a great place for it.”
Hit the Trails
Here are a few mountain bike venues that are worth checking out this summer.
Glacial Hills near Bellaire has more than 30 miles of trails that are mostly familyfriendly. Expect loops of various lengths and difficulties with elevation changes. “It probably made me fall in love with mountain
biking more than I’d ever had anticipated,” says Wolf. “And you have Shorts Brewery right in town after you get done.”
Vasa Pathway near Traverse City features a variety of rides to choose from depending on where you park. There are 14 miles of groomed trails that do not include any grueling terrain. The trail is an old school single-track system.
Palmer Woods between Glen Arbor and Maple City has green, blue, and black trails—á la skiing—with black being more advanced due to features like jumps and drops. The reserve has a newly completed 42-mile network of trails split into 15 miles of hiking and skiing trails and 27 miles of mountain biking loops. The reserve is managed by the Leelanau Conservancy.
Hanson Hills in Grayling is a userfriendly trail system. The park is 1,500 acres with more than 20 miles of fast single-track and two-track trails. Riders pedal through oak and pine forests up and down rolling hills. A $2 donation is suggested at the trailhead.
Forbush Corner Nordic in Frederic features a professionally-built mountain bike trail system alongside its cross-country skiing loops. The single-track trail network is built to International Mountain Bike Association standards, featuring modern flow trail
mechanics, custom berms, and dedicated jump lines. Trails may be limited at the moment due to a multi-phase development of eight miles of dedicated dirt single track.
Aspen Park in Gaylord features 5 to 6.2 miles on a bi-directional dirt singletrack mountain bike trail in a 100-acre park filled with pines and hemlocks. Riders will experience continuous short hill climbs and switchbacks with no roots or log jams, making for smooth rides.
Boyne Forest Trail System in Charlevoix County has two different parking lots, one on Erickson Road and another on Old Horton Bay Road. Old Horton Bay Road requires some climbing up to a service road before reaching the main trail. Younger and beginner riders should start from the Erickson Rd. parking lot where there are shorter loops of 1 to 3 miles without all of the climbing. From the Old Horton Bay Road parking lot, there is a hub with three different expert level trails with jumps, drops, and an expert cross-country ride.
Avalanche Mountain Preserve in Boyne City is guaranteed to deliver the best views of Lake Charlevoix if you make it to the top. The preserve has 12 miles of winding trails that includes 8.6 miles of interconnected mountain biking trails and about 2.8 miles of hiking and snowshoeing paths. There is
also a disc golf course. The trail features a lot of elevation and is geared more towards intermediate to advanced riders.
Boyne Highlands in Harbor Springs has 22 miles of lift-served downhill trails and cross-country routes. It is the only liftserved, gravity-fed bike park in Michigan. There are green, blue, and black trails. There is a little bit of everything, but know your skillset first. A purchased-lift pass is required. Once at the top, riders are treated to views of Little Traverse Bay, and on a clear day from the North Trail section, the towers of the Mackinac Bridge are visible.
Offield Family Viewlands in Harbor Springs is a user-friendly trail system on 280 acres of a former golf course turned conservancy. There are currently more than 5 miles of trails with uphill climbs. Signage is in place. The mountain biking trails wind through the hilliest and most wooded portions of the property. All told, there is about 500 feet of elevation change with views of Little Traverse Bay.
The Melvin Family Hiking and Biking Trails in Topinabee has a variety of trails. The 150-acre preserve has about 8 miles of mountain biking trails from beginner to advanced with jumps and other features. During the right time of year, riders will get views of the nearby lakes.
a guide to pigeon river country state forest
Hike, bike, camp, fish, and ride in the Big Wild
By Eric Cox
The world’s wild places are disappearing. Roads, farms, housing, businesses, and infrastructure are daily permeating our green spaces, leaving virtually no area untouched.
But in the heart of Michigan’s northern lower peninsula, an area about half the size of New York City is maintaining its rugged, remote textures. Known as the “Big Wild,” Pigeon River Country State Forest is 100,000+ acres of undeveloped and untainted forest, water, and wildlife.
“The Pigeon River Country is a treasured destination for hunters, fishermen, hikers, campers, bikers, horseback riders, mushroomers, canoeists and photographers,” the Pigeon River Discovery Center’s website says. “It is dedicated to offering solitude and contemplative recreation to those who seek freedom and quiet beauty among wild undeveloped woods...”
The Big Wild is 12 miles wide and 20 miles long, encompassing an impressive array of trails, lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and animals—all mostly shielded from society’s encroachment. Covering parts of Otsego, Cheboygan, and Montmorency counties, this vast expanse of wilderness wasn’t established by accident, of course. State officials intended to preserve the area.
“A century ago, Michigan set aside the 6,468 acres of tax-reverted lands that would become the nucleus of the Pigeon River Country State Forest,” the DNR says. “The land had been logged, some of it burned by forest fires, some of it cultivated by farmers who soon learned that it was not good crop land. The forest continued to expand, mostly with lands purchased with deer hunting license revenue.”
The Pigeon River Country’s pristine nature, its sprawling forests and gin-clear waters have inspired strong feelings among outdoors people for decades, but maybe none so insightful as those of Ford Kellum. Years ago, Kellum worked for the DNR until he felt compelled to quit his job and take up the fight against proposed oil drilling in the forest.
“You’ve got your free-flowing rivers. … You’ve got lakes that have no cottages around them,” he said in defending the forest. “You’ve got trail roads that are just two ruts. You’ve got the big trees; virgin or not, they’re big. … It’s pretty. And you can get back into some of these places and have solitude. People need a little of that.”
We sure do! So here’s your guide to Pigeon River Country State Forest.
Pigeon
River Discovery Center
Located in the heart of the Big Wild, the Discovery Center is where visitors go to learn the entire history of the Pigeon River Country State Forest. ADA accessible and brimming with interesting exhibits and lore, the Discovery Center was established in 2018.
“On Twin Lakes Road [right behind forest headquarters], each of the seven rooms of this historic log cabin has a different theme,” the Discovery Center’s web page says. “Original documents and photographs, quotations and recorded interviews educate visitors about the forest’s history, the people who loved it, the controversies that shaped it, and its many recreational offerings. Multiformat exhibits highlight the delicate balance of forest life, man’s role in that balance, and the results of good decision making over the last 100 years.”
Educational programs for all ages are offered year round, and include topics like
Michigan’s Raptors, Native Plants & Nature Hike, Water Quality Connections, and more.
Hiking
When it comes to trails, the world is your oyster, with options that are simple one-mile loops or up to 80 miles long. Per the website, “You can hike anywhere in the forest boundaries (unless specifically prohibited by DNR rule or state law).” Biking is allowed on all vehicle roads, as well as High Country Pathway and Shingle Mill Pathway.
Speaking of pathways, there are plenty to choose from—nine of them, to be exact—whether it’s the Towerman’s Watch Interpretive Pathway starting at PRC headquarters with loops of 3.3 or 3.9 miles or Sinkholes Pathway, which takes you on a 2.5-mile trail around sinkholes that are as deep as 100 feet. (Be careful out there!)
Rustic Camping
Tranquility awaits visitors eager to lay their sleepy heads down in snuggly sleeping bags. If you’re into primitive camping, this state forest is for you.
In all, there are nine campgrounds in the Big Wild, three of which are designated equestrian campgrounds. As in all state forest campgrounds, these sites are offered on a first-come, first served basis. All are equipped with fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets, and potable water. Self-registration information is in each campground and campers simply put cash or check in the registration envelope and then into the pay post.
According to the Pigeon River Discovery Center, Pickerel Lake Campground was once the site of a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Camp in the mid-1930s. This is the PRC’s largest and most popular “family”
campground. The 39-site campground is on the shore of Pickerel Lake and features an excellent swimming beach, with boat launching site, area for day use picnicking, hiking trail around the lake, and room for large camping rigs.
Wilderness Angling
Ernest Hemingway famously fished the Pigeon River and once referred to the Pine Barrens region as some of the finest country he’d ever seen. He used the area as a setting for some of his Nick Adams stories, which offered detailed descriptions of the land and the fishing. It’s no wonder Ernie enjoyed himself! Rainbow, brook, and brown trout are all native species in the Pigeon River Country’s many waters. Largemouth bass, pike, and pan fish are also prevalent. The state annually stocks many of the small lakes and ponds, leading to some fishing restrictions. Anglers should carefully study these regulations before wetting a line.
Horseback Riding
What mode of transportation could be better than horseback for Michigan’s wildest space? With over 50 miles of designated equestrian trails, the Big Wild is well-suited for saddle-based exploration. The trails run mostly north and south along the park’s vertical length.
The Elk Hill Equestrian Campground and Trail Camp is near the heart of the Pigeon River Country and offers 11 camp sites, six of which will accommodate a 40foot vehicle. According to Pure Michigan, each site has a fire ring, picnic table, and picket posts. Amenities include vault toilets, water from a hand-pump well, an accessible mounting block, and manure bunkers.
Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pigeon River, this picturesque campground, where
most of the equestrian activities are centered, is located 14 miles east of Vanderbilt via East Sturgeon Valley Road, Witness Tree Road, and Twin Lakes Road. Sites can be reserved through the DNR Reservation System or 1-800-447-2757. Reservations must be made at least 72 hours in advance.
Elk Viewing
The animals in the largest elk herd east of the Mississippi River are reportedly pretty scarce throughout much of the year. But, with the right timing and a choice of four elk viewing stations in the Pigeon River Country State Forest, there’s
always a chance you’ll spot them.
According to the DNR, the best bet for viewing is in the elk mating season, September to early October. “The bulls make loud vocalizations (bugling), break brush, and sometimes spar for dominance with their antlers,” the Discovery Center website says. “Another good time has been late April through mid-May when elk are active throughout the daylight hours eating new green growth.”
Elk disappeared from Michigan in the late 19th century, driven out by loss of habitat and unrestricted hunting. In 1918, seven elk
were brought to Michigan and released near Wolverine. That herd grew, but over the years poaching and predation knocked it down.
“The herd is now maintained at up to 900 animals, primarily through habitat management and annual elk hunts since 1984. It is established policy to manage population and habitat so the Pigeon River Country remains the nucleus of Michigan’s elk herd,” says the DNR.
Though elk viewing is not confined to these areas, there are four designated elk viewing stations in the forest. Keep in mind that minimal signage appears in the forest
and cell phone coverage is spotty.
• 3.5 miles east of Vanderbilt on Sturgeon Valley Road, then 3 miles north on Fontinalis Road
• 8 miles east of Vanderbilt on Sturgeon Valley Road at a pipeline corridor
• 4 miles north of the Pigeon River Country State Forest Headquarters on Osmun Road
• 18 miles east of Gaylord on County Road 622
To learn more, visit pigeonriverdiscoverycenter.org.
being human in the wild world
Artist Kim Diment advocates for animals, the environment, and reconnecting with nature
By Anna Faller
If you ask award-winning wildlife artist Kim Diment, humans have far more in common with the world of animals than many of us realize.
“We came from animals,” she notes. “If you’re open to it, we can learn so much from them, [because they] teach us about us.”
A resident of the mighty Au Sable River, Diment is a decorated artist, an avid traveler, and an expert at finding the beauty in all animals, even the slimy ones; in fact, it’s that familiarity that comes from recognizing another living thing that defines much of her work.
Of her countless accolades, recent additions include the 2026 Montana Migratory Stamp and induction into her hometown’s roster of distinguished alumni. And as of October, 2025, she became the first Michigan artist to become a Master Signature Member of the Society of Animal Artists (SAA).
Top of Her Field
Master status within the SAA is a really big deal. In fact, Diment joins only 11 other
active society members worldwide (18 in total) who have achieved the title.
“I’m still a little bit flummoxed!” she says. “It’s a life goal, a lifetime achievement. I still can’t believe I’ve attained it.”
Founded in 1960, the Society of Animal Artists was born in New York from a successful gallery exhibition highlighting species in the Bronx Zoo. Since then, the organization has grown to encompass several hundred members, and ultimately highlights the most distinguished animal artists around the globe.
To get there, says Diment, the process, which spanned multiple years, required two tries to crack even the guild’s introductory “associate” level, before her inclusion in the SAA’s prestigious Annual Exhibition eventually earned her five independentlyjuried Awards of Excellence.
In other words, Diment’s at the tippy-top of the global wildlife artistry game, joining such icon-status artists as the late Bob Kuhn and Morten Solberg; the insanelyknowledgeable Carel P. Brest van Kempen; and Diment’s friend, Rachelle Siegrist (UT), who also achieved master status this year.
Now, says Diment, the trick is to
continue making art to keep up with that status. For her, that means more animal subjects—“I’ll always paint animals, because that’s just what I love,” she notes— though she also highlights environmental impact pieces as newer additions to her repertoire.
A Wild Path
Ever a nature girl—you know, the sort that could be counted on to bring creatures of every breed home from school— Diment notes that her lifelong love of art and animals developed simultaneously, making the pipeline from curious kid to serious wildlife artist, well, downright natural.
Diment was raised in an artistic family, where rainy day painting, nature walks, and crafting with materials of all kinds were par for the course. From there, the support of several early-elementary teachers was instrumental to her realization that making art could be special (not to mention her 13 subsequent years as a secondary art instructor!), before an art education from Michigan State University and the influence of such wildlife artists as Robert Bateman
(also an SAA Master), John Seerey-Lester, and Rod Lawrence really sealed the deal.
Much of Diment’s work is done primarily using acrylics, as well as watercolor, charcoal, and occasionally even sculptural clay.
“I’ve had a lot of different paths, but my passions were always wildlife and art,” she says. “Whether I’m teaching, or [doing] gallery [work], I’m always still interested. Those are my driving factors.”
Decades and a blossoming art career later, those factors (combined with a healthy dose of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom in her youth) have driven Diment all over the world in pursuit of far-flung creatures, tall and small.
“I wanted to see every animal I possibly could!” she says.
To date, Diment’s travels include locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as Ecuador, Belize, New Zealand, and notably, much of Africa, which she’s visited more than 15 times (though global issues, like the onset of disease and international tensions have made future trips uncertain). In fact, several of Diment’s big cat pieces rank amongst her personal favorites, as does a giant rendering of Wisconsin sandhill
cranes in flight (“The Drifters,” 2016), both of which, she notes, likely contributed to her master title.
“The inspiration is just the beauty in animals or nature itself,” she says. “I try to find things that are a little different and bring [them] out of the woodwork.”
Consequently, Diment’s latest work includes a growing series on common “pests” (possums, porcupines, skunks, the ever-contested cormorant, etc.), which she’s rendering on a massive scale in vivid color and sprinkling with personality. “I try to take the cutest parts, so people will want to know more about them,” she says.
She is also working on an annual conservation series in partnership with the Anglers of the Au Sable and book cover art for the recently released The New Au Sable by Dave Jankowski and Thomas Buhr.
Ups and Downs of the Industry (and the Environment)
While Diment is no starving artist, she’s excited that lately she’s noticed wildlife art has begun to gain widespread recognition and appeal.
“That makes me tremendously happy,” says Diment, not only from a professional perspective, but also because it suggests that audiences are viewing animals on a more complex, and maybe even more comparable, scale.
“I think art is always a reflection on society. If society is [embracing] the animals, then it starts to show up in the artwork, too,” she adds.
Conversely, Diment has also noticed a decline in environment-based initiatives, especially those concerning the preservation of public lands and wildlife habitats. This, she
says, is likely tied, at least in part, to the rise of tech that keeps us tethered to the digital world instead of exploring and appreciating the great outdoors.
Though Diment remains optimistic that the pendulum will eventually rebound, she also underscores the importance of connecting with others, and then using those connections to advocate for greener, more sustainable systems.
“It’s bothersome to me that people think they can survive without forests, clean water,
places,” she notes. She also does work with wildlife-centric nonprofits, including the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (Kenya), Trout Unlimited, and the Ruffed Grouse Society, among many others, and even creates pieces directly illustrating the dangers of ongoing climate change, headlined by a favorite workin-progress depicting an owl in a forest fire.
As for the rest of us? The first step is substituting the usual doom-scroll with time spent outside.
“It’s getting back outside and getting
by Joseph beyer
Were it not for the talents of the extraordinary actors Emily Blunt and Colman Domingo in lead roles, who valiantly commit to the absurdity of a screenplay by David Koepp and Steven Spielberg, I would not have much to praise for Disclosure Day, one of the most anticipated summer movies from one of Hollywood’s most legendary directors.
That’s because the original script of a decades-long coverup of extraterrestrial contact (and a rogue band of whistleblowers determined to expose it), not only failed to intrigue, dazzle, or entertain me, it also fell short of any intellectual, spiritual, or emotional resonance.
Set in a contemporary and familiar America, Disclosure Day itself is at fault by promising, with great fanfare, to deliver a hyper-logical and relatable premise set in the genre of “reality”…but then expecting us to believe a series of absurdities.
The idea of a film exploring “First Contact,” or the existential turning point when human beings definitively know we are not alone in the universe, is perfect fodder for the big screen and territory that writer and director Spielberg is obviously passionate about. But what follows in the 2 hour 25 minute journey to explore it turns out to be quite silly and unrelatable.
First, we must believe that an international corporation named Wardex has somehow been put in control of all alien-technology, Deep-State secrets, and extraterrestrial captivity by all known governments of the world. Then, we must believe they have created a small secret society to keep these mind-blowing and classified revelations to themselves (since humanity writ large would fall apart if they were revealed).
And finally, we must believe that once the news is out, the whole of society is
outraged at our treatment of aliens and comes together as a species to try and protect them—something we’ve failed to do for any other human genocide or Abu Ghraib revelation before.
Presented within a realistic approach, the actions onscreen face scrutiny they can’t stand up against. And it was all the more frustrating since Spielberg’s 1977 exploration into familiar territory in Close Encounters of the Third Kind captures exactly that “what if?” energy and is widely considered a masterpiece of the oeuvre.
In Disclosure Day , profundity and the religious and spiritual implications of aliens are not felt, but dictated to us in mealy-mouthed monologues from the worst culprits of the ensemble (actors Josh O’Connor and Eve Hewson are particularly strained and miscast).
For me, not even a score by longtime Spielberg collaborator John Williams (their 30th together) could lift my spirits by the time we reached the final act. Of particular disappointment was the comical treatment of media and journalists, the alien beings who look like Little Green Men, the Keystone Cop tactics of an elite security force that let people escape like Benny Hill, and the impenetrable subplot of an otherworldly remote-control no one could understand.
We should have been in awe given the talents and subject matter of Disclosure Day … instead of the “Aw, that was bad” that I overheard and concurred with as I exited the theater.
Rated PG-13 for adult language and mild alien torture, Disclosure Day is now playing exclusively in theaters. Debuting last week, it had the biggest opening weekend box office of any previous original story from the Oscar winning and legendary director.
the latest on the traverse city state park construction
Updates on track, park to fully reopen in 2027
By Ellen Miller
For tourists and locals alike, the construction at the Traverse City State Park has been a big change. Normally at this time of year, its parking lots and campsites are packed with cars and campers as folks from downstate (and further away) head up north to experience the great outdoors during the best season, summer.
This year, though, the Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park is closed in order to facilitate major updates that will improve the park for both campers and staff. There’s good news for those hoping to pack up their trailer, though: updates are on track, and the park is still expected to reopen on April 1, 2027.
Beach Access Remains Open for Summer
In early June, construction was completed to redesign the Three Mile intersection and widen the roadway. A new traffic signal was added at the relocated U.S. 31 campground entrance, and MDOT installed a new double left-turn lane from U.S. 31 to Three Mile Road. These updates should improve visitor safety and decrease vehicle backups.
“Everything is going well and I’m super excited to see all the changes that are happening,” says Stephanie Rosinski, Traverse City and Leelanau state parks supervisor.
Importantly, Rosinski offered a reminder that the ongoing construction doesn’t mean beachgoers need to alter their plans.
“The campground is still closed, but our beach area will be open,” she says. “People may be a little surprised. The entrance is now lined up with Three Mile Road, and you will be able to exit and enter with the light, which is a really good thing.”
She says the park expects to have high use at the beach area like they normally do, adding that “the traffic light will help, and the entrance is done.”
There will no longer be a fee booth to enter; instead, visitors will be able to pay
for parking through a fee pipe or purchase a Michigan State Park Recreation Pass online.
Current Project Focus Areas
With the roadwork largely complete, the park turns to its next steps. Rosinski says many of the improvements that are part of the project will improve safety and accessibility for park visitors, while other major projects will streamline the experience for guests and staff, improving access and traffic flow.
“The next thing that will be really noticeable to people driving by is paving of all the roads in the campground,” says Rosinski, noting that Elmer’s is scheduled to pave the campground side.
“The contact station will be finished really soon as well,” she adds. “The wooden bridge over Mitchell Creek has been done for a long time.”
From there, a lot will be going on behind the scenes…or at least behind the new fencing installed around the campground.
“People aren’t necessarily going to see what’s happening, but the main thing that’s happening now is going to be our headquarters,” Rosinski explains.
A major part of the project’s plan involves relocating the headquarters building— where state park staff work—to a new site.
“Headquarters has a lot of stuff happening,” Rosinski says. “We were there Thursday pouring cement floors… the garage doors have to go in, heating and cooling, working on windows. We don’t even have the walls up yet—we have the studs for the walls—so there’s a long ways to go on that building.”
Rosinski tells us that the park staff had long outgrown its old headquarters building. “For our employees, having a headquarters that we will be able to fit in is really exciting. We also relocated it, so it’s no longer the first thing you see when you come in; it’s set off back and you won’t see our vehicles.”
Rosinski is also super excited about the new sanitation station, which should
streamline and improve the sanitation process at the park.
“Our dump station was way undersized for the amount of campsites we had,” she says. “When people were leaving on Sundays or coming on Friday nights, it got really backed up. With this new dump station we will have four lanes instead of two with lots of stacking room. Campers are going to be super excited about that.”
What About the Bridge?
The aging pedestrian bridge that allowed people to cross over the highway from the campground to the bridge was removed as it no longer met American with Disability Act standards. The DNR is funding a study to explore the prospect of a new pedestrian bridge, separate from the current enhancements.
“We are working with a consulting firm to do a feasibility study to see if a bridge or a tunnel would work anywhere on the state park property,” Rosinski says. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that it is going
to touch both sides of the road on state park property; we don’t know that yet! We’ve only had two meetings so far, but are looking at whether a bridge or tunnel will work anywhere.”
A new pedestrian bridge would also require additional funding, as it is not provided for in the current DNR budget.
In the meantime, Rosinski is excited for the enhancements and improvements that will allow another version of safe passage to the water for all visitors. “The thing that I’m most excited about is the traffic light that’s going to allow safe ingress and egress for campers and visitors alike to the campground and beach areas.
“I’m also excited about the ADA crossing,” Rosinski adds. “We do have a track chair at TC State Park. People can call us up, pick it up in the campground, and then go across the street and right into the water and down into the sand.”
Follow along with the renovation at michigan. gov/recsearch/parks/traversecity.
6am, DeWitt Lot, Park Ave., downtown Charlevoix. See web site for various start times & to register. $50-$175. charlevoixmarathon.com
FIRST ANNUAL DUNE JAM: Noon11:30pm, First Street Beach, Manistee. The Manistee Amphitheater Foundation presents this free, all-day concert & drone show to kickoff the public fundraising campaign for “The Dune” community amphitheater project. Music begins at noon with The Downtowners followed by Briar Payne Band, Luke Winslow King Trio, Domestic Problems and Joe Hertler and the Rainbow Seekers. Starlight drone show over the Manistee harbor at 10:30pm to syncedmusic. Manistee Lion’s Famous Fish Boil from 4-7pm at the Lion’s Pavilion ($20 donation). Get more details at www.manisteeaf.org
SUNRISE SOUND HEALING: 8am, Bryant Park, TC. Experience deep relaxation with sacred sound instruments, including a gong, harmonium, flute, & handpan. Harmonize with the sounds of the beach while being immersed in a sacred sound journey. Free admission.
45TH ANNUAL ELLSWORTH PIG ROAST & FESTIVAL: June 19-20. Today includes the 2-Mile Championship Run, free breakfast, Grand Parade, music, food trucks, exotic zoo, locally roasted pulled pork lunch, & much more. Find ‘Ellsworth/Atwood Pig Roast’ on Facebook.
2026 PARADE OF HOMES: 9am-7pm. Find inspiration for your dream home at the 2026 Parade of Homes, June 18-21. Tour eight beautiful homes across northwest Michigan & discover the latest in construction, home design, outdoor living, & more. Meet builders, gather ideas, & see what’s possible. Presented by the HBA of Northwest Michigan. $15/person; 12 & under free. nwmiparadeofhomes.com
CERUS QUARTET SUNRISE SOUNDS: 9am, Rinco Bros. Coffee Roasters, Glen Arbor. Enjoy this free performance from these musicians-in-residence. glenarborart.org/product/musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
QUILTS BY THE BAY: 9am-3pm, Emmet County Fairgrounds, Community Building, Petoskey. 150 modern & traditional quilts professionally judged in multiple categories. Raffle quilt, $5 per ticket. $10 per person for event. ltbquiltersguild.org/event-6459500?CalendarV iewType=1&SelectedDate=6/8/2026
RAINBOW RUN: 9am, Hull Park & Boardman Lake Loop Trail, TC. Hosted by TART Trails and Up North Pride, the Rainbow Run is a color fun run & fundraiser around the 4-mile Boardman Lake Loop Trail. The event celebrates the trail systems & the Northern Michigan 2SLGBTQ+ Community during Pride Month. $25-$35. runsignup.com/Race/ MI/TraverseCity/TraverseCityRainbowRun
FRANKFORT CRAFT FAIR: 10am-3pm, Main St., downtown Frankfort. Featuring more than 80 vendors showcasing jewelry, pottery, textiles, home décor & much more.
GRAND TRAVERSE BAY FATHER’S DAY
ART & CRAFT SHOW: 10am-5pm, GT County Civic Center, TC. Free admission.
IN-WATER BOAT SHOW: 10am-7pm, Bay Harbor Lake Marina. Step aboard, explore cutting-edge marine technology, & speak with manufacturers & dealers about the lat-
est trends in the boating world. bayharborlakemarina.com/boat-show
LELAND COMMUNITY CLEAN UP + CARE: 10am-noon, gazebo in front of The Find North, Leland. Help clean up Leland! Enjoy free snacks & drinks, door prizes, suncare products from Valor Skincare & more. Please bring protective gloves, a trash grabber, reusable bag or bucket, closed toed shoes & reusable water bottle. Start the day with yoga on the beach at 9am with River Studio. This is a donation-based class, with a minimum donation of $20. 100% of proceeds benefit Fishtown Preservation. Register: bit.ly/49ukxGt. facebook.com/share/17kkEQZjbX
LITTLE MISS ANN BAND: Twisted Fish Gallery, Elk Rapids. Enjoy this nationally touring Filipina American kids musician who has made 9 award-winning family music albums. 10-11am: pre-concert art project; 11am-noon: outdoor concert. Bring lawn chairs & picnics. $5 kids/$10 adults. twistedfishgallery.com/event/little-miss-ann-bandto-perform-outdoor-concert-at-twisted-fish
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: 10am-6pm, Washington Park, downtown Cheboygan. More than 30 crafters & artists will be displaying jewelry, stuffed animals, blankets, home decor, wooden signs, fresh desserts & much more. facebook.com/madeincheboygan
FRENCH MANOR TERRA CLASSIC CAR SHOW: Noon-2pm, French Manor Terra, TC. Check out a variety of classic & unique vehicles while enjoying music & more. You can also showcase your vehicle by registering. Find ‘French Manor Terra Classic Car Show’ on Facebook.
SOL OF THE LOST TAMARACK MUSIC FESTIVAL: Noon, Lost Tamarack Lodge, Wolverine. Forty acres, one stage, 17 bands, & movement & healing arts scheduled throughout the weekend. Live music by Underleaf, The Outfit, The Vermeers, Whorled, Kirby, Aunt Vicki & many others. Sound baths, Yoga & Tai Chi, Hula Hoop & Herbs, & Fire Dance. $120 Adult Weekend Pass; $45 Teen (13-17) Weekend Pass; Camper/RV & Day Passes available. losttamaracklodge.com/festival
IN-STORE BOOK SIGNING WITH R.J. FIGURA: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. This local author will sign his debut novel, “A Murder in God’s Country.” horizonbooks. com/event/2026-06-20/store-book-signingrj-figura
SAMELS FARM OPEN HOUSE: 1-4:30pm, Samels Centennial Farm, Williamsburg. Visitors can participate in a variety of activities including kids games, displays of steam powered equipment, a blacksmith shop, horse-drawn wagon rides, an archaeology display, music, & more. Free. m.facebook. com/samelsfarm
GRAND PRIX: 2pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Spend the day enjoying international show jumping alongside a relaxed northern Michigan summer setting. Explore food & beverage options, shopping & open spaces throughout the venue. GA: $15. app. gopassage.com/events/spring-three-26
MOANA JR.: 2pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Disney’s Moana JR. is a 60-minute
The pride and joy of the East Jordan community – the East Jordan Freedom Festival - runs June 24-27. A staple of this annual festival is the Youth Parade on Thurs., June 25 at 6:30pm beginning at Sportsmans Park. Other highlights include the “home-town” old fashioned Friday Night Block Party, Cornhole Tournament, Grand Parade, fireworks over Lake Charlevoix, live music by Yankee Station, Split Decision, Country Thunder, and more! eastjordanfreedomfestival.org/events
musical adaptation of the 2016 animated film, bringing the adventures of Moana & her village of Motunui to life onstage. $8-$14. ci.ovationtix.com/36618/production/127261 4?performanceId=11796540
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE: 2pm & 7pm, Cadillac Community Auditorium, Cadillac High School. Presented by the Cadillac Footliters. $12$15. cadillacfootliters.com
7TH ANNUAL CHERRY WHISKEY FEST: 3-7pm, TC Whiskey Co. This signature summer celebration honors all things cherry. Barrel Proof Single Barrel Cherry Release, specialty cherry cocktails, an outdoor bar, yard games, live music from Marsupials & DJ Zeb. Food from Chubby Unicorn & Sabores y Colores. Visit the Cherryland Market. Free entry. facebook.com/share/1HKCGoNxd6
ST. JOSEPH 5TH ANNUAL CAR CRUISE & CAR SHOW: Call by June 15 to register your fun car! Limited to 40 entries. Cruise from St. Joseph Catholic Church, TC starting at 3pm around Old Mission Peninsula. The Car Show runs 4-5pm in the St. Joseph parking lot. Free. stjosephtc.org
WELCOME SUMMER PARTY: 3-6pm, Somebody’s Gallery, Petoskey. Music, snacks, wine, artists to chat with, & many beautiful things to look at! Free. somebodysgallery.com
SUMMER SOLSTICE SLIP-N-SLIDE PARTY: 5-10pm, Mt. Holiday, TC. Bring your swimsuit & get ready to race down a 180 ft. slip-n-slide! There will also be a shorter one for younger kids. Enjoy live music from the Headwaters Band, a beer garden, zip line adventures, & more. Suggested $20 slip-n-slide donation. facebook.com/ events/2042235046328213
THE SERIES AT LAVENDER HILL FARM: 6-10pm, Lavender Hill Farm, Boyne City. Enjoy Willow Avalon, who blends classic country, Americana, & pop influences. She has performed at the Grand Ole Opry, “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert, & major festivals around the world. i.am.james will perform for The Series preshow. $25-$150. lavenderhillfarm.com
VIRIDIAN STRINGS AT PINES OF ARCADIA: 7pm, Pines of Arcadia. Join the Oliver Art Center for this free performance. Reserve your ticket. Doors open at 6pm. oliverart.org
“PERE CHENEY: PLAGUE IN THE PINES” DOCUMENTARY SCREENING: 7-9pm, AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. The legend of Pere Cheney has long been one of Michigan’s most talked-about ghost stories. Following the 80-minute screening, stick around for a 30-minute interactive Q&A with the filmmakers. GA: $15. artisanvillage.org/event/ pere-cheney-plague-in-the-pines-michiganpremiere-screening
DAISY MAY & LITTLE DIPPER: 7:30pm, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. A prolific & passionate songwriter, Daisy isn’t afraid to say the hard thing. Also enjoy Little Dipper’s boot-stomping anthems & heartstring-pulling ballads. $25. gardentheater.org/comingsoon
FROM BOSTON TO BAY HARBOR: A NIGHT AT THE BALLET: 7:30pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Featuring leading dancers of Boston Ballet alongside talented students from the Bay Harbor Ballet Intensive. Includes works by two American masters of choreography: George Balanchine & William Forsythe. Ticket holders are invited to join Ballet Coast to Coast Artistic Director Paul Craig onstage
at 6:45pm for a pre-show discussion. Following the performance will be a celebratory reception. Tickets start at $48. greatlakescfa. org/events/detail/boston-to-bay-harbor-26
-
DON’T STOP: A FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE: 8pm, Bay View Association, Petoskey. $0-$39. onthestage.tickets/show/bay-viewassociation/69bc55a6d584196804c4606c
Sunday
FATHER’S DAY CARS & COFFEE: 8-11am, Greyson Clothiers, Harbor Springs. Enjoy free coffee at Lone Wolf Cars & Coffee. Show off your favorite ride from the garage, or just admire some incredible machinery.
WANDER WALLOON: MILL POND SUMMER SOLSTICE PADDLE: 9am, Walloon Lake. This guided outing includes a route into Mill Pond, where participants will see a quieter side of the watershed. Bring your kayak, canoe, or stand-up paddleboard. WLAC will have a few extra kayaks available for participants. Meet at the Stolt Road boat launch. Register. Free. walloon.org/allevents/?event=3731
GRAND TRAVERSE BAY FATHER’S DAY ART & CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., June 20)
IN-WATER BOAT SHOW: (See Sat., June 20, except today’s hours are 10am-3pm.)
2026 PARADE OF HOMES: (See Sat., June 20, except today’s hours are 11am-4pm.)
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: (See Sat., June 20, except today’s hours are 11am-3pm.)
SOL OF THE LOST TAMARACK MUSIC FESTIVAL: (See Sat., June 20)
WALK AND TALK: AMERICAN TREE & POETIC VISIONS OF PORT ONEIDA: 1pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Join a conversational tour of the Glen Arbor Arts Center’s current exhibits. Led by GAAC Gallery Manager Sarah Bearup-Neal. Free. glenarborart.org/ product/walk-and-talk-american-tree-poeticvisions-of-port-oneida
PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE: TC. Today includes an artist check-in; free duo artist demo at CTAC featuring Kevin Barton & Crista Pisano: “Two Takes; One Cloudscape.” Begins at 5pm; & sunset painting featuring Logan Hudson, Thomas Moberg, Kari Ganoung Ruiz, & Mark A. VanderVinne. crookedtree.org/events-andexhibitions/events/paint-grand-traverse/ pgt-event-schedule.html
SNIP, SNAP & SLAM: PRIDE MONTH POETRY EVENT: 5pm, TC Whiskey Co. - The Stillhouse. Featuring local poets & special guests Derek & Gleason. Derek Welch is what happens when a poet, a reverend, a queer, a daydreamer, an herbalist, a storyteller, & a human all try to incarnate at the same time. Gleason is a Michigan poet, songwriter, & performer with a compelling story & powerful voice. upnorthpride.com/ listevents/2026/6/21/sip-snap-slam-pridemonth-poetry-event
SOLSTICE ENSEMBLE: 7pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Enjoy everything from baroque to tango with the unusual combination of flute, violin, recorder, cello & piano. A 2nd performance will take place July 16. Reserve tickets in advance. Free. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org/music-series
CHAMBERFEST 2026: PARKER QUARTET WSG CELLIST RAMAN RAMAKRISHNAN: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Enjoy this GRAMMY® Award-winning quartet. The program will include Schubert’s Quintet in C Major. $25-$30. ci.ovationtix. com/36618/production/1270528?performanc eId=11788337
BAY VIEW VESPER CONCERT: 8pm, John M. Hall Auditorium, Bay View. Take 5: A pinch of Brubeck, a dab of chamber music, & a dollop of vocal talent. $20-$23.50. onthestage. tickets/show/bay-view-association/69306e9 9625dbc59d8c14005
june 22
monday
PAINT GRAND TRA-
VERSE: TC. Today includes a demo at CTAC with Thomas Moberg from 10am-noon; painting at Chateau Chantal from 11am-1pm featuring John T. Eiseman, Neal Hughes, Fred Jackson, Jimmy Navarro, Richie Vios, Jill Wagner, Rokhaya Waring, & David Westerfield; & more. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/events/paint-grandtraverse/pgt-event-schedule.html
MONDAY NIGHT MOVIES: 7:30pm, Bay View, Voorhies Hall, Petoskey. Featuring “Still Mine.” An elderly man fights government bureaucracy in order to build a new home for himself & his ailing wife. Threatened with jail time after receiving a stop-work order, the loyal husband stands his ground in this drama inspired by actual events. Free. bayviewassociation.org/events/mondaynight-movies-2026/?occurrence=2026-05-18
june 23
tuesday
PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE:
TC. Today features artists painting at The Botanic Garden from 9am-noon. They include Kristin Hosbein, Robin Roberts, Steve Stannard, Jeffrey Suntala, Adam Van Houten, Jill Wagner & Rokhaya Waring. Free demos at CTAC from 10am-noon with Julio Suarez. Small Wonders Donor Event in downtown TC. All artists will be downtown from 7pm-dusk between Front St. & the bay. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/events/ paint-grand-traverse/pgt-event-schedule.html
AUTHOR MEET & GREET: 1-3pm, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey. Jacqui Lents will celebrate her book “The Daphne Project.” mcleanandeakin.com
MY IPHONE DOES WHAT?: 1-3pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Corey Buchan from Buchan Tech is back with tips on all those frustrating things we know our iPhone & iPads do, that we don’t understand! Free.
EPILEPSY AWARENESS WITH MUNSON COMMUNITY HEALTH: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Free. tadl.org/event/copy-copy-hold-epilepsy-awareness-program-31527
GARDEN CLASSIC MOVIES: “SOME LIKE IT HOT”: 6pm, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. After two male musicians witness a mob hit, they flee the state in an all-female band disguised as women, but further complications set in. Free. gardentheater.org/ comingsoon
COLE SWINDELL: 7:30pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Country music star Cole Swindell brings his chart-topping hits for an evening of live music. A four-time ACM Award winner, Swindell has also earned 13 No.
E EXPERIENCE LEELANAU
Looking to visit Northern Michigan wine country? Let us curate it for you. From motorized tours through rolling vineyards to expertly guided tastings, farmto-table culinary moments, and charming farm stays every detail is thoughtfully designed for an experience that goes beyond the glass.
With Leelanau Wine Experiences, your perfect day is always within reach. Whether you’re celebrating something special or simply savoring the season, we’ll take you beyond the tasting room and into the heart of Michigan wine country
1 singles, including fan favorites like “Chillin It,” “You Should Be Here,” & “She Had Me At Heads Carolina.” Starting at $125. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/cole-swindell
june 24
LEELANAU WINE EXPERIENCES
wednesday
PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE: TC & Elk Rapids. Artists painting at Flintfields Horse Park from 8am-3pm. Free demo at CTAC from 10am-noon with Robin Roberts. Twisted Fish Gallery hosts artists Logan Hudson, Lynn Lewis, James Sampsel, Steve Stannard, Jeff Steiner, Mark A. Vandervinne & Adam Van Houten from 11:30am-1:30pm. crookedtree. org/events-and-exhibitions/events/paintgrand-traverse/pgt-event-schedule.html
SENIORS ON THE T.A.R.T.: Cuppa Joe Eastside, TC. Seniors can walk, jog, run, bike, etc., exploring the TART Trails. Start on the TART Trail East at 10am & enjoy a coffee social at 11am.
CONCERTS IN THE PARK: JACOB MCLEOD: Noon, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. Enjoy pop-rock with this singersongwriter. Free.
RESUME WORKSHOP WITH JOBS FOR HUMANITY: 3pm, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. In today’s job market, the first person who reads your resume is an AI system, so to have the best resume, you need to write yours differently than you used to. Free. tadl.org/ResumeWorkshop
EAST JORDAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL: June 24-27. Today features the Firecracker Pageant at East Jordan High School at 6pm, & carnival from 5-10pm. eastjordanfreedomfestival.org/events
YEAR OF THE RIVER SPEAKER SERIES
- ALL ABOUT NATIVE GARDEN DESIGN: 5pm, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Featured speaker is Matthew Ross from The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park. Register. $5. natureiscalling.org
KICKIN’ UP KINDNESS: 5:30pm, Northern Latitudes Distillery, Lake Leelanau. Enjoy food, spirits, line dancing, & a spirited auction, with early online bidding. All proceeds benefit vital LCN programs: Food Pantry, Baby Pantry, Blessings in a Backpack, & financial assistance. $100/person. leelanauchristianneighbors.org/celebrate-fundraiser
EVENINGS AT THE GAZEBO: 6-8pm, Old City Park Gazebo, Boyne City. Featuring the Full Moon Jam Band. Free.
EVENINGS ON RIVER STREET: LOCALS NIGHT LIVE!: 6-9pm, downtown Elk Rapids. Enjoy a high-energy performance by Levi Britton as you stroll, unwind, & step into the spirit of summer together. Free event. elkrapidschamber.org/chamber-nights-on-river-street
MUSIC IN THE STREETS: 6-9pm, downtown Bellaire. Enjoy rock & roll & folk music with the Max Lockwood Trio. Also includes a bounce house, vendors, food truck, Miss Bellaire & baked goods. Bring a chair.
YOUR DINOSAUR IS WRONG: THE BONE WARS: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Presentation by Your Dinosaur is Wrong, discussing The Bone Wars, a paleontology rivalry. Free. tadl.org/event/your-dinosaur-wrong-bonewars-29894
CHELSEA HOUSE ORCHESTRA, TC: 11am-noon, on the Piazza at The Village at
GT Commons, TC. A free concert of traditional Celtic music performed by this orchestra from Chelsea, MI.
CHELSEA HOUSE ORCHESTRA, NORTHPORT: 7pm, Kent Holton Pavilion, Marina Park, Northport. Hear some of the most talented high school students in the state play non-traditional Celtic-inspired arrangements. Free. northportperformingarts.org/chelseahouse-orchestra
ELLSWORTH CONCERTS ON THE SQUARE: 7-9pm, Community Square, downtown Ellsworth. Bring a chair or blanket. Free.
TC PIT SPITTERS VS. RICHMOND FLYING MUMMIES: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. Tonight is Tribal Heritage Night. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pitspitters/2026-schedule
THE REVIVALISTS WSG WELLS FERRARI: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. This eight-piece American rock band’s breakout single, “Wish I Knew You,” reached Number 1 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Songs chart in Sept. 2016 & later topped the Alternative Songs chart in May 2017. On Sept. 11 the track was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Starting at $49. interlochen.org/events/revivalists-2026-06-24
june 25
thursday
ARCHEOLOGISTS DIG FOR CLUES: 10am, Bellaire Public Library. See what was found at Samels Farm. Learn how to do archaeology & what it looks like in a local area. Also take part in an archaeological adventure screening for artifacts.
COFFEE @ TEN, PETOSKEY: CHOREOGRAPHY: THE CREATIVE PROCESS: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Robin Petterson, choreographer, will discuss the process of creating concert dance for the stage. Free.
PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE: TC & surrounding areas. Free demo at CTAC with Kristin Hosbein from 10am-noon. 11am-1pm: Grocer’s Daughter, Grab a Gellato & watch Steve Griggs & Lisa BurgerLentz. 2-4pm: Fishtown, Leland featuring Kevin Barton, John T. Eiseman, Lori Feldpausch, Steve Griggs, Debra Howard, & many others. Pint-Size Paintout for kids 3-17. Sunset Painting Leelanau Peninsula featuring Lisa BurgerLentz, Millie Gosch, Debra Howard, Lynn Lewis, David Westerfield & more. crookedtree.org/eventsand-exhibitions/events/paint-grand-traverse/ pgt-event-schedule.html
EARLY CHILDHOOD EVENT: 11am, Beulah Village Park. Families with children ages birth to 5 are invited to a free family concert with singer/songwriter Miriam Pico & interactive storyteller Jen Strauss. Hosted by the Great Start Collaborative of Traverse Bay in partnership with Northwest Education Services.
SATURDAY FAMILY CONCERTS: “WEST SIDE STORY”: 11am, TC Philharmonic Center, MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation Hall. Part of the Masterworks in Miniature series, this educational program integrates storytelling with music & movement & is designed for children 5–12 & their families. Free. tcphil.org/events/ saturday-family-concert-west-side-story
GTA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY: 1pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Featuring programs focused
NORTH FARM
on genealogical issues. This month they will talk about: How to Prep For a Trip to the Genealogy Center with Logan Knight, senior librarian, Genealogy Center, Allen County Public Library. Free. tadl.org/event/grandtraverse-area-genealogical-society-17867
AUTHOR & BIOLOGIST JOAN STRASSMANN: 4pm, Leland Twp. Library. Joan will present her new book, “The Social Lives of Birds.” In the book, Strassmann explores the surprising ways birds cooperate & form communities. She shares stories of species from around the world. Free.
EAST JORDAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL:
June 24-27. Today features an outdoor movie – “Hoppers” (rated PG) at 9:30pm at Loveday Field, across from EZ Mart. Kid’s entertainment with Christian Rasmussen Magic at Memorial Park Bandshell at 7pm. Carnival from 5-10pm. Youth Parade at 6:30pm beginning at Sportsmans Park. Free. eastjordanfreedomfestival.org/events
PRIDE RIDE!: 5-7pm, F&M Park, TC. Join Up North Pride in your bike gear & pride gear for a spirited ride through downtown, led by Norte. Free. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar
TWEEN PROGRAM: CRACK THE CODE TIME CAPSULE CHALLENGE: 5-7pm, Bellaire Public Library. Bring your small team for this fun way to Unearth the Stories in America’s history. Snacks & prizes will be offered. Families welcome. Registration required; call 231-533-8814.
14TH ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE FLEET: Harbor Springs. 5:30pm: Odawa Water Song Ceremony on shore & Parade Viewing. Featuring the Odawa Woodland Singers. 6pm: Blessing Boat Parade. Receive your blessing for a safe boating season. Kayaks, SUPs, or vessels of all shapes & sizes are welcome. Starts at City Pier. harborspringshistory.org/ events/blessing-of-the-fleet.html
FAIRIES & FORTS: 6-8pm, Michigan Legacy Art Park, Thompsonville. Enjoy art projects at Discovery Grove, plus songs & stories at the amphitheater. Featuring local musicians/ bards Luunappi. Add to the fun & dress in theme! Free. crystalmountain.com/eventsactivities/events/event-calendar/fairies-forts
TRAILS & ALES: 6pm. Meet at Cistern Spur Trailhead, behind Earthen Ales, TC. Join Grand Traverse Conservation District naturalists for a guided hike through the scenic Grand Traverse Commons trail system. Explore, learn, & connect with the natural world as naturalists share insights on local ecosystems & conservation. The hike concludes at Earthen Ales. Register. $5. natureiscalling.org
HARBOR SPRINGS STREET MUSIQUE: BLESSING OF THE FLEET: 6:30-8:30pm, downtown Harbor Springs. Music by Levitator & blush face painting.
HOW ALGORITHM SHAPES US — A PURPLE ASSEMBLY EVENT: 6:30pm, The Alluvion, TC. The feeds we scroll every day are shaped by algorithms we never see. They decide what shows up, what gets buried, & how we think & relate to one another. Purple Assembly invites you to an evening dedicated to understanding them. Free with ticket. thealluvion.org -
AN EVENING WITH ANN PATCHETT: SOLD OUT: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Acclaimed author Ann Patchett returns with “Whistler,” a novel that reminds us of the sweetness & impermanence of life & the power of connection to defy time. Time magazine named Patchett one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World. President Biden awarded her the
National Humanities Medal in recognition of her contributions to American culture. Doors open at 6pm with live music. This event includes a Q&A session. $12-$52.50. cityoperahouse.org
CHRIS BOTTI: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Enjoy Baton Rouge Theater GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti. Starting at $127. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/chris-botti-26
CONCERTS ON THE LAWN: 7pm, GT Pavilions, TC. Featuring The Gordon Lightfoot Tribute. Free. gtpavilions.org/newsevents/2026-concerts-on-the-lawn
TC PIT SPITTERS VS. RICHMOND FLYING MUMMIES: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. Tonight is Ladies Night. northwoodsleague. com/traverse-city-pit-spitters/2026-schedule
BRET MICHAELS LIVE & AMPLIFIED 2026: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. With over three generations of loyal fans, Michaels is known for hits such as “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” & “Nothing But A Good Time.” On TV, Michaels’ shows include the record-breaking enduring hit “Rock of Love with Bret Michaels” & a recent turn as the audience-favorite Banana in Fox’s hit “The Masked Singer.” Tickets start at $48. interlochen.org/events/bret-michaelslive-amplified-2026-2026-06-25
HEALING WITH JOY: DISCOVERING THE POWER OF LOVE: 7:30pm, Glen Arbor Twp. Hall. Divine Love, God, frees us from fear, illness, & polarization. Hear Ann Kneeland, a practitioner of Christian Science healing, explain how anyone can understand & experience this. Free. christianscienceglenarbor.com/events
U OF M SHORTS: 7:30pm, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. U of M student filmmakers will premiere two short films they created. A short Q&A with the filmmakers to follow. Free. gardentheater.org/comingsoon
june 26
friday
FRIENDS OF THE CHARLEVOIX PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNUAL BOOK SALE: 10am-5pm, Charlevoix Public Library. On Sunday ONLY: Fill a bag of $1 items for $5.
CONCERTS IN THE PARK: BOONDOGGLE CATS: Noon, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. Enjoy the musical collaboration of Julie & John Podulka. Free.
EAST JORDAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL: June 24-27. Today features the Friday Night Block Party in downtown East Jordan with live music, food, games & more from 6-9:30pm. Carnival from noon-10pm. Corn Hole Tournament at 6pm in Memorial Park. eastjordanfreedomfestival.org/events
RAPTOR VISIT WITH THE NORTH SKY RAPTOR SANCTUARY: 3pm, East Bay Twp. Building, North Conference Room, TC. Learn about birds of prey & their habitat, meet two “Raptor Ambassadors” & browse a hands-on artifacts table full of fun & educational items centered around birds of prey. Free. tadl.org/event/raptor-visit-north-sky-raptor-sanctuary-32121
BEATS AT THE BARN: 5-8pm, 3396 Casey Rd., Frankfort. Hosted by ISN. Grab a drink from Stormcloud Brewing Co., some food from Taqueria Mosqueda, & listen to Frankfort’s Stay At Home Sons. Includes an item raffle & yard games. Tickets include one free drink ticket. $25 pre-sale/$30 door/$10 kids. habitatmatters.org/beats-at-the-barn.html
CHELSEA HOUSE ORCHESTRA
Wednesday, June 24, 7:00pm
Come see some of the most talented high school students in the state play non-traditional Celtic-inspired arrangements.
Northern Michigan Brass Band
Free Concert - Kent Holton Pavilion
Sunday, May 4, 3pm • Northport Auditorium • Adults $15/all students Free Sponsor: Northport Lions Voices of America by the Village Voices
Saturday, June 28, 7:30pm•Northport Auditorium
Rain venue - NPAC Auditorium
Sponsored by: Sherry Koenig
Adults $15/Students $5/Northport Students accompanied by an adult Free Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Saturday July 26 and Saturday, August 2, 7:00pm
Adults $30/Students $5/Northport Students accompanied by an adult Free
Tuesday July 29 and Wednesday July 30, 7:00pm
VILLAGE VOICES OF NORTHPORT: The Exuberance of Being Alive Saturday, June 27, 7:30pm
Adults $25/Students $5/Northport Students accompanied by an adult Free
Sunday July 27 and Sunday August 3, 2:00pm
Adults $30/Students $5/Northport Students accompanied by an adult Free
Northport Auditorium
Spirit of America by the Northport Community Band
Saturday, August 23, 7:30pm •Northport Auditorium
Choral pieces, solos, and ensembles present a musical expression of our shared humanity.
Adults $15/Students $5/Northport students accompanied by an adult Free
Northport Community Band & Village Voices Holiday Concert
Tickets $15, $5 Student, Northport Students Free NPAC Auditorium at Northport Public School - 104 S. Wing St.
Sunday, November 30, 2:00pm Northport Auditorium•Cookie Afterglow in the lobby
Adults $15/Students $5/Northport students accompanied by an adult Free
Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre Presents The Nutcracker Saturday, December 13, 7:30pm• Northport Auditorium
Adults $20/Students $5/Northport students accompanied by an adult Free
TICKETS
ELMWOOD TOWNSHIP 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: 5-10pm, Cherry Bend Community Park, TC. Come together for an evening of patriotism, music, history & community pride. Featuring a community sing-along, Children’s Bicycle Parade, Farm Tractor Parade, recognition of local Veterans, free hot dogs, chips & water, a live concert with Knee Deep, the creation of an Elmwood Township time capsule, & much more.
PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE: Artists in location in downtown TC & Leelanau Peninsula. Free Juror Demo at CTAC from 5-7pm with Elizabeth Pollie. crookedtree.org/eventsand-exhibitions/events/paint-grand-traverse/ pgt-event-schedule.html
“ROBIN HOOD: NAUGHT IN NOTTINGHAM”: 6pm, The MATCH, Cherryland Center, TC. $15. purchase.oldtownplayhouse. com/ChooseSeats/57401
BOYNE CITY’S STROLL THE STREETS: 6-9pm, downtown Boyne City. Enjoy live music, entertainment, children’s activities & more.
DOWNTOWN GAYLORD SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: 7-9pm, Claude Shannon Park, Gaylord. Featuring Jake Allen & TJ Rankin. Free.
NORTHPORT’S MUSIC IN THE PARK WITH DOC PROBES & THE RIP TIDES: 7pm, Kent Holton Pavilion. Enjoy beach music from Jimmy Buffet, The Beach Boys, Zac Brown & others. Free but donations appreciated. northportcac.org
SALINE FIDDLERS PHILHARMONIC: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. These musicians from Saline High School present a show with a diverse range of music, from American folk, fiddle, bluegrass, jazz, western swing, & Celtic traditions. Spirited vocals & Appalachian step dancing combine with the instrumentals in live performances. $10-$20. theoperahouse.org
NITE-CRAWLER HUNT: 9:30pm, Mineral Springs Park, pavilion, Frankfort. Bring a flashlight & bucket for your worms. The evening will begin with a short story – “Where Worms Come From.” The hunt starts at 9:45pm. Free. frankfortmich.com/calendar.php
saturday
TAKE A KID FISHING DAY: 8am, Mineral Springs Park, Frankfort. Donated fishing rods will be distributed to kids who are fishing. Kids can also register to win prizes, & enjoy a free pizza party. Free. frankfortmich.com/calendar.php
YOUNG EAGLES FLIGHTS - FREE AIRPLANE RIDES FOR KIDS: 8:30am-noon, William Bolton Airport, Empire. Kids ages 8–17 have an opportunity to fly free of charge in a general aviation airplane. Register. eaa234.org/youth
22ND ANNUAL LITTLE TRAVERSE CROP HUNGER WALK: 9am, Bay View Grounds, Evelyn Hall, Petoskey. Take steps & raise funds together to provide meals for those in the community who need them - & support programs that create greater food security in communities all around the world. events. crophungerwalk.org/chw/event/petoskey
14TH ANNUAL ART IN THE GARDEN FESTIVAL: 10am-4pm, Demonstration Gardens, Gaylord. Live music, beautiful gardens, food, local artists, educational workshops & more. Hosted by the Otsego Conservation District.
27TH ANNUAL CHARLEVOIX SUMMER ART SHOW: 10am-5pm, East Park, downtown Charlevoix.
BREW-TO-BREW TRAIL DAY: 10am, Betsie Valley Trail. This event is self-directed, so you can ride the entire 20-mile loop that connects breweries, or take a walk on the trail, or just enjoy your beers. Fee includes a free tech-style event t-shirt & vouchers for two beers — one at Stormcloud Brewery & one at Five Shores Brewery. Pick up your vouchers at either the trailhead building in Beulah or at Stormcloud in Frankfort the day of the event from 10am-2pm. Benzie Bus will provide complimentary shuttle service. $50 donation/registration fee; increases June 25. betsievalleytrail.org/brew-to-brew
EAST JORDAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL:
June 24-27. Today includes a carnival from noon-10pm; kid’s events in Memorial Park from 10am-2pm; Grand Parade at 4pm, lining up at East Jordan Family Health Center; Grand Festival Raffle drawing at 7:15pm at Memorial Park; & fireworks at dusk, with the best viewing at Memorial Park, The Marina Docks, The Old Boat Launch & Bridge Area. eastjordanfreedomfestival.org/events
ELK RAPIDS ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: 10am-4pm, River St., downtown Elk Rapids. Handmade treasures, artwork, & creations from talented artisans & makers. elkrapidschamber.org/arts-crafts-show-2
FRIENDS OF THE CHARLEVOIX PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNUAL BOOK SALE: (See Fri., June 26)
GAYLORD DOWNTOWN SUMMER ART SHOW: 10am-5pm, downtown Gaylord. Stroll through streets filled with artwork from talented local & regional artists, including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography & more. There will also be live music & food vendors.
MACKINAW PREMIER ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: 10am, Conkling Heritage Park, Mackinaw City.
SUMMER ADVENTURE SHOW: 10am5pm, Holiday RV Park Campground, TC. Explore the latest in outdoor adventure & summer fun. RVs, boats, golf carts, food trucks. Free admission.
JUNE EARLY CHILDHOOD EVENT: 11am, Elk Rapids Public Library. Families with children ages birth to 5 are invited to a free family concert with singer/songwriter Miriam Pico & interactive storyteller Jen Strauss. Hosted by the Great Start Collaborative of Traverse Bay in partnership with Northwest Education Services. Free. northwested.org/o/ecs/article/2962787
AMATEUR RADIO FIELD DAY 1: Noon4pm, Raven Hill Discovery Center, East Jordan. An annual event where thousands of licensed amateur radio operators across the United States & Canada set up temporary radio stations & operate under portable or emergency-style conditions. Learn how radio communication works in emergency & off-grid situations, talk with knowledgeable volunteers about ham radio, equipment, & licensing, & more. Free. secure.qgiv.com/for/ravenhilldiscoverycenter/event/amateurradiofieldday
SPINNING DEMO WITH CATHERINE BARBER: Noon-2pm, Raven Hill Discovery Center, East Jordan. Learn the traditional craft of spinning fiber into yarn in this engaging demonstration. Free. secure.qgiv.com/for/ravenhilldiscoverycenter/event/spinningdemo
FRESH COAST FRENZY - ROLLER DERBY TOURNAMENT: 2pm, GT County Civic Center, TC. An action-packed roller derby
event featuring four teams playing six games over two days. $15/day; $25/two days. tcrollerderby.com/events-2-1/fresh-coastfrenzy-njcmy-4kalg
WHERE SUMMER & SPORT MEET IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN: 2pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. This four-star event brings international riders to TC for an afternoon of competition, hospitality, & one of northern Michigan’s signature summer traditions. Tickets available online or at the gate. $15 & up. traversecityhorseshows.com/visit
LET’S GO FLY A KITE: 3-5pm, Lake Michigan Turnaround, Frankfort. Enjoy this free kite-flying extravaganza. Kites provided!
CHICKEN BBQ: 4:30-6:30pm, Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church, TC. Grilled chicken & all the fixings, plus homemade desserts & beverage. Eat in or takeout available. 231-223-4393. Freewill donation gratefully accepted. oldmissionpeninsulaumc.org
PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE: 6pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Fresh Paint Party. See all of the artwork created throughout the week during Paint Grand Traverse. Purchase if you’d like. Tickets start at $75. crookedtree. org/events-and-exhibitions/events/paintgrand-traverse/fresh-paint-party-tickets.html
SUMMIT CITY COUNTRY DANCE: 6pm, Summit City Grange Hall, Kingsley. Learn to square dance with live country music. All levels of dance invited. 231-577-8076. Donation. facebook.com/SummitCityGrange
THE SERIES AT LAVENDER HILL FARM: 6pm, Lavender Hill Farm, Boyne City. Featuring International Barbershop Quartet Champions Lemon Squeezy. Opening for them will be jazz-leaning guitarist & vocalist Owen James. Tickets start at $18. lavenderhillfarm. com/series-lineup
AN EVENING WITH ANN PATCHETT: SOLD OUT: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Patchett will celebrate her newest novel, “Whistler.” Join waitlist on web site. $50; includes copy of book. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/an-evening-with-ann-patchett
MANITOU WINDS: 7pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Exploring uncharted genres & highlighting new or obscure composers, Manitou Winds invents repertoire through their own arrangements & compositions, resulting in unique music. $10. tickettailor.com/ events/oliverart/2201068
OUT ENSEMBLE: 7pm, The Music House Museum, Williamsburg. This dynamic wind quintet celebrates LGBTQ+ composers & performers. They shine a light on diverse voices & new works - including music by Avi Randall & Rj Dion. $25-$30. musichouse.org/musichouse-event/live-at-the-music-house-museum-out-ensemble-saturday-june-27-at-700-pm
SATURDAYS IN THE PARK: ERENA TERAKUBO QUARTET: 7pm, GT County Civic Center, Amphitheater, TC. Enjoy this internationally acclaimed sax & flute virtuosity. Free; donations welcome. scullytour.com
VILLAGE VOICES: THE EXUBERANCE OF BEING ALIVE: 7:30pm, Northport Performing Arts Center. A celebration of human hearts, human minds, & human voices. Tickets run from free to $15. northportperformingarts.org/ village-voices-the-exuberance-of-being-alive
QUEER ADULT PROM: 8pm, Hotel Indigo, ballroom, TC. $25. zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/queer-adult-prom
sunday
FORMULA 1 FREE WATCH
PARTIES: AUSTRIA: 9am, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Experience the thrilling races on the big screen. With new changes, including Formula 1 games. Doors open an hour before the start of each race. Free. thebaytheatre.org/home-page
27TH ANNUAL CHARLEVOIX SUMMER ART SHOW: 10am-3pm, East Park, downtown Charlevoix.
FRESH COAST FRENZY - ROLLER DERBY TOURNAMENT: (See Sat., June 27, except today starts at 10am.)
GAYLORD DOWNTOWN SUMMER ART SHOW: (See Sat., June 27)
LOG CABIN DAY ON OLD MISSION PENINSULA: 10am-4pm, Lighthouse Park, Old Mission Peninsula, TC. Celebrate the 250th birthday of the U.S.A. with a tour of the Hessler Log Cabin & Mission Point Lighthouse. Live demonstrators will reenact traditional crafts such as spinning, rug making, weaving, chair caning, quilting, & blacksmithing. Participate in interactive children’s games. Free ice cream for children under age 12. Free. omphistoricalsociety.org
MACKINAW PREMIER ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: (See Sat., June 27)
PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE: 10am-3pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Day After Sale. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/events/ paint-grand-traverse/pgt-event-schedule.html
SUMMER ADVENTURE SHOW: (See Sat., June 27, except today’s hours are 10am4pm.)
HORSE NORTH RESCUE OPEN HOUSE: 11am-3pm, Horse North Rescue, Interlochen. See Hark, the famous Breyer horses, & all of the horses. Silent in person & online auction, kids games, food truck. Free. horsenorthrescue.org/events
LOG CABIN DAY - DOUGHERTY MISSION HOUSE: 11am, Dougherty Mission House, TC. Discover the oldest house in the regionthe 1842 Dougherty Mission House museum. Enjoy a free tour of the house, outbuildings & demonstration garden. There will also be a kids’ craft, croquet on the lawn & a selfie board, along with Angus MacDonald’s live music. Free. doughertyoldmissionhouse.com
LOG CABIN DAY - SLEEPING BEAR: 11am-2pm. The cabin is set at the end of a two-mile track in the Platte River area of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Featuring the Boekeloo Cabin, one of six log cabins on the mainland in the Park at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Stuart Boekeloo, a descendant, will share history & stories of his family’s time at the cabin. phsb. org/events-calendar/log-cabin-day-2025
FRIENDS OF THE CHARLEVOIX PUBLIC LIBRARY ANNUAL BOOK SALE: (See Fri., June 26, except today’s time is noon-5pm.)
FIRST ANNUAL BLESSING OF THE DOUGHERTY LEGACY AMERICAN CHESTNUT BLOSSOMS EVENT: 1pm, Dougherty Mission House Museum, TC. See the pollination process of these unusual trees at 1:30pm, conditions permitting. Free. doughertyoldmissionhouse.com
NATIONAL LOG CABIN DAY - HERITAGE VILLAGE: 1-3pm, Heritage Village, Macki-
naw City. Featuring special educational activities & guided tours. Free.
AMATEUR RADIO FIELD DAY 2: (See Sat., June 27, under AMATEUR RADIO FIELD DAY 1, except today’s time is 2-4pm.)
SALINE FIDDLERS PHILHARMONIC: 2pm, Castle Farms, Charlevoix. This high-energy indoor concert features talented young performers blending folk, bluegrass, Celtic music, jazz, western swing, vocals, & Appalachian step dancing into a show for all ages. $0-$22. castlefarms.com/events/saline-fiddlers-philharmonic
BAY VIEW VESPER CONCERT: 8pm, John M. Hall Auditorium, Bay View. From Broadway to Carnegie Hall. One of the most well-attended in the series, feast your eyes & ears on the sights & sounds of New York City! $20-$23.50. bayviewassociation.org/events/assembly-worship2026-3/?occurrence=2026-06-28
ongoing
BALANCE BIKE MEET UPS (ER): Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am, Rotary Park, Elk Rapids. For first-time riders, ages 2-5. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone. No need to bring your bike; Norte has plenty to lend out. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar/ balance-bike-meet-ups-traverse-city-7z4k7ps3n5-7xkbm-je4by-3g2fj
BALANCE BIKE MEET UPS (TC): Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am, Norte Clubhouse, GT County Civic Center, TC. For first-time riders, ages 2-5. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone. No need to bring your bike; Norte has plenty to lend out. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar/balance-bike-meet-upstraverse-city-7z4k7-ps3n5-7xkbm-je4by-3g2fj
OUTDOOR STORY TIME: Tuesdays, 10:30am, held outside the Suttons Bay Bingham District Library, overlooking the beach. Please bring a blanket for your family to sit on. These story times are geared toward prek to second graders & their caregivers, but fun for all who attend. sbbdl.org
PROTEST ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE AGAINST PALESTINE: Saturdays, 11am, Grandview Parkway + Union St., TC. Israel continues committing brutal genocide in Gaza & stealing more Palestinian land in the West Bank. Elected leaders are owned by Israel as the Epstein files show. It’s up to ordinary people to insist on justice. Stand together every Sat. mideastjustpeace.net
NORTE: BIKES FOR ALL: Tuesdays, 10:3011:30am, Norte Clubhouse, GT County Civic Center, TC. Open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. Offering adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding. norteyouthcycling.org
WILDFLOWER WALK: Tuesdays, 10:30am through June. Take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Nature Area, Bellaire alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the stunning variety of wildflowers & learn to identify their unique beauty. Keep an ear out for the melodies of the birds that call Grass River home. grassriver.org
farmers markets
BELLAIRE: Fridays, 8am-noon through midOct. at 102 S. Maple St. localdifference.org/ partner/bellaire-farmers-market/
BOYNE CITY: Wednesdays & Saturdays, 8am-noon through mid-Oct. at Veterans Park, Boyne City. Featuring an array of goods from local small-scale farmers, artisans & entrepreneurs. July 4 & July 11 will be held at Old City Park. boynecityfarmersmarket.org
DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY: Fridays, 8:30am1pm through Oct. 2, at parking lot of old Petoskey News Review building on corner of Howard & Michigan streets. After the first few markets, it will eventually be located on Howard St. between Mitchell & Michigan streets. facebook.com/PetoskeyFarmersMarket
EAST BAY CORNERS: Thursdays, 2-6pm, East Bay Twp. Offices, TC. Shop fresh local produce, baked goods, handmade items & more while connecting with neighbors & supporting regional farmers & small businesses. Special events each week. eastbaytwp.org/ residents/food_security.php
EMPIRE: 10234 Front St., next to post office, Empire. Held every Sat. through Aug. 29 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
GLEN ARBOR FARMERS MARKET: Tuesdays, 9am-1pm through Sept. 15 behind Glen Arbor Twp. Hall, 6394 W. Western Ave. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
HARBOR SPRINGS: Downtown Harbor Springs. Held every Weds. & Sat. throughout the summer, 9am-1pm, through Aug. 26, & Saturdays continue through Oct. 10. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food producers & more. Select dates will have music & Kids Days. petoskeyarea.com/events/harborsprings-farmers-market-2026
HONOR: Tuesdays, 9am-2pm, June – Aug., Maley Park, Honor.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON INTERLOCHEN: Thursdays, 2-7pm through Aug. 27, 2112 J. Maddy Pkwy., Interlochen.
LELAND: Immanuel Lutheran Church Parking Lot, Leland. Held every Thurs. through Sept. 3 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
LONG LAKE: Haywood Park, TC. Runs every Thurs. through Oct. 1 from 9am-1pm. Held near the bocce ball courts.
NORTHPORT FARMERS MARKET: 105 S. Bay St., Northport. Held every Fri. through Sept. 18 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
OLD TOWN EMMET FARM MARKET: 1322
Anderson Rd., Petoskey. Held on Saturdays from 9am-1pm through Oct. 10. facebook. com/oldtownemmetfarmmarket
SARA HARDY DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 7:30am-noon through Oct. at Parking Lot B, Cass St. & E. Grandview Parkway, TC. Also held here on Wednesdays starting in June from 8amnoon. It will take place on the ground floor of the Old Town Parking Deck during the National Cherry Festival. dda.downtowntc.com/ farmers-market
SUTTONS BAY FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 9am-1pm, North Park corner of M22 & M204, Suttons Bay. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
KIRTLAND STUDIO OF ART & DESIGN
EXHIBITION: AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Explore the work created by students from Kirtland Community College. Runs through June 21. artisanvillage.org/events
QUIET OBSERVATIONS - BRUCE PEESO & JUDE POKORNY: Higher Art Gallery, TC. Partners in life & art, Jude Pokorny & Bruce Peeso are well known throughout the U.S. for their unique takes on the American landscape. The show runs through July 3. See web site for hours. higherartgallery.com
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:
- CRAFT: FOLK ART: Held in Atrium Gallery. This exhibition highlights artists who reinterpret folk traditions in fresh & meaningful ways, blurring the lines between art, craft, & storytelling. Runs June 20 - July 25. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-andexhibitions/exhibits/craft-folk-art.html
- “MODERN MOVEMENT: MARTHA GRAHAM & BARBARA MORGAN”: Held in Bonfield Gallery. Featuring original Barbara Morgan photographs of Graham & her company in the 1930s & 40s. Runs through Oct. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/modernmovement.html
- IN MOTION: MAKING ART DANCE: Held in Gilbert Gallery. A juried exhibition of movement inspired visual art pieces, sharing works that address questions such as, “How do artists today show the energy of moving bodies in paintings, sculptures, or films?” Runs through Sept. 5. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/in-motion.html
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:
- “AMERICANS”: This is a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street & the National Museum of the American Indian, which explores how deeply intertwined American Indians are in the culture of the United States. Runs through Sept. 6. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/ upcoming-exhibitions
- CAROLINE MONNET: “THIS OLD HOUSE IS ALL WE HAVE”: Through the interplay of image & object, Monnet foregrounds the deep entanglement of economy, development, & the natural environment. The exhibition serves as a reminder that economic prosperity & urban expansion have historically been built upon the exploitation of land & the Indigenous peoples who have lived in relationship with it for generations. Runs through Sept. 6. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions
- XAVI BOU: “ECHOES OF FLIGHT”: Artist Xavi Bou invites visitors to reconsider how we see the natural world—& how that way of seeing shapes our relationship to it. This exhibition bridges art, science, & environmental awareness through Bou’s innovative use of digital chronophotography. Runs through Sept. 6. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions
GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER, FRANKFORT:
- POETIC VISIONS OF PORT ONEIDA: PAINTING AND POEMS THAT REIMAGINE: Held in Lobby Gallery. Enjoy this series of oil paintings & corresponding poems created by Grand Traverse County artist Wendy McWhorter. Runs through Aug. 27. GAAC is open Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm; & Sat. & Sun., noon-4pm. glenarborart.org/product/ exhibit-poetic-visions-of-port-oneida - AMERICAN TREE: BUILDING A UNITED STATE OF TREES: Held in Main Gallery. American Tree is an exhibit that explores the
role trees played in the formation of the United States 250 years ago -- & the role trees will play moving forward into this nation’s next 250 years. This exhibition runs through Aug. 13. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org/product/exhibit-american-tree
OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT: JUBILEE, AN ODE TO THE CHERRY: Jubilee! is an ode to the cherry in all its glory. In northwest Michigan, we celebrate cherries both tart & sweet as a major crop, a summer delight, & a shared heritage. Runs June 26 through July. See web site for hours. oliverart.org
- 2026 SUMMER MEMBER SHOW: Runs through July 10. Featuring a wide variety of media & styles from OAC’s talented member artists, this fan-favorite show has something for everyone to enjoy. Open Mon. through Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon4pm. oliverart.org
Deadline for Dates information is Tuesday for the following week.
lOGY
JUNE 22 - JUNE 28
BY ROB BREZSNY
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Now is an auspicious time to declare a sweeping amnesty and observe a personal season of pardon. To the best of your ability, release your clenched feelings about people who have caused you pain. Banish blame! Purge any lingering resentment and regret that has curdled into self-reproach. Celebrate atonement and absolution! Most vital of all, exonerate yourself. Shed the guilt you’ve carried for missteps and missed chances. And please offer yourself a sweet gift: a ritual of renewal.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Bees perform what scientists call a "waggle dance" to communicate the location of flowers to their hive-mates. But the directions are sometimes imprecise, and the apparent sloppiness actually helps the hive. It forces other bees to explore more broadly, discovering new food sources that the original bee missed. Perfect information would make them too efficient to be adaptable. Your precision is one of your gifts, Virgo, but right now think you need strategic vagueness and fuzzy logic. Leave some directions unclear. Mistakes and misunderstandings might lead to discoveries that your perfect plans would have eliminated.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): In ancient Greek thought, kairos referred to the opportune moment. It meant the right timing, when circumstances aligned for action to be most effective. The term chronos, on the other hand, was about sequential time, which blindly marched forward without any regard for special moments or auspiciousness. Most of us are more or less hypnotized by chronos-consciousness. We measure our lives by calendar dates and external schedules. But in the coming weeks, Libra, I recommend you stay on high alert for kairos-rich pivots. For now, suspend inquiries like “Am I on schedule?” and ask, "Are the circumstances ripe?"
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Ravens are strongly motivated to engage in elaborate play: aerial acrobatics, complex games, sliding down snowbanks, and sharing food with nonrelatives. These behaviors lack an immediate payoff, yet support learning, motor skill development, and social relationships. They seem to be both emotionally rewarding and indirectly advantageous for survival and success over the long term. Let’s apply this to you, Scorpio. Let’s conclude that delight isn't wastefully frivolous and that pleasure doesn't need to justify itself through productivity. In the coming weeks, you may face pressure to explain or defend your joy, as if to prove it’s worth it in some utilitarian way. Refuse. Like the ravens, engage in purposeless beauty and fun simply because it feels so good.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21):
Glaciologists studying ice cores can read Earth's climate history going back 800,000 years. Each layer contains trapped air bubbles. These are time capsules that preserve the atmospheric composition of each moment. The ice remembers everything. You accumulate similar records, Sagittarius. Each of your experiences leaves its trace. And in the coming weeks, you will have extra access to these archived layers of your own history. Memories and patterns you thought were lost will surface with intriguing clarity. I hope you study these revelations to glean insight about your long-term patterns and cycles. It’s time to see the Big Picture.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Many people forget, but you know: Structure is the foundation for freedom, not a suppression of it. While others fantasize about escaping responsibility, you know that mastery is key to every emancipation. When properly practiced, your flair for discipline adds vigor as well as rigor. More than any other sign of the zodiac, you are adept at using limits to give unlimited possibilities their specific shape. I trust you will express all these Capricornian powers to the max in the coming weeks. People in your life need them even more than usual.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Horticulturists practice "deadheading.” They remove spent flowers from plants to encourage new vitality. Faded flowers drain energy that could go toward fresh growth. Plants that have been deadheaded produce more abundant
blooms than those left to manage their own decay. I recommend a metaphorical version of this practice to you, Aquarius. You’ll be wise to deadhead your emotional garden. Certain attachments, once vibrant and nourishing, have expired. They're not evil or wrong; they're simply finished. It’s best not to keep directing precious energy toward maintaining their faded forms. With gratitude for the old beauty, clear the way for new beauty.
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): For maximum safety, be as uninteresting as possible. Shun risks that might shake up your beliefs and avoid adventures that could expose you to people who aren’t similar to you. If you really want to be certain about preserving your security and stability, as I'm recommending, the surest method is to retreat to your power spot and do nothing at all. WAIT! STOP! Dear Pisces, everything I just said was pure misdirection! I was joking! In fact, the opposite is true. The true way to nurture genuine safety and security is to pursue what sparks your curiosity and lights up your zeal. And the coming days are likely to provide you with plenty of chances to do exactly that.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): The interesting struggles you'll wage in the coming weeks will require your vulnerability: showing up exactly as you are when you might rather fight or escape. Your warrior nature probably prefers a clear enemy or a definable problem you can confront, but the truer conquest will come from laying down your weaponry. I suggest you meet aggression with curiosity and engage chaos with receptive stillness. At least for now, your greatest strength will be to remain undominated by your own reactive impulses. Think of it as an advanced martial art.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to be inspired by this wisdom from artist Pablo Picasso: “I am always doing that which I cannot do in order that I may learn how to do it.” He’s proposing that we treat a lack of expertise not as an embarrassment, but as a doorway. Instead of waiting until we feel ready, trained, and confident, he suggests we head into territory where we fumble, guess, and feel awkward. Our discomfort may lead to gratifying growth. So dare you to ask yourself whether there's a capacity or skill you’d love to add to your repertoire but are too shy or timid to try. Then take small, imperfect steps toward it, trusting that each move will teach you how to do what once felt impossible.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Hummingbirds keep track of every flower they visit and know how long it will take each one to replenish its nectar. They maintain mental maps of many feeding sites and visit them on precise schedules. To ensure their survival, they can’t waste energy on flowers that aren't ready yet. Your mind could work like this if you want it to, Gemini. Which people, places, and projects need time to refill before you visit them again? Who have you been approaching too frequently, seeking their nectar before it has had time to regenerate? In the coming weeks, practice strategic patience with your resources. In your secret conversations with yourself, call yourself “Hummingbird.”
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): If you happen to be swallowed whole by a dragon or whale sometime soon, don’t freak out. It’s far preferable to being chomped into bits first, which absolutely won’t happen. You may indeed spend a brief spell inside the creature’s dark belly, but I confidently predict you will ultimately be deposited on the outside in one intact piece, after which you will only need to find your meandering way back home. The whole episode may be confounding or humbling, but bet it will also scrub you free of a load of old karma.
“Jonesin”
Crosswords
"Room for Development"--gotta know where to look. by Matt Jones
ACROSS
1. Vamoose
6. Campaign ctrs.
9. "That's the way ___"
13. Wrestler Stratus
14. Well-behaved
16. Computer-generated art, uncharitably
18. Criticize harshly
19. "Can I bother you?"
21. Abbr. on a vitamin bottle
22. Boston skyscraper nickname, with "the" 23. Before, in poems
24. "___ Beso (That Kiss!)" (1962 Paul Anka hit)
25. "Jeopardy!" end-of-season event, for short
26. Completely asleep
27. Cheese exterior
29. "The Santaland Diaries" occupation
31. Face-in-hands reaction to a bad landing, perhaps
33. Racecar driver?
35. Gem finder
36. Beachside establishment where "there's always money," on "Arrested Development"
39. Coastal area
41. Yogurt brand founded in Colorado
42. "The Color Purple" author
44. Senior exec. with a J.D.
45. Yanks' opponents
49. Ugandan dictator Amin
50. Floatie filler
52. Row or verb ender?
54. Guardians, on the scoreboard
55. Network launched in 1981
56. Report card stat
57. Log off
59. Like someone shivering in a cold wind, maybe
62. Chooses by ballot
63. Goes along with
64. Nebraska's largest city
65. Sit for a painting
66. Assessment
67. As bad as it gets
DOWN
1. Theater director, say
2. A ___ (deductively)
3. Pay attention
4. Ibiza, por ejemplo
5. The items over there
6. In great demand
7. Cube-hopping '80s arcade creature
8. Recreational watercraft brand
9. Number opposite IX on a clock
10. Value of a U.K. note currently depicting Jane Austen on the back
11. Butt in
12. More heavyset
15. Euros replaced them in Greece
17. Spanish currency before the euro
20. Costa Rican currency (or, without the accent, a punctuation mark)
28. Former German currency, for short
30. Swiss currency used in Liechtenstein
32. Currency of Libya, Jordan, or Algeria
34. Base unit of U.S. gold coins prior to 1933 (equivalent to $10)
36. Venezuelan monetary units (in the English plural)
37. Peruvian currency in the plural (or bottoms of shoes)
6/20 -- Summer Wassail Party w/ Chris Smith, 1-3; & Shawn Reilly, 4-6 Sun -- The Nightcrawlers, 1-4 THE CABBAGE SHED, ELBERTA 6/20 -- Jake Frysinger, 5-8 THE HOMESTEAD RESORT, GLEN ARBOR WHISKERS, 6-9: 6/20 & 6/27 -- Bryan Poirier 6/26 -- Laura Thurston TWO K FARMS, SUTTONS BAY 6/27 -- Randy Reszka, 4-6
6/25 -- Trivia, 6:30 6/26 -- Michelle Chenard, 5:30-8:30 ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES: 6/20 -- Driving Dawn, followed by DJ
MANISTEE NATIONAL GOLF & RESORT
THE BACKYARD: 6/26 – The Downtowners, 7
NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA 7:
6/20 -- Billy & The Kid 6/26 -- Chief Jam-Open Mic
6/27 -- Truck Driver Bingo
THE GREENHOUSE - WILLOW/PRIMOS, CADILLAC 6/24 -- Trivia & Music Bingo, 6
Emmet
CLASSIFIEDS
NMC IS HIRING AUTOMOTIVE ADJUNCTS!
Join Northwestern Michigan College as an Adjunct Automotive Instructor! Teach manual drivelines at our Aero Park Campus in Traverse City. Seeking experts with 6+ years of automotive experience. Compensation is 877 per contact hour. Apply now to share your expertise and help shape the next generation of technicians. Help us drive automotive education forward! http://jobs.nmc.edu
NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE IS HIRING Our Health Occupations team is growing! We are seeking a Nursing Student Success and Enrollment Specialist to serve as the primary engine for student persistence and departmental effectiveness. $53,989.00/yr. NMC is EOE nmc.edu/ non-discrimination
NMCAA DISCOVERY (TCHS) EARLY HEAD START TEACHER: Early Head Start classroom of 8, infants and toddlers.Child Development Associate (CDA); Credential (Infant Toddler preferred). Fulltime, 41 weeks per year. $21.32-$22.32 per hour. EOE.For more details and to apply visit www.nmcaa.net select Careers/Search Jobs
SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231-228-6248
SUMMER SERIES PRENATAL YOGA $15 DROP IN:: Tuesdays 6/16-8/4, 5:30pm,10781 E Cherry Bend Rd newmoonyogastudio.com/classes2
BUYING OLD WOODEN DUCK and FISH SPEARING DECOYS: BUYING OLD WOODEN DUCK and FISH SPEARING DECOYS, call, text 248 877-0210
FREE WEEKLY ORIGINAL HOT YOGA COMMUNITY CLASS: EVERY WED. @ 7:30PM - 845 S. GARFIELD AVE.ORIGINALHOTYOGATC.COM 231-392-4798
NIGHTLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY STAYS NEAR TC!:
“The Suites” Turnkey Homes & Motel. Travelers/ Construction crews 231-633-5464
