Crosshatch
letters
Protect Our Farm Animals
Industrial scale factory farms cram animals into inhumane confinement for maximum corporate profit, ignoring what most of us want: humane treatment for farm animals. While states like California have passed laws to protect them, Big Ag is trying to undo that progress with the “Save Our Bacon Act” (H.R. 4673).
As a Traverse City resident, I care very much about how our food is raised and strongly oppose this bill. It’s a “poison pill” that would let the federal government overturn state animal welfare laws and stop us from passing better ones in the future.
We need to protect our local farmers and animals from these inhumane practices and this massive government overreach. I hope Senators Slotkin and Peters will stand up for us and keep this harmful act out of the final Farm Bill.
Valerie Schey | Traverse City
Strange Auditors
I read Mr. Tuttle’s piece on First Amendment “Auditors.” I have never heard of such a thing. Who is paying them, and why? Should I run across such a person, my inclination would be to start filming them, filming people, then follow them to their car and film their vehicle and license plate. Maybe follow their car to their home or other workplace. Maybe start sitting outside their house and filming them and their children as they come and go in public places. There is no right to privacy in our constitution. It has been read into it and I applaud our courts for doing so. But it is limited. There is also no protection from consequences of invading people’s privacy, and while a broken nose might seem to be an answer, it is not. A taste of their own medicine might be helpful however.
Michael Becker | Arcadia
Parking Problems
In Traverse City, you can go mile after mile of parking meters, but there are very few disability designated parking places. At the Government Center, there are disability parking places without parking meters.
I have a suggestion. Let a disabled person with a Disability Placard park at any parking meter location without feeding the meter and without getting a parking ticket, in areas with an absence of disability parking places. A city and county ordinance addressing this problem would be appropriate.
Neil Karl | Traverse City
Humanity, Not Politics
Something has troubled me for years. When an American citizen or service member dies in war, it becomes front-page news. We grieve deeply because they are our own.
But innocent civilians in other countries are somebody’s own, too. Nearly 3,000 people died in the 9/11 attack. Innocent people going about their lives. Tragedy. Our response? War.
Over 400,000 innocent Iraqi civilians were killed. Over 175,000 innocent Afghan civilians were killed. Families erased. Children buried. Lives shattered forever. In Vietnam, our bombs killed over two million innocent civilians. 75,000 Palestinians have been killed, including 21,000 children since 2023. The horror continues.
Now, in this war with Iran, more innocent civilians, including women and children, are dying or displaced. Why do we rarely see their faces? Why are their deaths not treated with the same grief, outrage, and humanity as American deaths?
We are all children of the same higher power, whether Iraqi, Iranian, Vietnamese, Palestinian, Ukrainian, Russian, Israeli, or American. We should grieve for all innocent lives equally.
Front-page. Show the bodies. Show the mothers. Show the children. Then perhaps we, as a people, will finally demand something better than endless war. This is not politics. This is humanity.
Tim Keenan, Vietnam Combat Veteran and President of Veterans for Peace, Chapter 50 | Traverse City
Northern Express Weekly is published by Eyes Only Media, LLC.
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Cover image: A rendering of the new Crosshatch Meeting Place + Mercantile café.
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CRYSTAL PEAK
top ten
Skip the chores this weekend and spend a little time out in nature. From 11am-7pm on Friday, June 12, join the Grand Traverse Conservation District (1450 Cass Rd.) for their Summer Kickoff, which includes “a guided hike to the Great Lakes Incubator Farm, hands-on river discovery with aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling, and opportunities to contribute to the GTCD community BioBlitz,” per their website. (The BioBlitz is a chance to help identify and record plant, animal, and fungi species in the Brown Bridge Quiet Area!) The day concludes with a visit from the Traverse Area District Library Bookmobile, where kids can register for the summer “Unearth a Story” program, which encourages reading for all ages with lots of dino and paleontology-themed books. That night is also the start of the GTCD’s Fireside Chat series, complete with stories and songs. More info (pre-registration required) at natureiscalling.org/events.
With the season’s verdant foliage finally out in full swing, we can’t help but think green—specifically, the Green Goddess sandwich from 2 The Moon Bakery in Lake City. Picture this: two toasty slices of housemade sourdough (which undergoes a 24hour fermentation for plenty of gut-boosting goodness) stuffed with vibrant mixed and micro-greens from Bashobean Family Farm in Manton, avocado, sliced cucumber, tangy feta, and, per the name of this heavenly handheld, creamy, scratch-made green goddess dressing packed with notes of parsley, spinach, and tarragon. Now picture it tucked in your cooler with an icy drink and a pastry case treat. We added turkey for extra oomph (pictured), but the veggie version is just as herby and full of fresh flavor. Either way, consider yourself fueled up for summer! Get your greens at 100 Main St. in Lake City. 2themoonbakery.com
Old Growth Forests in Leelanau
Learn about present day old-growth forests in northern Michigan. The Leelanau Conservancy manages two of these sites: Palmer Woods Forest Reserve and Kehl Lake Natural Area. Director of Natural Areas and Preserves Becky Hill will share how the conservancy protects the diverse ecosystems and critical habitat in which these ancients live. This free program runs Saturday, June 13, at 1pm in Glen Arbor Arts Center’s (GAAC) Main Gallery, and ties in with GAAC’s exhibit “American Tree.”
Hey, watch It! Spider-Noir
This show requires a bit of backstory for the uninitiated. First, we must start with the groundbreaking 2018 animated blockbuster Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. There, we meet a series of Spider-Man iterations, from the classic cartoon to the black and white Spider-Noir, voiced by none other than Nicholas Cage. Well, fans were so tickled by the cameo that Cage earned himself a real-life spin-off on Prime. He stars as Ben Reilly, a 1930s private investigator who gets caught in a web of past lives, crimes, and skyscraper-swinging danger. The cast also includes Li Jun Li (Sinners), Lamorne Morris (New Girl), and a host of Easter-egg Marvel characters whose names or details have been changed just enough to keep you guessing. Best of all, you can watch the series in classic monotone—like the classic noir films of yore—or in full color.
Summertime in Charlevoix
Downtown Charlevoix is ready to flip the page to summer as the days warm up, school winds down, and the iconic blue bridge starts its regular rise and fall schedule. Check out the 14th annual Summer Open House on Thursday, June 11, from 4-8pm as Charlevoix merchants band together for an evening of shopping fun. Retailers will have specials, giveaways, and refreshments on hand to welcome locals and visitors alike. Get all the details at visitcharlevoix. com/events. And, if you want to get an early start on the fun, the Charlevoix Farmers Market is back up and running at East Park (210 State St.) from 8am-1pm that same day. Find local produce, flowers, and handmade goods, plus weekly community events like activities for kids or cooking demonstrations, and don’t miss the booths selling coffee, breakfast, and lunch goodies!
In May, the City of Traverse City added 525 acres to their protected lands portfolio. The parcel adjacent to Brown Bridge Quiet Area was pricey—$3,098,445—and city residents voted in 2023 to use an amount not to exceed $746,245 from the Brown Bridge Trust Fund dollars. To make up the rest, the city was aided by a partnership with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and funding support from a $2,352,200 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant. Per a city press release, the new property is intended for “environmental stewardship, outdoor recreation, and long-term public access to natural areas.” As part of the grant requirements, “hunting access will be permitted on portions of the property.” There will be a soft opening of an expanded trail system in summer 2026, a planned trailhead in 2027, and amenities like a universally accessible trail, parking area, and viewing platform overlooking Spring Lake. Learn more at traversecitymi.gov/projects/brownbridge-quiet-area-expansion.html.
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Stuff We Love: Where Art Meets Outdoors
Artist Maia Hausler knows how to capture the natural world; after all, she did double major in fine art and environmental studies at Western Michigan University. Currently based in Ann Arbor but with a lifelong connection to northern Michigan—we found her booth, Wander & Gather, at the Dennos Museum Spring Art Market— Hausler puts her ethereal watercolors on everything from traditional art prints to cards to jewelry. You’ll spot all your favorite signs of summertime in her work, whether that’s in a black-eyed Susan necklace, a native plants calendar, or a common milkweed sticker. (If we put those up on our windows, will they help bring back monarch butterflies??) You can find her work at art shows across the state this summer, or shop online at etsy.com/ shop/WanderAndGather. She’s also had products for sale at local establishments like Oryana, Poppy Things, and Crooked Tree Arts Center
bottoms up
The Queens Head’s Old King Walnut
Say that drink title five times fast! The Queens Head Wine Pub in Cheboygan is open for the summer season, with pub fare, “royal libations,” and picks from “the queen’s wine cellar.” But one of their most popular beverages is the Old King’s Walnut, a twist on an Old Fashioned that puts the almond-y, nutty sweetness of black walnut front and center. The cocktail was the bestseller for the pub in 2025 and was crafted by bar manager Ashley Nola. She uses Woodford Reserve as her choice of bourbon, while her go-to amaretto is Disaronno Originale. The remaining ingredients include simple syrup, black walnut bitters, aromatic bitters, and a candied walnut garnish. Raise a toast to salute your favorite queen (or king) at 250 N Huron St. in Cheboygan. thequeensheadwinepub.com
Pictured: An overlook of Brown Bridge Quiet Area; photo by Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.
NOBODY HOME
spectator
By steven Tuttle
We continue to be told there is a housing shortage, sometimes called a housing crisis. To read the stories and listen to the advocates, you’d think legions of people are wandering the streets of northern Michigan, dragging their possessions behind then searching for a place, any place, they can call home.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition says the country is short an astonishing 7.1 million affordable housing units, and Fortune says only 21 percent of home purchases are first-time buyers, an all-time low.
Housing North, representing 10 northern Michigan counties, claims we need another 30,000 housing units by next year, about 22,000 owner-occupied units and another
their income levels, so this feeds the notion of “affordable” housing.
But the income level they’re discussing is going to make many people wonder what’s happening. The rent break will accrue to individuals earning $95,760 or households with incomes of $136,680. We are told that what seems like a very high income level to many of us is necessary because it is right at the salary level they have the most difficulty attracting employees. Really?
So, we’re to believe there are jobs in Garfield Township paying nearly $100,000 annually that are difficult to fill because applicants can’t find housing they can afford? How many of those jobs are there that an entire
People are holding onto their single-family home longer to avoid onerous capital gains taxes or, in some states, new so-called mansion taxes.
8,000 pure rental units. Though housing is being built—87,000 new or refurbished units in Michigan in the last five years according to Realtor.com—we are not going to reach anything vaguely close to tens of thousands of units being discussed.
Different parts of the country are using different strategies to deal with this apparent problem. Abandoned and failing malls have become targets for some new housing, and around the country, 192 malls as of last year are in the process of some kind of conversion to at least some housing according to CNBC.
Successful projects are thriving outside of Denver, Philadelphia, and elsewhere, but there have also been failures. There is a certain logic to mall conversion since malls are typically close to urban areas and all they have to offer, are already adjacent to or near transportation corridors, and have substantial existing infrastructure like power and water. But the conversion from bricks and mortar stores to residential units is complicated and expensive. Most of the conversions have chosen to maintain some retail and/or entertainment component as they create housing.
In the Traverse City area, home to the downtown canyon of condos, we’ve taken a different approach: we are apparently going to subsidize everything. In fact, we’ve never met multi-unit residential construction we couldn’t subsidize. Garfield Township, not wanting to be left out of the celebration of subsidies is now proposing their own, something called a service-fee-in-lieu-oftaxes, very similar to a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) program but under a slightly different name. In this program, a developer will pay a predetermined fee to the township, which will be less than and instead of normal property taxes, in this case for 15 years.
The result, supposedly, will be that residents will be able to pay less, based on
development must be subsidized? Are there such job openings now? Is there ever going to be an upper income level we’re unwilling to subsidize under the guise of creating affordable housing? How do you explain this to all the people making less than $95K, who somehow managed to find housing without government help?
There are other questions we also ignore. According to Bridge Michigan, our state’s population has hovered around 10 million since the 1990s and gained only 28,000 new residents in 2025. Why do we need tens of thousands of new residential units when there are not tens of thousands of new potential residents? And where are all those people living if they can find no place to live?
There could be some answers coming from the Public Policy Institute of California, which has studied this and come up with some explanations for why more housing is needed for fewer people.
For one thing, there are far more oneand two-person households than in prior generations. People are marrying later, if at all, and having families later, if at all. That means the “family home” with three or four people, possibly multi-generational, is now the family home with one or two. Additionally, the housing turnover that was once natural because older people downsized, for example, or housing that became available when people died, has slowed.
People are holding onto their single-family home longer to avoid onerous capital gains taxes or, in some states, new so-called mansion taxes.
There could be other clues to the “shortage” tucked away in some of the research. There is housing but it isn’t housing people liked or where they wanted it. That’s a different kind of shortage altogether.
WHY I LOVE OUR PRESIDENT
GUEST OPINION
by Walt Wood
Dear Mr. President, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. Though I will stop short of naming you the greatest president of all time, you are definitely in the top five. You have accomplished over the course of five and a half years in office what no president has ever achieved in the history of our great nation.
You have single-handedly forced us to confront the shortcomings of the two-party system, how it shortchanges the people, and does not serve our needs effectively. How refreshing to have a president who reveals corruption in every waking moment,
fact deported, your masked miscreants can move on to eradicate any domestic threat to white, faux-Christian nationalist rule.
You’re doing an effective job of limiting the ability of Blacks to vote and have representation in government. There will be resistance to this of course. But your magical talent for pitting citizens against one another—nothing short of wizardry—will serve to keep our nation free of any effectual opposition to the lie of white supremacy. You have already removed Black and brown people, and women, from positions of power in your administration, including our
By utterly destroying truth, you have inspired us to reestablish what truth and integrity mean in self-governance.
exposing the rot in our system, made manifest on both sides of our dichotomous political aisles.
You constantly remind us how willing we are to embrace falsehoods that confirm our biases, when they are repeated by influential people, such as yourself. By utterly destroying truth, you have reaffirmed the need for truth and integrity in self-governance.
Your personal corruption has been astonishing and magnificent. You have conquered crime itself. The transparency with which you conduct your criminal activities is spectacular to behold. You are— if a tad unstable—a brazen mastermind.
You were destined to rule our country. Even when you were out of office, you wielded power like a king. Back in May of 2024, you scuttled the bipartisan border bill—the one hammered out by Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma (and the Democrats)—in stunning fashion. You knew that the immigration issue was a winner for you in the upcoming election, and you shut it down. Controlling Congress from the sidelines is just one example of your innate autocratic abilities.
I’m not saying you didn’t have help along the way. You could not have seated Amy Coney Barrett on the Supreme Court at the end of your first term without the aid of Mitch McConnell. Now there is a brilliant political mind, and a timeless example of what can be accomplished if one focuses solely on retaining and expanding power. He was a great ally to you. Though a disappointment of late, I have a funny feeling he will rally to your corner in the late rounds of this cockamamy slugfest.
Your personal police force, despite some early hiccups, will, I believe, reinforce the whiteness of America—easing Caucasian minds everywhere. Preying on our fears that brown people might gain a substantial foothold in society has naturally led to a decrease in their numbers. When all the brown people you can possibly deport are in
honorable military, and I am certain you will continue to do so.
Your approval rating with white men can only explode through these actions, as will your continuing subjugation of women. Your mastery of human nature has enabled you to hoodwink male voters into supporting you, while tons of women who are subservient to men will do as they’re told. It’s win-win. Hats off to you, Sir. I only wish Roy Cohn, Joe McCarthy, and Rush Limbaugh were alive to witness the spectacle of your dazzling, multiringed circus.
In future times, millions will view you as the savior of the nation. It is a gosh-darned shame that you will be underappreciated when the numerous reforms to strengthen our republic are enacted. After all, it is your leadership in exposing the decay of our dilapidated democracy that will facilitate its resurgence and supercharged comeback.
Your presidency was ordained. Without you, it would have been business as usual— pervasive corruption continuing unabated under the radar. Instead, your greatest achievement can be realized—once you leave office, of course.
After Citizens United is overturned and effective campaign finance reform finally legislated, dark money will be forever banished from our democracy. You should receive the lion’s share of credit for this astounding accomplishment.
I cannot say it enough. Your presidency is, without a doubt, the most consequential in the history of these United States. Because of you, sir, we will Make America Great Again. I love you so much for that, Mr. President. Thank you for your service to our nation. God bless you, and may God have mercy on your malevolent soul.
Walt Wood is a retired mailman, current Lutheran, and essayist focused on political philosophy and the intersection of religion and democracy.
S U M M E R W O R S H I P
Got a Little Something in Your Eye
THE NEXT CHAPTER FEELS LIKE HOME
Doctors at the Kursk Regional Hospital in Russia recently treated a 50-year-old man with an unusual MRI result: a nearly 5-inch-long piece of wood extending from the man's eye socket to his skull, Oddity News reported on May 26. Back in 2024, the patient, Yuri, was doing yard work. He wasn't wearing protective eye gear, so when he felt a sharp pain in his left eye, he assumed a small piece of wood had struck him while he was chopping maple branches. When the pain went away shortly after, he forgot about it, dealing with only the occasional flashes of pain in the years following. When he did seek medical help, ophthalmologists couldn't figure out what was wrong, and their treatments were ineffective. Earlier this spring, his pain increased and his vision was starting to fade, so he headed for the hospital. "A CT scan performed at the regional hospital showed that the foreign body was a branch that penetrated the eye socket, destroying the sinuses and damaging the base of the skull in dangerous proximity to vital brain structures," doctors said. Miraculously, doctors were able to remove the wood through the nasal passages -- no brain surgery needed. Yuri's vision came back, and he is expected to make a full recovery. [Oddity Central, 5/26/26]
Awesome!
When Noreen Van Holstein and Lalita van Lamsweerde launched the WasteBar food truck in 2022 in The Netherlands, they weren't sure how their idea for people to collect cigarette butts in exchange for Dutch pancakes would go over. "I wasn't sure whether people would be apprehensive of picking up things from the ground," Van Holstein said. "But immediately from the start, it was just positivity." According to The Guardian, the food truck "sells" poffertjes, or small Dutch pancakes, for 20 cigarettes. Patrons can also purchase other items, such as drinks, fruits and candies for varying amounts of butts and plastic. The WasteBar appears at various events throughout the year, including children's events, festivals and business gatherings. Given the abundance of butts as litter and the difficulty of cleaning them up, the entrepreneurs are under no delusions that their food truck alone will solve the litter problem. Rather, they see the exchange of litter for food as a way to raise awareness. "We want to get people in action mode, and [hope] that by picking up litter, they would not litter any more, because we believe that once seen, it cannot be unseen," Van Holstein said. [The Guardian, 5/26/26]
Stuck in the Mud
A Wisconsin driver found out the hard way that "road closed" signs are there for a reason. According to UPI -- and the Wisconsin Department of Transportation's May 22 social media post -- a Milwaukee County driver not only encountered a "road closed" sign, but got out of their pickup truck, removed the sign and drove straight into freshly poured concrete. WDOT shared a photo of the truck's submerged tires and noted that the driver "cemented their inability to adhere to signs." Police and road crews had to employ heavy machinery to haul the truck out. [UPI, 5/27/26]
Cracking Under the Pressure Benjamin Fragale, 23, of Palm Harbor, Florida was arrested for felony criminal mischief on May 24, after vandalizing a local marquee sign known for its puns, The Smoking Gun reported. According to the police report, Fragale used bricks and branches to "smash the sign, damaging the letters, message board and interior lights." The sign belongs to a local chiropractic office and memorable phrases include: "We never crack under pressure," "It's easier to throw out your back than your mother in law," "We won't stop until everyone is cracked up," and "Our Easter adjustments are eggsellent." The message that made Fragale crack? "Licensed Crack Dealer." The arrest report indicates that Fragale thought the statement was illegal, but court records do not corroborate the claim. Fragale remains detained while he awaits a court hearing. [The Smoking Gun, 5/26/26]
Crime Report
On May 15, Daniel Christian Pettit, 49, of Minnesota, was charged with seconddegree assault and intentional discharge of a firearm after shooting at a firefighting airplane, Fox 9 reported. The pilot reported hearing popping sounds as it went on its final run to bring water from a lake to battle a nearby wildfire. The plane landed safely with no pilot injuries, and investigators determined that the damage in the rudder was caused by a bullet. After pinpointing the location where the shots were fired, law enforcement suspected Pettit, who had made complaints in 2024 about aircraft near his home. Pettit claims he was crow hunting, not aiming for the plane. "If I accidentally hit him crow hunting, too bad," he said. "[The pilot] endangered my life. I decided to go outside and crow hunt. Did I aim and try and shoot the plane? Nope, no, I didn't." The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources instituted a no-fly zone over Pettit's property. The restriction applies only to aircraft battling fires. [Fox 9, 5/23/26]
You Put That WHERE?
A Grand Traverse, Michigan, woman was found to have an entire bottle of wine in her person while being booked into the county jail. Monique Megchiani, 48, of Michigan, was arrested for trespassing at a pharmacy in Grand Traverse, The Smoking Gun reported on May 22. After checking her for weapons, officers attempted to load her into the squad car. According to the police report, "During this time, Megchiani advised that she was not able to get into the vehicle. After some convincing, Megchiani was able to slowly maneuver herself into the backseat." As she was being booked into the county jail, a female corrections deputy completed one more physical check of Megchiani, when, according to the report, "it was learned that Megchiani had concealed a bottle of Cupcake Vineyards Pinot Grigio inside her person." In addition to her trespassing charges, she was charged with attempting to smuggle contraband into a penal institution. A former counselor at a substance abuse treatment center, Megchiani faces prior convictions for robbery and credit card theft. [The Smoking Gun, 5/22/26]
FUEL YOUR FRIDAY
Cars & Caffeine at Hagerty
Summer Fridays 7–9am
Come for the coffee, stay for the cars
The Making of a Community Center
Crosshatch Center Meeting Place + Mercantile underway in Bellaire
By Anna Faller
Founded in 2005, Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology is the brainchild of cofounders and co-directors Brad and Amanda Kik, who have long shared a passion for exploring the magic that happens when agriculture and art overlap.
Now in its 21st year of operation, the nonprofit convenes a host of initiatives across a trio of programs—arts and culture, agriculture and land use, and community and connection—all with the goal of better caring for each other and the earth at the fore.
“We’ve been working against a transactional model for 20 years,” Brad Kik says, “but there’s so much more to saying, ‘What can we co-create?’”
He believes the only way to break that cycle is to start treating people like they’re producers and members of a community, and that requires space to achieve. Enter: Crosshatch Meeting Place + Mercantile in Bellaire.
Finding a Home
The concept, says Kik, arose as the result of a Community Center grant through the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Development, which was awarded to Crosshatch alongside Grow Benzie and Commongrounds Cooperative in Traverse City.
The grant allowed each of these organizations to pursue community spaces in their respective counties, for which Crosshatch had first earmarked 50 acres near Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area. A pre-construction environmental assessment, however, discovered heavy metal
contamination in the property’s topsoil— likely from past pesticide use, Kik says— rendering the land untenable, at least for now (though he does note that Crosshatch has plans to undertake the process of natural remediation, so stay tuned!).
“In the meantime, we had this money that was not going to wait for us to do that,” he says. So when the two-story downtown Bellaire storefront that had previously housed Uniquely North hit the market, the group set their sights on a new location.
“It was more of a last-minute pivot than we expected, but as soon as we started thinking about what it means to operate a storefront in a downtown, we realized how it connected in 100 ways to what we’d already been doing,” Kik adds.
On the bottom floor, per general manager Elizabeth Manning, the space will comprise three versatile sections. For the first, the nonprofit envisions a retail area stocked with crafty goodies and artisan products (think: pottery, prints, candles, foodstuffs, etc.) in service of promoting and incubating local producers.
“That’s really exciting!” Manning notes. “It will help support the broader work that we do [as well as] build some of that infrastructure that these pockets of farmers and makers need to be supported.” Popups are also on the table, she adds, as is a rotating inventory, which the nonprofit aims to curate alongside seasonality and general demand.
Behind the retail section they’ve designed a flex community space, equipped with a café and co-working area, where guests can collaborate on projects and access the internet—though Kik underscores that patrons won’t need to make a purchase to
use the space—as well as an adaptable zone for workshops and classes on everything from apiculture to tree grafting to baking sourdough, and even a commercial kitchen.
There’s also an apartment upstairs, which Crosshatch has slated first for shortterm rental and eventually a component of an artist-in-residence program.
“It’s really nice to now have this space that we get to call our own and shape it for all the things we want to shape it for,” Kik adds.
The Build Out
Construction-wise, the building was in its “muddy spring zone”— i.e., Crosshatch staff and volunteers were finishing demolition in May.
Moving into summer, next steps include passing the reconstruction baton as specialized trades, helmed by the folks at Team Bob’s, step in to facilitate the bulk of
the buildout. Manning also highlights the recent launch of a crowdfunding campaign through Patronicity, through which the organization aims to close the project’s final funding loops.
From there, Kik adds, the plan is to turn it back over to volunteers for finishing touches. “It goes without saying that Bellaire is an amazing community full of the most incredible people,” he says. “They just keep showing up!”
Nevertheless, even ballpark budgeting for a project of this magnitude is tenuous business, especially in the face of multiphase projects, like tearing down ceilings and walls, historic preservation, and latent code issues, Manning notes. Consequently, the space’s projected launch date, which the team had tentatively scheduled for July, has since been postponed, likely to fall 2026. In the meantime, Crosshatch plans
Brad Kik
Elizabeth Manning
to adapt through community-centric initiatives, like a table at the Bellaire Farmer’s Market, as well as partnerships with local organizations, artists, and makers to offer connective programming—botanical journaling segments and nature walks, for example—both in and around Bellaire.
“We want to create a foothold in the community where people are associating those third spaces with Crosshatch and creating opportunities to deepen our relationships, both with each other and ourselves,” Manning adds.
Working with the Dreamers
As for the space’s finalized form? That’s largely up to the community to decide.
Per Kik, a good place for patrons to start is by pinpointing what they’re interested in doing, as it not only dictates what they might seek in the Meeting Place + Mercantile, but also what they could contribute. In this regard, workshop instructors are welcome, he notes, as are craftspeople and artist vendors, and cottage law cooks seeking kitchen space.
“We’re always looking for people with
interesting ideas in partnership,” he says, even if it isn’t a fit in the end. “We can’t [develop] those beautiful long-term projects without [having] the 10,000 handshakes and coffees.”
Financial support, irrespective of level, is also a biggie, because it represents buyin for the values behind projects like the meeting space.
Perhaps most importantly, though, Crosshatch needs dreamers—in particular, people willing to be vulnerable enough to voice what they need to achieve those dreams.
“We’ll keep building based on what people are drawn to, what people are asking for,” Manning adds. “I think what’s going to make this the most successful is that it’s not just about what Crosshatch wants this space to be, but what our community wants this space to be.”
To learn more about Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology, visit crosshatch.org, and find them on patronicity.com/crosshatch to contribute to the Crosshatch Meeting Place + Mercantile campaign.
Renderings of the building's exterior and interior.
Safe Harbor’s Year in Review
What the shelter has learned since opening its doors full time
By Lourin Sprenger
When Safe Harbor transitioned to a year-round emergency shelter last May, it marked a turning point in how Traverse City and northern Michigan approached homelessness. The shift was prompted by an urgent need paired with enforcement of the city’s no-camping ordinance at The Pines, the wooded encampment that had become home to many unhoused residents.
Officially though a full year cycle, Safe Harbor says the move has brought many successes and some unexpected lessons. As they head into the second year of a two-year pilot, they’re looking to continue to expand their services to not only offer shelter for the unhoused at Safe Harbor, but also more resources for their guests to help get them back on their feet and ensure long-term stability.
1. Make More Meals
One of the biggest learning curves came almost immediately: understanding what people actually need in order to stay sheltered consistently.
Joshua Brandt, Safe Harbor board member and fundraising chair, says the organization realized early on that simply offering beds wasn’t enough. If residents had to leave during the day or leave the shelter to find food, many wouldn’t return or would choose not to eat at all.
“We learned pretty quickly that we needed to provide meals,” Brandt explains. “People weren’t going to leave for meals and then come back. If you want people to stay sheltered, you have to remove as many barriers as possible.”
Previously, during seasonal operation at Safe Harbor, volunteers would provide and staff meal services for residents. However, the transition to year-round operations increased demand. Safe Harbor still relies
on its army of 2,300 volunteers to staff food shifts but has now allocated part of its operating budget to cover the cost of evening meals when and where it’s needed.
As of May 1, the shelter is providing dinner for guests, a change from last summer when meals were not offered due to staffing and financial precautions.
2. Build It, But They May Not Come
Another difficult reality Safe Harbor has faced is that even with a year-round shelter available (and with the no-camping ordinance now being enforced) some people still choose not to seek shelter.
“There’s still a segment of the population that won’t seek shelter even when beds are available,” Brandt says.
He says there are a number of reasons for that, including mental health struggles, addiction, distrust of systems, or simply wanting to maintain personal freedom.
“It’s a reality,” Brandt says, “that many people outside the issue don’t always fully understand.”
Safe Harbor currently operates yearround at a capacity of 74 beds, and according to Brandt, the shelter has remained full.
3. Costs Keep Rising
At the same time, the cost of operating year-round has increased significantly. Brandt says operating expenses have doubled over the past year as the organization expanded staffing, food service, utilities, and support services.
Still, he is grateful the organization is financially stable for the near future thanks to strong local support.
“We have two years of funding secured because of the community and donors stepping up,” Brandt says. “The support has been incredible.”
4. There Is No Silver Bullet or Quick Fix
The transition to year-round operations has also changed the situation at places like The Pines. While the encampment itself has become smaller and less visible since enforcement of the no-camping ordinance began, homelessness in the region has not disappeared.
“We have not seen numbers go down,” Brandt says of the unhoused population in Traverse City. “Even with the closing of The Pines and offering shelter year round.”
Instead, the issue has become more spread out and, in some cases, harder to see.
During the 2024-2025 season—when Safe Harbor was operating from the months of October through May—they hosted 361 people in need of shelter, with a total of 19,315 overnight stays.
Like many communities across northern Michigan, Traverse City continues to face increasing housing costs, affordable housing issues, and growing demand for services.
Local organizations and city leaders have
become increasingly focused not only on emergency shelter, but also on mental health care, addiction treatment, transitional housing, and long-term housing placement.
Brandt said no single organization can solve the issue alone.
“This really takes everybody,” he says.
“Shelters are one piece of it, but affordable housing, mental health care, addiction treatment, and community support all have to work together.”
Safe Harbor is doing just that—working together—as part of the Housing and Homelessness Task Force (led by Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness), aimed at finding solutions to help the unhoused population in northern Michigan.
The group of nonprofits, government entities, and services agencies is working to offer increased housing and service opportunities for those in need.
To learn more about Safe Harbor, visit gtsafeharbor.org.
HOME AWAY FROM HOME:
The Heart—and Business—of Home-Based Child Care
Home-Based Child Care (HBCC) owner/ operators are licensed through the State of Michigan to care for children ages 0–12 in their own homes. These small businesses operate as either Family Homes (6–7 children) or Group Homes (12–14 children with staff). These owners do it all—serving as teacher, caregiver, nurse, cook, and custodian while managing the complex roles of CEO, accountant, and regulatory officer. Although the work is demanding, the impact is rewarding. Family Child Care Networks of NW MI began in 2023, as a way for homebased child care providers to support one another, access professional development, and connect to community partners; all while advocating for the future of home-based child care. Support for Family Child Care Networks is provided by Michigan Lifelong Education Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP). There are currently four networks that serve over 50 home-based child care programs in the 10 county region. The following questions were asked of the network members.
1. What inspired you to open your homebased child care?
Starting a home-based child care business allows them to financially support their families while being home with them. Home-based child care isn’t just a job; it bridges the gap between high-quality early childhood education and the provider’s need to support their family.
“After my twins were born 11 weeks early I had to quit my office job to care for them. A few years later my friend said ‘You should start a daycare.’ and here I am!” Holly Vandervlucht, McBain
“I’ve worked with children my whole life. My mom had a daycare when I was young. I always wanted to work with kids and when my husband and I decided to start a family I thought it would be wonderful to care for our own child and others all in one.” Stephanie Todd, Interlochen
2. Do you remember your very first day — what was it like?
Some providers felt the weight of their new responsibility, navigating a "scary" shift from corporate or industrial worlds to caring for infants and toddlers. Others found it effortless. For those already raising children, the transition felt natural—simply a day spent doing what they love.
“My first day I had a 6 month old and an 8 month old. I wondered what the heck am I doing? I had worked in a factory for 6 years” Susan VanNortrick, Cadillac
3. What do you love most about running your home-based child care?
Providers witness the growth and development of children firsthand, celebrating the 'small victories' and helping those who may need extra support to meet their learning goals. Every child brings a unique energy to the day, making the work fun and unpredictable. They aren't just child care providers; they are a big part of the lives of the families they serve I love that I can be an essential part of their lives, and help raise their children. The relationships we develop are cherished for years down the road.” Lisa Hartman, Traverse City I love working from home and supporting other mom’s.” Kym Dowlan, Traverse City
4. Is there a particular moment or memory with the kids that stands out as especially rewarding?
The biggest compliment is having a child they once cared for return years later as an adult—whether it's to give a hug, invite them to their wedding, or even trust them with their own newborn. They aren't just a teacher or caregiver—they are often a permanent part of their family story. Those moments signify that they have created a place where children feel safe, loved, and completely at home.
“Watching kids learn new skills is the best!” Laurie Klingelsmith, Traverse City
“Hearing from parents that their children miss and love me, long after they’ve gone away to school.” Lindsey Kopietz, Traverse City
5. How do the children you care for influence your day-to-day life?
Caring for children in their home provides a natural energy boost that keeps providers feeling young and positive. Every day is an opportunity to stay active and creative. While there are certainly stressful moments, they are easily outweighed by the big hugs and the pride they feel when a child masters a new skill. The children’s curiosity is contagious; it inspires them to keep learning and makes the work worthwhile.
“The children make me happy. They make me want to learn more and help them grow and learn.” Kim Basch, Traverse City
6. What do you think makes home-based child care different from larger childcare centers?
Home-based child care provides the advantage of small group sizes and a single, consistent caregiver throughout a child’s early years. This continuity fosters deep emotional bonds and a secure, family-like
environment. By offering individualized attention and the opportunity for mixed-age learning, home-based programs build lasting relationships with families that larger centers often struggle to replicate.
“Home-based child care is much more personable and nurturing, and allows kids the opportunity to stay in a home setting.” Laurie Klingelsmith, Traverse City
“I provide a play based daily routine over a curriculum based program where children learn to grow and play together in a grandmotherly, loving environment. I believe in “curriculum through care” where children can learn and their needs will be met.” Lisa Hartman, Traverse City
7. How do families benefit from choosing inhome childcare?
By maintaining small groups and a stable environment, providers build personal connections and relationships with children and families. By offering consistent year-round care, home-based programs give children a sense of security and families a supportive partner they can trust. Parents can focus on their professional responsibilities with peace of mind, knowing their children are thriving in a loving, caring environment.
“Stability. Emotional/social learning. Real partnership between parents and caregiver. Full day coverage. Year-round coverage. Fewer transitions. Less pressure for structured learning. Kids 0 to 5 allowing kids to learn from others and practice empathy.” Brenda Reece, Traverse City
“The children’s specific needs are met and they get a lot of one on one time.” Tim Middaugh, Traverse City
8. What do parents tell you they appreciate most about your program?
Parents value the peace of mind that comes from a setting where their children are truly loved, not just supervised. This allows for a level of one-on-one attention and personal nurturing that larger centers can’t match. Ultimately, parents appreciate that their kids are safe, happy, and excited to be there every day.
“They know I love their children. I’m in childcare for the right reasons.” Holly VanderVlucht, Cadillac “I understand kids so well – my home is someplace they like to spend their day.” Chris Bazzett, Traverse City
9. How have you grown personally and professionally through this work?
Home-based child care providers have
transformed the way families look at early childhood care. They understand that the 'work' of a child is play, and they prioritize the deep connections that help a child’s brain truly develop. It is no longer about simply 'watching children'; it is about being a trained professional who intentionally guides a child’s growth during their most formative years.
“I’ve learned a lot through getting a CDA and from hands-on experience, but mainly I’ve learned that children learn best through connections (love) and play not worksheets.” Brenda Reece, Traverse City
10. What keeps you motivated during tough days?
A smile from a child or the reminder that they’re counting on them for a safe, happy day is often enough to keep them motivated. There's a deep pride in being a reliable business owner—knowing that staff depend on them and that they’ve built a reputation families can trust. It’s that blend of heart and resilience, and the children that need them that keeps them going.
“Knowing that not every day is tough. Tomorrow will be better.” Kathy Jodoin, Manton
“That these little ones count on me.” Dawn Jordan, Manistee
Home-based child care providers don’t just provide a service for the day; they build memories and skills that stay with the children for a lifetime. Whether it’s a hug in a grocery store from a grown adult they once cared for or a phone call from a past family, these connections are the heartbeat of why they do what they do.
If you would like to learn more about Family Child Care Networks of NW MI, contact Kris Weger kris.weger@networksnortwest.org Are you in need of child care? You can find our providers at Great Start to Quality or by calling 877-614-7328. www.greatstarttoquality.org
These materials were developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential using Child Care Development Funds (CCDF).
It Takes an (Artisan) Village
AuSable Artisan Village celebrates 15 years of bringing people (and the arts) to downtown Grayling
By Kierstin Gunsberg
When people daydream about their summertime getaways to rural northern Michigan, they think of hiking through dense forests, kayaking winding rivers, and exhaling stress in the great outdoors.
Across Crawford County’s 559 square miles, a majority of which are occupied by the isolated wilderness of the AuSable State and Huron Manistee National Forests, that’s certainly an accurate picture, with visitors trekking I-75 to escape the noise of their big cities and pouring nearly $60 million in annual tourism dollars throughout the county while they’re at it.
But there’s one thing big city folks aren’t getting away from when they visit, and it’s pretty amazing considering the last census estimate of Crawford’s population total hit a rather scant 13,722. The arts scene— which includes live musical and theatre performances and a full calendar of classes hosted by local artists—has been booming since the AuSable Artisan Village (AAV) landed in downtown Grayling 15 years ago.
The multi-building campus, where class field trips and glimpses of artists caught in the act of creating are routine occurrences, is “part gallery, part classroom,
part performance space,” explains AAV’s executive director, Radel Rosin. But mostly, he adds, the nonprofit center is a place where people, regardless of their age, the season, or even current artistic abilities are communing with the arts and with each other every single day of the week.
“For families especially, it gives them something to do together that’s creative and engaging,” says Rosin, who first joined the organization in 2022 before taking on his current role in early fall of 2024.
How It Started
So how did a 6,000-square-foot gallery and event space (with a coffee shop in the middle of it all!) plus a brand-new performing arts center make its way into the lower peninsula’s unofficial fly-fishing capital? Well, back in the late 2000s, Grayling had a surplus of creative talent but nowhere to funnel it—no designated stages, no public galleries, and few museums (except for some very cool historical ones).
That led a handful of area artists to come together to create a hub, including muralist Terry Dickinson whose wood and painted murals have been found everywhere from the U.P.’s Michigan Tech campus to buildings all over Bay City.
By spring of 2011, Dickinson—who served as the organization’s first volunteer director and has been integral since day one—and the rest of the AAV found a physical home in the former Ben Franklin five and dime store on Michigan Avenue.
Like a lot of surrounding downtowns at the time, Grayling’s was suffering in a post-housing-crisis economy. Yet within six months of opening the AAV’s retail gallery and selling over 1,000 pieces of their sculptures, paintings, and jewelry, its artists had netted over $20,000.
How It’s Going
A decade later, in 2021, after leading a fully-volunteer run oaperation, the AAV had grown so much that they were able to hire their first full-time director. Soon after, they outgrew their spot, turning to the community to raise funds to expand their footprint from the packed retail gallery which was now multi-tasking as a performance and education venue too.
The push garnered $67,000 plus a $50,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and allowed the AAV to revamp their original space while opening a new 130-seat performing arts center just down the sidewalk in April of 2024.
“It really showed how much people believed in creating a dedicated arts and performance space for Grayling,” Rosin says of exceeding the organization’s original goal of raising $50,000 from donors.
These days, the AAV not only brings more eyes and dollars to its 70 member artists, but acts as a harbinger of business for the surrounding downtown. When the AAV hosts large events, nearby restaurants and shops have reported up to a 50 percent increase in sales, and while Rosin himself doesn’t have hard data on what exactly those numbers look like, “we definitely see the ripple effect.”
Last year, he and his cohort of 50 volunteers hosted 20 concert, theater, and comedy productions drawing a total of more than 2,000 ticket sales. It’s all been forward motion for a city that’s spent the last couple decades growing beyond their status as a purely outdoor-recreation destination.
Still, Rosin says AAV is fulfilling an even bigger, more intrinsic goal. “One of the biggest impacts has been simply creating access. In a rural community, it’s easy for the arts to feel out of reach,” says Rosin. “But we’ve worked really hard to change that.”
ON THE CALENDAR
From youth day camps to classes for adult novices, the AuSable Artisan Village’s calendar is so packed with cool ways to explore the arts this summer that we couldn’t fit it all here. Visit artisanvillage.org to get the full low-down, but for now, here’s your official peek at the AAV’s offerings.
June 9, 16, and 23 at 10:30am – Mindfulness June Series
Somehow, we’re already halfway through the year (!!), which is as good a time as any to slow down, reflect, and reset for what’s ahead. E-RYT (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher) Patty Clark will guide you through breathwork and gentle movement as a catalyst for manifesting your dream life. $30 for the whole series or $15 (exact) cash for drop-ins.
June 20 & 25 (varying times) – Summer Pottery Class for Kids: Animal Sculptures for the Garden
You know it’s gonna be good when the description comes with a warning that you will get messy. Kids ages 5–15 will learn how to sculpt their favorite fuzzy (or scaly) critters in this two-parter. $65 per student.
June 20 at 7pm – Pere Cheney: Plague in the Pines – Michigan Premier Screening
It’s one of Michigan’s spookiest and, as legend goes, most haunted places. Catch a screening of the brand new documentary Pere Cheney: Plague in the Pines, plus a Q&A with its filmmakers as they sort fact from fiction exploring the lore behind Crawford County’s historic abandoned Pere Cheney settlement.
June 27 at 12:30pm – Watercolor Monoprinting
Adult learners will try their hand at watercolor monoprinting—that is, painting on a non-porous surface to create effects and soft color pooling that just can’t be achieved on paper. $65, all supplies included.
July 18 at 9am – Bottle Fairy House, a Friends & Family Class
Pack a lunch! This full-day class invites families to work together to cover recycled bottles with polymer clay, creating cute and clever homes for backyard fairies. $65 for each pair of students.
August 10–13 at 10am–12PM – Summer Camp: Summertime Stage Performance
Budding thespians will learn how to develop characters, improvise on stage, and even get a look at how things work behind the curtain, all culminating in a performance on the new AAV stage. $70 for kids 7–15.
PRESENTED BY:
Saturday, June 13 10 AM – 5 PM Union Street
Hosted By: Downtown Traverse City Association
The Village Library That Could
Groundbreaking ahead for new Elk Rapids District Library
By Geri Dietze
After 75-plus years in the charming Island House, and despite a generous lease that stretches out to 2038, the Elk Rapids District Library is planning to move into new digs in 2027, a space that will not only change the footprint but also the reach of the library— and the opportunities for the region.
The Island House was built in 1865 as a private residence for Edwin S. Noble, an industrialist who was part of the NobleDexter iron smelting company, at one time Elk Rapids’ largest employer. Eventually, the Dexter family acquired the house, and it was donated to the village in 1948 by descendant Katherine Dexter McCormick, suffragette, co-founder of the League of Women Voters, MIT grad in biology, funder of the development of the birth control pill, and heir to the International Harvester fortune.
The philanthropist stipulated only that the Island House be used for the benefit of the community, and in 1949 it became the home of the village library; in 1971 it was designated the Elk Rapids District Library. The Michigan Historical Commission designated the site in the State Register of Historic Sites in 1979.
“[Over] five thousand people are served by this old house,” says director Pamela Williams, including Elk Rapids and Milton
Townships, Village of Elk Rapids, and portions of Torch Lake Township.
Growing Up
In fact, over the last fiscal year, the Elk Rapids District Library saw 40,477 visitors, checking out 33,262 items from a permanent collection of 20,073 total books and materials. (Not including what’s in storage.)
All this in a building that has trouble seating a large group comfortably, necessitating that many programs are conducted off-site.
The steady use of the Island House proved two things: that the library is a community treasure and that it was in dire need of expansion.
Several expansion plans were studied over a decade, but they were impractical and sometimes even contentious, given the historical designation, and so focus switched from expanding the space to looking for a new space completely. (The Island House committee meets regularly to help transition the old location into its next iteration as a beloved community asset.)
The Breton Group, a Grand Rapids-based consulting firm, created a feasibility study in 2024 based on deep levels of community input, and presented a phased fundraising effort from a combination of private monies, foundation grants, and business support. The resulting fundraising program found vigorous support, and Phase I is fully funded
with $3.5 million from grants and private donations and $3.5 million from a shortterm capital bond mileage.
In 2024, the library purchased the former Traverse Bay Manufacturing building on Cairn Highway.
Architectural firm Quinn Evans, with six locations, including Ann Arbor and Detroit, is renowned for its methods for reuse and sustainability, including landmarks from the Smithsonian to the Lansing statehouse, in addition to numerous library projects. In 2024 they received the annual AIA Architecture Firm Award, the highest honor given by the American Institute of Architects.
In fact, the knowledge that Quinn Evans was driving the project proved a big boost. Says Williams, “Their significance and the quality of this firm actually increased support for the project.”
The construction management team from Cunningham Limp, the Novi, Michigan-based development company with offices in Traverse City, is facilitating the project.
Moving Out
Groundbreaking is scheduled for June 30, with construction commencing shortly after. The project is estimated to take from 10 to 12 months, with high hopes for an
Williams
Jorge
early completion.
“A May 2027 [completion date] would be incredible,” Wilson says.
A portion of the funding includes a professional moving package to make the transition process fast and seamless when the time comes. (There will be no need for employees to fill their cars with boxes and make multiple trips.)
“I anticipate [that it will take] about two weeks to get set up,” Williams explains. Along with a totally new interior, infrastructure, and furnishings, an estimated 25,000 new volumes will arrive in phases to be added to the library’s collection.
When finished, the repurposed building, double the current space at 14,000 square
feet, will be a thriving hub of activity with spaces for traditional library services, adult education, and dedicated spots for teens, tweens, and early childhood literacy, plus meeting rooms, and smaller study rooms.
The Friends of the Library will headquarter there, and a multi-purpose community room, accommodating up to 90 people with varied configurations, plus a full-service kitchen expands the possibilities for any number of events and special programs.
“And,” Williams adds, “the relationship between the library and the school system will just get stronger. We’ll see a big increase in afterschool activities.”
Situated only half a mile from Elk Rapids schools, along a route of safe crossings and
sidewalks, students can access the library after school for a snack, tutoring, STEM programs, and so much more.
“A Library for Everybody”
Williams gives credit to so many who worked along the way to make this a reality, citing capital campaign co-chairs Bill Donberg’s “love of libraries and passion for youth literacy,” and Paula Morgan Jorge’s “literacy support and knack for public relations,” as great assets. The Friends of the Library are “super supportive,” and raised $200,000 through a series of events, and Tom Stevenson, Elk Rapids village president, “opened our eyes” to the possibility of moving to a new location. And current library board
president, Dick Hultz, has “an incredible knowledge base.”
Community leaders from all aspects came together to help, and community members at large offered their continuing support along the way. Fundraising efforts continue to raise the approximately $1.3 million for outdoor spaces, reading porch, landscaping, and trail system.
Wilson is “super excited for the community to see the finished project. I feel like this is a gift to the community, and a relevant asset” long into the future.
To follow the progress, and to learn about all the ways to make a donation, visit elkrapidslibrary.org.
Renderings of the future library (exterior left, interior right)
OFF THE BEATEN PATH
By Lourin Sprenger
Discover 14 treasures on downtown Traverse City’s side streets
For tourists and locals alike, nothing beats the charm of Front Street in downtown Traverse City, sprinkled with eateries, craft coffee shops, unique boutiques, and the ability of time to melt away as you are pulled into the relaxed, carefree northern Michigan way of life.
But beyond the main drag, are plenty of other hidden gems just steps from the hustle and bustle. So come take a wander, and discover what’s waiting off the beaten path…
Art on Union | 525 S Union St.
Art on Union celebrates the creativity and artistic spirit that runs throughout Traverse City. The gallery showcases local artists’ work across a variety of styles and mediums, creating a space that feels bright, inspiring, and deeply connected to its Michigan roots. Inside, visitors can explore paintings, pottery, sculpture, and other handcrafted pieces that reflect the landscapes, seasons, and personalities of life near the water. Whether you’re an experienced collector or simply browsing downtown for inspiration, Art on Union offers an experience that highlights the rich creative culture woven into this community.
you stumble into by accident and can’t wait to come back for more. Known for its creative and rotating menu of flavors, the pizzeria will push your tastebuds outside of their comfort zone with weekly specials, while also offering staples for pizza purists like the “Pep in Yo Step” (cheese and pepperoni). Come hungry, leave happy.
Cousin Jenny’s | 222 E State St.
A true taste of the Upper Peninsula in lower Michigan, Cousin Jenny’s is known for its hearty pasties and homestyle atmosphere, the shop captures the hardworking history of the U.P. while adding its own cozy downtown TC charm. You can smell the hand turned dough from down the block, making it hard to resist the lure of classic comfort food. Cousin Jenny’s offers grab-and-go items or a handful of small tables to grab a quiet bite.
Crepes & Co. | 113 Park St.
Brady’s Bar | 401 S Union St.
Brady’s Bar carries the unmistakable personality of a true local hangout: unpretentious, welcoming, and filled with decades of memories. One of downtown’s oldest neighborhood bars, Brady’s has built its reputation around affordable nofrills drinks, casual comfort food, and a crowd of regulars. The atmosphere feels relaxed and familiar, with pool tables, lively conversation booths, and bartenders who seem to know everyone by name. There’s a sense of history here that gives the space character without making it feel dated.
Charles & Reid | 113 East State Street
Home to Detroit-style pizza you’d drive four hours for, Charles & Reid has the crispy crust and cheesy goodness in square form that all of us native Michiganders can’t get enough of. Served up in small batches at their building tucked in a back alley off Front Street, it’s the kind of place
Crepes & Co. brings the flavors of France to Traverse City with an atmosphere that feels equal parts café, bakery, and hidden downtown gem. The restaurant is bright and inviting, offering delicate sweet and savory crepes. From buttery breakfast creations to rich dessert options, every plate feels thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. Guests can linger over freshly ground coffee from Grind Coffee Company while enjoying the natural light emphasized by the building’s floor to ceiling windows.
in the heart of Traverse City. With an endless menu of craft cocktails ranging from classics like an Old Fashioned or Bees Knees, to the more creative, the bartenders are artists with made-to-order drinks that never skimp on presentation. Whether grabbing and after dinner drink, or looking to escape the louder bar scene, the dimly lit atmosphere and quiet vibe of Low Bar is a great place to slow down after a busy day.
MODUS+ | 406 S. Union St.
A blend of barre, Pilates, yoga, and strength-based classes, MODUS+ is known for its inclusive environment welcoming any ability to join them in mind-body connection. The clean, modern space is a great place to unplug and recharge, celebrating movement and strength. MODUS+ aims to help clients (including newbies and drop-ins) feel empowered and inspired, creating emotional and physical results that matter.
My Secret Stash | Moving from 122 Cass St. to 124 S. Union St.
Traverse City and its strong commitment to community arts.
Playa Bowls | 222 E State St.
A newer addition to the downtown food scene, Playa Bowls brings bright tropical energy to downtown Traverse City with colorful smoothie bowls, fresh fruit, and a beach-inspired atmosphere. Stepping inside feels like a quick escape from the everyday, with fresh ingredients, upbeat music, and menu options that are both refreshing and fun to look at. This is a great quick stop for healthy breakfasts, post-workout snacks, or quick lunches while exploring downtown.
Thirsty Fish Sports Grille | 221 E. State St
Forrest, A Food Studio | 408 S Union St.
Forrest, A Food Studio feels less like a traditional restaurant and more like being invited to an unforgettable dinner party. The space blends culinary creativity with hospitality, creating an experience gives fine dining a laid-back vibe. Seasonal ingredients, thoughtfully paired wines, and plated dishes take center stage at shared family style tables. The food studio transforms a multi-course meal into works of art with the freshest local ingredients, creating an experience sure to be remembered.
Low Bar | 128 S Union St.
Dark, moody, and tucked underground, Low Bar is a modern speakeasy hidden
A small business supporting more than 100 Michigan makers (and the official merch home of Up North Pride), there is something for everyone tucked inside My Secret Stash. From cozy apparel and fragrant handmade candles to quirky socks and stickers sure to make you laugh; this store is the perfect place to find a gift for a loved one (or yourself!) they never knew they needed. The atmosphere is upbeat and fun, and it’s the kind of store you can linger in. They’re moving to new digs this month, so follow along to their new space!
Old Town Playhouse | 148 E Eighth St.
Old Town Playhouse is a Traverse City landmark, known for bringing live theater and storytelling downtown for decades. Housed in a historic building filled with character, the venue creates an intimate experience where audiences feel closely connected to every performance. From musicals and comedies to dramatic productions and youth theater programs, the Playhouse showcases the creativity of local performers, volunteers, and artists. More than just a theater, Old Town Playhouse serves as a creative gathering place that reflects the artistic heartbeat of
Thirsty Fish blends the laid-back energy of a neighborhood sports bar with the welcoming charm northern Michigan is known for. Inside, you’ll find walls lined with televisions, locals catching the game, and visitors settling in after a long day at the beach. The space feels casual and lively without trying too hard, making it the kind of place where one drink easily turns into a full evening with friends. Stop in for a quick appetizer, a cold craft beer, or a relaxed dinner.
Water’s Edge Sweet Tooth | 405 S Union St. Water’s Edge captures the playful energy of a classic sweet shop with bright displays, colorful treats, and the unmistakable smell of mouth-watering fresh baked goods. The shop’s downtown location makes it a natural stop while exploring Traverse City’s bustling streets and waterfront. Whether you’re searching for handmade sweets, local goodies, or simply a little sugar-filled happiness, Water’s Edge delivers a fun and memorable experience…and a sugar high.
Wilson Antiques | 123 S. Union St.
There is no shortage of hidden treasure tucked inside Wilson’s Antiques. It’s one of those storefronts we’ve all walked and wondered what’s inside. You’ll instantly feel at home as you wander the store’s two stories, as the creaky floorboards welcome you in and transport you back in time. From top to bottom, the space is filled with goods from another era waiting to be discovered: vintage jewelry, retro kitchenware, and mid-century modern furniture to name a few. The store is a curator’s dream, part treasure hunt, part time machine.
Hummingbirds, Butterflies, and Wine
Colibri Wine Bar opens at Commongrounds
By Ross Boissoneau
The buzz in Traverse City is that the hummingbird has come home to roost this June.
Guillaume Hazaël-Massieux’s popular Bistro Fou Fou on Cass Street closed its doors in 2019, where you can still see the iconic hummingbird mural painted on an exterior wall. But he’s partnered with Bastien Le Guen on a new concept: Colibri Wine Bar, opening June 11 in the former NoBo Riverside restaurant location.
The new establishment in the Commongrounds Building doesn’t just share ownership with its forebearer—the wine bar also recalls Fou Fou’s mascot. “Foufou” is the local name for the Antillean Crested Hummingbird, one of the most common hummingbird species in the French Caribbean. (Hazaël-Massieux was born in Paris but grew up on the French island of Guadeloupe in the Caribbean.) Now Colibri (the Spanish, French, and Italian word for hummingbird) showcases hummingbirds throughout the premises.
Not coincidentally, Hazaël-Massieux also owns La Bécasse (The Woodcock) near Glen Lake.
The name is special to Le Guen as well. “Colibri is an homage to my grandmother and mother,” he says. “I discovered hummingbirds in Guadeloupe in the early 2000s with her and my parents, and since then always attached this bird to her. Guillaume is from Guadeloupe, so the name just made perfect sense to both of us!”
The hummingbird is not the only winged patron for Colibri. Le Guen’s mother recently passed away, and before she died she told her grandchildren she would become a butterfly. Among the investors at Colibri are patrons of the nonprofit St. Clair Butterfly Foundation. “So we decided to include a few butterflies in the painting on the wall. Now
I’ll think of my mom everyday looking at them,” says Le Guen.
Meet the Team
Hazaël-Massieux boasts a rich background in the restaurant business, from his native country to the Caribbean to his adopted home state of Michigan and two decades of success at La Bécasse. He graduated from École des Arts Culinaires et de l’hotellerie in Lyon, France (now known as L’Institut Paul Bocuse).
He moved to Michigan in 1996 and began working in Grand Rapids at the Amway Grand. Hazaël-Massieux then moved on to Steelcase Corporation as executive dining room chef, hosting dinners for Steelcase customers. In 2001, he began working as executive chef at Restaurant Toulouse, a French bistro in Saugatuck.
In the winter of 2004, Guillaime and his wife Brooke heard that owners Peachy and John Rentenbach were looking to sell La Bécasse, their quaint French country restaurant in Burdickville. They were familiar with the area from visiting Brooke’s aunt and uncle in the Omena area. Hazaël-Massieux was tired of 12- to 14-hour days working for someone else, then driving home to Brooke and their daughter in Grand Rapids. So the couple took the leap, purchasing the restaurant and moving north.
He then opened the similarly-themed Bistro Fou Fou in 2012, and it was a popular dining spot for seven years before HazaëlMassieux closed it, saying he was ready to enjoy life overseeing just one restaurant.
So what changed? Hazaël-Massieux says there are a couple reasons he was ready to reenter the Traverse City market. “This is a different product. It’s more a wine bar than a restaurant,” he says. “We’ll [offer] food, but all small plates: tapas, appetizers.”
But it was due to meeting Le Guen and discovering they shared a mutual dream
that Hazaël-Massieux really embraced the idea of opening another location again. “I have a working partner. That makes a big difference,” he says.
The two met when Le Guen was pursuing his former vocation: He was a stylist and cut Hazaël-Massieux’s hair. “I was a hairstylist for 20 years. We would talk about our dreams. One of my dreams was always to own a bar, a wine bar. He said, ‘Me too.’”
They grew serious and created a business plan. Even with what they considered conservative figures, they were convinced the endeavor could turn a profit. With investors onboard, they began looking for a location. When the space that had been NoBo became available, they jumped at it. They both say the partnership is what will enable both Colibri and La Bécasse to be successful. Le Guen has been shadowing
Brooke Hazaël-Massieux (right); photo by Cathy Boissoneau
Bastien Le Guen (left) and Guillaume Hazaël-Massieux (right)
Hazaël-Massieux at La Becasse to learn the business and will lead the front of house at Colibri. Hazaël-Massieux says the strong crew he has at La Bécasse will allow him to split time between the two.
“I want to learn. This is still new for me,” says Le Guen. “Guilliaume is my mentor, and I’m the energy he needs. We communicate and make decisions together.”
Food, Wine & Vibes
Though the emphasis is on wine, the food menu isn’t lacking. Cold plates (froid) include such options as a charcuterie and/ or cheese plate, deviled eggs, oysters on the shell, shrimp cocktail, crab salad New Orleans style, and tomato and olive tapenade with goat cheese. Warm (chaud) plates feature frites (fries served with aioli), flat breads, masala with spicy lamb meatballs, and both Asian and Moroccan bites.
Got a sweet tooth? Colibri offers lemon bars, almond pear and other tarts, crème brûlée, panna cotta with fruit coulis, and other choices. Hazaël-Massieux does note that while the menu is well-rounded, there won’t be more than 15-20 items available at any one time.
Plans call for Colibri to be open 2-10pm Monday through Saturday. While it is first and foremost a wine bar, Colibri will offer some beers and cocktails, as well as flavorful non-alcoholic mocktails. “We call it a wine bar, but we want it to be a nice place for adults to hang out,” Le Guen says.
Colibri will feature both local wines, from such wineries as Left Foot Charley,
Shady Lane Cellars, and Black Star Farms, and wines from across the country and the world. “Wine from France, the Old World— Spain, Germany, Austria, Slovenia. South America, Australia, South Africa—we want to bring things people are not used to having.
There’s an amazing wine from Greece,” Hazaël-Massieux says.
All told there will be some 60 wines available by the glass.
The furnishings include various seating areas, boasting not only a bar and tables, but comfortable upholstered chairs and couches.
“We’ll have 30 to 50 seats at the bar, a smaller dining room, a deck, a lounge,” HazaëlMassieux says.
An exciting opportunity for the duo is the working relationship with the other tenants in the building, The Folded Leaf bookstore and The Alluvion music venue upstairs. “An important factor is the synergy with the Folded Leaf, Alluvion, and Colibri. We want to work together,” says Hazaël-Massieux. “Music, food, you can relax, sit on the stairs, drink a glass of wine.”
Colibri will handle the upstairs bar at the Alluvion as well. “The liquor license covers the whole building,” Hazaël-Massieux notes. He says they will all be working together to make things work. “It’s all uncharted territory. We’ll find the best way to do it. We’ll work closely with Jeff [Alluvion coowner and frequent performer Jeff Haas]. The idea is to work hand in hand.” Find Colibri Wine Bar at 414 E. Eighth St. in Traverse City. instagram.com/colibriwinebartc
The mural was painted by artist Darin Knupp, who did the original Bistro Fou Fou hummingbird years ago.
Saturday
10TH ANNUAL CHEESE
CUP FLY FISHING TOURNAMENT: 7am. Benefits
Child & Family Services NW MI’s Suicide Prevention Program. Two person teams will compete for largest & smallest bass, bluegill, pike & carp caught on a fly. Sign up your team at The Northern Angler in TC or online. $100 per two person team. thenorthernangler.com
NORTH MITTEN HALF MARATHON, 10K, 5K & 1 MILE FUN RUN: 8am, Crystal Mountain, Slopeside Tent, Near Crystal Clipper Chairlift, Thompsonville. Featuring a combination of paved roads, dirt roads & trails. Mostly flat, open trails. Visit web site to register & see various start times. $15$95. crystalmountain.com/events-activities/ events/event-calendar/north-mitten-halfmarathon-10k-5k
MACKINAW STEEL ANTIQUE CAR SHOW: 8:30am, Mackinaw Crossings Mall, Mackinaw City. First annual showcase of vehicles spanning years of automotive design - from pre-war to 1973 classics & 1974 to present day show cars. Also featuring live music, swap meet & vintage parts market, judged competition & much more. Free admission. mackinawcity. com/event/mackinaw-steel-car-show
ROCK THE LIGHT: PIRATE DASH 5K RUN/ WALK & CAPTAIN WOOLSEY 10-MILER: GT Lighthouse Gift Shop, Leelanau State Park. 10-Miler starts at 8:30am & 5K at 9:15am. $30-$40. grandtraverselighthouse. com/events/rock-the-light-5k-10-miler
“WEAR ORANGE” - PLANT ORANGE FLOWERS: 9-11:30am, Central United Methodist Church & Grace Episcopal Church, TC. Presented by Moms Demand Action. Plant orange flowers in observance of the Wear Orange event, which honors the 46,000 Americans who are killed with guns & the 97,000 more who are shot & wounded from gun violence every year. Bring gloves, small shovels & watering cans, if able. Accepting donations.
DISCOVER FISHING PROGRAM: FULL; JOIN WAIT LIST: 9am, Discover Pier, TC. Youth learn basic fishing skills including casting & knot tying, food web study, & pier-based fishing techniques. discoverypier.org/fishing
HANSON HILLS CHALLENGE TRAIL
RUN: 9am, 7601 Old Lake Rd., Grayling. Featuring 5 mile & 3 mile-ish runs. $20-$25. runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/Grayling/ HansonHillsChallenge5MileTrailRun
FENFEST: Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire, June 4-7. Get out & enjoy nature! Learn
to identify sedges, kayak Grass River, go for a bird or wild orchid walk, stop by the Native Plant Sale, & much more! Free events include a family playgroup, Backyard Restoration with CAKE-CISMA & an old-growth forest walk. To see the full calendar & register, head to grassriver.org, & click under Classes and Programs. grassriver.org
2026 EMPIRE ASPARAGUS FESTIVAL: A day of peace, music & food. Featuring the Kick-yer-Assparagus 5K Fun Run/Walk, Glen Lake Community Library Pop Up Book Sale, Recipe Contest, Asparagus Eats with food vendors, local breweries & live music with Zinnia Dungjen, Andre Villoch & 5th Gear Band. Also catch the Asparagus Queen on Stilts, The Magic Lady Family Magic Show, & Ode to Asparagus Poetry Contest. Find ‘Empire Asparagus Festival’ on Facebook. $10; under 16, free.
2026 PADDLING SEASON KICKOFF & GATHERING: Elk Rapids Rotary Park. 1011:30am: Community Paddle. Grab your paddle craft of choice & join Paddle Antrim for a paddle on the Elk River to celebrate the beginning of the 2026 paddling season. Please arrive a few minutes early. Complete details on the web site. Free. paddleantrim. com/event/2026-season-kick-off-community-paddle
ART BEAT GALLERY TOUR IN ELK RAPIDS: 10am-5pm. Celebrating beatiful fine art in Elk Rapids for 21 years. Join Blue Heron, Mullaly’s 128 & Twisted Fish galleries for this festive & interactive gallery tour. Meet artists, mingle with friends & enter a chance to win a $100 gift certificate. Free. twistedfishgallery. com/event/art-beat-gallery-tour-with-blueheron-mullalys-128-twisted-fish-galleries-ofelk-rapids
CONSERVATION CENTER PUBLIC TOUR: 10am, The McMullen Family Conservation Center, TC. Explore the 243-acre preserve’s diverse habitats, including wetlands, meadows & forest areas, & learn about ongoing restoration work, while traversing the universally accessible Looyenga Family Trail. From the trail, you can also watch the invasive-plant-eating goats enjoying their job with gusto! Free. gtrlc.my.salesforce-sites. com/es/event/home/conservationcentertour060626
JAPANESE BARBERRY TRADE-UP: 10am-noon, ISN offices, off Veterans Dr., TC. Trade-in your invasive shrubs for a $5 coupon. Free - registration required. habitatmatters.org/japanese-barberry-trade-upday.html
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: 10am-6pm, Washington Park, downtown
The Traverse City Pit Spitters are back in full swing! They light up Turtle Creek Stadium, Mon. and Tues., June 8-9 at 7:05pm against the Royal Oak Leprechauns. Celebrate love and inclusion, Mon. at Pride Night, and bring your dawgs to the ballpark on Tues. for Corgis & Wieners Night! Featuring Corgi races, pupcups, and half off craft beer. You might also recognize a couple TC alum… Josh Klug and Ian Robertson. For tickets and more info visit northwoodsleague.com/ traverse-city-pit-spitters/
Cheboygan. More than 30 crafters & artists will be displaying jewelry, stuffed animals, blankets, home decor, wooden signs, fresh desserts & much more. facebook.com/madeincheboygan
OUTDOOR CRAFT & VENDOR SHOW: 10am-3pm, The Village at GT Commons, Front Lawn, TC. thevillagetc.com/events/ junecraft
RELAY BY THE BAY: 10am, Clinch Park, TC. Join in this inspiring waterfront event honoring survivors, remembering loved ones, & raising funds to fight cancer. Free. se
cure.acsevents.org/site/STR?pg=entry&fr_ id=111805
TC SPRING ART & CRAFT SHOW: 10am5pm, Open Space, TC. Enjoy this boutique, juried event featuring handmade items from up to 85 artists & creators. Free admission.
PROTEST ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE AGAINST PALESTINE: 11am, Grandview Parkway + Union St., TC. Israel continues committing brutal genocide in Gaza & stealing more Palestinian land in the West Bank. Elected leaders are owned by Israel as the
Epstein files show. It’s up to ordinary people to insist on justice. Stand together every Sat. mideastjustpeace.net
GREAT LAKES CINEMA SERIES: SOUL: 11:30am, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Pixar’s Soul follows a jazz musician on a magical journey to discover what truly makes life worth living. Pay what you can admission. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/soul
FREE DREW HALE CONCERT: GT County Civic Center, TC. Drew Hale, known for his powerful voice & authentic acoustic style, will headline the event with a live performance from noon-3pm. The concert will serve as both a celebration & call to action encouraging people to take part in the Hike & Bike America initiative & support the mission of cancer prevention through healthy living & community engagement. Free. lesscancer.org/events/less-cancers-hike-and-bikeamerica-rolls-on-788se-ktgwl
KINGSLEY ADAMS FLY FESTIVAL: Noon5pm, Brownson Memorial Park, Kingsley. Fly tying & casting demos, Au Sable river boat displays, live music with Drew & Cher and Chris Sterr, historic Mayfield Pond tours, live
& silent auctions, & much more. GA is free. facebook.com/AdamsFlyFestival
SUMMER CELEBRATION 2026: Noon-2pm, The Watershed Discovery Center, Petoskey. Celebrate northern Michigan’s freshwaters! Meet Fin Diesel the lake sturgeon & other aquatic animals living in the stream tank exhibits, & enjoy hands-on activities that bring the science of clean water to life. Free. watershedcouncil.org/event/summer-celebration-2026
KCHI WIIKWEDONG ANISHINAABEK MAAWNJIDOWIN CONTEST POWWOW: 1pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. Hosted by the Grand Traverse Band Economic Development Corporation, this powerful weekend celebrates Anishinaabe culture through spectacular contest dancing, drumming, & community connection. $5. leelanausandscasino.com/events
OLD GROWTH FOREST WALK: 1pm, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Join for a brief presentation by Great Lakes Regional Manager for the Old-Growth Forest Network Leona Addie, followed by a hike to learn about old-growth forests, their characteristics, & importance. Free, donations appreciated. grassriver.org
ADULT SPELLING BEE: 1:30pm, Suttons Bay High School Cafeteria. This event benefits ShareCare of Leelanau, Inc. Deadline for team registration is May 20. dawn@ sharecareleelanau.org or 231-256-0221, ext. 302. $75/team (up to 3 people); spectators: $5-$10. sharecareleelanau.org
“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS”: 2pm & 7pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. OTP’s youth performers offer a musical version of “The Princess and the Pea.” Full of humor, quirky characters, & catchy songs, this comedic retelling of the classic fairy tale is a lighthearted look at love & defying expectations. $15-$22. oldtownplayhouse.com/ youth-learning/performances/once-upona-mattress.html
WORLD-CLASS HORSE JUMPING IN TC: 2pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Watch top riders & horses compete in the $116,500 Four G Surfaces CSI3* Grand Prix. Spend the day enjoying international show jumping alongside a relaxed summer setting. Explore food & beverage options, shopping, & open spaces throughout the venue. From $15. app.gopassage.com/venues/8654?refe rral=TCTourism26
LIVE AT THE BAY: GARNET ROGERS: 7pm, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Rogers has been described as a “brilliant songwriter” & “one of the major talents of our time” by Boston Globe. He has performed on many TV & radio programs, including “All Things Considered” & has shared the stage with performers like Mary Chapin Carpenter & Guy Clark. $25-$35. thebaytheatre.org/movie/live-at-the-baygarnet-rogers-2
RIVERS, SEARS & CHOWN: 7pm, The Music House, Williamsburg. Enjoy Still Standing: A Musical Journey with the Lookout Cats. $25 online, $30 door. mynorthtickets. com/events/the-music-house-welcomesrivers-sears-and-chown-for-a-concert-onsaturday-june-6-at-700-pm
AN EVENING OF ABBA & THE BEE GEES: 7:30pm, City Opera House, TC. This tribute show features favorite hits from these two disco bands, including “Staying Alive,” “Mamma Mia,” “Night Fever,” “Dancing Queen” & much more. $39-$69. cityoperahouse.org
Sunday
FORMULA1: MONACO
GRAND PRIX: 9am, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Watch the F1 race on the big screen featuring the Bay’s state-of-the-art 4K laser projection, providing total immersion into the thrilling world of racing. Free. thebaytheatre.org/movie/formula-1-monaco-grand-prix
MICHAYWE CAR SHOW: 9am-2pm, Michaywe Clubhouse, Gaylord. All show cars must be registered ($20 per car). Classic cars, beer, food, music, prizes & more. Benefits Hospice of Northern Michigan. 734-2502676. Admission is free.
AUDITIONS FOR UPCOMING PRODUCTION OF “COME FROM AWAY”: 10amnoon, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. Presented by the Benzie County Players. Looking for actors, singers & stage crew. facebook.com/BenzieCountyPlayers
MACKINAW STEEL ANTIQUE CAR SHOW: (See Sat., June 6, except today’s show starts at 10am.)
TC SPRING ART & CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., June 6)
FENFEST: (See Sat., June 6)
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: (See Sat., June 6, except today’s time is 11am-3pm.)
FAIRY FESTIVAL: Noon, The Botanic Garden, Historic Barns Park, TC. Discover new fairy houses along the Fairy Trail at the Botanic Garden. Story Time with PoWeR Book Bags & fairy wand making on the Pavilion. Free. thebotanicgarden.org/events
KCHI WIIKWEDONG ANISHINAABEK MAAWNJIDOWIN CONTEST POWWOW: 1pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. Hosted by the Grand Traverse Band Economic Development Corporation, this powerful weekend celebrates Anishinaabe culture through spectacular contest dancing, drumming, & community connection. $5. leelanausandscasino.com/events
STREAM MONITORING EVENT: 1-5pm, Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don & Jerry Olson Nature Preserve, TC. Participants will receive a brief intro to the Adopt-A-Stream program before heading into the field to collect aquatic macroinvertebrates from tributaries of Mitchell Creek. After sampling, participants will work together to sort & identify their findings with guidance from experts, helping determine a stream health score for each site. Advance registration required. gtbay.org
THE VERTICAL CHALLENGE CLIMBING COMPETITION: 1-5pm, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. This is a new climbing wall competition designed to test your limits & crown the ultimate vertical athlete. For ages 10+. Registration is $40-$55 & includes a Crystal Mtn. water bottle, coupons for discounted food at the Beach House & vouchers for a return visit to the Climbing Wall. Plus, unlimited warm-up climbing races on Walls 1 & 2. crystalmountain.com/eventsactivities/events/event-calendar/the-verticalchallenge-climbing-competition
“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS”: (See Sat., June 6, except today’s only time is 2pm.)
HUW LEWIS CONCERT: 3pm, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Beulah. Enjoy this organist extraordinaire playing a recital on the new Reuter organ with two manual, twenty-
JUNE 19
DANIEL DONATO’S COSMIC COUNTRY & MARTY STUART AND HIS FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES
JUNE 24 THE REVIVALISTS
JUNE 25 BRET MICHAELS
JUNE 30
JULY 2, 3, 10, 11
A.J. CROCE PRESENTS CROCE PLAYS CROCE - SOLD OUT
INTERLOCHEN SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
“A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM”
JULY 5, 12, 19, WORLD YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
26, AUG. 2 & 9 Every Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
JULY 10
JULY 14
JULY 18
DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE
INTERLOCHEN “COLLAGE”
DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
JULY 20 YACHT ROCK THE DOCK WITH AMBROSIA, JOHN FORD COLEY, PETER BECKETT, AND WALTER EGAN
JULY 22
JULY 23
JULY 24
JULY 27
JULY 29
ST. VINCENT LIVE WITH ORCHESTRA
EMMYLOU HARRIS & GRAHAM NASH
JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT
BRIT FLOYD - THE WALL, THE MOON AND BEYOND
JEFFERSON STARSHIP - RUNWAY AGAIN TOUR
AUG. 6-9 “WEST SIDE STORY” HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE
AUG. 8 RENÉE FLEMING
AUG. 11 THE STRAY CATS
AUG. 12 THE “HAPPY TOGETHER” TOUR 2026
AUG. 13 THE CONCERT: A TRIBUTE TO ABBA
AUG. 14 JOE BONAMASSA AND GOV’T MULE - SOLD OUT
AUG. 21 GLADYS KNIGHT
AUG. 22 THE ACCIDENTALS AND EMMA ZINCK WITH SPECIAL GUEST A TO Z MUSIC
AUG. 25
AUG. 27
AUG. 28
GEORGE THOROGOOD AND THE DESTROYERS
BROTHERS OSBORNE
BRAXTON KEITH
AUG. 30 THE ROCK ORCHESTRA: ARENA OF FIRE
eight ranks of pipes. Dr. Lewis is professor of organ & college organist at Hope College, & director of music at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Detroit.
5TH ANNUAL PROJECT FEED THE KIDS SPRING CARNIVAL: 4pm, J&S Hamburg, TC. Games, food, family fun, swag bags, t-shirts, poker run, cake walk, auction & more. Every dollar raised helps keep coolers stocked & meals going out to local children & families in need. $10-$18. facebook.com/ events/1929487004364782
AN AFTERNOON WITH JESS WALTER: 4pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Join Jess to celebrate the paperback release of his newest novel, “So Far Gone.” $15. mcleanandeakin.com/ event/2026-06-07/jess-walter-so-far-gone
MOVIE MUSIC MAGIC CONCERT: 7pm, Suttons Bay High School Auditorium. The Northport Community Band presents this concert featuring highlights from the stage & screen. Featuring local singer Emma (Grant) Megill. Free-will donations to the Don Wilcox Music Education Fund for area students are appreciated.
monday BARN RESTORATION WORKSHOP: 9am, Lyle & Sarah Schmidt farm, 3 miles south of Empire, off M-22, on Norconk Rd. June 8-12. Help repair the horse barn at the Schmidt farm. This event offers opportunities for both families & individuals ranging from novice to experienced carpenters, with activities designed to engage all skill levels. Wear boots & gloves & bring a packed lunch each day. For more info & to register, call 231- 326-4771. Free
INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL @ MISTY ACRES FARM: 9:45am, Misty Acres Farm, Benzonia. Join GTRLC for a hands-on habitat restoration day, helping remove invasive garlic mustard to protect native wildflowers & forests. Volunteers will hike about 1 mile to the worksite & spend time pulling plants. Bring water; none is available on site.
LEARN TO CROCHET: 2pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Sue Caviston teaches adults the basics of the old art of hooking yarn. Supplies provided. Experienced crocheters are invited to come assist. RSVP; space is limited. Free. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org -
AUDITIONS FOR UPCOMING PRODUCTION OF “COME FROM AWAY”: (See Sun., June 7, except tonight’s time is 6-8pm.)
AGING GRACEFULLY SYMPOSIUM:
6:45pm, Independence Village of Petoskey, Fourth Floor Penthouse. A senior expo where you’ll learn how to navigate aging with confidence. Today features “Aging Gracefully” with Juan Rhoades from Legacy Medical Group. RSVP: 231-348-8498.
TC PIT SPITTERS VS. ROYAL OAK LEPRECHAUNS: PRIDE NIGHT: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. Celebrate love & inclusion & show support for the LGBTQ+ community. northwoodsleague.com/traversecity-pit-spitters/schedule
BAY VIEW MONDAY NIGHT MOVIES: 7:30-10pm, Bay View, Voorhies Hall, Petoskey. Featuring “Rule Breakers.” In a nation where educating girls is rebellion, a visionary woman sparks hope & opposition. Their courage ignites a movement that could transform their nation forever. Free. bay-
viewassociation.org/events/monday-nightmovies-2026/?occurrence=2026-06-08
tuesday
CHAMBER COFFEE & CONVERSATION: 8-10am, Harbor Springs Police Department. Connect with fellow business owners & neighbors over coffee & light refreshments in a relaxed setting. Featuring 96.3FM’s Mark Elliott. Free.
BARN RESTORATION WORKSHOP: (See Mon., June 8)
BIKES FOR ALL: 10:30am, Norte Clubhouse, GT Civic Center, TC. Norte Youth Cycling believes everyone should be able to experience the joy & freedom of bike riding, regardless of their abilities. This program provides hands-on education & training to help individuals ride confidently. Free. norteyouthcycling.org/bikes-for-all
HIGH TIMES IN DRY TIMES: PROHIBITION IN MICHIGAN: 2pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Michigan provided 75% of the smuggled alcohol during Prohibition. Explore the era of American Prohibition, when the nation went dry & speakeasies thrived in the shadows. Discover the stories, scandals, & spirit of the Roaring Twenties in Michigan! Free. tadl.org/ HighTimes
JUNK IN THE TRUNK & CRAFT MARKET: 3-7pm, Almira Historical Society Museum, Lake Ann. almiramuseum.org
AGING GRACEFULLY SYMPOSIUM: 6:45pm, Independence Village of Petoskey, Fourth Floor Penthouse. A senior expo where you’ll learn how to navigate aging with confidence. Today features “Medicare Updates” with Harbor Brenn from Harbor Brenn Insurance. RSVP: 231-348-8498.
THE SOLSTICE REED QUINTET: 7pm, The Music House, Williamsburg. Held in collaboration with the Akropolis Chamber Music Institute, Interlochen Center for the Arts, & IPR. The program will feature works by Maurice Ravel, Rachel McFarlane, Thomas Little, Stacy Garrop, Arturo Marquez, & Alan Theisen. $25 online; $30 door. mynorthtickets.com/events/the-music-house-museumpresents-the-solstice-reed-quintet-on-tuesday-june-9-2026-at-700-pm
TC PIT SPITTERS VS. ROYAL OAK
LEPRECHAUNS: CORGIS & WIENERS NIGHT: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. Catch some pre-game Corgi races. Bring your dawgs to the ballpark & grab a pupcup for your furry friend & half off craft beer for yourself. northwoodsleague.com/traversecity-pit-spitters/schedule
wednesday
BARN RESTORATION
WORKSHOP: (See Mon., June 8)
GTRLC: TRAIL BUILDING
@ THE RIDGE: 9:45am, The Ridge, TC. Get a sneak peek of The Ridge before it opens to the public! Join GTRLC for a hands-on trail-building day, helping create sustainable trails while protecting sensitive habitats. Volunteers may hike up to 2 miles & use trail tools, with lighter tasks available. Meet at the access point on Five Mile Rd. Tools & training provided.
SENIORS ON THE T.A.R.T.: 10am, The
Daily Grind, 8th St., TART Trail. A weekly get-together for seniors to help them become more active & find social connections. Join a group of seniors Wednesdays at 10am through Sept. on various TART trails in the TC area. Walk, run, jog, bike, rollerblade, skateboard, or come with wheelchair. All activities & abilities welcome. Join for a coffee social time after.
ANTRIM 0-6 SUMMER SAFETY KICKOFF EVENT: 2-6pm, Richardi Park, Bellaire. Families can learn about summer safety, including fire safety, body safety & car seat checks. There will also be a limited supply of free bicycle helmets & life jackets.
3RD ANNUAL BENZIE PRIDE MONTH DINNER: 5-8pm, St. Ambrose Cellars, Beulah. Enjoy appetizers, pizza & dessert. There will also be live music & a craft table. benziepride.org
GAYLORD BUSINESS AFTER HOURS SUMMER BASH: 5-7pm, Alpen Bluffs Outdoor Resort, Gaylord. $5-$10.
CERUS QUARTET OPEN REHEARSAL: 6pm, Old Settlers Park Gazebo, Maple City. These interactive sessions offer audiences the opportunity to observe rehearsals, hear works in progress, ask questions, & chat with musicians. Free. glenarborart.org/product/musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
AGING GRACEFULLY SYMPOSIUM: 6:45pm, Independence Village of Petoskey, Fourth Floor Penthouse. A senior expo where you’ll learn how to navigate aging with confidence. Today features “Caring for Our Communities: Navigating Change in Rural Healthcare” with Kirsten Korth-White from East Region Munson Healthcare. RSVP: 231-348-8498.
NOVELIST SARA MAURER: 7pm, Bonobo Winery, TC. Meet debut novelist Sara Maurer, purchase a copy of “A Good Animal,” & enjoy a glass of wine paired specifically with the book. Free. saramaurerwrites. com/events/event-one-4drds-4z927-ench4szxrb-ycnjr-cm679-74xgn-4xsw2
thursday
BARN RESTORATION WORKSHOP: (See Mon., June 8)
GTRLC - INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL @ ST. CLAIR LAKE-SIX MILE LAKE: 9:45am, St. Clair Lake-Six Mile Lake Natural Area, Ellsworth. Help protect the forests & wildlife of St. Clair LakeSix Mile Lake Natural Area by removing invasive shrubs that threaten native plants. This hands-on volunteer project includes a roughly 1-mile hike to the worksite & moderate outdoor activity. Meet at the St. Clair Lake-Six Mile Lake Natural Area trailhead. Tools & training provided.
ARTIST PRESENTATION: HEIDI WEISS: 10am, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Kalamazoo artist Heidi Weiss’s paintings spring from images taken from paused film stills -- a number of which will be the basis for a series of new oil paintings. Weiss will focus on these transitional frames during her Glen Arbor Arts Center residency. She talks about her residency during a public presentation this morning. Free. glenarborart.org/product/airpresentation-heidi-weiss
COFFEE @ TEN, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. “Making Without Objects: Disability, Process, and Reimagining Art” with Char-
lie Reynolds, Good Hart Artist Residency, Artist in Residence. Free. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/events/?page=1&loc ation=petoskey#class-list
SUMMER BIOBLITZ: 10am-1pm, Brown Bridge Quiet Area, TC. Join GTCD staff & volunteers to help identify & record plant, animal, & fungi species using the iNaturalist app, creating valuable data that supports conservation & land management efforts. Meet at the trailhead on Brown Bridge Rd., across from trailmarker 3. Register. natureiscalling.org/events/brow-bridge-bioblitz
LUNCHEON LECTURE: “HONEYBEES”: 11:30am, NCMC, Library Conference Center, Petoskey. Join Anne Morningstar for an interactive dive into the lifestyle of honeybees, including life cycles, hive responsibilities, social dynamics & more. Register. $15. ncmclifelonglearning.com/event-6699903
OUTDOOR ANGLER ADVENTURE WITH MASTER ANGLER, DON REYNOLDS: 2pm, Bellaire Public Library. Don will talk about the basics of fishing in northern Michigan. Learn about the best practices of angling, such as where to go & what to bring. Then practice what you’ve learned as you create a fishing lure.
SLIDE PRESENTATION ON NATIVE HISTORY: 4pm, David Grath Gallery, Northport. Author Robert Downes will give a slide presentation on Native American history prior to exploration by Europeans. Q&A/discussion to follow. He will also sign copies of his books for customers. Free. northportbookstore.blogspot.com/2026/05/original-americans-traverse-city-author.html
EVERYONE HAS A STORY: STORYTELLING COMMUNITY CIRCLE: 5:30-7pm, Kingsley Branch Library. Join The Kingsley Folk School for a relaxed, no-prep storytelling community circle, Everyone Has a Story. Share real moments from your life, told to connect, laugh, & reflect. Held the 2nd Thurs. of every month. Free. tadl.org/event/ everyone-has-story-28438
PRIDE EXTRAVAGANZA: 6-10pm, State Theatre, TC. Jaw-dropping drag, kings & queens serving looks, comedy, glamour, music, & more. Entertainers include Ben Eaton, Mercedes Benz-Over, Kelly Ann Jefferies, Manny Quinn & more. Proceeds benefit The Trevor Project. Ages 18+. $25. upnorthpride. com/listevents/2026/6/11/drag-show
GRAND TRAVERSE MUSICALE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS’ CONCERTS: 6:30pm, Mission Hill Church, TC. Grand Traverse Musicale recently awarded $29,400 in scholarships to thirty-two local youth. Hear these talented recipients perform. Free. gtmusicale.org
AGING GRACEFULLY SYMPOSIUM: 6:45pm, Independence Village of Petoskey, Fourth Floor Penthouse. A senior expo where you’ll learn how to navigate aging with confidence. Today features “Elder Law Planning” with Ben Harpe from Law Offices of Dan Harris at 6:45pm, & “Senior Scams” with Sheriff Matt Leirstein from Emmet County Sheriff Dept. at 7:30pm. RSVP: 231348-8498.
“MORE THAN A MARM: THE POWER OF ONE PERSON TO LEAVE A LASTING LEGACY”: 7pm, Mills Community House, Benzonia. Presented by Douglas A. Glick, LMSA, president of the Marilla Historical Society in Manistee County. This presentation is about the gift of one woman who has impacted lives & one institution in numerous ways over a lifetime. benziemuseum.org
“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS”: (See Sat., June 6, except today’s only time is 7pm.)
A HEADY HISTORY OF UP NORTH BEER: 7pm, Elk Rapids Historic Twp. Hall. Presented by the Elk Rapids Area Historical Society. $10 tickets sold at door will include admission & a Short’s beer. elkrapidshistory.org
AUTHOR THOMAS LYNCH: 7pm, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey. Thomas will celebrate his newest book, “No Prisoners.” Cheese & wine will be served. Free. mcleanandeakin.com/event/2026-06-11/ thomas-lynch-no-prisoners -
BOOK LAUNCH FOR LOCAL AUTHOR, ELOISE CORVO: 7-9pm, Earthen Ales, TC. Join Eloise in celebrating her newest release, “Tunnel Vision: A Stone’s Throw Mystery!”
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS FORUM: CLIMATE & SECURITY: Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. IAF hosts Sherri Goodman, former U.S. Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security, examining climate strategy as inseparable from national defense. 6pm reception; 7pm program. Held in-person & online. $15 in person advance; $20 at door; $10 online livestream; free for students & educators. tciaf.com/event-june-2026
GRAND TRAVERSE MUSICALE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS’ CONCERTS: 8pm, Mission Hill Church, TC. Grand Traverse Musicale recently awarded $29,400 in scholarships to thirty-two local youth. Hear these talented recipients perform. Free. gtmusicale.org
MOVIES ON THE LAWN: 8pm, Castle Farms, Charlevoix. Throwback Thursday: “The Goonies”! Free. castlefarms.com/ events/movies-on-the-lawn
friday
TOTAL ARCHERY CHALLENGE: 6:15am, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. June 12-14. About 3,000 participants from all over the country will be competing on six, specially designed archery courses throughout the resort. crystalmountain.com/events-activities/events/ event-calendar/total-archery-challenge
BARN RESTORATION WORKSHOP: (See Mon., June 8)
UPPER PLATTE RIVER CLEAN SWEEP: 9:30am, Veterans Park, Honor. Help remove litter from the Upper Platte River. Meet at Veterans Park for a light breakfast & to hand out cleaning supplies. Then paddle to Platte River Park. Registration required. benziecd. org/uprcs.html
SUMMER KICKOFF AT GTCD: 11am-7pm, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Enjoy a guided hike to the Great Lakes Incubator Farm, take part in hands-on river discovery with aquatic macroinvertebrate sampling, enjoy a fireside chat featuring Jen Strauss & TADL Summer Reading sign-up, & more. Free; must register. natureiscalling.org/ events/summer-kick-off
ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST JAKE SLATER: 6pm, Pellston Historical Society Museum & Park. Bring a blanket to sit on. Also includes kids’ activities. Free.
STOLL THE STREETS COMMUNITY KICK
OFF: 6-9pm, Lake & Main streets, downtown Boyne City. Enjoy live music, children’s activities & much more. boynecitymainstreet. com/event/stroll-the-streets-26
“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS”: (See Sat., June 6, except today’s only time is 7pm.)
“QUEEN BEE”: 7pm, Harbor Springs Performing Arts Center. Join the CTAC School of Ballet for this original ballet written, composed & performed by local band, The Lavender Lions. $5-$50. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/events/?page=1&loc ation=petoskey#class-list
DOWNTOWN GAYLORD SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: 7-9pm, Claude Shannon Park, Gaylord. Enjoy live music by The Marsupials. Free.
GLCO’S CARNEGIE HOMECOMING CONCERT: 7pm, John M. Hall Auditorium, Bay View. The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra presents Carnegie Homecoming Concert. This is the encore performance of the orchestra’s milestone Carnegie Hall debut of June 8. Highlights include works by Bruch, Dvorak, Daugherty, Milhaud & Patterson. Pre-concert lecture at 6pm in Evelyn Hall. Tickets run from free - $65. glcorchestra.or/concerts
NWS: AN EVENING WITH DAVE EGGERS: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Dave is recognized for such bestselling & critically acclaimed books as “What Is the What” & “A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius.” Before writing, Eggers was trained as a draftsman & painter & spent many years as an illustrator & graphic designer. His new novel is “Contrapposto.” Doors open at 6pm with live music. After the event will be a Q&A session & author signing. Tickets start at $44. cityoperahouse.org
june 12 june 13
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE: 7pm, Cadillac Community Auditorium, Cadillac High School. Presented by the Cadillac Footliters. $12-$15. cadillacfootliters.com
VIRIDIAN STRINGS: FRESHWATER FANTASIES: 7pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Freshwater Fantasies kicks off the Summer Chamber Series with the 2026 Ensemble in Residence, Viridian Strings! Pre-concert talk begins at 6:10pm. $10. tickettailor.com/ events/oliverart/2193093
saturday
TOTAL ARCHERY CHALLENGE: (See Fri., June 12)
FAMILY TRADITION WSG ZEKE CLEMONS: Little River Casino Resort, The Outdoor Venue, Manistee. Zeke Clemons plays at 5:30pm & blends genres & decades with crowd-pleasing favorites. Family Tradition performs at 9pm & pays tribute to an era that created honky-tonk party anthems. Enjoy their “rowdy country.” $20. lrcr.com/event/ family-tradition-wsg-zeke-clemons
CRYSTAL FINS & SKINS: Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Fishing in the morning. Check-in at 7am at Kinlochen Plaza. Catch & release until noon. Teams must weigh their fish & take a selfie as proof. Golfing in the afternoon. Lunch from noon-1:30pm. Golf at 1:30pm with the “6-6-6” Challenge. 6 Holes: Best Ball. 6 Holes: Scramble. 6 Holes: Alternate Shot. $60-$120. crystalmountain.com/ events-activities/events/event-calendar/crystal-fins-skins
M22 CHALLENGE: FULL: 8am; starts in south-bound lane of M-109. The 2.5 mile run leads into the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, where competitors face a 100 yd. climb up the infamous sand dune, bank
Get wrapped up in all there is to love about supporting local. When you buy nearby, enjoy local events, or simply stroll the streets, you help to build a downtown community for you, by you.
left around a marker, run a short sprint along the top of the dune, & then make another left for a run down the dune face. The 17-mile bike portion passes through downtown Glen Arbor, along Crystal River, Big Glen Lake, Inspiration Point, Big & Little Glen Lake, & a tunnel of trees. The 2.5 paddle sets off across Little Glen Lake. Just before shore, athletes dismount in the water & sprint for the finish line. $205. m22challenge.com
PROTEST ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE AGAINST PALESTINE: (See Sat., June 6)
5TH ANNUAL WHITEFISH FEST: 10am5pm, Depot Park, Alden. Art, craft & food booths. Fish purveyors. blueribbonevent. com/michigan-shows
BAY HARBOR CLASSIC CAR & BOAT FESTIVAL: 10am-2pm, 4000 Main St., Bay Harbor. A collection of the finest classic, future classic & rare cars & boats in the country. bayharborcarandboatfestival.com/ event-details-registration/bay-harbor-carboat-festival-2026-1
COMMUNITY DAY AT GRAND TRAVERSE LIGHTHOUSE: 10am-5pm, Grand Traverse Lighthouse, Northport. Free lighthouse admission. Arts & crafts vendors. ROV demonstration. grandtraverselighthouse.com
OLD TOWN ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR: 10am5pm, Old Town district, TC. Discover unique art, local crafts & much more. downtowntc. com/events/art-fair-series.html
PIPING PLOVER PRESENTATION WITH JEANIE RANSOM: 10am, Leelanau State Park. Learn what makes these birds so special, why they are threatened, what’s being done to protect them, & how you can help. Free. grandtraverselighthouse.com/events
UP NORTH PADDLE SWAP 2026: 10am-4pm, The Outfitter, Harbor Springs. Buy or sell used kayaks, canoes & stand-up paddleboards. Drop-off your equipment to sell on Fri., June 12 from 2-7pm. Unsold items must be picked up by 3pm on June 15. outfitterharborsprings. com/pages/up-north-paddle-swap-2025
ART IN THE BARN: 11am-4pm, 6411 N. Overlook Rd., Northport. Northern Michigan artist Douglas Racich welcomes you to a studio open house in his historic 1870s Leelanau County barn near Omena. Featuring original egg tempera & watercolor artwork. leelanauprints.com
LELAND WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL: Noon6pm, Leland Township Harbor. Live music & dancing, great food, amazing wine & stellar views. Convenient come-&-go wristbands let guests explore nearby shops, beaches & galleries before returning for more. Featuring 12 Leelanau Peninsula wineries, including Amoritas, Bel Lago Winery, Good Harbor Vineyards & Laurentide Winery. There will also be craft beer from Farm Club, & culinary offerings from Locals Lake Leelanau, Pleva’s Meats, Village Cheese Shanty & more. Live music from DJ Ras Marco & Yankee Station. Each full ticket includes a commemorative wine glass & two tasting tokens. $35 advance, $45 gate, $12 for non-alcoholic/under 21. mynorthtickets.com/events/leland-winefood-festival-2026-6-13-2026
“QUEEN BEE”: (See Fri., June 12, except today’s times are 1pm & 7pm.)
LEELANAU’S OLD GROWTH FORESTS: LIVING HISTORY: 1pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Becky Hill, director of natural areas & preserves with the Leelanau Conservancy, talks about the Conservancy’s program to protect the diverse ecosystems & critical
habitat in which old-growth forests live. Held in conjunction with GAAC’s exhibit, “American Tree.” Free. glenarborart.org/product/ leelanaus-old-growth-forests-living-history
“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS”: (See Sat., June 6)
CERUS QUARTET FRONT PORCH CONCERT: 2pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Enjoy the award-winning Cerus Quartet. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair. Special guests & Beach Bards hosts Norm Wheeler & Anne-Marie Oomen will also share stories & reflections on Glen Arbor’s history & cultural life. Free. glenarborart.org/product/ musicians-in-residence-cerus-quartet
WORLD-CLASS HORSE JUMPING IN TC: 2pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Saturday Show Jumping Spectacular: $181,200 GT Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians CSI4* Grand Prix. Spend the day enjoying international show jumping alongside a relaxed summer setting. There are food & beverage options, shopping & open spaces. Tickets start at $15. app.gopassage.com/ events/spring-two
THE DONUT & BEER FESTIVAL: 5pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. The ultimate sugar rush meets the perfect pour. Enjoy a high-energy, hops-filled playground! Featuring elite donut glazes & crisp local ales. Also enjoy live music by Whiskey Friends, the premier Morgan Wallen tribute, & action from the MicroMania Midget Wrestling Tour. $49-$129. donutandbeerfestival.com
THAT ARENA ROCK SHOW WSG ZEKE CLEMONS & PINTER WHITNICK: 5:3011pm, Little River Casino Resort, The Outdoor Venue, Manistee. The ultimate high energy tribute to “classic” rock n’ roll. Hear legendary rock anthems from the 70s & 80s from artists like Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, AC/DC, Guns N Roses & more. $20. lrcr.com/event/arenarock-show-wsg-zeke-clemons-pinter-whitnick
VIRIDIAN STRINGS PRESENTS FRESHWATER FANTASIES: Viridian Strings brings beloved chamber music to Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. This presentation will start with an artist Q&A at 6pm in the Zimmerman Sculpture Court. At 7pm music will start in the Milock Wing gallery. $20-$25. simpletix. com/e/viridian-strings-presents-freshwaterfanta-tickets-269131
ALAN HEWITT & ONE NATION: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Grammy nominated group Alan Hewitt & One Nation with members from the Moody Blues, Pat Benatar, NSYNC & Neville Brothers. Alan Hewitt & One Nation is a powerhouse contemporary jazz/rock/fusion band led by award-winning keyboardist Alan Hewitt. Starting at $37. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/alan-hewitt-one-nation
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE: (See Fri., June 12)
LIVE AT THE BAY: MAURICE JOHN VAUGHN: 7:30pm, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. This blues veteran is a triple threat on guitar, saxophone & vocals. He will be joined by a band who includes allstars Freddie Dixon & Chicago Blues Hallof-Famer John Watkins. See web site for ticket info. thebaytheatre.org/movie/live-atthe-bay-maurice-john-vaughn
CHRIS JANSON - WILD HORSES UNTAMED TOUR: 8pm, Odawa Casino Resort, Ovation Hall, Petoskey. Janson is known for his crowd favorites like “Buy Me a Boat,” “Fix a Drink,” & “Good Vibes.” $65. odawacasino. com/entertainment/chris-janson
HOWIE MANDEL: 8pm, Leelanau Sands Casino Showroom, Peshawbestown. Join the “America’s Got Talent” judge & “Deal or No Deal” host for an evening of stand-up comedy. $80. leelanausandscasino.com/events
sunday
TOTAL ARCHERY CHALLENGE: (See Fri., June 12)
FORMULA 1: BARCELONA-CATALUNYA GRAND
PRIX: 9am, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Free. thebaytheatre.org/movie/ formula-1-barcelona-catalunya-grand-prix
5TH ANNUAL WHITEFISH FEST: (See Sat., June 13)
UP NORTH PADDLE SWAP 2026: (See Sat., June 13)
ART IN THE BARN: (See Sat., June 13)
AUTHOR NICO LANG: Nico will talk about his book “American Teenager: How Trans Kids are Surviving Hate & Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era.” Presented by Manistee PFLAG from 2-3:30pm at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, Beulah. You can also join Nico for dinner at Stormcloud Brewing Co., Frankfort from 5-7pm, where you can continue the conversation & enjoy social time with the Benzie Pride crew. benziepride.org
NWS: TERRY TEMPEST WILLIAMS: 7-9pm, TC West Senior High School. Terry is the author of “The Glorians.” Doors open at 6pm with live music. Featuring guest host Doug Stanton. GA: $17. nationalwritersseries.org/ author-event/terry-tempest-williams
o ngoing
NORTE: BIKES FOR ALL: Tuesdays, 10:3011:30am, Norte Clubhouse, GT Civic Center, TC. Open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. Offering adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding. norteyouthcycling.org
BALANCE BIKE MEET UPS (ER): Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am, Rotary Park, Elk Rapids. For first-time riders, ages 2-5. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone. No need to bring your bike; Norte has plenty to lend out. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar/ balance-bike-meet-ups-traverse-city-7z4k7ps3n5-7xkbm-je4by-3g2fj
BALANCE BIKE MEET UPS (TC): Wednesdays, 10:30am-11:30am, Norte Clubhouse, GT Civic Center, TC. For first-time riders, ages 2-5. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone. No need to bring your bike; Norte has plenty to lend out. norteyouthcycling.org/ calendar/balance-bike-meet-ups-traversecity-7z4k7-ps3n5-7xkbm-je4by-3g2fj
WILDFLOWER WALK: Tuesdays, 10:30am through June. Take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Nature Area, Bellaire alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the stunning variety of wildflowers & learn to identify their unique beauty. Keep an ear out for the melodies of the birds that call Grass River home. grassriver.org
farmers markets
BELLAIRE: Fridays, 8am-noon through midOct. at 102 S. Maple St. localdifference.org/ partner/bellaire-farmers-market/
BOYNE CITY: Wednesdays & Saturdays, 8am-noon through mid-Oct. at Veterans Park, Boyne City. Featuring an array of goods from local small-scale farmers, artisans & entrepreneurs. July 4 & July 11 will be held at Old City Park. boynecityfarmersmarket.org
DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY: Fridays, 8:30am1pm through Oct. 2, at parking lot of old Petoskey News Review building on corner of Howard & Michigan streets. After the first few markets, it will eventually be located on Howard St. between Mitchell & Michigan streets. facebook.com/PetoskeyFarmersMarket
EAST BAY CORNERS: Thursdays, 2-6pm, East Bay Twp. Offices, TC. Shop fresh local produce, baked goods, handmade items & more while connecting with neighbors & supporting regional farmers & small businesses. Special events each week. eastbaytwp.org/ residents/food_security.php
EMPIRE: 10234 Front St., next to post office, Empire. Held every Sat., June 6 - Aug. 29 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
HARBOR SPRINGS: Downtown Harbor Springs. Held every Weds. & Sat. throughout the summer, 9am-1pm, through Aug. 26, & Saturdays continue through Oct. 10. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food producers & more. Select dates will have music & Kids Days. petoskeyarea.com/events/harborsprings-farmers-market-2026
HONOR: Tuesdays, 9am-2pm, June – Aug., Maley Park, Honor.
THURSDAY AFTERNOON INTERLOCHEN: Thursdays, 2-7pm through Aug. 27, 2112 J. Maddy Pkwy., Interlochen.
LELAND: Immanuel Lutheran Church Parking Lot, Leland. Held every Thurs. through Sept. 3 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
LONG LAKE: Haywood Park, TC. Runs every Thurs. through Oct. 1 from 9am-1pm. Held near the bocce ball courts.
NORTHPORT FARMERS MARKET: 105 S. Bay St., Northport. Held every Fri., June 5 - Sept. 18 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
OLD TOWN EMMET FARM MARKET: 1322 Anderson Rd., Petoskey. Held on Saturdays from 9am-1pm through Oct. 10. facebook. com/oldtownemmetfarmmarket
SARA HARDY DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 7:30am-noon through Oct. at Parking Lot B, Cass St. & E. Grandview Parkway, TC. Also held here on Wednesdays starting in June from 8amnoon. It will take place on the ground floor of the Old Town Parking Deck during the National Cherry Festival. dda.downtowntc.com/ farmers-market
SUTTONS BAY FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 9am-1pm, North Park corner of M22 & M204, Suttons Bay. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
art
QUIET OBSERVATIONS - BRUCE PEESO & JUDE POKORNY: Higher Art Gallery, TC. Partners in life & art, Jude Pokorny & Bruce Peeso are well known throughout the U.S. for their unique takes on the American landscape. The show runs June 5 - July 3. See web site for hours. higherartgallery.com
GUILD POP-UP EXHIBIT: JENNIFER TOBIAS: Crooked Tree Arts Center, Libragallery, TC. My 45th Parallel Lives explores the landscapes & agricultural traditions of two places the artist calls home: Northern Michigan & Southwest France. Runs through June 13. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/ exhibits/guild-popup-exhibit-jennifer-tobias.html
2026 NORTHPORT PHOTO EXHIBIT: Village Arts Building, Northport. This annual exhibit, now in its ninth year, continues to grow in both artistic reach & visual diversity. It runs through June 13 with gallery hours Tues. through Sun., noon-4pm. Free. northportartsassociation.org/eventsexhibits
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:
- “MODERN MOVEMENT: MARTHA GRAHAM & BARBARA MORGAN”: Held in Bonfield Gallery. Featuring original Barbara Morgan photographs of Graham & her company in the 1930s & 40s. Runs through Oct. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/modernmovement.html
- PLEIN AIR ADVENTURES: STUDENTS OF SUSAN GLASS: Held in Atrium Gallery. This exhibition of unframed works brings together years of weekly painting, capturing the spirit & shifting seasons of northern Michigan’s landscapes. Runs through June 13. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/plein-air-adventures.html
- IN MOTION: MAKING ART DANCE: Held in Gilbert Gallery. A juried exhibition of movement inspired visual art pieces, sharing works that address questions such as, “How do artists today show the energy of moving bodies in paintings, sculptures, or films?” Runs through Sept. 5. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/in-motion.html
GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER, FRANKFORT:
- POETIC VISIONS OF PORT ONEIDA: PAINTING AND POEMS THAT REIMAGINE : Held in Lobby Gallery. Enjoy this series of oil paintings & corresponding poems created by Grand Traverse County artist Wendy McWhorter. Runs through Aug. 27. GAAC is open Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm; & Sat. & Sun., noon-4pm. glenarborart.org/product/exhibit-poeticvisions-of-port-oneida
- AMERICAN TREE: BUILDING A UNITED STATE OF TREES: Held in Main Gallery. American Tree is an exhibit that explores the role trees played in the formation of the United States 250 years ago -- & the role trees will play moving forward into this nation’s next 250 years. This exhibition runs June 5 - Aug. 13. An opening reception will be held June 5 from 5-7pm. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org/product/exhibitamerican-tree
OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT:
- 2026 SUMMER MEMBER SHOW: Runs
June 6 - July 10. Opening reception on June 6 from 5-7pm. Featuring a wide variety of media & styles from OAC’s talented member artists, this fan-favorite show has something for everyone to enjoy. Open Mon. through Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon-4pm. oliverart.org
MARTIN SEXTON THE DAN TYMINSKI BAND
INTERLOCHEN: JAZZ DAVID CROSS ANNUAL GALA I WANT A HIPPOPOTAMUS FOR CHRISTMAS KRISTIN KEY’S CHRISTMAS
2/7/27 2/14/27 2/24/27 3/6/27 4/15/27 4/22/27
GUNHILD CARLING JURASSIC BARK LIVE! INTERLOCHEN: MUSICAL THEATER PETER PAN RICK THOMAS: MANSION OF DREAMS INTERLOCHEN: SINGER SONGWRITER
- BEYOND THE PRINT: Runs through June 19. Featuring works by regional artists who push the boundaries of printmaking. Hours are Tues. through Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon-4pm. Closed Mon. until June 1. oliverart.org
• Nursing, Associate Degree (ADN)
• Nursing, Practical (PN)
• LPN to ADN completion option
• ADN to BSN in partnership with Davenport University nmc.edu/nursing
NMC offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Practical Nursing (PN), LPN to ADN completion, and options for ADN to BSN.
nmc.edu/nursingEmpower Your Growth. NMC Nursing Pathways
by Joseph beyer
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
For those of us who grew up standing in lines outside movie theaters waiting to get into the first Star Wars films in the 1970s and ’80s, the modern metaverse of films, characters, and offshoots was already daunting when Lucasfilm sold the rights to Disney way back in 2012. Since then, the studio has released seven feature-films and over a dozen episodic series, creating an expansive catalog of live-action and animated content that spreads the mythology of core characters in Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Han Solo, and Princess Leia.
They’ve also introduced new characters and new actors from across the world to play them, with none capturing more cultural mojo than the tiny lime-colored infant with the big ears named Grogu, better known simply as “Baby Yoda” (although there is no confirmed relation to the Jedi Master that we know of yet). The creature is brought to life with primarily animatronic puppetry.
Premiering in 2019 exclusively on Disney+, little Grogu made a splash alongside actor Pedro Pascal in The Mandalorian, a spin-off led by the talented actor that was instantly intriguing despite him being heavily disguised inside a helmet for most of the story. That tradition of mystery, and others from the story of a resistance bounty-hunter turned unlikely caregiver, have been faithfully honored in the first feature-film adaptation Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu, which recently exploded into megaplexes on over 4,300 screens.
“Mando,” as both the character and storyline are called in shorthand, is an entirely original set of adventures created by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni that are rooted in a deep love of the Star Wars styles inspired by George Lucas. In this major new summer movie, director Favreau is in charge, with a rhythm and pace that feels spot-on for most of the journey and delights the audience with an almostclassic approach that honors the best of the early “Popcorn Movie” culture.
Filonu co-writes the script, joined by Favreau and Noah Kloor, and also serves as the creative director to a dazzling portfolio of additional Lucasfilm projects of all kinds. The team shows again how deeply they understand this fantasy world and how earnestly they take the responsibility of expanding it.
Here the plot involves the usual Good/ Rebellion versus Bad/Empire politics, hyperspace escapes, and new hope for the future. But it also involves the characteristic father/son dynamics of Mando and little Grogu, a new and very unlikely comingof-age drama with the Hutt species of Jabba fame, and silent-film style comedic relief from a green toddler.
While feeling familiar, the movie also feels fresh as it blends the old and the new with the usual mix of Star Wars opening credit crawls, screen wipe transitions, and mischievous creatures while adding new spins and episodic style to it all that I really enjoyed. (For those that found Solo more playful than sacreligious, this has those vibes.)
The film also has an incredible score by Ludwig Göransson, who also created the musical mood of the series, and more fisticuffs and hand-to-hand combat than any other installment in franchise history I can recall.
Audiences have given the film an enthusiastic 88 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, while many critics were not impressed. Even I have to admit the 2 hour 12 minute ride had a few bumps, but it blended so much nostalgia with genuine fun that I gave into it and fell back in love with Star Wars … in a real movie theater, on a summer night, surrounded by people who seemed to feel the same.
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action and starring Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Jeremy Allen White, and Brendan Wayne (often overlooked as the physical actor who actually dons the suit of the Mandalorian).
ACROSS
1. Scottish map word
5. First-aid box
8. Superfood seed (no, it's not acai-related)
12. Buffalo's lake
13. Alias letters
14. Garden mixes
15. Star
17. Arya Stark's father
18. Abandoned ships
19. What remote controls are good for, powerwise?
22. Conductor ___-Pekka Salonen
23. Prefix with thermal
24. Hackneyed
25. Widely accepted game of hoops?
31. Forbidden
34. Here, to HergÈ
35. TV chef Garten
36. Workbench tool that only works in dangerous winds?
41. Suffix with glob
42. Govt. agency once headed by PatriciaHarris
43. Upwords pieces
44. Thought similar to "External computer storage can be so crude"?
49. Fresh
50. Neither counterpart
51. Screen abbr.
54. Back when a mopey cartoon character was popular?
59. Girder material
60. Trollish response to a celebrity game show contestant list
61. Ready to go
62. Parcel units
63. Feel like crap
64. Zippo
65. Pork cut
66. Physique
67. "It is too hard a ___ for me tí untie": "Twelfth Night"
DOWN
1. Dulce de ___
2. Nabisco cookies
3. British singer/actress Black
4. Pay attention to
5. Hat brand popularized by LL Cool J and Samuel L. Jackson
6. Retailer with a blue-and-yellow logo
7. Big reveal sound
8. Might have, informally
9. Palatine or Esquiline, e.g.
10. Varieties
11. It may follow dumb or smart
14. Cabinet position?
16. Half of OutKast
20. Org. that sponsors "Read Across America"
21. Shaped like a martini glass (minus the stem)
25. Queens, e.g., for short
26. "Bob's Burgers" spouse
27. Tumbler contents, maybe
28. Medicine bottle
29. "Next one's ___!"
30. They have distinctive flows
31. Impact sound
32. "___ Lang Syne"
33. Title of a trickster rabbit
37. Like mochi
38. National Black Business mo.
39. Vertebra that supports the weight of the head
40. "Would I ___ to You?"
45. Completely committed
46. Meat case options
47. Play out (or splay out)
48. British miler Sebastian
51. Closest airport to MIT
52. Doctrine
53. Emulate the Pied Piper
54. Desire
55. "I, Claudius" role
56. Cotton bud
57. State called the "Mother of Presidents"
58. Pull hard
59. Small pouch
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lOGY
JUNE 08 - JUNE 14
BY ROB BREZSNY
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “Dear Oracle: Why do we always have to start at the beginning? I’d much prefer just jumping into the middle of things. Right now, I would love to bypass all the tedious baby steps I’m being forced to take as I try to get some momentum going. Please slip me a few clues about how to fast-forward directly to the fun stuff. —Bored with the Groundwork.” Dear Bored: Your timing is perfect. The planetary omens say you are now authorized to vault over the preludes and prologues and dive right into the heart of the action.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Many people struggle with what could be called “imagined ugliness,” a condition clinicians refer to as body dysmorphic disorder. It usually involves fixating on a supposed physical defect, or even on a flaw that exists only in one’s mind. I suspect that almost everyone carries a trace of this tendency, including you and me. The good news, though, is that the current astrological climate is ideal for you to at least partially shatter its spell. You are poised to transform your self-image so vigorously that you begin to regard yourself as a flawless exemplar of quirky, one-of-a-kind beauty.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The Golden Gate Bridge, which is a few miles from my home, is painted continuously. Painters start at one end, work their way across, and by the time they reach the other side, it's time to start over. The job is never finished; maintenance is the permanent condition. Some people find this depressing, but I find it oddly liberating. It means the bridge doesn't have to achieve some final, perfect state. It just has to be tended. Similarly, you don't have to fix everything once and for all, Libra. The relationships, projects, and internal states you're concerned about aren't meant to reach completion. You shouldn’t worry about trying to finish what's meant to be an ongoing practice. Just keep starting the cycle again.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Innovative theater director Viola Spolin was a Scorpio. She taught that the best scenes emerge when the actors avoid trying to control outcomes. Instead, they fully commit to the reality they're creating together. Spontaneous responses are their gold standard. Let’s make this a keynote for you in the coming weeks. Your assignment is to give yourself heartily to improvisation. The most interesting magic will happen as you relax into the collaborative process, trusting it to guide you toward beauty and meanings none of you could have scripted alone.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Musicologists distinguish between "perfect pitch" and "relative pitch." A person with perfect pitch can sing or identify a specific note without hearing any other music beforehand. Relative pitch is the ability to recognize musical notes in relation to other notes. In the coming weeks, Sagittarius, relative pitch will be a more useful metaphor for you than perfect pitch. Don’t insist on perfect clarity about what's right and wrong, beautiful and ugly, worthy and unworthy. Instead of obsessing on fixed standards, practice relational discernment. How does this choice feel compared to that one? How does a person behave in this context versus another? For you right now, truth lives in the intervals and connections.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The best way to eliminate a bad habit is to replace it with a good one. Now is an excellent time to acquire more expertise in this art. Start by choosing a specific habit that drains your energy, time, or self-respect. Then identify what that habit is secretly trying to give you, like comfort, distraction, or a sense of control. Your mission is to find a healthier behavior that offers a similar payoff without the damage. For example, maybe you go online and binge-scroll through bad news because you imagine it soothes your anxiety. Instead of that, read an uplifting book or listen to serene music for a while. Be concrete: When the itchy habit hits, what exactly will you do as an alternative?
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In 1905, 26-year-old Albert Einstein worked full-time as a clerk in a Swiss patent office. During his off-hours, he wrote four audacious papers that fundamentally changed how physics understood space, time, light, and matter. He
accomplished his revolution without the sponsorship of a renowned university or laboratory. His example suggests that we can perhaps re-imagine and recreate the world even if we're not supported by glamorous circumstances. I suspect this principle applies to you these days. Breakthrough insights and earth-shaking realizations may arrive while you’re doing ordinary tasks. Be alert for the flashes that arise in seemingly routine and modest situations.
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): For linguists, "untranslatable" words are concepts that exist in one language but have no equivalent in others. One example is mono no aware, which in Japanese refers to the tender poignance and appreciation you feel in the presence of fleeting beauty, like cherry blossoms falling. I bring this to your attention, Pisces, because I suspect that you, too, are untranslatable right now. My advice is to forget about trying to get others to grasp what’s going on with you. Here’s a suggestion that might help: Find soulful artists and emotionally intelligent creatives who speak the language of your mystery.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Many of you have a fraught relationship with discipline. You recognize you need it if you want a life rich with epic adventures. Yet you sometimes resist planning ahead or organizing your resources, fearing it might dampen your immediate pleasures. The problem is that when you skip the planning and organizing, the short-term fun you default to may turn out to be unsatisfying. That’s the challenging news. The encouraging news is that you’re now in a cycle when you can transform how you relate to discipline. I bet you can render some of those old patterns obsolete.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Gemologists evaluate opals less for flawless uniformity than for their mesmerizing play-of-color. They study how light interacts with a stone’s microscopic internal structure to produce vivid, shifting hues. The most prized opals aren’t necessarily the most perfect in shape, but the ones whose internal pattern and rainbow-like displays are most vibrant, varied, and alive. This is a marvelous metaphor for you in the coming weeks. I hope you don’t obsess on consistency or smooth away your complications. Let the world see your play-of-color.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Restoration ecologists work to revive damaged prairies. They’ve discovered that seeds of many native plants can lie dormant in the soil for years, waiting for the right conditions to germinate. If they remove invasive species and restore the land’s natural cycle of controlled fire, wildflowers long absent from the landscape spring back to life. With this metaphor in mind, Cancerian, consider what dormant possibilities may lie buried in your own psyche. What seeds did you plant long ago and then forget? What dreams or talents are waiting for you to clear away the choking overgrowth and create space for them to emerge? Old potentials may be patient, not dead.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Better than any other sign, you understand that ego and generosity can be collaborators rather than enemies. Your charismatic radiance is often a public service. When you express your interesting beauty, you give others permission to tap into their own luminosity. The world always craves your unique flavor of audacious joy, and especially now. The rest of us need your intense insistence that flair and flamboyance are forms of resistance against the forces that would diminish life's splendor.
Grand Traverse & Kalkaska
ALEXANDRA INN, TC
BLUSH: ROOFTOP TERRACE: Mon -- Fridays Music (John & Madeline Piatek), 5-7
APACHE TROUT GRILL, TC
6/14 -- Jim Hawley, 6-9
BONOBO WINERY, TC
6/12 – Sean Miller, 6:30-8:30
CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE
WINERY, TC
5-8:
6/6 -- Jeff Linsell
6/11 -- Ben Richey
6/12 -- DJ Marco
6/13 -- Swingbone North
ENCORE 201, TC
6/5-6 & 6/12-13 -- DJ Ricky T, 9
EUGENE'S RECORD CO-OP, TC
6/6 -- The ODD-1 Launch Party Presented by Oddment; Live Music by Thadoa, Tin Cans & Twine, & Spencer Russell, 8-10
FANTASY’S, TC DJ
IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC 6/9 -- TC Celtic, 6-8
6/11 -- Beyond Trivia!, 7-8:30
JACOB'S FARM, TC
6-9:
6/6 -- Silver Creek Revival
6/7 -- Twilight Tunes
6/10 -- Blair Miller
6/11 – The Fridays
6/12 – Brett Mitchell
6/13 – Jabo Band
6/14 – Michael Hozz
KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC
9:30:
6/5-6 -- Ex Theory
6/12 -- Twlight Tunes Dueling Pianos
6/13 -- The Timebombs
KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING CO., TC
6/6 – Adams Fly Fest After Party – Bluegrass Jam in Beer Garden, 6
6/9 – Open Mic Night w/ Kevin & Sierra LaRose, 6-9
6/11 – Trivia Night w/ Marcus
Anderson, 6:30-8:30
6/12 – Andy McQuillen, 7 6/13 – The Simple Machines, 7
LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM: 6/8 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9
TASTING ROOM: 6/12 – Jakob Abraham, 5-7
LIL BO'S, TC THE YARD, 7-10:30: 6/10 -- Rhett & John 6/11 -- Dollar Shavey Club
MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC 6/11 -- Open Mic w/ Joe Domanick, 7-9 6/12 -- Jeff Linsell, 6-9
MT. HOLIDAY, TC BEER GARDEN: 6/11 -- Mark Daisy Music, 6-9
NORTH BAR, TC 7-10:
6/6 -- Craig & The Jolly Ranchers
6/10 -- Mallory Ramage
6/11 -- Beans & Cheese
6/12 -- Jimmy Olson 6/13 -- Brady Corcoran
OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS:
6/6 -- Highway North, 7 6/9 – Music Bingo, 6 6/10 – Jimmy Olson, 7 6/11 – 2Bays DJs, 5 6/12 – Mal & Mike, 6 6/13 – Jeff Linsell, 6:30
TC GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
6/12 -- Jim Hawley, 6-9
TC WHISKEY CO. - THE STILLHOUSE
8:
6/6 -- DJ Zeb
6/12 -- Senses Taker DJ
6/13 -- DJ E-Knuf
THE ALLUVION, TC
6/6 -- Allman Brothers Ball w/ The Alluvion Brothers Band & Super Nuclear, 7:30
6/8 -- Funky Uncle + DJ Ras Marco, 7-10
6/11 -- The Jeff Haas Trio feat.
Laurie Sears + Lisa Flahive, 6-8:30
6/12 -- Luke Winslow King & Roberto Luti, 7:30-9:30
6/13 -- Jordan VanHemert Sextet, 7-9:30
THE HAYLOFT INN, TC
Tue -- West Bay Shufflers, 7-9
THE LITTLE FLEET, TC
6/10 – School’s Out Party w/ DJ Dusty Staircase, 2-8
6/13 – FeRn Whale, 6-10
THE PARLOR, TC
6/10 -- Rob Coonrod, 8-11
THE PUB, TC
6/6 & 6/13 -- DJ Producer AJ, 10-11:15
6/7 -- David Martón, 5-8
6/8 -- Karaoke, 8-11
6/10 -- Zeke Clemons, 8-11
6/11 -- Music Bingo, 7:30-10:30
6/12 -- Beans & Cheese, 7-10; DJ Vai, 10-11:30
6/14 -- David Márton, 5-8
THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC
6/8 – USS Comedy Open Mic, 8-9:30
6/10 – Jazz Jam w/ Ron Getz, 6-9
6/11 – DJ Trivia, 7-9
6/14 – Full Tilt Comedy Presents: Comedy Lab, 6-8
TOWNLINE CIDERWORKS, WILLIAMSBURG
6-8:
6/6 -- Levi Britton
6/12 -- Jesse Jefferson
6/13 -- Larz Cabot
TURTLE CREEK CASINO, WILLIAMSBURG
WATERFALL, 8:
6/6 – A Little Reckless Band
6/12 – DJ Mr. Markis
6/13 – The J Hawkins Band
nitelife
9 BEAN ROWS, SUTTONS BAY 1-3: 6/7 -- Steve Clark 6/14 -- Dennis Palmer
AMORITAS VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU 6/11 – Larry Perkins, 5-7
CEDAR TAVERN 6/6 & 6/13 -- Jim Hawley, 2-5
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE LEVEL4 LOUNGE, 8:30-10:30:
6/6 -- Sydni K
6/13 -- David Lawston
6/14 – Rhett & John
DUNE BIRD WINERY, NORTHPORT
3-6: 6/7 -- Larry Perkins
6/11 -- Luke Woltanski 6/14 -- Elizabeth Landry
FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR
4-7:
6/8 -- Loose Change 6/11 -- Rob Coonrod
GILCHRIST FARM WINERY, SUTTONS BAY
6/10 -- Christy Savage, 3-6
HOP LOT BREWING, SUTTONS BAY
5-8:
6/6 -- Rock Hat
6/10 -- Broom Closet Boys - Benefit Show
6/13 -- Uncle Z
IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE
6/6 – Jeff Socia, 5:30-7:30 6/7 – Brett Mitchell, 5-7
6/13 – Highway North, 5:30-7:30
Emmet & Cheboygan
BEARDS BREWERY, PETOSKEY ROOT CELLAR:
6/6 & 6/13 – Karaoke, 9
6/10 – Sean Miller, 3:30-6:30 6/12 – DJ Yakob, 8-11
BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY
6/6 -- Two Track Mind, 2-6
6/12 -- Chase & Allie, 4-7:30 6/13 -- Derek Boik, 2-6
BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, BAY HARBOR PATIO:
6/6 -- Joe Lapata, 12:30-3:30
6/8 -- Patrick Ryan, 6-9
6/9 -- Nick Visconti, 6-9
6/10 -- Jelly Roll Blues Band, 7:30-10:30
6/11 -- Two Track Mind, 6-9
6/12 & 6/14 -- Hanna Von B, 6-9
6/13 -- Chris Calleja, 12:30-3:30
CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY
6/12 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30
NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY
6/6 -- Lara Fullford, 7-10
6/10 -- Singo Bingo (80's Pop), 6:30
6/12 -- Sean Bielby, 7-10
6/13 -- Mike Ridley, 7-10
NORTHERN LIGHTS RECREATION, HARBOR SPRINGS
6/11 -- Trivia, 6:30
6/12 -- Dane Tolas, 5:30-8:30 6/13 -- Pete Kehoe, 5:30-8:30
ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY OVATION HALL: 6/13 – Chris Janson, 8
6/14 – Jimmy Olson, 5-7
LAKE ANN BREWING CO.
6/6 -- Daydrinkers Series w/ Prima, 3-6; Andy Perrin & The Show Buds, 7-10
6/9 -- New Third Coast, 6:30-9:30
6/10 -- Andy Six, 6:30-9:30
6/11 -- Rachael Davis wsg Zak Bunce, 6:30-9:30
6/12 -- Happy Hour w/ Fred Drachus, 3-6; 1000 Watt Prophets, 7-10
6/13 -- Daydrinkers Series w/ Papa Squat & the Sitdownz, 3-6; Looking Forward - CSN&Y Tribute, 7-10
LEELANAU SANDS CASINO, PESHAWBESTOWN SHOWROOM:
6/13 -- Howie Mandel, 8
LITTLE TRAVERSE INN, MAPLE CITY
6/12 -- Fifth Street, 6-9
BEER GARDEN, 4-7:
6/7 -- Pat Niemisto & John Phillips
6/14 -- Rigs & Jeels
NORTHERN LATITUDES DISTILLERY, LAKE LEELANAU
6/12 -- Back Room Gang, 4:456:45
RIVER CLUB, GLEN ARBOR
6/6 -- Loose Change, 5-8
6/12 -- Levi Britton, 5-8
6/13 -- The Mix Drift, 1-4; Empire Highway, 5-8
SOUL SQUEEZE CELLARS, LAKE LEELANAU 4-7: 6/6 -- Broom Closet Boys 6/11 -- Zinnia Dungjen 6/12 -- John Piatek 6/13 -- The Marsupials
ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH
6/6 -- Cosmic Knot, 1-4; Jake Frysinger, 5-8
6/7 -- Howard Wilson, 3-6
6/8 -- Highway North, 5-8
6/9 -- Dags Und Timmah, 5-8
6/10 -- Corinna Snow, 5-8
6/11 -- Kevin & Darrin, 5-8
6/12 -- Doc Probes, 5-8
6/13 -- Billy Blanchard, 1-4
6/14 -- Couple of Wanderers & The Futuretime String Band, 3
SUTTONS BAY CIDERS
6/7 -- Jonathan North & Rock Hat, 5:30-8
6/11 -- Thurs. DJ Trivia, 6:30-8
6/14 -- Chris Smith, 5:30-8
TANDEM CIDERS, SUTTONS BAY Sun -- The Nightcrawlers, 1-4
THE BAY COMMUNITY THEATRE, SUTTONS BAY
6/6 -- Garnet Rogers, 7 6/13 -- Live At The Bay: Maurice John Vaughn, 7:30
THE CABBAGE SHED, ELBERTA 6/10 -- Vinyl by the Bay w/ DJ TJ, 5-8
6/11 -- Open Mic Night, 6:30-9
6/13 -- Bill Frary, 5-8
THE HOMESTEAD RESORT, GLEN ARBOR WHISKERS, 6-9: 6/12 -- David Lawston 6/13 -- Billy & The Kid
TWO K FARMS, SUTTONS BAY 4-6:
6/6 – Rebekah Jon 6/13 – Liz Landry
VICTORIES: 6/6 – DJ ODZ, 9 6/12-13 – DJ Hotkeys, 9 6/13 – Waylon Hanel, 9:30
POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS
6/6 -- Jeffrey Joseph, 5-8
6/7 -- Double Play, 3-6
6/10 -- Open Mic Night w/ Kirby, 5-8
6/11 -- Amanda Jane, 5-8
6/12 -- Jelly Roll Blues Band, 5-8
6/13 -- Jesse Jefferson, 5-8
6/14 -- SAXU4IA, 3-6
THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN
6/6 – The Beau House Band, 7:30 6/12 – Musicians Playground, 7 6/13 – Mike Arnold, 7:30
THE DAM SHOP, ELK RAPIDS MARINA 6-9: 6/6 -- John Piatek 6/12 – Headwaters Band 6/13 – Gemini Moon Band
THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER 6/6 -- The Whitmore 4, 8
6/11 – Dominic Fortuna, 7:30-9:30 6/12 – Karaoke, 8-11
WALLOON LAKE WINERY, PETOSKEY 6/11 -- Chris Michaels, 6-8
Leelanau & Benzie
nitelife
Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee
MANISTEE NATIONAL GOLF & RESORT
THE BACKYARD: 6/12 -- BVO, 7
NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA
7: 6/6 -- Freshwater 6/12 -- Chief Jam-Open Mic 6/13 -- Jakob and The Winks
RAVEN SOCIAL, CADILLAC 6/12 -- Vic Trip, 6-9
BLU DOT FARM & VINEYARD, CHARLEVOIX
4-7:
6/6 -- Melissa Welke
6/13 – Sean Miller
BOYNE CITY TAPROOM
7:
6/6 & 6/14 -- Patrick Ryan
6/11 -- Adam and the Cabana Boys
6/12 -- Josh Raber & Patrick Ryan
BOYNE RIVER INN, BOYNE CITY
6/11 -- Nelson Olstrom, 7
BRIDGE STREET TAPROOM, CHARLEVOIX
6/9 -- Patrick Ryan, 7
ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD
6/11 -- Matt Orlandi, 5 6/12 -- Brian Curran, 6-9
Antrim & Charlevoix
6/12 -- Dave Cisco, 6-9
Otsego, Crawford & Central
VANDERBILT VINES WINERY & TASTING ROOM
6/6 -- Gabe Couch, 3-7 6/13 -- Lou Thumser, 4-7
CELLAR 152, ELK RAPIDS
6/6 -- Blair Miller, 6-9
ETHANOLOGY DISTILLATION, ELK RAPIDS
8-11:
6/6 -- The Tweed Tones
6/13 – Charlie’s Root Fusion
LOST CELLARS, CHARLEVOIX
4-7:
6/7 -- Shannon Christie 6/12 -- Randy Reszka
MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY
6/10 -- Karaoke Night, 9
SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE BEER GARDEN, 7-9:30:
6/6 -- Electric Flower Company
6/12 -- The Sleeping Gypsies
6/13 -- Brett Mitchell & The Mitchfits
SHORT'S PULL BARN, ELK RAPIDS
6/6 -- Short's Fest w/ Melophobix, Big Greasy Funk Band, Shortstop, Braxton Hicks & The Contractions, & The Vibe Tribe, 1
STIGGS BREWERY & KITCHEN, BOYNE CITY
6/12 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6-9
STIGGS GARAGE, CHARLEVOIX
6/6 & 6/13 -- Nelson Olstrom, 5-8
THE DAM SHOP, ELK RAPIDS MARINA
6-9: 6/6 – John Piatek
6/12 – Headwaters Band
6/13 – Gemini Moon Band
TOONIE'S, BELLAIRE
6/6 & 6/13 -- Karaoke, 8
TORCH LAKE CAFE, CENTRAL LAKE Thu -- Nick Vasquez, 6 Fri. & Sat. -- Leanna Collins & Ivan Greilick, 7
NORTHERN EXPRESS CLASSIFIEDS
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