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FALL RESTAURANT GUIDE - 10 eateries to try this season - Recipes for fall produce - Pumpkin patches & events
NORTHERN MICHIGAN’S WEEKLY • october 12 - october 18, 2026 • Vol. 36 No.41 Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 1
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2 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
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letters CONTENTS No Right Words for a Wrong I am a social worker by training, worrier by temperament, and a Gen X/Millennial cusper by birth. I have spent arguably too much time trying to find the right words to describe feelings, situations, and conditions. I recently went to the North Lake facility in Baldwin to visit with a man who has been detained for over six months. A man who I consider a neighbor, despite the fact that he had never been to Michigan prior to being abducted from a routine immigration appointment. A man who was removed from the life he’d created working in the home healthcare field and is nervous about driving in the snow. A man who wants to become a nurse, shares his commissary and stories generously, and dreams of eating fresh fruit and being released. This neighbor of mine, of ours, asked me to read Psalms before I was escorted out through barbed-wired corridors with the crying daughters of another neighbor. There are no right words to describe the uncertainty, neglect, and dehumanizing conditions. Nothing about this is just or in the public’s interest. There are no right words, but the absence of perfect language is not a reason to say nothing. Allison Zimpfer | Beulah
features Inside the Ingredients.....................................10
Fall On The Farm...............................................12 Pumpkin Patch Roundup...................................16 Mimi and Pipi’s................................................18 Fresh Coast Market..........................................20 NoMi Restaurant Guide....................................22 Fall Hunting Preview.........................................28 Water & Woods Retreat....................................32
columns & stuff Top Ten.........................................................4 Spectator/Stephen Tuttle..................................6 Guest Opinion/Wood........................................7 Weird..............................................................9 Film Beat.......................................................15 Astrology.......................................................27 Crossword.....................................................30 Dates..........................................................35 Nitelife...........................................................40 Classifieds....................................................41
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COOKIE WALK MAKE & TAKE CRAFTS GIFT WRAPPING GINGERBREAD HOUSES
Sunday, December 6 at 4:00 PM
r more ral? o f g n i Look t Cent a s a m Christ
Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 3
this week’s
top ten
Spotlight on Frankfort Film Festival
Things That Go Bump in the Night
Spooky season is upon us, and community storytelling group Charlevoices is leaning into the scare with “Things That Go Bump in the Night.” Charlevoices is all about “true stories told live,” creating events where “real people share real experiences, where listeners feel connected and understood, and where our community is strengthened through compassion, creativity, and shared humanity,” per their website. This Halloween edition will be held Oct. 16 at First Congregational UCC, 101 State Street in Charlevoix. Local storytellers will share tales from their own lives that are guaranteed to send a shiver down your spine and have you looking under the bed before you turn out the lights. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated. Learn more about the group and the event at charlevoices.org/event-detail/Things-that-Go-Bump-in-the-Night.
The 18th Annual Frankfort Film Festival runs Oct. 15-18 at The Garden Theater, with films including A Private Life, starring Jodie Foster as renowned psychiatrist Lilian Steiner who is convinced one of her patients has been murdered. Other big hitters include South by Southwest Audience Award winner My Dead Friend Zone, Cannes darling Fjord, and favorites from the Northern Express film column like Train Dreams and Cookie Queens. For a full schedule and tickets, visit gardentheater.org/fff.
Hey, watch It! Neagley If you’ve already raced through the latest season of Reacher, then keep rolling right on into Amazon Prime’s Neagley. The spin-off stars Maria Sten reprising her role as Frances Neagley, Jack Reacher’s BFF and a former army investigator turned PI. (There is even an Alan Ritchson cameo!) This time, Neagley has her own story to tell when her childhood friend ends up dead in a freak accident and all roads lead back to a creepy farm cult and an even creepier pharmaceutical CEO. The show brings in plenty of new faces—including Neagley’s begrudging new partner, Detective Hudson Riley, a Chicago police officer trying to outrun his family’s criminal past. Like Reacher, this iteration is filled with mysteries, fight scenes, and some pretty gruesome moments, but we feel confident the bad guys will get what’s coming to them. All episodes are now streaming on Prime.
BAKERY 2 tastemaker
Slabtown Cookie’s Cinnamon Crumble Muffins
Though they often fall in with breakfast foods, everyone knows that muffins are really cake in disguise, so we’re having our cake and eating it too in the form of the jumbo Cinnamon Crumble Muffins at Slabtown Cookie Co. in Traverse City. Picture this: a classic white cake base made impossibly light and fluffy by whipped egg whites and a touch of vanilla, interspersed with a scratch-made cinnamon crumb (think: butter, sugar, cinnamon, and just enough salt). The richly-spiced and decadent layers mean you get a bit of everything in each bite. It’s the breakfast of champions! Get the goods at 228 Monroe St. in Traverse City, and be sure to follow along on social media for each day’s rotating menu. Psst—the stand is temporarily located in the alley between Elmwood and Monroe streets during construction. Instagram.com/slabtowncookies
4 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
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Stuff We Love: Leaving Leaves
6 Downtown Sound Returns Crooked Tree Arts Center makes a point of bringing in top talent in the off-season in Petoskey with their annual Downtown Sound concert lineup. The season kicked off in September with The Harp Trio from Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra, and next up are The Proud Naturals, a funky rock band out of Detroit (opener is singer-songwriter Lucy Weisberger), on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7:30pm. Tickets range from $10-$40. Be sure to mark your calendars for May Erlewine (Nov. 14), an a capella show (Dec. 11), and the Blissfest Winter Solstice soiree (Dec. 19). There will also be two CTAC School of Ballet performances: Fall for Dance on Oct. 30 at the Harbor Springs Performing Arts Center, and a suite of performances of The Nutcracker at Great Lakes Center for the Arts in December. More at crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/events/downtown-sound.html.
It’s that time of year again, folks, when the leaves start dropping and everything else in your yard goes from green to gold to brown. Rather than going in for a clean sweep or burning debris, local environmental groups recommend two paths forward through the foliage. Option one: Leave it where it lies. Leaves are one of nature’s great fertilizers, especially if you pop them in your garden or landscaping beds. They also tamp down on weeds in the yard and provide habitat to overwintering insects. Just be sure to keep leaves out of gutters, culverts, and other drainage areas. Option two: Choose a composting leaf service. Many city leaf pickups, including the City of Traverse City (which starts service Oct. 19), compost the leaves, and other independent businesses do the same. Look for this option when scheduling, especially as some will let you buy back finished compost in the spring!
Running into Winter We know it’s only mid-October, but we’re starting to pull together our calendar of winter races for Dec. 21, 2026, and beyond. If you’re planning a running, biking, skiing, or other cold-weather race, make sure it’s on our radar! Here’s how to get your race in the paper: Send an email to events@traverseticker.com with the subject line “Winter Races 2027.” Include the race name, race date, race location, website address for race information, and/or the website address for online registration. Be sure to send in no later than Dec. 10. We accept submissions in any of the 13 counties in our coverage area: Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim, Manistee, Wexford, Missaukee, Kalkaska, Crawford, Otsego, Charlevoix, Emmet, and Cheboygan. Ready, set, go!
8 NEW AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM! Experience the excitement of the Folded Leaf Youth Storytelling Pathway! In this vibrant after-school program, high school students mentor middle and elementary school readers, helping them discover the magic of books through creative writing. Together, they build meaningful relationships and work on community improvement projects, exploring storytelling's powerful impact. Join us on this amazing adventure where stories come to life!
PROGRAMS BEGIN OCT. 1, 2026! 805.698.1613 www.thefoldedleafnomi.com
414 E. Eighth St. Unit 103 Traverse City, MI 49686
REGISTER NOW!
bottoms up The Boathouse’s Yuzu No Boozu Looking for a zero proof drink with a view? Scope out the changing colors across West Grand Traverse Bay at The Boathouse, where the fall NA menu is primed to shine. We opted for the Yuzu No Boozu, a very convincingly crafted cocktail that had all the complexity of its alcoholic counterparts but, as the name implies, none of the booze. Featuring a tropical green tea blend as its base, this sip combines lime and agave with yuzu juice, an East Asian citrus fruit that looks a bit like a lemon crossed with a clementine and has a comparable flavor profile. The end result is aromatic, soothing, and just a little bit tart. Enjoy a glass ($12) at 14039 Peninsula Dr. in Traverse City, perhaps paired with the crisped-to-perfection Tempura Asparagus. boathouseonwestbay.com
Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 5
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6 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
BIG DATA, WEAK HOLIDAY
spectator By Stephen Tuttle In a post to his own Truth Social, our president said if you oppose them it will leave your community “backwards and poor.” Then, in his Time Magazine interview, he doubled down saying opponents would “have no money” and “live in crime-infested squalor.” The cherry atop his negativity sundae was that we will be “controlled by China.” Oh, dear. He is talking about data centers, specifically the gigantic hyperscale data centers now drawing so much attention and increasing opposition. These centers have multiple purposes, but most attention is given to those being used to support artificial intelligence (AI) activities. In those cases, banks of thousands of computers search for, consume, and store information from literally anywhere they can find it. Newspapers, magazines, internet sites, fiction and non-fiction books—they are trying to consume it all. Elon Musk has said he wants his AI operation to literally know everything. That’s not just hyperbole; given the time and computing power, these centers could actually acquire every bit of knowledge and information that has ever existed and exists now. It seems preposterous, but we are assured by many sources it is absolutely theoretically possible that a bunch of computers in big warehouse buildings will know everything there is to know. That, of course, is not the controversy, though it probably should be. The controversy is that some of these data centers are enormous and use ludicrous amounts of electricity to operate all those computers and millions of gallons of water to cool them down. The United States need not worry about falling behind China in the AI race, as we already have more than 4,000 of these data centers—up to 5,000 if we count some smaller centers on college campuses. We have 80 here in Michigan. China and its allies continue to manufacture much of what makes up the guts of these data centers, but they are significantly behind with no more than 600 currently in existence or under construction. This does not completely eliminate a competitive threat from China, as they have proven in the past they can undertake major construction projects very quickly given their huge human resources and willingness to bend their own environmental regulations. Virginia is our ground zero for data centers, as they already have nearly as many as China. Loudoun County alone, in the northern part of the state, already has 233 data centers existing or under construction, occupying a staggering 56.5 million square
feet according to the county’s own website. There have been advantages, much as our president claimed, as Loudoun County property owners have seen their property tax rates plummet because these enormous centers are paying plenty despite the tax breaks they’ve been given. But the county residents have now had about enough of the power drains, water consumption, and remarkable noise these centers can generate. The hyperscale centers—the large facilities used primarily for AI—can use up to 100 megawatts of power constantly. That’s enough to power somewhere between 16,000 and 100,000 private homes, depending on their size. They also use up to 5,000,000 gallons of water every day. They claim that water usage is on a closed loop, but the reality is as much as 60 percent of that water evaporates due to the heat and must be replaced every day. In addition to the promise of lower property taxes and greater revenues for the communities in which these monoliths locate, the other promise is jobs. The potential of hundreds if not thousands of jobs is attractive. It is true enough there are many jobs during construction, as many as 1,500 jobs in an economy that needs them. However, once these centers are constructed, those jobs vanish and, according to employment agency Broadstaff, only about 50 full-time technicians are required once the facility is operational. AI is already nearly omnipresent. It is in our phones, computers, televisions, vehicles, even kitchen appliances. It has remarkable potential for engineering and medical applications and will unalterably change our future. But the tech billionaires are going to need to figure out less intrusive and destructive ways to generate power and cool their hyperscale centers.
Monday, October 12, is likely the most absurd federal holiday in existence. We honor Christopher Columbus and continue a myth some of us were taught in elementary school, that Columbus “discovered” America. He did not. In fact, he never set foot in what is now the United States, despite four trips to the western hemisphere. He thought he had landed in the “Indies” as the islands of southeast Asia were then called. He landed on islands already occupied, massacred and enslaved the native Taino people, and was the first European to export those slaves. In short, Columbus was an intrepid mariner but a terrible person unworthy of recognition or celebration. He “discovered” nothing, much like AI, and desecrated nearly everything he encountered.
ON THE BRINK, WE MUST UNITE guest opinion by Walt Wood As an independent voter and confessing Christian, I oppose the following: The degradation of our democratic institutions, including a disempowered Congress and corrupt Supreme Court. The violent, masked, paramilitary force known as ICE. Extrajudicial killings of people in boats. The Epstein criminals. The destruction of USAID, and the catastrophic, ongoing results. The incessant assaults on Gaza and Ukraine. Violent dictators, including our own wannabe dictator, his rapacious incursions into Venezuela and Iran, and the criminality of his administration. Taxation that fleeces working people, rewards billionaires, and balloons the national debt. Proponents of white supremacy. Christianity as our national religion. Turning our federal government into a private corporation. In short, I oppose kleptocratic authoritarianism. But it’s not enough to know what we oppose. We must also embrace a vision for our nation moving forward, and unite to pursue that vision. I am in favor of the following: Diversity, inclusion, and equality for all American residents—citizens and immigrants alike. An immigration system that secures our borders while allowing law-abiding immigrants to pursue citizenship without interference. Freedom to worship as I choose, honoring both the validity of other faith communities and the right to worship nothing at all. Economic justice for all Americans, to include government support of veterans, schoolchildren, farm families, the elderly, and the poor and disenfranchised—especially American Indian tribes and the descendants of slaves. Enforcing a tax code that obliges individuals and corporations to pay their fair share. A criminal justice system that rehabilitates prisoners, prosecutes the Epstein criminals—whoever they may be, and indicts murderers who masquerade as federal agents. I require the reversal of Citizens United. Campaign finance reforms that cast filthy dark money out of our politics forever. A free press that challenges the powerful and wealthy. A healthcare system like those in the civilized world. Foreign policy that addresses climate change and shares the wealth of our great nation with the neediest around the globe. In short, I favor the return of government that serves humanity. Christianity is consistent with the peaceful restoration of our crippled democracy, but only if we unite to resist claims that our religion is the only one with legitimacy. God, embodied in the human Jesus and ever-present in the transformative and timeless Christ, offers grace, hope, and love to all existence, without exception. The Trinity is not threatened by other belief
systems. The Holy Spirit transcends mere religion. American Christians must reclaim our faith from Christian Nationalists who would pervert it and plant the seeds of totalitarianism. MAGA elites foment thinly-veiled white supremacy disguised as Christian faith. We’ve already witnessed the results of their violent retribution against “vermin”— people of different faiths and/or darker skin. Synagogues and mosques attacked. Tens of thousands of innocent people imprisoned in internment camps. Countless wounded. Many dying while interred. Murdered citizens. Our government has been historically corrupt on both sides of the aisle. Our two-party system is morally bankrupt, but in this moment, it’s all we’ve got. Sadly, extremist MAGA elites hijacked the GOP. Good Americans have supported MAGA, hoodwinked by leaders who implemented the deeply unpopular Project 2025 and reduced our federal government to a fascistic crime family. The time has come to unite against this rampant corruption. That mission must transcend partisan politics. Republicans, Independents, and Democrats must band together to defeat this scourge of governance if we are to restore and improve our democratic republic. Like it or not, the Democrats represent our only hope of accomplishing that goal. We have no choice but to unite and return them to power, but then hold their feet to the fire and mandate reforms that terminate runaway corruption. MAGA leadership demonstrated the depths of their depraved brutality on Jan. 6. They will attempt to overturn the results of our upcoming elections if those results compromise their grip on power. This is why our unified, partisantranscendent opposition is essential. We must vote in record numbers, overwhelmingly win this election, and snuff out any oxygen that might fuel MAGA leadership’s predictable lawlessness. We must cast every MAGA-enabling candidate out of public service. Period. Full stop. They are poisonous to representative governance and completely antithetical to Christian and American values. Now more than ever, we must raise our voices as one, in support of restorative justice, existential reforms, and the return of our federal government to its rightful role as an engine for the public good. Our votes are our voices. Vote like your lives and those of your children and grandchildren depend on it—because they most certainly do! Or capitulate to corrupt, interminable barbarism and the death knell of democracy. Walt Wood is a retired mailman and current Lutheran who writes about the intersection of faith and democracy.
Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 7
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8 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
Holy Handbag Thief, Batman! Perhaps the city of Norwich in England should change its name to Gotham City. The Guardian reported on Sept. 25 that Sonni Mason, 25, was celebrating a friend's birthday when he witnessed someone stealing a handbag from a woman who was in line to enter a nightclub. Dressed as Batman for the party he was attending, Sonni and two of his friends -- dressed as Poison Ivy, also from the Batman franchise, and Mister Fantastic from the Fantastic Four -- ran after the thief, recruiting police officers for help as they gave chase. The heroes stopped the thief, who by then had conveniently ditched the bag, but it was found nearby, atop a high wall surrounding Norwich Cathedral. After multiple failed attempts to retrieve it, the Caped Crusader himself climbed the wall, grabbed the bag and returned it to its owner, with all her belongings still inside. [The Guardian, 9/25/26] Jumping to the Rescue In a case of "right place, right time," a group of experienced skydivers were in their plane, preparing to jump, when they witnessed a small plane crash in a cornfield in East Troy, Michigan, on Sunday, Sept. 27, WISN reported. "[The pilot of the other plane] kind of banked up and then he disappeared behind the trees, and we were all waiting for him to show back up. We all looked at each other and said, 'Did we just see a plane crash?'" skydiver John Bechtel said. The group had their pilot fly them to a safe place, then literally jumped from their plane to the accident site. One of the skydivers happened to be a former paramedic, and administered aid to someone with a serious head injury while they waited for EMS personnel to arrive. All four people aboard the crashed plane survived; the crash is under investigation with the NTSB. [WISN, 9/28/26] Emu Down, Emu Down! An emu attempted to evade capture by butting a captor in Salcombe, England, The Telegraph reported on Sept. 25. The emu, called Side Neck due to the wobbly nature of its head when it runs, slipped through an open gate at a farm where it keeps foxes away from ducks and chickens. A man tackled the emu in the middle of the road, whereupon a passerby began filming. For nearly 20 seconds, the bird and man tussled. The man, whose pants had begun to fall down during the struggle, is heard shouting, "Emu down, emu down!" at one point. Side Neck proceeded to finally knock the man over and run back to the farm it had escaped from, leaving a trail of feathers -- and its would-be captor -- behind. The gate was then closed with Side Neck safely inside. [The Telegraph, 9/25/26] Least Competent Criminals Police in Seattle are looking for two suspects who could have singed hair or eyebrows or other heat-related types of injuries, KIRO 7 reported. Seattle police and firefighters responded to calls of box
trucks on fire on Sept. 25. When Arson and Bomb Squad detectives looked at video footage of the crime, they saw two suspects arrive at the scene in a vehicle and appear to attempt to steal fuel from the box trucks. A fire ignited, engulfing the vehicle and the suspects. The suspects then got into their vehicle and drove out of the fire. Now Seattle law enforcement is in search of the two people in the video who were on fire. Total damage to the rental trucks was nearly $150,000. [KIRO 7, 9/27/26] Eyewitness News A shark swam the flooded streets of Surf City, New Jersey, a suburb on Long Island Beach, after a recent nor'easter pummeled the coast, Smithsonian Magazine reported. In a video captured by homeowner Drew Procaccino on Saturday, Sept. 26, the shark's fin can be seen poking above the water as it cruises up the driveway before swimming away. The shark was identified as a smooth dogfish, a harmless shark that grows 3 to 5 feet long. [Smithsonian Magazine, 9/30/26] Gotta Go, Gotta Go Anxious to heed nature's call, a man in Rosenberg, Texas, crashed his car into a Kroger on purpose, KVUE reported. In the wee morning hours of Sunday, Sept. 27, the unidentified man, who police later learned was upset that the store was locked, drove his car through the pharmacy doors in order to use the restroom. No injuries were reported, and police have not released the man's identity. [KVUE, 9/29/26] A New York resident, known only as Donny, was appalled after his Ring camera footage showed an Amazon delivery driver relieving himself in the hall outside Donny's apartment, peeing all over the floor and furniture, the New York Post reported on Sept. 27. "He walked straight back there as if he'd done it a hundred times, like second nature," Donny said. "I had shoes in the hallway, a chair in the hallway, a table in the hallway and he was peeing and splashing everywhere." Donny complained to Amazon, who offered him a whopping $50 coupon as consolation, which Donny declined. The driver, who remains unidentified, was not employed directly by Amazon, but with what Amazon calls one of its "Delivery Service Partners," and the company says the driver is no longer delivering Amazon packages. A local attorney is considering taking legal action against Amazon on Donny's behalf. [NY Post, 9/27/26]
For Traverse City area news and events, visit TraverseTicker.com
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Carried Away After a non-injury car collision in India, a man held on to the hood of a car as it drove away from the accident, Gulf News reported on Sept. 29. As one of the cars tried to leave the scene, someone in the other car jumped onto the fleeing car's hood in an attempt to stop the driver from getting away. Instead, the driver kept going, leaving the man hanging on for just over a mile and yelling for the driver to stop. Police intervened after witnesses called the emergency line, and took the driver into custody. [Gulf News, 9/29/26]
Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 9
COZY FALL RECIPES Inside the Ingredients
By Nora Rae Pearl Fall, the season of sweaters and soups, has arrived. The two ingredients we will be seeing a lot of in the months to come are making their debut now: apples and pumpkins. But instead of baking pies, we’ve come up with one sweet and one savory recipe. On the savory side, we present a Pumpkin and Sage Gnocchi, with potato dumplings in a creamy pumpkin sauce and fried sage on top. Then, for dessert, we have an Apple Custard Cake, a delightful combination of a lightly spiced batter and lots of apples. Seek out apples at Rennie Orchards or your favorite local U-pick, and squash and pumpkins from Second Spring Farm.
PUMPKIN AND SAGE GNOCCHI A cozy and comforting meal that’s easy to prepare for a fall evening. Ingredients • 2 tablespoons sunflower oil • Handful of fresh sage leaves • 2 tablespoons butter • 3 garlic cloves, minced • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg • 1/2 cup pumpkin puree* • 1 cup heavy cream • 1/2 cup grated parmesan • Salt and pepper • 1 pound gnocchi To make: In a small frying pan, heat the sunflower oil over medium heat until hot. Add the sage leaves in a single layer and fry for 20 to 30 seconds—you’ll know they are done after they have curled and turned a darker shade of green. Place on a plate lined with a paper towel to drain excess oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and set aside. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. While you are waiting for the water to boil, make the pumpkin cream sauce. In a small bowl, combine all of the spices and set nearby. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic, cook until golden, about one minute. Add all of the spices, cook for an additional 30 seconds. Stir in the pumpkin puree, followed by the heavy cream. Bring sauce to a simmer, then stir in the parmesan. Season with salt and pepper. Keep over a low heat while you cook your gnocchi. Boil your gnocchi according to packaging instructions, then drain and add to sauce. Stir until smooth. Serve hot with fried sage leaves. *To make pumpkin puree: Cut a small pumpkin in half and remove the seeds. Place cut side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast at 400 degrees until tender, about one hour. Let cool. Scoop out the insides, mash or puree until smooth.
10 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
APPLE CUSTARD CAKE This fall-inspired cake is reminiscent of bread pudding and can be served cold or warmed with caramel sauce and whipped cream. Ingredients • 7 medium apples*, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter at room temperature • 2 cups plus 2 tablespoons sugar • 4 extra-large eggs, at room temperature • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract • 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 2 cups all purpose flour • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon To make: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a 8-inch or 9-inch springform pan with parchment on the bottom and sides. In a large bowl, beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Slowly incorporate 2 cups of the sugar, 2-4 tablespoons at a time, beating well after each addition. Once all the sugar has been incorporated, beat the mixture for one minute. It will appear lightened and semi-sandy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, fully incorporating each egg into the mixture before adding the next. Beat an additional 3 minutes after the last egg has been added or until the mixture has increased in volume and lightened in color. Beat in the vanilla and salt. Add the flour and cinnamon, beat on low speed until just combined. Gently fold in all of the apples. Pour into the prepared pan, smooth top. Sprinkle over the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar. Bake for 15 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 45-55 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Tent cake with foil if the top gets too brown. Allow to cool completely before removing from the pan. *I prefer to use Honeycrisp, but any tart or firm apple will work well in this recipe.
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Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 11
FALL ON THE FARM A day in the life at Lakeview Hill and 9 Bean Rows
Market Marketveggies veggiesatat99Bean BeanRows. Rows.
By Anna Faller With the reds and oranges of colorchange in full swing, hearty root veggies and leafy greens by the bushel, and pumpkin everything on the menu, we’re pretty sure life doesn’t get better than fall on a northern Michigan farm. “It’s a great time to be here,” says Lakeview Hill Farm co-owner John Dindia. “We’re really excited to continue to serve our community.” But what goes into all of that bounty? How is this year’s harvest looking, and what’s already in the works for winter? Northern Express sat down with two of the region’s most prolific growers: Lakeview Hill Farm in Traverse City and 9 Bean Rows in Suttons Bay. What’s Growing On As far as this year’s harvest goes, both farmers agree everything’s coming up roses—er, sunflowers. These two farms are brimming with cold hardy roots and storage crops by the time October hits. At Lakeview, harvests of cruciferous veggies, like cauliflower and broccoli, are already in full swing, notes Dindia, as is an extra round of celery (planted in preparation for holiday demand); meanwhile, the year’s take of onions and
potatoes are already in storage. At 9 Bean, key autumnal produce includes tubers and taproots like carrots and beets, rutabagas, and celeriac, aka celery root, all of which saw a fruitful 2026 growing season. Both farms also highlight radishes—in particular, watermelon and daikon variants—as well as sturdier leafy greens, like chicories (think: radicchio and escarole), brussels sprouts, kale, baby spinach, arugula, and other lettuces as fall harvest staples. In fact, both Dindia and 9 Bean Rows coowner Nic Welty tout the benefits of letting those greens freeze a time or two before heading inside to cultivate more complex flavors (and to last longer in the fridge!). “Late fall and early winter greens from northern Michigan are just exceptional,” Welty says. Early-to mid-October is also prime pumpkin time at 9 Bean Rows (a longtime passion project of Welty’s), as well as a sleeper season for the best-tasting sweet corn, which won’t germinate until spring’s chill has thawed. “Our best crops actually end up coming in [the fall],” he adds. Ground Cover Though we might think of fall as a gathering season, there’s also plenty going into
12 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
the ground at both farms throughout October. Per Dindia, cover cropping is a key endeavor here, which, if you’re not familiar, refers to plants whose purpose pertains to soil health, often through nitrogen fixation or organic matter. “It’s a continuous cycle of always having something growing out there,” Welty explains. At both farms, rye varieties are key contenders, as are legumes like peas or oats, which essentially create their own mulch. Similarly, over-winter planting is also on the October docket. This includes the next season’s garlic, which needs time to sprout before the ground freezes, as well as early spring goodies, like snow peas and onions. In the case of Lakeview Hill Farm, certain flowers also take greenhouse root in the fall, including ranunculus and anemones, as well as what Dindia calls “forced tulips” (whose numbers hit the 20,000 mark this year!), which, like 9 Bean’s demanding Belgian endive, are planted in crates and transplanted into the greenhouses in waves for harvest throughout the off-season. In the House Once the bulk of the outdoor action ends by around mid-October—though Welty’s staunch about keeping a few veggies outside until there’s too much snow to work—both
farms turn to covered structures known as hoop houses to maintain winter production. These range in size and temperature based on the crops they contain and the season’s severity—colder spells or heavy snow, for instance, might require additional layers of cover. All, however, house winter stashes of leafy greens, like baby spinach, kale, lettuce mixes, and herbs at both locations. Bunching radishes, leeks, and even day-neutral strawberries also live in hoop houses at 9 Bean Rows, while both farms use greenhouses for microgreens, though these typically require additional heat to thrive. According to Welty, precise temperature control and adjustment for environmental conditions like airflow and reduced disease pressure can be achieved through various mechanisms, which range from straw and foil insulation, to soil heating cables and LED grow lights. There’s also a highefficiency boiler in play at Lakeview Hill Farm, collecting wood for which Dindia highlights as a pre-winter project. Other overlapping cold-weather tricks include the use of frost blankets, which are often removed once enough insulating snow has accumulated, as well as individual row covers and buffering plants with ice for sudden temperature drops; though Welty notes that cultivating healthy plants is a key
Fall crop beds at Lakeview Hill Farm.
first step. “Having balanced, well-nourished crops really helps,” he says. “It just makes for a stronger plant.” Fall, Winter, and Beyond With winter’s first freeze just weeks away, there’s also plenty of prep work in play at both farms. For Dindia, this includes reinforcing, mending, and re-wrapping hoop houses and other covered structures, as well as “blowing out,” or emptying irrigation pipes to prevent mid-winter bursts and blockages. General clean-up, the pair agree, is another constant, as are ongoing projects like moving crops and beginning the annual task of springtime planting design. The team at Lakeview Hill Farm is in the midst of constructing two new hoop houses with an additional two on the 2027 calendar (for a total of eight), thanks to recent state grant funding. They’re also eyeing several expansion projects, fueled by a new lease for three additional acres, which they plan to irrigate and equip for both crop rotation and to meet ever-increasing demand. Meanwhile, the annual “pumpkin season bonanza” is already underway at 9 Bean Rows Cafe, where the staff is cranking out squashified everything, from pumpkin donuts to lattes and beyond. There’s also cider on the autumnal docket, says Welty (pressed onsite from local apples). At Lakeview Hill, check out a new bakery
branch of the market, which offers pizzas made from scratch with sauce and topping ingredients sourced straight from the garden. Both locations are also eyeing community outreach initiatives in the coming months. At Lakeview Hill, this is headlined by a roundup program in partnership with Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan, where market goers can make donations to provide local food pantries with farm-grown produce (which has already surpassed $3,000 in veggies this year!). “We’re taking rolling donations year-round now, and we’ll keep [contributing] as they come in,” Dindia says. “It’s really exciting!” Welty also highlights an upcoming partnership between 9 Bean Rows and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians to support heirloom corn preservation efforts, as well as plans to pursue a collaborative grain mill—which not only means fresh flour for local farmers, but also scratch-made pasta in the bakery—and a u-pick fruit setup in the next few years. “We are just really excited to continue to grow the farm,” Dindia concludes. “We hope to see these programs grow and support members of our community.” Find Lakeview Hill Farm and Market at 8236 E Lakeview Hills Rd. in Traverse City. lakeviewhillfarm.com. 9 Bean Rows is located at 9000 E Duck Lake Rd. in Suttons Bay. 9beanrows.com.
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Made in Michigan - Watching Mr. Pearson
As the leaves begin falling and the sweaters come out again, we’re using this change of seasons to try something new here at Northern Express. We’ll be featuring picks from our remarkable array of restored arthouses, cultural centers, museums, and our local AMC multiplex. Some might be right in your backyard, and others might require a road trip to a nearby destination, but the goal will be the same: to celebrate NoMi cinema culture. We’ll also continue to share top blockbuster picks so you can still win the predictions pool at your Oscar night party. 2026 MADE IN MICHIGAN FILM SERIES The Bay Community Theatre of Suttons Bay Opening its doors way back in 1946 (!), The Bay, as it’s known locally, is a 187seat arthouse gem and an iconic example of a small town theatre as the heart of a downtown. When this landmark faced an uncertain future in 2018, an all-volunteer group of Suttons Bay locals formed a nonprofit that has been growing its impact and expanding their programming to include not just first-run films and classic encores, but also music and concerts, livestreamed sports and opera, comedy, and special events. One of their signature special events in their “Made in Michigan” Film Series, which launched again this past March and features projects with unique creative connections to our region. Each curated premiere has included special guest directors, casts, and crew in live Q&A with the audiences, in a sort of mini film-festival format that feels intimate and special. (Full disclosure, this writer is a proud alum of the series for the documentary Marqueetown in 2024.) Most exciting for readers should be the three, count ’em three chances you still have to experience the series yourself in October. $15 tickets still available at thebaytheatre.org Sunday, Oct. 11, at 4pm: “Watching Mr. Pearson” (Narrative) Two caregivers splitting day and night shifts tend to a fading Hollywood legend at the end of his life. When one starts acting
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out his old films for him, fantasy and reality begin to blur. A critically acclaimed story about aging, memory, and compassion, Watching Mr. Pearson is intentionally screening on the same weekend as the 2026 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Traverse City. Producer and co-writer Simon Kienitz Kincade in attendance, a proud supporter of the Alzheimer’s Association.
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Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7pm: “Grounded” (Documentary) Interlochen Center for the Arts film students assigned to investigate regenerative farming uncover contradictions in their own dining hall and struggle to see a more sustainable future. This mutli-year project will have its Michigan premiere downstate at the Hell’s Half Mile Film and Music Festival Oct. 16, then Oct. 17 at the Fresh Coast Film Festival in the Upper Peninsula, followed by the local premiere at The Bay. ICA filmmaking team in attendance. Sunday, Oct. 25, at 4pm: “Rebel With A Clause” (Documentary) Grammar Guru Ellen Jovin takes her pop-up advice stand across all 50 states, proving that comma debates can unite a divided America. Documentary subject Ellen Jovin and filmmaker Brandt Johnson in attendance. SPECIAL MENTION AND AMUSE-BOUCHE PRIMER TO WATCHING “GROUNDED” Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 6pm: “Food and Country” (Documentary) Dennos Museum Center; $5 Tickets Benefitting Great Lakes Incubator Farm dennosmuseum.org What’s behind the food on your plate? This eye-opening documentary exposes the human toll of industrial agriculture and food manufacturing, a system as entrenched as it is fragile. Presented with support from our local food co-op Oryana, this special event includes outreach guests from Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, Crosshatch Center for Art & Ecology, FLOW Water Advocates, and SEEDS Ecology and Education Centers.
Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 15
PUMPKIN PATCH ROUNDUP
11 northern Michigan stops for pumpkins, cider, and fall fun
By Abby McKiernan If your ideal October includes crisp air, sticky cider donuts, and at least one photo where everyone is pretending they’re not cold, you’re in the right place. We know that in the North, pumpkin patches are so much more than a quick “grab a gourd and go.” Think live music, corn mazes, hayrides, farm animals, and the kind of wholesome chaos that becomes a core memory and annual tradition to pass on for generations. Below are a handful of pumpkinforward destinations worth the drive, plus a few can’t-miss events to put on your calendar for this fall season.
PUMPKIN PATCHES & FARMS Pond Hill Farm 5699 S Lake Shore Drive, Harbor Springs pondhill.com Pond Hill’s Fall Fest Weekends run from September through the end of October, and they’re built for lingering: live music on the farm stage (with rotating local favorites), great food, and a laid-back “make an afternoon of it” energy that is sure to slow you down so you can focus on the fun. Kids can feed the farm animals up close, play human foosball, check out the fish in the trout pond, and even tackle a seasonal hike that includes 12 gnome houses, complete with a mystery to solve and a prize at the end. Gallagher’s Farm Market & Bakery 7237 E Traverse Hwy, Traverse City gallaghersfarmmarkettc.com Gallagher’s is a Traverse City fall staple for picking out pumpkins, browsing a huge variety of apples, and sipping hot cider as you wander. They grow and sell fun pumpkin varieties that are perfect for carving or decorating, and with plenty of space for kids to roam, it’s
an easy, low-lift autumn outing. Come hungry: their in-house bakery is known for seasonal treats that go well beyond the usual donuts, with favorites like strawberry shortcake and cherry pie (and yes, pumpkin donuts too). Pahl’s Pumpkin Patch 11168 N M-37, Buckley pahlscountrystore.com Sept. 22–Oct. 31 (daily 10am–6pm) Pahl’s is a fall day done right: a U-pick pumpkin patch, a country store stocked with seasonal goods, and plenty to keep kids moving and outdoors. Weekends bring extra fun from hayrides, barrel train rides, and even apple cannons (adults are allowed to be excited about that too). You don’t want to leave without trying the coveted homemade cider and donuts, and if you’re decorating at home, grab gourds, straw, and corn stalk bundles while you’re there. Nugent Orchards 5581 Demerly Rd., Benzonia nugentorchards.com Fall U-Pick Season: Sept. 19–Oct. 31 (Sat– Sun 10am–5pm) A family-owned orchard on 100 acres just south of Benzonia, Nugent Orchards makes you take a deep breath as soon as you step out of the car. Their Fall U-Pick Market includes pumpkins, apples, wagon rides, and fresh baked donuts. If you’re the “turn a day trip into an overnight” type, Nugent also offers on-site stays at Woodland North Glampground, tucked into a stand of hardwoods so you can truly wind down and enjoy the area. Dick Family Farm 7710 S 7 Mile Rd., McBain dickfamilyfarm.com A centennial dairy farm with serious fall energy, Dick Family Farm offers more than 20 pumpkin varieties, a corn maze, hay bale mountain, corn bin play area, and animals to pet. The pumpkin patch and corn maze run from the last weekend
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of September through the last weekend in October, and the second Saturday in October is “Dairy Fest,” featuring a hayride and a tour of their robotic milking facility! Jacob’s Farm 7100 E Traverse Hwy, Traverse City jacobsfarmtc.com Owned and operated by the Witkop family since 1892, Jacob’s Farm is a Traverse City-area staple with a long agricultural legacy and plenty to do once you arrive. Expect corn mazes, U-pick orchards, a pumpkin patch, a large children’s playground, live music, and even a full restaurant and bar. Bonus points for being dog-friendly, which means your fall photo lineup can include the whole crew…even those with fur.
PUMPKIN-SEASON EVENTS Crystal Mountain - Fall Fun Weekends Every weekend in October; times vary be event Thompsonville | Pricing Varies Looking for an event that has something for every age this fall? Crystal Mountain’s Fall Fun Weekends are sure to deliver with a variety of activities to keep everybody happy and engaged. Soak in the autumn colors with a chairlift ride, go on a friendly scarecrow walk (and vote for your favorite), rent bikes, play laser tag, create sand art, or even try your hand at archery. Be sure to check the list of events and reserve spots online for any activities you have your heart set on before you head over. Apple Days at Farm Club TC Oct. 17, 11am-4pm (rain or shine) Farm Club | Traverse City | Free Want to try something new and create nostalgia at the same time? You can join in on the creation process with Farm Club in Traverse City by helping them press apples,
complete with an old-style crank cider press! There will be an apple tasting with more than 20 different varieties to explore, ranging from wild apples and heirlooms to the classics (and some you probably haven’t heard of). Hot cider and hard ciders, apple cake, and freshly milled buckwheat donuts will be available alongside Farm Club ciders to complete a truly delicious day. Halloween For All at Dennos Museum Oct. 24, 10am-2pm Dennos Museum | Traverse City | Free *Sensory Friendly* Join The Dennos Museum, Children’s Therapy Corner, Children’s Advocacy Center, TADL Youth Services, and Oryana for the fourth annual sensoryfriendly Halloween event. Enjoy activities like pumpkin decorating, playdough creations, a Halloween treat scavenger hunt, and more—each designed to be mindful of diverse sensory needs and accommodations, creating an inclusive environment where all are welcome. SpOoOoky Hike at Postle Farm Preserve Oct. 23, 5pm-7pm Postle Farm Preserve | Boyne City | Free Bring the kids to Postle Farm Preserve for a fun, family-friendly Halloween evening hiking the beautiful trails on the preserve and taking in the fresh crisp air. Enjoy candy stations along the way and end your adventure by a warm fire with a pumpkin painting activity back at the preserve’s historic red barn. This event is free and open to the public. Halloween Costume Party Oct. 30, 5–8pm Pond Hill Farm | Harbor Springs | Free Costume season gets a farm-style finale at Pond Hill with a Halloween Costume Party featuring live music by RPM Band. Come ready to dance, snack, and show off your best spooky (or silly, or wildly overthe-top) look. Food, beer, wine, and hard cider will be available for purchase.
Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 17
FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP
TO A CASA ITALIANA Grayling’s Matt and Christine LaFontaine on their restaurant, Mimi and Pipi’s
By Ross Boissoneau How does a family with no experience in the restaurant business make a go of it? For Matt and Christine LaFontaine, it all comes down to their expertise in the auto industry. While running a restaurant may seem a long distance from selling cars and trucks, changing oil, or resurfacing brake rotors, Matt LaFontaine begs to differ. “We operate a boutique dealership. The dealership is like hospitality,” he says. The hospitality industry is commonly defined as including lodging, food and beverage service, travel, and entertainment. So at first, it’s hard to see the comparison: They don’t serve food or drinks at Matt LaFontaine Automotive. Nor does the company offer music or dancing, and while cars are used to travel from one place to another, the Grayling dealership is not a travel destination. Dig a little deeper, however, and you can see how LaFontaine comes to that conclusion. Both jobs involve getting to know the customer so they can anticipate their wants and needs, whether it’s the color interior they prefer or how they like their steaks done. “We know the people,” LaFontaine says. “We put notes on each customer—we know what they eat or drink. When they celebrate
a birthday or anniversary, everybody knows it, and we make it special.” Seizing an Opportunity LaFontaine says opening the restaurant came about through his and Christine’s commitment to the city and the belief it was on the cusp of a resurgence. As members of Grayling’s Downtown Development Association and Chamber of Commerce, they marked the expansion of Kirtland Community College’s campus along with the expansion of the nearby military base as a hub for military drone technology development as signs the city was growing. They believed Grayling could—and should—become a destination. So when others saw an empty building downtown, they saw an opportunity. “Three years ago, a brewery closed on Michigan Avenue downtown,” says LaFontaine. “We didn’t like an empty building.” So they set out to do something about it, purchasing the building with an eye to making it into a fullservice restaurant. While many restaurants spring from a vision of a cuisine, or a set of family recipes they think others will like, the LaFontaines began with the dream of creating a restaurant that would serve both the area and those traveling through. “We bought the building before planning.
18 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
We started from scratch. What would be best?” he says they asked themselves. Their answer? “What was missing was an elevated dining experience,” LaFontaine says. He notes that those looking for a higherend dining experience had to drive 35 or 40 miles or more. With the people who vacationed or had second homes in the area on Lake Margrethe or Higgins Lake to those fly-fishing the Au Sable River, plus those who might stop in Grayling on their way north from downstate, he believed there was a market that was ready and waiting. Their next step was finding the right person to lead the way in the kitchen. LaFontaine met Chef Jarad Bissell in the Dallas area, and the two hit it off. The LaFontaines relied on Bissell’s experience to help them build out the concept, and the restaurant itself. “We developed it with his lead,” LaFontaine says. “He was making us food in his apartment before we opened.” But what about cuisine? “Most people like Italian,” he says, and with Bissell on board they were on their way. “We’re fortunate to have a chef with decades of experience, Italian experience in Texas, and roots in Michigan.” Building the Menu Not that they left it all in Bissell’s hands. “My wife loves sea bass. I’ve got to make sure
we have a wedge salad. It’s the most talkedabout item—people will order a wedge salad, soup, and a martini.” So they had a couple starting points. Under Bissell’s guidance, they developed a menu that reflects traditional Italian favorites familiar to American palates, but also selections that reflect a broader sense of Italian fare. Appetizers like bruschetta, pastas including fettucini Alfredo and spaghetti Bolognese, and entrees such as chicken Parmesan and desserts including tiramisu are prominently displayed on the menu. But so are crispy fried shrimp with a garlic goat cheese fondue, pan-roasted salmon with mushroom risotto and tomato champagne broth, and pan-seared diver scallops served over Asiago-stuffed gnocchi. (And don’t forget the vanilla-bean crème brûlée.) Chef Bissell is also continually including specials that change depending on what is available. That’s where the sea bass comes in, along with things like halibut, pork chops, and more. “The dishes are magical. The steaks are a huge part,” LaFontaine says of the New York strip, center-cut filet and espresso ribeye. LaFontaine says the choice of cuisine also readily lent itself to a selection of Italian and other wines. “The wines are fantastic. We do a wine tasting with customers.”
Making the Model Work It all adds up to what the LaFontaine compares favorably with high-end restaurants in big cities, whether in Michigan or elsewhere. “You can step into a fine dining restaurant like in New York or Chicago or California,” he says. “It’s the pace we wanted. It’s comfortable, it’s pleasant, the food’s amazing, obviously.” When it’s suggested that Grayling has not typically been seen as a place to go, but a place to go through on the way to somewhere else, LaFontaine agrees. “It was a drive-through,” he says of the city. So could a restaurant that tries to attract people who might have been previously inclined to pass on by actually work? LaFontaine admits there were doubts at first,
as he was told a restaurant that charged $45 for an entrée wouldn’t work. But the response from its first year and a half would suggest it has. Beyond that, LaFontaine points to the example of a couple who told him this was just what Grayling had been missing. “Fifty years ago there was a hotel in downtown Grayling. That’s where you went. It’s been closed for 30 years,” he says. “Two or three months in we had an older couple, he was in a suit and tie, she was in a nice dress. He said, ‘I haven’t been able to take this young lady out for dinner in Grayling in 30 years.’ … It’s a blessing to see that.” LaFontaine then goes a step further, noting that Grayling’s overall reputation is changing, and Mimi and Pipi’s is only part of
the reason why. “It’s now a destination,” LaFontaine claims, citing restaurants and attractions such as Ray’s BBQ, Brews & Blues, Paddle Hard Brewing, and the recently-expanded Spike’s among them. “You can come walk around. Downtown is an environment like Harbor Springs or Petoskey,” he says. “Pubs, live music—the culture has really changed.” The restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4-10pm. The schedule was set up to play to the clientele the LaFontaines wanted to attract and to help staff have regular hours without overworking or having to look elsewhere for a second job. “We wanted the right staff, and they could learn the customers and have a family life.”
As for the success of Mimi and Pipi’s, it all goes back to that hospitality theme. “Every day is somebody’s first day [here]. We want to treat everybody like that,” LaFontaine says. “I’ve been in the car business 35 years. This is the most dynamic thing I’ve ever done.” Finally, why the name Mimi and Pipi’s? LaFontaine says it was inspired by his grandmother and grandfather, and now reflects his and Christine’s own status as grandparents. “Our grandson calls us that. My grandparents were also called that,” he says. “We wanted someplace that sounded like home. This sounds like home to us.” Find Mimi and Pipi’s at 118 E Michigan Ave in Grayling. (989) 745-7777; mimiandpipis.com
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Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 19
SHOP, SIP, SNACK AT FRESH COAST MARKET The secret behind blending grocery, dining, and local flavor
By Kelsey Sanders We all have a favorite shop, restaurant, coffeehouse, and even a favorite gas station. Those favorites often have several things in common: Good prices, good quality, and good people. Scott McDaniel, owner of Fresh Coast Market, takes pride in his Traverse City store having all three. “I think the reason people stay and come back [to our store] is our team. It may not be why they come in, but it’s why they come back and stay loyal customers,” McDaniel says. “I sell the same products that are in other stores in this area, and I can’t control certain things, but what we can control is the team we have around us and how they make a customer feel when they come in. That’s what sets us apart.” Fresh Coast, long a TC institution in new hands, provides easy-to-grab deli options, take-home food, grocery staples, local craft beers and wines, fresh bakery items, and local produce. A Different Starting Point McDaniel, who purchased the market a little over two years ago with his wife, Jennifer, hasn’t worked in the small business realm before. For the last 30 years, McDaniel had been working at an Anheuser-Busch distributor, a beer and wine wholesaler downstate, and then an automotive retailer, where he worked his way up to become a dealer partner at a luxury dealership in Lansing. When his two sons graduated high
school and left the McDaniels empty nesters, they started looking for a change. “I persuaded my wife to look at northern Michigan, and this market came across my radar,” explains McDaniel. “The owner was looking to leave due to some family situations, and I was looking for an opportunity to continue in sales and service, and really, from the first visit into the store, it felt right. I got to meet some of our team, and it just felt like the right decision for our family. And then my wife was able to find a job as a kindergarten teacher in the area, so we made the move.” What drew the McDaniels to the store was the connection to the community. “The store is really important to this west portion of Traverse City into the Long Lake area. We have two schools on either side of us, the high school and then elementary school, and it’s important for the community to have somewhere convenient that has fresh products,” he explains. Convenience and Comfort Fresh Coast’s deli and freshly prepared food options make up about two-thirds of the store, while the rest of the products are dictated by the customers’ needs and wants. “The biggest change I made was just having an ear to the ground and listening to our customers, talking to them when they come in, finding out what they're looking to accomplish, finding out what they want to have here for convenience,” McDaniel says. “The store was always consistent with the products we offered, but I don’t know how
20 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
innovative it was.” Mixing things up was his first priority. “Let’s look at new items, new sandwiches, and what can we develop that’s maybe a little different. We also grew our beer and wine selection significantly…” McDaniel also put himself to work to curate local connections—for the benefit of Fresh Coast and other local owners. McDaniel has created a larger section of Michigan-made products, from produce to fresh flowers to local alcohol choices. “Those partnerships [with other local businesses] are everything. I love small businesses like ours that are all in. There’s no Plan B. And I think the relationship piece comes into play because you get to develop that relationship. If I can buy a product here locally, that’s going to be my default. The quality and the freshness are far superior.” He also loves watching customers come in for a sandwich and leave with a bouquet of flowers. “To me, those are the small wins that make it worthwhile because I know those flowers are going to someone and that’s going to put a smile on their face. And I think our team understands that as well,” he says. In addition to local items, McDaniel wanted to add healthier options, which means making room for and prioritizing those items. “The previous owner did a nice job of establishing a wholesome product offering market, and I want to continue that,” McDaniel explains. “We don’t sell cigarettes or lottery tickets, and we don’t wish to bring those things back. I think it’s important to
eat healthy and make healthy choices, so we may only stock one flavor of Oreos, and then we’ll also have a lot of gluten-free, sugarfree, and low-sugar items. I think a healthy lifestyle is important, and every decision we make has ‘fresh’ in the decision matrix.” What to Eat (and Drink) First and foremost, customers can now shop and sip when they visit the store. “...in February of this past year, I applied to the state of Michigan to become an onpremises retailer, so we now serve beer and wine and spirits on-site,” McDaniel tells us. “That will be a fun part of the business that we grow and develop and something that local customers can become accustomed to, allowing our food service to be more of a focus than it was in the past.” If you want to skip the alcohol, stop by the in-house coffeeshop instead, where seasonal flavors abound. There’s a Pumpkin Spice Latte, a cold brew with pumpkin cheesecake cold foam, the sweet Café Miel, and apple cider, in addition to a list of classic options. (Don’t miss the Ghiradelli hot chocolate when the weather cools off!) Drinks—including smoothies and energy boosters—can even be ordered online ahead of time via the market’s website. On the dining side, you’ll find the usual deli suspects of soups, salads, and sandwiches. Chicken Noodle is always on order, plus daily specials. Salads and sandwiches can be custom made with your choices of Boar’s Head meats, veggies, and dressings. But we especially dig signature
STAYING RELEVANT YEAR-ROUND
creations like the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich (which also comes as a tenders plate), and the Greek Gyro Panini. Then, of course, there are pizzas. Some are standard—like a BBQ chicken, a pesto, and a carnivore—but most of the offerings are more creative. Take the Reuben Pizza, for example, made in the style of the sammie of
the same name. The Coast Guard Pizza has chipotle steak, red onion, roma tomatoes, and a topping of sour cream, cilantro, and lime. Meanwhile, the Nacho Average Pizza has a refried bean base, cheddar cheese, red onions, black olives, romaine lettuce, roma tomatoes, and pico salsa. And while the kitchen itself isn’t gluten
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free, Fresh Coast does offer gluten-free options for its pizzas, sandwiches, and baked chicken tenders. Bonus: The shop also carries 50 flavors of Moomers ice cream!
The upcoming challenge McDaniel faces is one many small business owners in northern Michigan know: Smoothing out the fluctuations in seasonality differences. In other words, keeping business strong and consistent between Labor Day and Memorial Day. McDaniel plans to do that by continuing to get customer feedback, as well as offering new products and expanding their food service to allow for their patrons to grab and go or stay and sit and enjoy a meal. While McDaniel looks forward to working with his team to develop new offerings that change with the seasons, he will still prioritize creating the best team. “That’s our most positive feedback—our team. And that’s my job, making sure we have the best team to serve our community. I’m looking for specific people who are looking for more than just a payment. I want to establish a team that cares about the people who walk through the doors, a team who gets to know our customers. That’s a point of difference,” he says.
Find Fresh Coast Market at 7270 North Long Lake Road in Traverse City. freshcoast.market
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Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 21
YOUR FALL 2026 NOMI RESTAURANT GUIDE 10 eateries you won’t want to miss this season
By Northern Express Staff & Contributors This is one of our biggest restaurant roundups ever, and it’s just in time for fall dining! We have sushi, shawarma, sandwiches, and Southern comfort food. We have food trucks, fine dining, and cozy hole-in-the-wall spots that locals know and love. And best of all, we have the scoop on the owners and menus (at least as they were when we last visited) below. Acorn Kitchen Traverse City Acorn Kitchen already feels like the kind of neighborhood spot that’s been part of Traverse City for years. Tucked inside the Atomic Marketplace off Cass Street, the restaurant is equal parts gastropub and culinary playground, serving everything from shawarma to inventive weekly specials that are the brainchild of owner and chef Zachary Anderson. “I’ve always wanted this,” Anderson says of Acorn Kitchen. “Ever since I was a teenager, when I first started cooking, I had this vision that one day I would have a little kitchen where I could kind of cook whatever I want.” While exploring a few options— including a food truck—Anderson discovered the space at Atomic Marketplace, already home to Seismoto Coffee Bar and Nocturnal Bloom Brewing. Immediately, the fully equipped kitchen, that had never been used, felt like home. On the Menu The menu begins with one simple question: What can’t Anderson find anywhere else? “When I develop a menu, first I look for what no one else is doing,” he says. For him, that meant bringing authentic shawarma, a longtime favorite he struggled to find after moving north to Traverse City. It quickly became one of Acorn Kitchen’s signature offerings. The permanent menu is intentionally small enough to allow room for constant experimentation. Weekly chalkboard specials appear whenever inspiration strikes, whether that’s a globally inspired sandwich, an unexpected burger, or a completely new creation dreamed up by Anderson and his staff. The menu evolves naturally with the seasons, staff inspiration, and whatever ingredients (often local) spark an idea. Rather than following trends, Anderson cooks the food he genuinely wants to eat and trusts that others will enjoy the journey alongside him. Find Acorn Kitchen at 3344 Cass Rd. in Traverse City.
Upriver Glen Arbor At first glance, Upriver is a casual sandwich shop, with a take-out window, booths and tables for 20, and eight picnic tables in a tranquil, al fresco setting on the Crystal River. But this place has a provenance that elevates it to a different culinary level altogether: Upriver comes from the same folks who gave us The Mill at Glen Arbor, the repurposed grist mill which has been transformed into something sublime. Opened earlier this year, Upriver is already one of the hottest spots in town, especially on a busy summer afternoon. And yet they focus on the local touch, with fresh produce from a collection of local growers, including Langley Farms, Second Spring, Lakeview Hill, Fifth Wind, and Meadowlark, among others. The oven holds slow-roasted Michigan Craft Beef, raised in Zeeland, and fresh baked goods arrive from The Mill Bakery. On the Menu Let’s start with three Fried Chicken options: 1) fresh, tender chicken breast on a freshly baked bun with mayo and pickle; 2) ratchet it up with hot sauce (our personal favorite); 3) Or choose the Upriver, with chicken, kale slaw, Swiss cheese, and tomato. Oven roasted chicken is found in the Club, with thick bacon, greens, cheddar, tomato, and mayo; the Chicken Melt with peppers, onion, garlic mayo, and American cheese; and the Chicken Avocado, with greens, Swiss, and chili-lime mayo. Chef Thoits says the Chicken Avocado is “our most popular sandwich by far.” There’s a Steak & Pepper Melt, the ALT-B (BLT + avocado), and the Caprese Sandwich with tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil balsamic dressing, plus other options. Sides include some really terrific seasoned waffle fries (they also come with every sandwich), plus kale slaw, pickled cucumbers, street corn, and more. Dessert is a must, with fresh baked cookies and eight flavors of Moo-ville ice cream. Find Upriver at 6281 W. Western Ave., Glen Arbor. upriverfromthemill.com Wise Guys & Front Bar Petoskey Change is always scary. Today, what was once known as TAP30 has two different but complementary identities. There’s the Front Bar, where pours of affordable, palate-friendly beers find a home alongside affordable cocktails. And there’s Wise Guys Hoagies, where generously-stuffed sandwiches come with a side of mafioso
22 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
swagger. (If you recognize the movie quote “go home and get your shinebox,” you’ll do well with this menu.) For manager Todd Chinnock and Chef Ray Kumm, their recent pivot to a new concept comes on the heels of their rebrand of the neighboring space from POUR Kitchen to Leto’s Osteria, so they had a good idea of what was in front of them.
M-22 Cuisine Crawl. And while the food is the main draw, it’s not the only one: the site is a bit of a family affair, with their son running Bowen’s Creek, offering “Coffee, Crepes, and Conversation,” and the Arcadia Ice House Ice Cream Shoppe, owned by a sister-in-law, serving up shakes, sorbets, hand dipped ice cream in fresh waffle cones, plus more.
On the Menu With an Italian restaurant operating next door (and even sharing a prep kitchen), it makes sense that the new menu would skew hard towards the East Coast hoagie side of things, largely populated by hefty 12-inch sandwiches named for fictional gangsters like the Carmine Lupertazzi, loaded with soppressata, mortadella, provolone, and that Sopranos favorite, “gabagool.” One of the surprise favorites is the Janice Rossi, topped with some not-veryItalian sliced turkey, Plath’s bacon, and sharp cheddar, along with interesting sides like fried raviolis, a St. Louis specialty that’s hard to find this side of the Mississippi and north of the 45th parallel. “The bread comes from South Jersey, the hoagie capital of the world. We make the chicken cutlets in house, the deli turkey in house, the roast beef in house, the mozzarella and raviolis are all prepared in house ... the value in what you’re getting greatly exceeds what you can get elsewhere, in our humble opinion,” Chef Ray says. At the bar, every draft, bottle, and canned beer on the Front Bar menu clocks in at $8 or under, as are seltzers and NA options. Multiple selections (mostly macro beers) are even available for $4-$5, but you can also crack a can of Keweenaw Red Jacket or Modelo for that price. A good mixed drink for $12 is right in that sweet spot as well.
On the Menu This is the kind of menu one would find in a well-established brick and mortar destination, and it just might raise the bar of what’s considered standard truck fare. First up are the appetizers, which are fresh and healthy, inventive, and satisfying. Many are hearty enough on their own to build a meal. Choose from Vegan Potstickers, Wisconsin Cheese Curds, Deep Fried Green Beans, Smoked Salmon Dip, Deep Fried Fresh Cauliflower, and Smoked Gouda Bites. There are also offerings of fries (regular and sweet potato), hummus and chips, and a featured summer salad. As far as mains go, the number one choice is The Ketch, pan-seared mahi-mahi with arugula and a housemade remoulade sauce—with 17 ingredients—served on a brioche bun. Another big seller is the walleye sandwich, wild caught in Canadian waters, coated with a special cornmealbased dry batter. There are even more hearty sandwiches, wraps, and burgers on the blackboard. Veggie eaters will like the Landlubber, complete with hummus, black beans, cucumber, tomato, onion, rainbow carrots, spring greens, and feta, all on flatbread with lemon olive oil. The Dinghy is another good choice, as it’s the truck’s take on a black bean burger. Meanwhile, kiddos will love PB&J, mac and cheese, and chicken strips.
Find Wise Guys and the Front Bar at 422 East Mitchell Street in Petoskey. wiseguyspetoskey.com Ketch 22 Arcadia In a little gem of a place like Arcadia, with a year-round population in the high hundreds, food truck Ketch 22 requires steady support, not only from loyal fourseason residents, but also the seasonal homeowners, the boaters at Veteran’s Memorial Marina on Arcadia Lake, and the daily travelers on M-22. It’s a congenial mix and it doesn’t take long to feel like a local, no matter your origin story. There are enthusiastic groups of patrons, for example, who put Ketch 22 on regular rotation, including the Arcadia Valley Girls and the
Find Ketch 22 at 17015 Northwood Highway in Arcadia. ketch22mi.com Chez Amie Traverse City New Jersey native and Seattle Culinary Academy alum Eric Fritch has come a long way from being an upstart chef in Seattle dreaming of moving to Michigan with his wife, Amy, to open a patisserie. The couple did just that 20 years ago, launching the tiny Patisserie Amie on East Front Street in Traverse City in 2005, growing into a space on Lake Avenue, and then pivoting to a food truck after COVID. A devastating truck fire last fall required Fritch to pivot once again. “Through the grace and timing of manifestation, we found this space at the Warehouse MRKT,” he says. Enter Chez Amie, a return to
Fritch’s brick-and-mortar roots that is once again reviving beloved French staples with some creative new twists. On the Menu Chez Amie is a brunch-focused, Parisian-inspired café with touches of chic European décor in an airy, light dining room. Fans of Patisserie Amie will find plenty of returning favorites on the menu. Those include a “perfectly executed” Croque Monsieur, Fritch says with pride, a grilled ham-and-cheese sandwich with bechamel. Small breakfast pizzas highlight fromage blanc with toppings like bacon and a fried egg, mushrooms and truffle, or smoked salmon with capers. An entire “Les Oeufs” menu offers numerous plays on eggs, from silky omelets to eggs “Benedictine” to steak haché, a classic bistro dish featuring minced beef patty, fried egg, truffled holly, waffle fries, and toast. “It’s classic French with something for everybody,” Fritch says of the menu. “We don’t try to reinvent the wheel, but we’ll put our own twist on it.” Those with a sweet tooth won’t want to miss the “Sucrées” section of the menu. In addition to Belgian waffles, French toast, and a variety of crepes, Fritch has become legendary for his beignets. The pastries pair well with Chez Amie’s extensive coffee and espresso menu. The classics are present—café au laits, cappuccinos, and lattes—as are some craveable special features. Fritch plans to bring back “bistro nights,” weekend dinners that were in high demand at his former restaurant. At Chez Amie, those slots will likely be available Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 8pm. Find Chez Amie at 144 Hall St., Ste 107, in Traverse City. facebook.com/chezamietc Crooked Biscuit Wolverine After a road trip and a home bakery turned into a cozy storefront, Diawn Dupuy—better known by locals and friends as “Sunshine”—and her husband, Jeffery, have brought a southern flair to The Crooked Biscuit in Wolverine. “Welcome to the south, Up North” says Sunshine, welcoming people into the small shop, run by herself, her husband, and a third helper in the kitchen. Located between Boyne City and Indian River, The Crooked Biscuit is a passion project and ode to childhood recipes turned into a full-time job. Sunshine’s journey into culinary ventures began with selling homemade seasonings and buttermilk biscuits at the end of June 2025—first out of the back of their van, then a table in a soda shop, then a cooler in a boutique before it turned into the restaurant they have today. On the Menu “Our menu is a chalk menu, and it changes daily, sometimes hourly,” Sunshine says. “We have the basics: biscuits and Cajun gravy, you can get that every day. It’s flavorful, not spicy. And then we have gumbos, jambalayas, étouffées ... our 1910 fudge, which is a recipe from 1910, and it is the smoothest you’ll ever have in your life.” One popular pick is the boudin balls, which have Sunshine’s own heart. “[My favorite] are the boudin balls. I eat them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks; they’re so good. It’s pork shoulder
that’s been cooked for 12 to 14 hours, rice, onions, bell pepper, seasonings, all balled up and crisped in the oven, and it comes with either a spicy or a sweet sauce.” Jeffery’s go-to, on the other hand, is the crawfish cornbread with the gravy. Their gumbo is a top choice as well, with a variety ranging from chicken, sausage, and shrimp, all with a homemade roux. Many of the restaurant’s recipes are inspired by family traditions. Find The Crooked Biscuit at 12909 S Straits Hwy, Wolverine. (985) 221-0189 Streamline Sushi Traverse City Eric Kolden has a long history of slinging this classic Japanese staple around Traverse City. He started Red Ginger’s sushi program (and was executive sushi chef there for several years) before running the popular White On Rice food truck and restaurant for almost a decade. Now, he’s back in the saddle with Streamline Sushi, his latest endeavor into a food category that he is incredibly passionate about. “I love its simplicity and cleanliness, and it gives you an overall flavor experience that is unmatched—I don’t care what cuisine you’re eating,” he says. “It’s just so different.” On the Menu Streamline Sushi has a relatively streamlined menu. This is by design, so Kolden can make a few things, but make them really well. He does have his favorites, of course, including the shrimp tempura roll. “It has fresh black tiger shrimp that’s tempura fried, avocado, spicy mayonnaise, green onions,” he says. “Eight pieces with crispy topping and more of the spicy mayonnaise and green onions. It’s an umami bomb—just awesome.” He’s also quite fond of the katsu curry. “It’s fried pork over rice with brown sweet curry sauce, Japanese style,” he says. “The katsu curry is an entrée and the shrimp tempura is an eight piece roll, so they’re different in size and cost, but you really can’t go wrong with either.” He’d like to at some point expand the menu, but he’s in no rush. “I’d like to add ramen, bao buns, and pot stickers as well as other things, but for now, I think we’ve got a really great mix and I think we can appeal to everybody,” he says. “And the coolest part about being in the district down here is if I don’t have what you want, you got so many other options that are really good, from barbecue to burgers and beyond.” Find Streamline Sushi at 1125 E Eighth St. in Traverse City. instagram.com/streamlinesushi Dojo + Bonobo Traverse City Traverse City’s newest haunt literally has two bars—wine and sushi. Bonobo Winery and Dojo Sushi have combined forces in a historic TC home and recently opened its doors to the neighborhood and beyond. Although there are two separate businesses operating in the same building, the ultimate goal is to create an experience
where the two businesses work together, says Dojo Sushi owner Brent Shafer. “Bonobo brings the wine, Dojo brings the sushi, and each of us focus on doing what we do best.” The restaurant seats about 27, with eight spots at the sushi bar. “Most of it indoors, a few tables outside,” Shafer says of the seating. “We still have a sushi bar where we encourage guests to watch us make their food and talk to us—it’s the best part of the job.” On the Menu Upon entering the restaurant, guests are first greeted by the Bonobo Winery bar. Wine is offered by the glass ($9-$13) or bottle ($24-$28). Additionally, wine by the bottle can be purchased to go. Currently, Bonobo offers eight different wines at Franklin Street, which is pared down from the flagship location. “Wines from northern Michigan are very food friendly, and we capture that in the winery,” says Bonobo co-owner Todd Oosterhouse. “But this just takes it one step further. The wines that we’ve selected to be down here pair really well with the type of food that [Dojo] is putting out. So, it really helps both businesses. This is more casual, but upscale, in terms of what you’re getting—a great product, but you don’t have to do all the pomp and circumstance to get there.” Dojo has also adapted their menu slightly while they warm up to the new venue. “We’ve kept the favorites,” Shafer says. “We wanted to keep the menu approachable, while still offering a few unique rolls for people who want to explore.” Nigiri and sashimi run about $5 to $10, and rolls start at $12 for classics like the California and top out at $22 for the Seven Spice Tuna. Find both Bonobo and Dojo Sushi at 115 Franklin St. in Traverse City. bonobowinery. com; eatdojo.com Margaritas Charlevoix Margaritas Mexican Restaurant in Charlevoix chose a soft opening just before Christmas of 2025, a bold move in a town that slows down significantly in the winter months. But clearly, they were on to something. “Sales were really good,” says manager Oziel Carreon about the winter patrons who visited the restaurant on its perfect downtown corner, just a stone’s throw from the bascule bridge. “The locals were waiting [for us to open]—snowmobilers, skiers, and many families came in.” Margaritas will stay open year-round, and Carreon says they are “talking about possible special events” during the winter, though space is limited. And in the meantime, there’s plenty to look forward to this fall. On the Menu Margaritas has perhaps the most userfriendly menu we’ve ever seen: Main dishes are accompanied by full-color photos, showing the patron exactly what’s on order. It’s also a visual guide to foods that might be unfamiliar, inviting diners to try something new. The entire menu must be seen to be appreciated, but here is a rundown: Look for over a dozen mains featuring shrimp, nine
featuring chicken, a half-dozen quesadilla dinners, and 11 more available a la carte. There’s a salad for every taste plus 10 vegetarian versions of Mexican favorites, plus all the nacho, taco, and enchilada variations you can imagine. And we’re sure you’ll want desert, from Tres Leche cake and Sopapillas, to a Banana Chimichanga. The kiddos will enjoy a big selection of Mexican dishes, appropriately sized for small fry. (But, because kids are kids, pizza and mac & cheese are also available.) We asked Carreon for some of the most popular items, and he gave us the top four: the House Enchiladas, the Quesadilla Vallarta, the Fajitas Tropicales (served in half a pineapple), and the Wet Burrito. The drinks menu is impressive as well, with about 30 flavors of margarita variations—top shelf, house, frozen, on-therocks, by the pitcher—a solid selection of Tequilas and Mexican beers, and a selection of red and white wines. Find Margaritas at 115 Bridge St. in Charlevoix. (231) 437-3141 Cellar & Flame Steakhouse Traverse City Listen to your customers. That’s the lesson Carolyn Weeks took to heart, and it’s the reason The Tasting Room became Cellar & Flame. When the eatery debuted as The Tasting Room in 2021, the goal was to showcase their spirits and small plates. It was intended to serve as a gathering place, somewhere family and friends could congregate after work, slow down, have a drink, and enjoy themselves. But customers wanted more entrees, more reason to linger, and the team obliged. “The flame is the wood fire,” Weeks explains, where much of the cooking is done. Cellar? Well, that’s where you keep wine, and theirs is extensive. A quick peek at the menu shows roughly 200 options, ranging from affordable by-the-glass picks to $250+ bottles. On the Menu Starters on the raw and cold bar include oysters, burrata, and ahi tuna, while the hot starters include calamari, Wellington bites, and Cellar & Flame’s signature meatballs. Featured soups and salads include Goats and Greens and a morel bisque. Moving on to the main event, there are five steak selections. Filets, New York strip, and ribeyes, each USDA Prime, which are then hand-selected and personally inspected. Other entrees? Absolutely. Twin lobster tails and lobster mac and cheese, chicken, chops, and halibut, even elk medallions. Weeks says certain items do stand out to customers. “The signature filet is one of our biggest sellers,” she says of the eight-ounce filet mignon, which is finished with black truffle butter and served with a twice baked potato. “Everybody loves truffle butter.” The best thing on the menu? Weeks points to the restaurant’s signature meatballs. “We grind all our [steaks] in house,” Weeks says, and the meatballs are made from the trimmings from the steaks, plus veal and Italian sausage. They are then braised in San Marzano tomato sauce with fresh herbs and served with garlic bread. Find Cellar & Flame at 155 Garland St. in Traverse City. (231) 525-0555; cellarandflame.com
Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 23
Fritch’s brick-and-mortar roots that is once again reviving beloved French staples with some creative new twists.
that’s been cooked for 12 to 14 hours, rice, onions, bell pepper, seasonings, all balled up and crisped in the oven, and it comes with either a spicy or a sweet sauce.” Jeffery’s go-to, on the other hand, is the crawfish cornbread with the gravy. Their gumbo is a top choice as well, with a variety ranging from chicken, sausage, and shrimp, all with a homemade roux. Many of the restaurant’s recipes are inspired by family traditions.
On the Menu Chez Amie is a brunch-focused, Parisian-inspired café with touches of chic European décor in an airy, light dining room. Fans of Patisserie Amie will find plenty of returning favorites on the menu. Those include a “perfectly executed” Croque Monsieur, Fritch says with pride, a grilled ham-and-cheese sandwich with bechamel. Find The Crooked Biscuit at 12909 S Straits Small breakfast pizzas highlight fromage Hwy, Wolverine. (985) 221-0189 blanc with toppings like bacon and a fried egg, mushrooms and truffle, or smoked salmon with capers. An entire “Les Oeufs” Streamline Sushi menu offers numerous plays on eggs, from Traverse City silky omelets to eggs “Benedictine” to steak Eric Kolden has a long haché, a classic bistro dish featuring minced history of slinging this beef patty, fried egg, truffled holly, waffle classic Japanese staple fries, and toast. around Traverse City. “It’s classic French with something for Meet Heour started Redmini Ginger’s NEW highland everybody,” Fritch says of the menu. “We sushi program (and was don’t try to reinvent the wheel, but we’ll put executive sushi chef there for several our own twist on it.” years) before running the popular White Those with a sweet tooth won’t want to On Rice food truck and restaurant for miss the “Sucrées” section of the menu. In almost a decade. addition to Belgian waffles, French toast, Come play Now,inhe’s backBAckyard! in the saddlefeaturing with our and a variety of crepes, Fritch has become Streamline Sushi, his latest endeavor yardinto games, balethatjungle gym, and legendary for his beignets. a foodhay category he is incredibly The pastries pair well with Chez about.hunt CORN MAZE! apassionate scavenger Amie’s extensive coffee and espresso “I love its simplicity and cleanliness, and menu. The classics are present—café au it gives you an overall flavor experience that laits, cappuccinos, and lattes—as are some is unmatched—I don’t care what cuisine craveable special features. you’re eating, ” he says. different.” DONUTS, FOOTBALL ON“It’s THEjustBIGso SCREEN, Fritch plans to bring back “bistro BONFIRES, & WAGON RIDE TOURS! nights,” weekend dinners that were in high On the Menu demand at his former restaurant. At Chez Streamline Sushi has a relatively Amie, those slots will likely be available streamlined menu. This is by design, so Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 8pm. Kolden can make a few things, but make them really well. He does have his favorites, Find Chez Amie at 144 Hall St., Ste 107, in of course, including the shrimp tempura roll. Traverse City. facebook.com/chezamietc “It has fresh black tiger shrimp that’s tempura fried, avocado, spicy mayonnaise, green onions,” he says. “Eight pieces with Crooked Biscuit crispy topping and more of the spicy Wolverine mayonnaise and green onions. It’s an umami After a road trip and a bomb—just awesome.” home bakery turned into He’s also quite fond of the katsu curry. MONDAYS“It’s fried pork over rice with brown a cozy storefront, Diawn Dupuy—better known by VEGAN FEATURES sweet curry sauce, Japanese style,” he says. locals and friends as “Sunshine”—and her “The katsu curry is an entrée and the husband, Jeffery, have brought a southern shrimp tempura is an eight piece roll, so flair to The Crooked Biscuit in Wolverine. they’re different in size and cost, but you TUESDAYS “Welcome to the south, Up North” says really can’t go wrong with either.” Sunshine, welcoming people into the small He’d like to at some point expand the ASIAN FUSION shop, run by herself, her husband, and a menu, but he’s in no rush. third helper in the kitchen. “I’d like to add ramen, bao buns, and pot Located between Boyne City and Indian stickers as well as other things, but for now, I River, The Crooked Biscuit is a passionWEDNESDAYS think we’ve got a really great mix and I think project and ode to childhood recipes turned we can appeal to everybody,” he says. “And the ½ OFF SELECT BEERS into a full-time job. Sunshine’s journey coolest part about being in the district down into culinary ventures began with selling here is if I don’t have what you want, you got SPECIAL WING FLAVORS homemade seasonings and buttermilk so many other options that are really good, biscuits at the end of June 2025—first out of from barbecue to burgers and beyond.” the back of their van, then a table in a soda shop, then a cooler in a boutique beforeTHURSDAYS it Find Streamline Sushi at 1125 E Eighth St. in turned into the restaurant they have today. Traverse City. instagram.com/streamlinesushi RAMEN
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On the Menu “Our menu is a chalk menu, and it Dojo + Bonobo WEEKENDS changes daily, sometimes hourly,” Sunshine Traverse City says. “We have the basics: biscuits and Traverse City’s newest CHEF'S CHOICE Cajun gravy, you can get that every day. haunt literally has two It’s flavorful, not spicy. And then we have bars—wine and sushi. gumbos, jambalayas, étouffées ... our 1910 Bonobo Winery and Dojo fudge, which is a recipe from 1910, and it is Sushi have combined the smoothest you’ll ever have in your life.” forces in a historic TC One popular pick is the boudin balls, home and recently opened its doors to the which have Sunshine’s own heart. neighborhood and beyond. “[My favorite] are the boudin balls. I Although there are two separate eat them for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and businesses operating in the same building, snacks; they’re so good. It’s pork shoulder the ultimate goal is to create an experience RAREBIRDBREWPUB.COM
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24 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
where the two businesses work together, says Dojo Sushi owner Brent Shafer. “Bonobo brings the wine, Dojo brings the sushi, and each of us focus on doing what we do best.” The restaurant seats about 27, with eight spots at the sushi bar. “Most of it indoors, a few tables outside,” Shafer says of the seating. “We still have a sushi bar where we encourage guests to watch us make their food and talk to us—it’s the best part of the job.” On the Menu Upon entering the restaurant, guests are first greeted by the Bonobo Winery bar. Wine is offered by the glass ($9-$13) or bottle ($24-$28). Additionally, wine by the bottle can be purchased to go. Currently, Bonobo offers eight different wines at Franklin Street, which is pared down from the flagship location. “Wines from northern Michigan are very food friendly, and we capture that in the winery,” says Bonobo co-owner Todd Oosterhouse. “But this just takes it one step further. The wines that we’ve selected to be down here pair really well with the type of food that [Dojo] is putting out. So, it really helps both businesses. This is more casual, but upscale, in terms of what you’re getting—a great product, but you don’t have to do all the pomp and circumstance to get there.” Dojo has also adapted their menu slightly while they warm up to the new venue. “We’ve kept the favorites,” Shafer says. “We wanted to keep the menu approachable, while still offering a few unique rolls for people who want to explore.” Nigiri and sashimi run about $5 to $10, and rolls start at $12 for classics like the California and top out at $22 for the Seven Spice Tuna. Find both Bonobo and Dojo Sushi at 115 Franklin St. in Traverse City. bonobowinery. com; eatdojo.com Margaritas Charlevoix Margaritas Mexican Restaurant in Charlevoix chose a soft opening just before Christmas of 2025, a bold move in a town that slows down significantly in the winter months. But clearly, they were on to something. “Sales were really good,” says manager Oziel Carreon about the winter patrons who visited the restaurant on its perfect downtown corner, just a stone’s throw from the bascule bridge. “The locals were waiting [for us to open]—snowmobilers, skiers, and many families came in.” Margaritas will stay open year-round, and Carreon says they are “talking about possible special events” during the winter, though space is limited. And in the meantime, there’s plenty to look forward to this fall. On the Menu Margaritas has perhaps the most userfriendly menu we’ve ever seen: Main dishes are accompanied by full-color photos, showing the patron exactly what’s on order. It’s also a visual guide to foods that might be unfamiliar, inviting diners to try something new. The entire menu must be seen to be appreciated, but here is a rundown: Look for over a dozen mains featuring shrimp, nine
featuring chicken, a half-dozen quesadilla dinners, and 11 more available a la carte. There’s a salad for every taste plus 10 vegetarian versions of Mexican favorites, plus all the nacho, taco, and enchilada variations you can imagine. And we’re sure you’ll want desert, from Tres Leche cake and Sopapillas, to a Banana Chimichanga. The kiddos will enjoy a big selection of Mexican dishes, appropriately sized for small fry. (But, because kids are kids, pizza and mac & cheese are also available.) We asked Carreon for some of the most popular items, and he gave us the top four: the House Enchiladas, the Quesadilla Vallarta, the Fajitas Tropicales (served in half a pineapple), and the Wet Burrito. The drinks menu is impressive as well, with about 30 flavors of margarita variations—top shelf, house, frozen, on-therocks, by the pitcher—a solid selection of Tequilas and Mexican beers, and a selection of red and white wines. Find Margaritas at 115 Bridge St. in Charlevoix. (231) 437-3141 Cellar & Flame Steakhouse Traverse City Listen to your customers. That’s the lesson Carolyn Weeks took to heart, and it’s the reason The Tasting Room became Cellar & Flame. When the eatery debuted as The Tasting Room in 2021, the goal was to showcase their spirits and small plates. It was intended to serve as a gathering place, somewhere family and friends could congregate after work, slow down, have a drink, and enjoy themselves. But customers wanted more entrees, more reason to linger, and the team obliged. “The flame is the wood fire,” Weeks explains, where much of the cooking is done. Cellar? Well, that’s where you keep wine, and theirs is extensive. A quick peek at the menu shows roughly 200 options, ranging from affordable by-the-glass picks to $250+ bottles. On the Menu Starters on the raw and cold bar include oysters, burrata, and ahi tuna, while the hot starters include calamari, Wellington bites, and Cellar & Flame’s signature meatballs. Featured soups and salads include Goats and Greens and a morel bisque. Moving on to the main event, there are five steak selections. Filets, New York strip, and ribeyes, each USDA Prime, which are then hand-selected and personally inspected. Other entrees? Absolutely. Twin lobster tails and lobster mac and cheese, chicken, chops, and halibut, even elk medallions. Weeks says certain items do stand out to customers. “The signature filet is one of our biggest sellers,” she says of the eight-ounce filet mignon, which is finished with black truffle butter and served with a twice baked potato. “Everybody loves truffle butter.” The best thing on the menu? Weeks points to the restaurant’s signature meatballs. “We grind all our [steaks] in house,” Weeks says, and the meatballs are made from the trimmings from the steaks, plus veal and Italian sausage. They are then braised in San Marzano tomato sauce with fresh herbs and served with garlic bread. Find Cellar & Flame at 155 Garland St. in Traverse City. (231) 525-0555; cellarandflame.com
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26 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
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lOGY
OCT 12 - 0CT 18 BY ROB BREZSNY
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): One morning soon, I predict you will open your
inner eyes as well as your outer eyes and discover that you feel freer than you have in ages. Old specters that once pestered you will seem strangely powerless. Worn-out customs will have loosened their hold, and an ancient obligation will finally be settled. By some grace that neither you nor I can quite explain, at least some of the chains you fashioned in your own mind will have fallen away. What then? Celebrate! Host a personal “Out of Captivity” party, and give yourself a day or two to revel in your newfound liberty. Once you’re ready to make purposeful use of that delightful independence, ask yourself: “Where in my life do I most need a clean beginning?” LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Glassblowers repeatedly place molten glass into blazing furnaces as they shape it. They don't heat it once and expect it to stay pliable forever. Again and again, they return it to the fire so new possibilities become available. This reminds me of the current chapter of your life story, Leo. Emotional intensity keeps recurring, repeatedly returning you to the heart of the heat and pressure. This may sometimes feel like a test or ordeal, but I think it's the best way for you to master the crucial lessons and ensure the healing transformations. Be patient as you forge your masterpiece.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Master storytellers know that memorable heroes are admired because they continue moving despite uncertainty. Courage entails a resilient and affectionate partnership with doubt. I hope you'll remember this if your confidence temporarily flickers in the coming weeks. There’s no need to waste precious energy trying to eliminate every hesitation before taking your next meaningful step. Let your questions accompany your convictions. They may sharpen your judgment. The coming weeks favor brave, thoughtful action, not flawless self-assurance.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Not so long
ago, you got hints and clues that you were on the verge of getting a taste of tantalizing and off-limits treats. Weren’t you ready to accept when the invitation suddenly dissolved? And by now, haven’t you nearly stopped expecting to enjoy another chance? Then imagine your surprise if that temptation winds its way back to you soon. When you finally take a bite, it may taste and feel nothing like you anticipated. The wisest move will be to let go of your old assumptions and welcome the experience as it is. My prediction: You’ll be delightedly surprised by how deeply and sweetly it alters the way you understand reality—even if at first it feels disorienting.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your
upcoming challenges call to mind a feat once accomplished by conservationist and entertainer Steve Irwin. No, you won’t, as he did, feed a huge crocodile by hand while holding an infant in your other arm. But you may need to bring together qualities that seem at odds: fierceness and tenderness, a wild spirit and a protective instinct, boldness and love. Luckily, I am very sure you will summon the power and flair to do that.
CAPRICORN
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Ecologists have found that transition zones, like where forests meet meadows or where land meets water, can support high biodiversity. They may include species from both neighboring habitats as well as species adapted to the distinctive conditions in the boundary zone. I propose we make these places your power metaphor for the coming weeks, Capricorn. You, too, can flourish in edge habitats. Instead of feeling compelled to choose one identity, community, philosophy, or style, appreciate your role as a translator between worlds. Your greatest gifts may emerge because you refuse to belong exclusively to any single camp. Revel in your fertile in-between-ness.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): After
pondering what might bring fresh vigor to your love life, I’ve arrived at an audacious suggestion: Offer a smoldering prayer while making love to a saintly soul in a place you regard as sacred. If that combination proves impractical, try just one or two parts of it: Pray wildly during
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an intimate encounter; flirt with or even seduce a person of uncommon goodness; kiss and hug and cuddle in a setting that feels holy to you; or speak to the divine in a titillating language you wouldn’t use in a formal religious service. The point is to let sensual delight and spiritual longing meet rather than keeping them apart.
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): You sometimes
regard pleasure like a reward you have to earn through suffering, as if joy were a luxury item requiring payment in pain. But I have an alternate theory: Relaxed glee and earthy enjoyments are essential nutrients that are key to your health. So in my view, denying yourself beauty and comfort depletes you. I hope you will heed my guidance in the coming weeks, which is to treat yourself to almost more fun, happiness, bliss, and amusement than is allowed by law. See if you can break all previous records for rejuvenating delectation. New law of your universe, at least for the next four weeks: The quest for jovial gusto and zesty zeal are mandatory aspirations.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Before Aries-born
Maya Angelou became a celebrated author, she was San Francisco's first Black female streetcar conductor, a calypso dancer, a cook, a journalist in Ghana, and an actress. She didn't publish her first memoir until she was 41. She spoke six languages and refused to believe that any single identity could contain her. I offer her as your role model in the coming weeks, Aries. It’s time to celebrate the wondrous truth that you don't have to be just one thing. In fact, the astrological omens suggest you'll thrive by rejoicing in the many disparate selves you are and have been and imagining new ones you might like to add. How kaleidoscopic do you dare to be?
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Here's a
hypothesis worth entertaining: You don't fully know everything you want. Not yet. Not at the core, where desire isn’t wellbehaved but turns wild and intense. Your fluency with surface desire can sometimes keep you from excavating the mysteries that live below it. The familiar longings override the stranger, stronger ones that haven't found their bearings. So there are aspects of your primal yearnings that remain unexamined, simply because they require a particular stillness and courage to unearth completely. The good news: Now is an unusually favorable time to go looking.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Is your mental
agility a gift or curse? It depends on whether you use it to avoid taking a stand or else deepen your understanding. In the coming weeks, Gemini, I hope you will practice the cagey skill of holding multiple truths simultaneously without letting that multiplicity become an excuse for never choosing or never committing. The goal is to encourage your magnificent mind to serve your heart rather than to override its tender wisdom. I love it when you unleash your clever analysis and it doesn't devolve into sophisticated evasion.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Astronomers
searching for planets around distant stars rarely see the planets directly. Instead, they notice tiny wobbles in the stars or faint dips in their brightness as the planets pass in front of them. You can and should practice a similar art now. Dramatic evidence may be unavailable, so watch for subtle shifts in mood, timing, synchronicity, and atmosphere. Small disturbances may reveal important hidden influences. Your most useful discoveries won't come from looking harder but from noticing more gently.
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Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 27
Photos courtesy of the Michigan DNR
FALL HUNTING PREVIEW Updates from the DNR on deer, elk, and more
By Victor Skinner As Michigan hunters prepare to head out to the woods, Department of Natural Resources officials are highlighting a slate of regulation changes this year for deer and elk, with more to come in 2027. The Buck Stops Here “The objective in the Lower Peninsula is we’re continuing to see our hunters almost always take more bucks than antlerless deer,” says Brent Rudolph, the DNR’s deer, elk, and moose specialist. “So we’re reducing the number of days to take a buck” with a firearm. “We’re hoping that will push our harvest ratio a little to favor antlerless deer,” he adds. Between 2001 and 2024, there were only three years in which hunters in the northern Lower Peninsula harvested more does than bucks, and that reality is complicating efforts to reduce an overpopulation of deer in many areas. “It’s the population management aspect of it,” Rudolph says. “We really depend on hunters to take antlerless deer to manage our population.” Date Changes Among the biggest changes for 2026 is a shortened December muzzleloader
season, which was renamed the December Firearm Season in the Lower Peninsula. The previously nine-day hunt was “reduced to just three days,” Rudolph says, now running the first weekend in December. The Dec. 4-6 firearm season, the last to harvest a buck, is followed by a late antlerless firearm season that will run from Dec. 7 through Jan. 1. Despite the changes, “for the Lower Peninsula, folks aren’t losing any days of hunting,” Rudolph says. While hunters can use any legal firearm during the new December Firearm Season, the Upper Peninsula will remain muzzleloader only during the three-day hunt. Officials also eliminated an extended late antlerless and January archery seasons, concluding all hunting by Jan. 1. The traditional archery deer season, Oct. 1-Nov. 14, as well as regular firearm deer season, Nov. 15-30, remain unchanged. Other smaller changes for the Northern Lower Peninsula include new early and late antlerless seasons for Beaver and Garden islands, where “there’s been some concerns about deer numbers impacting habitat,” Rudolph says. There are also new limits on universal antlerless licenses across the Northern Lower Peninsula based on county, with
28 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
most in the northwest limited to three, and Manistee County limited to five. “The vast majority of our hunters don’t use up to three,” Rudolph says. E-Tagging DNR officials this year also expanded e-tags, or electronic licenses, to deer after testing the digital tags for turkey in recent years. Hunters who purchase a license through the DNR’s HuntFish app are no longer required to affix a permanent tag to the deer if it’s kept in their possession or dropped at a processor or taxidermist. “If they give it to someone else to transport or they leave it at a buck pole … they will need to put a permanent tag on it,” Rudolph says, adding the homemade tag must be constructed of “durable material with a license number written on it with permanent ink.” “If you want a physical tag, you can still do that through the website or a vendor,” he says. The app is available for download at the Apple App Store or through Google Play for Android devices. Beyond license purchases and harvest reporting, the app includes regulations and guides, license history, registration for
Outdoor Skills Academy classes, maps, DNR messages, current weather conditions, and sunrise/sunset tables. Elk Update DNR officials implemented changes to elk season dates, as well, extending both the early and late season. “The early hunt is now all contiguous days” running Sept. 23-Oct. 4, Rudolph says. The early hunt previously ran for three days in late August, and three days each during two weeks in September. “Having it open in late August was awfully hot, and it was not a successful time period,” Rudolph says. “We’re trying to minimize the chances of it being really hot and uncomfortable, while still aligning with the rut in mid-September.” The early elk hunt, focused outside the core elk range, is followed by a late season both inside and outside the core range, which was rescheduled from Dec. 13-21 to Dec. 1-15, a move intended to avoid overly snowy conditions and conflicts with holiday activities, he says. Conditions Report Vern Richardson, DNR biologist stationed in Cadillac, says he expects conditions across the region to be similar to 2025 when hunters head out this fall.
“They are starting to cut silage around me, which is pretty much on schedule,” he says. “In my area, it looks like it’s progressing as normal.” Reports on hard mast have been mixed, he says, suggesting acorn production could be a factor deer hunters can exploit in some areas. “I’ve seen and heard from people out bear hunting [that] acorns are prevalent in spots,” Richardson says. “There’s certainly a lot of areas with acorns, which is great for hunters who can find those. My recommendation would be to do some scouting and find productive oak trees.”
KISMA
Other factors impacting hunting success, such disease die-offs or widespread winter deaths, are not an issue in 2026, Richardson says. “I don’t think we’ve had any severe winter resulting in deer mortality the last few years,” he says. “I think the deer population should be very similar to last year.” “We’re pretty much disease free,” Richardson adds. “We have not had any positive tests” for EHD, CWD, or TB in 2026. More Changes to Come DNR officials are planning further changes for the deer season in 2027 that were
approved by the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in May. Starting March 1, 2027, hunters in Michigan will be restricted to a single buck per year in the Lower Peninsula, though regulations for the Upper Peninsula will go unchanged. A single deer license will be restricted to bucks with at least three points on one side, or an antlerless deer. Hunters who purchase a combination license will be allowed one antlered deer and one antlerless deer, or two antlerless deer. Current Deer Management Unit point restrictions will remain in effect. Richardson notes that while most hunters
are familiar with antler point restrictions in the region that have been in place since 2013, which limit buck harvests to those with at least three points on one side, many hunters are misinformed about how that regulation is enforced. “There’s a commonly quoted definition of a point as something you can hang a ring on, but that’s not the legal definition,” he says, noting the actual regulation counts each point that’s at least one inch, measured from the main beam. Find more updates and information at michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/hunting.
JORDAN "I was blown out of my seat by 2014 Kresge Artist Fellow in music, Kisma Jordan!” – Mishara Walker, Daily Detroit
l u o S e Opera Experienc The
Tickets + Info
Live at the Old Art Building! Friday, October 16 | 7 pm 111 S. Main, Leland, MI
Ethically sourced, globally inspired. Downtown Traverse City. Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 29
Online Ordering Dine-In or Takeout Gluten-Free, Vegetarian & Vegan Options Available 1333 Yellow Dr • Traverse City (231) 943-1453 • spanglishtc.com Located at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons
30 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
SINCE 2013
“Jonesin” Crosswords "I Was Not Invited"-but I appear anyway. by Matt Jones
ACROSS 1. Plays quizmaster 5. Big name in photography since 1888 10. Barn attachment 14. Karaoke option 15. Naproxen brand 16. Huge celebrity 17. Suspicious of 18. Actress Shire of "Rocky" and "The Godfather" 19. Banquet hall platform 20. Inheritor of the secret to flying in V formation? 23. Badly lit 24. "Hamilton" Tony nominee Phillipa 25. Abbr. on a bounced check 28. Seacrest took over for him 32. Waste paper 36. Melville captain 38. ___-tiller 39. Author Ferrante 40. Bouncy coils on an underground cart track? 43. Lauder of makeup fame 44. Rapper ___ Dogg 45. Irksome sort 46. 1971 film with an Oscar-winning theme 47. Goes after flies 49. Airport info 50. Irish folk dance 52. Diamond official 54. Royal leader of cashing out change? 61. "Hamilton" character, sir 62. "Rice-___, the San Francisco treat" 63. Spencer of "Good Morning America" 65. Australian Netflix comedy about a probate lawyer 66. Character resurrected by AI in a 2026 Netflix reality show 67. Almost rainless 68. Greeting for 65-Across 69. Goes back and forth 70. Customer service center workers
DOWN 1. Commotion 2. "Song ___ Blue" (Hugh Jackman movie) 3. High-fat, low-carb diet 4. Remained in effect 5. One of the real-life sisters playing twins in Werner Herzog's 2026 film "Bucking Fastard" 6. St. ___ College in Northfield, Minn. 7. "Remove," in proofreading 8. Athletic shoe company 9. "Ode to a Nightingale" poet 10. Part of a movie trailer 11. Berry in a bowl 12. "Dark" film genre 13. Naan ingredients? 21. Bro's opposite 22. "Strange Brew" insult 25. Directory listings 26. ___ kebab 27. Fruit-flavored Coca-Cola brand 29. Gets into 30. Attorney ___ 31. Tennis player-turned-"Daily Show" correspondent Michael 33. Hugh's "Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy" co-star 34. Feeling of unease 35. Noodles 37. Strips at a convenience store? 41. Fix, as a shoelace 42. Funnel-shaped flowers 48. Texting format, briefly 51. Goes after a chew toy 53. ___ opposites 54. British pound, informally 55. Bear up there 56. Rook's cousin 57. "Avatar: Fire and Ash" actress Chaplin 58. Black like the night 59. Very infrequent 60. Sojourn 61. Voice role for Mark Rylance in a 2016 Dahl adaptation 64. Spots
UPCOMING EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Fall 2026 OCTOBER
16
OCTOBER
24
OCTOBER
30
SCAN TO RSVP
Northwoods Improvisers This year marks the 50th anniversary of The Northwoods Improvisers! They combine free jazz, indigenous music from around the world, bop, and improvisation.
Halloween for All Join The Dennos, Children’s Therapy Corner, Children’s Advocacy Center, TADL Youth Services, and Oryana for the fourth annual sensory-friendly Halloween event!
Mock Tours at The Dennos: Halloween Edition Back for a third time, join Full Tilt Comedy and The Dennos for a Halloween-themed improv experience that reimagines the museum through the eyes of ghosts, ghouls, and the hilariously undead.
November Holiday Artist Market
6-7
Step into the spirit of the season at The Dennos Museum's cherished Holiday Artist Market —a festive, two-day indoor art market celebrating the creativity of over 30 talented Michigan artists.
November Henhouse Prowlers
20
November
29
Since 2004, the Henhouse Prowlers have forged their own path through music and across the globe. While bluegrass is the foundation of their music, they manage to bend and squeeze the traditional form into a sound all their own.
Museum Store Sunday - Community Day Support your local art museum and shop with purpose while enjoying special discounts and treats! Admission to the museum is free that day.
Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 31
Disconnect to Reconnect
A visit to the new Water & Woods retreat in Kaleva By Rachel Soulliere In August, Kaleva welcomed its first wellness retreat to the heart of Manistee County. Located at 15271 Makinen Road, Water & Woods offers a wide variety of experiences that focus on nature, healing, and connection. Guests can enjoy winding trails, serene landscapes, individualized programming, and a rich history that owners Jen and Kat LaTosch have dreamed of for years. While Jen, a practicing attorney specializing in family law, and Kat, a nonprofit organizational development consultant and facilitator, have a home base in Ferndale, northern Michigan is where they visit to escape, disconnect, and slow down, which sparked the idea to open their own wellness retreat. “It really is all about unplugging from the noise of life to get back to your center and purpose. We were so passionate about this dream and spreading this message that we decided to just go for it and put everything we could into Water & Woods. It’s a passion project we believed in and wanted nothing more than to build it,” says Kat. After two years of searching for the perfect space, Jen suggested they look at an 80-acre property in Kaleva that had
everything they were looking for; meadows, woods, and wetlands. It was on the market for a year and a half and there were a handful of outdated buildings and cabins that needed to be restored, but after visiting, the LaTosches knew they had found the one. “It took one trip here and we knew it was the right place,” Kat tells us. “The woods, wildlife, lake on the property and history was unmatched. The buildings are unique and created by the original owner, John Makinen. From an old chicken coop made of old refrigerator panels to a boat house made from railroad ties, there’s a theme of here building new out of old. Jen and I knew we would love nothing more than to be stewards of this land and continue the work that Makinen started.” As a Finnish immigrant who settled in Kaleva in the early 1900s, Makinen repurposed materials and hand built many of the buildings on-site. This also includes the traditional Finnish sauna that the LaToshes plan to refinish and old deck boards left behind that will now become the outdoor shower for guests of Water & Woods. These are two upcoming restoration plans on a long list of upcoming projects, including a garden, pavilion and lodge, to help get the wellness retreat to a place of year-round operation within the next five years.
32 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
Kat LaTosch
Lightening the Load Current accommodations at Water & Woods are up and running. From locals looking for a getaway to visitors coming to enjoy a retreat featuring reiki, sound baths, meditation, massage, and hiking, there is a price range, stay, and programming for everyone. When guests arrive, Kat says it takes some time to unwind and settle (in part because there is no Wi-Fi). She tells us attendees start noticing a difference and
impact by the 24-hour mark. “By the time people leave here, you can physically see the difference. We’ve had some retreat attendees come here burnt out and leave feeling like a new version of themselves,” says Kat. “But sometimes the end result isn’t going to be nirvana and joy, sometimes it’s leaving here being able to sit with some of the heavy things that you couldn’t before.” There are three cabins that have been completely renovated by Jen and Kat that are
A peek inside a double occupancy tent.
currently available for rent when there aren’t retreats. During retreats, guests can choose to stay in one of the three light and airy renovated studio cabins or in solo or double occupancy safari-style tents with beds, amenities, and all the creature comforts. There are also campsites available where you can bring your own tent or camper for a rustic camping experience. “We’re not a spa, we’re not a resort, but we do offer everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s hard to hear your inner voice if you’re uncomfortable, so we go above and beyond to offer things like comfortable beds and blankets and catered meals from a chef who anticipates and cooks for every dietary need,” says Kat. In tune with the needs of the local community and the reality of price being a barrier for wellness retreats and stays, the LaTosches made it a point to offer discounts through their Water & Woods newsletter and offer special deals for locals. Currently, if you are a Kaleva local looking to book a stay, they are offering a 50 percent rental discount on the cabins (on average $225 a night normal price, $112 discounted rate). “Water & Woods is for everyone. Everybody has stuff they carry, and everyone faces adversities. I want all people to feel safe, included and welcome here regardless of what they are carrying on their shoulders,” says Kat. “I want everyone to have a place to lighten that load for a minute to tune
into who they are to go back and be a better person, self, and contribute to making the world a better place.” Planning for 2027 As of printing, Water & Woods has hosted four retreats, and planning for 2027 is already underway. Future programming will range from weekend retreats such as a Dream Builders weekend for those wanting to reconnect to their goals, vision, and purpose to a songwriters retreat for musicians who need a place to get away, write, and connect with other musicians. They are also planning to offer single day events and access to their meditation walking labyrinth that will be available to the public next year. “Our 2027 programming will focus on helping attendees tune into their natural rhythm to help open up creativity, wonder, awe, and other things that help people unblock,” says Kat. “Our connection to media is so visual and auditory that we don’t do a lot of smelling or using our other senses. By tapping into those other senses, we can better look inward and make sure people leave with clarity and the tools they need to come into their inner wisdom.” Stay up to date with upcoming retreats, rental deals, discounts, and events at waterandwoods.com.
Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 33
HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR OUR VETERANS Grand Traverse County Veterans Affairs is hiring a Veterans Service Officer! Are you passionate about helping veterans and their families? Join our team and help veterans access the benefits and services they’ve earned through their military service. Starting Pay: $28.21/hour Grand Traverse County offers an excellent benefits package, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement, paid vacation and holidays, tuition reimbursement, life insurance, disability coverage, and more. If you’re compassionate, professional, and looking for a rewarding career where your work directly impacts the lives of veterans, we encourage you to apply. Apply at www.gtcountymi.gov Visit HR → Employment → Job Postings.
34 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
oct 10
Saturday FRANKFORT FALL FES-
TIVAL: Open Space Park, Frankfort. Featuring the Port City Run 5K, Fall Festival Craft Fair, Parade & Mutt March, live music under the beer tent with the Scottsville Clown Band & others, cornhole tournament, pumpkin decorating, giant pumpkin drop, Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm & more. frankfortdowntown.com/events/fall-fest ---------------------------------WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S: Open Space Park, TC. Registration begins at 9am, & the Promise Garden Ceremony & walk kickoff start at 10am. Free. act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2026/MIGreaterMichigan?pg=entry&fr_id=19695 ---------------------------------47TH ANNUAL CHARLEVOIX APPLE FEST: Oct. 9-11. Today’s hours are 10am6pm. East Park & Mason St., downtown Charlevoix. Art & Craft Show, farmers market, Twister Joe, kids’ activities, balloon artist, petting zoo, orchards, food booths, live music & more. facebook.com/CVXAppleFest ---------------------------------CONSERVATION CENTER TOUR: 10am, Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve, TC. Visitors can explore the 243-acre preserve’s diverse habitats, including wetlands, meadows & forest areas, & learn about the ongoing restoration work, while traversing the universally accessible Looyenga Family Trail. From the trail, you can also watch the invasive-plant-eating goats enjoying their job with gusto! Free. gtrlc.org/recreation-events/events ---------------------------------FRIENDS OF PCL ART SALE/ARTISTS IN THE LIBRARY: 10am-3pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Local artisans offer their work for you & gifting! ---------------------------------MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: 10am-6pm, Washington Park, downtown Cheboygan. More than 30 crafters & artists will be displaying jewelry, stuffed animals, blankets, home decor, wooden signs, fresh desserts & much more. facebook.com/madeincheboygan ---------------------------------OUTDOOR CRAFT & VENDOR SHOW: 10am-3pm, The Village at GT Commons, historic front lawn, TC. Browse 100+ Michigan vendors offering art, jewelry, crafts, food & more. Free event. thevillagetc.com/events ---------------------------------ART IN THE BARN: 11am-4pm. Northern Michigan artist Douglas Racich welcomes you to a studio open house in his historic 1870s Leelanau County barn near Omena at 6411 N. Overlook Rd., Northport. Featuring original egg tempera & watercolor artwork. leelanauprints.com ---------------------------------SAY NO TO ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE & MANIPULATION OF CONGRESS: 11am, Grandview Parkway + Union St., TC. Protest Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people & manipulation of the American government. mideastjustpeace.net ---------------------------------FARMLAND 5K, 10K & 1 MILE KID’S RACE: 11:30am, 999 Rasho Rd., TC. A cross-country style race over grass, dirt trails, & open farmland. Featuring a mix of rolling terrain & natural footing. See web site to register & for various starting times. $5-$35; price increases after Oct. 9. runsignup.com/Race/MI/ TraverseCity/Farmland?aflt_token=vkmwDm weQ4iCYn8otSOOnKQ3vCO8buOw ---------------------------------COMEDY & CAMARADERIE: 1-2:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Check Your Cherries TC & Full Tilt Comedy present a free event for those impacted by breast cancer
october
10-18 send your dates to: events@traverseticker.com
Breathe in the beautiful fall colors during a chairlift ride up The Highlands, Harbor Springs during Harvest Fest beginning at noon, Sat., Oct. 17! Take part in the Costume Contest, Stein Hoisting Competition, Short’s Brewing and Carbliss tastings, burlap sack racing, pumpkin bowling, cider and donuts, petting Highlands cows and more. Tickets are $30; 5 and under free. highlandsharborsprings.com/events/harvest-fest
to raise awareness around early detection & prevention. Enjoy a comedy show by the Full Tilt players followed by inspiring stories from survivors. facebook.com/ events/27724172590590867 ---------------------------------EMPIRE MUSEUM HERITAGE DAYS: 1-4pm, 11544 LaCore, Empire. Includes a collection of old-time tools, machines, crafts, & food prepared with antique equipment on site. Artisan demonstrations & tours also on site. Free. empiremimusem.org ---------------------------------ARTRAGEOUS: SENSORY-FRIENDLY PERFORMANCE: 2pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. The Artrageous troupe of artists, musicians, singers & dancers, hailing from the high desert of New Mexico, pay tribute to a variety of art forms, icons & musical genres culminating in a gallery of fabulous finished paintings. $5-$25. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/artrageous ---------------------------------HAUNTED HALLOWEEN WEEKENDS: 5-8:30pm, Camp Petosega, Alanson. Best Decorated Campsite contest, trick-or-treating, free hot dogs, chips, drinks, & a Haunted Trail. emmetcounty.org/experiences/camp_ petosega/park_events.php ---------------------------------WITCHES NIGHT OUT IN ELK RAPIDS: 5-8pm, downtown Elk Rapids & Ames St. Enjoy a night out with pop-ups & contests galore, giveaways, sweet deals, potions, & treats! Throw on your best witchy attire! Free event. business.elkrapidschamber.org/ events/details/witches-night-out-55229 ---------------------------------DINNER IN THE HILLS: 5:30pm, Mt. Holiday, TC. Legacy in Motion honors more than 75 years of memories made on the hill while looking ahead to the generations still to come. The evening will feature a cocktail hour, dinner, silent & live auctions, live music & dancing - all in support of a place that has brought the community together for generations. $120 per person. secure.qgiv.com/ event/dinnerinthehills2026 ---------------------------------TC DESIGN WEEK CLOSING CELEBRATION: The Alluvion, TC. 6-7pm: Cocktail Hour + Designer Showcase. 7:30-9pm:
Design Outside the Box w/ special guests. See web site for a complete schedule. $30. tcdesignweek.com/event-calendar/tcdw2026closingcelebration ---------------------------------DJANGOPHONIQUE: 7-9pm, AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Enjoy jazz manouche with award-winning Michigan ensemble Djangophonique. Rooted in the music & legacy of Django Reinhardt, Djangophonique was honored Artist of the Year at the 2022 WYCE jammies. $25$30. artisanvillage.org/events ---------------------------------IN GOOD COMPANY WITH NATHAN SALSBURG & NIC THEISEN: 7pm, The Friendship Community Center of Suttons Bay. Music from fingerstyle guitarist/composer Nathan Salsburg & conversation with farmer/writer Nic Theisen of Loma Farm and Farm Club. Moderated by Joan Shelley. Tickets are limited so reserve your spot in advance. $10. zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/in-good-companyw-nathan-salsburg-and-nic-theisen ---------------------------------MAY ERLEWINE WSG ANI MARI: 7pm, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Erlewine, one of the Midwest’s most prolific & passionate songwriters, returns by popular demand to share her gift for writing songs of substance that feel fresh, soulfully familiar & emotionally engaging. Also performing is altAmericana singer-songwriter Ani Mari, with influences ranging from Liz Phair to Waxahachee. $50-$55. thebaytheatre.org/movie/ live-at-the-bay-may-erlewine-and-ani-mari A SESAME STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE: 7:30pm, The MATCH, Cherryland Center, TC. A puppet-filled mashup parody for all ages. $18-$38. mashuprockandrollmusical.com/upcoming-shows-tickets ---------------------------------HONKY TONK LAUNDRY: 7:30pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Wash your cares away with this musical play full of country favorites as two laundresses of life join forces to turn their good ol laundromat into a bootscootin honky-tonk. Presented by Old Town Playhouse. $30$44. oldtownplayhouse.com/performances/ special-events/honky-tonk-laundry.html
Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 35
oct 11
THIRD ANNUAL
HOG ROAST Sunday, October 25 Noon to 8 pm
FREE ADMISSION
Trick-or-treat, then come eat! Glen Arbor trick-or-treating runs from noon to 3 pm. When the candy bags are full, bring your little ghosts and goblins to The Mill for dinner and live music.
LIVE MUSIC 3 - 8 PM www.themillglenarbor.com
36 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
Sunday FORMULA 1 FREE WATCH
PARTIES: SINGAPORE: 8am, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Watch thrilling races on the big screen! Includes Formula 1 games. thebaytheatre.org ---------------------------------47TH ANNUAL CHARLEVOIX APPLE FEST: (See Sat., Oct. 10, except today’s hours are 10am-4pm.) ---------------------------------ART IN THE BARN: (See Sat., Oct. 10) ---------------------------------MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: (See Sat., Oct. 10, except today’s hours are 11am-3pm.) ---------------------------------LUNCHEON WITH WADE ROUSE: Noon, Bay View Association, The Terrace Inn, Petoskey. Connect with acclaimed author Wade Rouse in celebration of his newest book, “The Bluff.” Each ticket includes a signed copy of “The Bluff” paperback, a buffet lunch & more. Space is limited to 100 guests. $63.99. eventbrite.com/e/luncheon-with-wade-rouse-tickets1994247591229?aff=oddtdtcreator ---------------------------------TC CURLING JUNIORS OPEN HOUSE: TC Curling Club. Try curling for free between noon-3pm. Appropriate for ages 8 & up. Please have your Junior wear a helmet/ headgear if they are under 12. Also have them wear clean athletic shoes & warm athletic clothing. tccurling.org ---------------------------------HARVEST GATHERING: 1pm, Samels Farm, Williamsburg. Horse-drawn wagon rides, blacksmithing, hit n’ miss engine, archaeology display, cider pressing, thresher demonstration, games, fresh apple cider, cookies, & coney hot dogs, along with other refreshments. Free. samelsfarm.org ---------------------------------HONKY TONK LAUNDRY: (See Sat., Oct. 10, except today’s time is 2pm.) ---------------------------------SING FORTH THE VOTE COMMUNITY SING: 2pm, The Presbyterian Church of TC, 701 Westminster Rd. Presented by Northern Michigan Justice Singers. Free. ---------------------------------LUX AETERNA: 3pm, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Beulah. St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, The Arts on the Hill Ministry Team, Music Director Michael Beery, & Organist Emeritus with the 2026 Festival Choir Tim Quist present Morten Lauridsen’s setting of “Lux Aeterna,” a five-movement, non-liturgical requiem. ---------------------------------THE GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK CABARET CONCERT: 3pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Two Cheboygan friends return to the stage to sing music from The Great American Songbook. Jack Barber (vocals) & George Krawczyk (piano) share their interpretations of American standards by Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Bing Crosby & many others. Join them on stage! Tickets are $25 (limited to 60) & include coffee, tea & homemade pastries. ci.ovationtix.com/36618/production/12907 18?performanceId=11866535 ---------------------------------COTTAGE CONCERTS W/ CAROL KAPPUS: 4pm, Twisted Fish Gallery, Elk Rapids. Enjoy an evening of traditional Celtic harp songs peppered with American folk, country & pop classics performed by acclaimed harpist, singer, composer & teacher Carol Kappus. In between traveling to Scotland & Ireland, Carol stops at Twisted Fish Art Gallery. Tickets are $30 & are limited to 50 guests. They include light hors d’ oeuvres & a beverage of choice. 231-264-0123. ---------------------------------A SESAME STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE: (See Sat., Oct. 10, except tonight’s time is 6pm.)
oct 12
directo monday Metho INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ ar@gm
DAY, LELAND: 9am, Leland Cultural District, Leland. Join in honoring the history, living cultures, & enduring presence of Indigenous peoples in Leelanau County & beyond. Throughout the day, enjoy opportunities to experience & learn about Anishinaabek history & culture, free admission to the Leelanau Historical Society Museum & its Traditional Anishinaabek Arts Room. An evening program will feature James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw, a descendant of Turtle Mountain, international speaker, author, educator, & creator of Ojibwe Word of the Day. leelanauhistory.org/events ---------------------------------INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY, TC: Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Join The Dennos and the Traverse Area District Library for storytime to kick off a free day of learning, celebration & community as you honor the vibrant & enduring cultures of indigenous peoples. 11am Storytime with TADL followed by pow wow dancer presentation. A free book & take home craft will be available. Free. simpletix.com/e/indigenouspeoples-day-community-day-tickets-287776
oct 13
tuesday SOUP FOR HOPE: 11:30am-
12:45pm, The Pavilion on Court, Gaylord. Enjoy warm soup & simple sandwiches, & learn about homelessness in Otsego County. Free; donations welcome. otsegorefuge.org ---------------------------------TALK ABOUT IT TUESDAYS: WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY: 1-5pm, NCMC Library, Petoskey. More people than ever are seeking ways to maintain wellness & care for their mental health. Free. ncmich.edu ---------------------------------LIFELONG LEARNING: “ICONIC” WORKS OF ART: 6-7:30pm, Charlevoix Public Library. Andi Gerring, art historian & retired professor, will lead the discussion to examine the meaning of the term “iconic” as it is applied to famous works of art. Look at several examples & reasons for their enduring fame. charlevoixlibrary. org/event/adult-programming-11966 ---------------------------------NWS PRESENTS: AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS: City Opera House, TC. Presented by Lola Jackson & Dilys Tosteson Garcia - “Community Building” Author Series. Join David Sedaris for an evening of readings from new & unpublished work — no host, no filter, just Sedaris & the page. Following the reading, he’ll hold a Q&A with the audience. Doors open at 5:15pm with live music. The show begins at 6pm. $55-$65. cityoperahouse.org/events/ nws%3A-david-sedaris%2C-unfiltered ---------------------------------OWLS OF WHITEFISH POINT: 7pm, Conference Room at Courtyard by Marriott Petoskey at Victories Square. This program presented by the Petoskey Regional Audubon Society will feature Chris Neri & Nova Mackentley from Friends of Whitefish Point, who have over 25 years of field experience banding migrating owls. They will share stories & insights into the trends of these nocturnal raptors. Free. petoskeyaudubon.org
oct 14
wednesday MEA-RETIRED MEETING:
11am, The Presbyterian Church of TC, 701 Westminster Rd. The Grand Traverse Bay Area MEA-Retired Oct. meeting, brown bag lunch, book swap, & raffle will be held. It will feature Ryan Hannon,
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director of Community Outreach at Central Methodist Church. Email presidentgtbamear@gmail.com for more info. Lunch available for $15. ---------------------------------BANNED BOOKS EDITION OF LEELANAU READS: 1:30pm, Leelanau Twp. Library, Northport. This year’s selection is J.D. Salinger’s “The Catcher in the Rye,” chosen in honor of the novel’s 75th anniversary. Libraries host a discussion for readers to talk through the book. ---------------------------------GAYLORD BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5-7pm, Black Bear Golf Course, Vanderbilt. $5-$10. ---------------------------------EARTH SCIENCE WEEK & NATIONAL FOSSIL DAY CELEBRATION: 5:30-7:30pm, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. This celebration will showcase the incredible ways earth science is conducted by a diverse range of people & professions, as well as how they work together to solve critical problems that our planet & communities face. Free; registration required. natureiscalling.org/events ---------------------------------MS AWARENESS SERIES EVENT: AGING WITH MS: 6-7:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. The keynote speaker, Dr. Rosemarie Walch, DO, will discuss how the immune system changes, how symptoms progress & how treatments are managed as people with multiple sclerosis age. Free. tadl.org/MSSociety ---------------------------------ORYANA PRESENTS: “FOOD & COUNTRY”: 6-9pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. An eye-opening look at the US food system. Explore the very human toll of industrialized agriculture & food manufacturing, a monolithic enterprise that is equal parts entrenched & precarious. Joined by a selection of agriculture & food-focused nonprofits to help patrons learn more about the impact of today’s farming realities, including: Groundwork, Crosshatch, FLOW, & SEEDS. $5. oryana.coop/event/event-film-screening-offood-and-country/#tribe-tickets__tickets-form ---------------------------------SUICIDE LOSS SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30-8:30pm, Art and Connection, Elk Rapids. Held the 2nd Weds. of every month. For more info, email survivornorthmi@gmail.com or call 810-355-6276. Free. ---------------------------------IAA JAZZ COMBO & ORCHESTRA: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Featuring vocalists & unconventional jazz instruments. $14-$17. interlochen.org/events/jazz-combo-and-orchestra-2026-10-14
oct 15
Lucy & her fiance Jonathan seek out the dangerous & sexy Count Dracula. $25-$35. oldtownplayhouse.com/performances/mainstage/dracula.html ---------------------------------AN AFTERNOON WITH MOLLY MOYNAHAN: 3-5pm, Gilchrist Farm Winery, Suttons Bay. This acclaimed author will discuss her latest novel, “MotherPerson.” She will share insights into the book, the writing life, & the themes at the heart of her work — motherhood, identity, reinvention, ambition, grief, recovery, & the complicated beauty of becoming oneself at midlife & beyond. gilchristfarmwinery.com/calendar-of-events/an-afternoon-with-molly-moynahan ---------------------------------GT COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT APPLE CIDER SOCIAL & OPEN HOUSE: 3-5:30pm, 701 S. Elmwood Ave., Ste. 19, TC. Enjoy apple cider & donuts, learn about department services, & connect with the community. facebook.com/GTCHealthDept ---------------------------------PETOSKEY BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5-7pm, Mackinaw Trail Winery & Brewery, Petoskey. Enjoy networking, hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, & door prizes. $10-$15. petoskeychamber.com/business-after-hours ---------------------------------THE STATE OF CHEBOYGAN: PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS - CHARTING CHEBOYGAN’S FUTURE: 5:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. $12. theoperahouse.org ---------------------------------IAF’S 2ND ANNUAL GALA: Hagerty Center, NMC’s Great Lakes Campus, TC. The keynote speaker will be Candy Crowley, awardwinning broadcast journalist & former CNN chief political correspondent. Live music & cocktail reception: 6-7pm; dinner & main program: 7-9pm. Visit web site for more info & tickets. tciaf.com/gala2026 ---------------------------------RIVEREYE & THE INSIDERS: The Platform @ Chalfonte Theatre, Elk Rapids. Michigan songwriter Max Lockwood brings both of his bands to the same stage for a night of original indie rock & a Tom Petty tribute. Doors open at 6pm; show at 7pm. $25-$30. chalfontetheatre.org/the-insiders-2026 ---------------------------------WIND SYMPHONY: WIND BAND CLASSICS: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Conducted by Dr. Christopher Morehouse, this program brings together landmark works & spirited discoveries that showcase the remarkable range of the wind symphony. $14-$17. interlochen. org/events/wind-symphony-wind-band-classics-2026-10-15
thursday oct FRIENDS OF THE CA-
DILLAC LIBRARY USED BOOK SALE: 9am-6pm, Cadillac Wexford Public Library, Cadillac. Bag Sale on Oct. 17 from 10am-noon. Books: $1-$2. friendsofthecadillaclibrary.wordpress.com/upcoming-programs ---------------------------------COFFEE @ TEN, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. Textiles & Memory with Baylee Schmitt. Free. crookedtree.org ---------------------------------18TH ANNUAL FRANKFORT FILM FESTIVAL: Noon, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. This year’s selection includes 15 critically acclaimed films from 10 countries, featuring a variety of genres, cultures & languages. $12/ person. gardentheater.org/fff ---------------------------------DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS: 2pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. When her sister falls ill with a mysterious disease,
16
friday FRIENDS OF THE CA-
DILLAC LIBRARY USED BOOK SALE: 9am-5pm, Cadillac Wexford Public Library, Cadillac. Bag Sale on Oct. 17 from 10am-noon. Books: $1-$2. friendsofthecadillaclibrary.wordpress.com/ upcoming-programs ---------------------------------18TH ANNUAL FRANKFORT FILM FESTIVAL: (See Thurs., Oct. 15) ---------------------------------TC CURLING CLUB ADAPTIVE CURLING OPEN HOUSE: Noon, TC Curling Club. Special needs & the wheelchair communities can give curling a shot. Please email info@tccurling.org for more info. Free. tccurling.org ---------------------------------THE ANISHINAABEK - PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE: 6:30pm, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. JoAnne Cook, a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians, will discuss the history & culture of the Aninshinaabek, exploring how in-
Weeknight Happenings
Make it a weekly tradition: Burger Night Tuesdays for $20, and Locals Night Thursdays with two courses for $45. Get the details: artisantc.com
DROP OFF, DRIVE ON
FRIENDLY FACES, FAST HELP Find Your Nearest Drive-Through Donation Center
Thrift and Donate at All 9 of Our Northern Michigan Locations Acme
Charlevoix
Grayling
Alpena Cadillac
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Petoskey Traverse City
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Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 37
digenous peoples in the Great Lakes region have been impacted by social, economic & environmental changes. (Her appearance on Oct. 5 was cancelled & rescheduled to this date.) glenlakelibrary.net ---------------------------------BASO BRASS: 7pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. These musicians from the Benzie Area Symphony Orchestra present a concert of classical music & tunes from the past in an energetic & fun program. Reserve your seat in advance. Free. oliverart.org ---------------------------------THE NORTHWOODS IMPROVISERS: 7pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. This year marks the 50th anniversary of The Northwoods Improvisers! The band formed in 1976 in Traverse City by Mike Johnston, Mike Gilmore & John Plough. Originally a total improvising electro-acoustic ensemble, they switched to an all acoustic instrumentation in 1980. $20-$30. simpletix.com/e/ the-northwoods-improvisers-tickets-286682 ---------------------------------THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT: 7pm, 1st Congregational, UCC, Charlevoix. Presented by Charlevoices: True Stories Told Live, this is an evening of true stories that are eerie, mysterious, surprising & sometimes very funny. Free. charlevoices.org ---------------------------------FALL ORCHESTRA: DUNNER & SARKISSIAN: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Enjoy this program spanning spirited European dance, sweeping symphonic writing, & evocative 20th-century works. $14-$17. interlochen.org/events/ fall-orchestra-dunner-sarkissian-2026-10-16 ---------------------------------NMC CONCERT BAND FALL CONCERT: 7:30pm, TC West Senior High School. Music theme of “Everlight to Starlight” with sounds of hope & joy. $10-$20. nmcmusicdepartment.simpletix.com
oct 17
saturday ROCK THE LIGHT: TRAIL
RUN 5K: 9am, Leelanau State Park trails, off Densmore Rd., by Woosley Airport, Northport. Expect a challenging & fun trail loop with professional timing & 5-year age groups. TCTC & MiTri members receive an automatic discount at checkout. $30. grandtraverselighthouse. com/events/rock-the-light-5k-10-miler ---------------------------------SKI SWAP BY GRAND TRAVERSE SKI CLUB: 9am-1pm, TC West Middle School Gym. Shop new & used downhill & crosscountry skis, boots, poles, racing suits, coats, helmets, & more. Equipment will be available for all ages & skill levels. Drop off used gear on Fri., Oct. 16 from 6:30–8:30pm at TC West Middle School gym. Unsold equipment may be picked up on Sat. from 1-3pm. Proceeds support the Grand Traverse Ski Club. gtskiclub.org/events/ski-swap ---------------------------------PEAK2PEAK MOUNTAIN BIKE CLASSIC: 9:30am, Crystal Mountain, frontside ski slopes, Thompsonville. Hardwood & pine forests, along with winding two-track & flowing single-track trails. $65-$90. bikesignup.com/ Race/MI/Thompsonville/Peak2Peak ---------------------------------FRIENDS OF THE CADILLAC LIBRARY USED BOOK SALE: Cadillac Wexford Public Library, Cadillac. Bag Sale on Oct. 17 from 10am-noon. Books: $1-$2. friendsofthecadillaclibrary.wordpress.com/upcoming-programs ---------------------------------WANDER WALLOON: GUIDED MUSHROOM FORAY: 10am-noon, Wildwood Harbor Nature Area, Boyne City. Explore the preserve & discover the fungi found in northern Michigan forests & the ecological roles
they play. RSVP. Free. walloon.org/events ---------------------------------FREE & ELUDE 5K/10K: 11am, 200 W. Michigan Ave., Grayling. Help support the youth of Crawford County! $20-$25. runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/Grayling/ FLEEELUDE5K10K ---------------------------------SAY NO TO ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE & MANIPULATION OF CONGRESS: (See Sat., Oct. 10) ---------------------------------18TH ANNUAL FRANKFORT FILM FESTIVAL: (See Thurs., Oct. 15) ---------------------------------THE HIGHLANDS HARVEST FEST: The Highlands at Harbor Springs. Take a scenic chairlift ride to the top at noon. Costume contest at 1:30pm. Stein Hoisting Competition at 2pm. There will also be family activities like burlap sack racing & pumpkin bowling. Enjoy complimentary Short’s Brewing & Carbliss tastings. Live music at the Zoo Bar from 5-8pm, featuring the Ty Parkins Band & line dancing. $30/person; 5 & under, free. highlandsharborsprings.com/events/harvest-fest ---------------------------------NATIONAL PARK BOOK SIGNING EVENT: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Local author & journalist Ren Brabenec will sign copies of his latest coffee table book, “Beyond the National Parks,” an illustrated guide to the lesserknown yet no less beautiful national park sites in all 50 states. andersondesigngroupstore. com/products/beyond-the-national-parkshard-cover-coffee-table-book-best-seller ---------------------------------CANCER PREVENTION & SURVIVAL: 2pm, Skyke House, 201 Waukazoo, Northport. You will make homestyle squash & pinto beans, broccoli or cauliflower with sesame salt, & a mixed berry banana smoothie. Must register. 231-252-5186. Free. ---------------------------------COUNTRY NIGHT & CITY LIGHTS: City Opera House, TC. 2pm: Line dancing with Rachel Trim. 3pm: Country swing with Mel & Nancy. 4pm: MWM Techniques & Connections with James, Shua & Ashley. 5-10pm: Open dance; beverages & light hors d’oeuvres provided. $40 includes all lessons, followed by open dance. cityoperahouse.org/ events/country-nights-%26-city-lights ---------------------------------FREE FILM SCREENING: “HOCUS POCUS”: 4pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. theoperahouse.org ---------------------------------CORN MAZE & CHERRY ORCHARD 5K: 5pm, Cellar 1914/Shooks Farm, Central Lake. Line dancing with Kay from 6-8pm. $20-$35; increases after 10/16. runsignup.com/Race/ MI/CentralLake/Cellar1914Winery5K ---------------------------------WITCHES NIGHT OUT: 5-9pm. Downtown TC will transform into a Halloween-themed evening of magic, mischief, shopping, dining, costumes, & community. Costumes are highly encouraged! consciouscommunitycoven.com/witches-night-out-2026 ---------------------------------HEADWATERS LAND CONSERVANCY PRESENTS THE HAUNTED BOARDWALK: 6-8pm, Sturgeon River Preserve, Vanderbilt. Bring the family to the Green Loop for a “Trail-or-Treat” adventure. Candy stops & light-hearted jump scares. Costumes highly encouraged. Free. headwatersconservancy.org ---------------------------------BELKO PEACE LECTURE: 7pm, Trinity Church UCC, Northport. Frank Ettawageshik, an Indigenous leader with extensive experience in tribal leadership & Great Lakes environmental stewardship, presents “Being at Peace in Our Environment.” 231-386-5801. Free. ---------------------------------WILLIAM ELLIOTT WHITMORE: 7pm, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Wil-
38 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
liam is a roots-folk singer with a gravelly voice, haunting melodies, & deep love of the land. An appreciation for nature & its cycles - & an awareness of birth & death - is a constant theme in his songwriting. $30-$35. thebaytheatre.org/movie/ live-at-the-bay-william-elliott-whitmore ---------------------------------DOWNTOWN SOUND: THE PROUD NATURALS: 7:30-9:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. Enjoy this funky rock band based in the Detroit area. $10$40. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/ events/downtown-sound.html ---------------------------------GAYLORD ORCHESTRA FALL CONCERT: 7:30pm, Mount Carmel Centre, Gaylord. Featuring bass soloist Lauren Pierce. $20; students free. gaylordorchestra.org
oct 18
Sunday HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
CHILI COOK OFF FUNDRAISER: 4-7pm, Helena Twp. Hall, Alden. Enjoy tasty food from local restaurants while bidding on silent auction items. Tickets: $15 adults; $5 kids 5-12. Visit helpfrommyfriends.org or call 231-533-4070 for more info. Thanks for supporting the animals! ---------------------------------18TH ANNUAL FRANKFORT FILM FESTIVAL: (See Thurs., Oct. 15) --------------------------------CADILLAC AREA LAND CONSERVANCY MEETING WITH BOB GARNER & MARK TONELLO: 2pm, Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center, Cadillac. Bob Garner, host of the PBS show Ask Michigan DNR & former producer & host of Michigan Outdoors & Michigan Out-of-Doors, & Mark Tonello, a Michigan DNR fisheries biologist, will be the special guests at this meeting. Guests are invited to arrive at 1:30pm for networking & donuts. RSVP: 231-775-3631. Free. ---------------------------------TRICK OR TREAT TRAIL: 4-5:30pm, Peace Lutheran Church, Gaylord. Hot dogs, treats & fun. Free; donations welcome. peacegaylord.net
art
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY: - ECHOES: REVISITING MEMORY: Held in Gilbert Gallery. Environments, places & landscapes shape our memories & experiences. “Echoes” explores how memories lose their clarity & change as we revisit them. The works on view reflect these varied reminiscences of environments that stay with us & reverberate in our minds over time. Runs through Oct. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/echoes-revisiting-memory.html - WOMEN + WATER: LIFE BEARERS, TEACHERS, STORYTELLERS: Held in Atrium Gallery. Presented in conjunction with Women + Water at the Petoskey District Library, this exhibition features artwork by women artists reflecting on water, environmental stewardship, & advocacy. Runs through Oct. 17. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/women-waterlife-bearers-teachers-storytellers.html - “MODERN MOVEMENT: MARTHA GRAHAM & BARBARA MORGAN”: Held in Bonfield Gallery. Featuring original Barbara Morgan photographs of Graham & her company in the 1930s & 40s. Runs through Oct. See web site for hours. crookedtree. org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/modern-movement.html
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC: - DARRYL BROWN: “BUBBLES OF LOVE”: A dreamscape of both primitive & modern juxtaposed color & a whimsical journey that blends Atavistic Animism with a pure discovery in the moment & from different angles. Runs through March 28, 2027. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. Closed Mondays & major holidays. dennosmuseum.org/ art/upcoming-exhibitions - DRAWING TO MOTION: CONTEMPORARY INUIT ART FROM THE DENNOS MUSEUM: From spiritual & physical transformations to modes of transportation & scenes of daily life, this exhibition provides an intimate view into the hand-drawn & animated-by-hand world of Inuit artists from the late 20th & early 21st centuries. Runs through May 30, 2027. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. Closed Mondays & major holidays. dennosmuseum.org/art/ upcoming-exhibitions - MATERIAL WORLD: TEN WOMEN: An invitational exhibition organized by the Muskegon Museum of Art, featuring women artists working with non-traditional materials or using traditional materials in non-traditional ways. Many of the works use found objects common to the everyday household, or bring elements from nature into inside spaces. Runs through Jan. 3, 2027. Open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. Closed on Mondays & major holidays. dennosmuseum.org/ art/upcoming-exhibitions - “FULL CIRCLE: WASTE PLASTIC TRANSFORMATIONS”: TC raised artist Simon Anton returns to the area with a body of sculpture & design objects built over the last 12 years at his Detroit Studio for his solo exhibit. Anton uses plastic sourced from Detroit neighborhoods, factory waste & the automotive industry. Runs through Aug. 8, 2027. Dennos Museum Center is open Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm; closed Mondays. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions - REFLECTIONS ON COMMUNITY: 75 YEARS OF STUDENT VOICES: This exhibition celebrates NMC’s 75th Anniversary by exploring the college’s history through the eyes of those who experienced it firsthand – students. Runs through Jan. 3. dennosmuseum.org/art/ now-on-view/75-years-student-voices.html ---------------------------------GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER: - “AT LEAST A DOZEN FRIENDS”: Held in Lobby Gallery. Margo Burian is known as a painter of quiet, atmospheric landscapes, waterscapes, farmsteads, & rowboats hitched to old docks. Over the years she has been developing a body of work based on collage, image transfer, & mixed media. Her exhibit runs through Dec. 17. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org/product/exhibitat-least-a-dozen-friends - “TAKING FLIGHT”: Invitational group exhibition featuring the works of Shanny Brooke (paintings), Cynthia Marks (ceramic vessels) & Michelle Tock York (mixed media sculpture). Runs through Oct. 29. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org/product/exhibittaking-flight ---------------------------------OLIVER ART CENTER: - ATMOSPHERES: PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEVE LOVELESS: Photographer & Michigan native, Steve Loveless, has been capturing the stunning atmospheres of northern Michigan for decades. This exhibition runs through Oct. 30. Open Tues. - Sat., 10am4pm; Sun., noon-4pm. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org/music-series - ALL MEDIA JURIED EXHIBITION: Runs Oct. 10 - Nov. 13. This exhibition showcases the best work of regional artists in all media. Open Tues.-Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon4pm. oliverart.org
HOUSE-BREWED BEERS & HEARTY PUB FARE LOCATED IN TRAVERSE CITY 400 W FRONT STREET • TRAVERSE CITY NORTHPEAK.NET • @NORTHPEAKBREWINGCO 231.941.7325
Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 39
Grand Traverse & Kalkaska CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE, TC 5-8: 10/10 -- Drew Hale 10/16 -- Elizabeth Landry 10/17 -- Chris Smith
MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC 10/14 -- Trivia Night w/ Steveo, 7-9 10/15 -- Open Mic w/ Joe Domanick, 7-9 10/16 -- Hot Flat Pop, 6-9
JACOB'S FARM, TC 10/10 -- A.S. Lutes, noon-3; Split Decision, 5-8 10/11 -- Mar in Color, noon-3; Fabulous Horndogs, 5-8 10/14 -- DJ Darren, 5-8 10/15 -- JABO, 5-8 10/16 -- Boardman River Band, 5-8 10/17 -- Manitou Truckin' Co., noon-3; Barefoot, 5-8 10/18 -- Robert Abate, noon-3
NOCTURNAL BLOOM BREWING, TC 10/10 -- Loren w/ Openers Jeremiah, Matt Vaught & DJ Zeb K, 8 10/12 -- Live Celtic Music, 5:30-8 Thu -- Trivia, 6 10/18 -- American Beachgrass, noon-2
KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC 10/9-10 -- Broom Closet Boys, 9:30 Mon. -- DJ Trivia, 7-9 Tues. -- The Will Harris Trio, 8-12 Weds. -- The Pocket Band, 8-12 Thurs. -- DJ Leo, 9:30-1:30 10/16-17 -- Risque, 9:30
OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS: 10/10 -- Erik Burke & Mark Daisy, 6:30 10/13 -- Music Bingo, 6 10/16 -- Jeff Socia, 7 10/17 -- Levi Britton, 6:30
KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING 10/13 -- Open Mic Night, 6-9 10/15 -- Trivia Night w/ Marcus, 6:30-9 LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM: 10/12 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9 TASTING ROOM, TC 10/16 -- Nick Veine, 5-7
NORTH BAR, TC 10/14 -- Jim Hawley, 6-10 10/15 -- Drew Hale, 7-9
RIGHT BRAIN BREWERY, TC 8: 10/10 -- Comedy Night w/ Joe Elder & Morgan Sterling; Hosted by Joe Curtis 10/17 -- Comics Christa Wright, Pete Cender & Alex Plotkowski; Hosted by Joe Curtis TC WHISKEY CO. - THE STILLHOUSE 10/10 -- Dolly Karaoke, 7 THE ALLUVION, TC 10/10 -- TC Design Week Closing Celebration, 6-9 10/12 -- Funky Uncle + DJ Ras Marco, 7-9:30 10/13 -- MI Sane Asylum & OK serafina, 5:30-8
MARI VINEYARDS, TC 4-6: 10/13 -- Jerry Byville 10/15 -- Jesse Jefferson
10/15 -- The Jeff Haas Trio feat. Laurie Sears + Lisa Flahive, 5:30-8 THE HAYLOFT INN, TC 10/9-10 & 10/16-17 -- Cody Stewart & the Traverse City Troubadours, 7:30-11
10/17 -- Lou Thumser BIG BUCK BREWERY, GAYLORD 10/10 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9
BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY 10/10 & 10/17 -- Chris Calleja, 2-6 10/16 -- Chris Calleja, 4-7:30 10/18 -- Chris Calleja, 1:30-5 BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, BAY HARBOR 10/10 -- Brian Thomas, 5 10/15 -- Witches Wizards & Magic Trivia, 6 10/16 -- Sean Miller, 5 10/17 -- Nelson Olstrom, 5
THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC 10/10 -- MI Sane Asylum, 7 10/11 -- The Disruption x Poetry Open Mic, 1-3; Full Tilt Comedy Presents: Comedy Lab, 6-8 10/12 -- USS Comedy: Open Mic, 8-9:30 10/13 -- Open Mic w/ Zak Bunce, 6-10 10/14 -- Jazz Jam w/ Ron Getz, 6-9 10/15 -- DJ Trivia, 7-9 10/16 -- Simple Machines, 6 10/17 -- Drama Team x Arming the Amish, 8 TURTLE CREEK CASINO, WILLIAMSBURG WATERFALL, 6-10: 10/10 -- Cheap Dates 10/16-17 -- Decades Band
SNOWBELT BREWING CO., GAYLORD 10/16 -- Hals from Red Thyme, 6-9
CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY
10/13 -- Trivia Night, 7-9 10/14 -- Open Mic Comedy Night Hosted by Dan Volk, 6:30-8:30 10/16 -- Karaoke, 9:30
ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES: 10/16 -- Galactic Sherpas, 9
INN BETWEEN, INDIAN RIVER 10/15 -- Mike Ridley, 4-7
POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS 10/10 -- Larz Cabot, 11am-2pm; The Outfit, 3-6 10/11 -- Chris & Jeff Duo, 11am2pm; Serita's Black Rose, 3-6 10/16 -- Twilight Tunes Dueling Pianos, 5-8 10/17 -- Pete Kehoe, 11am-2pm; Knee Deep, 3-6pm 10/18 -- Real Ingredients, 11am2pm; The Ampersands, 3-6pm
NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY 7-10: 10/10 -- Delilah DeWylde 10/16 -- Mike Ridley 10/17 -- Todd Aldrich NORTHERN LIGHTS RECREATION, HARBOR SPRINGS 10/13 -- Trivia, 6:30 10/16 -- Pete Kehoe, 5:30-8:30
Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee LITTLE RIVER CASINO RESORT, MANISTEE 10/10 -- Virgil Baker & The Just For Fun Band, 1; Fröhliche Polka Band, 7 NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER
HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA 10/10 -- Chief Day w/ Great Lakes Brass, Ted Bounty & The Bounty Hunters, Smokin' Dobroleles, & Manitou Truckin' Company, noon10pm 10/16 -- Chief Jam-Open Mic
40 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
Gaylord jazz guitarist Randy Reszka brings his show to Lost Cellars, Charlevoix, Fri., Oct. 16 from 5-8pm.
THE PUB, TC 10/12 -- Karaoke w/ DJ Shawny T, 8 10/14 -- Zeke Clemons, 7-10 10/15 -- DJ Producer AJ, 6-9 10/16 -- DJ Vai, 10
Emmet & Cheboygan BOB'S PLACE, ALANSON 10/14 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9
oct 10 - oct 18 Send Nitelife to: events@traverseticker.com
THE PARLOR, TC 10/10 -- Rolling Dirty Duo, 9 10/13 -- Jesse Jefferson, 8-11 10/14 -- Rob Coonrod, 8-11 10/15 -- Jimmy Olson, 8-11 10/16 -- Drew Hale, 9 10/17 -- Mal & Mike, 9
Otsego, Crawford & Central ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD 6-9: 10/10 -- Zeke 10/16 -- Brett Harfert
nitelife
Hosted by BeeJay Reffitt, 7 10/17 -- Nick Veine, 7 THE GREENHOUSE - WILLOW/ PRIMOS, CADILLAC 10/14 -- Trivia & Music Bingo, 6-9
Leelanau & Benzie BEL LAGO VINEYARD, WINERY & CIDERY, CEDAR 10/14 -- Andre Villoch, 3:30-5:30 BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU TASTING ROOM: 10/11 -- Chris Skellenger & Patrick Niemisto, 3-5:30 10/18 -- Loose Change, 3:30-6 CEDAR TAVERN 10/17 -- Jim Hawley, 1-4 DUNE BIRD WINERY, NORTHPORT 3-6: 10/11 -- Rhett & John 10/15 -- Chris Smith 10/18 -- Larry Perkins FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR 10/15 -- Rhett & John, 4 HOP LOT BREWING, SUTTONS BAY 3-6: 10/10 -- Stone Travelbee 10/17 -- Empire Highway IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE 10/10 -- Andy McQuillen, 5:30-
7:30 10/11 -- Iron Fish Blues, BBQ & Bourbon w/ Brian Curran, 1-3 & Pop Fly Band, 4-6 10/16 -- David Lawston, 5:30-7:30 10/17 -- Sean Miller, 5:30-7:30 LAKE ANN BREWING CO. 10/10 -- Jim Crockett Band, 3-6; John Pomeroy, 6:30-9:30 10/14 -- Open Mic Night Hosted by Johnathon North, 6:30-9:30 10/15 -- Trivia Night, 7-9 10/17 -- Flexible Flyers, 3-6; 1000 Watt Prophets, 6:30-9:30
10/17 -- Beans & Cheese (Boardman River Band) SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY PATIO: 10/16 -- Friday Night Live w/ LaRoses, 4-7 ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH 10/10 -- St. Ambrose Renaissance Fair, noon-7pm 10/15 -- Open Mic Night, 6-9 10/16 -- The Nightcrawlers, 5-8 10/17 -- FeRn Whale, 5-8
LEELANAU SANDS CASINO, PESHAWBESTOWN SHOWROOM: 10/17 -- Baile w/ DJ, 9
STORMCLOUD BREWING CO., FRANKFORT 10/14 -- Downtown Pub Trivia Night, 7
LITTLE TRAVERSE INN, MAPLE CITY 10/16 -- Joe Wilson Trio, 6-9
SUTTONS BAY CIDERS 10/15 -- Thurs. DJ Trivia, 6:30-8
NORTHERN LATITUDES DISTILLERY, LAKE LEELANAU 10/16 -- The Fridays, 4:45-6:45 RIVER CLUB, GLEN ARBOR 5-8: 10/10 -- Loose Change
THE CABBAGE SHED, ELBERTA 10/10 -- Jake Frysinger, 5-8 10/15 -- Open Mic Night, 6:30-9 THE HOMESTEAD RESORT, GLEN ARBOR WHISKERS: 10/10 -- Bryan Poirier, 6-9
Antrim & Charlevoix BLU DOT FARM & VINEYARD, CHARLEVOIX 10/10 -- Andy Kline, 3-6 BOYNE RIVER INN, BOYNE CITY 10/15 -- Nelson Olstrom, 7-10 CAFE SANTÉ, BOYNE CITY 10/10 -- Nelson Olstrom, 7-10 CELLAR 1914/SHOOKS FARM, CENTRAL LAKE
10/17 -- Line Dancing w/ Kay, 6-8 FIRESIDE LOUNGE, BELLAIRE 6:30-9:30: 10/10 -- Jessica Dominic 10/16 -- Clint Weaner 10/17 -- Timothy Thayer LOST CELLARS, CHARLEVOIX TASTING ROOM: 10/16 -- Randy Reszka, 5-8
MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY 8-11: 10/14 -- Karaoke Night 10/16 -- Dave Cisco SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE 6-8: 10/14 -- Open Mic Night 10/15 -- Trivia
NORTHERN EXPRESS
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Northern Express Weekly • oct 19, 2020 • 17 H IG 2026 • 41 Northern Express Weekly • october N M IC12, N OR TH ER EatE VisitriEs ed
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42 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
Mike Annelin Enthusiastic & Experienced
231-499-4249 | 231-929-7900
NEW LISTING
733 Highland Park Drive | $895,000 | MLS 1951449 Located atop Highland Park Drive at the base of Old Mission Peninsula, this beautifully updated 4-bedroom, 3-bath ranch offers over 3,700 square feet of comfortable living space. Enjoy easy access to schools, NMC, downtown Traverse City, beaches, dining, and recreation. Updated throughout the past decade, the home features an open, light-filled layout, warm wood floors, a woodburning fireplace, and a finished walk-out lower level. A spacious, private yard provides a great setting for entertaining or relaxing. An exceptional home in one of Traverse City’s most desirable locations!
EAST BAY
Bluff Rd/Center Rd Parcel $895,000 | MLS 1950216
PENDING
5119 Anna Drive
$475,000 | MLS 1949890
RESIDENTIAL | COMMERCIAL | VACANT LAND
SOLD
573 Madeira Drive $595,000
MIKEANNELIN.COM Northern Express Weekly • october 12, 2026 • 43
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44 • october 12, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly