Last night as I lined up to see a film at the State Theatre in Traverse City, I read the many large posted signs that informed me that by entering the theatre, I was giving someone (unnamed who?) the right to video and audio record me, with the rights in perpetuity to use my image and voice for whatever purpose in any media. In other words, I was to PAY THEM for the right to use me. How is this ever acceptable? In this day and age when media is so incredibly invasive, now I have to assign all rights in order to go see a movie? I mean, WTF!
This stinks of some lame Michael Moore “candid camera” gathering of footage to use in a film project. The TCFF (and Moore?) screwed up the Bijou, and now they’re screwing up the State. I certainly won’t be entering that building under those conditions. I’ll do my movie going at the AMC and The Bay, or I’ll watch it streaming at home. Way to go TCFF! Ruin another venture in Traverse City.
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Dan Wardlow | Traverse City
this week’s
top ten
Making the Most of Mother’s Day
That’s right, folks. Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10, which means it’s time to figure out how you want to celebrate the mom, grandma, or other maternal person in your life. We always like to come up with fun activities that aren’t the standard brunch and flowers, so here are two out-of-the-box activities this week. 1) A spring wildflower hike with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy at Arcadia Dunes, Pete’s Woods Trailhead. From 10am-2pm on May 6, take a 1.5-mile hike and literally stop to smell the roses—err, trilliums. Free, but registration required at gtrlc.org/recreation-events/events. 2) Head to Surfaces in downtown TC on May 10 from 2-5pm for a silversmithing workshop, where you’ll learn to make sterling silver hoop earrings for mom. The $85 ticket covers the class and materials; sign up at surfacesartsupplies.com.
Father Fred’s Final Garage Sale 2
tastemaker
Fiesta Grande’s Tortilla Chips
Feeling snacky this week? Skip the super processed options and go for Michigan-made Fiesta Grande tortilla chips. The ingredients are simple: stone ground corn, water, corn oil, sodium propionate, sorbic acid, and a “trace” of lime. The chips themselves have a perfect balance of salt and crunch and are layered in such a way that they flake beautifully when you take a bite. We’ve found that they pair best with guacamole, but any other dip or salsa (including Fiesta Grande’s own line) makes for a pleasing accompaniment. Straight from Hart, MI, these chips are sold at local retailers like Tom’s, Olesons, Meijer, and Oryana as well as delis and markets like Francisco’s in Traverse City or Toski Sands in Petoskey. Find a spot near you at fiestagrandefoods.com/find-a-store.
Everything must go at the 35th Annual Father Fred Garage Sale! It’s going to be one for the books, because it’s their final sale. Shop from 9am-3pm on Saturday, May 9, at The Father Fred Foundation at 826 Hastings St. in Traverse City. Choose from jewelry, antiques, clothes, shoes, housewares, sporting goods, toys, and much more. All proceeds benefit Father Fred’s programs that serve those in need in five northern Michigan counties. fatherfred.org/upcoming-events
Hey, Read It! Lady Tremaine 4
There’s never been any rest for the “wicked” in the world of Etheldreda Tremaine Bramley. Born a lay-class brewer’s daughter, she’s spent her life clambering up the social ladder, first as the widow of a noble spice merchant, and then through a second marriage to a spineless lord, whose title was supposed to ensure a stable future for Ethel and her two daughters. Instead, his sudden death saddles her with insurmountable debt, a crumbling estate, and unwanted guardianship of a waifish and indolent stepdaughter, Elin. That is, until the girl attracts the eye of a young and—dare we say it—charming prince. All is not as it seems behind the castle’s gilded façade, however, where years of royal corruption threaten to unravel the kingdom’s very fabric. How far is Ethel willing to go to survive in the monstrous world of men? Cinderella gets a feminist upgrade in Rachel Hochhauser’s bestselling debut, Lady Tremaine. Prepare for a new kind of happily-ever-after, one where women make their own magic!
7738 N LONG LAKE RD 7AM-1PM EVERY DAY
When Isiah Smith (a regular Northern Express columnist) started reading The Early County Massacre, a recounting of events that took place in 1915 in Early County, Georgia, he didn’t expect to find a personal connection. But within its pages he found a bill of sale documenting his grandfather, also named Isiah Smith, being sold into slavery. Still more shocking: when he reached out to author Orice Jenkins, they discovered they were cousins. “It was kismet moment,” says Jenkins, noting he never would have thought he had relatives in the area. The two will meet in front of an audience at The Alluvion May 8 for a live dialogue about family, historical records, the process of uncovering undiscovered or erased Black histories, why these stories matter, and how America’s past continues to shape its present and future. “It is an American story,” Jenkins says. General admission is $10 at thealluvion.org/tickets.
For two decades, the Traverse City Business News has spotlighted young professionals in northern Michigan, and nominations are now open for the 20th annual Hagerty/TCBN 40Under40! Individuals in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, and Kalkaska counties are eligible for nomination as long as they are under the age of 40 until at least September 1, 2026. Nominees stand out for their leadership, local influence, economic impact, and community service in our region. To put a friend or colleague’s hat in the ring, head to tcbusinessnews.com. You’ll need their job title and contact info along with some spectacular achievements and compelling reasons why they should make the list. Nominations are due by June 1, 2026, at 5pm. Winners will be notified ahead of the September announcement and featured in that month’s issue of the TCBN.
Stuff We Love: New Habitat Homes Coming to Kalkaska
On Tuesday, May 5, Habitat for Humanity - Grand Traverse Region will break ground on an eight-home project in Kalkaska. Dubbed the Court Street Station due to its location on Court St. between Lynn and Elm, the buildout will follow a similar model to what Habitat has done in Traverse City, with eight townhomes in two units. They’ll have three bedrooms, one-and-ahalf baths, and an attached garage. One of the key elements of affordability for the project is that each “homeowner’s monthly mortgage payment, including taxes and insurance, will be no more than 30% of their monthly income,” per Habitat’s press release. Occupancy is expected to start by fall 2026. Members of the Habitat team will be on-site to talk about homeownership, volunteering, and other opportunities with the organization. Learn more at habitatgtr.org/projects.
In years past, we’ve told you about Snowbelt’s Sneaky Pants, a slightly sweet and slightly tart cider from the Gaylord brewery that combines apples, cherries, and vanilla extract. But on draft right now in the taproom—but running low, so hop to it!—is Sneaky’s spicy cousin, Sassy Pants. It still starts with King Orchards apples, but swaps out the cherries for blackberries and the vanilla for—wait for it—jalapeños. Now, don’t let the photo above fool you: there is no more snow and there is not nearly as much spice as those seven or eight peppers would lead you to believe. Instead, it’s more of a hint of heat that brings out the fruit flavors for a crisp, refreshing sip. (Though maybe just start with a half-pint and see if your tastebuds can handle it.) Spice things up at 132 W. Main St. in Gaylord. snowbelt.beer
Pictured: Rendering of Court Street Station
spectator By steven Tuttle
It must be an election year because Congressman Jack Bergman is back to communicating, sort of, with constituents. His recent non-campaign campaign mailer does not mention upcoming elections at all, instead discussing how his office can be of assistance to District 1 residents. Just a coincidence this helpful reminder hits just months before an election.
What’s considerably more interesting than Bergman’s election-year visibility is the race for Michigan governor as Gretchen Whitmer surrenders to term limits. There are multiple candidates from both parties, but we’ll concentrate on the Republicans for this column and address the Democrats later.
(apparently without regard to value or law), take a strong position against illegal immigration (though it’s not clear how much of a problem that is in Michigan), and, finally, he wants to “DOGE state government.” And, like all politicians before him, he will eliminate waste, fraud, and duplication.
As an aside, you’d think fraud, waste, and duplication would have been eliminated by now, since virtually every candidate from both parties always promises to do just that. Having failed, they will make the same promise next election and then the next and the next.
Which brings us to the man currently running a close second behind John James,
There are multiple candidates from both parties, but we’ll concentrate on the Republicans for this column and address the Democrats later.
GOP candidates have a bit of a problem as they are forced to appeal to Donald Trump supporters in the primary election, as his approval rating among Republicans continues to hover above 85 percent. But Trump’s approval rating among all Michigan voters is a dismal 37 percent, according to Newsweek polling from the third week of April. How you campaign as full-blown MAGA for an Aug. 4 primary only to try and careen back to the middle by the Nov. 3 General Election is something of a mystery.
There has already been some polling conducted by multiple firms, so we’ll work on an average of data from Emerson College, JMC Analytics, Mitchell Research, Rosetta Stone, and Target Insyght.
“Undecided” currently boasts a strong lead, but U.S. Representative John James is narrowly leading the Republican pack among voters making a choice. James, who lost bids for the U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020, was elected to Congress in 2022 and reelected in 2024. A West Point graduate, he claims his campaign will be “mission first, people always” and his platform includes the usual suspects: economic growth, parental rights, school choice, and reducing government regulation. How he plans to do any of that is unknown.
James has not been a full-throated MAGA warrior, taking a milder approach hoping for wider appeal. President Trump has not endorsed James as he prefers James stay in Congress where he can better help support the Trump agenda.
Mike Cox, Michigan’s former Attorney General, apparently wants us to perceive him as the tough guy candidate. The narrator of his commercials practically yells at the listener and all the MAGA dog whistles are clearly evident. He wants to eliminate the state income tax, reestablish Right to Work laws, eliminate any and all DEI programs
Perry Johnson. Though not a politician, Johnson did run for governor and lost in 2022 and then launched a Quixotic presidential run in 2024. Johnson is an organizational efficiency expert by trade, has written books on it, and has consulted with and advised Fortune 500 companies. He’s an advocate of the International Organization of Standardization (ISO). His platform would, like others, eliminate the Michigan income tax, claiming it would save the average family of four $4,747 annually. He would also create a Michigan Efficiency Government Audit (MEGA) and review every cent expended by the Michigan government. And, as is mandatory, he claims he will eliminate the usual fraud, waste, and duplication but add inefficiency to the list.
Aric Nesbitt is not the last of the GOP candidates but the last to have at least a little current visibility and traction. The Minority Leader of the State Senate, Nesbitt is trying to out-MAGA his opponents. He would eliminate the property tax and “lower taxes,” which would surely help with his other promise to “reduce government.” Most of the rest of his platform is generic, red-meat rhetoric, and, of course, he will eliminate fraud, waste, and duplication. He’s a fan of completing Enbridge Line 5 while ending many of what he calls “New Green Scam” environmental regulations.
Given the 24-hour news cycle with which we are now confronted, even the three months until the primary is a very long time politically. John James has somehow gently kept Donald Trump at arm’s length without offending him while still touting his conservative bona fides. But what might make him a strong candidate in November could put him at risk among Trump true-believers in August. The other candidates have the opposite problem—their pro-Trump strength in the primary could be a very heavy, neck-bending albatross come November.
HAPPY OR RIGHT?
GUEST OPINION
by Greg Holmes and Brenin Wertz-Roth
Have you been in an argument lately? Odds are that you have.
Our lives are filled with disagreements of all kinds, from petty squabbles to intense verbal fights. Your argument could have been with anyone: your partner, child, friend, coworker or neighbor. Disagreements are a natural part of life, and effectively communicating our differences is essential to navigating our many relationships.
But arguments become a problem when the combative parts of our nature hijack our ability to express ourselves. They can quickly turn into a contest where we need to win to feel better about ourselves at the expense of the other person.
means isolation and the further development of delusional thinking.
Take a look at your last argument and the patterns of the arguments in your life. When are your arguments rooted in productive communication and when are they a contest that creates a hostile and bitter dynamic in the relationship?
Whether or not the normal desire to be understood turns into an abnormal, alienating need to be right depends on a person’s basic level of self-esteem. It’s not difficult to decide whether someone has an ego problem when they constantly call attention to themselves and their achievements while putting down the efforts of others. These problems with self-
Peace of Mind
How did your last argument turn out? Did you “win”? Was it productive and did it deepen your understanding of the other person? Did you feel like you were heard? Did either of you feel happy when it was over? Or did each party continue to feel negative about the whole process of disagreement?
If you want to improve your communication, it’s important for you to attempt to answer a basic question before your next argument. Take a minute and ask what your goal is for entering into the disagreement. Do you want to walk away at the end of the day feeling happy and understood, or do you need to be “right” and win the argument? (Let’s be honest here. You might want both.)
Why do we want to be right? Why is it so important for some people that it makes it difficult for them to let it go, to listen to another point of view or to enjoy a life with better understanding and less conflict?
It’s normal to want to be right, to be well-regarded by others around us. Problems arise when this normal desire is experienced and expressed as a need, when argumentative behavior becomes a habit, and when arguments become a manipulative tool in relationships. While arguments may make someone feel better or even help them get their way, they predictably lead to frustration and resentment and eventually to dysfunctional relationships and isolation. Who wants to hang around a verbal bully? People who need to be right have little or no desire to hear or learn from others with different opinions. Anyone who dares to differ from them is simply wrong and can risk becoming a target for verbal abuse. The bottom line is they need to be right at all costs, even if this
esteem and the resulting inflated ego exist on a continuum from mild to extreme. All of us fall somewhere on this continuum.
Unlike the relatively quiet confidence exhibited by a person with healthy selfesteem, the person with poor self-esteem tends to be loud and constantly tries to seek validation and prove that their detractors are wrong.
One of the challenging issues when trying to deal with people who have this exaggerated need to be right is that they often are loath to admit they have any problems in the first place or that their opinion might possibly be wrong. They often act with a sense of arrogance and superiority which is irritating and makes satisfying communication difficult, if not impossible.
If you are in a relationship with someone who has to be “right” regardless of the situation or feelings you might have, or if you find yourself sabotaging relationships with these out-of-control patterns of arguing, it might be time to step back. Realize that it’s going to be hard to have healthy communication or to be able to make collaborative decisions with the people in your life if this continues.
Is it worth being in a relationship that treats disagreement as combat? If not, how much is it worth to work to change that dynamic? Is therapy or mediation something to consider trying? Or is it possible to look at past arguments and reframe them going forward? Can we recognize the limitations of always needing to be right?
Greg Holmes lives and writes in Traverse City. Brenin Wertz Roth is a farmer, builder and protector of land who lives on Cedar Creek outside Traverse City.
HARBORTOWN
The 347-Day Wait
Nearly a year after opening, Locals Lake Leelanau is finally getting its liquor license
By Craig Manning
It’s about to be happy hour in Lake Leelanau. Nearly a year after opening its doors, the Locals Lake Leelanau restaurant is finally able to serve alcoholic beverages. Owner Tony West announced the news on the business’s Facebook page on April 22, noting that he was “hoping to have some booze in the building” in time for the first weekend of May.
According to West, there have been two common refrains to how Locals customers have responded to the news. The first was a general “outpouring of love and support” for the restaurant. The second? Some version of the sentence “It’s about damn time.”
Waiting Game
Locals officially debuted on May 10, 2025, opening in the 112 E Philip Street space in Lake Leelanau that had previously been occupied by Northern Latitudes Distillery. The restaurant burned through its entire first summer without being able to serve a single drink, and by fall, West was joking that his fantasy football team bore the name “Where’s the Liquor License.”
“I’ve had the priest, the grocery store owner, everybody wondering what’s been going on with the license and was it ever going to happen,” West joked in the April 22 video announcement of the long-awaited license approval.
All told, it took 347 days after Locals Lake Leelanau opened for West to get the email from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission notifying him that the restaurant’s application for a liquor license had been approved.
West frames the news as a new dawn for Locals, which he admits sometimes struggled to attract and retain customers due to its lack of alcohol.
“We did have people who came in but did not stay because we did not have the license,” West shares. “And they would always apologize to me! They would say, ‘God, we’re so sorry. We just wanted to have a beer.’ And my response to every single one of those people is that I totally understand. I want you to have a beer with your brisket, too. I want you to have the full experience at my restaurant.”
Asked why it took so long for Locals to get its liquor license, West chalks it up to the type of license he applied for. Most restaurants and bars in Michigan have a Class C license, which allows for the on-premises sale and consumption of beer, wine, and spirits. West wanted to go one step further.
“I called the restaurant Locals because I wanted to tell the story of all the local legends that have paved the way beforehand,” West explains. “And with that, I knew I wanted to go for my full manufacturer’s license, which essentially entailed a microbrewery license, a small winemakers license, and a distilling
license. We knew that getting all of that was at least an eight-month process.”
Long-term, West says his aim is for Locals to have its own house-made libations on offer.
“That’s the main plan. All custom-label stuff with a cool Locals label, along with some other cool products,” he notes. “Beer, wine, cider, and liquor with super fun names, named after the local legends that paved the way before.”
Let’s
Throw a Party
While West expects the first days of liquor service at Locals will be plenty celebratory on their own, he is also planning a proper bash to mark the milestone and send the restaurant into both its summer 2026 season and its new chapter.
“We’re framing this as our grand reopening,” West says, touting a noon-to10pm party on Saturday, May 9, that will feature two local bands (Loophole from 124pm and Drew Hale from 7-10pm), paintings for sale from local watercolor artist Mike Sincic, coffee from Pedaling Beans (“They’re actually taking over one of our bars for the day,” West says of the local coffee shop), and the launch of a brand-new food menu.
Regarding the menu, West says Locals will be expanding its pizza menu and “really jumping into our smokehouse theme,” with new barbeque dishes like smoked halfchickens and locally-made kielbasa sausage.
All the new menu items, West promises, will continue the Locals tradition of naming dishes after Leelanau County landmarks and historical tidbits—part of an ongoing partnership between the restaurant and the Leelanau Historical Society.
“Our menu is really geared to be fun and interactive,” West explains. “It has a QR code on it that the Leelanau Historical Society did for us. Each menu item is named after a local legend, and customers can scan that and it will take them to a website that shares more of the history of the area. As we expand the menu a little bit, we’re also adding more names and more information to that Locals QR code.”
Both Sides of the Street
While Locals will be home base for the May 9 party, West says the event will also involve other nearby businesses, part of a block party vibe he sees as a tip of the hat to his restaurant’s “lifting up all things local” mentality.
“We’re getting Soul Squeeze Cellars, which is right across the street from us, involved too,” West teases. “Our first band gets off the stage at 4pm, and then Soul Squeeze will have a band playing from 4-7pm. It’s going to give people an opportunity to jump across the street and try another cool local venue. And then they can calibrate back at Locals from 7-10pm with Drew Hale rocking and rolling.”
Find Locals Lake Leelanau at 112 E Philip St. localsll.com
A VERY BERRY SPRING Inside the Ingredients
By Nora Rae Pearl
Spring has sprung, and soon, there will be strawberries. Local strawberries that begin to come out in late spring are a completely different fruit than what we are used to eating year round. They are sweeter, smaller, and bursting with flavor in comparison. To highlight these attributes, we like to try new dishes that put berries front and center.
In this strawberry-misu, we have made the perfect no-bake strawberry shortcake. And to eat our vegetables before we enjoy dessert, we have created a simple salad that gets dressed in a luxurious strawberry vinaigrette and served with crispy goat cheese fritters. We love Bardenhagen Berries strawberries and preserves for these recipes. For local goat cheese, we recommend Idyll Farms in Northport or Maple Leaf Farm & Creamery in Falmouth.
STRAWBERRY-MISU
Espresso takes a break to allow spring to shine in this no-bake favorite.
Ingredients
• Two 7 oz. packages of lady fingers
• 1 quart of strawberries, hulled, cut into small pieces
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup strawberry preserves or jam
• Juice of 1 lemon (3 tablespoons)
• 8 oz. cream cheese, at room temperature
• 4 oz. mascarpone cheese, cold
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 4 cups heavy cream
• 1/4 cup freeze dried strawberries, finely ground into a powder
To make the syrup: Combine the water, sugar, strawberry preserves, and lemon juice in a small pot. Cook over medium heat until it just begins to boil and you can see that the sugar and jam have dissolved. Pour into a small rectangular container (one that the ladyfingers can fit into) and set aside to cool completely.
To make the whipped cream: In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, mascarpone, vanilla, powdered sugar, and pinch of salt. Beat until smooth. Add 1 cup of the cream, and whisk until smooth. Add the remaining 3 cups of cream and whip into stiff peaks.
To assemble: Start by creating a work station with the ladyfingers, syrup, and a 9-by-13 inch baking dish lined up in that order. Have the chopped strawberries and cream nearby. Test out how you are going to arrange the ladyfingers in your dish before you start. We prefer two rows of nine, but double check the pattern you are going to use before starting. (You should use approximately three of the four sleeves.) Take one ladyfinger, hold it sugared side down, dip and hold into the syrup for one second. Flip over the ladyfinger to sugared side up and place into your pan. (Unlike tiramisu made with espresso, it’s important to hold the ladyfingers in the syrup just a smidge longer to allow the syrup to soak into them.)
Once you have the first layer of ladyfingers complete, spread on half of the whipped cream. Sprinkle on all of the strawberries. Repeat another layer of ladyfingers. Spread the remaining whipped cream on top. If desired for the top layer, spread a very thin layer of cream over the ladyfingers and put the remaining cream into a piping bag. Pipe lines over top to create a beautiful striped pattern.
Cover tiramisu and refrigerate for at least up to 24 hours, preferably 48, to allow ladyfingers to soften. Dust with freeze dried strawberry powder right before serving.
CRISPY FRITTERS WITH STRAWBERRY SALAD
Golden brown, cheesy coins on top of strawberry dressed greens.
Goat Cheese Fritters Ingredients
• 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed well
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 oz. garlic and herb goat cheese
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
Salad Ingredients
• 1 pint strawberries, sliced
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
• 4-5 oz. spring mix lettuce
• 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
• Fresh strawberries for garnish
To make the fritters: In a small pot, combine the quinoa, water, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, lower to a simmer and
cover. Allow to cook for 15 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff with a fork. Let sit for two minutes. Add the goat cheese and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix together until the goat cheese is completely incorporated. Set mixture aside off the heat to cool for 15 minutes.
Once cooled off, scoop into 2-tablespoon-sized balls and shape into small, thick patties. You should get around 16 total. In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once the oil is hot, pan-fry the patties until golden brown on each side, around three to four minutes per side. Allow to drain on a paper towel-lined wire rack.
To make the salad: In a large bowl, toss the spring mix and red onion together with a few tablespoons of the salad dressing (made with ingredients 1-5). A little goes a long way—you can always add more to your liking. Divide among four plates for a main dish, or eight plates as a starter. Divide the fritters among the plates, and garnish with a side strawberry.
ENNOS
MUSEUM CENTER
SAT. MAY 9TH | 10AM - 4PM
Generations Ahead is a nonprofit supporting pregnant teens and young parents in the Grand Traverse region. It takes a humancentered approach, walking alongside families to build resilience and stability. It offers case management, mentorship, internships, a baby pantry, and a supportive community, all aimed at helping young families create healthy, stable futures.
Yarrow Brown became Executive Director in February 2026, succeeding founder Marjie Rich. The organization is guided by an 11-member board, including two alumni, and staffed by a seven-person team.
1
> Yarrow, as the new Executive Director of Generations Ahead, tell us a bit about yourself. What drew you to Generations Ahead?
I’m a native Michigander from Menominee in the Upper Peninsula, with 20-plus years in the nonprofit sector, including more than six as an executive director. Trained in botany/ biology, I worked nationwide and internationally before joining the Leelanau Conservancy in 2008, where I took on roles in land acquisition, conservation easements, planning, facilitation, and grant writing.
In 2020, I stepped into regional nonprofit leadership and have remained in executive roles since. After meeting Generations Ahead’s founding director, Marjie Rich, I was inspired by the mission and later pursued the opportunity to lead the organization.
My connection to this work is personal – as the sister of a teen parent, I’ve seen the importance of strong support systems firsthand. I’m proud to be part of an organization making a meaningful and growing impact in the community.
2 > What services does Generations Ahead offer?
Services include a baby pantry with prenatal, postpartum, and child essentials; paid career internships; parenting and baby social groups; mentorship; educational support; counseling referrals; and emergency financial assistance for needs such as driver’s license fees, car repairs, utilities, and rental deposits.
We also offer a safe, supportive space that helps young parents build confidence, strengthen parenting skills, and break cycles of trauma, teen pregnancy, and abuse. Our coordinated care model connects families with community partners to address education, healthcare, mental health, childcare, housing, and other essential needs, ensuring services are streamlined, not duplicated, and tailored to each family’s goals.
3 > What makes Generations Ahead unique?
Generations Ahead is the only organization in our state dedicated exclusively to serving pregnant and parenting teenagers, including young fathers, who are often overlooked. Through our free, wraparound case management program, we provide comprehensive support for young families. We connect with young parents at the start of their journey and walk beside them until they are confident, with the support and stability to stand on their own.
We serve teen parents (up to age 22) living in the eightcounty region. Because our young families are incredibly transitory, historically we will work with anyone who is able to get into Grand Traverse County. Often they live in one county, attend school or have a job in another, and then move between counties. In 2024 we realized we need to expand our capacity to support clients who do not have the capacity to come to Grand Traverse County because of housing and transportation. In 2025, 30 percent of our clients came from outside Grand Traverse County.
13 Questions with Yarrow Brown, Executive Director of Generations Ahead
4 > Where is Generations Ahead located?
We are located in Traverse City, with offices at Traverse City High School. Our services extend across an eight-county region.
5 > How many teen parents do you assist each year?
In 2025, we had 81 clients enrolled in our programs. We currently have 79 enrolled, but we expect this number to rise.
6 > Why has May been designated Teen Pregnancy Awareness Month?
To raise awareness: Teen pregnancy can affect education, income, and health.
To promote informed choices: Encourages knowledge about relationships, contraception, and goals.
To reduce rates: Addresses historically high U.S. teen birth rates.
To start conversations: Opens dialogue among teens, parents, and communities.
To support futures: Helps young people build healthier, more stable lives.
7 > What is the biggest misconception around teen pregnancy?
One of the biggest misconceptions about teen pregnancy is that it’s mainly the result of irresponsibility or “bad choices.” That idea sounds simple, but it misses the bigger picture.
In reality, teen pregnancy is strongly influenced by structural and social factors, things like access to comprehensive sex education, availability of contraception, socioeconomic conditions, family environment, and cultural norms.
Another layer of the misconception is the assumption that teen parents inevitably “ruin their lives.” While early parenthood does come with challenges – especially around education and finances – the outcomes vary widely depending on support systems and community resources. Many teen parents go on to finish school and build stable lives, particularly when they have access to childcare, mentoring, and healthcare.
8 > Why are healthy, involved parents so important for children’s development, and what impact does teen pregnancy have on families?
Parenting requires commitment and support. Active engagement helps children develop emotional stability, cognitive skills, and healthy behaviors, while a lack of support makes parenting – especially for young or first-time parents – more difficult.
Because brain development continues into the mid-20s, many young parents are still maturing themselves. Teen parents often face added challenges, including limited support, lower educational attainment, and greater financial strain, with research linking teen pregnancy to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Organizations like Generations Ahead provide resources and guidance to empower young families, helping them build stability and break cycles of disadvantage.
9
> What impact does teen pregnancy have on the community?
Teen pregnancy strains communities through higher public costs, lower educational attainment, and cycles of poverty. About 50 percent of teen mothers drop out of high school, reducing income potential and increasing reliance on public assistance. Their children face poorer health outcomes, like low birth weight and chronic conditions, and higher risks of academic struggles and becoming teen parents themselves.
These effects drive greater demand for healthcare and social services and contribute to stigma, anxiety, and depression among young mothers. In Grand Traverse County, with 30-35 teen births annually, expanding programs like Generations Ahead is key to improving long-term outcomes.
10
> What impact has been seen as a result of the actions of Generations Ahead?
Our client stories tell it all, but we also have some exciting numbers to share. Our enrollment and program support continue to grow each year. In 2025, we served 81 parents (up from 62 in 2024), welcomed 18 new babies, and supported six parents in graduating high school. Fourteen parents are currently in therapy. Through the Partners of Joy Holiday Program, 49 donors helped us reach 75 adults and 55 children. We also placed three clients in internships and recorded 287 baby pantry visits. We hosted 37 events, including Family Camp, play groups, MUNCH (a social group offering childcare, dinner, and space to connect), and a new Community Resource Night connecting families to local services. Attendance reached record highs, with more clients bringing friends and a growing number of fathers participating. See our 2025 Annual Report at generationsahead.org/annualreports.
11
> With the addition of a Fatherhood Advocate over the last year, have you seen a shift in father participation?
When we added a Fatherhood Advocate to our staff over a year ago, we saw a rise in father participation almost immediately. As we began intentionally engaging and reaching out to our young dads, we quickly realized how important that connection to a trusted male role model truly is. Over time, the program has continued to grow, and it has been incredibly rewarding to see young dads connecting with one another, whether over a meal, a game of basketball, or out on a hike. We are always looking for more male mentors to join our mentorship program this fall. If you are interested, please reach out through our website.
12 > What has been one of the greatest successes for Generations Ahead?
Generations Ahead’s social events create something many teen parents feel they’ve lost: a place where they truly belong. When young people become parents, they often feel disconnected from their peers, unsure where they fit in, and overlooked or judged by older parents because of their age. At Generations Ahead, they are welcomed exactly as they are, with no expectations other than to show up and be themselves. In that space, they can share their challenges openly, be understood without explanation, and build real connections with others navigating similar experiences. Watching those bonds form is one of the most meaningful parts of the work for our staff. And when those connections continue beyond our events – when they choose to spend time together on their own – it’s a powerful reminder that they ’ve found not just support, but community.
13 > What are ways that someone can get involved?
If you would love to get involved with Generations Ahead or support our mission, visit our website at GenerationsAhead.org. There are many ways to make a meaningful impact, including helping organize our baby pantry, assisting with childcare during parent social events, serving food at events, or becoming a trained mentor this fall. You can also support us by purchasing muchneeded items through visiting our website. Additionally, we warmly invite you to become a monthly donor to help us continue providing essential support to our incredible young parents and their children.
Yarrow Brown, Executive Director.
Northern Michigan’s Most Iconic Eats
2026 EDITION
Trattoria Stella (traverse city)
By Craig Manning
How do we know northern Michigan has an incredible culinary scene? Because eight years after kicking off our search for the region’s most iconic dishes, there are still absolutely legendary restaurants that are only now getting their moment in the sun.
In 2026, we inducted six new dishes from five as-yet-unfeatured restaurants into our growing hall of foodie fame, which now includes 40 dishes from 39 different spots.
We’ve been doing this song and dance for long enough now that a few of our favorite picks from past years have now passed into legend. Oh, how we miss The Gobbler from Mary’s Kitchen Port and the ThaiStyle Fried Chicken from Alliance, both dishes inducted as part of our 2020 class.
But the show must go on, and so too must the eating. So, without further ado, allow us to introduce the 2026 class of northern Michigan’s most iconic eats, featuring both our first double-dish inductee and our first-ever entries into beloved categories like tacos and chocolate cake! Bon Appetit!
BURRATA & SPANISH OCTOPUS
Despite its status as one of Traverse City’s most acclaimed restaurants (MLive called it the best Italian restaurant in Michigan back in 2017) and the foundational role it played in turning the Village at Grand Traverse Commons into a destination (it was the first restaurant to open there, back in 2004), Trattoria Stella has never featured on a Northern Express Iconic Eats list. Until now, that is. When the time finally came to pick one
definitive Stella dish to induct into the hall of fame, we couldn’t do it. So, we figured: Why not pick two?
Like many restaurants, Stella’s menu tends to rotate depending on what’s in season or what the chefs are feeling. Two of the constants on the menu can be found in the appetizers section, and they just happen to be two of our favorites: the burrata and the char-grilled Spanish octopus.
Stella makes its own burrata (the word for an Italian-style cow’s milk cheese made with mozzarella and cream) and serves it with shaved Toscano salami, a charred tomato vinaigrette topping, and crostini toast. According to Stella owner Amanda
Danielson, the dish “captures what Stella has always tried to do: take a few beautiful things, treat them with restraint, and let generosity do the rest.” She likes to describe the dish as “rich without being heavy, elegant without being fussy, and familiar enough to feel comforting while still feeling like a dish worth going out for.”
“It has become one of those plates that regulars order almost reflexively and firsttime guests remember,” Danielson says of the burrata.
The char-grilled Spanish octopus, served with house-made Calabrese sausage, smoked shallots, rice, beans, and tomato, “has a similarly loyal following, though for slightly different reasons,”
Danielson says.
“[The octopus] helped establish that Stella was willing to trust its guests with something beyond the usual repertoire, and over time it became one of the dishes people associate most strongly with us,” she explains. “The three-step cooking process ensures it is invariably tender, and the combination with our house made Calabrese sausage and the smokiness of the shallots and tomato is legendary. For many guests, it is the thing they tell people not to miss.”
“On a menu that changes constantly, those two dishes have endured for over 15 of our 22 years,” Danielson adds. “That is saying something.”
Dam Site Inn
(BRUTUS)
PAN-FRIED CHICKEN DINNER
Maybe it’s modern economics at work, or perhaps just a changing of the times, but true all-you-can-eat options are a lot harder to come by in northern Michigan these days than they used to be. (Excuse us as we pour one out for the eye-popping all you can eat sushi deal at Traverse City’s now-shuttered Panda North.) More than 70 years into its existence, though, Pellston’s Dam Site Inn is clinging to all-youcan-eat culture, and we love them for it.
Open in Pellston since 1953—and still bearing so much mid-century charm that walking inside is tantamount to going back in time—the Dam Site Inn is most famous for its southern-style pan-fried chicken dinner. That house specialty is “served family style, all you can eat” and costs $31.99 per person. If you’ve got a mighty appetite, there might not be a better deal in the entire region.
Not only do you get platters upon platters of golden fried chicken, but also a smorgasbord of sides, including hot buttermilk biscuits served with honey, a basket of assorted crackers with butter, homemade noodles, hot-buttered peas, creamy whipped potatoes, and your choice of coleslaw or salad. Refills are available on all of the above, and you are welcome—nay, encouraged!—to eat until you can’t anymore.
Needless to say, there is no chance of leaving the Dam Site Inn hungry.
Note: A seasonal establishment, Dam Site opens for the year on May 1 and closes for the winter in October.
Roaming Harvest at Northern Natural Cider House & Winery: (Kaleva)
KOREAN BEEF TACOS
Some local dishes are so legendary that they can withstand changes in ownership, business name, and geography. Such is the case with the Korean beef tacos at Northern Natural Cider House & Winery in Kaleva, a dish that initially made a name for itself at Traverse City’s Little Fleet.
Here’s the story: Back in 2012, entrepreneur/chef Simon Joseph rolled into town with Roaming Harvest, Traverse City’s “first food truck,” as the Associated Press described it in 2014. When Gary and Alison Jonas opened The Little Fleet for Cherry Festival 2013, Roaming Harvest was one of five food trucks on the lot. Food trucks eventually became commonplace all throughout northern Michigan, but who knows if that would have happened without Roaming Harvest winning over converts.
In that context, the Korean beef tacos might be the most pivotal dish in recent local history, because it became the Roaming Harvest calling card.
Like most great street food classics, these tacos are simple: just marinated flank steak topped with sambal slaw and sriracha mayo and served in a taco shell. But simple things sometimes lodge in your brain in ways that more complex ones don’t, and the amazing flavor of these tacos certainly lives rent-free in a lot of northern Michiganders’ minds. How else would you explain the lingering fondness for these tacos, even now that Roaming Harvest has changed hands and traded Traverse City for Kaleva?
Kyle Mackey, the Great Lakes Culinary Institute-trained chef who runs the Northern Natural cidery alongside his father, Dennis Mackey, bought the Roaming Harvest food truck four years ago. Rather than keep the truck in Traverse City—where a brick-and-mortar version of Harvest had by then come and gone—Mackey decided to make it one of two food options available at Northern Natural.
“[Simon Joseph] took the time to not only sell me the truck, but also the recipes and the ideas,” Mackey says of the transaction. “He came down for a couple days and did some hands-on training, explaining how he made all his dishes. The Korean beef tacos were the one we decided to stick with and keep on the menu, because people know about that dish. To this day, we have people from Traverse City coming down here looking for that specific dish. They’ll tell us that they fell in love with it 10 years ago and wanted to eat it again, and they get so excited about having it, because it has stayed the same that whole time.”
(Senior - Kalkaska)
A three-sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball, Zachary has demonstrated consistent excellence on the field and court while also distinguishing himself as one of Kalkaska’s top academic leaders, serving as President of the National Honor Society for the 2025-26 school year. His ability to compete and lead at the highest level in both athletics and academics makes him a true embodiment of what a student-athlete should be.
U&I Lounge:
(traverse
city)
GYRO
One of Traverse City’s longest-running establishments—it celebrated its 90-year anniversary last year—the U&I Lounge is undoubtedly “iconic” among locals. While it’s typically better known as a watering hole and hangout than as a restaurant, the U&I deserves its flowers for its food menu, which is full of simple bar eats executed beautifully, from the chicken wings to the U&I Burger.
What really sets the U&I apart, though, is this: Long before northern Michigan’s foodie scene became more worldly—downtown Traverse City now includes options for Indian food, Szechuan Chinese cuisine, and Vietnamese, none of which were on offer 20 years ago— U&I was earning a following for its “Greek Specialties” menu, specifically, its gyros.
A street food staple in Greece, the gyro is characterized by rotisserie-cooked meat served on grilled pita bread. It’s a simple formula rendered beautifully at U&I, whose standard gyro features shaved seasoned lamb and beef loaded into a grilled pita alongside tomato, onion, and tzatziki sauce. Suffice to say, this sandwich is one of Traverse City’s most delectable flavor bombs.
We’re almost equally obsessed with the alternate versions, geared toward diners who don’t eat lamb and/or beef. Check out the “gyro with a twist,” which swaps in marinated chicken breast and trades tzatziki sauce for an outstanding sour cream dill dressing. Or, if you prefer a totally vegetarian take on the classic, try the veggie gyro, which ditches all the meat in favor of pepperoncinis. Yum.
No matter which version you choose, we doubt you’ll be disappointed. Whether you’re enjoying a beer with your best friends at the bar, or looking for the perfect togo sandwich to take to the beach for a summer sunset, the U&I gyro is hard to beat.
LA Bécasse:
(Maple City)
WARM CHOCOLATE CAKE
Every good meal needs a great dessert to tie it all together, so consider this decadent treat from Maple City as the cherry on top of our latest Iconic Eats inductee class.
A molten chocolate cake with a perfectly flaky phyllo crust, topped with irresistible Belgian bittersweet chocolate sauce and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, La Bécasse’s warm chocolate cake is the perfect end to any meal.
It’s also a dish with a surprisingly involved history. According to Brooke Hazael-Massieux, who owns the Maple City restaurant along with her husband, chef and restaurateur Guillaume Hazael-Massieux, reimagining the chocolate cake was one of the pair’s priorities when they bought the place two decades ago.
“When Guillaume and I took over La Bécasse at the end of 2005, there was a warm chocolate cake on the menu,” Brooke says. “It was a delicious chocolate lava cake, but it required time in the microwave before it could be served to the guest. This was a big faux pas for Chef Guillaume.”
As Brooke tells the tale, Chef Guillaume set to work “figuring out a workaround for the little cake that did not require a microwave.”
“His workaround is the current version of the cake, which is wrapped in phyllo dough, brushed with melted butter, and sprinkled with sugar,” Brooke tells the Express. “When a cake is ordered, it is heated in the convection oven and then plated with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of bittersweet chocolate sauce, which is made in-house and kept warm during service.”
Huh, is your mouth watering right now, or is that just us?
Renée FlemingVoice of Nature: The Anthropocene
Betting on a Pretty Penny
The Pretty Penny Steakhouse is the newest restaurant iteration at 201 Front St.
By Ross Boissoneau
Dean Sparks had an idea for a restaurant. A couple of them actually, starting with the eponymous Sparks BBQ. It debuted first as a food truck, then moved into the cozy space at 439 E. Front Street (now home to Chubby Unicorn). He then found a larger space at 201 E. Front, where he debuted the nightclub Encore 201, while Sparks BBQ morphed into Enclave 201 in 2025, which emphasized pub fare and classic American dishes alongside some Sparks BBQ favorites.
Now he’s banking on another traditional concept, one which he feels is currently underserved. Welcome to the Pretty Penny Steakhouse, which opened in February 2026 for Traverse City Restaurant Week.
From Architecture to Steak
Why abandon his previous idea—err, ideas? “My prior passion was grilling steaks over a live fire,” Sparks says.
Prior maybe, but not his first passion. That would be architecture. “It was a lifelong dream, since 7th grade,” Sparks says. He earned his degree and eventually opened his own architectural firm in the Detroit area. Things were going well until the Great Recession. The housing and construction industries collapsed, and with no one building, his work dried up.
Enter passion No. 2. Sparks started using the grill in the back yard in earnest, finding some quiet time while discovering he really enjoyed cooking over a fire. By 2014 he had moved to Traverse City and opened a food truck, and two years later, Sparks BBQ landed its brick-and-mortar site.
While the Great Recession led him to
the restaurant business, the COVID-19 pandemic almost forced him out. After surviving the shutdowns, business returned, but he decided it was time to re-evaluate.
The result: “Summers were good; winter was lackluster.”
That led to his next venture. “My first re-brand attempt was Enclave 201,” he says. He saw the 2025 opening as a positive step toward year-round stability. The menu included some Sparks BBQ favorites, alongside requested items such as burgers and fries. He had been unable to offer those due to equipment limitations, such as the lack of a kitchen hood. Upon purchasing the building, he was able to rectify that situation.
Yet as the new year approached, Sparks observed that familiar slowdown in business. Moreover, he discovered that working in what he calls middle-income prices with a menu featuring burgers, comfort food, and a couple entrees wasn’t the draw he thought it would be. “To my chagrin, [people] gravitated toward entrees. Number one was steaks.”
He decided it was, in his words, “time to change gears.” Again.
This time he decided to dive into his true love, and go upscale as well. Goodbye hamburger, hello Wagyu sirloin, filet mignon, prime ribeye, plus “steak enhancements” such as grilled shrimp, scallops, blue cheese butter, and horseradish cream.
Inside Out
While he had the concept and location, he needed to come up with a name, something that preferably tied in with the building’s history as First National Bank. The first inspiration was Capone’s.
“You could eat in the vault,” he mused. Taking it a step further, he considered The Butcher’s Vault.
While both did indeed tie in with the building’s former purpose, he thought it through and ultimately decided to go with something somewhat less intimidating. “The Pretty Penny ties in with the bank concept. It’s not so masculine as The Butcher’s Vault,” Sparks says.
The last day for Enclave 201 was New Year’s Eve 2025. In the new year, Sparks immediately began refurbishing the premises for its next life, which dovetailed into his previous passion of architecture.
In keeping with the concept’s forebears, such as Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse or Mastro’s, Sparks wanted the atmosphere to reflect the ambience of a high-end steakhouse and cocktail lounge. He opted for warm copper tones, dark woods and low, warm lighting, with long bars, tall stools, and leather sectionals alongside dining tables.
He’s quick to praise the team at the restaurant for its immediate success, from those on the planning side to managers, servers, and chefs. “I can’t do it by myself,” he says. Sparks believes if the staff do a great job, serve great food and take care of the guests, then customers will return. “We want you to come back,” he adds.
Sparks says that return business is the key to making it on a year-round basis.
While Traverse City boasts a reputation as a culinary haven, he knows a successful restaurant has to attract people yearround, not just summer visitors. “There’s the summer/winter dichotomy. You’ve got to make locals want to come with so many options. To me, it’s all about the local traffic.”
From the Kitchen
Will locals be put off by the higher prices of a steakhouse? If early returns are an indication, Sparks doesn’t believe that will be a problem, as long as the restaurant delivers.
And while the prices might indeed be a pretty penny in the traditional concept of the phrase—the prime ribeye comes in at $68, prime New York strip at $59, and the porterhouse for two is $145—they’re in line with market prices at such inspirations as Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse or Morton’s The Steakhouse.
As for the rest of the menu, starters keep things classic, with two options for oysters (chilled or Rockefeller), calamari, and shrimp ceviche, among others. More seafood awaits for the mains, with salmon, scallops, and whitefish. To accompany the entrees and aforementioned steaks, family-style sides range from Brussels sprouts and Parmesan fries to mashed potatoes and risotto.
Though it is a steakhouse, vegetarians will find some tasty options, like the burrata and Whipped Feta Dip in the appetizer section to Caesar salad and an Asian Chopped Salad with napa and red cabbage, carrot, scallion, water chestnuts, peas, cashews, broccolini, and crispy wontons. There’s even an alfredo on the entrees section that could be made without shrimp.
To round out the menu, choose from craft cocktails, a list of wines at various price points, and other go-to beverages.
Find The Pretty Penny Steakhouse at 201 E. Front St. in Traverse City. (231) 642-5032; theprettypennysteakhouse.com
SAILING FOR EVERYONE
The Most Magical Address on Earth
Traverse Area Community Sailing offers inclusive summer programs for all ages and skill levels. Learn to sail, build confidence, and connect with the community—right here on Grand Traverse Bay. Scholarships available. All are welcome. tacsailing.org
The most important part of deciding where to live is, of course, location, location, location. For the Ewing family, that's Disney World in Florida, People magazine reported on April 21. Adam, 41, and Lauren, 36, and their two daughters live about half the year at an RV campsite at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort. Resort rules stipulate that a single resort reservation can't be longer than 26 days, so every few weeks, the Ewings pack up their RV, go somewhere else for 24 hours and move back in the next day. "This has just always been our go-to place," Adam said. "We developed a community of friends here and we never wanted to leave." The family started living full-time in their RV during COVID, and other times of the year, the Ewings find themselves in places like Utah, Canada and Vermont, but always make their way back home. Despite living at the most magical place on Earth, daily life for the Ewings is fairly typical of most families. "Most of the time, it is that normal life, working out, doing schoolwork, regular work, and then we'll go to the parks ... mostly at night," Lauren said. Living on Disney property comes with a Disney price tag -- the family has paid up to $8,000 per month to stay on site, a cost they say is well worth it. [People, 4/21/26]
It's a Bird, It's a Plane ...
A spring football game at Virginia Tech was delayed after a parachuter crashed into the scoreboard over the school's football field, Lane Stadium, the New York Post reported on April 18. Shortly before the game, which was scheduled to start at 3 p.m., two parachuters could be seen gliding over the field. The first one flew safely over, while the second crashed into the board, between the "C" and "H" in "Tech." Emergency personnel were able to retrieve the parachuter safely, and the skydiver was not hospitalized. While fans waited for the game to start, the board displayed an explanation for the delay: "Attention please. We are waiting for EMTs to get out of the board. Thank you for your patience." Over on X, Virginia Tech Athletics said, "We are grateful to report the skydiver was safely secured and is currently stable. Our primary focus remains on their well-being." The football game resumed at 4 p.m. [New York Post, 4/18/26]
That same day, on the other side of the country, a hot air balloon carrying 13 passengers made an unexpected stop in a backyard in Temecula, California, ABC 7 News reported. According to witnesses, the pilot announced that a lack of wind and dwindling fuel supply meant he had to land. "He was trying to get us to the street, but we couldn't get to the street in time, so we landed in the people's backyard, safe and sound," passenger Brianna Avalos said. "He was an amazing pilot!" Neighbors alerted the homeowners, Hunter and Jenna Perrin, of the incident. "I open the sliding glass door, and there's a basket full of 13 people in my backyard!" Hunter said. "The pilot ... got it right down inside, directly into the backyard, where there was nothing. The balloon didn't catch on anything. No one was injured." [ABC 7, 4/19/26]
Hot Dog!
Some high school students take a limo to prom. Others, like Breckan Andrews of Topeka, Kansas, roll up in the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile. According to UPI, the Seaman High School junior and his friends were at
Sonic on Friday, April 17, when they spotted the vehicle at a nearby grocery store. An idea formed. "One of my buddies was like, 'Can we rent this thing?' and I was like, 'Well, what if we just ask about prom? What if they take us? It's tomorrow,'" Andrews said. "You miss all the shots you don't take," he added. Driver -- or "Hot Dogger," as they say in the wiener biz -- Maggie Dawson was happy to help and took the students to prom free of charge. "It was like a little light bulb," she said. "We were like, 'Well, what time is prom?' And from there, we checked our schedule, and we were able to make it happen." [UPI, 4/20/26]
Uncanny
Erika Brown of Anderson, Indiana, is an only child, but is looking for her doppelganger. UPI reported on April 18 that facial recognition software flagged Brown for potential fraud during her driver's license renewal. A Fraud and Security Enforcement investigator had to verify Brown's identity before allowing her to continue with the renewal. The officer showed her photos of another Indiana woman who is the same age as Brown but has a different name and address. Brown was stunned by the resemblance. "What are the odds that we look so similar, live in the same place, and have never crossed paths?" she said. "Seeing someone who looks so much like me was really strange and bizarre." She was finally issued her license after three months of waiting but continues her search for her lookalike. "How does something like this even happen genetically?" Brown wonders. [UPI, 4/21/26]
Here's the Buzz
It was an unusual sight on the side of the road on I-40 in east Tennessee: Beekeepers, donned in full gear, trying to collect 1 million bees after the truck they were in crashed on April 17 in Knoxville, the Associated Press reported. Tennessee Department of Transportation regional spokesperson Mark Nagi said the swarm shut down an exit and the truck was destroyed in the accident, but that there were no injuries. Nagi posted a photo of the bees and beekeepers on social media. "... the bees are ... well ... buzzing," he said. "Unless you are dressed in this outfit please stay in your vehicles in this area." All the bees were rescued and moved from the area. [AP, 4/17/26]
A-moose-ing
Catching a glimpse of a moose in Montana is not unheard of. A moose in Montana taking a nap in front of a radio station called "The Moose"? Now that's funny. On April 22, UPI reported that a moose was seen wandering around Bozeman. A Montana State University student, Alivia Ballenger, took a video of the moose running across a vacant lot near her apartment, and her father, a real estate agent, reposted it on his realty business page. "It's a great lot," he said. "I think the moose thought so, too." Later that day, radio station The Moose 94.7 FM, shared a video of the moose lying down for a nap next to the station, with the caption, "We had a special visitor outside the 'MOOSE' studio this morning." Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks declined to take any action. "Yesterday was the first time we had received reports that this moose was in the area," Information Officer Morgan Jacobsen said. "We didn't get reports that it was causing conflicts or obstructing traffic." [UPI, 4/22/26]
By Northern Express Staff & Contributors
What do Quiche Lorraine, patty melts, grilled cheese, chicken and waffles, Welsh rarebit, coney dogs, and drunken noodles have in common? They are some of the most popular dishes from the establishments featured in this year’s Spring Restaurant Guide, which highlights the stand-out eateries our staff profiled over the colder months. So shake off the winter blues, and go grab a bite!
THE DANDY Traverse City
By definition, a dandy is a person of good taste, and in coowner Chad Hall’s words, “We are a place of good tastes.”
In the former Green House Café space and run by the folks behind Red Spire Brunch House, The Dandy has quickly become a favorite for upscalecasual breakfast, brunch, and lunch fare, finely prepared with knowing service. (Hall estimates that on a weekend, The Dandy is seeing over 200 guests per day.)
The Dandy is ensconced in a 1907 building that miraculously avoided any façade “improvements” or renovations over the century-plus of its existence.
On the Menu
Upon returning to the building that gave owners Hall and Joshua Anderson their start, the duo reached into the traditions and recipes of Green House and Red Spire.
Look for both the time-honored and the new. We like The Bash—hashbrowns, gruyere, ham, and onions grilled together, then topped with a choice of eggs and toast— or the Burrito with house-made chorizo. Quiche Lorraine beautifully combines bacon, gruyere, and caramelized onions, and French short crust pastry pâte brisée.
Choose from the popular selection of Benedicts or the challah bread French Toast with Bavarian cream, raspberry Romanoff, and toasted almonds, because sometimes breakfast should be as pretty as dessert.
On the lunch side, to honor the Green House Café, try the popular soup and sandwich combos, including the Green House Egg BLT and Chicken Noodle soup. There are salads and sandwiches, baked goods, and sides, from house-made pecan or cinnamon rolls to hashbrowns cooked just how you like them.
Vegans and vegetarians will find plenty of options. Plus, there is a full bar in addition to the expected brunch libations, such as freshly roasted coffee, fresh-squeezed
orange juice, and mimosas. Sourcing is done locally whenever possible, including Higher Grounds, 9 Bean Rows, and Third Coast Bakery, or “whatever catches our eye,” Hall says.
Find The Dandy at 115 East Front St. in Traverse City. (231) 709-4167; dandytc.com
JEANNINE’S RESTAURANT Northport
In a bright and cozy space at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula sits Jeannine’s Restaurant, which opened in Northport’s celebrated Tribune building late last year. Owners Ron Marcotrigiano and Jeannine Logie aim to take up their predecessor’s mantle and become a go-to spot for hearty and delicious breakfast and lunch meals for years to come.
Ron and Jeannine decided to open by winter to iron out kinks before the crush of the tourist season.
“I’m happy we did it in the winter because we have time to actually get ready for summer,” Ron says. “We were going to get everything going in April, but then you put in all that effort and right away you’re getting hit in the head [with big crowds].”
“People are loving it and they’re coming back, which is just great,” Jeannine adds.
On the Menu
Breakfast is their greatest joy, with plenty of good selections. The menu is ample, but not overbearing. This is by design and stands in stark contrast to the 10-page menus at some of the big chain breakfast places.
“The frittata is amazing. He makes different frittatas, and it’s all fresh ingredients all the time,” Jeannine says. “Right now, ours is sweet potato, cherry tomatoes, bacon, and cheddar.”
The list goes on. “We make a killer hash. The benedict is great,” Jeannine says. “His pancakes are amazing.”
Don’t sleep on lunch, though. “The patty melt is phenomenal,” Jeannine tells us. “We
don’t have a burger on our menu, and we’re confident to do it because the patty melt is [so good],” she says. “It’s a really, really, really good patty melt.”
Jeannine credits Ron for a menu driven by constant innovation.
“I have been around the restaurant industry my whole life, and I’ve known a number of chefs, and I will say that this guy is living and breathing food,” she says. “He’s thinking about the menu all the time, even when he’s not at work…and it really shows in all the food. So when someone asks what’s great on the menu, everything is great. They’re really high-quality dishes.”
Find Jeannine’s Restaurant at 110 E Nagonaba St. in Northport. (231) 386-1041; jeanninesnorthport.com
BOYNE CITY TAPROOM Boyne City
Rich Bergmann and Aaron Hagen, who also own the Bridge Street Taproom in Charlevoix, planted their brewery in Boyne City in 2016, and they’re now preparing to celebrate the Boyne City Taproom’s 10th anniversary.
Serving mostly Michigan based beers and a satisfyingly broad array of shareables, sandwiches, burgers, wraps, and salads, this taproom has a little something for everyone.
On the Menu
In terms of beer, Mitten State brews are prominently featured, from Big Lake Brewing (Holland) to Austin Brothers Beer Co. (Alpena) to Short’s (Bellaire). Michigan ciders and an Indiana barleywine are also represented. All these options are reinforced by a curated wine list and a fully stocked bar showcasing a selection of signature cocktails, mocktails, and NA beers.
With everyone’s thirst sated, it’s on to the food selection. We landed on the onion ring basket as a starter. These hefty rings are
dynamite with beer and are magnificent when carelessly plunged into their accompanying Taproom Sauce, a creamy dipping concoction that issues a tiny, tasty kick.
For the main course we chose the Rich Ragin’ Grilled Cheese, with its lightly toasted sourdough bread bookending layers of stretchy, stringy smoked gouda and provolone cheeses, thick smoky bacon, and creamy avocado. The other must-have in the sandwich category is the House Burger. This thick, 8-oz. Certified Angus Beef patty is expertly cooked-to-order and has a fresh and pronounced grilled beef flavor that parlays well with the fresh brioche bun.
The entrees take things up a notch: blackened salmon on a bed of rice with vegetables and black bean corn pico; 12 oz. bone-in pork ribeye seared and glazed with garlic teriyaki; Loaded Mac with brisket, bacon, sautéed peppers, onions, and jalapeños in a creamy cheddar mac and cheese on cavatappi noodles, and more.
There are things to do at Boyne City Taproom besides eat and drink as well.
According to co-owner Aaron Hagen, the taproom hosts monthly beer dinners ($40$60), which highlight the popular beers of various Michigan breweries as they’re served with menu items not seen on the regular menu.
Find Boyne City Taproom at 220 S Lake St. in Boyne City. (231) 459-4487; bctaproom.com
FARMER’S KITCHEN Kalkaska
A sense of shared community (served up alongside scratchmade breakfast) is what Kalkaska farmer Kristina Lane and her family hope to cultivate in their new diner, Farmer’s Kitchen.
Opened in fall 2025, the café, which occupies the space previously home to Shirley’s in the Woods Café, combines homestyle cooking with farm-fresh ingredients to breathe
new life into a beloved institution.
“Everyone says that they missed this, that this diner was the heart of their community,” says Lane. “I want to bring that back.”
On the Menu Farmer’s Kitchen takes the neighborhood café concept and kicks it up a few notches with brunch and breakfast fare prepared using ingredients sourced from the area’s many smaller-scale growers.
In truest farm-to-table fashion, everything the kitchen cooks up, from batters and sauces to baked goods, is made from scratch. Consequently, the diner’s cuisine falls squarely in the comfort-food realm (think: rustic classics that stick to your ribs) with the occasional nod to Lane’s southern roots.
On the breakfast side of things, this equates to top-selling items like the Farmer’s Breakfast Platter—that’s a plate piled high with the guest’s choice of protein (bacon, ham steak, chorizo, or breakfast sausage), two eggs, shredded hashbrowns, and biscuits or toast—and Lane’s personal favorite, the Cinna-Bomb pancakes, which are homemade right down to the buttermilk batter and heartily drizzled with maple cream cheese.
Other must-try morning bites include the sausage gravy-smothered buttermilk biscuits (which feel like a match for the fried green tomatoes), and for the dessert-first type, a build-your-own griddle cake situation, complete with every possible topping.
The Bunch-a-Bologna, a smoked and fried bologna sandwich, is a standout, as is the hyperlocal and totally decadent Buttermilk Fried Chicken & Waffle. And old-school handhelds, like the SMASH Stacker burger, which clocks in at a whopping half-pound before the fries, also performs well with patrons.
Per Lane, plans for making, and eventually supplying the kitchen, with fresh goat’s cheese are in the works. She even hints at sourcing Moomers ice cream in time for summer traffic!
Find Farmer’s Kitchen at 10945 W Bear Lake Rd. SE in Kalkaska. (231) 384-6007
OLD MISSION TAVERN
Traverse City
macha and goat cheese.
Entrees include the Beef Delmonico, cooked sous vide to 130 degrees, then grilled to order, with mashed potatoes, and mushroom and onion jus. (Sous vide is the French water bath method, yielding perfectly tender meats.)
The Rainbow Trout is raised in streams fed by artesian aquifers, arriving fresh, never frozen, then pan-fried and served with sunchoke, bacon, and kale salad, with beer Blanc, a reduction of beer, clam juice, cream, and butter.
The Roasted Half-Chicken, resting on toasted sourdough with chicken liver mousse, cherry jam, and pearl onions is “absolutely delicious,” and might become a new favorite of the liver and onions fans.
Look for featured Sunday Chicken Dinners and Prime Rib Specials, plus simple desserts featuring the bounty of the peninsula.
Behind the bar, Krupka has a minimalist approach to spirits, wines, and brews. Expect classic cocktails with simple updates, a selection of popular brews, and a dozen wines, by the glass or the bottle, representing our region, plus Oregon, Italy, France, Argentina, and the Iberian Peninsula.
Find Old Mission Tavern at 17015 Center Rd. in Traverse City. (231) 223-7280; oldmissiontaverntc.com
TOBY’S DOG HOUSE
Traverse City
After deciding that he was “too old” for the restaurant grind, Toby Smith of the eponymous Toby’s Dog House earned a teaching degree in special ed, teaching for two years before moving to Manistique to be closer to his mother. When he looked at teacher’s salaries, he realized that he could “do better [selling] hotdogs on the street,” so that is precisely what he did, dealing his product out of an 11-foot refurbished travel trailer.
grilled onion.
There’s more, but we can’t forget freshpressed Cuban sandwiches, gyros with chicken, steak, or traditional lamb, and lobster rolls (currently on special) with lobster purchased from a closely guarded source. Tacos feature chicken, steak, or the Korean Street Tacos with shaved steak or chicken, Korean BBQ sauce, sesame Asian slaw, and pickled cucumbers.
Expect a nice selection of sides and bar bites, and look for new additions for the warmer months.
Find Toby’s Dog House at 439 East Eighth St. in Traverse City. (231) 4639624’ tobys-doghouse.com
RICE & SHINE Manistee
Rice & Shine, which opened in September 2025, reflects the journey of owner Sue Somsanith and her husband, Savann. Their story begins far from northern Michigan, rooted in Southeast Asia and shaped by the experience of arriving in the United States as refugees in the 1980s.
Sue, originally from Vietnam, and Savann, from Cambodia, came to the U.S. as teenagers. They built their lives in the Midwest, with Sue eventually completing her education in Wisconsin and pursuing a career in manufacturing. While stable, that career left her searching for something more meaningful.
“I noticed a lack of South Asian cuisine while living in Holland and saw an opportunity to establish something meaningful and bring some of my culture to the community,” Sue says.
On the Menu
At Rice & Shine, the menu reads like a map of Southeast Asia, with each dish representing a piece of Sue and Savann’s shared heritage.
One of the most popular items is the fried rice, a dish Sue has been refining since 2003. Customers continue to return for its distinctive flavor, driven by a blend of herbs that set it apart from more familiar versions.
Chef and co-owner Brian Daley knows that he and partner Stephanie Krupka are setting up shop in a “beloved” landmark restaurant, and he understands the delicate balance between honoring the original site and moving forward with new flavors and methods.
“Nostalgia is a short tightrope to walk,” Daley says, explaining that even producing the favorite dishes with the old recipes would still feel “a little different.” Instead, the new version of Old Mission Tavern will feel “homey and familiar,” with cherished flavors “done up a little bit” with newer techniques.
On the Menu
Expect some classic starters, like Steak Tartare with egg yolk jam, Caesar salad, or Prince Edward Island Mussels. (“Mussels will always be on the menu,” says Daley.)
Or choose Ribollita, a Tuscan-style stew; Charred Cabbage with black olives, tahini, pinenuts, and honey vinaigrette; Welsh Rarebit with melted aged cheddar on toasted sourdough with leeks and mushrooms; and Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with salsa
Before long, Smith had expanded into a brick-and-mortar restaurant in Munising. Then his sister in Traverse City told him about a Facebook ad looking for a food truck to set up shop at Silver Spruce Brewing. “I’ve gotta give this a whirl,” he thought.
Smith is now known to sell 150-200 hot dogs or sandwiches a day. “When the sun breaks out, the place is mobbed,” he says. And the location is a plus, with Smith citing the “fabulous patio” and proximity to the walking and bike trails and the library.
On the Menu
Toby’s Dog House serves Michigan’s Koegel brand hotdogs (on a recommendation from Toby’s grandmother in Flint) and Maxbauer’s brats with about a dozen varieties of toppings and some very clever names. You can also design your own.
Try the New Yorkie, with authentic Coney sauce, using a recipe straight from Coney Island, NY, circa 1961, topped with cheddar, onion, and yellow mustard. The Windy City Weiner has sliced tomatoes, relish, onions, and sport peppers, the tangy Chicago staple; the Porky Pug is topped with BBQ pork and grilled onions; and the German Shepherd comes with grilled sauerkraut, grilled onions, and spicy brown mustard. Sports fans will appreciate the Roaring Lion, in honor of the team, with blue cheese crumbles, bacon, and
Another standout is the Crispy Chicken Drunken Noodles, widely considered the restaurant’s signature dish. Rich, savory, and layered with flavor, it has quickly become a go-to order for many guests.
Pho, the classic Vietnamese soup, follows closely behind in popularity, offering a deeply comforting option that reflects Sue’s roots. Then there is the crab rangoon, a menu item that has taken on a life of its own.
“People cannot get enough and say they have never had anything quite like them,” Sue says.
Beyond the fan favorites, the menu continues to explore a range of regional specialties. Thai-style chicken nuggets and baby egg rolls made with all white meat offer approachable entry points, while dishes like Lao beef jerky with sticky rice and Cambodian Somlar Machu Sachmon soup introduce diners to flavors that may be new to the area.
The result is a menu that balances familiarity with discovery, encouraging guests to try something different while still finding comfort in every bite.
Find Rice & Shine at 200 Arthur St. in Manistee. (231) 887-4040; order.toasttab. com/online/rice-and-shine-manistee-200arthur-street
lOGY
MAY 04 - MAY 10
BY ROB BREZSNY
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): When lightning from a cloud hits sand or soil, the current travels down into the ground. It melts material along its path and forms tubular, branching glass structures that can penetrate deep below the surface. I believe that metaphorically similar phenomena will soon happen in your life, Taurus. Sudden insights or electrifying feelings will leave permanent traces in your psyche, creating new pathways for energy and information to flow. These disruptive inspirations and inspiring disruptions will rewire your internal circuitry, creating channels that will enhance your receptivity to future revelations. You’ll be able to absorb clues and hints from life that you weren’t tuned into before.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your key power word for now is stretch. Speak it aloud multiple times every day, and write it on a card that you put in a place where you will keep seeing it. Also, make a point of physically and spiritually living out these three senses of stretch: 1. to lengthen, widen, or expand without snapping or tearing; 2. to unfurl your body to its full reach, boosting circulation and warding off stiffness or cramps; 3. to take on challenging tasks that push you to amplify your abilities and move beyond what you previously believed you could do.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Master calligrapher Yukimi Annand is an Aquarius. She teaches that beautiful letters emerge not just from the hand that holds the brush, but from the entire body and relaxed awareness. Breath, posture, centered weight, and quiet mind all flow through the arm to create each stroke. Trying to control the outcome with arduous effort produces rigid, lifeless art. This is an excellent teaching for you right now, Aquarius. Whatever you're striving to accomplish, I beg you to refrain from forcing results through grueling, overly laborious exertion. Instead, align your whole being so that graceful outcomes flow naturally from your soulful coherence.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Four oracles for you, Libra: 1. You’re in possession of keys to doors that haven’t been built yet. Tuck those keys away somewhere safe. 2. You’re ready to dream up titles for stories your life hasn’t lived through yet. Write those titles down. 3. You are being granted sneak previews of your future, even though you can’t yet see the bridge that will carry you there. Imprint these glimpses on your memory. 4. You have everything required to grow a more muscular faith that’s grounded in real evidence, not in vague hopes and wishful thinking. Take advantage.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): At the ancient Library of Alexandria, editors did far more than copy manuscripts. They compared multiple versions of important works and produced editions that aimed at definitively reliable texts. Their efforts at preservation required active intervention rather than mere reproduction. In the coming weeks, Scorpio, I think it will be fun and transformative for you to make similar adjustments to your own life story. How might your memories of the past need to be corrected and refined? How could you make your personal mythology more accurate and liberating? I invite you to revise and revivify the tales you tell yourself about your magnificent journey from the moment you were born until now.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): The speed of light is how fast it travels through a vacuum. When moving through water and other media, though, light’s swiftness decreases. The fastest possible speed in the universe only applies in emptiness. If you put anything in light’s way, it slows down. Let’s use this as a metaphor for your life. suspect you may be frustrated by how incrementally things are moving. But you're not in a vacuum. Your bright intelligence is traveling through the complex situations that life has brought you. So of course you're not zipping along with maximum haste. My advice: Be grateful for the slowdowns. Learn all you can about how they are educating and transforming your brilliance.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Cryptographer Claude Shannon (1916–2001) was the father of information theory. His achievements were comparable to those of Albert Einstein, Isaac Newton, and Charles Darwin. Here’s one of his secrets: He kept his office filled with juggling equipment, unicycles, and mechanical toys, which inspired him to solve abstract problems. His playful tinkering helped inspire breakthroughs that ultimately created the digital age. For him, recreation and innovation happened at the same time. I invite you to try a similar approach in the coming weeks, Capricorn. Blend "serious work" with "just messing around." Be alert for key insights that emerge from improvisation and experimentation. Your diversions won’t be distractions from your purpose but rather pathways toward it.
Six Mile Str
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): The placebo effect is getting stronger over time. Placebos in drug trials are becoming increasingly effective, to the point where it's sometimes becoming harder to prove that actual drugs work better than sugar pills. Are we getting better at healing ourselves through belief? That would be a problem for pharmaceutical companies but interesting for the rest of us. Dear Pisces, I believe your placebo response is exceptionally strong right now. In the coming weeks, use it deliberately. Be daring and exuberant in your efforts to heal yourself.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Astronomers depend on instruments to collect the observations that fuel their work, but they don’t spend every night glued to the stars. On overcast nights, they turn to what they have already gathered, digging into past measurements and reworking the data. You’re in a comparable phase, Aries. For now, looking farther out into the glittering world won’t give you anything essential. The guidance you need is folded into what you’ve previously seen, felt, and taken in. It's waiting for you to sort through and understand it on a deeper level.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): I invite you to ruminate on death not as the conclusion of physical life, but as a metaphor for discarding what's stale and outmoded. In that light, what would be the best deaths you could generate during the coming weeks? Use your imagination with verve and vigor as you dream up scenarios in which you purge parts of your life that are not serving your strongest, most vital yearnings. Visualize how much fresh potency that will liberate. (PS: To reiterate: You are NOT in physical danger.)
CANCER (June 21-July 22): What part of you is too tame? Maybe your imagination is politely well-behaved, or maybe your voice edits itself before it dares to say what it really thinks. Can you inspire it to be wilder and freer? Not reckless or destructive, but more honest and experimental? Here’s a suggestion: Go on regular excursions with your wild side, maybe once every two weeks. Follow it as it chooses what to explore and create. This might ultimately teach your tamed self that it’s safe to let primal wisdom help steer you.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): According to quantum physics, particles can become “entangled,” which means they share a single connected quantum state. Observing and measuring one particle reveals information about the other, even if they’re not in close proximity. Einstein called this “spooky action at a distance.” I predict that different parts of your life will also interweave in unlikely ways during the coming weeks, Leo. Moves you make in one area will seem to produce mysterious effects in other domains. For example, adjusting your morning routine may boost your creative output. Healing an old alliance could unlock a professional opportunity. Everything will be more intermingled than the visible evidence suggests.
The Rebel Eves
Cinco de Mayo, Community, and Conversation Spanish-speaking group Mi Comunidad pairs food and culture
By Lourin Sprenger
On the first Tuesday of every month, something special happens inside Loco Boys in Traverse City. From 6-8pm, strangers become friends, languages intertwine, and laughter fills the room.
It’s not a class, and it’s not a social event… it’s a hybrid of the two. Mi Comunidad is a growing community rooted in connection and culture, bringing people together through the shared experience of language.
Founded by Cristian Viveros Brummitt in the summer of 2024, Mi Comunidad was born out of something deeply personal: a longing for connection.
“I realized how much I missed hearing Spanish in everyday life,” Brummitt, a native of Mexico, explains. “It was a way to connect with others who were missing that sense of community around the Spanish language … both native speakers and people interested in learning or practicing it.”
From the beginning, her vision was intentional. Mi Comunidad was not meant be
intimidating or academic. Instead, it would feel like a gathering of friends. Participants don’t have to be fluent in Spanish—they just have to be open to learning the language and open to new friendships.
“It was important to create something relaxing and welcoming,” she says. “The goal isn’t perfection, it’s connection.”
Food & Language
What started as a single meetup nearly two years ago with fewer than 20 people has grown into a consistent, diverse group of attendees: some fluent, some just beginning, all equally valued.
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t speak Spanish,” Brummitt emphasizes, encouraging anyone interested to attend a meetup. “I want people to feel comfortable. I want people to eat, to talk, to laugh.”
As with many good things in life, food plays a central role at Mi Comunidad.
“In Mexico and across many Latin American cultures, food, family, and friendship are at the center of community
life,” Brummitt says. “Sharing a meal is one of the most natural ways people connect.”
Meals may be what drew people in initially, but the connection keeps them coming back. Mi Comunidad now has many established members that look forward to monthly meetings.
“I thought it was so cool that Traverse City had a dedicated Spanish meetup. I started going to Mi Comunidad in the fall of 2024 to maintain my level of Spanish,” says Pohai Muller. “It has also become a place to meet new people, exchange travel stories, and learn from other Spanish speakers,” he says.
As an intermediate speaker, he’s found himself both learning and giving back.
“I’m able to mentor beginners while also learning new lingo and gaining fluency from native and advanced speakers,” he tells us. “It takes courage and vulnerability to show up and practice a language, but the reward is always worth it.”
Vida Ruggero is a Spanish teacher in northern Michigan who was passing a
meetup and was drawn in out of curiosity. For her, the impromptu experience has created an extended circle of friends.
“It’s a beautiful bridge between generations, all connected by our love for the Spanish-speaking world,” Ruggero says. “I immediately felt a sense of belonging. It’s something you don’t just observe when the group gathers…it’s something you feel.”
Identity & History
For Brummitt, that sense of belonging is deeply tied to her own journey. She moved to the United States in 2011 without knowing English. The experience shaped her understanding of how isolating language barriers can be.
“Language is deeply tied to identity,” Brummitt says. “When you don’t have it, it can make everyday life feel harder. Mi Comunidad is my way of creating a space where people feel supported and not judged.”
Two years after its founding, the group continues to evolve. While the monthly gatherings remain the foundation, Brummitt
Cristian Viveros Brummitt
Photos by Sophia DeJong
is expanding into cultural experiences like “Café y Cultura,” a Latin American coffee tasting paired with storytelling and conversation prompts.
As May approaches, Mi Comunidad is preparing for one of its most anticipated gatherings, a Cinco de Mayo celebration. For Brummitt, the holiday carries a meaning that goes far beyond margaritas and tacos.
“Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862,” she explains, “when Mexico defeated French forces in a very
unlikely victory.”
Outnumbered and under-resourced, Mexican troops, many of them Indigenous and local community members, stood up against one of the most powerful armies in the world.
“These were not just trained soldiers,” Brummitt says. “They were members of the community defending their land and their dignity.” For her, the holiday is about “resilience, community, and people coming together even when the odds are against them.”
Cinco de Mayo is not widely celebrated in Mexico in the same way it is in the United States, where the American version of the holiday revolves around food and drink. For Brummitt, it’s still one of her favorite days of the year, one that connects her old home in Mexico and her new home here.
“The way people celebrate in Traverse City, it’s about the spirit of community,” she says. “People coming together. I think that’s wonderful.”
While it can be easy to celebrate with a
meal, Brummitt also encourages a moment of reflection on Cinco de Mayo.
“A meaningful way to celebrate is by engaging with Mexican culture intentionally,” Brummitt says. “Support local restaurants, listen to Mexican music, learn the history. It’s about appreciating the culture and the people behind it.”
Cinco de Mayo falls on the first Tuesday in May (May 5 this year). Mi Comunidad’s doors will be open inside Loco Boys for newcomers and regulars alike.
“Jonesin” Crosswords
"Here's a Quarter" it's anniversary time! by Matt Jones
ACROSS
1. *2018 documentary about a Supreme Court Justice [#887, June 2018] [As Jonesin' celebrates 36-Across, we're revisiting one clue from every year since 2001!]
4. John Lennon's in-laws
8. ___ Boys (antagonists in "KPop Demon Hunters")
12. Saline drop
13. *"___ & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming"
14. *Amanda who came back to the U.S. in 2011
15. Belgian WWI battle site
17. Lemonheads lead vocalist
19. Dragged along
21. *Moises who missed the ball destroyed 2/25/04
22. "Atlas Shrugged" author Rand
23. Had for breakfast
24. Got detached
26. *"The Grand Budapest Hotel" director Anderson
27. Dye brand
28. South Carolina city (or puzzle writer Matt, the founding editor of Jonesin')
33. *Actor Idris of 2017's "The Dark Tower"
35. 40-Down-shaped container
36. A quarter of a century
43. *2012 acronym akin to "Be adventurous"
44. Tangle ... or disentangle
45. *Emperor who abdicated on 4/30/2019
49. Motion detector part
52. S.W. who founded the cookware brand called ___ware
54. *2008 kids' movie "___'s Island"
56. Neurological test letters
59. ___ and Howdy (polar bear mascots of the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics)
65. *Some family speakers at a notable June 2016 funeral
66. *Cookie that partnered with Coca-Cola
67. *2025 Best Picture Oscar winner
68. Pancetta purveyor
69. Relaxation
70. *Org. that requested the Pet Shop Boys change their name to the Rescue Shelter Boys
4. *2021 U.K. award for "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" actor Toby Jones
5. Astral phenomena (with the fancy plural)
6. Bump's place, idiomatically
7. "Why you little ..."
8. Precursor to rocksteady
9. Elsa's "Frozen" sister
10. "Looking for a New Love" singer Watley
11. Nerve cell's impulse transmitter
12. *Patriots defensive back who scored during the 2002 Super Bowl
16. Clandestine
18. "The Simpsons" beer brand
20. *"The ___" (podcast hosted by Michael Barbaro and Sabrina Tavernise)
25. Initialism in manufacturing meaning "mean time before failure" (that's a freebie)
29. Emotions, slangily
30. *Rap group with a 2013 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
nomination
31. Suffix after mountain or auction
32. "___ truly" (brief closing)
34. *French electronic group with the 2007 album "Pocket Symphony"
36. Children's theater, for short
37. Fried rice vessel
38. Peyton Manning's brother
39. Classic Japanese drama form
40. Flower holder
41. At any time
42. Miyazaki's money
46. Journey's "___ Should Break Your Heart"
47. *Brosnan / Rush movie "The ___ of Panama"
48. Words after "truth"
50. Simple to prepare, as a meal
51. Muralist Diego
53. *Amanda who retired, then "unretired" from acting in 2010
55. "___ Breckinridge" (Gore Vidal novel)
56. Quaint expletive
57. *___ Stanley Gardner (author whose Perry Mason character inspired the 2020 HBO series)
58. "Top Chef" judge Simmons
60. Queue
62. *Show whose season finale was directed by Quentin Tarantino
63. Decimal point
64. *"Trap Queen" rapper Fetty ___
www.rpmrecordstc.com
Saturday
FRESH COAST FILM FESTIVAL TRAVERSE CITY: April 30 - May 3. Held at seven venues across the North Boardman Lake District & downtown TC. The inaugural FCFF/tc features over 50 documentary films celebrating the Great Lakes & Upper Midwest, with nearly two dozen filmmakers attending from 11 states. Other events included as well. $10 GA; $35 day passes. Visit tc.freshcoastfilm.com for more info & a complete schedule.
ANNUAL MAY BOOK SALE BY AAUW-TC: 9am-6pm, The Village at GT Commons, The Mercato, TC. Every purchase directly supports women’s education & local scholarships. All books priced at $5 or less. traversecityarea-mi.aauw.net
INTERLOCHEN RUN FOR THE ARTS 5K: 9am, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Main Campus. Experience live music & art as you run (or walk) a course through the gorgeous grounds of Interlochen Center for the Arts. The course includes paved & unpaved trails along the shores of Green Lake & Duck Lake. $35-$40. interlochen.org/events/interlochen-run-for-arts-5k-2026-05-02
MUD, SWEAT & BEERS 2026 - THE SWEET 16!: 9am, Mt. Holiday Ski & Recreational Area, TC. This Fat Tire Fest features Stout (25 miles), Pale (12 Miles), Ginger Ale (2 miles) & Root Beer (1/4 mile) races. $10-$60. runsignup.com/ Race/MI/TraverseCity/MudSweatBeersMI
INDOOR SIDEWALK SALE: The Village at GT Commons, The Mercato, TC. Shop #TheVillageTC Sat., 10am-6pm & Sun., 10am-4pm to snag some local deals & much more. facebook.com/share/1XjX1TkT9A
NCT HIKE: MAYFIELD RD. TO MUNCIE
LAKE PATHWAY TH: 10am. Meet at Muncie Trailhead, located on Ranch Rudolf Rd., 0.7 mile east of Rennie Lake Rd. Grand Traverse Chapter of the North Country Trail will lead a 5.2 mile hike. Free. meetup.com/ grand-traverse-chapter-north-country-trailassociation/events/313768404
02 may 03
12TH ANNUAL GLEN LAKE RESTAURANT WEEK: Glen Lake area, April 24 –May 2. Participating restaurants share their special menus & unique culinary offerings. visitglenarbor.com
FRIENDS OF THE CADILLAC LIBRARY
AUTHOR EVENT: JOHN WEMLINGER: 11am, Cadillac Wexford Public Library, Cadillac. Welcome John & his award winning book, “The Cut.” Free. friendsofthecadillaclibrary.wordpress.com/upcoming-programs
PROTEST AGAINST 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
CLOSING RECEPTION: “EMERGING ARTISTS: A COLLECTION OF NCMC
STUDENT WORKS”: 2-4pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. Free. crookedtree. org/events-and-exhibitions/events/?page=1 &location=petoskey#class-list
GUIDED SPRING HIKE WITH BENZIE PRIDE: 2pm, Michigan Legacy Art Park, Thompsonville. Spring wildflowers, art & conversation! Free. benziepride.org
WORLD LABYRINTH DAY: 2pm, Unity Spiritual Center, TC. Walk the labyrinth on World Labyrinth Day. Free. unitytraversecity.org
MISSOULA CHILDREN’S THEATRE: “SLEEPING BEAUTY”: 3pm & 5:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. A young princess is put under the spell of a jealous old woman - a spell that puts her to sleep for five hundred years! Join the Missoula Children’s Theatre & over 50 local students in an original musical adaptation of “Sleeping Beauty.” theoperahouse.org
AUSABLE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: “COMMUNITY GARDEN”: 7pm, AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. This heartfelt & humorous production explores the connections that grow when neighbors come together to build something meaningful in their community. $22.94. artisanvillage.org/event/ausable-communitytheatre-presents-community-garden-friday
BLISSFEST TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY DANCE: 7:30pm, Belle Tower of Petoskey, 224 Michigan St. Music will be provided by Harbor Hoedown, with Larry Dyer calling. All dances taught (circles, contras, squares & more). No need to bring a partner. No potluck this month. $10/person, $5/student, 12 & under, free. blissfest.org
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. This fun comedy begins with a theater-loving narrator as a 1920s musical springs to life in his apartment featuring a wedding disrupted by gangsters, mistaken identities & a tipsy chaperone. $35 adults; $25 youth under 18. oldtownplayhouse.com/performances/mainstage/thedrowsy-chaperone.html
Sunday
YOUNG BIRDERS WALK: 8am, Reffitt Nature Preserve, TC. This walk will introduce children of all ages & their parents to the wonder & joy of birds & bird watching. In addition, young birders with birding experience will enjoy this bird walk in the special habitat of Reffitt Nature Preserve. Bring binoculars & a bird guide if you have them. Children 12 & younger must be accompanied by an adult. Free. grandtraverseaudubon.org/ events-2026
FRESH COAST FILM FESTIVAL TRAVERSE CITY: (See Sat., May 2)
INDOOR SIDEWALK SALE: (See Sat., May 2)
COMMUNITY LEGACY DAY: 11am-5pm, The Village at GT Commons, TC. As part of the National Cherry Festival & Oleson’s Food Stores’ 100th celebration, Community Legacy Day honors the everyday heroes who keep the community safe. Enjoy kids activities, live entertainment, a petting zoo, cake walk, food, & connect with first responders who serve & protect the region. Free. thevillagetc.com/events/community-legacy-day
ANNUAL MAY BOOK SALE BY AAUWTC: Noon-3pm, The Village at GT Commons, The Mercato, TC. Every purchase directly supports women’s education & local scholarships. All books priced at $5 or less. traversecityarea-mi.aauw.net
“WRITING & INVESTIGATING: HOW THE TWO COME TOGETHER”: 2pm, Helena Twp. Community Center,
Alden. Presented
A national event taking place in May in different locations throughout the United States, the inaugural Animal Art Experience lands at the AuSable Artisan Village of Grayling, Sat., May 9 from 1-3pm. This free event includes the Animal A.R.K. (Association to Rescue Kritters) of St. Helen, MI bringing ambassador animals to be sketched by Northern Michigan’s Society of Animal Artists, with an educational talk given by A.R.K. educators. artisanvillage.org/event/animal-art-experience
by NYT bestselling author & award-winning newspaper reporter Mardi Jo Link. 231-3314318. Free.
“A SYMPHONY SAMPLER”: 3pm, Cadillac High School Auditorium. Enjoy Cadillac Area Symphony Orchestra’s spring concert. This concert presents music written from the 18th to the 21st centuries & will feature the sounds & musical textures unique to each section of the orchestra. Tickets may be purchased through May 2 at Horizon Books & Brinks Custom Framing in Cadillac. $0-$15.
FORMULA 1 FREE WATCH PARTIES: USA (MIAMI): 4pm, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Featuring Formula 1 games. Doors open an hour before the start of each race. thebaytheatre.org/home-page
AUSABLE COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: “COMMUNITY GARDEN”: (See Sat., May 2, except today’s time is 4:30pm.)
PETER PAUL & MARY REMEMBERED
– “LOVE BOLDLY”: 7pm, Central United Methodist Church, TC. A special Peter Paul & Mary Remembered reunion event with opener by Doc & Donna Probes & their Beach & Buffett show. Doors open at 6:30pm. Free will offering. All proceeds benefit the Central United Methodist Church Outreach Program which offers compassionate assistance to those experiencing food, housing or economic insecurity. peterpaulmaryremembered.com
MOTOR CITY: THE MOTOWN REVUE: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. When Berry Gordy decided to take total control of his songs on January 12, 1959, he borrowed $800 from his family’s loan fund to start his own record label, called Tamla. Eventually this became Motown. Featuring 8 of Gordy’s greatest artists in one night, from the Supremes to the Temptations! From Marvin Gaye & Tammy Terrell to Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, to name a few! $10-$40. theoperahouse.org
monday
MAY THE 4TH BE WITH YOU: Peninsula Community Library, TC. Families drop in between 3-6pm for DIY activities from our favorite out of this universe movies! Crafts, activities, a guessing game & more. Free. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES: amical, TC, May 4-10. Featuring “In The Catbird Seat” by Brian Baxter with Mike Wolf. amical.com/ catbird-seat
STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Celebrate Star Wars Day with “Star Wars: A New Hope” on the big screen with pay-what-youcan admission. Arrive early at 6pm & put your knowledge to test with Star Wars trivia. Costumes encouraged. greatlakescfa.org/events/ detail/star-wars-a-new-hope
tuesday
CHAMBER COFFEE & CONVERSATION: 8-10am, Harbor Springs Chamber of Commerce office, 118 E. Main St. Connect with fellow business owners & neighbors over coffee. Free.
SPRING PEEPERS: AMAZING AMPHIBIANS: 10am, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Get ready to catch some frogs! Set out to explore the life cycle of frogs & observe their habitat up close. For ages 3-5 with an adult. $5/child per session; cash only. natureiscalling.org/preschool-peepers-program
GUIDED MEDITATION FOR A CALM MIND & KIND HEART: 1pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Guided meditation for all levels with experienced teachers & practitioners Steve & Theresa Bangle. No experience necessary. Participants are asked to come dressed comfortably. Free. tadl. org/event/guided-meditation-29936
NORTHPORT WOMEN’S CLUB: 1pm, Trinity Church Fellowship Hall, Northport. Samatha Bennett will speak about using vintage chinaware for place settings. For more info call 231-631-8084. Guests are welcome for snacks & the program.
OUR SHARED FUTURE: CENTERING DISABILITY STORIES: 3:30-5:30pm, Leland Twp. Public Library, Munnecke Room. A fivepart community conversation series focused on disability, accessibility & equity. This month’s conversation is “Disability Justice.” RSVP on web site. lelandlibrary.org
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES: (See Mon., May 4)
WING WATCHERS: 6:30pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Welcome birdwatchers! Audubon’s Kirk Waterstripe joins while you discuss spring prep for bird feeding. Free. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org
GREAT LAKES CINEMA SERIES: ACROSS THE UNIVERSE: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. A musical set to
the songs of The Beatles, telling a sweeping story of love, hope, & social change in 1960s America. $5 all seats. greatlakescfa. org/events/detail/across-the-universe
NWS: TOM PERROTTA: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. From the bestselling author of “The Leftovers” & “Mrs. Fletcher” comes the haunting tale of “Ghost Town,” a darkly nostalgic tale about a tumultuous summer in a racially segregated 1970s suburb. Tickets start at $34.40. cityoperahouse.org
wednesday
NORTE: WALK, BIKE, & ROLL TO SCHOOL DAY: 7am, northern Michigan. This event encourages healthier, more eco-friendly ways for students to get to school. Norte helps facilitate this event at schools across northern Michigan. To learn more, contact your local school, or email: julie@norteyouthcycling.org if you’d like to help facilitate the event at your school! Free. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar
WEEDING WEDNESDAYS AT LEO CREEK PRESERVE: 9:30am, Leo Creek Preserve, Suttons Bay. Join ISEA at the Leo Creek Preserve native garden to get the flower beds ready for a season of growth. schoolship. org/news-events/weeding-wednesdays-atleo-creek-preserve
SENIORS ON THE TART: 10am, The Senior Center (Front St.), TART Bayfront, TC. A weekly Get-Together for seniors to help become more active & find social connections. Join a group of seniors Wednesdays at 10am from May through Sept. on various TART trails in the Traverse City area. Walk, run, jog, bike, rollerblade, skateboard, or come with wheelchair. All activities & abilities welcome. Join for a coffee social time after. Free. gtcountymi.gov/2742/Senior-Center
SPRING WILDFLOWER HIKE: 10am, Arcadia Dunes Nature Preserve. Join for a walk along the Pete’s Woods trail within Arcadia Dunes Nature Preserve as volunteer leader Paula Dreeszen highlights the spring wildflowers in bloom. Free. gtrlc.my.salesforcesites.com/es/event/home/springwildflower050626
ELECTION SECURITY: UNDERSTANDING HOW THE SYSTEM GETS IT RIGHT: Noon, Leelanau County Government Center, Suttons Bay. The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County Public Forum featuring City Clerk Sarah Lutz, City of Traverse City & county election workers. Free. lwvleelanau.org
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES: (See Mon., May 4)
5TH ANNUAL ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER (AAPI) CELEBRATION: 5pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. The goal of this event is to build greater understanding & empathy for people of different cultural backgrounds through positive engagement & welcoming learning events. Headlined by spoken word artist Masaki Takahashi & a special film screening by filmmaker Liann Kaye. Free. simpletix.com/e/5th-annual-asianamerican-pacific-islander-tickets-268862
GAYLORD BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5-7pm, Otsego Resort Main Lodge & Sitzmark, Gaylord. $5-$10. gaylordchamber. com/events/details/business-after-hours2026-gaylord-tourism-otsego-resort-13272
COMMUNITY PLACEMAKING WORKSHOP: 6-8pm, Common Good Bakery, TC. Focused on the future of the East Side Social District, an effort made possible through a recently awarded $100,000 Community Placemaking Grant from Project for Public Spaces, with support from General Motors. This workshop will help shape a shared vision for enhancing the East Side Social District into a more vibrant, accessible, & welcoming community space. RSVP. docs.google.com/forms/ d/e/1FAIpQLSdUHlnUPm1d_5uUOJZpbflRCv gcyHDhA5VReWIutScd08XCeg/viewform
COMMUNITY POTLUCK: 6pm, The Friendship Community Center, Suttons Bay. This month’s theme is “Mom’s Favorites.” Bring a dish to pass or just come & hang out with moms & friends! Free. thecentersb.com/ communitypotlucks
thursday
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES: (See Mon., May 4)
“ALL TOO CLEAR”: 4:306:45pm, The Lyric Theatre, Harbor Springs. This documentary exposes the profound impact of invasive quagga mussels on the Great Lakes ecosystem. Free; registration required. watershedcouncil.org/ event/all-too-clear-film-screening-2026
BRAVER ANGELS - DEPOLARIZING OURSELVES: 6pm, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. Learn how to foster positive & respectful communications with people who may have opposing political views in this workshop presented by Braver Angels. Seating is limited; please register: braverangels.org/event/depolarizing-ourselves-40/. Free. glenlakelibrary.net
The Afterlife of a Massacre:
Fueling Michigan today and tomorrow.
Michiganders count on reliable energy to heat homes, power businesses and keep our state moving. Enbridge delivers 55% of the propane used in Michigan.
That’s why we’re investing in the Great Lakes Tunnel to further protect the Straits of Mackinac and help keep energy dependable for years to come.
For decades, we’ve delivered the energy Michigan needs and invested in local communities and infrastructure. That’s how we’re building a stronger tomorrow.
Visit enbridge.com/Michigan to learn more.
CRAFTING A ROADMAP TO A BETTER DEMOCRACY: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Design your own plan for engaging your community in social justice work & democratic reform, using Voters Not Politicians Michiganders for Money out of Politics Campaign and Hands off MI Vote Initiatives as a template. Free. tadl.org/RoadmapToDemocracy
LITTLE TRAVERSE CIVIC THEATRE PRESENTS “ANNIE”: 7pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theatre, Petoskey. A heartwarming tale of hope, determination, & finding family in the most unexpected places. Featuring songs like “Tomorrow,” “It’s a Hard Knock Life,” “Maybe,” & more. $10-$25. ltct.org
friday
GUIDED BIRDING WALK AT THE BOARDMAN RIVER: 9-11am, Brown Bridge Quiet Area Canoe Launch, TC. Join Conservation Resource Alliance for this guided birding walk led by CRA’s Executive Director Suzie Knoll. This walk is welcoming to all skill levels. Registration required. Free. rivercare.org/event/ guided-birding-walk
SENIOR CENTER TUNE UP: 10am-2pm, Norte Youth Cycling, TC. Partnering with the Senior Center, Norte is offering a Tune-Up event to help encourage our community of senior citizens to stay active. Bring your bike by for free basic bike repairs. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar/senior-center-tune-up-1
SPRING BIOBLITZ: 1-4pm, Hickory Forest Natural Area, TC. Join GTCD staff & volunteers as you identify & record plant, animal, & fungi species using the iNaturalist app, creating valuable data that supports conservation & land management efforts. Free; registration required. gtcd.wufoo.com/forms/ sc79mro0vzl5ud
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES: (See Mon., May 4)
TC TRAIL RUNNING FESTIVAL: 6:30pm, Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, TC. Today includes the 10K Relay & 5K. See web site for various prices & to register. $40$75. runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/ TraverseCityTrailRunningFestival
CHORAL COMPASS: NAVIGATING THE WORLD ONE SONG AT A TIME: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Presented by the Northern Michigan Chorale. Directed by Michael Mitrovich. Accompanied by Cynda Coleman. $15 adults; $12 seniors & students; free for ages 10 & under. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/ choral-compass-navigating-the-world-onesong-at-a-time
COSMO ST. CHARLES IS DEAD & SOMEONE IN THIS ROOM KILLED HIM: 7pm, Old Town Playhouse, Schmuckal Theatre, TC. There’s one unsolved mystery that haunts Detective Mac Marlowe... & you’re going to help him close the case for good! Return with Mac to relive the dinner party where renowned archeologist Cosmo St. Charles was murdered, & then audience participation helps solve the crime at this hilarious Readers Theatre. $10. oldtownplayhouse.com/ atp/performances/cosmo.html
LITTLE TRAVERSE CIVIC THEATRE PRESENTS “ANNIE”: (See Thurs., May 7)
“THE WHO’S TOMMY”: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Experience this electrifying rock opera, a musical that follows the journey of Tommy Walker, a young boy who becomes deaf, dumb, & blind after witnessing a traumatic event. As he grows, Tommy discovers an extraordinary talent for pinball, propelling him to fame & spiritual awakening. $19-$36. interlochen.org/concerts-and-events/all-event s?search=The+Who%E2%80%99s+Tommy
RAT PACK TOGETHER AGAIN: 7:30pm, City Opera House, TC. “A Toast to the Rat Pack” takes you on a musical journey featuring the greatest hits from the legendary Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, & Sammy Davis Jr. $35-$45. cityoperahouse.org
MITCHELL TENPENNY: 8pm, Odawa Casino Resort, Ovation Hall, Petoskey. This country star brings his high-energy Speed of Light Tour. $55. odawacasino.com/entertainment/mitchell-tenpenny
saturday
Saturday May 16th, 2026
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Barnes Park, Eastport
ACTIVITIES:
• Handmade Rock, Art, and Craft Vendors
• Small Petting Zoo!
• Petoskey Stone Hunt
• Stone Skipping Contest
• Kids Fishing Pond
TC TRAIL RUNNING FESTIVAL: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, TC. Today includes the 10K Run, 25K Run, 50K Run, 75K Run, 100K Run, & 100K Relay. See web site for various start times, prices & to register. $55-$225. runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/TraverseCityTrailRunningFestival
BIRD WALK ON THE BOARDMAN: 7:30am. Meet on the north side of the Traverse Area District Library at the entrance of the GT Area Children’s Garden, TC. Featuring Kirk Waterstripe from the Grand Traverse Audubon Club. This birding experience is designed for those just getting started, or wanting to polish their skills. You’ll focus on identification skills; not just a big list. Dress for weather & walking. Free. tadl.org/birding
35TH ANNUAL FATHER FRED GARAGE
SALE: 9am-3pm, Father Fred Foundation, 826 Hastings St., TC. It’s a BIG one because it’s their last sale! Choose from jewelry, antiques, clothes, shoes, housewares, sporting goods, toys & much more. All proceeds benefit programs that serve those in need in five northern Michigan counties. fatherfred.org/annual-frostbitefood-drive-february-7-15
MANISTEE RATS & RODS CAR PARTY: 9am, Manistee VFW. Car Show & Swap Meet. 1985 & older only, in any condition. No trophies or awards; just a day of friends, fun & food. Cars for sale & swap meet (automotive items only). $20 do nation for swap spaces. facebook.com/ events/3303610579802619
CRYSTAL RUSH MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE: 9:30am-3pm, Crystal Mountain, Thompson ville. A new race on a 3.1-mile lap where you can choose your own adventure each lap. Choose the more technical A-line, or take the slightly longer, more traditional B-line down the mountain. See web site for various start times & prices. runsignup.com/Race/ MI/Thompsonville/CrystalRush
FAMILY GEOLOGY HIKE: ANCIENT
ECHOES EXPEDITIO
Grand Traverse Natural Education Re serve; meet at Meadows Pavilion, TC. This immersive hike will guide families through a landscape rich in ancient echoes, where fossilized remnants tell the tales of prehis toric life. Led by seasoned experts in pale may 09 may 08
BOR DAY CELEBRATION: 10am, Cherry Republic, Glen Arbor. Glen Arbor is now recognized as a Tree City USA community. Arbor Day Tree Planting Ceremony at 10am. Attendees may receive free seedling trees (while supplies last) acquired from Leelanau Conservation District, along with educational materials from the Arbor Day Foundation. Community “Tree Talk” with local tree care professionals at 10:30am. For more info email: info@GAbeautification.org or call 231.645.7873.
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: 10am-6pm, Washington Park, downtown Cheboygan. More than 30 crafters & artists will be displaying jewelry, stuffed animals, blankets, home decor, wooden signs, fresh desserts & much more. facebook.com/madeincheboygan
SPRING ART MARKET: 10am, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Engage with more than 25 artists selling work in a range of media from painting, printmaking, illustration, mixed media & ceramics to glass, wood, fiber & jewelry, & special programming. Free. simpletix.com/e/spring-art-markettickets-268626
SPRING ART BY THE BARN: 10am-5pm, Emmet County Fairgrounds, Petoskey. Batik art, fudge, Michigan rock art, paintings, plants, locally foraged wellness items, gourmet food, food trucks & more. Free admission.
WANDER WALLOON: GUIDED WILDFLOWER HIKE: 10am-noon, Wildwood Harbor Nature Area, Boyne City. Join WLAC staff for a spring wildflower walk highlighting native species as they make their seasonal debut. Free; register in advance. walloon.org/get-involved/events
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 barn near Omena. Featuring original egg tempera & watercolor artwork. Free. leelanauprints.com
ANIMAL ART EXPERIENCE: 1-3pm, AuSable Artisan Village, Grayling. Presented by the Society of Animal Artists. The Animal A.R.K. (Association to Rescue Kritters) of St. Helen will bring educational ambassador animals to be sketched by Northern Michigan’s Society of Animal Artists: Kim Dement, Rod Lawrence & Rich Tesner. An educational talk will be given by A.R.K. educators Randy Fierke & Jared Wright. Free. artisanvillage.org/event/animal-artexperience
MYSTERIOUS MORELS: A GATEWAY TO MICHIGAN FUNGAL DISCOVERIES : 1:30pm, Mesick Branch of the Cadillac Wexford Public Library, Springerville Twp. Community Center, Mesick. Meet Erik Van Vleet, MRAD-certified wild-foraged mushroom expert & leader in community science, spearheading efforts to document the state’s biodiversity through DNA sequencing. Free.
COSMO ST. CHARLES IS DEAD & SOMEONE IN THIS ROOM KILLED HIM: (See Fri., May 8, except today’s time is 2pm.)
CHORAL COMPASS: NAVIGATING THE WORLD ONE SONG AT A TIME: (See Fri., May 8, except today’s time is 3pm.)
TC ROLLER DERBY TRIPLE-HEADER: GT
County Civic Center, TC. Enjoy this home opener triple-header. 3pm: Juniors Mixed Scrimmage; 5pm: TCRD A vs. Downriver RD A; 7pm: TCRD B vs TBD. $10 advance; $12 door; 12 & under free with adult. facebook. com/events/s/tc-roller-derby-2026-homeopen/1569869670682504
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES: (See Mon., May 4)
LITTLE TRAVERSE CIVIC THEATRE PRESENTS “ANNIE”: (See Thurs., May 7)
“THE WHO’S TOMMY’: (See Fri., May 8)
A TRIBUTE TO BOB SEGER: 7:30pm, City Opera House, TC. Experience the greatest hits of the Rock & Roll Legend - Bob Seger! Enjoy hearing “Old Time Rock and Roll,” “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man,” “Against the Wind” & more. $39-$69. cityoperahouse.org
FUNDRAISER – DUELING PIANOS:
7:30pm, Hotel Indigo, TC. Join two sharpwitted musicians with pianos on stage for an interactive, funny, entertaining evening in support of Old Town Playhouse. The musical repertoire ranges from classic rock to country, hard rock to R&B, oldies & show tunes to the newest Top 40 hits, but the audience is the star of the show. $25 GA OR $300 VIP table of 8. oldtownplayhouse. com/performances/special-events/duelingpianos.html
MJ LIVE: MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE: 9pm, Little River Casino Resort, Manistee. Featuring all his biggest hits including Bad, Billie Jean, Beat It, Dangerous, Smooth Criminal, Black & White, I Want You Back & many others. Relive the energy, excitement, spectacle & pure joy of this legendary superstar & his music, including the MJ LIVE band & mega talented MJ LIVE dancers. $20. lrcr.com/event/mj-live
sunday
SPRING ART BY THE BARN: (See Sat., May 9)
ART IN THE BARN: (See Sat., May 9)
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS:
(See Sat., May 9, except today’s time is 11am-3pm.)
MOTHER’S DAY WILDFLOWER WALK: Noon-1:30pm, Hoogland Family Nature Preserve, Harbor Springs. Hosted by Little Traverse Conservancy & Amy Lipson. landtrust. org/events-template/mothers-day-wildflowerwalk-2
“THE WHO’S TOMMY”: (See Fri., May 8, except today’s time is 2pm.)
COSMO ST. CHARLES IS DEAD & SOMEONE IN THIS ROOM KILLED HIM: (See Fri., May 8, except today’s time is 2pm.)
LITTLE TRAVERSE CIVIC THEATRE PRESENTS “ANNIE”: (See Thurs., May 7, except today’s time is 2pm.)
BILL STAINES REMEMBERED: 4-6pm, Mills Community House, Benzonia. A tribute to the timeless songs of one of America’s great troubadours. Songs led by Chris Skellenger & friends. Benefits the Benzonia Area Community Emergency
CHOICE NEW YORK STRIPS, RIBEYES, TOP SIRLOIN, FILET MIGNON FLANK & SKIRT STEAKS.
CHOICE NEW YORK STRIPS, RIBEYES, TOP SIRLOIN, FILET MIGNON & LONDON BROIL, FLANK & SKIRT STEAKS. (CUT FRESH TO ORDER)
BUFFALO
BUFFALO
Ground, New York Strip & Ribeye Cuts
Ground, New York Strip & Ribeye Cuts ELK & VENISON
Ground or Stew Meat
15 VARIETIES OF HOT DOGS & BRATS INCLUDING BLUE CHEESE & APPLE HABANERO MANGO, HABANERO CHEESE & MANGO BRATS
14 VARITIES OF HOT DOGS & BRATS INCLUDING BLUE CHEESE & APPLE, HABANERO MANGO
BUFFALO BRATS
BACON AND PORK SAUSAGE
Fund. Free will offering. millscommhouse. org/benzonia-area-community-emergencyfund.html
COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES: (See Mon., May 4)
ongoing
BELLAIRE WINTER FARMERS MARKET: Fridays, 9am-noon through May 8, ASI Community Center & Park, Bellaire. The Market will move outdoors on May 15. areaseniorsinc.org/event/bellaire-winter-farmers-market/2026-03-20
art
MEMBERS CREATE: Glen Arbor Arts Center. This exhibition runs through May 28. It features the work of 31 current GAAC members & includes a wide range of media. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org
17TH ANNUAL JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY
EXHIBITION: Charlevoix Circle of Arts. Runs through May 30. This exhibition showcases the talent & creativity of local photographers & members of the Charlevoix Photography Club. It will feature a diverse range of photographic work across seven categories: Landscape, Animals, Flora, People, Still Life, Black & White, and Creative. Charlevoix Circle of Arts’ hours are Mon. through Fri., 11am-4pm; & Sat., 11am-3pm. charlevoixcircle.org
RETURN TO LIGHT: Runs through May 25 at Boyne Arts Center, Boyne City. This exhibit explores the many facets of illumination— from the first golden rays of a Michigan morning to the internal clarity of a new perspective. Open Tues. through Sun., noon-4pm. boynearts.org/s/stories/bac-spring-exhibitreturn-to-light
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:
- EMERGING ARTISTS: A COLLECTION OF NCMC STUDENT WORKS: Each year, students in NCMC’s art program exhibit their work at Crooked Tree Arts Center’s Atrium Gallery, Petoskey. Work in glass, metals, ceramics, painting, drawing, photography, illustration, video, & more will be on display. This exhibition is organized by NCMC faculty. Runs through May 2. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/emergingartists.html
- 2026 YOUTH ARTS SHOW, PETOSKEY:
Held in Gilbert & Bonfield galleries. Featuring thousands of unique works of art created by area student artists. Runs through May 2. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/2026-youtharts-show-petoskey.html
- OPEN STUDIO: Held in the Visual Arts Room, Saturdays, 10am-1pm. Free drop-in art studio for the whole family.
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC:
- GUILD POP-UP EXHIBIT: SUSAN BURKS : Held in Libragallery through May 2. Burks Works: Although each creation is truly about Susan’s inner landscapes, the resulting artwork can be a traditional landscape or a totally open composition from one of her own revelations. She has worked in oils to portray more intense emotions; watercolor & pastels for landscapes, & acrylics for abstracts & sculptures. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/eventsand-exhibitions/exhibits/guild-popup-exhibit-susan-burks.html
- “350: IMAGINING THE WORLD IN 2126”: Held in Cornwell Gallery. As communities across the country reflect on America’s 250th anniversary, 350 artists look forward instead of back — to imagine the world one hundred years from now. What might life look like in 2126? Through painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, & beyond, artists contribute their unique perspective on the century ahead. Runs through May 30. An artist talk will be held on May 16 from 11am-noon. See web site for gallery hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/350.html
- CONNECTIONS & FLOW : Held in West Gallery. This exhibit brings together the work of photographers Ragnar Avery & Calvin Boulter in an exhibition that reflects both artistic dialogue & personal mentorship. Runs through May 30. An artist talk will be held on May 30 from 11am-noon. See web site for gallery hours. crookedtree. org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/connection-and-flow.html
- THE ART OF CONNECTION : Held in East Gallery. Grand Traverse Industries Client Artist Exhibit. Runs through May 30. See web site for gallery hours. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/the-art-ofconnection.html
- TOMORROW’S ARTISTS TODAY: Held in Carnegie East. Featuring: 2026 High School Portfolio. This exhibition features the work of eight emerging artists, showcasing a fresh & dynamic collection developed under the guidance of Royce Deans. Focused on building strong portfolios for future opportunities, this exhibit highlights
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each student’s growth, creativity, & unique artistic voice. Runs through May 30. See web site for gallery hours. crookedtree. org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/tomorrows-artists-today.html
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:
- NMC HOSTED HIGH SCHOOL ART EXHIBITION: Runs May 8-31. The NMC High School Art Exhibition, juried by NMC Art & VisCom faculty, features artwork in a variety of media & styles by juniors & seniors from regional high schools. Reception & awards on May 31 from 2-4pm. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/now-on-view/nmc-student-art.html
- NEW PERSPECTIVES: RECENT AQUISITIONS FROM THE DENNOS PERMANENT ART COLLECTION: Held in McFarlane Gallery through May 31. From new paintings & works on paper gifted through the Museum Exchange program to generous donations on behalf of museum members, friends, & NMC alumni, New Perspectives seeks to highlight convergent, as well as, divergent perspectives on contemporary art & collecting practices in the 21st century. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org
- TRILOBITE TREASURES: Runs through May. This exhibit presents Paleozoic creatures in a way that tells a story of the prehistoric life in the ancient seas. The collection, assembled over 35 years, provides a unique snapshot of life in the ancient seas from 250 to 500 million years ago. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org
- IMPRESSIONS OF AN ERA: PRINTS FROM THE DENISON MUSEUM COLLECTION: This selection of prints, created between 1970 & 1990 by nationally & internationally recognized contemporary artists, reflects two transformative decades in contemporary printmaking. Artists include Dee Shapiro, Barbara Kohl-Spiro, KUDO Muramasa & James Rizzi. Runs through May 31. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org
OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT:
- LOCAL COLOR A TO Z: Showcase of works in oil, acrylic, watercolor & mixed media created by a talented local artist group. Runs through May 30. Open hours: Tues.-Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon-4pm; & closed Mon. oliverart.org
- BLOOM! A CELEBRATION OF SPRING: Work in all media by local & regional artists in celebration of spring. Runs through May 8. Open Tues. - Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon-4pm; closed Mon. oliverart.org
Deadline for Dates information is Tuesday for the following week.
5/5 -- Open Mic Night w/ Kevin & Sierra LaRose, 6-9
5/7 -- Trivia Night w/ Marcus Anderson, 6:30-8:30
5/8 -- Gary Wilson, 6-8
LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM:
5/4 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9
BC LANES, BOYNE CITY
5/2 & 5/9 – Sandy & The Bandits, 8
BOYNE RIVER INN, BOYNE CITY 5/7 -- Nelson Olstrom, 7
ETHANOLOGY DISTILLATION, ELK RAPIDS 5/2 -- John Hayes, 7-10
LOST CELLARS, CHARLEVOIX
TASTING ROOM: 5/3 -- Shannon Christie, 4-6
TASTING ROOM:
5/8 -- Reese Keelor, 5-7
MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC
5/7 -- Open Mic w/ Joe Domanick, 7-9
5/8 -- Rebekah Jon, 6-9
NORTH BAR, TC 7-10:
5/2 -- Jim Hawley 5/7 -- Drew Hale
OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS:
5/2 -- Jeff Socia, 7
5/8 -- Levi Britton, 6:30
5/9 -- Blair Miller, 6-9
TC WHISKEY CO. - THE STILLHOUSE
6-8:
5/2 -- Blue Footed Booby
5/8 -- Jeff Socia
5/9 -- Andy McQuillen
THE ALLUVION, TC
5/4 -- Big Fun - Funky Fun Mondays, 6-8:30
5/5 -- Ship Yard Series: Short Stop & Scott Foor, 5:30-8:30
5/7 -- The Jeff Haas Trio feat. Laurie Sears + Lisa Flahive, 6-8:30
5/9 -- Lucía, 7-9:30
Antrim & Charlevoix
5/8 -- Jeffrey Joseph, 4-7
MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY 8-11: 5/6 -- Karaoke Night 5/8 -- The Tweed Tones
SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE 6-8: 5/6 -- Open Mic Night 5/7 -- Trivia w/ DJ Trivia
THE HAYLOFT INN, TC
5/1-2 -- Empire Highway, 7:30-11
THE PARLOR, TC
5/2 -- Highway North, 9
5/3 & 5/10 -- Music Bingo, 7-10
5/5 -- Jesse Jefferson, 8-11
5/6 -- Rob Coonrod, 8-11
5/7 -- Jimmy Olson, 8-11
THE PUB, TC
5/2 -- Luke Woltanski, 7-10; DJ Producer AJ, 9-11
5/3 & 5/10 -- Kids Karaoke w/ DJ
Shawny T, 3-5
5/4 -- Karaoke, 8-11
5/6 -- Zeke Clemons, 7-11
5/8 -- DJ Vai, 10-11:30
THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO.,
TC
5/4 -- USS Comedy Open Mic, 8-9:30
5/5 -- Open Mic w/ Zak Bunce, 6-9
5/6 -- DJ Bingo, 7-8:30
5/7 -- DJ Trivia, 7-9
5/9 -- Delilah DeWylde, 7-9
5/10 -- Full Tilt Comedy Presents: Comedy Lab, 6-8
TURTLE CREEK CASINO, WILLIAMSBURG WATERFALL, 8:
5/2 – Split Decision
5/8 – 1 Wave DJs
5/9 – Tower of Bauer
SHORT'S PULL BARN, ELK RAPIDS 5/3 -- Botala, 3-6
TOONIE'S, BELLAIRE 5/2 & 5/9 -- Karaoke, 8
TORCH LAKE CAFE, CENTRAL LAKE Thu -- Nick Vasquez, 6 Fri. & Sat. -- Leanna Collins & Ivan Greilick, 7
BEARDS BREWERY, PETOSKEY ROOT CELLAR:
5/6 – Open Mic Night, 6-9
BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY
5/2 -- Nelson Olstrom, 2-6
BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, BAY HARBOR
5-8:
5/2 -- Will Springsteen
5/7 -- Chris Calleja
5/8 -- Derek Boik
5/9 -- Brian Thomas
CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY
5/5 -- Trivia Night, 7-9
5/8 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30
Emmet & Cheboygan
NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY
5/2 -- Todd Aldrich, 7-10
5/6 -- Singo Bingo (Modern Rock), 6:30
5/8 -- Lara Fullford, 7-10
5/9 -- Eric Jaqua, 7-10
NORTHERN LIGHTS RECREATION, HARBOR SPRINGS
5/7 -- Trivia, 6:30
5/8 -- Ty Parkin, 5:30-8:30
ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY
OVATION HALL: 5/8 -- Mitchell Tenpenny, 8
POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS
5-8:
5/2 -- Chris & Jeff Duo
5/8 -- Jelly Roll Blues Band 5/9 -- Kirby
SEASONS OF THE NORTH WINERY, INDIAN RIVER 5/2 -- Lee Fayssoux, 6-8
THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN 5/2 -- Kentucky Derby Party - The Beau House Band, 6 5/8 -- Musicians Playground, 7 5/9 -- Deficit, 7:30
THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER 5/7 -- Dominic Fortuna, 7:30-9:30 5/8 -- Karaoke, 8-11
Leelanau & Benzie
CEDAR TAVERN
8-11:
5/2 -- Loop Hole 5/9 -- Jim Hawley
DUNE BIRD WINERY, NORTHPORT
3-6:
5/3 -- Loose Change 5/7 -- Chris Skellenger
FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR 4-7: 5/4 -- Larz Cabot 5/7 -- Loose Change
IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE
5/8 -- Matt Gabriel, 5:30-7:30
5/10 -- Brett Mitchell, 4-6
LAKE ANN BREWING CO.
5/2 -- Daydrinker's Series w/ Runaway Mule, 3-6; The Jameson Brothers, 7-10
5/6 -- Open Mic Night Hosted by Johnathon North, 6:30-9:30
5/7 -- Trivia Night w/ Host Tom Kaspar, 7-9
5/8 -- Stonefolk, 7-10
5/9 -- Niemisto/Skellenger/Sterr, 3-6; Silver Creek Revival, 7-10
RIVER CLUB, GLEN ARBOR
5-8:
5/2 -- Loose Change
5/9 -- Chris Smith
5/10 -- Dave Martin
TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD 6-9: 5/8 – Mike Ridley
SOUL SQUEEZE CELLARS, LAKE LEELANAU
5/9 -- Aiden Tobar, 4-7
ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH
5/2 -- Kyle Brown, 5-8
5/7 -- Open Mic Night, 6-9
5/8 -- Kevin & Darin, 5-8
5/9 -- Jesse Jefferson, 5-8
STORMCLOUD BREWING CO., FRANKFORT
5/6 -- Trivia Night, 7
THE CABBAGE SHELD, ELBERTA 5/7 -- Open Mic Night, 6:30-9
Otsego, Crawford & Central
5/6
Thursday, May 14 6-8:30pm
Food and drink available
Come as you are, pay what you can
ALPINE
5/10 – The Pink Violin
SNOWBELT BREWING CO., GAYLORD
– Dharma Records Karaoke w/ Diane & Al, 6-9
COME CREATE A SPARK WITH US AT ESAB! Our AlcoTec Team is hiring a Maintenance Technician! This position helps power our manufacturing success by keeping our equipment operating at its best. This role focuses on proactive maintenance, problem solving, and continuous improvement to support optimal productivity throughout the facility. If you are eager to learn, mechanically inclined and reliable, you'd be a great fit! Comp starts at $25/hour + $1.50 night shift premium with immediate full benefit package on a 4/10s schedule. Apply at ESAB.com today! https://esab. wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/esabcareers/job/ Traverse-City-Michigan-USA/MaintenanceTechnician---2_R0024947
