At this time of year, many governmental and nonprofit organizations are busy creating their budgets, exploring fundraising and volunteer opportunities, and looking for ways to expand their inclusiveness and community engagement. Some groups are especially interested in becoming more transparent, including by openly sharing their board meetings.
One of the many important things we learned from COVID was the value of Zoom and recorded meetings. Such options help young families without childcare, older folks, people with disabilities, traditional working people, and those without transportation to participate.
The expense for this option should be a budget line item. The technology and knowhow is widely available.
Susan Odgers | Traverse City
Love, Compassion, Kindness
Over 22,000 people are on Medicaid in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Benzie counties.
Most Americans want their tax dollars to pay for important programs that serve the American people—like Medicaid and SNAP (food stamps)—NOT to make the rich richer! Every passing day, this nation feels less like a democracy and more like a dictatorship. What is happening at the hands of the current federal executive branch is abhorrent, and I know I am not the only ordinary citizen who is feeling angry, scared, and so sad.
I support ALL the courageous efforts to stop the travesties. Efforts coming out of the legislative and judiciary branches, from the grassroots, and from the media who dare to tell the whole truth.
What else can we ordinary citizens do?
We can resist any and all “us versus them” thinking and actions. We are simply and ultimately all in this together. We need to dust off the Golden Rule and let it lead our every decision through our days: “In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.” Love, compassion, and kindness: now more than ever, that’s what we can do.
Laura Franseen | Suttons Bay
Hoping for More
Regarding Stephen Tuttle’s May 12, 2025, column entitled “A Formula Playing Out” and Erin Lodes’ “Voter Trojan Horses” on May 19, 2025: I am happy to see there are at least two other people in Traverse City that are aware of what is happening! I hope there are more.
Marilyn Donaldson | Traverse City
Northern Express Weekly is published by Eyes Only Media, LLC.
Publisher: Luke Haase PO Box 4020 Traverse City, Michigan 49685
Distribution Manager: Roger Racine Sales: Lisa Gillespie, Kim Murray, Kaitlyn Nance, Abby Walton Porter, Michele Young, For ad sales in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne & Charlevoix, call (231) 838-6948
Creative Director: Kyra Cross Poehlman
Distribution: Marc Morris, Gerald Morris, Dave Anderson, Joe Evancho, Jason Ritter, Sherri Ritter, Roger Racine, Sarah Racine, Brandy Grames, Rachel Cara, Jackson Price, Lisa Price, Peggy Bell Listings Editor: Jamie Kauffold
Cover photo by: John Doskoch, courtesy of Little Traverse Conservancy
Contributors: Joseph Beyer, Ren Brabenec, Kierstin Gunsberg, Anna Faller, Ellen Miller, Stephen Tuttle, Drew VanDrie
JUNE 13
JUNE 14
Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ with special guest Abraham Alexander
Ben Folds & A Piano Tour with Lindsay Kraft
JUNE 15 Whiskey Myers with Bayker Blankenship
JUNE 17
Diana Krall
JUNE 20 Gary Clark Jr. with Lamont Landers
JUNE 25 Rick Springfield with John Waite, Wang Chung, and Paul Young
JUNE 26
JUNE 28
JULY 9
JULY 10
JULY 12
JULY 14
Wynonna Judd
May Erlewine and Joshua Davis
America
Iron & Wine and I’m With Her
St. Paul & The Broken Bones and The Wood Brothers with Yasmin Williams
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue with JJ Grey & Mofro and Dumpstaphunk
JULY 15 The Infamous Stringdusters & Leftover Salmon featuring special guests Kitchen Dwellers
JULY 17
JULY 18
JULY 19
JULY 22
JULY 23
JULY 24
Ashley McBryde
Let’s Sing Taylor - An Unofficial Live Tribute Band
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Bachman-Turner Overdrive and The Marshall Tucker Band with Jefferson Starship
Mat Kearney
Straight No Chaser with O-Town
AUG. 2 Lang Lang
AUG. 4 The War and Treaty
AUG. 5
Earth, Wind and Fire
AUG. 6 The Temptations and The Four Tops
AUG. 7 The Head And The Heart with Wilderado and Katie Pruitt
AUG. 9 Toad the Wet Sprocket with Semisonic & Sixpence None the Richer
AUG. 12
moe. with Special guest Eggy
AUG. 14 The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra
AUG. 15
AUG. 16
AUG. 18
AUG. 22
AUG. 23
Cake
Brit Floyd - Pink Floyd Experience
Allison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas (SOLD OUT)
Greensky Bluegrass (Two Nights)
Greensky Bluegrass (Two Nights)
top ten
Plant Finder 2.0
Green Elk Rapids is a local volunteer organization committed to raising awareness of environmental issues. This Saturday, May 31, they’re hosting a community science session to help you get to know the plants in your backyard. From 10am to 12pm at the Elk Rapids Harbor gazebo, volunteers will explore how to use iNaturalist, a popular community science app that helps identify flora and fauna. iNaturalist can help you separate native species from non-native and invasive species, just in time for late spring gardening. The group meets monthly at the Old Council Chambers, and the public is welcome to join. Learn more about Green Elk Rapids’ efforts at greenelkrapids.org.
The Pit Spitters Take the Field! 2 tastemaker
Harrington’s Wild Caught Salmon
Spring has finally sprung, and you know what that means: time to go fishing! For a truly killer catch, we’re heading to Harrington’s by the Bay in Traverse City, where the vacationinspired Wild Caught Salmon ($35.50) has just landed on the seasonal menu. A refreshing fusion of warm weather flavors, this dish features an expertly grilled filet of wild-caught salmon (we’re talking tender and flaky with a crispy char), topped with zesty micro-greens and jumbo pearls of citrus-poached crab in a delicate blood orange, key lime, and honey beurre blanc. Served alongside seasonal veggie—stay tuned for local asparagus—and fluffy couscous infused with tarragon and Fustini’s Meyer lemon olive oil, each bite is summer bliss. Cast a line at 13890 S W Bay Shore Dr. in Traverse City. harringtonsbythebay.com
The Traverse City Pit Spitters play their first home games at Turtle Creek Stadium in TC on Friday and Saturday, May 30-31, against the Kalamazoo Growlers at 7:05pm! Opening Night on Friday will include live music, photo booths, fireworks, and more for baseball fans of all ages. For tickets and other special offers, visit: northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters/2025-promotions
Hey, watch It! Hacks 4
Nearly all of the latest season of Hacks is now streaming on HBO’s Max, which means it’s time to catch up. For the uninitiated, Hacks follows the tumultuous… friendship? mentorship? business relationship? between legendary Las Vegas comedian Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) and Ava Daniels (Hannah Einbinder), an up-andcoming comic writer who is desperate to regain a spot in the limelight after an in-poor-taste tweet crashed her fledgling career. Despite their intergenerational misunderstandings and constant bickering—and we mean constant—Deborah and Ava have survived three seasons of ups and downs, tough crowds, and bad jokes, and they’ve finally made it to the endgame: a late-night show. They’ve each sacrificed a lot to get there, and no doubt their new endeavor will come with its own price… and plenty of laughs along the way.
6 What’s in the News?
Traverse City’s International Affairs Forum and Interlochen Public Radio are teaming up for a special event, “On Journalism, Media, and Information Literacy,” on May 29 at the Dennos Museum Center Milliken Auditorium. IPR News Director Ed Ronco will moderate a discussion with Sharon Moshavi, the president of the International Center for Journalists, about the ever-changing media landscape in 2025. Per IAF director Alex Tank, “This programming follows a tradition at IAF of honoring journalism and journalists close to World Press Freedom day; these themes were championed by the late Bob Giles, Pulitzer Prize winner and beloved advisor / board member to IAF and so many other orgs in the region.” The event begins at 6:30pm; in-person tickets are $15, $10 for virtual tickets, and free for current students, educators, and IAF members. Learn more at tciaf.com/event-may-2025.
Ice Storm Troubles Linger
Six weeks ago, we shared the news that the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation, the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, and Venture North had teamed up to fund emergency mini-grants in response to the devastating March ice storm. Well, a month and change later, and $80,000 has been awarded to small businesses in our region: 45 in Emmet County and 16 in Charlevoix County. But just because spring is here doesn’t mean the aftermath of the storm is in the rearview. For those still struggling, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology, and the Local Food Alliance have partnered to launch the Ice Storm Relief Fund, a GoFundMe specifically aimed at helping northern Michigan farmers rebuild. At the time of this printing, they had raised $16,000+ of their $200,000 goal. See more at gofundme.com/f/help-rebuild-northernmichigan-farms-impacted-by-ice-storm.
Stuff
We
Love: Jewelry that Feels Like Home
Holly Therrien of Wandering Waters Designs knows how to make northern Michigan look good. Therrien’s rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets all reflect the beauty of the region, whether that’s with NoMi stones (think Petoskeys, Superior agates, Leland blues, and more), soothing wave patterns, or nods to the flora of the region. Take the Sunshine Cuffs ($80) with sterling silver bands stamped with little suns, the Golden Moon necklace ($580) with a glowy freshwater pearl pendant on a gold chain, or the Turquoise Studs earrings ($130) that feature unique stones capped with sterling silver dots. All items are handmade, and while Therrien notes that means pieces may have natural imperfections, that makes it “a piece with a story to tell.” You can find Therrien’s work at Sanctuary Goods in Traverse City, the Lively NeighborFood Market in Empire, or online at wanderingwatersdesigns.com.
bottoms up Farm Club’s Golden Russet Cider
Farm Club, the restaurant-on-a-farm hotspot in Leelanau County, is also a hopping little brewery. But rather than go for the beer on our latest visit, we opted for a glass of the Golden Russet cider (half pour pictured). Made with golden russet and dabinett apples (both delicate, mild-flavored classics for cider-making), this Farm Club creation goes down nice and easy, complementing the menu packed with farm-grown veggies. (Do keep an eye on the ABV, which is a little higher than most ciders you’ll encounter in NoMi at 8.3 percent.) There are two other ciders on the menu: the Pub Cider, featuring bramtôt, dabinett, crimson crisp, and aromatic dessert apples; and the Farm Club Harvest Cider, a dry, heirloom option from their 2023 stash. Drink up at 10051 Lake Leelanau Drive just outside Traverse City. farmclubtc.com
ŌMA
SCHOOL OF THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE
A fulfilling career in less than a year!
ENROLLMENT NOW OPEN for classes starting June 9th
spectator By steven Tuttle
CARL HIAASEN
The National Writers Series is pleased to present Carl Hiaasen, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bad Monkey, in conversation with guest host Doug Stanton about his new novel, Fever Beach. His latest book tackles the current chaotic and polarized American culture with two wonderful Hiaasen heroes. Fever Beach begins with an errand that leads—in pure Hiaasen-style—into the depths of Florida at its most Floridian: a sun-soaked bastion of right-wing extremism, white power, greed, and corruption. Hiaasen brilliantly ties all of this together in his wildest and most entertaining novel to date.
Event Underwriters: Pam and Harold Lassers • Karin and David Summers Livestream Underwriter: Nancy Davy
Be thankful your children don’t attend public schools in Oklahoma. Superintendent Ryan Walters has interesting ideas on what schools should be teaching and how they should teach it.
Walters has proposed, unsuccessfully, datory teaching from the Bible and required that every classroom have a Bible—but not just any Bible; Walters wanted Oklahoma taxpayers to foot the bill for the $60 apiece Donald Trump endorsed Bible, many times the cost of Bibles found on multiple online sites. He also suggested concealed carry permits for all teachers with some minimal training, an idea that displeased many parents and many in law enforcement.
Undeterred by his lack of previous success, Walters has now determined public schools must include in their history curriculum the “truth” about the 2020 presidential election because “students should know what really happened.” That Trump continues to perpetuate his 2020 delusions doesn’t mean they should be taught in school as fact.
So, the lie that will not die drones on in Oklahoma. Here is Walters, in his own description of what he expects to be taught: “Identify discrepancies in 2020 elections results by looking at graphs and other information, including the sudden halting of ballot counting in select cities in key battleground states, the security risks of mail-in balloting, sudden batch dumps, an unforeseen record number of voters, and the unprecedented contradiction of bellwether county trends.”
Oh, dear. Never mind that each of those concerns has been investigated ad nauseam by several states and the federal government.
Our national Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) did their own investigation and determined this was the safest and “most secure” election in U.S. history. (The head of that agency was subsequently fired and is now being investigated for his insolence at reporting actual facts.) Multiple congressional investigations found no evidence of widespread fraud or irregularities of any kind.
It’s not as if the Trump campaign wasn’t trying to convince the various states and courts that election shenanigans of all sorts occurred, changing the outcome. At least 60 lawsuits were filed by Trump campaign supporters and operatives and none, as in not one, discovered any kind of suspicious behavior or wrongdoing that would change the outcome of the election. In fact, 58 of those lawsuits were rejected by the courts for lack of standing, lack of facts, or lack of plain common sense. The two cases that succeeded were both minor procedural complaints involving poll watchers in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
The “questions” Walters wants to ask Oklahoma students are really just a reflection of his own election-denying confusion; they have already been asked and answered multiple times in multiple states.
For example, here in Michigan, our Bureau of Elections, the Office of the Auditor General, and the Michigan Senate Oversight Committee all reviewed results and found them accurate. A recount in Wayne County found the same result—no fraud, no irregularities, no dead people voting, no illegal immigrants voting or imported to vote. The courts kept looking for evidence of something nefarious and found none.
Over in Wisconsin, state mandated recounts were undertaken, then an audit by their Legislative Audit Bureau, then an investigation via lawsuit by the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty complaining the mail-in ballots, early ballots, and ballot drop boxes were all illegal (the courts disagreed) and a highly partisan investigation by former judge Michael Gableman that tried, unsuccessfully, to find something untoward.
In Pennsylvania, a recount mandated by state law took place in 32 counties, and another 45,000 randomly selected ballots were hand recounted finding no discrepancies. Their courts also sought actual evidence of voting fraud or irregularities and, none having been presented, the cases were dismissed.
Arizona might hold the record for the most scrutiny in any election ever, especially in Maricopa County, home to Phoenix and most Arizona voters. Those ballots were recounted by the computerized vote tabulators, then recounted by hand, then recounted again, then those recounts and ballots were audited, then a legislative investigation occurred. Finally, the infamous Cyber Ninjas were brought in by the GOP legislature with the intent of proving massive fraud; they fiddled with ballots for months before finally declaring they could find neither fraud nor any other irregularities…but they did find 99 more votes for Joe Biden.
All of these recounts and futile court cases were repeated in other states, the questions asked and answered, and some of those lawyers who chose to continue pushing the failed narrative of a rigged election completely absent evidence lost their law licenses.
Superintendent Walters is already leading a statistically failing public school system ranked 45th nationally in graduation rate and 48th on standardized test results by U.S. News and World Reports. If Walters’ fictional history curriculum is adopted, they’ll be taking the final steps to the bottom.
TC PLANNING HAS DESTROYED MY RETIREMENT TRANQUILITY
GUEST OPINION
by Fred Anderson
Eleven years ago, I realized a dream of becoming a Traverse City homeowner. Like most retirees, I was concerned about health issues or financial matters impacting the tranquility of my retirement years.
Little did I realize that the greatest threat to my enjoying a peaceful life here would come from a handful of long-serving city bureaucrats, who, from what I have observed, limit citizen involvement in deciding anything about our community. If these bureaucrats would spend half as much time on inclusion as they do exclusion, there would be a lot more commonality and agreement in our city.
both repeatedly denied.” This sounds to me like what small children would say when caught with their hands in the candy dish by a responsible adult.
If you challenge the planners, you are told that you are old and afraid of change or that you do not understand the big picture.
While Traverse City correctly talks about inclusiveness, that does not appear to be the case, especially for a senior who dares to question the New Urbanism that forces high rises everywhere, regardless of whether that is what the majority of the public wants.
If you challenge the planners, you are told that you are old and afraid of change or that you do not understand the big picture. A prior head of the Planning Commission in a newspaper opinion piece stated in a condescending manner that those not on the Planning Commission do not have a full understanding of the issues. Instead of welcoming all to be part of the discussion, the predisposition of this official was to reject any different views as being uninformed.
In 2023, annual goals for the Planning Commission included language that stated city commissioners should trust the planning staff or not do independent research unless asked. As someone who is a firm believer in extensive dialogue and efforts at inclusiveness, this shocked me.
This past year, the Planning Director in a public meeting referred to remarks made by an older female city commissioner in a disparaging manner. I will stop for a moment and let that sink in. He refused to apologize and was given a minor slap on the wrist, but he still has his job. Since he disparaged his boss’s boss, an appropriate punishment should have been an extensive suspension, mandatory additional training, or dismissal.
According to published reports, a federal judge previously questioned whether there was in essence “collusion” between city staff and a developer, 326 Land Company, over a proposed 2023 settlement of a federal lawsuit regarding Traverse City building heights. The Record-Eagle reports that Judge Paul Maloney of the U.S. District Court of Western Michigan “said the agreement wasn’t in city voters’ best interests and also smacked of collusion between plaintiff and defendant — a claim
I recall hearing at the time that the reason for the willingness of city staff to settle with the developer in that federal case on such favorable terms for the developer was that the case was so strong that there was every likelihood that the city would lose in this federal court proceeding. In April, the judge dismissed almost all of the developer’s case challenging the voter-approved tall building initiative. So much for the strong case! Numerous state court decisions and proceedings have also challenged the unilateral actions of city staff.
I am not sure what older homeowners must have done to energize staff to spend so much time trying to eliminate meaningful public involvement by a broad spectrum of the citizens who live here on what they want their city to look like.
This relentless, dogmatic adherence to a single philosophy over people has been followed by folks in surrounding towns. I have lost track of the number of times I have been asked what is happening in Traverse City, as it appears to those who have asked that the city has lost track of what was unique about it and that all that is happening is endless construction of tall buildings.
I was surprised to see a Bridge Michigan article last fall about this issue, and it included a reference to a saying in Marquette, “Don’t Traverse City My Marquette.” Clearly public awareness of the devastation being caused has spread much further than I had thought. Yet the relentless devotion to New Urbanism continues unabated!
In my neighborhood, Trump supporters, never-Trumpers, Democrats, and even Green Party folks seem to agree that they have all been steamrolled by city staff. I have long felt that the way the Planning Department treats anyone who questions them would qualify as a hostile workplace in any office.
Perhaps the one good thing that could come from this situation is that the city could sell its services to the country to help heal the great political divide that the country faces. Because the ruthless manner in which Planning has treated the public has unified the community!
Fred Anderson is retired after a long career in legislative, political, legal, regulatory, and community affairs in Lansing and Washington, DC. He is a Traverse City homeowner who is concerned about the balance between growth and protecting what is unique about the city.
$80,000 000
000
5pm-10pm | June 7, 14, 21
$15,000 000
Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
Live Music
Unconventional Weaponry
Aidan Orion White, 25, of Auburn, Nebraska, went to jail on April 28 on charges of felony assault after he struck Saundra Lunzmann, 37, and her daughter, 7, with his “Star Wars” light saber. The little girl was playing with other children when White allegedly hit her, The Smoking Gun reported. When the mother yelled at him, he charged her and struck her in the arm with his weapon. Both victims said they experienced pain from the attacks. Police seized the “higher quality device ... constructed of metal and thick plastic” after White admitted hitting the victims, whom he blamed for a rise in his rent. A judge has ordered a competency evaluation.
Questionable Judgment
A Slidell, Louisiana, Lowe’s home improvement store was the site of a startling discovery on May 11, when 66-year-old James Kalliavas of Jasper, Georgia, was found in a display storage shed at the store with his pants around his ankles and a tub of Vaseline at hand. The Smoking Gun reported that Kalliavas admitted pleasuring himself while watching YouTube in the shed. He was arrested for obscenity and booked into the county jail.
The Spectacle of It All
Folks in Richmond, Virginia, were treated to a starchy sight on May 13 as a 4-ton potato made a stop as part of its 13th year of cross-county touring, WRIC-TV reported. The tour, sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission, started in 2012 as a one-year campaign, but it was so popular the tater has been on the road ever since, promoting the American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association. (But where are the weird sprouts that potatoes in my pantry shoot out?)
Family
Values
Ashley Pardo, 33, of San Antonio was arrested on May 12 and charged with aiding in the commission of terrorism, CNN reported. The charges were related to Pardo allegedly supplying her middleschool son with ammunition and tactical gear in exchange for him babysitting his younger siblings. Police were called to the home on May 12 after the grandmother saw rifle and pistol magazines “loaded with live ammunition” in his room, along with a homemade explosive device. Jeremiah Rhodes Middle School had clocked his interest in violence, but Pardo “expressed to the school her support of his violent expressions and drawings and does not feel concerned with his behavior,” the affidavit read. On May 12, he went to school and then left the campus, after which extra security was put in place. He was later located elsewhere and charged with an undisclosed crime.
Employee of the Month
Seth Davidson, 24, an employee of Oaklawn Memorial Gardens in Fisher, Indiana, was arrested on May 12 after he dug up a grave to retrieve a gold ring from an urn, WTHR-TV reported. Officers patrolling the area that evening noticed an empty car parked nearby. As they investigated, Davidson walked out of the
woods covered in dirt and said it was his car. He told officers he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about the ring, which he intended to pawn. Prosecutors charged him with cemetery mischief, criminal trespass and theft.
Precocious
A kindergartener in the Greater Johnstown (Pennsylvania) School District brought treats to school on May 14, WJACTV reported. Sweet! Unfortunately, the tasty items were Jell-O shots, with alcohol, that three fellow students enjoyed. When school officials learned about the shots, “immediate action was taken,” with the kids going to the nurse’s office and then to a local hospital for evaluation “out of an abundance of caution.” The district said it is working with authorities to find out how the student came into possession of the shots.
Police Report
Los Angeles NBC4-TV sportswriter Michael Duarte arrived at his home in Echo Park on May 10 to find it had been ransacked, the station reported. While taking in the damage, Duarte went into his bedroom and discovered a naked man sleeping in his bed. Duarte told a friend, who was waiting in a nearby car, to call police. Strangely, the intruder had clogged the toilet with towels, eaten a box of ice cream sandwiches and a box of Beyond Beef burger patties, and chewed 60 pieces of gum, which he had then spit out in a “big wad of gum about ... the size of a softball,” Duarte said. He had also killed a possum with a statue and left it on the back patio. Duarte said as the suspect was being led away, “he was yelling to me and my friend and also the officers, ‘I’m going to kill you.’”
It’s Come to This
Authorities in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, have arrested 44-yearold Christina Solometo of Ridley Park after a crappy incident on April 29, NBC Philadelphia reported. Solometo and another driver took part in a road rage event that ended with Solometo exiting her car, backing up to the front of the other car and defecating on the front grille. As seen in a witness video, she then walked triumphantly back to her car and drove on. She was taken into custody on May 1 and charged with indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, harassment and depositing waste on a highway.
Great Art
Veteran New York City denizens are familiar with a character called Kevin Carpet who has reportedly been around since the early aughts, according to the New York Post. Kevin is a performance artist who likes to wrap himself in a piece of carpet and lie on the ground where people will step on or over him. “This is not a fetish for me,” he said. “It’s a Zen-type state. I’m feeling the people, hearing what they’re talking about.” Some even remember him from the club scene. “It’s amazing he’s still around,” said one commenter on a May 4 TikTok post. Others call him “perverted” and “sick,” but one deadpanned, “That’s just Kevin Carpet.”
SHARE THE TRAIL, SHARE THE LOVE
guest opinion
by Kate Lewis
More people on bikes is better. That’s the spirit behind this story—and yes, it’s a story of conversion. Because not that long ago, I was a skeptic. Okay, a full-blown hater.
I still remember the first time I saw an e-bike on the trail. What is that thing? It looked big, fast, and totally out of place. My gut reaction? “They’re not even a real cyclist— what are they doing on a trail like this?” I was suspicious, dismissive, and convinced that I had just witnessed the beginning of the end for peaceful recreation.
Looking back, I realize I was just uncomfortable with change. That moment marked the start of my slow but steady shift in perspective about new technology in outdoor spaces—especially when it rolls in on two wheels.
of car seats or parking lots. Windy day? I used to drive. Now, I don’t think twice.
Look, I’m not here to sell you an e-bike (although they’re more affordable and come in way more styles than you might think).
I’m here to offer a message of peace and love—for the trail, and for each other.
We’re all on our own journey. And e-bikes make it easier for more people to get outdoors, be mobile and active, and enjoy that journey. So the next time you see someone on an e-bike, instead of judging them like I once did, how about just smile and say hi?
Let’s bust a few myths while we’re at it:
MYTH: E-bikes are too fast. FACT: Most
The e-bike has helped me maintain my smart commute. It keeps me out of my car, lets me avoid construction, and saves money on parking.
I’ve been a dedicated cyclist for most of my life—relying on my bike equally for recreation and for getting around town. So when I started seeing e-bikes on the nonmotorized section of my commuter trail, I caught myself thinking, “Stop! You can’t be here!” as if I were the self-appointed gatekeeper of trail purity.
But as time went on, they kept showing up. And not just strangers—my own friends began buying e-bikes. Even the “serious” cyclists started to rave about how fun and functional they were. I tried to play it cool. I told myself, “Well, I guess they’re okay for older riders, or folks who have a lot of disposable income.” Acceptance began to creep in, but I still clung to the myths.
Then one day, curiosity won out. I decided to test ride one. I got over my fear of the unknown—and just like trying out any new bike, it didn’t take long before I was smiling ear to ear. There was something undeniably fun about it. So much so that I ended up buying one last year.
And not because I wanted to go fast. Honestly, my regular commuter bike is faster on most days. Most e-bikes are capped at 20 mph with pedal assist. I bought one because I wanted to go farther, and I wanted to ride more often
The e-bike has helped me maintain my smart commute. It keeps me out of my car, lets me avoid construction, and saves money on parking. I opted for a cargo e-bike so I could haul my two kids, ages three and five. They were getting a bit too heavy for the trailer, especially when I had to grind up the hill in our neighborhood. Now we cruise together with ease.
I added some panniers, and suddenly we were riding to the beach, the grocery store, even birthday parties—all without the stress
e-bikes (Class 1) top out at 20 mph with pedal assist. The average speed? Just a little faster than traditional bikes (2-3 mph)— and in some conditions, slower.
MYTH: E-bike riders are reckless. FACT: There’s no evidence that e-bikes make trails less safe. In fact, some studies show that e-bike riders are more likely to stop at stop signs because the assist helps them accelerate from a stop.
MYTH: E-bikes don’t offer exercise. FACT: Oh really? Tell that to my smartwatch. Research shows people still burn calories and build aerobic endurance. Many riders actually ride more often and for longer durations with e-bikes. That’s a fitness win.
MYTH: E-bike riders don’t know trail etiquette. FACT: Most e-bike users are 45–65+ years old, longtime cyclists who care about safety and courtesy. They know the rules—and they’re not out there trying to set land-speed records.
MYTH: E-bikes are cheating. FACT: I prefer the term empowering. E-bikes make riding possible for more people, especially those with physical limitations or long commutes.
It’s natural for new approaches to face skepticism—that’s just part of how we adapt and grow. But if we zoom out and look at the big picture—more people on bikes, outdoors, connecting with nature, and driving less—what’s not to love?
Kate Lewis resides in Leelanau County and serves as the director of communications for Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails. You can typically find her biking on a trail, paddling on the water, hiking in the woods, exploring northern Michigan with her kids, or dancing at a Phish show.
JUN 18
7-9 PM
$30 OAB Members
$25 Non-Members
OLD ART BUILDING
111 S. Main Street, Leland OLDARTBUILDING.COM
MORE SOCIAL. LESS MEDIA.
TWELVE NEW, EXPANDED, OR IMPROVED TRAILS TO EXPLORE
Hikers and bikers can make fresh tracks with these
NoMi conservancy trails
By Drew VanDrie
Spring in Michigan arrives with an asterisk. After many fits and starts, a sunny afternoon that hovers around 70, and the inevitable late season snow that dampens all hope, eventually the renewal of spring prevails. Now that warmer weather has (finally) settled in, the urge to venture outside can no longer be denied.
For many outdoor enthusiasts, taking to the hiking trails and pathways is the ideal way to experience the emerging spring season. Northern Express connected with several conservancy groups about newly opened, improved, or otherwise lovely trails to hike, bike, and enjoy this spring.
GRAND TRAVERSE REGIONAL LAND CONSERVANCY
Kaite Auwers, communications and outreach specialist at GTRLC, shares her recommendations on hot trails for 2025.
This new Benzie County preserve opened in late 2024 and is adjacent to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It encompasses approximately 64 acres of dry-mesic northern forest habitat and 47 acres of a globally rare wooded dune and swale complex. This unique natural community, found only along shorelines of the Great Lakes, was formed by receding lake levels following the glaciation period thousands of years ago.
Featuring a combination of wetland swales and forested dune ridges, it provides crucial habitat for many sensitive species, including reptiles, amphibians, and migratory birds. The preserve features a roughly 3/4-mile trail that winds through serene woodlands, carefully designed to safeguard its delicate ecosystems and wildlife.
Home to sweeping Lake Michigan views, beach access and unique native habitats, Green Point Dunes is a local favorite along the lakeshore in Benzie County. To address erosion from heavy use along the steep terrain, crews began rerouting sections of the trail last year and will continue work through this spring and summer. The updated route includes earthen steps for easier hiking and to help protect the preserve’s fragile landscape.
3. Pyatt Lake: The Bill Carls Nature Preserve gtrlc.org/recreation-events/preserve/pyatt-lake-the-bill-carls-nature-preserve
Building on recent improvements, Traverse City’s Pyatt Lake’s universally accessible (UA) trail is set to be expanded this year, connecting the preserve’s two trailheads without requiring visitors to traverse Pyatt Road. The extension—featuring a blend of aggregate trail and boardwalk—will offer a complete UA route for visitors with mobility challenges. Additional enhancements include upgrading the Peninsula Drive parking area with UA parking pads and formalizing a social trail from the southernmost observation platform to Peninsula Drive. This enhancement, primarily consisting of a hand-built trail and some non-UA boardwalk, will provide safe, walk-in access while protecting the preserve’s sensitive wetland habitats.
Green Point Dunes
LEELANAU CONSERVANCY
Photos by Mark Smith
Next, we checked in with Chad Jordan, infrastructure manager with the Leelanau Conservancy, to learn the latest on what’s happening with trails in Leelanau County.
In 2024 we added a nearly 3-mile hiking loop to the very center of the Palmer Woods property. This new loop is mostly a single-track style trail, but incorporates legacy two-tracks to close the loop. This is a named loop that is referred to as the Martin Brothers Loop. We have also weaved in a small spur to a glimpse of a water view of Good Harbor Bay. Additionally, we completed a nearly one-mile hiking ascent from the North Parking Area. This rigorous new trail provides public access to the existing hiking trails of Palmer Woods on the other side of Wheeler Road. Be prepared for some heartpounding hiking, as the glaciers made for a challenging backcountry experience here.
5. Stites Natural Area leelanauconservancy.org/naturalarea/ david-phyllis-stites-natural-area
In Suttons Bay, we added approximately 1.5 miles of purpose-built hiking trails. While laying out these trails, we kept our trail runners in mind while optimizing the experience for trail running. Featuring punchy climbs and long radiused grade reversals, the trail [allows] runners and hikers to get back to nature within ½ mile from the Suttons Bay village. The entire trail system at Stites Natural Area now tops out at just about 5 miles of natural surface trails.
HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY
Finally, Julie Rubsam, executive director of HeadWaters Land Conservancy, tells us what’s new this spring on the eastern side of the Mitten.
10. Lake Avalon Nature Preserve headwatersconservancy.org/lakeavalon-nature-preserve
This 20-acre preserve features a peaceful figure-eight trail just over half a mile long through a mixed hardwood forest. Highlights include towering red oaks and pines, and a short spur to a 150-yearold red oak tree. New site enhancements, including signage and parking, make this an easy, family-friendly outing.
A 12-acre gem along Lake Huron’s shoreline, Hess offers 600 feet of frontage and rare habitats like interdunal wetlands and coastal fens. A 175-foot boardwalk lets visitors access the beach while protecting sensitive ecosystems. Best for hiking and birdwatching, but may be wet in spring or after heavy rain.
[Note from the editor: In March,
HeadWaters announced the successful completion of the first acquisition, a 40-acre property, of their Hess Nature Preserve Expansion Project. “HeadWaters’ goal is to acquire an additional 200 acres of high-priority land adjacent to the existing preserve. Long-term plans for the newly acquired property include habitat restoration, wetland enhancement where needed, and the creation of low-impact trails and boardwalks to connect it to the existing trail system at Hess Nature Preserve,” according to their website.]
12. Big Lake Nature Preserve headwatersconservancy.org/big-lakepreserve
A quiet 0.1-mile trail meanders through peaceful pine stands and wetlands, offering a perfect place for reflection and solitude away from the crowds. We’re also using this time to update signage, trail maps, and improve accessibility and safety across our preserves.
6. Hatlam Creek Preserve leelanauconservancy.org/naturalarea/ hatlem-creek-preserve/ Lastly, we added a small bit of singletrack hiking trail to a legacy two-track, outand-back style trail at our Hatlem Creek Natural area. This new trail measures just about 0.3 miles and takes the trail user to a beautiful wetland overlook. Expect to see birds and wildlife while catching a bit of solitude on our newly installed benches.
LITTLE TRAVERSE CONSERVANCY
We caught up with Anne Fleming, director of community outreach and communications, for some update and in-the-know trail info around the upper part of the (lower) Mitten.
7. Melvin Family Hiking and Biking Trails landtrust.org/explore/melvin-hiking-biking/ In spring 2024, we opened up these designed mountain bike trails at this 280acre working forest reserve in Cheboygan County. This reserve and trails are located between Burt Lake and Mullet Lake and are found a short distance from the tiny community of Topinabee and a few miles north of Indian River.
8. Offield Family Viewlands Working Forest Reserve
In June 2024, we opened up more than 5 miles of new flowtrack mountain bike trails at this reserve located a few miles east of Harbor Springs. This reserve also includes 4.5 miles of hiking trails that follow the old golf cart path from this property that was once a golf course. In addition, the property features a pond, a barrier-free walking labyrinth, and exceptional night sky viewing opportunities!
Also in June 2024, Little Traverse Conservancy partnered with the City of East Jordan and numerous donors to complete this wonderful nearly halfmile of Universally Accessible trail just outside of East Jordan. The trail connects to the existing trail at the Rogers Family Homestead Nature Preserve and is walkable from downtown East Jordan.
Lake Avalon
NORTHERN MICHIGAN
JESS WAGNER
By Ellen Miller
For those who love being outdoors (and during Traverse City’s beautiful and fleeting spring, who doesn’t?), the TART Trails are a well-known community asset. This local network includes several multi-use trails in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties, as well as a cross-town bike route. From the Boardman Lake Loop to the Leelanau Trail, TART offers opportunities for recreation as well as safe and easy bike commute pathways.
While the TART Trails aren’t exclusively for use by cyclists (many walk the trails too!), cyclists are some of the biggest advocates and users of the system. We chatted with two of them, Kate White and Wes Sovis, to learn more about their favorite systems, gear recommendations, and advice for newbies to trail riding.
Cycling = Community
Kate White has been biking since she could walk. A Traverse City local, White would ride around the neighborhood and woods surrounding Holiday Hills, where she grew up.
“I’m passionate about cycling because it gives you a different perspective on the world,” says White. “It gives you a freedom and confidence that you don’t have in a car. You see things that you would never have seen, and you feel things you’d never feel when you’re in a car. It’s a different perspective on life.”
When she moved back to Traverse City after college, she joined some cycling organizations, including the Cherry Capital Cycling Club, where she served briefly on the board as the alternative transportation director.
“Somewhere along the way I got more into mountain biking than road riding,” says White. “I also still ride a lot for transportation.”
White has been on a couple of different race teams over the years and currently serves on the Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association (NMMBA) board. The
TART Super Bikers
Local
cyclists Kate White and Wes Sovis share the joys of getting out on two wheels
organization is 100 percent volunteer and advocates for the trail system, including building and maintaining trails.
“I live downtown and I like to ride out to the VASA single track,” says White. “There are 15 miles and an unmarked trail system; it’s over 100 miles. It’s really a ‘choose your own adventure’ where you can weave together a different ride with the dirt roads. Riding out on the TART and connecting up to the woods, you can have a different route every time.”
White says you don’t need much beyond your trusted bike—“dependable and mechanically sound”—to get started cycling. She recommends carrying a flat kit, and says a good fender can be the difference between an uncomfortable ride and an enjoyable ride, as it can keep you dry in damp conditions.
Beyond the basics (gloves, helmet, glasses), “I love a good vest with some pockets in the shoulder season,” she enthuses. “Having things that are versatile is great; it’s got enough pockets to carry snacks and I can take it off in 10 minutes if I’m overheating.”
For those newer to the sport, White advises looking into local bike groups and talking to your local bike shop, who can help you find a group of people at your comfort level to ride with. “Anyone who rides a bike is a cyclist,” she stresses. “You don’t have to have a certain level of fitness or a certain skillset. If you are on a bike pedaling, you are a cyclist.”
A single mom, White finds new joys in sharing cycling with her son, who started in Norte Youth Cycling’s original balance bike group; he’s now almost 12 years old and on Norte’s race team.
“For my son and I, it’s just the two of us. The bike community is our family. In Traverse City it’s still small enough that we can foster that sense of community through this sport and recreation,” she says.
Several local groups offer weekly rides; White says to pick one that works for your schedule and keep going. She reels off the “four cycling pillars of the community” in Traverse City: NMMBA, TART, Cherry Capital Cycling Club, and Norte.
Also, she encourages others to consider volunteering. “You’re doing something for your community, you’re going to feel good about it, you’ll meet people and opportunities will come up,” she says. “In general I feel like cycling is better from a holistic view. Yes, one of the main components is fitness, but another is community. Get involved in trail work and advocacy. If you participate, your cycling experience will improve and your sense of belonging will increase. It’s not just you, it’s a whole community.”
How Lucky We Are
Wes Sovis also grew up in Traverse City and got started riding young, too. “When I was like four, we lived on Ninth Street with my dad and we rode everywhere,” he recalls. “If you were going to the beach, you rode your bike. If you went to get ice cream, you rode your bike. It started that interest of riding bikes, which grew into mountain biking...”
When Sovis moved back to Traverse City after college, he lived downtown again, relying on his bike to commute. “Now with all the construction and traffic, it’s way faster to ride a bike and also way more fun,” he says. “It’s the perfect way to destress from your day. Riding down the TART Trail by West Bay on a sunny day… yeah, the perfect way to destress. I get home a happier, healthier person by riding my bike around.”
Sovis, who owns a number of bikes, considers himself an e-bike convert. “When they first came out I was skeptical; I thought, ‘just pedal!’ Now, it’s far and away my favorite bike. I can get to where I want to go without being absolutely disgusting,” he says with a laugh. “It just makes it so much better.”
Between April 1 and October 31, Sovis is on the TART near daily, either running or riding his bike.
“I absolutely love that stretch [currently under construction] between Clinch Park to Tom’s West Bay… that’s the coolest thing,” he says. “Where else do you get to ride by water? When I have friends up from downstate who ride bikes come visit and we ride over to
Leelanau County, they are just flabbergasted that there’s a protected trail off the road and you can just cruise it. We kind of forget how lucky we are.”
Sovis touts the accessibility of getting around, even in a rural area, thanks to TART and other trails. “Back when I started riding, we would ride to Suttons Bay all the time,” he reflects. “Now that it’s paved, it’s so much more accessible to people who are new to cycling.”
Sovis references a quote about how “bikes are fast enough to get you there but slow enough to enjoy the view… I think that’s pretty apt.” When riding around, Sovis is more likely to notice that a neighbor is moving or to stop and say hi to a dog. “If you want to see your community, it’s really hard to do it in a car,” he adds. “If you want to see people, run into people, and see what’s going on in your community, get on a bike.”
Part of that community spirit is giving back. Sovis, who previously worked for Norte, has been coaching with Norte since 2016.
“Adventure Bike Club is the most rewarding three hours of my week,” he says. “You get a bunch of awesome second graders from all over. Darrow Park is the start and finish, and we have kids from different schools, kids who are homeschooled, and we teach them how to ride safely and about basic bike maintenance. Last practice I blew their minds when I taught them how to put their chain back on. It’s really cool, you just see their confidence grow,” he reflects.
Even though the trails have grown and changed since his youth, Sovis can’t imagine northern Michigan without them.
“Just think how different our area would be, specifically Traverse City if we didn’t have TART. The Boardman Lake Trail, that’s the coolest thing, the TART along the water… Our town would look a lot different and be a lot less active if we didn’t have TART trails,” he says.
“TART is for everybody,” Sovis concludes. “Old, young, people riding for fun, people commuting for work… You want to see the diversity of our community, it’s on full display on the TART.”
Photo by John Robert Williams
RECREATE RESPONSIBLY AT SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE
Camping and hiking tips, 2025 updates, and advice for your visit
By Ren Brabenec
With summer around the corner, locals and visitors alike are turning their attention to one of just three National Lakeshores in the United States: Sleeping Bear Dunes.
What can visitors expect at the park in 2025? And how should they prepare? Whether your adventure involves a day hike or a weekend camp-a-thon, we sat down with a park ranger to find out.
2025 Updates
Director of Interpretation & Visitor Services Merrith Baughman opened our conversation by saying it was serendipitous that we were connecting on that day, because a local youth group had just been volunteering in the park, cleaning up campgrounds and getting them ready for visitors.
“We’re prepping campgrounds, cleaning up trails, stocking offices, and doublechecking our infrastructure,” Baughman says. “There are a few important updates to keep in mind, but for the most part, it’s business as usual at Sleeping Bear.”
That is, on the mainland, at least. Baughman reminded us that the North Manitou Island Village and Dock will not be available in 2025 while the National Park
Service (NPS) carries out infrastructure upgrades on the island.
The island is still open for those who can access it via private boat, but the Manitou Island Transit that’s taken visitors to the Manitous for 108 years will not be bringing passengers to North Manitou this year. (It will, however, still be transporting visitors to South Manitou Island, which is open and fully accessible this year).
“Visitors to North Manitou need to know they can only access the island by their own boat, and even then, they’ll need to anchor offshore and come ashore in a smaller motorized or non-motorized vessel,” Baughman says. “There are no mooring buoys or protected anchoring locations around the island. Given the closures at the Village, potable water will not be available on the island in 2025. Campers must be prepared to bring water from the mainland or to treat water from a natural source.”
In February 2024, the NPS had to close large sections in the Old Indian Trail area to battle Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA). HWA was initially found on over a dozen hemlock trees, with an additional 80 trees in the area that could have been infested. Those park sections are now open, but Baughman says park rangers are still monitoring for and treating trees for HWA.
“We quickly treated for HWA in the Old Indian Trail area, as the infestation put about 65 percent of all forest habitats in the park at risk. The adelgids target Eastern hemlock trees, which provide food, shade, and cover for many species of birds and mammals. Though we successfully treated the infested areas in 2024 and have since reopened those sections of the park, we’re still monitoring and treating trees infested with HWA, as much of the park’s biodiversity relies on the hemlock trees.”
Traditionally, Volunteer Coordinator Matt Mohrman has performed an annual “Firing of the Lyle Gun” demonstration as a part of the park’s programming. According to Baughman, Mohrman retired last year, so the park has canceled that event until personnel can be allocated.
Ticks, Campfires, and Trails
Moving on from updates, Baughman also had some advice for visitors.
Ticks were spotted in the park in February, meaning visitors must take precautions to prevent tick-related illnesses. Baughman stressed regular and thorough tick checks as the best way visitors can prevent the transmission of tick-borne illnesses. Most (but not all) tick-borne illnesses stem from a tick being attached to a human for 24 hours or more, so finding and removing ticks as
quickly as possible is essential.
“Visitors staying on trails helps quite a lot, as they’re less likely to pick up ticks when on a groomed trail that does not have thick undergrowth,” Baughman says. “People should also wear light-colored clothing that makes it easy to spot ticks, and they may consider wearing tick gaiters on their legs and being especially aware of ticks when recreating in areas of the park that have lots of deer.”
All the same campfire rules from 2024 apply in 2025, and Baughman stressed the importance of following all fire safety precautions to protect the park from wildfires. North Manitou Island does not allow for fires of any kind. There are
Narada Lake, photo courtesy of NPS and S. Hallowell
Baughman
designated fire rings on South Manitou Island, and campgrounds on the mainland also have fire rings.
We asked Baughman about increased bear activity in the northern Lower Peninsula. While she says there have been occasional bear sightings in the park around Alligator Hill and the Heritage Trail, park rangers aren’t particularly concerned about bear activity. “We stress good food management and waste disposal to deter bears from interacting with humans,” she says.
Baughman closes by reminding visitors to head to nps.gov/slbe before coming to the park, as the Park Service’s official website for the Lakeshore is the primary resource for news, updates, closures, travel advice, and up-to-date information on the full schedule of programming, interpretive events, educational opportunities, and other activities the park has planned of 2025.
From the Desk of the National Park Service
To bolster Baughman’s information for park visitors, we contacted the NPS’s Washington D.C. office for information on recreating at NPS sites in 2025.
They informed us that this year’s focus is to inform park visitors to prepare, have a plan, and always share those travel plans with
THE 10 ESSENTIALS
an emergency contact and use the buddy system in the parks when possible.
“It’s always a good idea to leave your trip plan with a trusted friend who isn’t on the trip with you so that they can keep an eye on you and let authorities know if they haven’t heard from you,” says a spokesperson for the Park Service. “We try to remind visitors to check the park website in the weeks and days leading up to the visit to see if there’s anything visitors should know before coming to the park, like inclement weather or changes, services and hours of operations, as well as safety notices. And as a reminder, parks are not petting zoos! Visitors should not approach, interact with, attempt to feed or pick up wildlife.”
(This advice comes on the heels of a man being gored by a bison at Yellowstone in early May. We don’t have bison, but the rule still applies.)
The spokesperson continued, “Whether you’re visiting a ‘bucket list’ park, checking out a historical site, or simply enjoying the outdoors with friends and family this summer, please make sure to be a good steward to these treasured spaces. This means following all rules, staying on the designated trails, picking up after yourself, and being kind to others.”
Here’s your list of 10 items to memorize for any NPS outing. For anyone who plans to explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, it’s recommended to have on hand:
1) Navigation: Map, compass, GPS
2) Sun Protection: Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat
3) Insulation: Jacket, hat, gloves, rain shell, thermal underwear
4) Illumination: Flashlight, lanterns, headlamp
5) First-Aid Supplies: First-aid kit
6) Fire: Matches, lighter, flint
7) Repair Kit and Tools: Duct tape, knife, screwdriver, scissors
8) Nutrition: Food
9) Hydration: Water and water treatment supplies
10) Shelter: Tent, space blanket, tarp, bivy
A prescribed burn in the park in 2023. Photo courtesy of NPS and M. Bell.
A NEW CHAPTER FOR AN OLD CAMP
What’s ahead for Camp Greilick as it gears up to welcome back outdoor enthusiasts
By Kierstin Gunsberg
After several dormant years, 196 acres of parkland just south of Traverse City is set to begin opening to the public late this summer.
For over a century, Camp Greilick has been a base for outdoor adventure, first as a Rotary youth retreat, then a Boy Scout camp, and more recently, an abandoned patch of wilderness left to the critters who inhabit it.
Now, after being acquired by Grand Traverse County in 2024, it’s slated for a comeback as a massive year-round public recreation area for the entire northern Michigan community (critters and all).
The best way to understand what’s ahead for Camp Greilick is to peek back to where and why it was started back in 1923 by the Rotary Club. “The camp was originally created as a space for youth to go out and experience and enjoy the outdoors,” explains Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation Director John Chase.
That focus on outdoor education is the center of the Camp Greilick master plan, which revolves around providing plenty of space and resources for school, youth, and conservation groups to conduct wilderness programming.
“That’s the cornerstone for the property,”
says Chase. “Ultimately, if you create opportunities to teach people about the environment around them, then they’ll learn to love the environment and they’ll learn to protect it.”
Federal Cuts Delay Stage One Opening
With 4,300 feet of lake frontage in the Boardman/Ottaway River Watershed, Camp Greilick’s property is loaded with relics of adventures past waiting to be restored or rebuilt—brush covered trail systems, mossy edged event pavilions, and even a towering climbing structure.
But before folks can hit the trails or white knuckle their way up that climbing tower, Camp Greilick will need a whole lot of TLC, including clearing out some rickety old buildings, making major improvements to others, and reopening an emergency access road. Some of that work was set to kick off this spring when the county teamed up with AmeriCorps—a federal program that sends volunteers across the country to help with hands-on community projects like the one underway at Camp Greilick.
The AmeriCorps team was lined up to pitch in around 2,800 hours of labor, tackling trail work, ADA upgrades, cabin repairs, and more. “We were relying on that crew,” says Chase.
But on April 18, his department got word that major federal budget cuts meant AmeriCorps would no longer be coming.
“Their presence would have given us the ability to accelerate the opening,” he says, but adds, “This isn’t going to stop us. It’s just going to slow us down a little bit.”
That means that instead of welcoming hikers and paddlers this spring, the public opening—which will happen in five phases over the next few years—is now nudged out to late summer. And, after a public callout for volunteers, the plan is back on course with a community workday already on the books for mid-June.
Protecting Trails and Waterways
In the meantime, Camp Greilick’s planning crew has finished up the design phase for a new trail network, walking the land with hikers, bikers, disc golfers, and conservation advocates in tow.
When it comes to Camp Greilick’s different trail users, “All of these groups need to play nicely,” says Chase. In other words, they need to be able to roam the woods without literally running into each other. Or, he adds, negatively impacting the ecosystems that surround them.
“We want to make sure that a trail doesn’t get you to a sensitive area,” Chase says. “We
also want to make sure that the soils are appropriate and you’re not creating erosion. It’s about strategically placing trails so they are sustainable.”
Some “social trails” which are paths that popped up over the years without planning, may be retired or rerouted to protect the land.
Camp Greilick’s planners also want to get people out on the lakes without introducing invasive species, something that will be prevented by providing onsite watercraft rather than allowing users to bring their own.
Balancing the logistics of protecting the property’s ecosystems while maximizing its uses is why everything is rolling out slowly, says Chase. That measured take is also a way to keep the community’s wants (more winter sports recreation and mountain biking trails top the list) and what they don’t want (light pollution and excessive noise are concerns of neighboring residents) from getting lost in the shuffle.
“We’re not going to jump into one phase until we’ve wrapped up the one before it,” says Chase. “Our goal is to be a good partner throughout the entire community. We operate the parks for the enjoyment of the entire community, and that’s how we intend to operate this development.”
WHAT WILL THE PARK OFFER?
From trails to tents, here’s what’s in store for Camp Greilick.
Phase one (set to open late summer 2025): Focuses on low-impact adventure and bringing old favorites back to life. Look for a designated swimming area with improved lake access, kayak and paddleboard rentals for gliding across Rennie Lake, and a freshly renovated 18-hole disc golf course tucked beneath the trees. Hikers, bikers, skiers, and snowshoers will share multi-use trails, while fishers, picnickers, and boulder climbers will find plenty of space to roam.
Phase two: Brings overnight stays and outdoor learning into the spotlight. Six fullservice cabins will be up for group rental, along with smaller “glamping” cabins for a cozy night in the woods (showers included). The county also plans to partner with local groups on skills classes in everything from archery to animal rehabilitation. The orienteering course will reopen, and Besser Lodge will host up to 200 guests for events and programs.
Phase three: The halfway mark is all about group fun and team challenges. A wooded amphitheater and hillside chapel will return to use, while the old climbing and zip line tower will be back in action. A facilitated team course will encourage collaboration and problem-solving, and limited hunting will be phased in, starting with bow season under close management.
Phase four: Includes carefully managed access to the camp’s archery, rifle, and shotgun ranges. All will be mapped with safety in mind and tied to environmental protection plans.
The final phase: Introduces a rustic backcountry experience. Tent-only and hammock-only campsites will be scattered across 11 group zones, each served by restrooms and a central 18-stall shower house. It’s a build-your-own-adventure kind of camping for those who like their nature a little more rugged.
Planners visualize the pump track, one of the core offerings for bikers.
It Takes Two to Brunch Sisters opens in Traverse City
By Anna Faller
It was just over four years ago that Jenni Scott—a Traverse City native and longtime veteran of the local restaurant scene— in partnership with her sister Lisa, their parents, and Lisa’s husband, Matt Gaffy, purchased and planned to redevelop the historic downtown pub, Little Bohemia.
Together, the team reopened the space under its new identity, Lil Bo’s—a nod to both the pub’s past life and Jenni’s food trucks, Lil Betty’s and Betty’s Hot Dish—but with the same eclectic neighborhood vibe (and some truly craveable pickle-brined chicken!). Now, the trio has come full circle with the launch of a second restaurant, Sisters, which occupies the storefront adjacent and connected to Bo’s, which formerly housed Front Street Liquor.
“That first Record-Eagle article announcing the sale of Bo’s said, ‘sisters, Jenni and Lisa Scott’—so that was almost like foreshadowing of what we were going to do,” Lisa says.
Opened on May 1, Sisters combines classic brunch and lunch eats with a scratch kitchen and a sprinkling of modern flair. But for its namesake siblings, it’s about much more than food.
“We feel like this is a neighborhood place, and that focus on the locals is important to us. [We can’t wait] to feed them some breakfast
and give them some Princess Mimosas!” adds Jenni.
Brunch & Lunch
As Jenni explains, Sisters’ day-dining concept was born at Bo’s more than two years ago when she launched a weekend brunch menu, featuring nostalgic eats like cereal flights and breakfast “bo-rritos,” which was an instant hit with the pub’s clientele. “It took off like wildfire!” Lisa notes.
The success that the event, called Saturday Morning Cartoons, garnered emphasized a growing need for more breakfast and lunch options in Traverse City, many of which have limited hours or incur lengthy wait times, especially on the west side of town.
So, when the opportunity to open the brunch spot of the sisters’ dreams arose (not to mention create some much-needed elbow room for Lil Bo’s tiny kitchen), the trio knew they had to bite.
“It was something we’d always talked about, and it felt like there was a void to fill,” Lisa says. “I think in our minds, we knew that if [this space] was ever available, we’d do brunch and lunch, and that’s what it became!”
Fresh & Nostalgic
Inside, the vibe is all warm woods and muted pastels anchored by retro design (think: mid-century inspired fixtures and
art deco patterns), but with a few luxe and feminine touches that plant the space firmly in the 21st century. (Trust us when we say: Don’t miss the bathroom wallpaper!)
“We really wanted it to feel like you were sitting at mom’s kitchen table,” says Jenni. “I really like the retro feel of things, so we thought we’d capture some of that.”
A greasy spoon joint though, this is not. Instead, the team has infused the space with an air of modern elegance, headlined by lofty ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a fluted bar top artfully curved at the behest of architect Lisa Feringa.
Throughout the elongated dining room, guests can choose from rows of custom tables or mustard mini-booths (each with its own pendant lamp). Meanwhile, two common tables are available for larger parties—both mounted on hydraulics—and at the back of the space, a geometric statement wall frames a banquette dotted with two-top seating.
“We didn’t want [Sisters] to feel like a diner, and I think we completed it with some really beautiful touches that make it feel a little more elevated,” Lisa says.
There’s a homey warmth to the space, which is accentuated by nods to influential women in the sisters’ lives throughout the décor.
A key player here is the pair’s paternal grandmother, Alice, whose photo sits on the mantle—her cooking is especially evident
in Jenni’s food, Lisa notes—along with an array of vintage tchotchkes, from their mother’s giant yellow beer stein, to their grandmother’s 50’s patterned china, to a well-loved copy of Irma S. Rombauer’s The Joy of Cooking, which has seen decades of Scott family meals.
Another focal point is a photo collage, dubbed The Sister Wall, which depicts Jenni and Lisa at various ages, as well as other family members, staffers, and friends, spanning generations in celebration of the larger community that sisters share and the restaurant represents.
“We had time to think about what we wanted to do, so this feels really personal for us,” Lisa tells us.
Food & Drink
Those parallels also extend to the menu, which, per Jenni, features a combination of brunch and lunch classics with a modern twist.
The Number 17, for example— hashbrowns packed with bacon, American cheese, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and sour cream—is a nod to a stuffed hash brown recipe from Jenni’s earliest restaurant days at Mabel’s (now The Cottage). And the Crunchy Crispy French Toast, a cornflake-crusted brioche affair topped with strawberries and cinnamon butter, was plucked straight from Lil Bo’s best brunch hits.
“We’re also really well known for chicken tenders at Bo’s, so [items like] the Chicken and Waffles [transferred] pretty easily,” Jenni says.
There’s also a notable southern influence at play throughout the eatery’s flavors, which come from family summers spent in New Orleans. Plates like the Nola and Louisiana Hash, for instance, are packed with chiles and spicy sausage.
Other traditionally breakfast-y fare includes familiar favorites, like Eggs Benny and Corned Beef Hash, while a selection of sandwiches, like the particularly apropos Brunch Chick (ingredients: buttermilk fried
chicken, praline bacon, white cheddar, greens, and jalapeno aioli on a potato bun) and a mixand-match selection of homemade toasts, salads, and soups round out the lunch category.
Though licensing is still in the works, Sisters also has a brunch-ified beverage menu on deck, complete with beer and wine, curated NA options, like craft mocktails and Natalie’s juices, and vintage-inspired specialty cocktails. Highlights here include a few leveled-up favorites, like Bloody Marys tricked out with cheese curds and dilly beans and juiced up Mimosas, as well as frozen palomas, boozy shakes, and even a Dole Whip machine. Stay tuned!
Next & Always
Also on the Sisters immediate check list is finagling outside seating, ideally beneath the yellow and white stripes of their Grand Hotel-inspired awning, as is renting out the restaurant’s space for private events and evening catering services.
“We’ve found that there are a lot of people who want to rent Bo’s for private parties, but that would be a lot to shut down the entire bar for our regulars,” Jenni explains. The opportunity posed by a day-dining spot like Sisters, whose operation they implemented independently of Lil Bo’s, fills the void for that extra space while maintaining consistent
business hours.
And they aren’t about to slow down now! From sponsored events, to clubs, collaborations and beyond, this sisterly team has countless ideas. In the meantime, they’re focused on continuing to feed our community, body and soul.
“We’re really grateful to the local community for supporting Lil Bo’s, and now Sisters,” Lisa says. “They’re the reason we exist, and it feels great to make those connections with our neighbors.”
Find Sisters at 542 W. Front St. in Traverse City. (231) 421-1296. sisterstvc.com
SUMMER
The Brunch Chick Sandwich Eggs Benedict
Saturday
2025 BAYSHORE MARATHON: 7:15am, grounds of NMC, TC. The 10K, Half Marathon & Full Marathon are SOLD OUT. The Kids Marathon, a 1.2 mile Fun Run, is still open & takes place at 1:30pm. Waitlists are open for the others. To register & for all start times & other info, visit web site. bayshoremarathon.org
TOP OF MICHIGAN FESTIVAL OF RACES: Bayfront Park, Petoskey. Start Memorial Day weekend with beautiful views of Little Traverse Bay. Choose from a half marathon, 10K or 5K, with the earliest start time at 7:30am. For more info & to register, visit the web site. The races benefit the Top of Michigan Trails Council & Petoskey High School Track & Cross Country teams. runsignup. com/Race/MI/Petoskey/TopofMichiganFestivalofRaces
BURDICKVILLE STUDIO TOUR: 10am4pm, Burdickville, near Glen Lake. Enjoy an open art studio tour. Multiple artists at five locations will welcome you into their studios. Talk with the artists, see arts & crafts, hear music & more. Head to the intersection of routes 616 & 675 & follow the signs. Tour maps available at all studio locations. Free. facebook.com/BurdickvilleStudioTour
ELK RAPIDS ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: 10am-4pm, downtown Elk Rapids. 60+ artisans & crafters feature art & homemade items in many areas including coastal art, home decor, jewelry, ceramics, woodcrafts, photography, & much more. elkrapidschamber.org/arts-crafts-show
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN SUMMER CRAFT SHOW SERIES: 10am, Washington Park, downtown Cheboygan. More than 30 crafters & artists will display jewelry, home decor, artwork & much more. Free. facebook.com/ madeincheboygan
NCTA HIKE 100 CHALLENGE: 10am, Hodenpyle Dam trail access, Mesick. North Country Trail - Grand Traverse Chapter Hike 100 Challenge: Hodenpyl Dam Rd. to M-115. RSVP. Free. meetup.com/grand-traversechapter-north-country-trail-association/ events/305506217 —
LAYING OF THE LILACS: 11am, Benzonia Twp. Cemetery, Benzonia. This community ceremony is sponsored by the Benzie Area Historical Society. Honor the area’s Civil War Veterans at the mushroom-shaped monument made by the E.P. Case Grand Army of the Republic Post 372 Veterans in the late 1880s. Lawn chairs are suggested. Following the ceremony will be a headstone cleaning workshop focusing on Veterans’ graves. Each participant will need to bring a cleaning kit consisting of a bucket, natural stiff brush, toothbrush, trowel, trash bag, & plastic or wood scraper. Metal objects may not be used to clean the stones. Free. benziemuseum.org
MACKINAW CITY’S GRAND MEMORIAL
PARADE: 1pm. Begins at the Straits State Dock, travels through downtown Mackinaw City, ending at the entrance to Colonial Michilimackinac. mackinawchamber.com/event/ memorial-day-parade
AUTHOR BONNIE JO CAMPBELL: 2pm, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. Bonnie Jo Campbell will discuss her newest novel, “The Waters,” a 2025 Michigan Notable Book. She’ll be joined by fellow notable author Anne-Marie Oomen. Copies of her book will be available to purchase. Free. glenlakelibrary.net/events
AUTHOR EVENT: MICHAEL BALTER: 2:30pm, Dockside Books, Charlevoix. Meet Michael Balter, author of “The Vatican Deal: A Marty and Bo Thriller.” 231-437-3083.
MICHIGAN BEER & BRAT FESTIVAL: 3pm, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Join the 18th annual celebration of Michigan made food & craft beverages. Enjoy live entertainment from two bands while sampling an enormous selection of Michigan’s finest microbrews, meads, hard ciders, wine, liquor & gourmet brats from northwest Michigan markets. crystalmountain.com/event/beerfest
61ST CONSECUTIVE FORT MICHILIMACKINAC REENACTMENT: 3:30pm, Colonial Michilimackinac, Mackinaw City. The longest running free Memorial Day historical program in the U.S. takes place on location of the events of 1763. Come for the fur trading, stay for the attack! mackinacparks.com/ attraction/colonial-michilimackinac
HOUSE CONCERT SERIES: THE DUGES: 7:30pm, The Rhubarbary, 3550 Five Mile Creek Rd., Harbor Springs. This duo is made up of Garrison Wilson & Doug Moser who bring their musical selections ranging from classic folk, rock, & pop, to Appalachian gospel. They also back each other up on guitar, bass, & percussion. RSVP: 231499-8038. Please bring a folding chair. $20 donation requested. dalescottmusic.com/ dale-scott-calendar
THE BEACH BOYS: SOLD OUT: 7:30-9pm, Little River Casino Resort, Manistee. The Beach Boys have had over 100 million records sold worldwide. Between the 1960s & today, they have had over 80 songs chart worldwide. They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 & were recipients of The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement GRAMMY Award®. $70-$100. lrcr.com/event/beach-boys
“THE THING”: 9pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. TADL Almost Midnite Movies returns with the 1980s horror/sci-fi classic “The Thing.” Free admission & popcorn. tadl.org/ event/almost-midnite-movies-thing-23171
Sunday
BURDICKVILLE STUDIO
TOUR: (See Sat., May 24)
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN SUMMER CRAFT SHOW
SERIES: (See Sat., May 24)
ARTIST MARKET: Noon-4pm, Walloon Lake Winery, Petoskey. Join in the pavilion for a variety of vendors to visit. Local artists come together with all different products to give you a chance to see how much creativity northern Michigan has to offer. walloonlakewinery.com
61ST CONSECUTIVE FORT MICHILIMACKINAC REENACTMENT: (See Sat., May 24, except today’s time is 2:30pm.)
FREE CHORAL CONCERT: 3pm, Central United Methodist Church, TC. Featuring the international award-winning Langsford Men’s Chorus & the Farmington Chorus. Conducted by Steve SeGraves.
THE DOO WOP PROJECT: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. From Street Corner Harmonies to Chart-Topping Hits - A Journey Through the Heart of American Music. Starting at $52 before fees. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/doo-wopproject-25
monday
GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: 10am, Veterans Memorial Park, TC. Bring a chair or blanket. Sponsored by the Grand Traverse Veterans Coalition.
TRAVERSE CITY TRIBUTE: 9am-2pm, Open Space Park. Taps will be played at noon. Sponsored by Chapter 50 of Veterans for Peace.
MANISTEE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 10am. Begins at Division St. & ends at Veterans Memorial Park.
ALDEN’S PATRIOTIC MEMORIAL DAY
PARADE: 1pm, downtown Alden. A memorial service will follow the parade at The Alden Historical Depot Memorial Park & Museum. A short service will also take place at the Helena Twp. Cemetery.
BUCKLEY MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 11am, downtown Buckley. Flag ceremony will take place at the Buckley Post Office by local Veterans promptly at 11am.
CADILLAC MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 9:30am: Salute to sailors lost at sea with prayer on Lake Cadillac at the City Dock. 10am: Parade starts traveling down Mitchell St., ending at Veterans Memorial Stadium. 11am: Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
CHARLEVOIX MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE
& PARADE: 9am service at Brookside Cemetery. 10am parade through downtown Charlevoix.
2025 ROTARY STRIDE FOR S.T.R.I.V.E. 5K: 8:30am, 601 Chestnut St., Cadillac. $25; increases after May 26. runsignup.com/ Race/Events/MI/Cadillac/ROTARYSTRIDEFORSTRIVE5K
LAKE CITY MEMORIAL DAY 5K & 1 MILE
ROAD RACE: 9am, 210 S. Canal St., Lake City. $15-$35. runsignup.com/Race/Events/
MI/LakeCity/LakeCityElementaryTrojanRunningClub5k
MACKINAW CITY MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: 10am, Mackinaw City Municipal Lawn.
SIXTH ANNUAL ROLLING TAPS: Musicians will begin playing TAPS at the “Welcome to Northport” sign on M22 at 10am, & one by one hand off to musicians stationed throughout the village & marina until they reach the bugler at the cannon at the Leelanau Township Cemetery for the Memorial Day Ceremony.
EAST JORDAN MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: Parade line-up at G.A.R. Park at 10:30am & parade begins at 10:45am. Runs down Main St. Head to Memorial Park after for the Memorial Day program.
61ST CONSECUTIVE FORT MICHILIMACKINAC REENACTMENT: (See Sun., May 25)
BAY VIEW MONDAY NIGHT MOVIE: 7:3010pm, Voorhies Hall, Bay View Association, Petoskey. Featuring “The Boys in the Boat 2023.” Free. bayviewassociation.org/monday-night-movies
tuesday
PETOSKEY REGIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY HOSTS ODEN FISH HATCHERY BIRD WALKS: 8am, Oden Fish Hatchery, Alanson. Park at 3377 U.S. 31 at Visitor Center & meet at the old train car. Explore the trails at the Oden Fish Hatchery in search of migrating & nesting birds. Free. petoskeyaudubon.org
FRIENDLY GARDEN CLUB MEETING: Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Gather & chat at 10am, followed by the monthly membership meeting at 10:30am. At 11:30am Jennifer Flynn, program director for EcoCorps., will share the mission, programs & activities of SEEDS of Traverse City. Pro-
Climb, crawl, wade and slide through a mud-splattered 5K Dirty Dog Dash across the slopes of Boyne Mountain Resort, Boyne Falls, Sat., May 31 at 11am. Afterwards enjoy live music, a cookout, and cold beer for those 21+. Register: boynemountain. com/upcoming-events/dirty-dog-dash
JUNE 7TH, 12 - 3PM AT
Weather Permitting. Donations Welcome
Tomorrow is more memories in the making
Energy isn’t just power—it’s possibility. It transforms a house into a home, bringing warmth, comfort, and the promise of moments that matter.
From preparing nutritious meals to sharing the joy of cooking with loved ones, the energy we deliver fuels family memories and sparks the moments that light up our lives.
Because with energy, we don't just cook—we create memories.
LIVE READING AND BOOK SIGNING AT HORIZON BOOKS
THUNDERSTORM PARTY
By Hallie Olson
spective members are welcome. RSVP: 231409-9262.
SPRING PEEPERS: HOPPING AMPHIBIANS!: 10am, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. For ages 3-5. Held outdoors. Includes stories, crafts, music, & discovery activities. Register. $5/child. natureiscalling. org/preschool-peepers-program
RV NORTHWESTERN TO VISIT ELK RAPIDS: 1-4pm, Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor, Elk Rapids. Green Elk Rapids will host the NMC Great Lakes Water Studies Institute & their research vessel, the RV Northwestern. Tour the vessel, meet the team, & learn about their cutting-edge water research. Free. greenelkrapids.org
TECH TUESDAY: IDEVICES: 2pm, Leland Township Public Library. Join Corey Buchan of BucahnTECH for a tutorial & Q&A all about Apple devices, also known as iDevices (this includes iPhones & iPads). Drop in with your device & questions. Free. lelandlibrary.org
wednesday
BUDGETING & DEBT
MGMT.: 2pm, Suttons BayBingham District Library, Community Room. Join for a budgeting presentation. Hosted by Fifth Third Bank. Free. 53.com
KATHY GROTH BOOK SIGNING: 5-7pm, Horizon Books, TC. Kathy will sign her book, “Sunken: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan.” horizonbooks.com/event/kathy-groth-booksigning
“THE LIBRARIANS” (DOCUMENTARY): 6pm, State Theatre, TC. For adults. Join TADL & the TC Film Festival for a night at the movies. “The Librarians” is a 2025 Sundance selection that tells the story of librarians uniting to combat book banning, defending intellectual freedom on democracy’s frontlines amid unprecedented censorship in Texas, Florida, & beyond. A Q&A with local librarians will follow the film. Free, but you need to reserve your tickets online at the link. tadl.org/TCFF
Center. Robert will discuss the rural & woodland dreams he captured with his camera during his May artist’s residency with the Glen Arbor Arts Center. Beras will share work & stories. Free. glenarborart.org/product/airpresentation-photographer-robert-beras
COFFEE @ TEN, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Abundance, Despoliation, & Renewal: A Personal Perspective on the Rise of the Cold Water Conservation Ethos in Michigan.” Featuring Greg Walz, National Leadership Council representative, Michigan Trout Unlimited. Free. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-petoskey/coffee-ten-abundancedespoliation-and-renewal-personal-perspective-rise-cold
“ALL TOO CLEAR FILM SCREENING”: 5:30-7:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. A 90-minute documentary on the profound impact of invasive quagga mussels on the Great Lakes ecosystem, presented with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council & the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB). Free. crookedtree.org/event/ ctac-petoskey/immersed
MEDICARE 101: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. Educational seminar for those who are aging into Medicare. This is a non-sales educational only seminar. Led by Fred Goldenberg. Free. tadl. org/event/medicare-101-22395
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS FORUM: “FOCUS ON PRESS FREEDOM: JOURNALISM, MEDIA & INFORMATION LITERACY”: Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Presented in partnership with Interlochen Public Radio, featuring journalist/advocate Sharon Moshavi, president of the International Center for Journalists, in conversation with Ed Ronco, news director at IPR. 5:30pm reception; 6:30pm program. Hybrid event with online livestream available. Advance in-person tickets recommended. $15 in person; $10 online livestream; free for students, educators & active duty military members. tciaf.com/event-may-2025
“The Thunderstorm Party,” a lovely, illustrated study of a young child’s experience of her first thunderstorm, equally a story about facing storms in life
TRAVERSE CITY, ON SATURDAY, MAY 31ST, AT 1 P.M. IN MEMORY OF HALLIE OLSON
Other book signings and readings for children throughout the summer at local bookstores.
“The Thunderstorm Party will resonate with young readers who grapple with stormrelated anxieties. The childlike illustrations, drawn by Hallie herself, allow younger audiences to connect with Heidi’s emotions as she embarks on her journey toward overcoming her fear of storms. Older readers and adults will appreciate the allegorical and symbolic elements of discovering a party amidst our darkest moments. The timeless lesson woven into this tale speaks volumes to readers of all ages.” --The Children’s Book Review
COMMUNITY DISCUSSION ON WORKFORCE HOUSING: 7-9pm, 1st Congregational UCC of Charlevoix. A worker with a job offer comes to Charlevoix & can’t find yearround housing that he/she can afford & must turn down the job. How would you help the worker, the employer, & Charlevoix? Please bring anyone interested in the current housing situation. Featuring local representatives sharing their experience & expertise. Free. chxucc.org/upcoming-events
JEFF HAAS QUINTET: 7pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. Enjoy original music with a message of peace & love. $15-$20. mynorthtickets.com/events/thejeff-haas-quintet-at-crooked-tree-5-28-2025
thursday
PETOSKEY REGIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY HOSTS SPRING LAKE PARK BIRD WALKS: 8am, Spring Lake Park, north of Petoskey. Meet at the gazebo. After looking for birds near the parking area & gazebo, walk the flat trails, boardwalk, & paved rail trail long Mud Lake to Round Lake. Free. petoskeyaudubon.org
AIR PRESENTATION: PHOTOGRAPHER
ROBERT BERAS: 10am, Glen Arbor Arts
POETRY WITH ELLEN STONE: 7pm, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. This Michigan poet will share readings from her newest collection “Everybody Wants to Keep the Moon Inside Them.” She’ll be joined by special guests, fellow poets from northern Michigan. glenlakelibrary.net
THE NATIONAL WRITERS SERIES PRESENTS: CARL HIAASEN: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Enjoy this #1 New York Times bestselling author of “Bad Monkey.” He will talk about his writing life & his new novel, “Fever Beach,” which tackles the current chaotic & polarized American culture with two wonderful Hiaasen heroes. Guest host is Doug Stanton, a #1 New York Times bestselling author & NWS cofounder. $10-$53. cityoperahouse.org/node/660
friday
FORESTER FRIDAY HIKE SERIES: HICKORY FOREST: 10am-noon, Hickory Forest, trailhead access is located off Barney Rd., across from Harris Rd., TC. Hike with the District Forester to learn about the local ecology & management considerations of Michigan forest ecosystems. Free; registration required. natureiscalling.org/events/foresterfriday-hike-series
FRANKFORT & ELBERTA RESTAURANT
WEEK: Frankfort & Elberta, May 30 - June
5. Participating restaurants will serve up special prix fixe $15, $25 & $35 menus & deals, showcasing the best of their culinary creations. frankfortelbertarestaurantweek.com
NWMI ART & CULTURE SUMMIT: May 3031. Held in multiple venues across downtown TC, with City Opera House as the central hub. Featuring keynotes & performances from inspiring voices in the arts & culture community, including Brad Montague & Nafeesah Symonette. There will also be interactive workshops, panels, roundtable discussions, exhibit tours, hands-on activities & more. $25-$200. nwmiarts.org/programs/northwest-michigan-arts-and-culturesummit/
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 Zinnia Dungjen at the Jay Smith Walkway (between Pangea’s & Kilwin’s) & from Papa Squat and the Sitdowns in front of Horizon Books on Front St. Free. downtowntc. com/live-after-5-spring-entertainment-series
CENTER STAGE: SONG OF THE LAKES: The Center, Suttons Bay. Doors open at 6:30pm & show begins at 7pm. $30 advance; $35 door. mynorthtickets.com
CHARLEVOICES: TRUE STORIES
TOLD LIVE: 7pm, 1st Congregational UCC of Charlevoix. “Overcome: Struggle to Strength.” Featuring a variety of voices based on one’s true life experience. Admission is by donation. All donations will benefit Charlevoix Rayder’s Generous Hearts Fund to make resources available to students in need. chxucc.org/upcoming-events
DOWNTOWN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: 7-9pm, Claude Shannon Park, Gaylord. Featuring Mezmos. Bring your own chair. Free. gaylordchamber.com/events/ details/downtown-summer-concert-series-2025-10236 —
RODNEY WHITAKER MOSAIC - ALBUM RELEASE SHOW: 7-9:30pm, The Alluvion, TC. Internationally renowned, prolific bassist & educator Rodney Whitaker will celebrate the release of his new album, “Rodney Whitaker Mosaic: The Music of Gregg Hill.” $30-$35. thealluvion.org/tickets/rodneywhitaker-mosaic-5-30-25
TC PIT SPITTERS VS. KALAMAZOO GROWLERS: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. TC Pit Spitters first home games. Opening night (Fri.) will include live music, photo booths, fireworks & more. For tickets visit web site. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters/schedule
LOOKING FORWARD - THE SONGS OF CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG: 7:309:30pm, Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, Manistee. Their Music... our way! Tribute series. $25. ramsdelltheatre.org/event/lookinforward-crosby-stills-nash-young-tribute
saturday
BIKE BENZIE TOUR: 7am, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Presented by Benzie Sunrise Rotary & Crystal Mountain. Choose from a 62, 46 or 30 mile tour. Includes SAG support vehicles, food stops & a luncheon buffet at Crystal Mountain. For more info & to register visit web site. $65-$85. bikebenzie.org
JIM & JESSIE OLSON IN-STORE BOOK
SIGNING: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Local author & For Love of Water (FLOW) Founder Jim Olson & his daughter Jessie will be instore for a joint book signing, celebrating the paperback release of “People of the Dune.” They will also promote “Thunderstorm Party,” written & illustrated by Hallie Olson when she was 13 years old. Hallie’s family chose to publish her book posthumously after Hallie passed away from ovarian cancer in 2016. horizonbooks.com
JOB WINSLOW CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION ANNUAL GARAGE SALE: 8am-3pm, American Legion Post 35, 1231 Hastings St., TC. Garage sale, bake sale, craft Sale to help support Veterans, active military, historic preservation, education, patriotism, & community service. Fresh baked goods, cookies, brownies & more. Gift items handcrafted by DAR members. Free admission. jobwinslow.michdar.net
NWMI ART & CULTURE SUMMIT: (See Fri., May 30)
39TH ANNUAL MARITIME HERITAGE ALLIANCE BOAT AUCTION: ProFILE Building, 3820 Cass Rd., TC. Nautical gear sale & watercraft viewing starts at 9am. Boat Auction at 11am. Proceeds support Schooner Madeline, free community sails, & youth programs on Cutter Champion. maritimeheritagealliance.org/events-and-programs
DISCOVER FISHING AT THE PIER PROGRAM: FULL: 9-11:30am, Discovery Pier, TC. During this hands-on program, youth aged 7-16 learn basic fishing skills including casting & knot tying, food web study, & pierbased fishing techniques. You can join waiting list. Free. discoverypier.org/fishing
25TH ANNUAL SPLASH OF COLOR FUN RUN & VISIBILITY WALK: Festival Place Shelter, 200 Wachtel, Petoskey. Sponsored by North Country Community Mental Health in celebration of May Mental Health Awareness Month. The Fun Run & Visibility Walk will have colorful paint throw checkpoints. The run will begin at 10am & the walk at 10:30am. All proceeds are donated to the Client Special Needs Fund, helping clients achieve their treatment goals. Register at www.eventbrite.com or the morning of the event from 9-9:30am at the Petoskey Festival Place Shelter. $15 per person. norcocmh.org
5TH ANNUAL WET PAINT! ART & CRAFT SHOW: 10am-5pm, Village Green Circle, Walloon Lake. Hosted by Blue Ribbon Events, this show will feature renowned plein air painter Noel Skiba painting live, featured glass artists Ashley Ellis & Rhonda Olson, & much more. daniellesblueribbonevents.com
BLU DOT FUN RUN 5K: 10am, Blu Dot Farm & Vineyard, Charlevoix. Includes your choice of mimosa, wine, or cider + souvenir glass & swag from Charlevoix Running Company. No timing or clock - just enjoy the fun! $20 + SignUp fee. runsignup.com/Race/ Events/MI/Charlevoix/BlueDotFunRun
DIRTY DOG DASH: 11am, Boyne Mountain, Boyne Falls. A mud-splattered 5K adventure that will take you across the challenging slopes of Boyne Mountain Resort, where you’ll climb, crawl, wade, & slide through a series of obstacles. Registration includes a race shirt, finisher’s medal & beverage ticket. $70. boynemountain.com/upcoming-events/ dirty-dog-dash
FRANKFORT & ELBERTA RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Fri., May 30)
Scan for more info: all ages! free!
l i ve m u s i c !
K a nin W r en's “ Tay l o r S w i f t E x pe r i e n c e "
S h o r t s to p • b r a x to n h i c k s & t he c o n t r a c t i o n s
S t o n e f o l k • L i l D i ppe r s
SUMMER READING REGISTRATION/TIE
DYE PARTY: 11am-1pm, Bellaire Public Library. Register for summer reading! Create your own one-of-a-kind bandana, get a sneak peek at the prizes up for grabs, & discover the adventures planned for the summer. Free. bellairelibrary.org
SECOND ANNUAL FOLK DAY: Noon, Kingsley Folk School. A fun & free community event featuring mini folk skill classes & workshops like natural dying, fiber arts, & firemaking. Proceeds from the silent auction will go towards building a year-round classroom space for the nonprofit organization, the Kingsley Folk School. kingsleyfolkschool.com
THE SEARCH FOR ANNA & LEVI: A LOST HISTORY OF BLACK HOMESTEADERS IN LEELANAU COUNTY: 4pm, Leland Public School Performing Arts Center. Documentary Film Premiere. Seating is first-come, first-served; space is limited. Presented by the Leelanau Historical Society. This powerful documentary brings to light an overlooked chapter of local history & the broader story of African American settlement in the Midwest. Free. leelanauhistory.org/events
CAAC DANCE RECITAL: “WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SAN DIEGO?”: 6pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Young dancers from the Cheboygan Area Arts Council dance school, ages 4–17, will show off their talents in a variety of styles: ballet, tap, jazz & hip hop. $15-$20. theoperahouse.org
AN EVENING WITH HIROYA TSUKAMOTO: 7-9:30pm, The Alluvion, TC. Enjoy Japanese artist Hiroya Tsukamoto presenting an inspiring performance with masterful fingerstyle guitar playing, singing, live looping, & storytelling. $20-$25. thealluvion.org/tickets/ hiroya-tsukamoto-5-31-25
K. JONES AND THE BENZIE PLAYBOYS: 7-9pm, AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Enjoy vibrant sounds of Louisiana! This six-piece band blends traditional zydeco & Cajun music with rock, reggae, & blues influences. $30. artisanvillage. org/event/k-jones-and-the-benzie-playboyslive-at-aav —
SAY IT OUT LOUD! CREATIVE WRITING OPEN MIC: 7-9pm, Northport Arts Association. Bring your poetry, spoken word, flash fiction, essays, travel stories, memoirs, anything made of words! Free. northportartsassociation.org/events-exhibits
—
TC PIT SPITTERS VS. KALAMAZOO GROWLERS: (See Fri., May 30)
sunday
5TH ANNUAL WET PAINT! ART & CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., May 31)
BLESSING OF BIKES (AND OTHER TRANSPORTATION TOOLS!): 11am, The Presbyterian Church of TC, 701 Westminster Rd. Celebrate a safe & healthy commuting season. The Blessing will be provided outside by Rev. Julie Delezenne. 9465680. Free. tcpresby.org
FRANKFORT & ELBERTA RESTAURANT
WEEK: (See Fri., May 30)
FAIRIES AROUND THE WORLD: A FUN FAIRY HOUSE COMPETITION: Noon-4pm, The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, TC. Celebrating homes from around the world—igloos, pagodas, tipis, pueblos, yurts,
chalets, & more. Create a cozy space that fairies from far & wide would love to visit on the Traverse City Fairy Trails! Build your fairy house & enjoy a magical day of art, nature, crafts, cookies & more. For rules & to register visit the web site. lifeandwhim.com/fairyhouse-competition
BOOKS TO MOVIES: 1pm, Traverse Area District Library, Thirlby Room, TC. Watch a movie based on a book or real life. Once in a while one may be shown just for the fun of it that is not based on anything but just pure enjoyment. This event is first come, first served, up to 20 adults. Free. tadl.org/event/ books-movies-17878
CAAC DANCE RECITAL: “WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SAN DIEGO?”: 2pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Young dancers from the Cheboygan Area Arts Council dance school, ages 4–17, will show off their talents in a variety of styles: ballet, tap, jazz & hip hop. $15-$20. theoperahouse.org
ongoing
WEEKLY WILDFLOWER WALK: Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Every Tues., 10:30am-noon, May through Aug., take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Natural Area alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the variety of wildflowers & learn to identify their unique beauty. Keep an ear out for the melodies of birds that call Grass River home. grassriver.org
farmers market
DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY: Howard St., between Mitchell St. & Michigan St. Held every Fri., 8:30am-1pm. Local producers offer organic meats, fruits & vegetables, flowers & more. petoskeychamber.com/downtownpetoskey-farmers-market
ELK RAPIDS: Cedar St. Parking Lot, downtown. Runs every Fri., May 30-Oct. 3, 8amnoon. elkrapidschamber.org/farmers-market
FRANKFORT: Saturdays, 9am-1pm, Open Space Park, Main St.
HARBOR SPRINGS: Corner of State & Main streets, downtown. Held on Wednesdays & Saturdays from 9am-1pm from May 24Aug. 27, & Saturdays continue through Oct. 11. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food producers & more. There will be live music on select dates, & also Kids Days. petoskeyarea.com/events/harbor-springs-farmersmarket-2025
MANISTEE: Wagoner Community Center.
Held every Sat., May 24 - Oct. 4, 9am-noon. There will be live music by The Feral Cats on Sat., May 24. manisteekitchen.org/farmers-market
OLD TOWN EMMET: Saturdays, 9am-1pm, May 24 - Oct. 4, Friendship Center of Emmet County, Petoskey. This market is made up of a group of local farmers, growers, bakers, makers, crafters, & artisans. On May 24, plant, seedlings, & garden decor are available during a Spring Sale. petoskeyarea.com/events/old-town-emmetfarm-market
SUTTONS BAY: North Park, 601 Front St. Held every Sat., May 24 - Oct. 18, 9am1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
EVERYTHING SOMETIMES: WORKS BY MARK MEHAFFEY: Held in Carnegie Galleries, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC, this exhibit is a reflection of ideas in motion. Mark Mehaffey’s paintings are driven by concepts, each leading him down a unique creative path. Runs through May 31. Check web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctactraverse-city/everything-sometimes-worksmark-mehaffey-tc
PFLAG/MARJDI: “ART SPEAKS PRIDE”: The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, Hardy Hall, Manistee. Runs May 30 - July 6. Contact for hours. ramsdelltheatre.org/art
NORTHPORT PHOTO EXHIBIT: Northport Arts Association. The Gallery Exhibit runs May 24 – June 8 from noon-4pm. It showcases the talents of photographers from Michigan & beyond, celebrating both professional & emerging artists. Visitors can expect an array of subjects, including landscapes & waterscapes, nature photography, & innovative modern images. Free. northportartsassociation.org/events-exhibits
“LAYERS OF JOY”: Higher Art Gallery, TC. Oil painter Cathy Engberg’s paintings are joyful, expressive bursts of form & physicality along with the layered abstract constructions made of recycled cardboard & encaustic by Kathleen Kvern. Runs through June 14. See web site for hours. higherartgallery.com
“SERENITY - CAPTURED MOMENTS”: The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, in gallery space above Visitor Center, TC. This exhibit by Rose Denomme is the latest in the Three Seasons Art Show series. Her paintings are on display through June 18. A public artist reception will be held on Thurs., May 29 from 4:30-6:30pm. The gallery is open Mon. through Sat., 10am-5pm. thebotanicgarden.org
CHARLEVOIX PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB: 16TH ANNUAL JURIED EXHIBITION: Charlevoix Circle of Arts. Runs through June 7. See web site for hours. charlevoixcircle. org/exhibits-2025
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:
- OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: Saturdays, 10am-1pm in Visual Arts Room. Free drop-in art studio for the whole family. New projects are offered weekly. crookedtree.org
- IMMERSED: An immersive exhibition exploring aesthetic, cultural, environmental, & historical dimensions of water - through art, artifacts, sound, & motion. Runs through Aug. An opening reception will be held on Sat., May 24 from 5-7pm. Check web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ immersed-free-public-programming
- LEGACY & LIGHT: 150 YEARS OF BAY VIEW: Held in Atrium Gallery in honor of Bay View Association’s 150th anniversary, this exhibition showcases original artwork inspired by the beauty, spirit, & enduring legacy of this Chautauqua community. Runs through July 12. Check web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/legacylight-150-years-bay-view
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:
- NMC HOSTED HIGH SCHOOL ART EXHIBITION: Juried by NMC Art & Visual Communication faculty, this exhibition features artwork in a variety of media & styles by juniors & seniors from northern Michigan’s regional high schools. Runs through June 1. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org - “SMALL EXPRESSIONS”: The Handweavers Guild of America, Inc.’s “Small Ex
steak. seafood. southern cooking.
420 n saint joseph, suttons bay • northcountrykitchen.com • dinner - 7 days a week lunch - saturdays & sundays – reservations accepted –
pressions” exhibit is an annual juried exhibition showcasing contemporary small-scale works using fiber techniques in any media. Works do not exceed 15 inches in any direction, were completed within the last two years, & were not previously published. Runs through May 25. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/ upcoming-exhibitions/small-expressions. html
- “NORTHWEST MICHIGAN REGIONAL JURIED EXHIBITION”: Held regularly at the Museum for over 30 years, the exhibition features artwork made by regional artists over the last year & juried by an arts professional outside of the region. This year’s juror is Teresa Dunn. It runs through May 25. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions/northwest-michigan-juried-show-and-call.html
- A STYLE ALL OUR OWN: CANADIAN WOODLAND ARTISTS: Runs through May 25. In the early 1960s, young Indigenous artists from the Great Lakes region created a unique style of painting known as the Woodland School of Art. Early members of this prolific art community included Norval Morrisseau, Carl Ray, Roy Thomas, Sam Ash, Jackson Beardy, & Daphne Odjig. Perhaps the best-known of the group is Norval Morrisseau, who is often referred to as the Father of the Woodland School. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/ now-on-view/canadian-woodland-artists.html
- CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE CERAMICS FROM THE HORVITZ COLLECTION: Runs through Sept. 28, 2025. An array of works by contemporary Japanese ceramic artists, this is a sampler of the great diversity of styles, forms, glazes, & ages. These artworks are drawn from the curated collection of Carol & Jeffrey Horvitz, some of the leading collectors of Japanese contemporary outside of Japan. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions/index.html
GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER:
- RANDOM EXHIBITION: Runs through Aug. 28 in the Lobby Gallery. “Random: Collages From The Scrap Pile,” an exhibition of spontaneous compositions by Leelanau County artist Mark Mehaffey. Random is also a tutorial about remaining alert to creative possibilities. glenarborart.org/exhibits
- WALKING: An exhibit about ambling, rambling, wending one’s way. Paint, clay, woven & quilted fibers, mixed media, metal, etching, photography, & found object sculpture. Runs through May 29. glenarborart.org/product/ exhibit-walking
OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT: - ALCHEMY + ARTISTRY: Exploring the line between abstraction & representation. Large scale watercolors, intricate ceramics, inventive metalwork & dramatic paintings. Featured artists include Rocco Pisto, his daughter Gina Pisto, Arthur Johns, & Rochelle Aultman. Runs through June 20. Open Tues. - Sat. from 10am-4pm; Sun., noon-4pm. Beginning June 2: Open Mon., 10am-4pm. oliverart.org
- MAD HATTER’S GARDEN PARTY: Explore the upside-down with a whimsical take on a Mad Hatter’s garden party. Participating artists include Katie Ward, Marti LiddleLameti, Laurie Eisenhardt, Stephanie Gregg, Shannon Johnson & more. Runs through May. Check web site for hours. oliverart.org
by Joseph beyer
The Surfer
In an ocean of mediocre and repetitive summer blockbusters, the new independent film The Surfer swims alone as an original and unexpected cinematic experience. I loved it. For fans of the enigmatic and sometimes deranged performances of actor Nicolas Cage, it provides another leading man that won’t soon be forgotten, and one of the more interesting characters he’s portrayed on screen.
Based on a remarkably layered screenplay from Irish writer Thomas Martin, The Surfer is a “surfing” movie unlike any other you’ve ever seen. That’s because it’s all about surfing, and not about it at all, both at the same time.
Set in Western Australia, Cage plays a flawed father desperate to connect with his son during a divorce. Cage takes his kid back to a cherished surf spot of his youth where he’s risked everything to buy back his childhood home on the beach and reclaim something spiritual he’s lost. When they encounter a gang of local surfers who now control this spot, it sets off an explosive showdown between them.
In a nod to the mythic morality tale that unfollows, the character names in the script are only The Surfer, The Kid, and The Bay Boys Gang respectively.
The rapid-paced story takes place (and is entirely shot) essentially in one parking lot: which becomes a kind of Down-Under Bermuda Triangle where a man’s life changes forever and unexpectedly holds him hostage physically and spiritually.
The Surfer, as played by Cage, is a trainwreck of bad decisions with good intentions. And as we watch him spin out of control standing up to The Bay Boys, it becomes painful and sometimes comically over the top in a genuine melodrama.
Cage is a master of this trajectory (think Raising Arizona, Leaving Las Vegas, Wild at Heart, or more recently The Pig), and in The Surfer he shows us that even though the world has meme’d his signature style, it’s never the same twice and still filled with nuanced surprises. Cage is also a producer on the project.
Adding to the special qualities are the pitchperfect musical score from François Tétaz and the vibrant, hallucinogenic cinematography from Radek Ladczuk (The Babadook). Both deserve to be caught on the big screen if you can, before the film arrives on VOD in early June.
But it’s relative newcomer and director Lorcan Finnegan ( Vivarium ) who has created this sizzling world of high stakes. His saturated style pays homage to the surfing films and noir of the 1960s in a way that feels creative and fresh. His directorial control, and all his wonderful details, add up to a wild ride that will sometimes puzzle you, but is always intriguing. It’s not hard to see why the film was invited to last year’s Cannes Film Festival, where it received a six-minute standing ovation after the premiere.
You could see The Surfer as a tragi-comic mashup of Iron John, Fight Club, and Moby Dick or as a toxic masculine version of Thelma & Louise … or you’ll have your own take from the many avenues of interpretation available. It’s the rare gift of a distinct story that will stay with you after it’s over, and I hope it will provoke some cool movie conversations with friends (a wonderful relic of the past).
Running 1 hour 40 minutes and rated R for violence, language, and drug use. Now playing in limited theatrical release, The Surfer will become available on streaming June 6.
lOGY
MAY 26 - JUNE 01
BY ROB BREZSNY
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini author Jean-Paul Sartre was offered the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1964. But he rejected it. Why? He said that if he accepted it, he would be turned into an institution and authority figure, which would hinder his ability to critique politics and society. He was deeply committed to the belief that a writer has an obligation to be independent and accountable only to their conscience and audience, not to external accolades or validations. I think you are in a Sartre-like phase right now, dear Gemini. You have a sacred duty to be faithful to your highest calling, your deepest values, and your authentic identity. Every other consideration should be secondary.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Virgo author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warns about “the danger of a single story.” She tells us that authentic identity requires us to reject oversimplified narratives. As a Nigerian woman living in the US, she found that both Western and African audiences sought to reduce her to convenient categories. She has not only resisted that pressure, but also outwitted and outflanked it. Her diversity is intriguing. She mixes an appreciation for pop culture with serious cultural criticism. She addresses both academic and mainstream audiences. I offer her up as your role model, Virgo. In the coming weeks, may she inspire you to energetically express all your uncategorizable selves.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Where have you not yet traveled but would like to? What frontiers would your imagination love for you to visit, but you have refrained? Now is the time to consider dropping inhibitions, outmoded habits, and irrelevant rules that have prevented you from wandering farther and wider. You have full permission from life, karma, and your future self to take smart risks that will lead you out of your comfort zone. What exotic sanctuary do you wish you had the courage to explore? What adventurous pilgrimage might activate aspects of your potential that are still half-dormant?
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Astrologers say that Scorpio is ruled by three creatures that correspond to three ascending levels of spiritual maturity. The regular Scorpio person is ruled by the scorpion. Scorpios who are well underway with their spiritual work are ruled by the eagle. The Scorpio who has consistently succeeded at the hard and rewarding work of metaphorical death and resurrection is ruled by the phoenix—the mythical bird that is reborn from the ashes of its own immolation. With this as our context, I am letting you know that no matter how evolved you are, the coming weeks will bring you rich opportunities to come more into your own as a brilliant phoenix.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Seas off the coast of Singapore are heavily polluted. Some of the coral reefs there are showing resilience, though. They have developed symbiotic relationships with certain algae and bacteria that were formerly hostile. Their robustness lies in their adaptability and their power to forge unlikely alliances. That’s a good teaching for you right now. The strength you need isn’t about maintaining fixed positions or rigid boundaries, but about being flexible. So hope you will be alert and ready to connect with unfamiliar resources and unexpected help. A willingness to adjust and compromise will be a superpower.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Sometimes, disruptions are helpful prods that nudge us to pay closer attention. An apparent malfunction might be trying to tell us some truth that our existing frameworks can’t accommodate. I suspect this phenomenon might be occurring in your world. An area of your life that seems to be misfiring may in fact be highlighting a blind spot in your comprehension. Rather than fretting and purging the glitches, I will ask you to first consider what helpful information is being exposed. Suspend your judgment long enough to learn from apparent errors.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): This isn’t the first time I’ve said that your ideas are ahead of their time. Now I’m telling you again, and adding that your intuitions, feelings, and approaches are ahead of their time, too. As usual, your precociousness carries
both potential benefits and problems. If people are flexible and smart enough to be open to your innovations, you will be rewarded. If others are rigid and oblivious, you may have to struggle to get the right things done. Here’s my advice: Focus on the joy of carrying out your innovations rather than getting caught up in fighting resistance.
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): Sunlight can’t penetrate deeper than 3,280 feet into the ocean’s depths. Even at 650 feet down, a murky twilight zone prevails. But nearly 75 percent of deep-sea creatures can create their own light, thanks to a biochemical phenomenon called bioluminescence. Jellyfish, starfish, and crustaceans are a few animals that glow. I propose we make them your symbols of power in the coming weeks, Pisces. hope they incite you to be your own source of illumination as you summon all the resilience you need. If shadowy challenges arise, resolve to emit your steady brilliance. Inspire yourself and others with your subtle yet potent clarity.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): The strongest, most enduring parts of China’s Great Wall were the 5,500 miles built during the Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644. One secret to their success was sticky rice, an essential ingredient in the mortar. The resulting structures have been remarkably water resistant. They hold their shape well, resist weed growth, and get stronger as time passes. I hope you will find metaphorical equivalents to sticky rice as you work on your foundations in the coming months, Aries. Proceed as if you are constructing basic supports that will last you for years.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): The world’s most expensive spice is saffron. To gather one gram of it, workers must harvest 150 flowers by hand. Doesn’t that process resemble what you have been doing? I am awed by the stamina and delicacy you have been summoning to generate your small but potent treasure. What you’re producing may not be loud and showy, but its value will be concentrated and robust. Trust that those who appreciate quality will recognize the painstaking effort behind your creation. Like saffron’s distinctive essence that transforms ordinary dishes into extraordinary ones, your patient dedication is creating what can’t be rushed or replicated.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): You are now highly attuned to subtle energies, subliminal signals, and hidden agendas. No one in your sphere is even half as sensitive as you are to the intriguing mysteries that are unfolding beneath the visible surface. This may be a bit unsettling, but it’s a key asset. Your ability to sense what others are missing gives you a unique advantage. So trust your intuitive navigation system, Cancerian, even if the way forward isn’t obvious. Your ability to sense underlying currents will enable you to avoid obstacles and discern opportunities that even your allies might overlook.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Underground fungal networks are essential for the health of ecosystems. They connect plant roots and facilitate transfers of nutrients, water, and communication signals between various species. They enhance the fertility of the soil, helping plants thrive. In accordance with astrological indicators, I invite you to celebrate your equivalent of the underground fungal network. What is the web of relationships that enables you to thrive? Not just the obvious bonds, but the subtle ones, too: the barista who has memorized your order, the neighbor who waters your plants when you’re away, the online ally who responds to your posts. Now is an excellent time to map and nurture these vital interconnections.
“Jonesin”
Crosswords
"Context: Free" no theme, no problem. by Matt Jones
ACROSS
1. Fluffy rug type
5. Supervisory scuba pro 15. Jet speed unit
16. Question of finger-pointing
17. Prefix for farmers
18. Person seen in now-notable footage from the 2005 World Series
19. Opera singer Tetrazzini (of chicken and pasta fame)
21. Rhino relatives with long snouts
22. Some flat screens
24. Gift card blank
26. Movie that elicits certain emotions
28. ___ sci (college dept.)
32. “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” actor who’s on the current season (series!) of “Taskmaster”
3. Stinging 4. 2001 comic book-based black comedy with the tagline “Accentuate the negative” 5. Fist-bump greeting
6. “As I see it,” in a text
7. Somebody
8. Les Jeux Olympiques d’___ de Paris
9. “___ bene!”
10. At right angles to a ship’s keel
11. Bad AI-generated “art”
12. Airport-to-hotel option
13. Kuwait VIP
14. Fires up the engine
20. Manhattan map line
23. Bracket tournament stage
24. Sliced thin
25. Narrative device that resolves plot holes
27. ___ conducciÛn (driver’s license, in Durango)
28. In forthright terms
29. New Orleans veggie
30. Country where the Buddha’s breastbone is reportedly located
31. Shipwreck site
32. “Yes, Chef!” judge AndrÈs
33. They may get into cereal boxes
34. Either of the Proclaimers, by birth
35. Joke “prizes” on a certain game show
36. Waiting to hit
41. Northern abode
42. Former spirituality/philosophy radio show “On ___”
44. Half of a Daymond John-owned apparel brand
45. Warning signal
46. More sneaky
47. “Lupin” star Sy
48. Snoozefest
49. NFL Hall of Famer Ronnie
50. Price hike, briefly
53. Rockstar series, for short
54. Fashion line
55. Mao ___-tung
56. Bering or Magellan (abbr.)
NORTHERN EXPRESS
CLASSIFIEDS
COMPUTER PROBLEMS?: I will come to your home or office and make your computer, phone, tablet, tv and printer all work! Call James Downer - Advent Tech. Your HIGH TECH HANDYMAN. 231-492-2087
SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231228-6248
BUYING OLD WOODEN DUCK and FISH SPEARING DECOYS: buying old wooden duck and fish spearing decoys, call, text 248 877-0210
WEEDING, GARDENING, LANDSCAPING & DOCKS: SERVING Grand Traverse & Leelanau Counties. $45/hour per personal gardener, Docks $350 and up. Free Quotes.
Cash discounts. Call/Text 231-499-6899 or 231-454-9022 for appointment!
SEEKING SUNDAY MORNING NURSERY
ATTENDANT: Care for children infant-5 during Sunday Services, with occasional addit’l hours. Looking for someone who exudes a natural sense of care for the wellbeing of others. Must be age 18 or older, with previous experience. $17-18/hr. Please send a letter of interest with a brief description of your experiences of working with small children to guy@tcpresby.org
MARVEL DVD FEATURES (50) ALL STAN LEE FREE: (From ‘X-Men’ On) Heroes. Heroines. EXCELSIOR (231) 599-3036
PAID PART-TIME JOB TRAINING FOR
SENIORS AGED 55+: Positions waiting to be filled for Office Support, Store Associate, Cashier, Stocking and more. Applicants must be aged 55+, unemployed, seeking work and meet income eligibility. Accepting applications for Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim, Charlevoix, Emmet Kalkaska, Missaukee and Clare counties. To apply call AARP Foundation SCSEP at 231252-4544.
NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
NMC seeks to fill multiple staff positions: Student Success Coach ($20.72 Hourly), a Director of Strategic Portfolio and Development ($84,505.00 Salaried), and Accounting Assistant / Bookkeeper ($20.72
Hourly). Exceptional Benefits package. NMC is EOE nmc.edu/non-discrimination
EVENTS ASSOCIATE AT CITY OPERA
HOUSE Planning and executing events including private rentals, community rentals, educational programs, and special fundraisers.
MORE INFO: https://cityoperahouse.org/ about-us/employment
