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Sharing, Listening, and Engaging I was moved by Li-Ann Kaye’s informative piece on the alarming dismantling of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion measures under the current presidential administration, including at UofM.
It is so valuable when people share about their lived experiences with such vulnerability and integrity. May we all practice listening intentionally to our fellow community members, especially when their lives and experiences are different from our own. Beyond listening, I ask us all to consider: what local actions can we each take to continue to support and build our inclusive, rich, and inherently mutuallybeneficial community here in northern Michigan? TC’s 4th annual Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Celebration is coming up May 13th. It’s a beautiful, welcoming event—check it out if you haven’t!
Lucy Lowe | Traverse City
DROP US A LINE!
Northern Express is a communitycentered paper that covers local people, places, entertainment, and news. We invite letters to the editor that also address issues in northern Michigan, whether that’s local policies, changes in your community, art and education, or hot topics like housing, tourism, and the environment (just to name a few). If it touches northern Michigan, it is something we want to share! We also welcome letters “in conversation” with any stories, columns, and other letters published in Northern Express.
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May 15-18, Boyne City will be all about the mushrooms. The 65th annual National Morel Mushroom Festival takes over this northern Michigan town, starting with a Battle of the Bands on Thursday night, and ending with a paint-and-sip morel painting class on Sunday afternoon. The biggest events of the festival center on the fungus itself: a free morel hunting seminar on Friday, a Morel & Wine Dinner at Beach House Restaurant ($115 per person, two seatings, and often sells out!), a competitive Morel Mushroom Hunt starting at Boyne City High School ($30; online preregistration recommended), and the Taste of Morels premiere event with the largest concentration of morel mushroom cooking in the world ($10 plus cash bar). And, for a lucky winner, there is the Great Morel Giveaway, where you can enter to win a pound—yes, a whole POUND—of mushrooms. Plan your weekend at bcmorelfestival.com.
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Healthy eats meet oven magic at The Bake Shoppe of Traverse City. Tucked into the Garfield Centre complex, this hidden gem has been cranking out cookies, pastries, and other all-natural treats since 2007. While you might head in for something sweet, it’s the racks of freshly baked breads that’ll have you hooked, especially the signature Sourdough. We’re going back to the basics with this delightfully simple sandwich loaf, which gets its characteristic tang (and proven health benefits!) from a decades-old heirloom starter. From there, just three ingredients—flour, water, and salt—comprise each homemade batch, which undergoes extended fermentation prior to hitting the oven. The result? A uniquely versatile bread that’s complex, balanced, and, dare we say it, good for you! Get your gut health on at The Bake Shoppe of Traverse City. 839 S. Garfield Avenue in Traverse City. (231) 922-8003; thebakeshoppeoftc.com
Capturing AAPI Month
Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Taro Yamasaki heads to Traverse City as the Dennos Museum Center celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month on Tuesday, May 13. Enjoy free light bites with local AAPI-owned restaurants at 5pm in the Sculpture Court, followed by a 6pm conversation in Milliken Auditorium with CEO of Rotary Charities of Traverse City Sakura Takano and Yamasaki, who will talk about his 45+ year career telling stories of communities ravaged by war, disease, natural disasters, and the cruelty of tyrants. Reserve your free ticket: dennosmuseum.org/events.
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Hey, Watch It! Étoile
Fans of Gilmore Girls, Bunheads, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and ballet, rejoice! Creators Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino are back with their latest fast-talking drama, Étoile, on Amazon Prime. The show follows two ballet companies—one in Paris, the other in New York City—that are trying to stay relevant in a world where fewer and fewer people attend the ballet. (There are, for the aforementioned ballet fans, real dancers from the New York City Ballet in the cast!) The two companies decide to swap some of their stars, hoping the cross-Atlantic talent switch will be enough of a gimmick to garner new audiences. Palladino fans will be especially thrilled to see Luke Kirby (Lenny Bruce from Mrs. Maisel) and Yanic Trusedale (Michel Gerard from Gilmore Girls) back on the screen. And best of all, all eight episodes are now streaming.
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THE HISTORY YOU NEVER LEARNED
Join National Writers Series for an inspiring conversation with #1 New York Times bestselling and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson. He will talk about his latest book, The Fate of the Day, with #1 New York Times bestselling author Doug Stanton.
A riveting narrative exploring the pivotal middle years of the American Revolutionary War, the publication of The Fate of the Day marks the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the Revolution. Atkinson’s brilliant account of the lethal conflict between the Americans and the British offers not only deeply researched and spectacularly dramatic history, but also a new perspective on the demands that a democracy makes on its citizens. It is the second volume of his American Revolution trilogy. Join NWS on Wed., May 14 at 7:00 p.m., in-person at the City Opera House plus livestreamed, for a conversation with bestselling author Rick Atkinson.
tastemaker The Bake Shoppe’s Sourdough
Photo by Seth Yamasaki
Rockhounds from across the region are headed to the 19th annual Petoskey Stone Festival, Saturday, May 17, at Barnes Park Campground in Eastport. (Fun faction: Did you know Petoskey stones are roughly 350 million years old?!) This one-day arts and craft show celebrates Michigan’s State Stone and is packed with Petoskey stone vendors specializing in jewelry, home goods like wine stoppers and picture frames, and even just beautifully polished fossils perfect for avid collectors. It wouldn’t be a proper party without a Petoskey stone hunt or rock skipping contest, and there will also be food truck vendors on-site, plus live music throughout the event. The family-friendly festival (complete with petting zoo, face painting, and kid’s trout pond!) runs from 10am to 4pm. See the full schedule at petoskeystonefestival.com.
Want to shine a spotlight on the inspiring young business leader in your life? Nominations are now open for the 2025 Hagerty/Traverse City Business News 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, 2025. 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 11, 2025, at 5pm. Winners will be notified ahead of the September announcement and featured in that month’s issue of the TCBN.
Lake Michigan may still be too chilly for a dip, but our boats are brave enough to go in the water now. As you’re bringing yours out of winter storage, think twice about tossing the shrink wrap in the trash. Irish Boat Shop—which has three locations in Traverse City, Harbor Springs, and Charlevoix—is hosting their annual shrink wrap recycle day on Saturday, May 17, from 9am to 12pm. This event saves hundreds of thousands of cubic feet from going into landfills, along with hundreds of thousands of kilowatts of energy and gallons of oil needed to break down this non-biodegradable product. Irish Boat Shop has partnered with Bay Area Recycling for Community and the Michigan Recycling Coalition to make this event possible. Learn more at irishboatshop.com/about/events.html.
If you’ve been watching the Bottoms Up section lately, we’ve featured Rare Bird, Modern Bird, and now Dune Bird. (Spring is birding season!) Dune Bird’s Pink Plover Rosé is a true taste of summer, with notes of strawberry and watermelon that give way to tropical flavors like mango and pineapple. All that fruit comes through thanks to a long cold fermentation. Smooth and sweet, the rosé also acts as the base for the winery’s seasonal Pink Plover Punch. But this isn’t just a pretty drink—it also helps protect piping plovers and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, with $2 per bottle donated to Friends of Sleeping Bear in addition to a $15,000 pledge from the winery over a three-year partnership. Grab a glass (it’s for a good cause!) at 5620 N Manitou Trail in Northport. dunebirdwinery.com
The 2025 button design by Cindy Berck
SUMMER CAMP
spectator
By steven Tuttle
First, we have to tear things down, demonizing both people and institutions.
Human enemies are easy enough to define— we’ll call people here illegally rapists, murderers, released prisoners, and mental patients. We’ll describe Muslims, and most anybody from a Muslim-dominant country, as terrorists.
That way, people who look a little different, speak a different language, or believe a different religion become easy targets. The easily identified external enemies become targets for investigation, harassment, deportation, and worse. Defending them becomes difficult once we start to tear down institutions on which the public has traditionally relied.
controlling information and facts, so we’ll eliminate as many government scientist jobs as possible and we’ll replace them with people who are not scientists at all but who agree with us. For example, we’ll hire someone to investigate the efficacy of vaccines who was once convicted of practicing medicine without a license. His boss calls him a “great healer.” Perfect. We’ll slash budgets for scientific endeavors, including grants to non-government organizations, and we’ll eliminate those positions we deem insufficiently loyal to our new causes.
We’ll start by denigrating the media over and over again. We’ll call them the “lame stream media,” spewing “fake news.” We’ll challenge every story, we’ll sue them if we don’t like the stories, we’ll create our own “alternate facts” to be repeated by media outlets, print and electronic, we do like. We’ll repeat the same lies so often with such intensity that at least some people will begin
We’ll try to control the content and flow of information by claiming the media are hopelessly biased. We’ll then threaten and investigate even the most benign websites if they contain any information we don’t like because control is the goal. We’ll give special privileges to those willing to regurgitate anything and everything we say, like a special press briefing for supportive
Once we’ve trained people to stop believing their traditional sources of information, we can start inserting our own. That will require discrediting the intellectuals and scientists who might contradict us, so we’ll use the same formula of attacks and lies that
We’ll claim the best colleges and universities are out of touch “elitists” (never mind all of us attended those schools) that are “indoctrinating” our children with radical ideologies that don’t represent real American values. When they don’t agree to change their ways, we’ll strip away their federal funding, making it impossible for them to conduct research that might
Controlling Congress and local politicians was pretty easy. Already with a majority in both houses, threats, intimidation, and the promise of supporting someone else in a primary election were enough to fully remove the spinal columns of enough politicians that many others nervously fell in line.
We’ll take out potential military resistance by firing the star officers who have not kowtowed sufficiently.
We’ll have to lower expectations in order to maintain control because much of what we have planned benefits us and almost no one else. We’ll tout the notion of multiple generations working in factories and tell people their daughters don’t need all those dolls; two that might cost a little more will be sufficient, along with five pencils. Less for your children is enough, scarcity for all is good.
Now that we’ve gained some control of the media and education, debunked science, frightened politicians into complete acquiescence, reduced military impediments, and lowered expectations, we’ll have to go after a remaining fly in our totalitarian ointment: the courts.
We’ll use the usual insults and denigration to try to bully them into obedience, call them radicals or rogue or extreme, and even use the threat of impeachment or jail when they make a decision we don’t like. Plus, they are always referencing that annoying Constitution that’s in the way of our goal of total control. Maybe we’ll just ignore court orders.
Presidents swear an oath of office: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
We’ll contradict science and censor real historians and create our own reality. We’ll change history itself by removing uncomfortable facts and replacing them with comforting fantasy. We’ll claim our K-12 education curricula is grooming and more indoctrination so we can replace it with our own actual grooming and indoctrination.
Science can be an extremely inconvenient impediment to our goal of creating and
Last week an NBC reporter asked our president: “Don’t you need to uphold the Constitution of the United States as president?” His answer? “I don’t know.” Autocrats and wannabe autocrats have a formula we’re watching play out right now. Our president doesn’t know if he has to uphold our Constitution—their goal is in sight.
They Did What?
One of the latest advancements in the field of nanomedicine was announced near the end of March in the journal Nano Letters, and it came with a bit of a hardcore theme. Vice reported on April 28 that researchers in China had dehydrated and cooled tardigrades, the famously resilient micro-animals known colloquially as water bears, and used an electron beam and a coating of a compound called anisole to tattoo microscopic patterns on their bodies. According to the abstract, the experiment "has potential applications in cryopreservation, biomedicine and astrobiology." Forty percent of the creatures survived the process, and the researchers hope to improve the survival rate in future tests.
That's Some Reach
Earth-shaking is one thing, but spaceshaking? A new study published April 3 in the journal AGU Advances concluded that the January 2022 eruption of the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai, which registered as one of the most powerful in modern history and blasted ash and gas 31 miles into the atmosphere, actually produced secondary gravity waves that reached the edge of space -- you know, where the satellites we rely on for GPS technology, communication and tracking the weather are in orbit. MSN reported that the findings are "prompting scientists to reassess the potential impacts of volcanic activity on our technological infrastructure."
This Week in Nightmare Travel
A recent Southwest Airlines flight was met by law enforcement after landing in Chicago, where police removed a passenger who had stripped naked and defecated on her seat, NBC Chicago reported on April 25. The plane was taken out of service to be cleaned. Southwest, just the latest airline to be put in the unenviable position of apologizing for the bizarre behavior of an unruly passenger, issued a statement: "Nothing is more important to Southwest than the safety of our customers and employees, and we appreciate the professionalism of our flight crew."
Saw That Coming
Hey, they say you shouldn't let coming into money change you, right? On April 28, James Farthing, 50, of Kentucky, was presented with an oversized check for winning the $167.3 million Powerball jackpot. The next day, Farthing was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges after an incident at the TradeWinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida, that included kicking a sheriff's deputy in the face and attempting to flee. The Smoking Gun reported that Farthing, an ex-con whose record includes convictions for theft, drug trafficking and engaging in an organized criminal syndicate, got into a drunken argument with a male patron at the resort and punched that man in the face, then assaulted the deputy as he attempted to break up the fight. The police report said Farthing "appeared very intoxicated and was yelling, screaming, and making incoherent statements." The newly minted millionaire's bond was set at only $10,000, but he remains behind bars on felony and misdemeanor charges for violating his parole.
Tough Cookies
As Kristen Savage was walking her dog
near her home in Sanford, Florida, on April 25, the pair were beset upon by a black bear, WKMG News 6 reported. While the bear made every effort to snatch Ringo, a 13-pound Chihuahua mix, away from his owner, Savage spun around, dangling Ringo in the air, and fell to the ground before using the only weapon she had at hand: a bag of cookies she had just been given by her mother, who lives down the street. "I whacked the bear across the face with it, and then I threw it," said Savage. "She put her head down and sniffed the cookies and we ran to the front door." Both owner and pet -- as well as the bear -- were safe after the run-in. Bear encounters are fairly common in Savage's Markham Woods neighborhood, with more than 300 reported so far this year; Savage herself has doorbell video of a bear on her front steps. "From now on, I will always carry something," Savage said. "An air horn, whistle, something that can scare her off."
Rare Sight
Customers at the upscale Treehouse Studios hair salon in the Hollywood Hills had a hair-raising experience on April 26, when a coyote climbed onto the building's roof and lapped at water that had collected in the skylight, in full view of the patrons below. Owner Travis Ogletree shared footage of the unusual encounter on TikTok, with the caption "Just another day at the Treehouse." USA Today noted that while it is not uncommon for coyotes to adapt to and survive in urban areas like the Hollywood Hills, it is unusual for the animals to be in populated areas during daylight.
Shell on Wheels
When staff at the Museum of Natural History in Halifax, Nova Scotia, recently noticed that Root, a wood turtle who has been in captivity for 20 years, was beginning to show signs of wear on his bottom shell after years of walking on a front leg that is missing a foot, it was time to get creative. CBC/Radio-Canada reported that's when naturalist interpreter Tessa Biesterfeld, inspired by a recent Lego exhibit at the museum, crafted a wheeled platform made of Legos to fit under the turtle and enable him to tootle around while saving wear and tear on his underside. "We thought that'd be so great because we know it's nontoxic," said Biesterfeld. "We know that we can replace the parts as we need, and should his shell change or grow, we can change the shape and size of that. It's very modular."
Look Out Below
Carletta Andrews was just about to take a sip from her margarita at Patron Mexican Restaurant and Cantina in Sandston, Virginia, on April 16 when something struck her on the forehead, reported WRIC 8News. "I looked at my husband like what was that," Andrews said. "When I turned around, I saw the snake in my margarita." The baby snake, which had fallen from the ceiling, wriggled in the glass and wrapped itself around the straw as restaurant workers attempted to remove it with a stick; finally, another customer was able to grab the snake and set it free outside. The staff offered to move Andrews to a booth, but the shaken patron chose to leave instead. The owner of the restaurant suspects the snake entered through the AC unit. But Andrews was left to wonder: "If that was the baby ... is the mom there?"
Building a Pollinator Garden Up North
MSU Extension experts share tips for location, soil, plants, and more
By Anna Faller
A pollinator garden is a habitat designed to benefit pollinators, the animals and insects that help plants reproduce, whose numbers have recently been on the decline around the world due to factors like habitat degradation, climate change, and human interference. In fact, Michigan’s bee population has dropped by more than half throughout the last 15 years.
With thousands of native pollinator species in Michigan alone, there’s never been a better time to help support that ecosystem diversity. But where do you start, and how can you best set your plant babies up for success?
Northern Express sat down with Michigan State University Master Gardener State Leader Sarah Rautio and MSU Consumer Horticulture Educator Nate Walton for the latest buzz on best gardening practices, seedlings, soil types, and beyond.
Location, Location, Location
As with any horticultural project, the first step toward building a pollinator garden is determining where—in your yard, on your patio, in your window box—to put it.
Though this could really be anywhere, the MSU experts suggest starting with an open plot with access to water and plenty of sunlight. Not only will this give you more options as far as viable species, but it’ll also ensure your flowering plants have enough energy to produce abundant blooms.
“Big flowers take a lot of energy, which those plants need to gather from the sun,” Walton adds.
From there, it’s all about “knowing your site,” which starts with assessing your soil type. “The key to success is figuring out what you have and matching plants that will grow best there,” notes Rautio.
Typical categories in northern Michigan include sandy, loamy, and clay composites. But to really know what you’re working with, Rautio recommends conducting a soil test, which will outline the finer details of your dirt’s makeup, like nutrient gaps and pH levels, all vital for flowers and perennials. (To request
an at-home soil assessment, contact MSU’s Extension services at homesoiltest.msu.edu.)
This information will also impact any care adjustments you make, like irrigation and supplements (fertilizer or compost use), which not only vary based on your soil’s setup, but can also come with environmental implications beyond your garden. Over-fertilizing, for example, can contaminate local water bodies by leaching into groundwater stores.
Removing invasive vegetation is another point to consider for your new garden space. To do this, Walton recommends “smothering,” which involves covering pesky plants with material like cardboard to block oxygen. Stay away from herbicides and chemical sprays, though, which can threaten the health of the landscape (and you!).
Planting Success
Once you’ve fully assessed your site, it’s time to start talking plant varieties.
“Growing zones are really tight in the Traverse City region,” Rautio says. Consequently, the span of a few short miles could mean the difference between growing woody herbs in dry soil and installing perennials, like Buttonbush or Spotted JoePye Weed, in a shoreline plot.
Nevertheless, choosing flowering plants is generally a safe bet, says Walton, since a goal of most pollinator gardens is to provide food for animal and insect species. The two also stress that native plants are far more likely to thrive in these habitats—and with less effort involved—than species that originated elsewhere.
When you’re ready to buy, the experts suggest starting with local nurseries and conservation districts—even better if you can find a spot that specializes in native species—whose staff tend to be most in tune with the needs of the local ecosystem.
Some of the MSU Extention’s regional go-to’s include the Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Antrim County Conservation districts, which host native plant sales every spring, as well as the Four Season Nursery and Pine Hill Nursery & Landscaping, both
of which have Traverse City locations. The Michigan Master Gardener Association (michiganmastergardener.org), of which MSU is a partner, also offers an extensive list of statewide native plant nurseries.
“[Those resources] are a great way to buy local and get plants that you know are native to our area,” Walton adds.
Let’s Grow
As for when to plant your new stock? Rautio says the effort can be year-round, but how you’ll begin depends on the season. Start by aiming for end-cap months, as summer is often too hot to plant. Then there’s the question of whether to start from seeds or transplanted sprouts, aka “plugs.”
On a broad scale, plugs will likely give your garden a better head start in terms of growth, as they already have a root ball established; but if you’re planning to sow a large swath of land, seeds are usually the more economical option.
Per Walton, a good rule of green-thumb to follow when planting is to put plugs in the ground right away, during spring or early fall in particular, while seeds might germinate more successfully when planted toward the end of the season. Seed varieties can differ in terms of optimal planting conditions, so consult the package before you commit.
To get the best bang for your buck, your garden should also feature a healthy mix of spring and autumn bloomers, so that multiple plant varieties are hitting their peak, and therefore supporting pollinators, throughout the season.
On the early end, milkweed is always a winner, says Walton, which provides food and flowers for several bee species, as well as the threatened monarch butterfly (he highlights a few native variants, like Swamp and Butterfly Milkweed for local gardens). Other early season plants include wild strawberry for burgeoning bumblebee colonies, and trees like oak, wild cherry, and maple for their skyhigh crowns of springtime flowers.
As for later season blooms, Walton’s partial to aster species, in particular smooth and New England varieties, as well as the
often-abundant goldenrod, whose bright yellow flowers are vital for sustaining bees and dozens of other insects.
A Connected Ecosystem
A fully-fledged pollinator garden can provide so much more than just food and flowers. “It’s not just about the pollen and nectar, but also about the habitat,” Rautio says.
Shrubs like elderberry, for instance, have hollow-centered stems and shoots that certain bee species use for nests, while their leaves provide foliage for caterpillars. There are also plenty of Michigan pollinators— notably, beetles and wasps, among several others—that wait out the winter leafy green shelters or hibernating underground.
To help maintain and expand those systems, Rautio encourages gardeners to minimize seasonal cleaning, unless you’re weeding out a pest, and if possible, to “let some of your landscape go wild!”
“If you’re constantly clearing or only have turf, you can impact the spaces where insects live,” she adds. This can contribute to issues like landscape fragmentation—that’s when groups of organisms are separated, leading to higher risk of extinction—loss of local biodiversity, and disruption of the ecological network by which plants and their pollinators survive.
Establishing natural habitat, especially in urban areas, helps connect the ecosystem corridors that sustain and grow those populations.
“Keeping a diverse and stable ecosystem is critical for sustainability,” Rautio says. “In urban and suburban areas, that [ecosystem] is often separated; but if every plot has a little natural habitat, that’s going to help a lot.”
And don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Building a garden is supposed to be fun, and if it isn’t, it’s not sustainable. Start small, consult the experts (snap a photo and send it to ask.extension.org/open.php if you need help on-the-spot!), and try to be gentle with yourself.
“Keep at it!” concludes Rautio. “The more you do it, the more you’ll learn and the more successful you’ll be.”
A native plant garden at the Leelanau County Government Center. Photo by Nate Walton
A European Honey Bee snacks on Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum). Photo by Sarah Rautio
Long Ears, Olive Trees, and Lots of Apple Cider Vinegar
A visit to Harper’s Ridge farm on Old Mission Peninsula
By Molly Cox
Spring is in the air, and we are all eager for visits to northern Michigan’s many farmers markets and farm stands. Our abundance of fresh, local products and produce is one of the many perks of our region, but we rarely take time to understand and appreciate the work farmers do to get our food to the table.
The challenges of maintaining a profitable farming operation are evident by the shrinking number of farms in the U.S. According to the latest census data from the Department of Agriculture, the number of farms in the U.S. fell while the average age of U.S. farmers rose. Too often when a farmer is ready to retire, there is no one ready to take over the operation.
There is good news however; the number of new farmers is on the rise, with those who have farmed for 10 years or less increasing to over one million. Two of those farmers are Cassandra Rossbach and Jeff Kane, who started Harper’s Ridge Farm in 2016 when they moved to Old Mission Peninsula from Chicago. As Kane says, “We wanted a slower life where we could create a more fulfilling life at home rather than seek it elsewhere.”
We visited the farm to talk to the couple about their businesses, how the community can support our local farmers, and the future of their farm.
Love and Vinegar Harper’s Ridge is named after the
couple’s young daughter, and the property includes a historic barn, built in 1906. It is a well-known landmark along Old Mission’s Center Road, and relatives of the original owners still visit on occasion.
Along with being the family homestead, Harper’s Ridge is home to a small menagerie of geese, chickens, dogs, and donkeys. “We love our animals, and animals in general, so they are pretty spoiled and have free range of the property much of the year,” Kane says.
When the duo adopted their first two donkeys, a mother-daughter bonded pair, they fell in love with the long-eared equines. Now, four more mini donkeys have joined the herd (more on them in the sidebar!).
“People are always asking if they can come visit the donkeys, pet the donkeys, brush the donkeys, etc. The community is really interested in what we are doing with them and love seeing them out in the field,” Rossbach says.
In honor of those sweet creatures, the farm’s main brand is Little Long Ear Provisions, which focuses on various types of artisanal aged vinegars. The farm’s core crop is apples to make their popular apple cider vinegar. The unique qualities of the vinegar come from the types of apples they use and from their aging process, which takes at least a year before bottling.
Being relatively new farmers, Rossbach and Kane have done a lot of experimentation to find what works and what sells. They
initially planned to produce wine and hard cider when they bought the farm; however, a happy accident occurred when Kane found a batch of cider in the basement that he had forgotten about that had transformed into a surprisingly delicious vinegar.
Rossbach was skeptical, but as she tells it, “Jeff was like, ‘this is actually really good vinegar—try it!’ and it was. It was much more complex, smooth, and apple-forward on both the palette and the nose than the vinegar I had tried before. We knew then we had something special.”
Going Organic
Rossbach and Kane take their role as farm stewards seriously, even when that means growing those apples and managing the farm with intentional and sustainable agriculture.
“We try not to bring in outside inputs as much as possible and let things work themselves out,” Kane says. “For example, we use all the kitchen scraps, animal manure and bedding, leaves, mulch from the trees on the property, etc. as the ‘feed’ for the property. We try to mimic nature as much as possible.”
Their commitment to sustainability led them to go through the lengthy process to obtain USDA organic certification. Only about 1 percent of U.S. farmland has organic certification, and maintaining it while staying profitable presents even more challenges than conventional farming.
As Kane explains, “I have been on this
for over seven years, and I am not seeing crop yields anywhere close to conventional. I think my fruit tastes better and is probably more nutrient dense, but we don’t grow more fruit. So higher costs, more work, and lower yields; you need to build a following and make every apple and pear count as sold.”
An additional challenge is that organic farming is not as well studied as conventional, so there are fewer resources available when organic farmers need advice on how to address issues like crop diseases. Despite the difficulties for farmers, organic farming offers numerous benefits to the land and to consumers, like reduced pesticide exposure, improved soil quality, increased biodiversity, water conservation, and safer, higher quality food.
Kane notes that it’s also important for consumers to understand that consumers can’t just look for a USDA Certified Organic label and think they are getting a sustainable product that helps small and/or local farmers.
“[Big box retailers] sell certified organic mangoes and cherries, but the mangoes were grown in Peru, shipped to Mexico to be processed and flash frozen, then shipped to distribution centers around the U.S. The cherries are shipped from Turkey right here to the Cherry Capital! We have chain grocery stores with Washington apples in plastic bags in the middle of our apple harvest.”
So how can we support our local farmers
and ensure we are getting the best products and produce available?
“The best things people can do would be [to] find a farm or two they like and join the CSA—it helps that farm with upfront costs—and visit the farmers markets and try things that are in season that you may not normally eat,” Kane tells us. “You start to lose nutritional value the second that your vegetable or fruit is harvested, so the fresher it is, the healthier and better tasting it is.”
To help increase access to food produced locally, farmers markets participate in state and federal food assistance programs, like accepting SNAP and WIC benefits.
Still Growing
The couple has big dreams for the future of Harper’s Ridge Farm. While they plan to continue to grow their vinegar business, taking out their grape vines has also freed up space for new projects.
One of these will be a “healing garden,” where people can come to the farm by appointment to interact with the donkeys in a tranquil setting. Equine therapy is popular
for its physical and emotional benefits, so the mini donkeys’ small size and calm dispositions make them well suited for it.
They are also planning to add an ambitious new crop that is not currently produced in Michigan: olives. Olive trees typically grow in warm climates like the Mediterranean, so the couple is building a greenhouse for a grove of Arbequina olive trees from Catalonia, Spain.
“It’s our favorite type of olive oil, and we actually have 55 gallons bottled from a single source in Spain to ‘pre-seed’ while the trees develop,” Kane explains. “If we can get them to fruit, we will be doing a high density on trellis planting. It’s a really premium olive oil for dipping, drizzling, etc. I think it would go well with our homegrown and handmade vinegars.”
You can find Little Long Ears Provisions products online at donkeyprovisions.com, at specialty food stores around Michigan, or at a farmers market this summer. Look for them on Saturdays at the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market in Traverse City, Tuesdays at the Glen Arbor Farmers Market, and Fridays at Fulton Street Market in Grand Rapids.
TC Spirit Donkeys
TC Spirit Donkeys is the donkey rental arm of Harper’s Ridge. Ollie, Autumn, Yankee, and Doodle are Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys, a breed that originated on the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. They are available for birthday parties, weddings, and any other celebration that needs some extra cuteness.
Donkeys tend to be less skittish than horses, so they don’t mind carrying champagne buckets, delivering presents, and receiving the affection of excited admirers. Here’s what Rossbach has to say about her four-legged friends.
Yankee
Yankee is two years old, and he is a brown spotted mini donkey. He is Doodle’s best friend, and they are bonded for life. He is a leader in his own way and is the serious one; he knows his job and does it well! His favorite pastime is finding a way out of the fence!
Doodle
Doodle is a two-year-old grey spotted mini donkey. He is the clown of the herd. He’s always making funny faces and in your personal space when it’s time for chores! He will do anything for a pet!
Autumn
Autumn is a puppy dog around humans and follows us wherever we go. She is a solid, dark brown mini and our youngest female at just 10 months old, but don’t let that fool you. This little lady is by far the bravest of our minis and second in line to our herd leader, Luna. Autumn lets her presence be known everywhere she goes!
Ollie is a two-and-a-half-year-old brown spotted mini donkey. He is very handsome and is the smallest and loudest of the minis. He’s always eager to greet us at the fence for a long hug!
WEDNESDAYS: D.A.T.E. NIGHT Free Dessert or Appetizer w/purchase of Two Entrees (Begins 11/29)
THURSDAYS: PASTA NIGHT!
Booking information for TC Donkey Spirit Donkeys can be found at donkeyprovisions.com/ pages/tc-spirit-donkeys.
Photos by Scarlett Piedmonte Photography
WEDNESDAYS:
THURSDAYS:
Ollie
architecture, and landscape architecture. “We even have a chef who used to work at a Michelin-star restaurant that’s on our team.”
Also on the team is an FAA-certified drone pilot. “We fly drones on almost every project to document existing conditions, do site analysis, and deep design analysis,” says Griswold. With drone technology, the team can monitor sites and projects and collect data on the broader environmental impact and report it via GIS (geographic information systems) mapping.
Stormwater Treatment and Native Plantings
For local homes and businesses, there are many incentives to designing and building green infrastructure and natural ecosystems within our urban environments.
“Having green infrastructure, plants, and green spaces is healthier for humans. Humans
Accepting NewPatients!
are scientifically proven to be happier when they’re around a lush landscape versus concrete or blacktop,” says Griswold.
Inhabitect incorporates several key design elements to create functional and eco-minded landscaping that will last generations. First, the team focuses entirely on using native plant species. According to Griswold, deeply rooted native species such as yarrow, asters, and perennial flowers work as buffers for runoff coming from lawns, parking lots, and urban structures.
This is all part of what landscape architects call the stormwater treatment train.
“The stormwater treatment train is basically managing water at multiple levels throughout a site. From the rooftop down the side of the building, maybe it’s collecting in the green wall and running to the sidewalk, where the permeable pavement is letting
water go through it underground, maybe infiltrating into the ground itself, or being piped over to a rain garden,” says Griswold.
Each stage helps slow and cool the water before it enters the Great Lakes watersheds and local waterways.
“By slowing water down and cooling it, we’re not affecting the wildlife around the river, stream, or lake,” says Griswold. “If the water is too warm, trout won’t be able to live. And if a trout isn’t able to live, blue herons have nothing to eat; so it’s all part of an ecosystem that we’re trying to make more resilient by using those plants in our landscapes versus making an environment that’s sterile of any wildlife.”
One of the goals the team has for their sites is to create thriving ecological transition zones between the buildings and the natural world. Transition zones encourage biodiversity by
providing resources and shelter for many species of animals. Native perennials and flowers attract more pollinators and beneficial wildlife to built spaces.
Besides being good for the planet, these spaces are cheaper to maintain because they remove the need for excessive fertilizing, regular mowing, and expensive landscaping maintenance.
According to Griswold, green infrastructure, permeable pavements, green roofs, green walls, natural shorelines, and rain gardens will have long-lasting impacts on our communities. “Inhabitect is creating places where nature is more accessible to all. These spaces are resilient, functional, and more aesthetically pleasing.”
Learn more about Inhabitect’s offerings at inhabitect.com.
Need care for your neurological condition – or suspect you have one? Munson’s trusted neurologists diagnose and manage a wide range of neurological issues that can lead to symptoms like tingling, numbness, tremors, problems with balance, and more.
Common conditions we treat include:
• Migraines and Chronic Headaches
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neurosciences to get started or scan the QR code to learn more.
Inhabitect worked to reduce stormwater runoff with green infrastructure at the Arthur Duhamel Marina in Peshawbestown.
A Belle Isle Conservancy shipping container gets a green roof.
Name: Raina Terror (Veronica Dragovich)
Number: AC130
Position: Blocker
Tenure: “I’ve been with the league for 12 years and held multiple Board of Director positions. In 2015, I broke my arm at the beginning of a bout and it took six months to be cleared to skate again, but I could not wait to get back on skates!”
Why Derby? “I love derby because it changed my life. It gave me the confidence and strength to find my voice again; it taught me how to own my space on and off the track; it made me appreciate my imperfect but strong and capable body. But most of all it gave me the most amazing, welcoming, loving, supportive and real family. My derby family has seen me through so much, I don’t know what I would do without them.”
Name: Tenacious D (Dez Eaton)
Number: 419
Position: Blocker
Role: “As a blocker I don’t score the points, but I do stop the opposing team from scoring. I like to set some sneaky offense and work with my wall to be a solid defense.”
Why Derby? “I love roller derby because of the community. This sport can bring almost anybody together. It doesn’t matter who you are, what you look like, where you’re from, if you’ve skated before or not. It’s about all of us coming together to do something we all enjoy. I’ve made some of the best friendships I’ve ever experienced in this sport. It’s amazing to have this community of people who will support you on and off the track.”
Name: Lizzy Luscious (Liz Mac Intyre) Number: 13
Position: Blocker
Tenure: “I’ve been playing since the beginning of the team in 2010, minus a broken ankle the first season, two pregnancies (I played in a game pregnant with my first and skated until eight months, no contact, with my second), and COVID.”
Why Derby? “Roller derby is my community, my stress relief, the place I go to get away from real life. Life is just better on skates!”
Name: Vypertension (Sarah Nordby) Number: 711
Position: Jammer
Role: “I had a 20 point jam at last year’s statewide tournament in the rookie scrimmage, which earned me MVP of the game! (And to put my points into context, that’s skating past the other team’s blockers six times to score those points!)”
Why Derby? “I love it for the community of incredible humans who gather purely for the love of the game.”
think. Every issue can be solved by adjusting one of the four basics: carbon, nitrogen, water, or air. “Keep it simple,” Alexander encourages. “Don’t let perfection get in the way of starting.”
Starting Your Pile
Whether you have a spacious backyard or just a sunny corner of a garden, you can compost. Here’s how:
First, pick your spot. Look for a dry, sha ded area. You can compost in a pile, bin, or tumbler—whatever works for you. Then layer your ingredients like a lasagna: alternate “greens” (food scraps) with “browns” (dry leaves, cardboard). As you get going, water lightly. Aim for the consistency of a wrung-out sponge. You’ll need to turn your pile occasionally, aerating with a shovel or pitchfork to keep things moving. And last, avoid problem items. No meat, bones, dairy, or the aforementioned compostable plastics unless you’ve got a hot pile and a critter-proof bin. And remember— if you mess it up? Adjust and try again. This is a process, not a pass/fail test.
Alexander says getting started composting is the hardest part. If you’re not ready to manage your own pile, consider joining a local composting collective or drop-off program. (Traverse City locals, Carter’s Compost might be your answer.)
Local Author Gets Kids (and Grownups)
Excited About Composting
When Traverse City author and illustrator Brianne Farley started talking to everyone she knew about composting, the questions began rolling in—mainly: “Are you writing a book about worms?”
“People kept asking me if I was working on a book about worms because I kept talking about it,” she says. “Until one day I thought, maybe I should write a book on composting.”
That spark turned into Worm Makes a Sandwich, a clever and colorful picture book starring a very determined worm who wants to make you lunch—with a little help from banana peels, carrot tops, and his decomposer friends. It’s equal parts science, silliness, and soil education.
Farley’s own composting journey began when she moved back to Traverse City from Brooklyn and wanted to start a garden in her new backyard. “I didn’t have enough space for a compost pile so I got a tumbler—and then it froze in the winter,” she says.
That kicked off a deep dive into winter composting, which led to vermicomposting. “I ordered 1,000 worms from Uncle Jim’s Worm Farm. For reference, 1,000 worms fit into a ball the size of a medium-sized orange—1 pound of worms is a totally normal thing to order online… normal people do that, right?”
She says composting is “easy, fun, and very low stakes,” and especially exciting for kids. “There is an incredible amount of life happening in your compost pile, and it’s so fun for kids to watch the bugs that move in and have a firsthand view of how dirt works and where food comes from.”
But it’s not just about what ends up in your garden. “The most important part of composting isn’t the end product,” she says. “It is about keeping biodegradable waste out of landfills.”
With Worm Makes a Sandwich, Farley blends her love of storytelling with her love of dirt, showing young readers (and their grownups) that composting doesn’t have to be complicated—or boring. Just don’t be surprised if your kid starts rooting around in the vegetable scraps after reading.
MENTORS NEEDED.
Could you be the ONE to guide the way?
Next Level is seeking mentors to share life skills with foster youth living independently. Just a few hours a month can help them navigate the path to adulthood.
To learn more, visit our website: cfsnwmi.org/next-level
NEW DATE!
Saturday May 17th, 2025
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Barnes Park, Eastport
ACTIVITIES:
• *NEW* Small Petting Zoo!
• Petoskey Stone Hunt
• Stone Skipping Contest
• Kids Fishing Pond
• Handmade Arts, Crafts, and Rock Vendors
• Delicious Food Vendors
• Balloon Animals and Face Painting
ENTERTAINMENT:
• Tommy Tropic
• Kenny Thompson
Join us for a FREE day of family-friendly fun!
“This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRF4951 awarded to The State of Michigan by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.”
Saturday
TRAVERSE CITY TRAIL
RUNNING FESTIVAL:
VASA Trail system. Today includes the 100K/100K Relay, 50K/75K, 25K, & 10K. See web site for starting times & to register. runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/TraverseCityTrailRunningFestival
FATHER FRED FOUNDATION ANNUAL
GARAGE SALE: 9am-3pm, Father Fred Foundation, 826 Hastings St., TC. Clothes, shoes, jewelry, household goods, antiques, sporting equipment, & much more. fatherfred.org
FREE COMMUNITY PLANT SWAP: 9amnoon, Mancelona Baptist Church parking lot. Bring a plant/take a plant - indoor & outdoor plants, seeds, cuttings, etc. Bring extra boxes, plant pots, bags, wagons if you have them. Please label your plants. Co-hosted with Antrim Citizens for Common Sense. Text any questions to 616-920-1776.
GARLIC MUSTARD WORKBEE - HICKORY HILLS: 9am, Hickory Meadows, TC. Join ISN & the GT Conservation District to help manage invasive garlic mustard & restore impacted areas by planting trees. Please wear appropriate clothing & closed toed shoes, & bring water & gloves, if you desire to wear your own. All tools needed for garlic mustard removal & tree planting will be provided. Please register on website. HabitatMatters.org/Events
VOLUNTEER STREAM MONITORING
PROGRAM: 9am, Benzie Conservation district office, Beulah. Join Benzie Conservation District to collect samples of aquatic insects, snails, & algae from local rivers, & learn what they reveal about water quality. Spend a morning “in the field” as a community scientist by gathering indicator species (insects that help us study water quality) & looking for invasive species like New Zealand Mudsnails & Didymo. Registration required: email john@ benziecd.org. benziecd.org/events
ART IN THE BARN: 10am-5pm, 6411 N. Overlook Rd., Northport. Artist Douglas Racich will be in his studio in the historic Leelanau barn. Featured art will include egg tempera & watercolor paintings by Racich. leelanauprints.com
ART IN THE BARN - EMMET COUNTY: 10am-4pm, Emmet County Fairgrounds, Petoskey. Featuring arts & crafts, a new workshop section, a new garden & plant area & more. Michigan painter Sheridan Waldrop returns as one of seven painters chosen. She will be plein air painting a new piece throughout the event. A wide variety of artists will be showcasing their work— including journal makers, photographers, clothing designers, mixed media artists, jewelers, fiber artists, painters, & ceramicists. GA: $3 (includes free return admission on Day 2); VIP: $10. facebook.com/ events/1229584888281490?ref=110
FREE FAMILY DROP-IN ART, TC: 10amnoon, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Cornwell Gallery, TC. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. All materials provided. crookedtree.org/class/ctactraverse-city/free-family-drop-art-may-10
NATURE JOURNALING WORKSHOP: 10am-noon, Ransom Creek Trail, Ransom Natural Area, Lake Ann. Guest leader Judy Kelly is a multifaceted artist, educator, & naturalist who will help you explore how to keep a journal & record observations in one while hiking Ransom Creek Trail. Registration is
required & will be capped at 15 people. Free. benziecd.org/events.html
SPRING ART MARKET: 10am, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Featuring 25 Michigan artists selling their work indoors, along with free admission to the museum & special programming to celebrate artists, spring, & moms. Free. shop.dennosmuseum.org/2025-spring-art-market
66TH ANNUAL MESICK MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: May 9-11. Includes hunting for mushrooms, Blessing of the Jeeps, a 5K, food, concerts, kids events, baseball, volleyball, grand parade, & much more. mesickmushroomfest.org/index.html
ARTIST TALK: SCOTT WILSON OF VADA COLOR: 11am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Carnegie Galleries, TC. Scott will share insights into the world of art reproduction, artwork photography, note card printing, & lighting techniques for painting. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/ artist-talk-scott-wilson-vada-color
PETOSKEY SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK: Petoskey area, May 2-11. Enjoy special pricing & specials from area restaurants, with some establishments offering two-forone pricing. petoskeyarea.com/events/petoskey-restaurant-week-spring-2025
BOOZY BOOK FAIR - CHAPTER 2: 1-4pm, Castle Farms, Charlevoix. Featuring over 70 vendors showcasing books, literary-themed goodies, & more. There will be eats from Rouge Pierogi & K&J Food Truck, live music by the Crazy Socks Swing Jazz Band, & a Book Swap: Check-in your books for swapping from 1-2pm, & enjoy swapping from 2-4pm. Free admission. castlefarms.com/ events/boozy-book-fair-chapter-2
MOM & DAUGHTER PROM PARTY: 5-7pm, Interlochen Public Library. Dress up in your favorite fancy outfits, dance the night away to fun tunes, enjoy light refreshments, & capture the moment at the photo booth. There will also be crafts, games & more. Register: 231-276-6767. Free.
ROOM FOR MORE: 5pm, Cedar North, Cedar. Join for an opening reception of an exhibit of work by Ian John Solomon. Ian’s interdisciplinary lens based practice explores themes of identity, ancestry, community & ecology. Free. cedarnorthtc.com
CANDLELIGHT: FEATURING VIVALDI’S FOUR SEASONS & MORE: 6:15pm, City Opera House, TC. Enjoy the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience under the gentle glow of candlelight. $24-$47. cityoperahouse.org/node/656
STRINGS AT THE CASTLE: DIXON’S VIOLIN EXPERIENCE: Knight’s Castle, Castle Farms, Charlevoix. Experience a candlelit concert with Dixon’s Violin, renowned for his fusion of classical & electronic violin. Enjoy an intimate, fully improvised performance blending melodies & emotional storytelling. $30 presale; $35 at door; $5 kids under 12. Doors open at 6pm; Q&A with Dixon at 6:30pm; concert begins at 7pm. castlefarms.com/events/stringsat-the-castle-the-dixon-violin-experience
“ALMOST, MAINE”: 7-9pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. An Almost Romantic Comedy. Presented by Little Traverse Civic Theatre. Welcome to Almost, Maine, a place that’s so far north, it’s almost not in the United States. One cold, clear, winter night, as the northern lights hover in the star-filled sky above, the residents of Almost, Maine find themselves falling in & out of love in unexpected & hilarious ways. $10-$20. ltct.org/season-events
COUSIN CURTISS: 7-9pm, Old Art Building, Leland. Enjoy a fiery dynamic rarely seen by a solo act & now partnered up with the equally enigmatic & soulfully driven electric guitar prowess of Harrison B. “Blues at bluegrass speeds.” “Rock Americana with a soulful drip.” OAB members: $25; non-members: $30. oldartbuilding.com/events/cousin-curtiss
MUSIC IS THERAPY: 7pm, The Village at GT Commons, Kirkbride Hall, TC. Hear the music of the series “Songs About Buildings and Moods,” created by Interlochen Center for the Arts faculty Cynthia Van Maanen & Thomas Childs, who have composed “transformational landscapes” to commemorate the rebirth of northern Michigan’s Kirkbride asylum. The story of Building 50 will be told with their music in this series for PBS viewers. You will also meet the creator of the PBS show, Seth Boustead, & hear about turning the story of architectural renovation into music & dance. Free. thevillagetc.com/events/ music-is-therapy-at-building-50
SETH BERNARD HOUSE CONCERT: 7-9pm, 4320 E 46 Rd., Cadillac. Seth is known for his captivating performances & full spectrum guitar work serving songs to lift our spirits & give us courage in turbulent times. He is the founder of the Clean Water Campaign for Michigan, Title Track, Earthwork Music, & the Earthwork Harvest Gathering. Find ‘Seth Bernard House Concert’ on Facebook. 1-800836-0717. $10-$25; 12 & under, free.
SONGS FOR WATERMELON SEEDS: 7-9pm, The Workshop Brewing Co., TC. An evening of folk music & fun dedicated to raising funds for a family impacted by war. Enjoy live music with Stanley and Quiggle & a silent auction with items kindly donated by local favorites. facebook.com/share/19zbdc SNcg/?mibextid=wwXIfr
A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. When Monty Navarro discovers that he’s eighth in line for the lofty D’Ysquith family’s earldom, he figures outliving his predecessors is unlikely & sets off down a more ghoulish path. Adults: $33; youth under 18:
$20. oldtownplayhouse.com/performances/ mainstage/a-gentlemans-guide-to-love-andmurder.html
CAROUSEL: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Witness an enduring story of love, unfinished business, & redemption as director Bill Church & the Arts Academy Theatre Division stage Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein’s iconic 1945 musical, “Carousel.” Adult, $38; child-college, $19. interlochen.org/events/carousel-2025-05-09
CANDLELIGHT: TRIBUTE TO FLEETWOOD MAC: 8:45pm, City Opera House, TC. Enjoy a live, multi-sensory musical experience under the gentle glow of candlelight. $24-$47. cityoperahouse.org/node/655
Sunday
ART IN THE BARN - EMMET COUNTY: (See Sat., May 10)
ART IN THE BARN: (See Sat., May 10)
66TH ANNUAL MESICK MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: (See Sat., May 10)
PETOSKEY SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., May 10)
MOTHER’S DAY SPRING FLORA WALK: Noon-1:30pm, Chaboiganing Preserve, Brutus. Join Amy Lipson, conservation specialist, for a relaxing walk with your mom. This will be a slow walk, taking in everything the rebirth of spring has to offer. landtrust.org/ events-template/mothers-day-walk
“ALMOST, MAINE”: (See Sat., May 10, except today’s time is 2-4pm.)
A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE & MURDER: (See Sat., May 10, except today’s time is 2pm.)
CAROUSEL: (See Sat., May 10, except today’s time is 2pm.)
The Downtown Summer Concert Series heats up in Gaylord, Fri., May 16 at Claude Shannon Park from 7-9pm with the 8-piece horn-driven Big Greasy Band known for their New Orleans-inspired funk, jazz, soul, and blues music. Bring your own chair to this free concert.
of the Library. Professor of Environmental Health Sciences & Senior Associate Dean for Research at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health Dr. John Meeker will be the featured speaker. Registration required: lwvnlm.org/calendar/ma2025forum.
GEORGE WASHINGTON’S WAR FOR AMERICA: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Join the National Writers Series for a conversation with #1 New York Times bestselling & Pulitzer Prize-winning author Rick Atkinson. He will talk about his latest book, “The Fate of the Day,” with New York Times bestselling author Doug Stanton. Doors open at 6pm with live music & a cash bar. $10-$63. cityoperahouse.org/node/638
thursday
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
TALK: CHANDRA WU: 10am, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Seattle artist Chandra Wu will talk about her car journey east to Glen Arbor, & how that spring trip became the heart of her artist-inresidence project. Wu, the Glen Arbor Arts Center’s first artist-resident of 2025, will share stories & vignettes of her two-week residency. Free. glenarborart.org/product/ air-presentation-artist-chandra-wu
KID’S CRAFT LAB: CHALK ANIMAL SILHOUETTES: 10am-noon, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, GT Mall, TC. Pick your favorite animal & watch how chalk can make it glow. There will be lots of ways to experiment with chalk on black construction paper. Free with price of admission. greatlakeskids.org
65TH ANNUAL NATIONAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: Boyne City, May 1518. Today includes Schmidt Amusements Carnival & Battle of the Bands in Veteran’s Memorial Park. bcmorelfestival.com/2025schedule-of-events.html
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON ROTARY SQUARE DESIGN!: 4:30-7pm, Rotary Square, corner of State & Union streets, TC. The Downtown Development Authority invites you to its second Imagine Rotary Square, where attendees will get a first look at preliminary design concepts & share their feedback on the future of Rotary Square. Free. facebook.com/share/1AHAkJcbBY
READER CHEF, JR. COOKING CLASS: 5pm, Interlochen Public Library. For ages 10-16. Kids will learn a new recipe & be able to cook the meal from start to finish. Class size is limited to 12 kids. Registration required: 231-276-6767. Free.
BELLAIRE BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5:30-7pm, Short’s Pub, Bellaire. Meet, greet & mingle with other business owners & professionals. Cash bar, snacks, refreshments, door prizes. $5; $3 members; free for spotlight members. bellairechamber.org/2025/05/15/241127/ business-after-hours-5
ICE STORM EDUCATIONAL EVENT: 6-8pm, E-Free Church, Gaylord. Metcalfe Forestry will be speaking on multiple topics related to post ice storm forest damage & next steps to be taken. Free.
PAPA’S COMING HOME - MEET CHASTEN BUTTIGIEG: SECOND SHOW ADDED!: 6PM (SOLD OUT!) & 8pm, City Opera House, TC. Meet local author & TC native Chasten Glezman Buttigieg & his husband, former mayor & United States Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg, as they discuss the universal challenges of parenthood, & their new picture book about unconditional love, “Papa’s Coming Home.” Presented by Horizon Books, Up North Pride, & Friends of the Traverse Area District Library. $5-$32. cityoperahouse.org/ papascominghome
“ALMOST, MAINE”: (See Sat., May 10)
AI IN THE PREHISTORIC GREAT LAKES: 7pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Presented by Points North podcast, Interlochen Public Radio & Dennos Museum Center. In 2013, scientists from Michigan & Wisconsin used virtual reality to discover an ancient hunting site in the Great Lakes. Meet the scientists, visit the virtual prehistoric world they made & see the AI caribou that roam there. $15/person. simpletix. com/e/ai-in-the-prehistoric-great-lakes-tickets-206680
RUMOURS: THE ULTIMATE FLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE SHOW: 7pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. RUMOURS recreates the band’s legendary persona, in all its youthful glory from 1975-1987. Enjoy hits “Don’t Stop,” “Go Your Own Way,” “Little Lies” & many more. $25-$40 adults; $10 students (18 & under). theoperahouse.org
friday
VERONICA VALLEY TREE
PLANTING: 8:45am. Join to plant 20 trees at Veronica Valley County Park, Lake Leelanau. These trees are a part of an effort to turn an old golf course into a natural space & increase species & age diversity with native trees. releafmichigan.org/events.html
MORE TO EXPLORE: TOOL TIME: 10amnoon, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, GT Mall, TC. Toddler toy tools will be provided for children to hammer in pegs & experiment with oversized nuts & bolts. Free with price of admission. greatlakeskids.org
65TH ANNUAL NATIONAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: 12pm, Boyne City. May 15-18. Today includes an Arts & Crafts Show, food trucks, live music with Derailed & a free Morel Seminar in Veteran’s Memorial Park; & Morel Wine & Dine at Beach House Restaurant, & more. bcmorelfestival.com/2025schedule-of-events.html
SENIOR CENTER TUNE-UP & SLOW ROLL: Norte Youth Cycling, 1213 West Civic Center, Dr., TC. Senior Center members can bring their bikes to Norte Youth Cycling from 12:30-3:30pm for free basic bike repairs. Then join at 4pm for a leisurely ride along the newly improved Bayfront Trail. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar
ZOO-DE-MACKINAC: The Highlands at Harbor Springs. Today includes registration from 2-11pm in the upper level of the day lodge next to the Zoo Bar; & the Kick-off Party at 8pm in the Zoo Bar. zoo-de-mack.com/ zoo-de-mack-registration
LIVE AFTER FIVE: 5-8pm, Downtown TC.
A new Fri. evening entertainment series featuring free outdoor performances by emerging & established artists. Tonight enjoy live music from Ben Richey at the Jay Smith Walkway (between Pangea’s & Kilwin’s) & live music from Posh Nosh in front of Horizon Books on Front St. Free. downtowntc. com/live-after-5-spring-entertainment-series
NMEAC ENVIRONMENTALIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS & CELEBRATION: 5:30pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Join for an inspiring evening of connection, recognition, & resilience at the 36th Annual Environmentalist of the Year Awards & Celebration to honor local environmental champions & celebrate the strength of the community. Ticket includes food & drink. $25 GA; $10 student. nmeac. org/environmentalist_of_the_year
GRAND TRAVERSE DYSLEXIA ASSOCIA TION 40TH ANNIVERSARY GALA City Opera House, TC. Honor the beginning, celebrate the present, & launch the future for GTDA. Scott Carter will perform “Elvis Through My Eyes” & there will be talks by two dyslexics, former Detroit Lion, Deon Butler, as well as Chairman of the Board for Duperon Corporation, Terry Duperon. $30$156. cityoperahouse.org/node/634
“ALMOST, MAINE”: (See Sat., May 10)
AAV COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: “ELEMENO PEA”: 7pm, AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Set just after Labor Day on the sun-soaked shores of Martha’s Vineyard, “Elemeno Pea” dives headfirst into the clash of class, values, & sisterhood. $20 + fees. artisanvillage.org/event/ aav-community-theatre-presents-elemeno-pea
DOWNTOWN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: 7-9pm, Claude Shannon Park, Gaylord. Featuring The Big Greasy Funk Band. Bring your own chair. Free. gaylordchamber. com/events/details/downtown-summer-concert-series-2025-10235
SPOTLIGHT - AN EVENING CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF BROADWAY: 7pm, TC Central High School Auditorium. A showcase of TC Central Musical Theatre Club students performing hit songs from Broadway shows! Entry is a suggested $5 donation with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Young Company at OTP. facebook.com/profile. php?id=61575781205489
“KALAMAZOO”: 7:30pm, Leelanau School, Glen Arbor. Presented by the Glen Arbor Players. Two quirky seniors, a dating service & a second chance at love. Contribution: $10/person. glenarborplayers.org
CHAMBERFEST CHEBOYGAN SERIES: AVERY GAGLIANO: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Avery was the winner of the First Prize at the 2020 National Chopin Piano Competition, & a finalist of the 2025 American Pianists Awards. $30; $5 discount for Veterans; free for students. theoperahouse.org
Saturday
65TH ANNUAL NATIONAL MOREL MUSHROOM FES-
TIVAL: Boyne City, May 1518. Today includes a farmers market, Boyne Area Skate Park Fundraiser, Taste of Morels, Motherload Bash feat. The Family Tradition Band, & more in Veteran’s Memorial Park; 65th Annual National Competitive Morel Mushroom Hunt at Boyne City High School; Great Morel Giveaway & more. bcmorelfestival. com/2025-schedule-of-events.html
may 15
ZOO-DE-MACKINAC: The Highlands at Harbor Springs. Today includes registration from 7:30-10:30am in the lobby below the Zoo Bar; the ride starting between 7:3010:30am in the Ski Area Parking Lot; lunch between 10:30am-2pm at Legs Inn; Post Ride Party from 2-6pm at The Crossings in
Mackinaw City; & evening parties on Mackinaw Island beginning at 8pm. The ride spans 51 miles along Lake Michigan on a paved road with very little automobile traffic. Riders pedal through rolling countryside & trillium covered forests, along sandy beaches, & are surrounded by breathtaking views of Lake Michigan from 400′ high bluffs. zoo-de-mack. com/zoo-de-mack-registration
14TH ANNUAL RECYCLE-A-BICYCLE
BIKE SWAP: Old Town Parking Garage, TC. Sell or buy any used bikes. The funds raised provide necessary active transportation to economically disadvantaged individuals & families. Fri., May 16, 6-8pm: Bike drop-off at the Old Town Parking Garage. Sat., May 17, 9am-1pm: Shop the Bike Swap. 2-4pm: Pick up unsold bikes. Free. traversetrails.org/ event/recycle-a-bicycle-bike-swap
DANDELION DASH TRAIL 5K & SHORT
FAMILY FUN RUN: 801 Northmen Dr., Petoskey. The 5K starts at 9am & the Fun Run at 10am. $15-$40. runsignup.com/DandelionDashPetoskey
SPRING STEWARDSHIP DAY: 9am-noon, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Trail grooming, garden weeding, & window shining are a few of the many tasks for freshening up the grounds & Center in preparation for summer. Please bring a pair of gloves & pre-register by emailing: stewardship@grassriver.org.
TVC5K RUN THE RUNWAY: 9am, Cherry Capital Airport Runway, TC. Benefits Wings of Mercy. $42 + SignUp fee; $13 for 13 & under. tvc5k.org
19TH ANNUAL PETOSKEY STONE FESTIVAL: Barnes Park Campground, Eastport. Date change this year! Join for a family-friendly celebration of Michigan’s beloved fossilized treasure, our state stone! Live entertainment featuring Tommy Tropic & Kenny Thompson. A brand-new petting zoo, Stone Skipping Contest, A Petoskey Stone Hunt, handmade vendors with Petoskey stones, gems & much more. Free. petoskeystonefestival.com
ALPEN-CAR SHOW 2025: 10am-1pm, Otsego County Sportsplex, Gaylord. This show is held as a fundraising event for Alpenfest. There will be awards, food trucks, music & fun. Smash a car by donation! Free admission. gaylordchamber.com/events/details/ alpen-car-show-202-9572
FREE FAMILY FUN DAY: FAIRY HOUSE WORKSHOP: 10am-noon, The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, TC. Get ready for the upcoming Fairy Festival in June as you build fairy houses in this make-and-take craft workshop. You’ll highlight this year’s Fairy Festival theme of “Fairies Around the World” as you create whimsical residences using natural materials. thebotanicgarden.org/events
HIKE THE RIDGE!: 10am, Five Mile Rd., TC. Join for a hike on The Ridge, a new Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy project that will help safeguard the water quality of Grand Traverse Bay, save wildlife habitat, & open up recreational opportunities. Register. Free. gtrlc.my.salesforce-sites.com/es/ event/home/theridge051725
NORTHERN MICHIGAN BIRDS: 10am, Interlochen Public Library. Mary Ellen Newport from the Grand Traverse Audubon Club will give an overview of Michigan birds, & best practices for beginning birders. Participants are encouraged to download the Merlin app, & load the “US: Midwest Pack.” Bring your own binoculars if you want to learn how to focus them specifically for your eyes. Meet in the Community Room for a brief presentation
followed by a short walk behind the library to practice your new skills. 231-276-6767. Free.
OPEN AUDITIONS: GRAND TRAVERSE
SHOW CHORUS: 10am-2pm, Pine Hall, 1776 High Lake Rd., TC. Audition for the Sweet Adelines Grand Traverse Show Chorus. Follow the link on the web site to sign up for your audition slot. Come prepared with a song of your choice, less than 2 minutes long, a cappella or bring a track along to sing with. Audition slots will be about 20 minutes each. Free to audition. grandtraverseshowchorus.org/dbpage.php?pg=view&dbase=events&id=275860
THE TRAVERSE CITY STROLL FOR EPILEPSY™: 10am, GT County Civic Center Park, TC. This event brings people together to share their stories, learn about epilepsy, connect with others, & raise vital funds to support epilepsy care, awareness, education, & research. See web site for more info. connect.epilepsymichigan.org/event/2025traverse-stroll-for-epilepsy-tm/e655201
ARTIST TALK: FEATURING ARTISTS FROM THE 10 FOLD EXHIBIT: 11am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Cornwell Gallery, TC. Join for a dynamic conversation with the artists featured in 10FOLD, a juried exhibition celebrating Crooked Tree’s ten years in TC. Discover how each artist explored the significance of the number 10 through symbolism, structure, & storytelling & how it inspired their creative process. Free. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-traverse-city/artist-talk-featuringartists-from-the-10-fold-exhibit
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY HEMINGWAY PRESENTATION BY ROBERT VAN DELLEN: 11am, Cadillac Wexford Public Library. Robert will discuss Ernest Hemingway’s personal life, taking a closer look at some of his works. Many stories have been written about Ernest Hemingway & his tempestuous life. For many artists, their personal lives are as engaging, provocative, & interesting as their art. Free. friendsofthecadillaclibrary.wordpress.com/upcoming-programs
SPRING FEVER FASHION SHOW: Noon2pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. A gathering showcasing the hottest fashion trends from local boutiques & artisans. Enjoy a luncheon, pop-up accessories shop, door prizes & more. $30/$27 OAC members. tickettailor. com/events/oliverart/1637292
GALLERY WALK AND TALK: TWO NEW EXHIBITS: 1pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Take a stroll through the GAAC’s current exhibits, “Walking,” & “Random: Collages From The Scrap Pile.” Join in a conversational discussion of the exhibitions with Sarah BearupNeal, GAAC Gallery manager. Free. glenarborart.org/exhibits
HEALTH & WELLNESS FAMILY COOKING CLASS: 1pm, Interlochen Public Library. The Family Cooking Class provides recreational cooking & baking classes while teaching families how to create delicious, fresh, scratch-made meals that are easy to prepare & won’t break the bank. Registration required: 231-276-6767. Free.
PETOSKEY UNCORKED: 1-5pm, Odawa Casino, Petoskey. Enjoy (14) participating wineries in one location. Each ticket receives 14 1oz. tastings, hors d’oeuvres, live music, & $10 freeplay. $40 pre-sale; $50 door. petoskey.wine/event/2025-petoskey-uncorked
2ND ANNUAL STRUT THE STREETS EVENT: Downtown Elk Rapids. Celebrate the start of spring with local businesses, neighbors, & friends. Enjoy shopping, tasty treats, pop-ups, giveaways, cocktails +
snacks, & a fashion show. Cocktail hour at The Dam Shop from 3-4pm. Fashion Show starts at 4pm. Strut the Streets promptly following the fashion show; strut down River St. & enjoy your favorite local shops. Most stores will be open until 7pm. Free. business.elkrapidschamber.org/events/details/strut-thestreets-fashion-show-in-elk-rapids-46397 “ALMOST, MAINE”: (See Sat., May 10)
AAV COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: “ELEMENO PEA”: (See Fri., May 16)
LEELANAU READS AUTHOR EVENT: NITA PROSE: 7pm, Glen Lake Schools Auditorium. The four public libraries of Leelanau County are pleased to host Nita Prose at the Glen Lake Schools Auditorium. Ms. Prose is the author of the New York Times & IndieBound bestseller “The Maid,” as well as a sequel & a novella, with a third book in the series having just been released on April 8. She will be discussing her first book, “The Maid.” She will be interviewed by guest host Sarah Bearup-Neal of the Glen Arbor Arts Center. Free. sbbdl.org
“KALAMAZOO”: (See Fri., May 16)
ALLUVION WORLD MUSIC SERIES: ANCESTRAL HAIKU: 7:30pm, The Alluvion, TC. Enjoy an interactive performance that weaves together live original music, dance, video projection & original artwork. Part performance, meditation, & ritual, Ancestral Haiku explores Black Ancestry, the Middle Passage, & engages the work of poet/scholar Mursalata Muhammad. Detroit jazz legend Marion Hayden & Legacy join dance artist & U-M faculty Robin Wilson, with artwork & video installation by M. Saffell Gardner. $30 advanced; $35 door. thealluvion.org/tickets/ancestral-haiku-5-17-25
“THE HUMAN VOICE”: 8pm & 10pm, City Opera House, Bohemian Room, TC. 51/50 Productions will bring Jean Cocteau’s poignant one-act play, “The Human Voice” (La Voix Humaine), to life. Directed by Andrew McGinn, instructor of theater at Interlochen Arts Academy, “The Human Voice” transports audiences back to the 1930s, eavesdropping on a woman’s final phone call with her former lover. GA: $30. cityoperahouse.org/node/651
Sunday
65TH ANNUAL NATIONAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: Boyne City, May 15-18. Today includes Paint & Sip with Duncan Studios, Arts & Crafts Show & more in Veteran’s Memorial Park. bcmorelfestival.com/2025schedule-of-events.html
TRAVERSE CITY BEACH BRIDAL SHOW: Noon-4pm, Harbor Brook Hall, TC. Meet top local photographers, entertainers, caterers, planners, & vendors. Free admission. harborbrookhall.com/event-schedule/tc-beachbridal-show-2025
“KALAMAZOO”: (See Fri., May 16, except today’s time is 2pm.)
TRAVERSE AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY: 2pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. The goal of the Traverse Area Historical Society is to share local history of TC & the Grand Traverse region. Free. tadl.org/event/traverse-area-historicalsociety-12105
JORDAN VALLEY COMMUNITY BAND SPRING CONCERT: 3pm, East Jordan Community Auditorium. Family friendly concert. Free.
CADILLAC FOOTLITERS YOUTH THEATRE AUDITIONS: 4-6pm, Cadillac Footliters’ Clubhouse, 3841 Walker Ave., Cadillac. For “Peter and the Starcatcher.” If you’re between the “ages” of (1) 14 by July 25 or entering high school this year, & (2) leaving high school in 2025 (but not turning 19 before Sept. 1), this opportunity is for you! This show has a large ensemble with significant double casting. sites.google.com/cadillacfootliters.com/peter-hub/home
AAV COMMUNITY THEATRE PRESENTS: “ELEMENO PEA”: (See Fri., May 16, except today’s time is 4:30pm.)
THE BELLE OF AMHERST: 5-6:30pm, Old Art Building, Leland. A one-woman play based on the life of poet Emily Dickinson from 1830 to 1886, & set in her Amherst, Mass. home. Bringing poetry to life, Sara Hartley performs as Emily Dickinson in William Luce’s classic play, making use of Dickinson’s work, diaries, & letters to recollect her encounters with the significant people in her life - family, close friends, & acquaintances. OAB members: $20; non-members: $25. oldartbuilding.com/events/the-belle-of-amherst “THE HUMAN VOICE”: (See Sat., May 17, except tonight’s times are 6pm & 8pm.)
lOGY
MAY 12 - MAY 18
BY ROB BREZSNY
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The most successful people aren't those who merely follow their passion, but those who follow their curiosity. Honoring the guidance of our passions motivates us, but it can also narrow our focus. Heeding the call of our curiosity emboldens our adaptability, exploration, and maximum openness to new possibilities. In that spirit, Taurus, I invite you to celebrate your yearning to know and discover. Instead of aching for total clarity about your life's mission, investigate the subtle threads of what piques your curiosity. Experiment with being an intrigued adventurer.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Renowned Virgo author Nassim Nicholas Taleb has called for the discontinuation of the Nobel Prize in Economics. He says it rewards economists who express bad ideas that cause great damage. He also delivers ringing critiques of other economists widely regarded as top luminaries. Taleb has a lot of credibility. His book The Black Swan was named one of the most influential books since World War II. I propose we make him your inspirational role model for now, Virgo. May he incite you to question authority to the max. May he rouse you to bypass so-called experts, alleged mavens, and supposed wizards. Be your own masterful authority.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I predict that your usual mental agility will be even more robust than usual in the coming weeks. Although this could possibly lead you to overthink everything, don’t believe that’s what will happen. Instead, I suspect your extra cognitive flexibility will be highly practical and useful. It will enable you to approach problems from multiple angles simultaneously—and come up with hybrid solutions that are quite ingenious. A possibility that initially seems improbable may become feasible when you reconfigure its elements. PS: Your natural curiosity will serve you best when directed toward making connections between seemingly unrelated people and fields.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): You're ready to go to the next evolutionary stage of a close alliance. Although you may not feel entirely prepared for the challenge, believe you will be guided by your deeper wisdom to do what's necessary. One way I can help is to provide exhilarating words that boost your daring spirit. With that in mind, I offer you a passage from poet William Blake. Say them to your special friend if that feels right, or find other words appropriate to your style. Blake wrote, "You are the fierce angel that carves my soul into brightness, the eternal fire that burns away my dross. You are the golden thread spun by the hand of heaven, weaving me into the fabric of infinite delight. Your love is a furnace of stars, a vision that consumes my mortal sight, leaving me radiant and undone. In your embrace, I find the gates of paradise thrown wide."
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In ancient Egypt, mirrors were composed of polished copper. To remain properly reflective, they required continual maintenance. Let’s take that as a metaphor for one of your key tasks in the coming weeks. It’s high time to do creative upkeep on your relationships with influences that provide you with feedback on how you’re doing. Are your intended effects pretty close to your actual effects? Does your self-image match the way you are perceived by others? Are you getting the right kind of input to help you stay on course?
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Chances to initiate creative transformations will come from unexpected sources in the coming days. I guarantee it. But will you be sufficiently receptive to take maximum advantage? The purpose of this horoscope is to nudge you to shed your expectations so you will be tenderly, curiously open to surprising help and inspiration. What sweet interruptions and graceful detours will flow your way if you are willing to depart from your usual script? I predict that your leadership qualities will generate the greatest good for all concerned if you are willing to relinquish full control and be flexibly eager to entertain intuitive breakthroughs.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): For many Indigenous people of California, acorns were part of every meal. Nuts from oak trees were used to create bread, soups, dumplings, pancakes, gravy, and porridge. But making them edible required strenuous work.
In their natural state, they taste bitter and require multiple soakings to leach out the astringent ingredient. Is there a metaphorical equivalent for you, Aquarius? An element that can be important, but needs a lot of work, refinement, and preparation? If so, now is a good time to develop new approaches to making it fully available.
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): When Piscesborn Jane Hirshfield was a young poet, she mostly stopped writing poetry for eight years. During that time, she was a full-time student of Zen Buddhism and lived for three years at a monastery. When she resumed her craft, it was infused with what she had learned. Her meditative practice had honed her observational skills, her appreciation of the rich details of daily life, and her understanding that silence could be a form of communication. In the spirit of the wealth she gathered from stillness, calm, and discipline, invite you to enjoy your own spiritual sabbatical, dear Pisces. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to relax into the most intriguing mysteries.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): What may appear to be slow or static is actually moving. The developing changes are imperceptible from day to day, but incrementally substantial. So please maintain your faith in the diligent, determined approach. Give yourself pep talks that renew your deeply felt motivation. Ignore the judgments and criticism of people who have no inkling of how hard you have been working. In the long run, you will prove that gradual progress can be the most enduring.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini author Huston Smith was a religious scholar who wrote 13 books. But he was dedicated to experiencing religions from the inside rather than simply studying them academically. Smith danced with Whirling Dervishes, practiced Zen meditation with a master, and ingested peyote with Native Americans, embodying his view that real understanding requires participation, not just observation. In the spirit of his disciplined devotion, I invite you to seek out opportunities to learn through experience as much as theory. Leave your safety zone, if necessary, to engage with unfamiliar experiences that expand your soul. Be inspired by how Smith immersed himself in wisdom that couldn’t come from books alone.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): More than 2,000 years ago, people living in what’s now the Peruvian desert began etching huge designs of animals and plants in the earth. The makers moved a lot of dirt! Here’s the mystery: Some of the gigantic images of birds, spiders, and other creatures are still visible today, but can only be deciphered from high above. And there were, of course, no airplanes in ancient times to aid in depicting the figures. Let’s use this as a metaphor for one of your upcoming tasks, Cancerian. I invite you to initiate or intensify work on a labor of love that will motivate you to survey your life from the vantage point of a bird or plane or mountaintop.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): You now have extra power to detect previously veiled patterns and hidden agendas. That’s why I urge you to be alert for zesty revelations that may seem to arrive out of nowhere. They could even arise from situations you have assumed were thoroughly explored and understood. These are blessings, in my opinion. You should expect and welcome the full emergence of truths that have been ripening below the surface of your awareness. Even if they are initially surprising or daunting, you will ultimately be glad they have finally appeared.
“Jonesin”
Crosswords
"Double, Double" the powers of two compel you! by Matt Jones
ACROSS
1. House broadcaster
6. Letter after pi
9. Origami bird
14. Area well beyond the coast
16. Pointer's beam
17. Eyeglass prescription effect times 4?
19. Curved paths
20. He wrote "The Raven"
21. Piece of sound equipment
22. Partake of
23. Barry Bonds and Willie Stargell, for short
24. Baby leopard
25. Soup with sprouts and slices of beef
28. 2002 NBA Rookie of the Year ___ Gasol
29. Late actor Kilmer
30. Percolate slowly
31. Saying that has about 8 different meanings, some of them dirty?
36. English university town
37. Salonga of Broadway
38. Cut down
39. Con game run 16 different ways?
42. Maker of Regenerist skin care products
43. You may pay less to get more of them
44. Biden, familiarly
45. The "N" of NDA
46. "George of the Jungle" creature
47. "Top Gun" flier
48. Proper
51. Knight's title
52. Chest muscle, for short
53. Pageant garment
54. Hybrid letter with 32 peaks that just looks like a long zigzag?
59. Photographer Leibovitz
60. Gadget used after hard-boiling, perhaps
61. Piece of lumber
62. Airport presence
63. British formal jackets
DOWN
1. ___ vin (chicken dish)
2. San Antonio team
3. Nobel Prize category
4. Partners of "ifs" or "buts"
5. It goes with "neither"
6. Auto takebacks
7. Revolutionary War spy Nathan
8. Number under the ! on a keyboard
9. Go higher
10. Speak with a gravelly voice
11. "Bad ___ Wanna Be" (Dennis Rodman book)
12. Prefix for classicist
13. Ending for north, west, or northwest
15. Dry ingredient recipe measurement
18. Bank's storage room
23. Expire, like a subscription
24. Panama divider
25. "The Last of Us" star Pascal
26. "___ Johnny!"
27. Columnists' pieces
28. "Seinfeld" character played by Patrick Warburton
29. Gore and Mondale, for two
30. Marching band drum
31. Actress Kaitlin of ABC's "High Potential"
32. "Forget You" singer Green
33. From Amarillo, say
34. Evade capture by
35. Theme park at Disney World
40. ___ pants (calf-length trousers)
41. Takes a DVD out
46. Put on television
47. Block-removing game
48. "Rock Me Amadeus" musician
49. "Where have ___ this before?"
50. Thanksgiving day: Abbr.
51. Mix, as cocoa
52. Barnyard animals
53. BBQ rod
54. Little bit of gel
55. Four-color card game
56. "Snakes ___ Plane"
57. Receive
58. Suffix for glob or nod
