There is an urgent need for the Antrim County Commission to support and fund the programs that Grand Traverse Industries (GTI) provides our county residents in Mancelona
GTI serves approximately 56 intellectually and developmentally disabled adults throughout the county in a variety of ways. GTI provides day program services so that participants can stay active and build relationships with their peers. They provide organizational employment so that individuals have the opportunity and dignity of an earned paycheck. Additionally, GTI offers support and help for individuals to work independently at local businesses, and finally the Supported Employment enclaves enable small crews to work at jobs in the community.
The funding issues are real. Initially what was thought to simply be transportation funding problems have now expanded to the broader issue of federal slashes to Medicaid. These vulnerable citizens need our help and support. We urge County Commissioners along with North Country Community Mental Health to provide the necessary funds for our vulnerable neighbors.
Gretchen Iorio | Traverse City
Hope and the Abyss
I agree with every word Lauren Franseen [Letter to the Editor, May 26, “Love, Compassion, Kindness”] has expressed. She is absolutely correct. Well written. However, I’m not very hopeful or optimistic. The clowns in power will continue with their agenda of tyranny, and there is not much we can do. I think millions of Americans feel the same way.
When leaders of our Democracy defy judges and the laws of the land and continue to centralize power, we are at a perilous point in our nation. Good people look to the midterm elections to mitigate this sadistic administration, but who’s to say they won’t eliminate the midterm elections? This is the abyss we are looking at right now.
Bret Albright | Traverse City
The HERTH Deserves Saving!
Since 2010, the non-profit Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall Association (HERTHA) has worked as rental agent for Elk Rapids Township, making the hall available for events while transforming a neglected, decaying structure into a community gem. Countless individuals have given time, energy, and money to help make “The HERTH” a gathering place for plays, concerts, weddings, children’s events, celebrations, markets, and meetings.
Through grant writing, fundraisers, donations, and sweat equity, HERTHA and its many supporters including the Rotary Club of Elk Rapids, Rotary Charities, Grand Traverse and Elk Rapids Community Foundations, Daughters of the American Revolution, led by the amazing Elk Rapids Players, over $500,000 worth of improvements have been invested in the beloved Town Hall.
ER Township’s long-term lease agreement originally called for HERTHA to fund all maintenance and building upgrades. After HERTHA’s funding and installation of attic insulation, new heating/AC systems, electrical,
a new stage curtain, and LED stage lighting, the township stepped up to fund a new front entryway, then assumed responsibility for exterior maintenance.
A long list of improvements has since been funded by HERTHA, such as interior painting, ceiling repair, window treatments, and new hardwood floors to name a few, with Elk Rapids Township paying for a commercial gutter/drainage system, masonry, and establishing a sinking fund for roof replacement—their investment over the same 15-year period has been about $50,000.
With Elk Rapids Township’s lease extension to December 31 to allow time for HERTHA to host contracted events, the recent decision by the HERTHA board to launch a capital campaign for purchase of this historic venue will gain wide support to Save The HERTH!
Tom Vranich, Co-founder of HERTHA | Milton Township
Oklahoma Stats
In Steven Tuttle’s May 26 column, he told us about Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters’ plan to brainwash the children of Oklahoma into believing the 2020 stolen election story.
Here are a few facts about the 2020 election that Oklahoma children should know: Votes in Oklahoma for the Democrat for President increased by 19.9 percent while votes for Trump only increased by 7.5 percent. Votes in Oklahoma for the Democrat candidate increased by 83,515 votes while the votes for Trump only increased by 71,144 votes. The size of Trump’s win in Oklahoma decreased by 12,371 votes.
The following additional red states, like Oklahoma, decreased the size of Trump’s win in 2020: Alaska, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, and Texas. In 31 out of Oklahoma’s 77 counties, the votes for the Democrat increased at a higher percentage than the votes for Trump. In 44 out of the 50 states, votes for the Democrat for President increased at a higher percentage than votes for Trump.
In 2020, the election was about Trump. Republicans were energized to vote for him. Democrats were energized to vote against him. Independents were energized to move away from him.
Warren “Bud” Cline | Traverse City
Better Planning for Memorial Day
I went to the Memorial Day service at Veterans Park. There were a lot of people there. The one bad thing I noticed was no restrooms, not even a port-a-potty. I think that is disrespectful to the veterans.
Frederick Braun | Traverse City
Déjà Vu All Over Again
This is in response to R. Stetson’s LTE “Déjà Vu.” I have seen a few documentaries on Hitler, the Nazis, and his rise to power. More should have been said about his actions and misuse of governmental authority leading to his dictatorship.
Hitler was a Nationalist. Nationalists were considered real Germans, and nonNationalists were “The Others.” He said,
“They are poisoning the blood of our country.” That type of venomous speech fostered hatred and hostility towards them. He used this to label The Others as the root cause of Germany’s problems. The Others were labeled criminals and stripped of their rights. They were arrested, removed from their homes, and transported to detention centers (internment camps).
Hitler created a propaganda machine to get his message out to listeners while silencing opposing views. He discredited the free press and called them the enemy of the people. Hitler divided the German people with his rhetoric and malicious lies. He supported the news radio programs that spoke well of him and his agenda.
Hitler filled his cabinet with loyalists and people who did his bidding without question. He threatened to arrest protesters and political opposition. He was vengeful, deceitful, hateful, and cruel. Many suffered and died by his hand. Hitler was a horrible person and there should never be another like him.
We are living in a déjà vu moment, but not to the extent of 1944. We are slowly going backward towards a time when you could be stopped and questioned because you fit the profile of one of them. We could be threatened with arrest for protesting or speaking out against unconstitutional government overreach.
The president repeats and propagates misinformation and disinformation on a weekly basis. He has no checks and balances. The DOJ is his law firm and congress is spineless.
Willie Jones Jr. | Traverse City
this week’s
top ten
FenFest Fun
(Say that five times fast!) What’s a fen, you ask? Per our friends at Merriam-Webster, “low land that is covered wholly or partly with water … that usually has peaty alkaline soil and characteristic flora.” Aka, part of the ecosystem at Grass River Natural Area! This weekend, June 6-8, GRNA will host their FenFest celebration at their 1,500-acre nature preserve with kayak tours, a native plant sale, wildflower and orchid walks, birding tours, live music, and more on the sprawling Bellaire property. The two guided kayak tours are $45 per person (including watercraft and equipment) and require pre-registration. The walks are $10 a pop, and several other events, including presentations on invasive species, are free. Get all the details and sign up for activities at grassriver.org/fenfest.html.
Hike and Bike America
Help kick off Less Cancer’s Hike and Bike America 2025 at Mt. Holiday in Traverse City on Saturday, June 7, with a free concert starring northern Michigan’s own Drew Hale! Blending country, blues, and rock and roll, Hale brings his high energy show from noon-3pm. Donations are welcome. For more info on registering for Hike and Bike America 2025, a nationwide cancer prevention fundraiser paired with an emphasis on outdoor recreation, visit LessCancer.org.
4
Hey, read It! We Could Be Rats
As children, siblings Sigrid and Margit couldn’t have been any more different. Firstborn Marg is the model child, but so tightly wound, she could bust any second. Sig, on the other hand, is a born dreamer: a quality she channeled into play as a kid, but as an adult, makes her feel misunderstood and alone. Now adults living different lives, the two aren’t bonded by much more than blood, but everything comes crashing down when something terrible happens to Sigrid. What follows is bestselling author Emily Austin’s newest novel, We Could Be Rats Told in alternating letters, this gut-wrenching read tells the story of how two sisters—divided by time, space, and decades’ worth of secrets—embark on separate paths towards healing, only to find each other at the end. (Note: This book deals with some difficult topics, like emotionally-abusive parents and suicide, so keep that in mind before reading.)
National Chocolate Ice Cream Day approaches—mark your calendar for Saturday, June 7!—and in honor of this beloved (if little-known) holiday, Kilwins has launched an extra special treat. According to their team, the Chocolate-on-the-Inside Waffle Cone took five years to perfect. (We would have loved to be in that taste-testing kitchen.) The cone does just what it promises, combining the sweet and crunchy classic waffle cone with Kilwins’ Heritage Dark Chocolate to create a decadent vessel for your ice cream of choice. Grab a friend this Saturday, because you can try the new chocolatey cone for free with the purchase of any regular waffle cone or waffle bowl. Find a Kilwins near you in Petoskey (1050 Bay View Rd. and 316 Howard St.), Harbor Springs (139 E Main St.), or Traverse City (129 E. Front St.). kilwins.com
6
Cooking Up a Spring Feast
How does the creation of a farmto-table meal work? Green Door Folk School will take you on a field trip to show you how! You’ll start by shopping the Suttons Bay Farmers Market and meeting with local growers and makers. Next comes a tour of Leelanau’s Loma Farm, a small-scale vegetable and flower farm. Once your shopping basket is full, you’ll head to Cedar North at J2 Farm, where the group will head into a proper cook’s kitchen to make something amazing from the local ingredients you’ve collected. Though Green Door notes “there are no set recipes,” you’ll get tips on preparing dressings, infused oils and vinegars, and your meal itself! To get in on the springtime fun, act fast—only a few tickets ($150) remain! Sign up at greendoorfolkschool.com/classes.
Think Septic Before You Sell
Thinking of putting your house on the market next year? Despite being the Great Lakes State, Michigan is the only state in the country without a statewide septic code. But recently, Grand Traverse County joined neighboring counties Leelanau and Benzie in creating its own regulations, which will go into effect January 1, 2026, and require septic evaluations whenever properties within 300 feet of surface water (including lakes, ponds, streams, or rivers) are sold or transferred. Note that properties must be evaluated by a certified evaluator. “Certified evaluators are responsible for submitting evaluation reports to the Grand Traverse County Health Department for review and approval before any property transfer may occur,” according to the county. If the septic system is failing, the owner or buyer will need to submit an action plan and complete repairs within 180 days. To learn more, visit gtcountymi.gov/822/ On-Site-Septic-Systems.
Stuff We Love:
Terrarium Parties
Running out of unique ideas for entertaining friends and family? Look no further than I’m Planty AF, the houseplant hot spot tucked inside downtown Traverse City’s My Secret Stash. The shop offers expert advice and classes, but it’s their terrarium parties that are fun for green thumbs and plant newbies alike. Grab a few friends, choose from a selection of beautiful vessels, learn how to prepare the right soil, and then pick out your new leafy pals! (You can level up your look with adorable plant décor, like stones and tiny figurines.) And while you’re at My Secret Stash, be sure to stock up on Pride merch—they’re the official retailer for Up North Pride! Find them at 122 Cass Street in Traverse City and learn more at implantyaf.com and mysecretstash.com.
ADVERTISEMENT
jocelyn benson
in conversation with doug stanton
National Writers Series
welcomes Jocelyn Benson, Michigan’s Secretary of State and one of the nation’s most courageous defenders of democracy, to discuss her new book, The Purposeful Warrior. Employing an equal dose of memoir and inspiration, Benson offers a road map on how to stand up for ourselves, our communities and our democracy.
J oin NWS on Tuesday, June 3 at 7:00 p.m., in-person at the City Opera House and livestreamed
bottoms up The Good Bowl’s Shiso Fine
We’re pretty sure The Chiffons misspoke in their hit song when they sang “he’s so fine”— they really meant to say she’s so fine and were clearly talking about the eponymous (and punny!) cocktail at The Good Bowl in Traverse City! A twist on traditional Vietnamese flavors, the Shiso Fine ($14) features a base of Gypsy Vodka shaken with delicate soju (a Korean spirit distilled from rice), fresh lemon juice, and a homemade syrup made from turbinado sugar and Shiso leaf, a southern Asian herb related to mint that’s tangy and subtly sweet. Served up and topped with shiso leaf and dehydrated lemon, this bright and refreshing bevvy makes for the ultimate summer sip. (It also pairs perfectly with herby bites, like the eatery’s Co’m Rice Bowl or Papaya Salad!) Find The Good Bowl at 328 E. Front St. in Traverse City. goodbowleatery.com
I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree.
NOTHING IS BETTER THAN A TREE
spectator By steven Tuttle
So begins Joyce Kilmer’s classic ode to our leafy friends. He’d likely be displeased if he was still alive and lived around here these days; we’ve found plenty of reasons to remove plenty of trees from plenty of locations.
This lament should be prefaced with the acknowledgment that people are not marauding with chainsaw in hand, felling trees at random for no reason. In fact, every incident is full of logic and reason, but that doesn’t mean we all agree or make tree lovers in Tree City, USA, any happier.
western edge of the airport in the name of “runway protection zones,” fully exposing the mobile home community next door. Bigger planes, extended runway, more flights, fewer trees.
Now they are discussing removing all the tall trees from Oakwood Cemetery, our lovely park-like final resting place since it was donated by Perry Hannah and established in 1861. Designed as a “gardenstyle” cemetery, the airport would reduce it to a stump-and-shrub-style cemetery to create an ever expanding runway protection zone for their general aviation component which mostly uses the north-south runway. The airport and its aviation board are mostly
Nothing we create is better than a tree; it would be nice if our decision makers remembered that.
This started a few years ago without much fanfare when city-owned Hickory Hills upgraded everything. Four new slopes, a new sledding hill, a significant “learning area,” widened Nordic trails, and a substantial expansion of the parking lot required the elimination of hundreds of trees.
It was not as if Hickory Hills wasn’t in need of some improvements, or lots of improvements. And those using the facility seemed to appreciate and enjoy the changes. The little ecosystems that previously existed in and around those trees presumably enjoyed the process less.
Our Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore national park was considering the removal of some 7,000 trees to extend the Heritage Trail until public outcry made them reevaluate the plans. The idea was to complete the trail in a way that made it universally accessible to all, but reaction to the proposed tree genocide has made the National Park Service reconsider the plan or at least try to find a less destructive route. Given the current federal administration’s proposed cuts to the national parks, it’s possible nothing at all will happen.
The Keith J. Charters State Park outside Traverse City is being remodeled and upgraded for the first time in years and will be closed after July 7 for ongoing construction of new cabins, a new park headquarters building, improved and widened park roads, and improved sanitation stations, among other updates. Unfortunately, this also involves the removal of 300 trees deemed dangerous or in the way of the improvements. The dense woodland setting, now being thinned, was one of the things that makes that state park so popular and so appealing.
The Cherry Capital Airport is the leader when it comes to tree removal. They’ve already clear-cut 1,600 trees from the
independent and have significant leeway for their seemingly endless desires for expansion; new gates, more flights, fewer trees. The real problem here is much of Traverse City and its trees are in the path of runway protection zones in almost every direction. While we certainly understand the value and economic engine the airport provides, we’re a little concerned that its continued expansion in its current location might well denude more of the area of its trees.
The benefits of trees are more than just shade and aesthetics. Trees reduce air pollution by removing carbon dioxide (which also helps mitigate climate change), carbon monoxide, ozone, and dust. They filter rain-borne pollutants and sediments. They reduce storm run-off, help prevent flooding and erosion, reduce the heat island effect, provide homes for a wide range of critters large and small, stabilize soil…there isn’t much that provides as much benefit to so many as a tree, and we humans haven’t yet created anything that even comes close.
To be fair, it’s not as if Michigan is going to run out of trees any time soon. According to MSU, Michigan has about 20 million acres of forest land containing between 11.5 and 14 billion trees covering about 53 percent of the state.
So, yes, sometimes progress or necessary developments require tree removal. Sometimes it’s for safety reasons, especially around fire danger sources like high voltage transmission wires. Saving trees is not always possible, but removing them cannot always be the only option, either. We’ve eliminated most of them from downtown in the name of development, and there are those who want greater and greater residential density, which requires removing even more trees.
Bigger is not always better, and more is not always an improvement. Nothing we create is better than a tree; it would be nice if our decision makers remembered that.
guest opinion
by Tom Gutowski
Assuming you’re white, a U.S. citizen, not gay, trans, disabled, or autistic, not a liberal activist or critical journalist, not a judge who’s issued a ruling unfavorable to Trump, not a migrant, legal or otherwise, not the child of a migrant, not a tourist, not on Trump’s enemies list, not a political rival, don’t have the wrong tattoo, and you’ve never protested against the war in Gaza, the odds are you’ll be alright.
You probably won’t be grabbed by men in masks, handcuffed, whisked away in an unmarked van, and sent to a concentration camp in another country, and you probably won’t need to hire a lawyer to find out where the masked men have taken your spouse or child. No guarantees, though.
paying the bills, running errands, indulging in a bit of recreation on the weekends, and so on. As Ernst Fraenkel explained decades ago in The Dual State, (and as Aziz Huq recounts in “A Warning Out of Time” in the May issue of The Atlantic) authoritarians usually don’t totally dismantle the existing system of laws and norms.
Instead, they build what Fraenkel called a “prerogative state,” a space in which the leader “exercises unlimited arbitrariness and violence unchecked by any legal guarantees,” next to the “normative state” in which the
But hope isn’t a strategy. Ultimately, the fate of a nation rests in the hands of its citizens ...
usual procedures and rules apply, allowing life to hum along pretty much as before for most citizens.
If you’re a female of child-bearing age, your odds are lower. If you have a miscarriage, you could be arrested if someone thinks it was due to something you did, or that you didn’t give the fetal remains a proper burial. Getting or seeking an abortion, or assisting someone else in doing so, will probably be out of the question if you want to stay out of trouble.
There will be inconveniences. The circle of friends in whose presence you’re willing to say something critical of the government will shrink. That knot you get in your stomach when you see a police car in your rearview mirror will get worse. Your heart may race when someone knocks on your door. You might start carrying your passport, if you have one, so you can prove citizenship (assuming the men in masks care). You may stop watching the news, purposely choosing not to know what’s going on. History teachers will have to scrub their lesson plans of forbidden topics.
You may be further inconvenienced if you work for or rely on a government department or program that has been or will be eliminated or cut back: DEI programs of course, and FEMA, the VA, FAA, CDC, National Weather Service, Department of Education, Social Security Administration, and National Park Service, plus medical research, Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, etc.
Economically, it doesn’t look great if you’re not a one percenter. Economists say prices will rise, many shelves will be empty, and lots of businesses will be hurt by the tariffs and the chaos as Trump changes direction every other day. Businesses that export products to foreign countries (including many farms and factories) will be hurt if the trade wars continue and retaliatory tariffs destroy their overseas markets. Those that rely on migrant labor may face a labor shortage. Your 401(k), if you have one, may or may not be OK.
For most folks, though, daily life will continue to consist of going to work, raising the kids,
Many good people tolerate that situation since they believe that neither they nor their loved ones will be denied due process or subjected to state sponsored violence, and that in any case the risks of speaking out are too high. So they keep their heads down, their mouths shut, and their eyes closed.
What ultimately brings down many authoritarian regimes, other than gross executive overreach, is that they value loyalty to the leader over competence and honesty, and the knuckleheads and grifters they put in charge eventually drive the country into a ditch. In other words, we’re all human; we tend to get involved only when we’re personally and seriously affected. If others are mistreated, those capable of empathy feel bad about it, but they hope someone else will come along to fix it.
But hope isn’t a strategy. Ultimately, the fate of a nation rests in the hands of its citizens, provided they have the inclination and courage to act. In the words of Ece Temelkuran, author of How to Lose a Country, The 7 Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship about the rise of Recep Erdoğan in Turkey: “There is no hope. There is us. That’s it.”
That ought to be enough. According to research done by Erica Chenoweth at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard, nonviolent anti-authoritarian movements usually succeed when the number of folks actively participating reaches 3.5 percent of the population. In the US that’s around 12 million people.
Considering the burgeoning network of pro-democracy grassroots organizations, the growing turnout for rallies and demonstrations, the latest poll numbers, and the roastings congressmen have gotten at town hall meetings, it’s looking like “we the people” are up to the task.
Tom Gutowski holds a BA in Economics and a PhD in History.
It’s Come to This
Sure, the Indianapolis 500 is loud and dangerous, but after 100-plus years of racing, you might not be faulted for stifling a big yawn before the cars cross the finish line. But fear not! On May 23, six Wienermobiles will compete in the firstever Wienie 500, KTLA-TV reported. Each Wienermobile will represent a regional hot dog, to wit: The Chi Dog (Midwest), the New York Dog (East Coast), the Slaw Dog (Southeast), the Sonoran Dog (Southwest), the Chili Dog (South) and the Seattle Dog (Northwest). A finish-line celebration in the “Wiener’s Circle” will include a condiment spray for the champion. If you miss the Wiener 500, tune in during the Indy 500 pre-race show on May 25 for highlights.
Oops!
More than 12,000 chicks that had been shipped out from Freedom Ranger Hatchery in Pennsylvania to clients across
Michigan, has been stewing over a flood of prank calls she’s received, the Detroit Free Press reported on May 21. Turns out Roberts’ number was posted on a wall at Cedar Point amusement park in Ohio, and people waiting in line for the Cedar Creek Mine ride are dialing her up. Roberts said at first it was funny, but now it’s “getting a little old.” After the Free Press contacted Cedar Point, a spokesman said they would try to address the issue.
Smooth Reaction
Andrew Smith was fishing on Pensacola Beach in Florida on May 15 when a frantic girl ran up to him and asked if he could swim, WSVN-TV reported. Her friend was being sucked out by a rip current, but Smith doesn’t swim. He does, however, use a drone to set bait for sharks. Thinking fast, Smith attached a flotation device to the drone and sent it out over the water. “I flew it out and it was a terrible miss,” he said. “I released it too early.” A bystander gave him another flotation device, and this time he took his time and waited until the girl had grabbed it before releasing it. EMS and lifeguards told Smith if the girl hadn’t had the floater, she wouldn’t have made it. She was checked out and sent home, and her father called Smith a “guardian angel.” “It was pretty crazy,” Smith said.
Also in Florida (because, where else?), a tiki boat captain came to the rescue of a drunken patron of TT’s Tiki Bar in Punta Gorda after the man jumped over a railing into the water, hitting the rocks below and bloodying himself dramatically. WMURTV reported that on May 17, as Cole Kelly steered a karaoke cruise, he saw a man struggling in the water. “It was apparent that he was bleeding really badly,” Kelly said. “He had a terrible wound on his hand. He wasn’t very coherent.” Police said the man had jumped over the railing to impress his friends and landed on rocks along the shoreline. “This is now the craziest thing that’s happened on the
Guards at a prison in Costa Rica caught a mule ... er, a cat that was ferrying more than 230 grams of marijuana and 67 grams of crack cocaine in early May, the CBS News reported. A guard spotted the tiny black-and-white feline after it jumped over a periphery fence; after it was caught, packages were cut away from its fur. The courier was turned over to the National Animal Health Service for evaluation.
On May 15, swimmer and environmental advocate Lewis Pugh set out on a special mission: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the movie “Jaws,” Pugh is hoping to urge people not to view sharks as monsters but as part of a healthy ocean ecosystem. The Martha’s Vineyard Times reported that Pugh is planning to swim all the way around the island, where “Jaws” was filmed -- about 60 miles -- in 11 or 12 days. “I’m frightened of sharks,” Pugh said, “but I’m more terrified of a world without them. We need a new narrative about these
JOY IS A FORM OF RESISTANCE
GUEST OPINION
by Adrienne Brown-Reasner
It is very easy to get lost in the doom and gloom we hear and read constantly these days—the countless anti-LGBTQ+ bills, attacks directed at the trans community, the endless day-in, day-out worrying about what the next executive order could mean. And it would be easy to feel hopeless and scared.
But what I have seen instead is a community with an unmatched resiliency not backing down, not shying away, but relishing in the simple idea that just existing is a revolutionary act and that joy is itself a form of resistance.
monthly group meetup, a book club, and an LGBTQ+ grass volleyball league.
We have grown our online resource directory and reached out to other area organizations to include their events on our calendar. We have found new partners to work with and more 2SLGBTQ+ businesses and spaces to highlight in all of the five counties we serve. We have been finding more and more ways to gather and reach everyone we can to ensure nobody feels isolated or left out. We have continued to build community. We have continued to find joy.
We are celebrating love, celebrating the space for people to authentically be who they are, celebrating the joy of proudly being ourselves.
I joined Up North Pride last fall with ideas of what the next chapter of the organization could include. After taking feedback gathered from surveys and listening sessions, as well as many meetings with long-time volunteers, sponsors, and community partners, the board of directors and I jumped into strategic planning, putting together goals and new programming ideas for the next year, all centered around Up North Pride expanding to become a larger, year-round presence for the northern Michigan 2SLGBTQ+ community.
We plotted out what elements from our annual trademark events of Pride Month and Pride Week could be expanded and where it made sense to cut back. We brainstormed new programming to test out and how to broaden the resources Up North Pride can provide. Calendars were put together, budgets were created, and lists of prioritized steps to approach all these goals were made.
And then, late Nov. 5, as election results started to come in, a lot of those plans changed focus.
The conversations immediately shifted from “what can Up North Pride do in the next year” to “what does everyone need us to be doing?” How are we best serving our community? How do we solidify ourselves as the support, resource, and advocate for 2SLGBTQ+ in northern Michigan? The answer: create as many opportunities to gather people together to celebrate queer joy as we can.
Over the last few months, the Up North Pride team has held game nights, art nights, educational events, and happy hours at different breweries throughout the region. We have hosted drag trivia night, an adult prom, and started a trans and non-binary
These events have seen new friends joining Up North Pride, people saying they were thankful to be able to find a space to be surrounded by like-minded people because they are not finding that support elsewhere, as well as familiar faces excited to have more opportunities to gather and even more excited that we are holding a number of events in the smaller towns surrounding Traverse City. We’ve even seen a proposal at our recent adult prom!
As Pride month events fill the month of June, and rainbow flags and signs pop up all over town, remember what is behind the festivities: a celebration. We are celebrating love, celebrating the space for people to authentically be who they are, celebrating the joy of proudly being ourselves.
This month, when you attend any of the many Pride events happening around the region, take a moment to see the smiles and happiness of everyone attending, enjoying the feeling of being surrounded by a welcoming and supportive network.
And remember that this joy is coming at a time when our community is facing harsh attacks, hateful rhetoric, and fighting for the right to just exist.
Yes, we live in a scary political climate, and yes, we are worried, but we are not cowering and moving back into the shadows. We are facing it head on, dancing, and singing, and chanting, and celebrating, and very proudly saying we are here and cannot be forgotten and cannot be anything but who we are.
Adrienne Brown-Reasner is Up North Pride’s Executive Director. She has spent years working in the nonprofit sector and a number of arts organizations throughout West Michigan and recently moved back to Traverse City with her partner and their two fur-babies.
What Does Pride Month Look Like in 2025?
Up North Pride talks June programming, Michigan protections, and federal attacks
Ren Brabenec
The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) ranks Michigan in the top 20 U.S. states for policies supporting LGBTQ+ residents’ lives, experiences, and equality. Michigan is an island in this category because, without going to either the East or West Coast, the only states in the U.S. with better rankings are Colorado, Minnesota, and Illinois.
But that’s on the state level. To get the latest on the broader issues affecting LGBTQ+ residents, we sat down with Up North Pride (UNP) Executive Director Adrienne BrownReasner and Board President Aaron Wright.
Right off the bat, Brown-Reasner tells us, “This is our biggest Pride Month since UNP got its start in 2014,” she says. “We’re using Pride Month 2025 to celebrate how far we’ve come, but also to recognize how much work we still have to do.”
Both Brown-Reasner and Wright emphasized that the increasingly full event calendar is not just thanks to the organization’s expansion, but that many of the events UNP is involved in are the result of growing partnerships with other nonprofits, local businesses, and northern Michigan locales that want to show their support for the LGBTQ+ community. BrownReasner referenced TART Trails, Elev8, and the State Theatre as examples.
“The goal for Pride Month, and every month, is to be inclusive,” Brown-Reasner added. “We hosted listening sessions in August 2024 to find out what people needed, and we took their requests to heart. We want to create safe spaces that include a wide range of activities so everyone can feel like there’s something for them.”
Photos by Lil Jes Photography
The Question of Safety
For many queer people in the United States, safe spaces are not guaranteed.
On May 3, a same-sex couple was ordered to leave a Boston hotel after a security guard challenged their use of a bathroom. The couple, both cisgender women, had entered the bathroom and were using separate stalls when a male security guard came in and started banging on the stall doors. The guard commanded one of the women to leave and to prove her gender, insisting she was a man in a women’s bathroom. As the couple departed, they were jeered by other women waiting in line. The incident made national news, prompting concern over the rights of LGBTQ+ people to exist in public spaces.
Brown-Reasner and Wright are concerned that such incidents will become all too common in the months and years to come.
Wright says a shifting legal landscape, combined with discriminatory and dehumanizing rhetoric on the federal level, is why UNP began hosting “Know Your Rights” talks with northern Michigan’s LGBTQ+ community. “We had a sit-down in January of this year, and another one recently with Jay Kaplan of the American Civil Liberties Union,” he says.
Brown-Reasner echoes the sentiment. “UNP is not a political organization, but we stay informed so we can provide resources for our community. I just got back from a trip to Lansing’s Advocacy Day with Equality Michigan to learn about state and federal bills, executive orders, and the like. Things are mostly OK, but not perfect, on the state level. They’re getting much worse on the federal level.”
Wright brings up Michigan’s LGBTQ+ protections by referencing the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) of 1976, which
was expanded in 2023 to include protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
But it’s not enough for Michigan to be an island of safety, because even that might change.
Wright and Brown-Reasner take turns listing off federal anti-transgender legislation, discriminatory Executive Orders, statelevel bathroom bans, and House Bill 4467, a bill recently introduced to the Michigan Legislature that seeks to bar parents from decision-making regarding gender-affirming care for their children.
“For our community members and especially our allies, it’s about standing up and protecting people even if you don’t identify in the same way as them,” says Wright.
“We think we can hold down the fort on the state level, but we’re very concerned about the rising tide of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment on the federal level,” says Wright. “They’re targeting LGBTQ+ communities now, but that’s likely just the first salvo in terms of who’s going to be oppressed. It’s not a matter of ‘who’s next.’ It’s a matter of, ‘when is it me?’”
A Community That Shows Up
From connecting people with resources through their carefully vetted online
directory at upnorthpride.com to hosting educational presentations, creating safe spaces, engaging with allies, and promoting visibility, Brown-Reasner says UNP’s mission is to show up for people.
She also emphasizes that while the support UNP has gotten from the broader northern Michigan community has been more than they could have hoped for, it’s expected that not everyone will show their support.
“People who are conflicted about LGBTQ+ have just as much a right to believe what they believe and to express themselves as we do,” she says. “We don’t all have to agree in order to get along. We just want people to survive and exist and have rights. We can have disagreements and still exist in the same space.”
Wright agrees and says the organization’s mission is also about going on the “pacifist’s offensive” by preaching and practicing love and inclusivity.
“The authoritarian playbook is to divide and conquer,” he says. “The Trump Administration and red states are zeroing in on the transgender community, trying to divide the public on this one group as a way to create a wedge between Americans and their LGBTQ+ family members, friends, work colleagues, and neighbors. For our community members and especially our allies, it’s about standing up and protecting people even if you don’t identify in the same way as them. More community connection is the antidote to authoritarianism.”
Wright and Brown-Reasner note the best way to push back against hate and division is to peacefully show up, to come out and rally, march, party, picnic, dance, sing, make art, sit in silence, share space, see a film, attend game night, vote, fundraise, and spend time with members of the LGBTQ+ community.
Executive Orders, Legislative Efforts, and Federal Actions
Flagged by UNP
Brown-Reasner and Wright highlighted numerous executive orders, Congressional bills, lawsuits, state-level bills, petitions, antiLGBTQ+ lobbying, leaked memos, and federal actions UNP is closely following. Just a few include:
The War on DEI: BrownReasner is concerned that DOGEled mass layoffs and efforts to strip DEI policies from federal agencies have created a massive loss in institutional knowledge and a further marginalization of LGBTQ+ Americans.
Slowing HIV Prevention Research: Since January, the federal government has cancelled dozens of grants to study how to prevent new HIV infections and expand access to care.
Dismantling Marriage Equality: Wright is concerned that the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court ruling allowing same-sex marriage will be overturned due to the precedent set under the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson ruling. Targeted Executive Orders: Since assuming office, President Trump has signed multiple executive orders impacting LGBTQ+ rights, including defining sex solely as male or female, restricting gender-affirming care, discouraging schools from educating students on LGBTQ+ issues, and reinstating a ban on transgender military service members.
Brown-Reasner, Photo credit Jay Bolt Wright, Photo credit Ben Eaton
OUTDOOR CRAFT & VENDOR SHOW
JUNE 13 Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ with special guest Abraham Alexander
JUNE 14 Ben Folds & A Piano Tour with Lindsay Kraft
JUNE 15 Whiskey Myers with Bayker Blankenship
JUNE 17 Diana Krall
JUNE 20 Gary Clark Jr. with Lamont Landers
JUNE 25 Rick Springfield with John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young
JUNE 26 Wynonna Judd
JUNE 28 May Erlewine and Joshua Davis
JULY 9 America
JULY 10 Iron & Wine and I’m With Her
JULY 12 St. Paul & The Broken Bones and The Wood Brothers with Yasmin Williams
JULY 14
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with JJ Grey & Mofro and Dumpstaphunk
JULY 15 The Infamous Stringdusters & Leftover Salmon featuring special guests Kitchen Dwellers
JULY 17 Ashley McBryde
JULY 18 Let’s Sing Taylor - An Unofficial Live Tribute Band
JULY 19 Detroit Symphony Orchestra
JULY 22 Bachman-Turner Overdrive and The Marshall Tucker Band with Jefferson Starship
JULY 23 Mat Kearney
JULY 24 Straight No Chaser with O-Town
AUG. 2 Lang Lang
AUG. 4 The War and Treaty
AUG. 5 Earth, Wind and Fire
AUG. 6 The Temptations and The Four Tops
AUG. 7 The Head And The Heart with Wilderado and Katie Pruitt
AUG. 9 Toad the Wet Sprocket with The Jayhawks & Sixpence None the Richer
AUG. 12 moe. with Special guest Eggy
AUG. 14 The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra
AUG. 15 Cake
AUG. 16 Brit Floyd - Pink Floyd Experience
AUG. 18 Allison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas (SOLD OUT)
AUG. 22 Greensky Bluegrass (Two Nights)
AUG. 23 Greensky Bluegrass (Two Nights)
GROWING UP QUEER
Three LGBTQ+ students share their experiences with finding a safe and supportive community
By Quinn De Vecchi
The month of my thirteenth birthday was when I returned from my first LGBTQ+ friendly summer camp. On the plane ride to Florida, overlooking the turn from Los Angeles, I silently cried. I was leaving a place where I knew everyone understood what I was going through. Five minutes into my crying session, the flight attendant passed me a wad of paper napkins. I was still drying my eyes by the time we landed.
I had been sad to come back to Florida after being in such an accepting place like Los Angeles. When I met with my mother at the airport, the first thing I did wasn’t hug her or tell her how my trip was. It was to take off my backpack and unclip the gay flag I had pinned on the side.
That had been the first time I had expressed fear of my gender and sexuality to my mother. And it was the first time I had ever been scared to live in Florida.
When I moved to Michigan to start studying at Interlochen Arts Academy (IAA) for writing, there was a stark change in atmosphere from Hallandale, Florida. It felt like I had suddenly been transported into a dream world where everyone accepted me and so many people were like me.
Hatred by the Numbers
Right now in the United States, there are over 575 anti-LGBTQ+ bills, according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has been actively striving for equal treatment of queer people since 2003.
The ACLU writes on their website, “While more states every year work to pass laws to protect LGBTQ people, state legislatures are advancing bills that target transgender people, limit local protections, and allow the use of religion to discriminate…LGBTQ people have a right to live in safety, to thrive, and to be treated with dignity.”
Queer teens are often hounded by their families and the public, and depending on where they live, they fear for their lives. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
(GLAAD) hosts the Anti-LGBTQ Extremism Reporting Tracker (ALERT), which monitors any and all anti-LGBTQ+ happenings in the U.S.
The ALERT Desk in just 2022 tracked over 1,850 anti-LGBTQ incidents in the U.S. and the District of Columbia, which span “450+ protests, 330+ propaganda drops, 320+ acts of vandalism, 200+ bomb & mass shooting threats, 130+ assaults, and 45+ cases of arson, resulting in 161 injuries and 21 deaths.”
In relation, the Trevor Project, a nonprofit organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention on LGBTQ+ youth, holds the U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People. The survey is done publicly by queer youth in the U.S. and reviews mental health differences between queer teens and children annually.
In 2024, the Trevor Project reported that at least 45 percent of transgender and nonbinary youth have considered moving to another state “because of LGBTQ+-related politics and laws.” In the same survey, 32 percent of youth said they were harassed because people believed they were LGBTQ+. And 23 percent of queer youth revealed that they had been physically threatened or harmed due to their sexuality or gender expression.
A Place to Belong
LGBTQ+ hate spans the world, but it can be worse in specific areas of the country. Coming to Michigan from Florida was an extreme change for me, but it also made me realize that queer people were treated differently depending on where you were.
To get more information on this, I talked with two of my friends at school who are both part of the LGBTQ+ community.
I first talked with Blondine Moree, a transgender woman from South Carolina. She is a senior at IAA studying creative writing and writes frequently about queer characters and southern life.
“I only came out when I got to boarding school, but I wasn’t unaware [before
that],” Moree says. “There was always this underlying feeling of difference that you get as a queer person. I would ask, ‘Why can’t I go to the sleepover with the girls? Why can’t I wear pink?’”
When writing pieces that relate to queerness, Moree mentioned that many of her queer-focused works center on hair and what hair means as a transgender person. Her hair, Moree tells me, “has always been one of the main things I can control as a trans person.”
“My father would always talk about sin. My sister is an evangelical Christian—I could be eating mashed potatoes [during dinner] and then I’d choke out a skin because she was talking about how queer people are all going to be in hell,” Moree says. “It was a world you were forced into.”
That all changed at Interlochen. “But at IAA it’s completely different. Queerness is just a fact of life.” Moree then adds, “When you’re walking around, people don’t look at you as if you’re different. Because you’re not different in the first place.”
Moree has been accepted to New York University and will be attending in the fall. She plans on majoring in creative writing.
Hope and Healing
I then decided to talk to another friend of mine who was raised in the Midwest, who
has chosen to stay anonymous. She identifies as bisexual.
“Where I’m from, being queer felt like a crime,” she says. “I grew up absolutely terrified of admitting it to anyone, even myself. Some days I was so upset about it, I got physically sick.”
But again, finding the right community made a big difference. “Being [at IAA] has really healed something in me. Michigan doesn’t really relate to my queerness so much as being away from my home does—it’s less about where I am and more about where I’m not.
“It took me a few months of being here to admit to myself what being queer actually meant: not a symptom of some issue that I could explain away, or that would fade out when I was happier, but a piece of my identity as constant and undeniable as my love for my art.”
In my experience, IAA strives to create an inclusive community for all youth. While students will still experience the hate against LGBTQ+ people as we navigate the world, there is hope in knowing that many places are waiting with open arms.
To learn more about helping LGBTQ+ youth, you can visit ACLU’s website at aclu.org, GLAAD’s at glaad.org, and the Trevor Project at thetrevorproject.org.
Creating Your Own Ecosystem
Second-gen farmer Jane Lively on working the land and building community
By Rachel Pasche
According to the USDA, Michigan is home to around 44,000 farms, several of which are in the part of northern Michigan we call home. These farms comprise 9.4 million acres of land, all dedicated to providing fresh food for the state and country.
The Lively Farm sits on two acres near Empire and is run by 27-year-old Jane Lively. Jane is a second-generation farmer continuing the family legacy of running a farm, but adding some of their own touches.
Embracing the Learning Curve
Jane’s mom, Kelly, started Lively Gardens and Leelanau Flowers when her children were younger. The flower farm started as a half-acre of land with a variety of blooms, and both her kids spent springs seeding the soil, summers picking and weeding the rows, and falls sowing next year’s bulbs.
Kelly eventually retired from the flower farm business, but not before instilling a deep appreciation for the land and a curiosity for farming in her family. (Today, Kelly has also been growing flowers on the land again and is using her flower arranging skills to do weddings and other events.)
Despite growing up on a farm and spending much of their childhood digging in the dirt, Jane’s farming career truly began in high school with a summer job at Sweeter Song Farm in Cedar. The first year, they said, was magical, inspiring Jane to become a farmer. The second year, on the other hand, was not so great, and taught Jane that not every yield on the farm was a good one. Despite the less-than-ideal season, Jane wasn’t discouraged and was back on a farm again within a few years.
Their next foray into farming was a job at Meadowlark Farm, where Jane learned more about greenhouse farming and hoop houses before heading off to college. After returning from school, a life on a farm beckoned. Jane’s mother’s flower farm plot was still there, and Jane itched to return to working the land, so they leapt into the endeavor of turning the once-flower farm into a vegetable farm.
“I was doing everything by hand and learning as I went,” Jane says. “I thought four years of farmhand experience was sufficient, but I am definitely still learning. Despite the fact that I sometimes feel I don’t know what I’m doing, I keep doing it anyway. I keep trying new things and learning.”
Community Growth
Since Jane first started the Lively Farm eight years ago, the farm has expanded from its half-acre roots to two acres, which Jane rents from their parents. They mostly manage the farm by hand, using all organic practices and low-till and regenerative methods to sequester carbon and reduce soil erosion.
“Farming is very much intervening in nature and it takes a toll on the land, but it’s possible to do it well, and I’m learning how best to do it responsibly as I scale,” Jane explains.
Using the land responsibly is part of why Jane farms, as they have a vested interest in providing the community with healthy food and making fresh produce more accessible. Several local restaurants carry flowers and vegetables from the farm, but the Lively Farm also participates in CSAs, farmers’ markets, and other food programs.
The latter includes the Northwest Food Coalition, which purchases food from farms and then distributes it to food pantries throughout the 10-county region; the Migrant Resource Council, which provides food for migrant workers; the Empire Food Pantry; and Glen Lake Schools’ Blessings in a Backpack. And then there are the programs Jane has implemented. The Community Supported Shares (CSS) and Food Assistance segments
“are an opportunity for folks with the means to contribute to our effort to make food from our farm available to community members with less or no access.” In essence, members of the community can pool funds to offer farmfresh produce to those who can’t afford it.
There’s also a Farm Membership, which allows the farm to be a source of “inspiration, information, and [a] gathering space.” A membership includes access to four concerts—the Lively Farm offers donation-ticketed, picnic-style shows from local artists throughout the warm months—a membership meal, five percent discount on all orders, and Lively Farm swag.
A Busy Season Ahead
This season, Jane has nine people coming onto the farm to help with the season, as well as some new tools to make some processes more efficient, like hoop houses and a pot transplanter. The crops grown on the farm rotate annually. This year’s lineup includes radishes, lettuce, mustard greens, pea shoots, potatoes, kale, cabbage, kohlrabi, carrots, beets, and flowers.
“It’s helpful for a small business like mine to have a variety of vegetables and produce; it keeps us busy year-round planting, seeding, growing, and selling,” Jane says.
Produce from the Lively Farm can be found at the Empire and Glen Arbor farmers’ markets and at the new Lively NeighborFood Market adjacent to the farm. Jane’s parents Jim and Kelly run that market, which opened in 2024 with the goal to “grow the local food economy right here in southwest Leelanau County. We want to support and highlight a connection between the customer and the farmer and improve access to locally grown, healthy food,” per their website.
The market operates on a consignment model, stocking goods from 30+ nearby farms and makers, including Jane, and giving 70 percent of sales right back to those farms. Through the addition of the market, Jane is able to sell Lively Farms produce year-round.
Learn more about the Lively Farm’s offerings at thelivelyfarm.com, and see what’s happening at the Lively NeighborHood Farm Market at livelyneighborfood.com.
Farming as Activism
Jane, who uses the pronouns she/ they, finds that working the land is a Venn Diagram of sorts for their core passions: farming, community, and building welcoming spaces for other queer folks.
“What I love most about this type of farming is that you’re creating your own ecosystem. I’m able to make a safe space for other queer people because I can; I can choose to make it whatever I want. In that way, I see farming as a sort of activism. Being able to welcome people in, regardless of who they are and how they identify, feels incredible. My family has been very supportive of me and my identity, and that’s allowed me to then say, why not make this a space where we can celebrate our queerness while getting the job done and growing food for the community.”
Enrollment now open for evening and weekend classes starting September 2025
When It Comes to Immigration, “People Are Terrified”
Immigration Law & Justice Michigan expects more ICE raids, more uncertainty from the government, and more fear for legal and illegal immigrants alike
By Art Bukowski
The Trump Administration has been clear on one topic since Jan. 20: Immigrants are in the crosshairs.
Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has placed a priority on cracking down on illegal immigration. The problem is that the administration’s zeal for tackling this issue seems to have swept at least some legal immigrants up in the drag net, and many observers have called the administration’s actions unconstitutional.
The practical effect of all this activity is that many immigrants, regardless of their status, are worried.
“The reality is that the campaign of fear that this administration is waging against anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or doesn’t present as a U.S. citizen is affecting virtually everyone who was not born here,” says Marcelo Betti, a Traverse City-based immigration attorney.
Northern Express connected with Betti and his organization—Immigration Law & Justice Michigan (ILJ-MI)—to see what’s going on as the heat increases for those born away from American soil.
About ILJ-MI
ILJ-MI works throughout Michigan to help people legally immigrate to the United States. Their focus is on so-called “humanitarian” immigration, which means they work primarily with individuals and families (as opposed to large groups or employment-based immigration).
While not everyone the organization assists has been subject to crises or strife back in their home countries, a great deal have. They’ve helped hundreds of Ukrainians escape the war there in recent years, and they secure visas for victims of crimes or human trafficking. All told, people from more than 70 countries have been assisted by the ILJMI’s Traverse City office alone.
Even before Trump, the immigration process was confusing and overwhelming, especially if you didn’t speak English. ILJMI prides itself on helping people in need navigate this lengthy process.
“The American immigration system hasn’t been easy, ever. Maybe in the Mayflower era,” says ILJM-MI Executive Director Julie Power. “But modern immigration is complicated, expensive,
inconsistent—insert all of the words here.”
ILJ-MI focuses on getting people here and generally does not provide deportation defense. That said, they are able to refer clients to legal resources and are generally aware of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity via communication with partner agencies and other advocacy groups.
More to Come
Aside from a few publicized incidents, Power and Betti—who runs the Traverse City office—aren’t aware of major ICE activity in northern Michigan in recent months. They don’t expect that to last.
Betti believes that federal officials are currently focusing on higher populated areas downstate where they can get more bang for their buck. But the feds know that the Grand Traverse region has a ton of migrant workers in the busy summer season, Betti says, and he expects that to attract ICE attention here in the next several weeks.
“I don’t have a crystal ball, but I would anticipate there will be a sharp increase in these immigration enforcement activities— raids or targeted arrests—during the summer months,” he says. “They know that a large percentage of farm laborers are not U.S. citizens.”
The administration is actively preparing to open what MLive has described as the Midwest’s largest ICE detention facility in Baldwin, signaling that northern Michigan is very much on the radar.
Betti says that even legal immigrants who should have no reason to worry are scared, considering what they’re seeing and hearing.
“People are terrified,” Betti says. “Whether it’s on TV or social media, you’re seeing over and over again stories of people who have status, people who are green card holders, who have student visas, who all of a sudden are being detained and being placed in deportation proceedings.”
Immigration Impacts
Deportations aside, there have also been major implications for ILJ-MI’s main focus, which is getting people into the country safely and legally.
Congress has given the executive branch “a lot of discretion” on how to implement immigration laws and policies, Betti says. This particular administration is all over the place, making it hard to stay the course as
clients navigate the process.
“Advising clients on immigration matters has been very challenging, in part because it seems like every week there is a major policy change or policy announcement that affects the advice that I may give to someone about what’s best for their case,” Betti says. “Things are changing so fast.”
Even people who are already in the process are deciding to pause and lay low, Betti says.
“I have clients who [have] had a green card for many years who are ready to apply for naturalization for U.S. citizenship,” he says. “But even then, they’re terrified of applying because that means they have to go through an interview process, which means they have to go into a federal building, and they’re hearing stories about people being arrested at their citizenship interview.”
A Wake-up Call?
ILJ-MI also works to educate immigrants and native-born citizens about the process and the current situation surrounding immigration and enforcement.
“There’s been a big educational component, especially when it comes to first response and knowing what [someone’s] rights are in the event that immigration authorities come knocking,” he says. “It’s people who are not immigrants necessarily, just members of our communities who suddenly realized that we need to really be
on our toes here and know how to protect others who are vulnerable.”
Betti and others in his field stress that immigrants have rights that can’t (and shouldn’t) simply be discarded.
“People elected a president. They did not elect a new Constitution…and the Constitution is very clear that all persons— not just lawfully present individuals—are entitled to a certain measure of due process and equal protection under the law,” he says. “And the reason the Constitution has these protections is precisely to protect minorities and vulnerable populations from being oppressed by a majority.”
Ultimately, Betti hopes that everyone is paying attention to what’s going on with immigrants. After all, when rights disappear for some, everyone is in danger.
“I think that U.S. citizens are realizing that the threat to due process that we are seeing now with immigrants could also affect U.S. citizens if rights continue to erode,” he concludes.
Powers
Betti
Pride Month Celebrations in Northern Michigan
A Guide to June 2025 Events
By Abby McKiernan
As June rolls around, northern Michigan communities come alive with vibrant celebrations for Pride Month. This year, the LGBTQ+ community and allies can look forward to a variety of events that range from fun-filled bike rides and colorful 5K runs to fabulous drag bingo nights.
For the Traverse-City based activities below, visit upnorthpride.com to view the Community Calendar and learn more about each event. (And remember, Up North Pride now celebrates its big march and associated events in the fall!)
Pride Family Field Day
Sunday, June 1, 2025 | 1-4pm Northwestern Michigan College, Traverse City
If you picked up the paper early this week, there’s still time to kick off Pride Month with the Family Field Day at NMC! Expect an afternoon of family games, art activities, and storytime.
Queer Fiber Arts Club
Monday, June 2, 2025 | 5:30-7pm Commongrounds, 414 East Eighth Street, Traverse City
All skills welcome at this casual monthly meetup to work on fiber arts projects in the community. Fiber arts include things like embroidery, knitting, crocheting, cross stitch, and more.
LGBTQ+ Grass Volleyball League
Wednesdays: June 4, 11, 18, 25, 2025 | 6-8pm
Carlisle Fields Park, Traverse City
Get ready to spike, serve,
and slay this summer with the LGBTQIA+ Grass Volleyball League, hosted in partnership with Grand Traverse Social Sports. Whether you’re a volleyball pro or just here for the vibes, this league is all about fun, community, and showing up as your full self on the court. All skill levels are welcome!
Drag Bingo
Friday, June 6, 2025 | 5-9:30pm
Iron Fish Distillery, Thompsonville
A staple of Pride Month, Iron Fish once again hosts a vibrant and glamorous night of bingo with the Northern Michigan Dragwives. There are two games: 5-7pm and then 7:30-9:30pm. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased through the UNP website.
TC Pit Spitters Pride Game
Saturday, June 12, 2025 | 7pm Turtle Creek Stadium, Traverse City
Who doesn’t want to spend a summer night at the ball field celebrating Pride Night with our hometown baseball team? Bonus: tickets for the Pride game package include a limited edition Pit Spitters Pride bucket hat!
Elev8 Climbing Meetup: Queer Night
Friday, June 13, 2025 | 6-8pm
Elev8 Climbing & Fitness, Traverse City
A climbing meetup for the LGBTQIA+ community. $15 in advance / $20 day of event (free for members). Rentals are included.
Pride Ride
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 | 6pm
F&M Park, Traverse City
Rainbow Run
Saturday, June 21, 2025 | 9am-12pm
Hull Park, Boardman Lake Loop Trail, Traverse City
This vibrant 5K run features color stations along the route and is presented with TART Trails. It’s a fun-filled event for participants of all ages and fitness levels and offers a chance to raise awareness and support and promote equality and inclusion in northern Michigan.
Community Movie Night: Paris is Burning Wednesday, June 25, 2025 | 7pm State Theatre, Traverse City
Made over seven years, Paris Is Burning offers an intimate portrait of New York City’s African American and Latinx Harlem drag-ball scene, from fierce contests for trophies to creating community in a world rampant with homophobia, transphobia, racism, AIDS, and poverty.
UNP & Firelight Coalition
Saturday, June 28, 2025 | 4-8pm Traverse City Whiskey Co., Traverse City
This special event will mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, which took place on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn, in New York City. Stonewall was the turning point for the gay rights movement and is why June is celebrated as Pride Month.
Events Beyond Traverse City
Pride in the ’Stee: Pride in the Park
Saturday, June 7, 2025 | 12-2pm Lions Pavilion, First Street Beach, Manistee Pride in the Park returns for its fifth year for an afternoon of picnicking and family-friendly activities. Find more events from Pride in the ’Stee on Facebook.
Benzie Area Pride Network: Celebrate Pride! Dinner at St. Ambrose Wednesday, June 11, 2025 | 5:30pm
St. Ambrose Cellars, Beulah
Join old and new friends from the Benzie Area Pride Network for dinner, music, and fun at St. Ambrose! Find more events from Benzie Area Pride Network at stphilipsbeulah.org/pride.
Straits Pride Drag Queen Brunch
Saturday, June 14, 2025 | 11am-2pm
Community Hall | Mackinac Island
World-class drag performers come together on Mackinac Island for a lilacthemed brunch (yep, that’s the closing weekend of the Lilac Festival!). Enjoy mimosas, a full meal, and plenty of entertainment. Find more events from Straits Pride at straitspride.org.
Petoskey Flag Party & Pride
March
Saturday, June 29, 2025 | 6:30pm Petoskey
Join the LGBTQ Alliance of Petoskey for their 7th annual flag party and pride march to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community in Pennsylvania Park. Find more events from the LGBTQ Alliance at facebook.com/lgbtqpetoskey.
Roll in for a scenic, inclusive bike ride to celebrate Pride with Norte! All ages are welcome for this free event.
Photo by Lil Jes Photography
Sticking with DEI Is
“the Right Thing to Do”
Two local organizations refuse to ditch their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts
By Jillian Manning
Five years ago, following the murder of George Floyd, DEI was suddenly everywhere. Businesses and nonprofits of all shapes and sizes were touting diversity, equity, and inclusion mission statements, staffing, training, and more to address disparities in the workplace and in their communities.
A quick primer on DEI: The concept, if not the term itself, has been around at least since the Civil Rights Movement. Sometimes the initialism is written as DEIB (B for belonging) or DEIA (A for Accessibility). According to the United Nations, DEI efforts are intended to assist those who have been historically discriminated against based on age, disability, gender, gender identity, ethnicity, race, religion, and sexual orientation. The International Labour Organisation also includes HIV/AIDS status, political opinion, national extraction, social origin, pregnancy/parental status, and trade union membership/activities.
Northern Express has been following the ups and downs of DEI activity here in northern Michigan over the years. The peak was in 2021, when local organizations were clamoring to tell us about their DEI programs and new hires. This year, when we reached out to many of those same groups,
we heard crickets, received vague email statements, or had interviews declined.
Some of those local businesses have scrubbed their websites of all DEI mentions, while others are reviewing or amending their programs. Of course, the elephant in the room is the Trump Administration’s stance on DEI, which President Trump has called “illegal discrimination.” (More on that in the sidebar.)
So who is left standing? Two organizations we reached out to agreed to go on the record: the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation and Northern Michigan E3.
Doing the Work
“The Community Foundation continues to be committed to its equity and inclusion work, despite all the political headwinds,” says GTRCF president and CEO David Mengebier. “There’s this misconception among some people that this is somehow a zero-sum game, where, if we direct grant funding to BIPOC, LGBTQ+, or disabilities communities, to people who struggle to make ends meet or people experiencing mental illness or substance use disorders, that this somehow takes away resources from others. And that’s simply not true.”
In 2021, GTRCF started their Diversity Equity Inclusion Fund, and in 2024, created a separate Endowment for Diversity, Equity,
and Inclusion. Both funding sources provide support for a variety of programs and organizations. In the last four years, GTRCF has granted 74 groups a total of $215,111.
Grantee examples include an Indigenous entrepreneurs bootcamp by 20Fathoms, the Autism Alliance of Michigan’s Upbound at Work employment program, tuition assistance for the Grand Traverse Dyslexia Association, a Water Protectors training camp for Title Track, general operating support for Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports, funding for Up North Pride’s Pride Week Celebration, and educational equity
efforts at Mancelona schools by PoWeR! Book Bags. You can find the full list here: gtrcf.org/grants/diversity-equity-inclusiongrant-awards.html.
Mengebier points to a few of the projects he’s most proud to help support, like the Anishinaabe education offerings at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. He also highlights the World Learning Club at Leland Public Schools that helps “expose their students to other cultures around the world, including a monthly exchange program with students from Guatemala.”
“There’s another one that we funded
Metiva Cabrera Mengebier
One of the recipients of the GTRCF DEI Fund was a community engagement activity program with Grand Traverse Industries, which provides job training, supported employment, and day programming to people with disabilities.
in February called Remain in Touch,” Mengebier adds, referencing a Suttons Bay nonprofit. “This helps incarcerated parents and grandparents stay connected with their children through videos, through book exchanges, and other things.”
“We have a really broad view of what we mean by diversity, equity, inclusion,” says Alison Metiva, GTRCF’s chief operating officer who will take over as president and CEO in 2026. “I think it’s also really important for us to reflect that [these funds are] anchored in our vision, which is healthy, resilient, thriving communities for all. If we don’t center equity and inclusion efforts, then we’re never going to achieve our vision…”
Watching the Backslide
Marco Cabrera is a council member for Northern Michigan E3, a nonprofit whose mission is to “make the Northern Michigan region an area that celebrates and welcomes diversity and equality for all residents and visitors.”
Cabrera, who grew up “in northern Michigan as a Hispanic male” and has seen “all aspects of racism,” joined the NME3 council in January of 2025. He says the nonprofit is currently focused on reorganization to ensure NME3 can continue its mission in the long-term as well as on education efforts. He notes that the group is planning a Juneteenth (June 19) event alongside partners at the Dennos Museum and TC Roller Derby.
“We’re trying to work with people within the community to step up, maybe partner with us if they want to, but [also to] participate,” he says of the event. “Participation is the big thing we’re looking for, because that’s how we can start education, and that’s really where all the power comes from.”
For Cabrera, it’s disheartening to see how many people are turning away from DEI efforts the moment the going gets tough.
“It’s really the first time that so many of these people and businesses have skin in the game,” he says of those who had previously
embraced DEI. “It’s hard because money is involved, but what a lot of people see is, for the first time, when there is a potential detriment to you [if you stick with DEI], you’re backing out. And that’s a real hard message to swallow.”
On the flipside, Cabrera points to a local school that is at risk of losing $75,000 in funding next year because they are continuing forward with their DEI programs. “It’s an incredible loss…but they are choosing that loss because that’s what’s right,” Cabrera says, adding that the school’s reasoning is that the program makes their students feel included and welcome.
“The depth at which I feel my heart filling for the few people that are willing to stand up despite the storm—there aren’t words to describe what that is like,” he adds.
For Cabrera, those moments of solidarity point to the Belonging letter of DEIB. “We know DEI, but I like adding the B on the end, because belonging is the next step.” He says that DEIB is often narrowed down to race for sound bites from its detractors, but that a true application and understanding of DEIB is so much broader.
“What I believe is that everybody is included. [DEIB] means everybody.”
Clarity for the Road Ahead
While Mengebier and Metiva remain proud of the work they are doing at GTRCF, they know DEI is under fire from the highest office in the land—and that those flames might reach northern Michigan.
“None of that really deters us from our focus on this, because we know it’s the right thing to do,” Mengebier says. “As far as our board goes, as far as our staff goes, as far as the organization’s focus on equity and inclusion, nothing’s really changed from our perspective.”
Despite the backlash from the White House, Mengebier feels the DEI Fund and Endowment have gotten broad support from the local community.
“I can count on one hand the number of times where people have expressed concerns
about Community Foundation’s leadership on equity and inclusion work,” he says. “Far outweighing those handful of concerns have been many, many people recognizing the work that we’re doing and thanking us for being willing to be out there supporting these [communities].”
Cabrera applauds those willing to stay the course and stand alongside their friends and neighbors, whether they are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, a different religion, or any one of the many categories that DEI covers.
“I would really love for people to look forward to [pressures] that are upcoming, the choices they might have to make, and realize that now is an opportunity to choose,” he says. “And if we choose to stick together, we will be stronger in the long run. We will be stronger together.”
To learn more about the GTRCF’s DEI Fund, visit gtrcf.org/give/our-funds.html/349. To learn more about Northern Michigan E3, visit northernmichigane3.com.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
What’s happening with DEI outside northern Michigan? In January, President Trump set out to “terminate every diversity, equity, and inclusion program across the entire federal government” before putting pressure on non-governmental entities to do the same.
“I ended all of the lawless, so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion bullshit all across the entire federal government and the private sector,” Trump said at a rally in Warren, Michigan, that marked his 100th day back in office.
Indeed, many national companies—especially those with federal contracts on the line—were quick to drop or cut back their DEI efforts after Trump took office, including Google, Meta, Walmart, and Target. (Target, notably, has been boycotted by many shoppers for the move, and Target CEO Brian Cornell recently said that the boycotts “played a role” in Target’s dismal first quarter.) Other companies, like Apple, Costco, and Levi’s, have pushed back and affirmed their DEI commitments.
In the education sphere, the Department of Justice recently stated it will use the False Claims Act (a Civil War-era law aimed at people or companies who defraud governmental programs) to potentially “withdraw federal funding from colleges that promote diversity and inclusion policies,” according to CNN. Close to home, the University of Michigan announced the closure of their office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in March.
Even in the charitable sector, The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports “Any of nearly 350 private and community foundations could be the subject of federal investigations of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs ordered by President Donald Trump.” That same publication notes that “For groups whose mission involves providing services to historically marginalized communities, Trump administration executive orders pose an existential threat.”
Northern Michigan E3 will host a Juneteenth event on June 19, a national holiday that commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States.
GTRCF’s DEI Fund provided a grant for general operating support for Camp4All, an inclusive summer camp for LGBTQ+ youth.
Walking a Mile in Someone Else’s (Famous) Shoes
Q&A with Matt Hamilton of the East Jordan Shoe Club
By Geri Dietze
By now, there are few who don’t know of social studies teacher Matt Hamilton, or his labor of love, the East Jordan Shoe Club. The educator has, since 2008, helped his 7th and 8th graders discover their own value, and that of others, through acceptance, empathy, and civic spirit.
The club gets attention for its hundreds of shoes donated by famous folks—athletes, scientists, actors, entrepreneurs, and more— who, by determination and focus, reached their personal goals. We’re talking Michael Jordan, Dolly Parton, Steph Curry, Oprah Winfrey, Jane Goodall, and more.
While Shoe Club is inspirational and upbeat, its origin was something else entirely: A double tragedy, the passing of two promising East Jordan High School students a month apart, put the student body and the entire community back on its heels. A school presentation was hosted by Mike Donahue, the founder of Value Up, a national motivational program designed to reach young people at their most vulnerable ages.
“Kids were hurting, and after listening to Mike Donahue speak about walking a mile in people’s shoes, and not assuming [to know] what [goes] on in someone’s life, kids [were ready] to share [their feelings]. Shoes became the symbol that we…connected with after the assembly, and the Shoe Club was created,” Matt Hamilton says.
Below is our conversation with Hamilton, lightly edited for length and clarity.
Express: Were you mentored by a special person in your youth?
Hamilton: I have absolutely wonderful parents. They were great role models who lived out their faith every day. God blessed me with compassionate, loving parents who taught me how to care for others, gave me a strong work ethic, and encouraged responsibility. My faith and my life’s mission of loving God and loving people is what drives me to do what I do.
Express: What motivated you to become a teacher?
Hamilton: I had great teachers [in Cadillac] who invested in me [and] believed in me. I wanted to offer these same values to my students. I love having the ability and opportunity to have a positive impact on others.
Express: How many students have joined Shoe Club since 2008?
Hamilton: I will estimate that about 400 kids have been a part of the Shoe Club over the years, usually about 25 percent of [each] grade.
Express: You said that you try to add a pair of shoes every month. How do you and your students decide on candidates?
Hamilton: We have about 220 shoes now. We try to find people who live out the values of the club and have interesting stories— dreaming big, setting goals, working hard and giving back. We don’t collect [the] shoes…of perfect people, because there aren’t any.
Express: Is the collection insured? What happens when you run out of room?
Hamilton: The collection is not insured—but it should be! I am already out of room…in my classroom, [so] I rotate shoes throughout the year. I also have a display case in our school lobby [and] I rotate shoes…each marking period. The display case allows…all grade [levels], community members, and visiting schools during athletic events to see the shoes.
Express: Has anyone ever turned you down?
Hamilton: We do get turned down quite often. Lin Manuel Miranda sent a handwritten note last month expressing gratitude for the request and respect for educators, but politely declined sending [his] shoes. Sometimes they send a note, and sometimes they simply [don’t] respond. We have about a 25 percent success rate, which I feel is pretty good.
Express: Who was the first person you contacted?
Hamilton: Josiah Middaugh, a 1996
East Jordan grad, who is a professional [tri] athlete, now living/training in Colorado. He has won 11 Snowshoe Championships, Xterra National, and [is a] World Champion as well as a Fat Bike World Champion. He said yes and that gave me the confidence to try more. A few months later…Tony Hawk [skateboarding legend]…sent his shoes, and it took off from there. I have been pleasantly surprised and honored by the support we have received from people all over the world!
Express: What about the horseshoe and the stuffed squirrel we’ve seen in the collection?
Hamilton: We had a local mentor, a retired doctor named Arch Dettman. He was a wonderful man…[and]…thought we needed… a horseshoe in the collection. I am not certain which horse wore it. [And] the squirrel—I was bit by one in college while trying to feed it and then peed on by one while deer hunting. [My] students find it quite funny and will give me squirrel-related things. One of my former students got that stuffed squirrel from an uncle and gave it to me.
Express: Shaquille O’Neil’s shoe is protected in plexiglass. Why is that?
Hamilton: It is just so big that I thought…a case would showcase the size (22) of it… I also have a case for the shoe worn by a sentinel [at] the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery. That is really an honor…[and] it should be honored a bit more than the others.
Express: The Shoe Club raises serious money for its projects. How have they managed to raise $70,000+, not once, but many times?
Hamilton: [W]e do worthwhile projects that invest in our school and community. When…raising funds, we… leave no stone unturned. We write grants, make presentations to organizations and businesses, do fundraisers, and complete a GoFundMe. East Jordan is extremely supportive and generous, [and] I am… grateful for the financial help as well as the adult mentor[ing]. We have a great team
of people who support…us with their time and talents. I am very appreciative of our wonderful community.
Express: What was the social climate in EJPS prior to the Value Up presentation and Shoe Club?
Hamilton: Just like in any school, there were/are problems with bullying, cliques, socio-economic issues, lack of parental/ school cooperation, etc., [when students] come together from so many different backgrounds. [I]t’s…easier to like and respect each other when you understand where they come from and why they act or believe a certain way; in other words, walk a mile in their shoes.
I believe our school culture has greatly improved over the years [as students develop] a better understanding of their value and the value of their classmates. All schools work very hard to combat the problems of our society. It is not an easy fight, and the problems are ever changing.
Express: What was the name of the book that you co-wrote with presenter Mike Donahue? Do you plan to write a book about your experiences?
Hamilton: The book, Value Up, is for sale on the valueup.org website or download it for free on our website. Kids across the country have read it. I would love to write a book someday! I have a lot of great stories over the years that would make a great book!
Express: Has there been any interest yet from larger media—60 Minutes? CBS Sunday Morning? Hollywood?
Hamilton: We have not been approached by larger media—patiently waiting!
Visit shoeclub.org/shoe-museum for stories and the entire contents of the Shoe Museum, including some local heroes: Charlevoix grads Luther Kurtz, sky-diving world record holder; Geoff Nelson, Hollywood director/ producer; Chuck Fairbanks, New England Patriots coach; Jasmine Hines, Central Lake grad, MSU basketball player; and, many, many more.
Michelle Kwan Oprah Winfrey
Rafael Nadal
IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
Shoe Club Members Share Their Thoughts
Elke Knauf, Senior: “[I]n Shoe Club, I have learned…leadership, empathy, work ethic, and teamwork. These guiding principles will have a profound impact on my future, [and] I will hold them close to my heart…”
Rylan McVannel, Junior: “I’ve learned a lot from the Shoe Club. The most important takeaway is to get results or become successful you have to try. You can only get results or change by putting in the effort.”
Able Tall, 7th Grade: “I have learned…[to] value yourself in order to value others, …that you can always switch paths and make better decisions, and…to stop and think about what other kids might be going through,…and to be more empathetic.”
Gabby Hamilton, Senior, (Matt Hamilton’s daughter): “I really enjoyed…the big projects: the solar array, elementary garden and the Veterans Memorial Park. I know I will [use] the skills I learned…in college and beyond.”
Stephanie Buckholz, Shoe Club 2015: “I am still living authentically with the values and lessons I learned back in middle school. Now more than ever…it’s important to understand that everyone has their own life experiences and to value others even if they are different from you…”
Tristan Riggs, Shoe Club 2012: “[A]lthough brief in my life story, Shoe Club ignite[d] something in me to reinvent myself and move through life with positivity and understanding. I…loved the fact that [Mr. Hamilton] kept everyone in the club involved, so no one got special treatment.”
Shoe Club students took a trip to Lansing and MSU to share the word of their project.
Saturday
BIKE BENZIE TOUR: 7am, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Presented by Benzie Sunrise Rotary & Crystal Mountain. Choose from a 62, 46 or 30 mile tour. Includes SAG support vehicles, food stops & a luncheon buffet at Crystal Mountain. For more info & to register visit web site. $65-$85. bikebenzie.org
JOB WINSLOW CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ANNUAL GARAGE SALE: 8am-3pm, American Legion Post 35, 1231 Hastings St., TC. Garage sale, bake sale, craft sale to help support Veterans, active military, historic preservation, education, patriotism, & community service. Fresh baked goods, cookies, brownies & more. Gift items handcrafted by DAR members. Free admission. jobwinslow.michdar.net
NWMI ART & CULTURE SUMMIT: May 30-31. Held in multiple venues across downtown TC, with City Opera House as the central hub. Featuring keynotes & performances from inspiring voices in the arts & culture community, including Brad Montague & Nafeesah Symonette. There will also be interactive workshops, panels, roundtable discussions, exhibit tours, hands-on activities & more. $25-$200. nwmiarts.org/programs/northwest-michiganarts-and-culture-summit/
THE BIRD & FOREST CONNECTION: 8-11am, Pigeon River Country Discovery Center, Vanderbilt. Enjoy a morning of birdwatching. Learn about bird biology & behavior, & how Michigan’s forests are managed to support bird populations. Free. pigeonriverdiscoverycenter.org/ event/birding-in-the-prc
39TH ANNUAL MARITIME HERITAGE ALLIANCE BOAT AUCTION: ProFILE Building, 3820 Cass Rd., TC. Nautical gear sale & watercraft viewing starts at 9am. Boat Auction at 11am. Proceeds support Schooner Madeline, free community sails, & youth programs on Cutter Champion. maritimeheritagealliance.org/events-and-programs
DISCOVER FISHING AT THE PIER PROGRAM: FULL: 9-11:30am, Discovery Pier, TC. During this hands-on program, youth aged 7-16 learn basic fishing skills including casting & knot tying, food web
study, & pier-based fishing techniques. You can join waiting list. Free. discoverypier.org/fishing
25TH ANNUAL SPLASH OF COLOR FUN RUN & VISIBILITY WALK: Festival Place Shelter, 200 Wachtel, Petoskey. Sponsored by North Country Community Mental Health in celebration of May Mental Health Awareness Month. The Fun Run & Visibility Walk will have colorful paint throw checkpoints. The run will begin at 10am & the walk at 10:30am. All proceeds are donated to the Client Special Needs Fund, helping clients achieve their treatment goals. Register at www.eventbrite.com or the morning of the event from 9-9:30am at the Petoskey Festival Place Shelter. $15 per person. norcocmh.org
5TH ANNUAL WET PAINT! ART & CRAFT SHOW: 10am-5pm, Village Green Circle, Walloon Lake. Hosted by Blue Ribbon Events, this show will feature renowned plein air painter Noel Skiba painting live, featured glass artists Ashley Ellis & Rhonda Olson, & much more. daniellesblueribbonevents.com
BLU DOT FUN RUN 5K: 10am, Blu Dot Farm & Vineyard, Charlevoix. Includes your choice of mimosa, wine, or cider + souvenir glass & swag from Charlevoix Running Company. No timing or clock - just enjoy the fun! $20 + SignUp fee. runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/Charlevoix/ BlueDotFunRun
TC SPRING ART & CRAFT SHOW: 10am-5pm, The Open Space, TC. daniellesblueribbonevents.com
DIRTY DOG DASH: 11am, Boyne Mountain, Boyne Falls. A mud-splattered 5K adventure that will take you across the challenging slopes of Boyne Mountain Resort, where you’ll climb, crawl, wade, & slide through a series of obstacles. Registration includes a race shirt, finisher’s medal & beverage ticket. $70. boynemountain. com/upcoming-events/dirty-dog-dash
FRANKFORT & ELBERTA RESTAURANT WEEK: Frankfort & Elberta, May 30 - June 5. Participating restaurants will serve up special prix fixe $15, $25 & $35 menus & deals, showcasing the best of their culinary creations. frankfortelbertarestaurantweek.com
SUMMER READING REGISTRATION/ TIE DYE PARTY: 11am-1pm, Bellaire
Public Library. Register for summer reading! Create your own one-of-a-kind bandana, get a sneak peek at the prizes up for grabs, & discover the adventures planned for the summer. Free. bellairelibrary.org
SECOND ANNUAL FOLK DAY: Noon, Kingsley Folk School. A fun & free community event featuring mini folk skill classes & workshops like natural dying, fiber arts, &
firemaking. Proceeds from the silent auction will go towards building a year-round classroom space for the nonprofit organization, the Kingsley Folk School. kingsleyfolkschool.com
JIM & JESSIE OLSON IN-STORE BOOK SIGNING: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Local author & For Love of Water (FLOW) Founder Jim Olson & his daughter Jessie
Spread “Asparagi for Peace” at the Empire Asparagus Festival, Sat., June 7! You can’t get enough green from the Kick-YerAssparagus 5K Run/Walk, the Asparagus Festival Recipe Contest, Asparagus Eats, Ode to Asparagus Poetry Contest, Miss Asparagus on Stilts, and more! Info: facebook.com/EmpireMichigan
will be in-store for a joint book signing, celebrating the paperback release of “People of the Dune.” They will also promote “Thunderstorm Party,” written & illustrated by Hallie Olson when she was 13 years old. Hallie’s family chose to publish her book posthumously after Hallie passed away from ovarian cancer in 2016. horizonbooks.com
PURE MICHIGAN WATER TRAIL COMMUNITY PADDLE: 2pm, Richardi Park, Bellaire. Join Paddle Antrim to celebrate their recent designation as a Pure Michigan Water Trail & to kick off the paddling season. You will paddle the Intermediate River, followed by a gathering at Short’s Beer Garden. All paddlers must bring their own craft/boat, paddle, & pfd (life jacket). Free. paddleantrim.com/event/seasonkickoff-paddle-gathering
THE SEARCH FOR ANNA & LEVI: A LOST HISTORY OF BLACK HOMESTEADERS IN LEELANAU COUNTY: 4pm, Leland Public School Performing Arts Center. Documentary Film Premiere. Seating is first-come, first-served; space is limited. Presented by the Leelanau Historical Society. This powerful documentary brings to light an overlooked chapter of local history & the broader story of African American settlement in the Midwest. Free. leelanauhistory.org/events
CAAC DANCE RECITAL: “WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SAN DIEGO?”: 6pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Young dancers from the Cheboygan Area Arts Council dance school, ages 4–17, will show off their talents in a variety of styles: ballet, tap, jazz & hip hop. $15$20. theoperahouse.org
AN EVENING WITH HIROYA TSUKAMOTO: 7-9:30pm, The Alluvion, TC. Enjoy Japanese artist Hiroya Tsukamoto presenting an inspiring performance with masterful finger-style guitar playing, singing, live looping, & storytelling. $20-$25. thealluvion.org/tickets/hiroya-tsukamoto-5-31-25
K. JONES AND THE BENZIE PLAYBOYS: 7-9pm, AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Enjoy vibrant sounds of Louisiana! This six-piece band blends traditional zydeco & Cajun music with rock, reggae, & blues influences. $30. artisanvillage.org/event/k-jonesand-the-benzie-playboys-live-at-aav
SAY IT OUT LOUD! CREATIVE WRITING
OPEN MIC: 7-9pm, Northport Arts Association. Bring your poetry, spoken word, flash fiction, essays, travel stories, memoirs, anything made of words! Free. northportartsassociation.org/events-exhibits
TC PIT SPITTERS VS. KALAMAZOO GROWLERS: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. TC Pit Spitters first home games. Opening night (Fri., May 30) will include live music, photo booths, fireworks & more. For tickets visit web site. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters/schedule
Sunday
BLUEBERRY PANCAKE BREAKFAST: 8am-noon, Rainbow of Hope Farm,
Kingsley. Donation. rainbowofhopefarm. weebly.com
5TH ANNUAL WET PAINT! ART & CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., May 31)
TC SPRING ART & CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., May 31)
BLESSING OF BIKES (AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION TOOLS!): 11am, The Presbyterian Church of TC, 701 Westminster Rd. Celebrate a safe & healthy commuting season. The Blessing will be provided outside by Rev. Julie Delezenne. 946-5680. Free. tcpresby.org
FRANKFORT & ELBERTA RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., May 31)
CHERRY CAPITAL CYCLING CLUB’S SPRING PICNIC: Noon-2pm, VASA Trailhead, 4450 Bartlett Rd., Williamsburg. Smart Commute Kickoff Event. Please bring your own chair. Free. cherrycapitalcyclingclub.org/content.aspx?page_ id=4091&club_id=87045&item_ id=2513285
FAIRIES AROUND THE WORLD: A FUN
FAIRY HOUSE COMPETITION: Noon4pm, The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, TC. Celebrating homes from around the world—igloos, pagodas, tipis, pueblos, yurts, chalets, & more. Create a cozy space that fairies from far & wide would love to visit on the Traverse City Fairy Trails! Build your fairy house & enjoy a magical day of art, nature, crafts, cookies & more. For rules & to register visit the web site. lifeandwhim.com/fairyhouse-competition
HAPPY HOUR RIDE: A TART Smart Commute Week kickoff event. Start downtown at The Little Fleet anytime between Noon5pm. Let the bartender know you are part of the Smart Commute Happy Hour & receive a free drink (beer or wine) & then continue down the trail to Farm Club & receive your next free drink! thelittlefleet. com/events/happy-hour-for-tart-smartcommute-week
BOOKS TO MOVIES: 1pm, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. Watch a movie based on a book or real life. Once in a while one may be shown just for the fun of it that is not based on anything but just pure enjoyment. This event is first come, first served, up to 20 adults. Free. tadl.org/ event/books-movies-17878
CAAC DANCE RECITAL: “WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SAN DIEGO?”: (See Sat., May 31, except today’s time is 2pm.)
monday
31ST ANNUAL SMART COMMUTE WEEK: June 2-6, TC. Help promote alternative forms of transportation & educate area residents of the benefits of a smart commute. Join in events promoting cycling, walking, taking the bus & carpooling. Free breakfast today at North Peak Brewing Co. from 7-9am for smart commuters. Every year community members challenge each other to a friendly competition known as the Commuter Cup Challenge. The Chal-
Party on the Patio
lenge is open to all & is free. traversetrails. org/event/smart-commute-week
5TH ANNUAL WET PAINT! ART & CRAFT SHOW: 10am-3pm, Village Green Circle, Walloon Lake. Hosted by Blue Ribbon Events, this show will feature renowned plein air painter Noel Skiba painting live, featured glass artists Ashley Ellis & Rhonda Olson, & much more. daniellesblueribbonevents.com
FRANKFORT & ELBERTA RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., May 31)
AUDITIONS FOR “KITCHEN WITCHES”: 7pm, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. Glen Arbor Players will hold auditions for a Reader’s Theater presentation of the hilarious “Kitchen Witches.” Free. GlenArborPlayers.org
BAY VIEW MONDAY NIGHT MOVIE: 7:30-10pm, Voorhies Hall, Bay View Association, Petoskey. Featuring “Somewhere in Time.” Free. bayviewassociation.org/ monday-night-movies
the North Branch of the Upper Manistee and Boardman/Ottaway Rivers begins May 12. Hear preliminary info on those reintroduction efforts. 929-7911 or info@ gtrlc.org. Free. gtrlc.my.salesforce-sites. com/es/event/home/plls_arcticgrayling060325
NWS PRESENTS: JOCELYN BENSON: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will discuss her powerful & inspiring new book, “The Purposeful Warrior.” A courageous defender of democracy, Benson shows that even in moments of fear, frustration, or despair, we have the power to act with integrity, grit, & grace. There will also be a Q&A & author signing. $10-$52. cityoperahouse. org/node/662
AUDITIONS FOR “KITCHEN WITCHES”: (See Mon., June 2, except tonight’s location is Leelanau School, Auditorium, Glen Arbor)
wednesday
tuesday
31ST ANNUAL SMART COMMUTE WEEK: (See Mon., June 2, except free breakfast today is at Bubba’s on E. Front St., & Bricks Wheels on E. Eighth St.)
FRANKFORT & ELBERTA RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., May 31)
COFFEE & CONVERSATION: 8-10am, Harbor Springs Police Department. Presented by the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce. Featuring Mark Elliott from Lite 96.3 & the Breakfast Show, & Chief of Police Kyle Knight. Enjoy coffee & doughnuts. Free.
NORTHPORT WOMEN’S CLUB: 1pm, Trinity Church Social Hall, Northport. Guests are welcome to join for the program & snacks. Featuring “Celebrating 80 years of Community Growth and Connection” by Beth Stowe, executive director of the Leelanau Township Community Foundation. 231.631.8084.
BIKE RALLY & PRESENTATION: Traverse Area District Library, front lawn, TC. Join the Grand Traverse Safe Streets Alliance during TART Trails Smart Commute Week for a rally from 4:30-6pm. Bring your latest commuting bike purchase & show it off. Tell others why you purchased it & why it works for you. There will be examples from local bike stores as well. A video presentation & panel discussion will follow the rally from 6-8pm in the library. The videos will showcase the success of four communities in promoting traffic-free options for cyclists & pedestrians. Free. tadl.org/ event/bike-rally
PRIORITY LANDSCAPES LEARNING
SERIES: ARCTIC GRAYLING REINTRODUCTION: 5:30pm, The McMullen Family Conservation Center, TC. Learn about the Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative from representatives of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians & the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. The initial reintroduction of the Arctic Grayling in
31ST ANNUAL SMART COMMUTE WEEK: (See Mon., June 2, except today’s free breakfast is at BATA Transfer Station on Hall St., & The Kitchen on Woodmere.)
OTP AUDITIONS: For “Prince of Egypt.” 6:30pm, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, TC. Audition for the Community Choir or for a role of the main cast & onstage ensemble. oldtownplayhouse.com/egypt/auditions. html?dm_i=7RBO,14YW,BHV1I,579V,1
FRANKFORT & ELBERTA RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., May 31)
JUNE RECESS: 5-7pm, Grand Traverse Golf Performance Center, TC. Traverse Ticker’s after-work happy hour for adults. Enjoy hot dogs off the grill, beer, wine, games, & networking. Prizes include a Summer Membership to Traverse City Golf Performance Center ($500 value) & a TC Golf Performance Gift Basket. Test your short & long game, or try your luck on the putting green with a game of “Hit It to Win It.” Recess 2025 is brought to you by Grand Traverse County: A grand place to live, work and play. $10. traverseticker. com/recess
END OF THE LINE: GREAT LAKES OVER BIG OIL: 6-8pm, The Alluvion, TC. Presented by Groundwork & their statewide coalition partners. Hear from key experts like international tunnel expert Brian O’Mara about the latest on Line 5, plus learn ways you can take action at this critical moment. The federal administration has fast-tracked the Line 5 tunnel permit & your voice is more important now than ever! groundworkcenter.org/events
JUNE COMMUNITY DINNER: 6pm, Friendship Community Center, Suttons Bay. The June theme is “A Taste of Italy.” Bring a dish to pass, if you can. Questions: info@thecentersb.com. Free; donations welcome. friendshipcommunitycenter.org/ communitypotlucks
SEWAGE SAFETY INFORMATIONAL MEETING : 6:30pm, Centerville Twp. Hall, Cedar. Leelanau Citizens for Sewage Safety will hold a meeting for all
Leelanau County residents. This newly formed group is made up of residents from Centerville Twp. who are concerned with the spreading of septage on local farmland. Free.
INTERLOCHEN IN TOWN PRESENTS: COMMUNITY NIGHT AT THE STATETICK, TICK... BOOM!: 7pm, State Theatre, TC. On the brink of turning 30, a promising theater composer navigates love, friendship & the pressure to create something great before time runs out. $10 adults; $6 students; free for Interlochen Arts Academy students. interlochen.org/events/interlochen-in-town-presents-community-nightstate-tick-tick-boom-2025-06-04
thursday
31ST ANNUAL SMART COMMUTE WEEK: (See Mon., June 2, except today’s free breakfast is at GT Pavilions, & Brady’s.)
OTP AUDITIONS: (See June 4)
COFFEE @ 10, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. “Scuba Diving the Tip of the Mitt” with Scott Smith, independent scuba diver & photographer. Free. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/coffee-ten-scubadiving-tip-mitt
SPRING EARLY CHILDHOOD EVENTS:
10am, Herman Park, Suttons Bay. Families with children ages 0-5 are invited to this free musical event with singer/songwriter Miriam Pico. Hosted by the Great Start Collaborative and Family Coalition in partnership with Northwest Education Services. Families can connect, meet new friends, & enjoy uplifting music. For questions, email: ldake@NorthwestEd.org.
FRANKFORT & ELBERTA RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., May 31)
MACKINAW CITY SUMMER KICK-OFF
PARTY: Mackinaw Crossings, Mackinaw City. June 5-8. Today features live music by Charlie Rieger from 1-4pm, & Mighty Hiawatha Band from 6-9pm. Following will be a free laser light show. mackinawcity.net/mackinawcity/event/Mackinaw_ City_Summer_Kickoff_Party/467
PHOTO ORGANIZATION MADE SIMPLE: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. An organizational workshop to help you better manage your digital & physical photos, presented by Jamie Howe of Howe Organization. Free. tadl.org/organizephoto
TC PIT SPITTERS VS. ROCKFORD RIVETS: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pitspitters/schedule
friday
31ST ANNUAL SMART COMMUTE WEEK: (See Mon., June 2, except today’s free breakfast & award ceremony is at Oryana on Tenth St.)
TC PIT SPITTERS VS. ROCKFORD RIVETS: 11:05am, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC.
SOIL SCIENCE DAYS: 11:30am, Antrim Conservation District, Bellaire. Soil Health & Science Learning Opportunities in Antrim County. These opportunities to learn are for anyone who loves gardening or farming on a small or large scale. For more info visit web site. RSVP: 231-533-8363 or antrimcd@ macd.org. Free. antrimcd.com/events.html
SPRING EARLY CHILDHOOD EVENTS: (See Thurs., June 5, except today’s event is at noon at Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire.)
MACKINAW CITY SUMMER KICK-OFF
PARTY: Mackinaw Crossings, Mackinaw City. June 5-8. Today includes wing eating contest registration, live music by the Vertigo Band from 2-5pm, & Peril Band from 7-10pm. A free laser light show will follow. mackinawcity.net/mackinawcity/event/Mackinaw_City_Summer_Kickoff_Party/467
GUS MACKER 2025: Otsego County Sportsplex, Gaylord. This 3 on 3 basketball tournament runs June 6-8. Tonight includes registration from 4-7pm, & Cornhole Tournament from 5-8pm. Hoops are open for practice. macker.com/local/gaylord-mi
ARTIST RECEPTION: “A COMMON THREAD”: 5-8pm, Tinker Studio, TC. Tinker Studio is debuting this summer’s community art project; a woven installation that celebrates the unifying power of love & respect for northern Michigan’s beautiful landscapes, lakes & public lands. The studio will invite guests over the summer months to contribute to these woven paintings that will include upcycled textiles & natural elements. They will also be hosting local fiber artist, Kelly Kochanny, as she shares a glimpse of her creative process. Free. tinkerstudiotc.com/events
LIVE AFTER FIVE: 5-8pm, downtown TC.
A new Fri. evening entertainment series featuring free outdoor performances by emerging & established artists. Tonight enjoy live music from Hunter Noll Bell at the Jay Smith Walkway (between Pangea’s & Kilwin’s) & live music from Split Decision in front of Horizon Books on Front St. Free. downtowntc.com/live-after-5-spring-entertainment-series
FREE COOKING DEMONSTRATION: FOOD IS MEDICINE: 5:30pm, Common Grounds Kitchen, 2nd floor, TC. Discover how food can help prevent, treat, & even reverse disease all while enjoying delicious, health-supportive appetizers. Registration is limited. Email Deb Dent at ddent@lesscancer.org to reserve your spot. lesscancer.org
“A CARNIVAL OF CHARACTERS”
SUMMER READING KICKOFF: 6-8pm, Petoskey District Library, outside at labyrinth area & on Waukazoo Ave. Book lovers of all ages can celebrate the beloved adventures & characters found in books, movies, & television. Meet & greet with costumed characters, including members of the Star Wars 501st Legion, The Ghostbusters & their Ectomobile, Phantom the Mermaid & more. Costumes are highly encouraged. Summer Reading Passports will be distributed at this event, & will be available at any desk within the library throughout the summer,
which runs until Aug. 8. Free. petoskeylibrary.org
DOWNTOWN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: 7-9pm, Claude Shannon Park, Gaylord. Featuring The Ride. Bring your own chair. Free.
EAST JORDAN MUSIC IN THE PARK: 7-9pm, Memorial Park, East Jordan. Featuring Yankee Station. Bring a chair or blanket. Free.
THE WIZARD OF OZ YOUTH EDITION: 7pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. In this OTP Young Company performance, join Dorothy & Toto as they “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” through the Land of Oz, to reach the Emerald City, where the great & powerful Wizard will help them get what they desire. A glowing testament to friendship, understanding & hope in a world filled with both beauty & ugliness. Adults: $21; youth under 18: $12. oldtownplayhouse.com/ youth-learning/performances/the-wizardof-oz-youth-edition.html
A TRIBUTE TO PATSY CLINE, FEATURING “REMEMBERING PATSY CLINE”: 7:30pm, City Opera House, TC. Judy Harrison, along with high-energy band Rebooted, will take you on a walk through the rise & success of one of America’s iconic music legends - Patsy Cline. Along with light narrative, enjoy favorites like “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “Crazy,” & “I Fall to Pieces.” $22.50-$55. cityoperahouse. org/node/657
saturday
GUS MACKER 2025: Otsego County Sportsplex, Gaylord. This 3 on 3 basketball tournament runs June 6-8. Today includes registration at 7:30am; Opening Ceremonies at 8am on Top Men’s Court; first game on Dream Court at 9am; Free Throw Contest from 10am-noon; & Slam Dunk Contest at noon. macker.com/local/gaylord-mi
NORTH MITTEN HALF MARATHON, 10K & 5K: 8am, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. These races are a combination of paved roads, dirt roads & trails. The North Mitten route consists of primarily flat, open trails on Crystal Mountain property. Races will start & finish at the white slopeside tent near the Crystal Clipper chairlift. For various starting times & to register visit web site. crystalmountain. com/event/north-mitten
5pm, Depot Park, Alden. Art, craft & food booths. Fish purveyors. daniellesblueribbonevents.com
ART BEAT GALLERY TOUR: 10am-5pm, Elk Rapids. Twisted Fish, Blue Heron & Mullaly’s 128 galleries of Elk Rapids are celebrating 20 years of ART BEAT. Artists will be on site at all three galleries throughout the day. Get stamped at each gallery visited for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate. Free. twistedfishgallery.com/event/ art-beat-gallery-tour-in-elk-rapids-2
EMPIRE ASPARAGUS FESTIVAL: Events include the Kick-Yer-Assparagus 5K Fun Run/Walk, Recipe Contest, Asparagus Eats, Ode to Asparagus Poetry Contest, Miss Asparagus on Stilts, & more. For more info: facebook.com/EmpireMichigan
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN SUMMER CRAFT SHOW SERIES: 10am, Washington Park, downtown Cheboygan. More than 30 crafters & artists will display jewelry, home decor, artwork & much more. Free. facebook.com/madeincheboygan OUTDOOR CRAFT & VENDOR SHOW: 10am-3pm, The Village at GT Commons, Historic Front Lawn, TC. Browse Michigan vendors offering art, jewelry, crafts, food & more. Free. thevillagetc.com
RELAY FOR LIFE GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY: 10am, Clinch Park, TC. Relay for Life 2025: 40 Years of Impact, 40 years celebrating survivors & caregivers. 40 years honoring & remembering loved ones. secure.acsevents.org/site/ STR?pg=entry&fr_id=109747
THIRD ANNUAL LYNN DUSE MEMORIAL KIDS’ BIKE FEST: Little Traverse History Museum, Bayfront Park, Petoskey. 10-11am: Registration. 11am: Bike Parade. There will also be a free bike decorating station, prizes for best decorated bikes, bike safety inspections, model trains display, scavenger hunt, & free healthy snacks. trailscouncil.org/third-annual-memorial
EMMET COUNTY HOUSING FAIR: 11am, NCMC, Library Conference Rooms 1 & 2, Petoskey. Talk with counselors, lenders, developers, realtors, & more to help you through any stage of your path to homeownership. Pre-register: pdf.ac/YORBz. Presented by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency, Northern Homes Community Development Corporation and Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity. Free. facebook.com/share/1APVSFu5Ja
ROCK THE LIGHT 5K RUN/WALK & 10-MILER: 8:30am, Leelanau State Park, Grand Traverse Lighthouse Gift Shop, Northport. All proceeds benefit the Leelanau State Park. Free pancake breakfast for all participants. Free entry into Leelanau State Park & Grand Traverse Lighthouse. $30 per person. grandtraverselighthouse. com/events
SOIL SCIENCE DAYS: (See Fri., June 6, except today’s hours are 9am-3pm.)
5TH
WHITEFISH FEST: 10am-
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS UP-NORTH MEETING: 11am-1pm, NMC, Scholars Hall, Room 101, TC. Guest speaker Carolyn Ulstad, transportation program manager at Groundwork Center, will provide an overview of the North + South Passenger Rail project that looks to connect northern lower Michigan to the Detroit metro area, beginning with a brief look at its history, a look at what’s included in this year’s phase II study, along with updates & where the project is headed in the future. RSVP: contact@marp.org. Free. marp.org/?p=8255
FREE CONCERT TO KICK OFF LESS CANCER’S HIKE AND BIKE AMERICA 2025 EVENT: Noon-3pm, Mt. Holiday, TC. Featuring Drew Hale. Free Less Cancer’s signature flavor ice cream cups, created by Moomer’s, to the first 200 people.
Food & cold beverages will be available for purchase. Donations to Less Cancer are welcome. lesscancer.org/how-we-do-ourwork/less-cancer-bike-ride
GHOSTBUSTERS DAY: 1pm, Cherry Bowl Drive-In, Honor. See Ectomobiles, Ghostbusters, other geeky cars & movie characters & more. Donations & food collection to benefit Benzie Area Christian Neighbors food pantries. Free. facebook. com/cherrylandghostbusters
MEET & GREET WITH AUTHOR MICHAEL BALTER: 1-3pm, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey. Michael will celebrate his new book “The Vatican Deal.” mcleanandeakin.com/event/2025-06-07/ michael-balter-vatican-deal
AUTHOR EVENT WITH P.A. WHITE: 2pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. This author will discuss her novel, “Until I Come Back to You.” Free. tadl.org/event/pawhite
MACKINAW CITY SUMMER KICK-OFF
PARTY: Mackinaw Crossings, Mackinaw City. June 5-8. Today includes the wing eating contest, Cocktail Crawl All Day, fireworks on the water at dusk, live music by The Legacy Band from 2-5pm, & The Peril Band from 7-10pm, & a free laser light show following. mackinawcity.net/ mackinawcity/event/Mackinaw_City_Summer_Kickoff_Party/467
THE WIZARD OF OZ YOUTH EDITION:
(See Fri., June 6, except today’s performances are at 2pm & 7pm.)
HITS, FLOPS, AND OSCAR GOLD: 2:30pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Go behind the scenes with legendary director Ed Zwick (“Glory,” “Blood Diamond”) in conversation with filmmaker Chip Duncan. Featuring a screening of “Legends of the Fall.” Starting at $32 before fees. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/ed-zwick
TC PIT SPITTERS VS. BATTLE CREEK BATTLE JACKS: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters/schedule
-
CHAMBERFEST CHEBOYGAN SERIES: GENEVA LEWIS & JULIA HAMOS (VIOLIN & PIANO): 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Kiwi-American violinist Geneva Lewis is recognized for her mastery & heartfelt performances. She is a recipient of the 2022 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award & the 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant. Pianist Julia Hamos is known for her dynamic performances & adventurous approach to repertoire from Bach to contemporary composers. She is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music in London. $30; $5 discount for Veterans; free for students. theoperahouse.org
CHASE MATTHEW: 8pm, Odawa Casino Resort, Ovation Hall, Petoskey. Enjoy this American country music singer/songwriter who brings hits like “Love You Again,” “Darlin’,” & “Saltwater Cinderella.” $45. odawacasino.com/entertainment
THE INSIDERS: A TRIBUTE TO TOM PETTY: 10pm, Little River Casino Resort, Event Center, Manistee. For ages 18+. Free. lrcr.com/event/insiders-tribute-tom-petty
sunday
GUS MACKER 2025: 8:30am, Otsego County Sportsplex, Gaylord. This 3 on 3 basketball tournament runs June 6-8. Today includes games resuming at 8:30am; Three Point Contest from 9:30-11:30am; & Trophy Ceremonies from noon-5pm. macker.com/local/ gaylord-mi
5TH ANNUAL WHITEFISH FEST: (See Sat., June 7)
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN SUMMER CRAFT SHOW SERIES: (See Sat., June 7)
THE BOTANIC GARDEN ANNUAL WELLNESS DAY: 10am-4pm, The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, TC. Embrace holistic health & engage in a variety of wellness-inspired activities & programs designed to enhance your well-being & deepen your connection to nature. Stay tuned for a detailed schedule of events. Visit web site for your free tickets. thebotanicgarden.org/events
BARTER FAIR: 1-4pm, Grow Benzie Event Center, Benzonia. Enjoy an afternoon of trading & fun. Bring your unused tools, clothes you’re tired of, carefully crafted goods, plants — whatever you think will make a good trade (nothing illegal, please). For questions, email: Art@ GrowBenzie.org. Free. growbenzie.org/ events-calendar/ktf6h2crhlr4e8r-k55xhbrz4k-rhfx8-cwany-9xjc7-n22nc-rnxge4k2lt-dwsy9-xrehb-d4alb-4aaxb-djewhh29a2-l4dcp-jrjlr-x6mda-wkdgl-yeknkla534-thzz9-rdd64-bbm63-b7t
MACKINAW CITY SUMMER KICK-OFF PARTY: Mackinaw Crossings, Mackinaw City. June 5-8. Today includes the wing eating contest finals, live music by Corpus Duo from 1-4pm, & Whitmore 4 Band from 5:30-8:30pm, & a free laser light show following. mackinawcity.net/mackinawcity/ event/Mackinaw_City_Summer_Kickoff_ Party/467
126TH ARMY BAND (MICHIGAN ARMY NATIONAL GUARD): 2-4pm, The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, Manistee. The 126th Army Band of the Michigan National Guard, the “Governor’s Own” as of 2013, has been entertaining the citizens of Michigan for over 60 years. Free. ci.ovationtix.com/35295/production/1237424
SUNDAY AT THE HORSE SHOW: 2pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. 4G Surface CSI3* Grand Prix. Enjoy fastpaced show jumping, food, boutique shopping, & fun. Gates open early. Proceeds benefit Cherryland Humane Society this week. $15 GA. app.gopassage.com/venues/8654
THE WIZARD OF OZ YOUTH EDITION: (See Fri., June 6, except today’s time is 2pm.)
-
TC PIT SPITTERS VS. BATTLE CREEK
BATTLE JACKS: 5:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters/schedule
CAFE - open daily at 8am SUPPER - menu, schedule, & reservations www.themillglenarbor.com 5440 W Harbor Hwy, Glen Arbor
seasonal fare overlooking the Leland River terrace, deck, & dock open all summer Wednesday - Sunday www.theriversideinn.com
302 River St, Leland Book a Table! 4pm - 8pm seven days / week scratch made pizzas & ice cream www.milliesglenarbor.com 6281 W. Western Ave, Glen Arbor
8am - 7pm seven days / week coffee, fresh baked goods, breakfast, lunch, beer & wine www.outposttc.com 108 E Front St, Traverse City
GLENN MILLER ORCHEST RA
ongoing
WEEKLY WILDFLOWER WALK: Grass atural Area, Bellaire. Every Tues., 10:30am-noon through Aug., take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Natural Area alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the variety of wildflowers & learn to identify their unique beauty. Keep an ear out for the melodies of birds that call Grass River home. grassriver.org
farmers markets
ALDEN SUNSET MARKET: By tennis courts on Tyler St. Held on Thursdays, June through Sept. from 2-7pm. Shop for fruit, veggies, gifts, art & much more. The downtown stores will be open late & there will be live music.
BOYNE CITY: Veterans Park. Held on Wednesdays & Saturdays through midOct. from 8am-noon. Exceptions include July 12 at Peninsula Beach & Aug. 9 at Green Space between City Hall & Field of Dreams. boynecityfarmersmarket.org
DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY: Howard St., between Mitchell St. & Michigan St. Held every Fri., 8:30am-1pm. Local producers offer organic meats, fruits & vegetables, flowers & more. petoskeychamber.com/ downtown-petoskey-farmers-market
EAST BAY CORNERS: Thursdays, 2-6pm through Oct. 2. Township Hall, 1965 N. 3 Mile Rd., TC. This market accepts SNAP/ EBT benefits & also offers a Power of Produce program for kids ages 5-13. There will be live music, food trucks, & family game nights. eastbaytwp.org/residents/ food_security.php
ELK RAPIDS: Cedar St. Parking Lot, downtown. Runs every Fri. through Oct. 3, 8am-noon. elkrapidschamber.org/farmersmarket
EMPIRE: 10234 Front St. Held every Sat., June 7 - Aug. 30 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
FRANKFORT: Saturdays, 9am-1pm, Open Space Park, Main St.
HARBOR SPRINGS: Corner of State & Main streets, downtown. Held on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 9am-1pm through Aug. 27, & Saturdays continue through Oct. 11. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food producers & more. There will be live music on select dates, & also Kids Days. petoskeyarea.com/events/harbor-springsfarmers-market-2025
INTERLOCHEN: Corner of US-31 & J.
Maddy Parkway. Held every Sun. through Oct. from 9am-2pm, & every Thurs. in June, July & Aug. from 2-7pm. Featuring local fresh produce, locally produced food, & natural artisan arts & crafts. facebook. com/InterlochenFarmersMarket
LELAND: Immanuel Lutheran Church parking lot. Held every Thurs., June 5Sept. 4, 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
- - -
LONG LAKE TWP.: Haywood Park, 8870 N. Long Lake Rd., TC. Held on Thursdays, June 5 - Oct. 2, 9am-1pm. 946-2249.
MANISTEE: Wagoner Community Center. Held every Sat. through Oct. 4, 9amnoon. manisteekitchen.org/farmersmarket
NORTHPORT: 105 S. Bay St., across from marina. Held every Fri., June 6 - Sept. 19, 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
OLD TOWN EMMET: Saturdays, 9am1pm through Oct. 4, Friendship Center of Emmet County, Petoskey. This market is made up of a group of local farmers, growers, bakers, makers, crafters, & artisans. petoskeyarea.com/events/old-town-emmet-farm-market
OUTDOOR MINI FARMERS MARKET: Mondays, 1-5pm through Aug. 25. The Village at GT Commons, Piazza/Pavilion, TC. Find local baked goods, vegetables, herbs & more.
SARA HARDY DOWNTOWN FARMERS
MARKET: Parking Lot B, Cass St. & E Grandview Parkway, TC. Held on Wednesdays from June to Oct. from 8am-noon, & Saturdays from May to Oct. from 7:30amnoon. The farmers market will take place on the ground floor of the Old Town Parking deck during the National Cherry Festival, June 28 – July 5. dda.downtowntc. com/farmers-market/
SUTTONS BAY: North Park, 601 Front St. Held every Sat. through Oct. 18, 9am1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
art
TERRY DICKINSON RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBIT: AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Runs June 1-15. An Opening Reception will be held on Sun., June 1 from 4-7pm. Celebrate the creative legacy of Grayling-based artist & former Executive Director of AuSable Artisan Village Terry Dickinson. This show features about 100 pieces spanning decades of Terry’s artistic journey. artisanvillage.org/event/terry-dickinson-retrospective-exhibit
EVERYTHING SOMETIMES: WORKS BY MARK MEHAFFEY: Held in Carnegie Galleries, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC, this exhibit is a reflection of ideas in motion. Mark Mehaffey’s paintings are driven by concepts, each leading him down a unique creative path. Runs through May 31. Check web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/everything-sometimes-worksmark-mehaffey-tc
PFLAG/MARJDI: “ART SPEAKS PRIDE”: The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, Hardy Hall, Manistee. Runs May 30 - July 6. Contact for hours. ramsdelltheatre.org/art
NORTHPORT PHOTO EXHIBIT: Northport Arts Association. The Gallery Exhibit runs through June 8 from noon-4pm. It showcases the talents of photographers from Michigan & beyond, celebrating both professional & emerging artists. Visitors can expect an array of subjects, including landscapes & waterscapes, nature photography, & innovative modern images. Free. northportartsassociation.org/ events-exhibits
“LAYERS OF JOY”: Higher Art Gallery, TC. Oil painter Cathy Engberg’s paintings are joyful, expressive bursts of form & physicality along with the layered abstract constructions made of recycled cardboard & encaustic by Kathleen Kvern. Runs through June 14. See web site for hours. higherartgallery.com
“SERENITY - CAPTURED MOMENTS”: The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, in gallery space above Visitor Center, TC. This exhibit by Rose Denomme is the latest in the Three Seasons Art Show series. Her paintings are on display through June 18. The gallery is open Mon. through Sat., 10am-5pm. thebotanicgarden.org
CHARLEVOIX PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB: 16TH ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION: Charlevoix Circle of Arts. Runs through June 7. See web site for hours. charlevoixcircle.org/exhibits-2025
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:
- OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY : Saturdays, 10am-1pm in Visual Arts Room. Free drop-in art studio for the whole family. New projects are offered weekly. crookedtree.org
- IMMERSED: An immersive exhibition exploring aesthetic, cultural, environmental, & historical dimensions of water - through art, artifacts, sound, & motion. Runs through Aug. Check web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/immersed-free-public-programming
- LEGACY & LIGHT: 150 YEARS OF BAY VIEW: Held in Atrium Gallery in honor of Bay View Association’s 150th anniversary, this exhibition showcases original artwork inspired by the beauty, spirit, & enduring legacy of this Chautauqua community. Runs through July 12. Check web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/legacy-light-150-years-bay-view
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC: - NMC HOSTED HIGH SCHOOL ART EXHIBITION: Juried by NMC Art & Visual Communication faculty, this exhibition features artwork in a variety of media & styles by juniors & seniors from northern Michigan’s regional high schools. Runs through June 1. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org
- CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE CERAMICS FROM THE HORVITZ COLLECTION: Runs through Sept. 28, 2025. An array of works by contemporary Japanese ceramic artists, this is a sampler of the great diversity of styles, forms, glazes, & ages. These artworks are drawn from the curated collection of Carol & Jeffrey Horvitz, some of the leading collectors of Japanese contemporary outside of Japan. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions/index.html
- A STYLE ALL OUR OWN: CANADIAN WOODLAND ARTISTS: Runs through Sept. 28, 2025. In the early 1960s, young Indigenous artists from the Great Lakes region created a unique style of painting known as the Woodland School of Art. Early members of this prolific art community included Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray, Roy Thomas, Sam Ash, Jackson Beardy, & Daphne Odjig. Perhaps the best-known of the group is Norval Morrisseau, who is often referred to as the Father of the Woodland School. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/
art/now-on-view/canadian-woodland-artists.html
GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER:
- RANDOM EXHIBITION: Runs through Aug. 28 in the Lobby Gallery. “Random: Collages From The Scrap Pile,” an exhibition of spontaneous compositions by Leelanau County artist Mark Mehaffey. Random is also a tutorial about remaining alert to creative possibilities. glenarborart. org/exhibits
- MEMBERS CREATE: Held in the Main Gallery. This exhibit opens June 6 with a 5pm public reception featuring the work of 55 current GAAC members. It runs through Aug. 7. Featuring work in a wide range of media: paint to fiber, clay to metal. Open Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm, & Sat. & Sun., noon-4pm. Free. glenarborart.org/ product/exhibit-2025-members-create
OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT:
- ALCHEMY + ARTISTRY: Exploring the line between abstraction & representation. Large scale watercolors, intricate ceramics, inventive metalwork & dramatic paintings. Featured artists include Rocco Pisto, his daughter Gina Pisto, Arthur Johns, & Rochelle Aultman. Runs through June 20. Open Tues. - Sat. from 10am-4pm; Sun., noon-4pm. Beginning June 2: Open Mon., 10am-4pm. oliverart.org
- MAD HATTER’S GARDEN PARTY: Explore the upside-down with a whimsical take on a Mad Hatter’s garden party. Participating artists include Katie Ward, Marti Liddle-Lameti, Laurie Eisenhardt, Stephanie Gregg, Shannon Johnson & more. Runs through May. Check web site for hours. oliverart.org
- “SMALL WORKS: COMMUNITY COL LAGE” PROJECT, HONORING LEGACY OF JOE MUER: Runs from June 1 - Aug. This engaging project underscores the Oli ver Art Center’s commitment to fostering awareness & accessibility of the visual arts by inviting artists of all ages & abilities to contribute their creativity. oliverart.org
- GREAT LAKES PASTEL SOCIETY’S 2025 MEMBERS SMALL WORKS EX HIBITION: Held in Fisher Room Gallery, June 7 - July 12. An opening reception will be held on June 7 from 2-4pm. This juried show features the work of some of the best pastelists in the region. The exhibition is juried by Pastel Society of America Master Pastelist Lyn Asselta. oliverart.org
Todd Hart Insurance Agency Inc
Todd Hart CPCU ChFC CLU, Agent agent@toddhart.net
6/5 – Elizabeth Landry
6/7 – Blair Miller
ENCORE 201, TC
5/31 & 6/7 -- DJ Ricky T, 9
6/6 -- The Jon Archambault Band, 8-10:30; DJ Ricky T, 10:30-2
FANTASY’S, TC DJ
KILKENNY’S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC 9:30: 5/31 -- The Timebombs
5/31 -- John & Madeline Piatek - The Fridays, 5:30
SEASONS OF THE NORTH WINERY, INDIAN RIVER 6/7 – Sat. Acoustics w/ Lara Fullford, 2-4
THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN 5/31 -- Emily Faber, 8 6/5 -- Musician’s Playground, 7 6/6 -- Hillbilly and the Burnout, 8-11 6/7 -- Dale Rieger, 8
THE LARK THEATER, CHEBOYGAN 5/31 – The Lonely Pines – MTV Unplugged, 6 & 7:30
THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER 6/5 -- Dominic Fortuna, 7:30-9:30
WALLOON LAKE WINERY, PETOSKEY
6/5 -- Bruce & the Originals, 6-8
Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee
&
6/7
5/31
6/5
6/6
6/7
LITTLE RIVER CASINO RESORT, MANISTEE
– Street Angels: Michigan’s Stevie Nicks Experience, 8-10; The Insiders: A Tribute to Tom Petty, 10-12
NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE
WINERY, KALEVA
-- Agnes Su, 6
-- Chief Jam-Open Mic Hosted by Jane Amstutz, 6
-- Brian Curran, 6
-- Nick Veine, 6
THE GREENHOUSE - WILLOW/PRIMOS, CADILLAC
5/31 -- 80’s/90’s Blacklight Silent Disco Dance Party, 8
Leelanau & Benzie
lOGY
JUNE 02 - JUNE 08
BY ROB BREZSNY
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): It’s time for your Uncle Rob to offer you some fundamental advice for living. These tips are always worthy of your contemplation, but especially now. Ready? Being poised amidst uncertainty is a superpower. You may attract wonders and blessings if you can function well while dealing with contradictory feelings, unclear situations, and incomplete answers. Don’t rush to artificial closure when patience with the unfinished state will serve you better. Be willing to address just part of a problem rather than trying to insist on total resolution. There’s no need to be worried or frustrated if some enigmas cannot yet be explained and resolved. Enjoy the mystery!
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s biggest structure built by living things. Lying beneath the Coral Sea off the east coast of Australia, it’s made by billions of small organisms, coral polyps, all working together to create a magnificent home for a vast diversity of life forms. Let’s make the Great Barrier Reed your symbol of power for the next 10 months, Virgo. I hope it inspires you to manage and harness the many details that together will generate a robust source of vitality for your tribe, family, and community.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): One of my favorite poets, Arthur Rimbaud, wrote all of his brilliant work before he became an adult. I suspect that no matter what your age is, many of you Libras are now in an ultra-precocious phase with some resemblances to Rimbaud from age 16 to 21. The downside of this situation is that you may be too advanced for people to thoroughly understand you. You could be ahead of your time and too cool for even the trendsetters. I urge you to trust your farseeing visions and forward-looking intuitions even if others can’t appreciate them yet. What you bring to us from the future will benefit us all.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Blacksmiths still exist. They were more common in the past, but there are many 21st-century practitioners. It’s a demanding art, requiring intense heat to soften hard slabs of metal so they can be forged into intricate new shapes. The process requires both fire and finesse. I think you are currently in a phase when blacksmithing is an apt metaphor. You will need to artfully interweave passion and precision. Fiery ambition or intense feelings may arise, offering you raw energy for transformation. To harness it effectively, you must temper your approach with patience, restraint, and detail-oriented focus.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): JeanPaul Sartre and Simon de Beauvoir were two feisty, independent, strong-minded French writers. Beauvoir was a trailblazing feminist, and Sartre was a Nobel Laureate. Though they never officially married, they were a couple for 51 years. Aside from their great solo accomplishments, they also gave us this gift: They proved that romantic love and intellectual equality could coexist, even thrive together, with the help of creative negotiation. I propose we make them your inspirational role models for now. The coming months will be a favorable time to deepen and refine your devotion to crafting satisfying, interesting intimate relationships.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Over 2600 years ago, ancient Babylonian astronomers figured out the highly complex cycle that governs the recurrence of lunar and solar eclipses. It unfolds over a period of 18 years and 11 days. To analyze its full scope required many generations of researchers to carry out meticulous record-keeping with extreme patience. Let’s make those Babylonian researchers your role models, Capricorn. In the coming months, I hope they inspire you to engage in careful observation and persistent investigation as you discover meaningful patterns. May they excite your quest to discern deep cycles and hidden rhythms.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): I invite you to try this visualization exercise, Aquarius: Picture a rosebud inside your body. It’s located in your solar plexus. Imagine it’s steadily and gently opening, filling your body with a sweet, blissful warmth, like a slow-motion orgasm that lasts and lasts. Feel the velvet red petals unfolding; inhale the soft radiance of succulent fragrance.
As the rose fully blooms, you become aware of a gold ring at its center. Imagine yourself reaching inside and taking the ring with your right hand. Slip the ring onto your left ring finger and tell yourself, “I pledge to devote all my passionate intelligence to my own well-being. I promise to forever treat myself with tender loving respect. I vow to seek out highquality beauty and truth as I fulfill my life’s mission.”
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): I foresee the arrival of a living fossil, Pisces. An influence you thought was gone may soon reappear. Aspects of your past could prove relevant to your current situation. These might be neglected skills, seemingly defunct connections, or dormant dreams. I hope you have fun integrating rediscovered resources and earmarking them for use in the future. PS: Here’s a lesson worth treasuring: While the world has changed, a certain fundamental truth remains true and valuable to you.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): You have had resemblances to cactuses in recent days. It hasn’t always been pleasant and cheerful, but you have become pretty skilled at surviving, even thriving, despite an insufficiency of juicy experiences. Fortunately, the emotional fuel you had previously stored up has sustained you, keeping you resilient and reasonably fluid. However, this situation will soon change. More succulence is on its way. Scarcity will end, and you will be blessed with an enhanced flow of lush feelings.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I foresee abundance emerging from modest sources. predict breakthroughs arising out of your loving attention to the details of the routine. So please don’t get distracted by poignant meditations on what you feel is missing from your life. Don’t fantasize about what you wish you could be doing instead of what you are actually doing. Your real wealth lies in the small tasks that are right in front of you—even though they may not yet have revealed their full meaning or richness. I invite you and encourage you to be alert for grandeur in seemingly mundane intimate moments.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Acclaimed Cancerian poet Lucille Clifton published 14 books and mothered six children. That heroism seems almost impossible. Having helped raise one child myself, I know how consuming it is to be a parent. Where did she find the time and energy to generate so much great literature? Judging from the astrological omens, I suspect you now have access to high levels of productivity comparable to Clifton’s. Like her, you will also be able to gracefully juggle competing demands and navigate adeptly through different domains. Here’s my favorite part: Your stellar efficiency will stem not from stressfully trying too hard but rather from good timing and a nimble touch.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): One of the seven wonders of the ancient world was the Colossus of Rhodes, located on a Greek island. Symbolizing power and triumph, it was a towering statue dedicated to the sun god Helios. The immediate motivation for its construction was the local people’s defeat of an invading army. I hereby authorize you to acquire or create your own personal version of an inspiring icon like the Colossus, Leo. It will symbolize the fact that the coming months will stimulate lavish expressions of your leonine power. It will help inspire you to showcase your talents and make bold moves. PS: Be alert for chances to mobilize others with your leadership. Your natural brilliance will be a beacon.
“Jonesin”
Crosswords
"Well, Sorta" not quite all there.. by Matt Jones
ACROSS
1. Pond fish
4. Baby cow
8. Went icy
13. Slot machine lever
14. Noisy fight
15. Moroccan capital
16. Tiny taste
17. Dejected area where the rugs go?
19. Animal’s back crossing the line first in a race?
21. Healing plant
22. Subject of the outdated joke “Why do they call it a ___ when you only get one?”
PAID PART-TIME JOB TRAINING FOR SENIORS AGED 55+: Positions waiting to be filled for Office Support, Store Associate, Cashier, Stocking and more. Applicants must be aged 55+, unemployed, seeking work and meet income eligibility. Accepting applications for Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet Kalkaska, Missaukee and Clare counties. To apply call AARP Foundation SCSEP at 231-252-4544
LIQUIDATION: New Affordable Italian Bowls, Gifts: Selling remaining inventory & gift items (aprons, cruets, pitchers, etc.) at 1/2 orig. retail. Friday, June 13, 8:30-3, Pine Hall
Spruce Room, 1776 High Lake Rd. TC. 231357-3722
SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush M231-228-6248
COMPUTER PROBLEMS?: I will come to your home or office and make your computer, phone, tablet, TV and printer all work! Call James Downer - Advent Tech. Your HIGH TECH HANDYMAN. Call 231-492-2087
I BUY CLASSIC CARS ANY CONDITION 1955-1985: especially convertible’s and impalas 50-60s, but open to all. 4145146958 Ron
TRAVERSE AREA DISTRICT LIBRARY PAID INTERNSHIP
The Library is hiring 2 Local History Collection interns for 4 weeks this summer. Projects incl. processing our archives and more. 40 hours total at $16.25 per hour. Apply online. https://www.tadl.org/jobs
PART-TIME CIRCULATION CLERK AT SUTTONS BAY BINGHAM DISTRICT LIBRARY Now seeking a part-time Circulation Clerk. Please submit a cover letter, resume and two references by email to director@sbbdl.org.
6936 Mission Ridge | $1,500,000
Beautiful, private setting between Old Mission Wine Country and downtown Traverse City • 5 bedrooms, 4.5 baths • 5,067 sq ft on 1.5 acres
Inground pool • Screened-in treehouse • Large living room with 17’ ceilings and natural fireplace
Flagstone entry walk • Cobblestone pool decking
Shake shingle siding • Trex decking • Pool room features sauna and ¾ bath • Cul de sac street with no through-traffic • Borders immediately on 80-acre Pelizzari Natural Area conservancy
5151 Hidden Gables Dr | $765,000
5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths • Open main level features spacious living room • Natural gas fireplace Cherry hardwood floors • Formal dining space with sliding door to a brand-new deck • Stainless appliances and breakfast nook • Gracious primary suite • Huge family room in finished lower level with fireplace, bedrooms, a full bath, plenty of storage • Large lot offers privacy • Patios and decks for outdoor entertaining • Nicely landscaped with irrigation • West side of TC
6278 Summit Court | $515,000
Well-maintained Port of Old Mission condo
Located at the base of Old Mission Peninsula Just 5 minutes from downtown Traverse City 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath • 2,054 sq ft • Large windows • Two decks off main floor and lower level • Lower level has plenty of storage and nice family room • Deep 1-car garage is attached • Furnishings are negotiable
