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Northern Express is a communitycentered paper that covers local people, places, entertainment, and news. We invite letters to the editor that also address issues in northern Michigan, whether that’s local policies, changes in your community, art and education, or hot topics like housing, tourism, and the environment (just to name a few). If it touches northern Michigan, it is something we want to share! We also welcome letters “in conversation” with any stories, columns, and other letters published in Northern Express.
Letters must be civil, 300 words or fewer, and submitted no more than once per month per person. Letters will be edited for clarity, and letters or portions may be omitted due to space or issues with questionable facts/citations or privacy. We do not print letters that have been sent to or published in other media. To have your letter included, please provide your full name and city of residence in northern Michigan.
Northern Express Weekly is published by Eyes Only Media, LLC. Publisher: Luke Haase PO Box 4020 Traverse City, Michigan 49685 Phone: (231) 947-8787 Fax: 947-2425 email: info@northernexpress.com www.northernexpress.com
Editor: Jillian Manning Finance Manager: Libby Shutler
Distribution Manager: Roger Racine Sales: Lisa Gillespie, Kim Murray, Kaitlyn Nance, Abby Walton Porter, Michele Young, For ad sales in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne & Charlevoix, call (231) 838-6948
Creative Director: Kyra Cross Poehlman
Cover photo courtesy of Penny Lane/Karie McIntyre
Distribution: Marc Morris, Gerald Morris, Dave Anderson, Joe Evancho, Jason Ritter, Sherri Ritter, Roger Racine, Sarah Racine, Brandy Grames, Rachel Cara, Jackson Price, Lisa Price, Peggy Bell
Listings Editor: Jamie Kauffold
Contributors: Ren Brabenec, Geri Dietze, Anna Faller, Rachel Pasche, Lourin Sprenger, Stephen Tuttle, Todd VanSickle
top ten
All About Fall Color
These days, there’s no shortage of fall fun, and the leaves are putting on a true show. Here are two unique ways to see a different side of autumn. The Fall Artisan & Wine Walk wanders through Suttons Bay Friday, Oct. 17, from 5-8pm. Shop local art, sample fall fare and refreshments, and admire the juxtaposition of the charming town, the blue lake, and the spectacular trees all around. (suttonsbaychamber.com/ fall-artisan-wine-walk) Or head to the top of Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, where Aerie Restaurant & Lounge is hosting a fall color lunch on two upcoming Saturdays, Oct. 18 and 25. See the view from 16 stories up and enjoy a special menu—baked brie, butternut squash soup, crab cakes, caramel apple tarte tatin, just to name a few items—from 11am-2pm. (grandtraverseresort.com/dining/aerie-dining/#events)
2 tastemaker
Simply Sourdough TC’s Cinnamon Rolls
Sharing is the name of the game at Simply Sourdough TC in Traverse City, from sharing mindfulness and community connection to sharing wholesome (and gut-healthy!) bread and baked goods. One bite of the Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls, however, and you’ll want the whole batch for yourself! These treats are fermented for a whopping 16 hours using a live sourdough starter—that’s what’s behind that tender and buttery texture—then individually shaped and baked and generously slathered with homemade cream-cheese frosting. Enjoy one dunked in a hot cup of coffee, or devour your goodies straight from the bag. Find Simply Sourdough TC in Traverse City at 1610 Barlow St., Suite 110, at the Seismoto Coffee Bar, and at various farmers markets. (Psst—stay tuned for fall-featured chai and maple pecan cinnamon rolls!) simplysourdoughtc.com
Raise a Rosé
Raise a glass of rosé at Delamar Traverse City to recognize October Breast Cancer Awareness month and benefit the Munson Cancer Fund, Oct. 17-19. This weekend-long event is presented by Hampton Water, which was co-created by Bon Jovi and his son, Jesse. Take part in the Harvest for Hope Dinner and silent auction (featuring an autographed Bon Jovi guitar!) on Saturday, suit up for the Pink Out Pool Party at Delamar, or savor the sparkling Bubbly Brunch in Artisan on Sunday. For tickets and more info visit: delamar.com/hotels/delamar-traverse-city/raise-a-rose
Hey, Watch It! Black Rabbit 4
If you think of Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth in Arrested Development and Jude Law as the bespeckled British love interest in The Holiday, you’ll see a new side of both actors in the crime/thriller limited series Black Rabbit. (Let’s just say there are some dramatic action sequences you wouldn’t expect from either of them.) Bateman stars as Vince Friedken, who is less the black rabbit and more the black sheep of his family, while Law plays Vince’s (mostly) lawabiding brother, Jake. Jake’s world is wrapped up in the success of his swanky restaurant, the Black Rabbit, while Vince’s history with drugs, debt, and bad dudes is catching up to him. The show explores the boundaries of brotherhood—just how far would you go for a wayward sibling?—and the sins we’ll commit to hold onto the things we think matter most. All eight episodes are now streaming on Netflix.
6 A Taste of Ireland
An “Irish Music & Dance Sensation” takes the stage with two performances in northern Michigan this week. A Taste of Ireland features former World Irish dance champions and stars from the West End’s Lord of the Dance and Riverdance, and the performance is now touring the country following their off-Broadway premiere. Audiences are promised “melodic folk mash-ups, jaw-dropping a cappella tap battles, and captivating storytelling.” Catch them at the Cheboygan Opera House on Sunday, Oct. 19. Tickets range from $41-$61; the 4pm show sold out, but a second show at 7:30pm was still available as of press time. Get tickets theoperahouse.org. The dancers head to Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor next, with 3:30pm and 7:30pm showtimes on Saturday, Oct. 25. Tickets range from $49-$69 at greatlakescfa.org.
Election Season Is Underway
Michigan’s November election is less than a month away. Here are a few key dates as you look ahead to local ballot measures and elections on Nov. 4. Absentee voter ballots and secure drop boxes are now available, and absentee ballots must be received by a voter’s local clerk’s office by 8pm on Election Day to be counted. Oct. 6 marked the beginning of the optional early voting period, which will end Nov. 2. Check your clerk’s website to see if early voting is available in your area. Oct. 20 is the deadline to register to vote by mail or online, though you can register in person with your local clerk (bring proof of residency) from Oct. 21 through Election Day. Learn more about voting and what’s on your ballot at mvic.sos.state.mi.us.
Stuff We Love: Petal-ing It Forward
On Wednesday, Oct. 15, the Society of American Florists celebrates Petal It Forward, the organization’s “goodwill initiative where participants hand two flowers or bouquets to an unsuspecting stranger, urging them to keep one and share the other with someone else.” The Flower Station in Traverse City is one of the participating florists, and owner Dan Rohe can’t wait to make customers and passersby smile. “As new owners of The Flower Station, we are participating this year to spread the message of joy and happiness flowers provide combined with the message of giving,” Rohe says. “We hope to share with our community the real power of flowers and the feel-good emotions of giving. And flowers are the best!” Find the Flower Station at 341 W Front St. in Traverse City.
bottoms up Blush’s Splash + Sizzle
The days of rooftop sunsets are coming to a close, so hurry over to Blush, perched atop the Alexandra Inn in East Bay Township, before the season ends. There, you’ll be treated to a stunning view over East Grand Traverse Bay and a delicious menu for both food and drink. On our most recent visit, we kept things NA with the Splash + Sizzle mocktail ($9). With a salty, slightly spicy rim complete with an orange wedge, this drink delivers sunset in a glass. The ingredients—red grapefruit juice, lemon, soda, and simple syrup—capture the same golden-orange hues you’ll see play out over the water. Say cheers to fall at 2227 US-31 North in Traverse City. (Note: When the hotel is full, Blush parking is at the nearby Harbor Brook Hall.) thealexandrainn.com/blush
Photo by Danny Kaan, courtesy of A Taste of Ireland Company
Horror Show
INCOMPETENCE
A LOSING GAME
spectator
By Stephen Tuttle
We don’t care who’s to blame for the government shutdown. That politicians think we do is just more evidence of their remarkable incompetence.
The federal government has shut down 10 times since 1980, and each time it was because one party or the other believed punishing the people they are supposed to be representing was somehow politically advantageous. They tell us they are all about serving their constituents, but no constituent has asked them to lock government’s doors or quit writing checks already promised.
Both parties have engaged in this idiocy, a rite of bipartisan incompetence proving both sides are incapable of completing even their most basic responsibility while engaging in a zero-sum game of fingerpointing. They are desperate to make us believe somebody else is to blame, or they have some honorable reason for shuttering needed services. They will be wrong on both accounts, and the 343 million Americans watching know it.
This isn’t a game to most of us, and no one is winning. There is a reason the most recent Gallup polling shows the approval rating for Congress at an abysmal 26 percent, a well-earned failing grade by any known standard, and yet we keep sending the same folks back to Washington to continue doing almost nothing except creating more tax breaks for the ultrawealthy and corporations.
Refusing to do their jobs and then spending endless hours blaming others for their rank incompetence is tiresome, bordering on embarrassing. While both sides claim victory and blame their opponents, neither side seems willing to sit down and solve whatever superficial political grandstanding differences exist. Here’s a hint: None of us think you’re winning, but most of us do think you’re losers.
We would have better luck if we removed all 535 members of the current incompetent Congress and replaced them with 530 people, three smart dogs and two clever cats picked at random off the street. Remove any hint of political party labels, put them up in a resort for the weekend, and by Monday morning, they would have produced a functional budget.
States and cities, even those with serious political divisions, produce budgets year after year after year. Private sector businesses large and small produce budgets, and even our households produce budgets. For some reason, the invertebrates now occupying Congress can’t seem to be able to do what everybody else does.
Speaking of incompetence, Bobby Kennedy, Jr. has nearly completed his dismantling of our federal healthcare
system by removing many of the actual scientists and legitimate researchers from the ranks at Health and Human Services (HHS). He fired his own chief of staff and the second in command because they would not sign on to a negative report about vaccines. He removed all 17 members of the vaccine advisory committee at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after promising he would not during his confirmation hearings. He claimed the removals were necessary to “restore public trust.” Somewhat ironic since it was his constant denigration of vaccines that harmed public trust, not the actions of the vaccine panel.
There were other departures, but their big news was the nonsensical announcement warning about using Tylenol during pregnancy because Bobby the Lesser wants it to be the cause of autism or ADHD or other neurodevelopmental issues or…something.
Kennedy claims there might be such a connection based on…well, we’re not really sure because there is no peer-reviewed science that links acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, with autism or other issues.
Autism is an incredibly complicated condition manifesting itself in a wide variety of ways, ranging from near total debilitation requiring a lifetime of care to highly functioning individuals appearing symptom free. It’s why it’s called a spectrum.
Acetaminophen, which Kennedy wants to blame for the spectrum, was first synthesized in 1878 but was not marketed or used widely for pain relief until the mid-1940s. Tylenol wasn’t even invented until 1955, though autism was first identified in 1911. If Tylenol causes autism, how come autism existed at least 44 years before Tylenol?
It’s not as if there has been no research on the subject.
A study conducted in Sweden from 19952019 looked at just under 186,000 children who had been exposed to Tylenol while their mothers were pregnant or during their infancy. It is the largest such test ever undertaken trying to determine if a connection exists between Tylenol and the autism spectrum of disorders.
They concluded there is no increased risk of autism, ADHD, or any intellectual disabilities associated with the use of Tylenol during pregnancy.
No medicine of any kind is 100 percent safe. There is even such a thing as a water overdose. But there is no provable evidence that Tylenol causes autism or anything else other than some relief from mild pain and fevers.
CLOSED BORDERS, CLOSED MINDS
GUEST OPINION
by Isiah Smith, Jr.
I’m writing this from the Scandic hotel in Malmö, Sweden, far from the deliberate internal weakening of the United States of America. It is an incredible blessing to be able to leave the country and connect with people from various cultures and different worldviews. It is a blessing that refreshes and inspires, offering renewed focus and sparks of hope that we have not felt in our home country in a long time.
Our annual trips to Scandinavia, where our kids and grandkids live, remind us how close the world came to falling apart during World War II, when European countries like Denmark played a crucial role in fighting the Germans. Europeans have vivid memories of the death, destruction, and despair caused by the Second World War. They remember lessons we seem to have forgotten, to our detriment.
America and the rest of the “free world” were lucky when, in the 1930s and 1940s, the Germans followed their shortsighted prejudices into a dark tunnel of collapse. Had they not been blinded by hatred of “the other,” the entire world might be speaking German today.
The reason we do not speak the language of the conqueror today is neatly summarized in a footnote in Garrett M. Graff’s essential book, The Devil Reached Toward the Sky: An Oral History of the Making & Unleashing of the Atomic Bomb. Early in this remarkable book, Graff states: “The truth about the much-feared German bomb effort is interesting itself: Germany never came close to an atomic weapon, in part because of the raging antisemitism that kept the Third Reich from involving Jewish scientists. There is a fascinating book to be written—one I’ve long hoped to do myself—about the U.S. pursuit of atomic intelligence in Europe.”
Many of America’s key achievements in research and science have been made possible by H-1B visas, which enable talented students from around the world to study in the U.S. Typically, students who attend Harvard, Yale, and other top American universities choose to stay in the U.S. after completing their studies, bringing some of the world’s brightest scientific minds and creative talents to our country.
The H-2B visa is a non-immigrant visa that lets U.S. employers temporarily hire foreign workers for non-agricultural jobs that are seasonal, peak-load, intermittent, or onetime. It’s important to remember that the job must be temporary with a specific start and end date, and the employer must prove that no qualified U.S. workers are available.
Now, that strategic advantage could disappear entirely because of the current administration’s efforts to restrict or, in some cases, eliminate those visas.
Attacking such a vital part of the country thoughtlessly is to give up a benefit in exchange for a burden.
Although certain concerns about the H-1B program are valid, the idea that foreign workers take jobs away from Americans is not one of them. Immigrants working in the U.S. buy goods and services just like native-born workers do. This demand for goods and services creates additional demand, which means companies will need to grow and may have to hire more workers. This is a simple, fundamental law of classical economics (supply and demand), which the current administration seems to ignore.
The administration is not content to target foreign workers, but it has also expanded its focus to include international students. According to John K. Wilson, the author of the upcoming book The Attack on Academia, the administration’s attack on Harvard is part of an unprecedented assault in the history of American higher education. (For an insightful discussion on academia under the Trump administration, Mr. Wilson’s Academe Blog is a great place to start.)
By invoking the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952—during McCarthyism!— which allows the deportation of noncitizens if the Secretary of State “has reasonable ground to believe” that their presence would cause “serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States,” the administration has revoked the visas of at least 300 international students.
The Trump administration has used its economic influence over university contracts to push a conservative agenda that bans diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and demands the silencing of pro-Palestinian protesters. International students and scholars are the most vulnerable victims of this attack on higher education, and the administration’s broader immigration policies threaten all international students.
The ultimate target is higher education itself. The Trump administration will continue to attack universities it views as ideological enemies by threatening their funding and academic freedom.
On Sept. 23 this year, Trump criticized the U.N. for “not even coming close to living up to its potential.” This is a rare example of Freudian projection. Without a hint of selfawareness, he warned Europe that it would be destroyed if it did not reject a “doubletailed monster” of migration and green energy policies.
A miserable and poorly informed opinion. Isiah Smith, Jr. is a retired government attorney.
The Passing Parade
In Russia, doctors at the Kirov Regional Clinical Hospital were astounded when a 65-year-old man presented with a tumor the size of his head growing from the back of his neck, the New York Post reported. The surgeons were able to remove the tumor on Sept. 22 and identified it as a benign lipoma -- a fatty lump that grows between the skin and muscle. The patient told doctors he'd been living with the lump for 16 years and had tried treating it with simple ointments, without success. Igor Popyrin, head of surgery at the hospital, said many patients "postpone a visit to a specialist, hoping that the formation will disappear on its own. The only effective treatment is surgical removal."
Saw That Coming
consumed alcohol and weed gummies," a department statement said. He was charged with criminal damage to government-supported property, two counts of aggravated battery and one count of aggravated assault. Montgomery and the occupants of the other car were unhurt.
SECOND ANNUAL HOG
ROAST
On Sept. 22, as Lubbock (Texas) mounted police officers Bryson Lewis and William Trotter assisted with a routine patrol, they stopped a man who was walking in the road, rather than on the sidewalk, KCBD-TV reported. The officers thought 42-year-old Joseph Ramirez was acting suspiciously, and when they asked to check his pockets, he said no. Then Trotter joked that he had a "narcotics-smelling horse" -- and Ramirez took off running. "He took it seriously, and the race was on," Trotter said. But the police horses caught up with him quickly, and Ramirez was charged with evading arrest and tampering with physical evidence with the intent to impair. "Chasing bad guys is part of the fun in it for us," Lewis said. "So when you get to chase down a bad guy and not even get tired, it's a good day."
People With Issues
Yaz Chapman, 34, of Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, was diagnosed at age 4 with pica, a disorder that involves eating items that are not typically thought of as food. As a child, she tried talcum powder, chalk and cigarette rolling papers. According to LAD Bible, the mom of four currently eats about 10 sheets of paper each day. "I look forward to the postman," Chapman said. "Certain papers taste different and they have different textures. I'll rip a corner off just to test it." She said she drinks plenty of water to help with constipation. "When someone likes chocolate and they're craving something sweet, they eat it and they feel those happy chemicals being released in their brain. It's like that," Chapman said about living with pica.
Least Competent Criminals
Keajion L. Jennings of Fairview Heights, Illinois, told the Fairview Heights police officer whose car he had just rearended that he did it because he was "bored" and "I hate cops." The Belleville News-Democrat reported that on Sept. 24, as officer Travis Montgomery stopped a different car for an expired license plate sticker, Jennings drove his 2018 Camaro into the back of Montgomery's squad car. Jennings "admitted he had
Six people were arrested in Los Angeles, KTLA-TV reported on Sept. 30, after they attempted to raise a banner on the iconic Hollywood sign. The LAPD said the group "trespassed all the way up to the Hollywood sign" with a banner advertising the cryptocurrency business Pump.fun. Jake Hillhouse, one of the six, said the group wanted to be "one of the only" to successfully alter the sign; to that end, they filmed every step along the way, from creation of the banner to raising it with ropes as a police helicopter circled overhead. Their post on X went viral, so ... promotion achieved!
Compelling Explanations
Around 11 a.m. on Sept. 30, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst near Trenton, New Jersey, went into lockdown, the Associated Press reported. The warning stemmed from a text about a shooter on the base sent by Malika Brittingham, a civilian who works for the Naval Air Warfare Center. She told the person she texted that she had heard five or six shots and was sheltering in a closet with coworkers. The text recipient called 911, prompting the lockdown. But as it turned out, there was no shooter. Prosecutors say Brittingham confessed to committing the hoax because she had been "ostracized by her co-workers and hoped their shared experience in response to an active shooter would allow them to 'trauma bond.'" She faces charges of knowingly conveying false information about an active shooter who didn't exist.
In Palm Coast, Florida, Flagler County Sheriff's deputies pulled over 57-year-old Michael Stanek of Welaka on Sept. 23 for speeding -- or in his case, superspeeding, Fox News reported. Stanek was going 107 mph. When an officer asked him why he was going so fast, bodycam video captured his excuse: "I have an appointment with my barber." Chances are he didn't make it; the officer said he would spend the night in jail after "weaving in and out of traffic" and "putting other people's lives in danger."
News You Can Use
Looking for a get-rich-quick scheme? Start saving those fingernail clippings. In traditional Chinese medicine, Oddity Central reported on Sept. 26, clippings are incorporated into medicinal products to treat abdominal distension and tonsillitis. Companies that make the treatments purchase the clippings and wash them thoroughly before grinding them into powder, and the prices paid for them are relatively high (compared to, say, the value of throwing them in the trash). One woman sold clippings for $21 per kilogram (she'd been saving them since childhood).
From Halloween Costumes to Fresh Starts
The impact of Goodwill in northern Michigan
By Lourin Sprenger
If you’ve ever walked through the doors of a Goodwill store in northern Michigan— hunting for that just-right vintage jacket or the missing piece to a Halloween masterpiece—you’ve been part of something much bigger than yourself.
“Goodwill Northern Michigan operates nine thrift stores across our 19-county region from Alpena to Petoskey to Traverse City, plus an ecommerce department,” says Josh Olds, director of donated goods. “We also have a recycling and transportation team that tie everything together. Our stores fund our community programs, housing and homeless services, and Food Rescue.”
By the Numbers: Staff
Goodwill employs nearly 250 people across the region. From sorting donations and stocking racks, to helping shoppers find just what they’re looking for, to helping people move out of homelessness into housing, to rescuing and delivering 2.2 million pounds of nutritious food a year, there is no shortage of tasks for employees.
“Every position is part of our social enterprise model,” Olds says. “We’re creating empowering jobs that turn items people no longer need into critical programs that increase housing and food security for neighbors.”
Volunteers
In addition to the staff, about 300 volunteers donate their time to Goodwill’s mission.
“Most spend their time at our Food Rescue program—harvesting fruits and vegetables from local farms, repacking fresh and frozen food into family-sized containers, and delivering it to local pantries and meal sites,” Olds says. “Others serve dinner at our Goodwill Inn homeless shelter, 365 days a year—weekends and holidays included. In the stores, volunteers help alphabetize books, organize displays, and keep our shelves looking their best.”
Donated Goods
Each month, Goodwill Northern Michigan processes tens of thousands of donated items, clothing, furniture, housewares, books, and more. Altogether, that adds up to 5.5 million pounds of stuff. Even when items can’t be sold, they rarely go to waste.
“Reducing waste is a core part of our work,” Olds tells us. “If something can’t be sold, we recycle or repurpose it—textiles become industrial rags, metal is recycled, books go to secondhand marketplaces, and electronics are handled by certified recyclers. We always try to put every donation to its highest and best use.”
Dollars and Cents
When you shop or donate locally, your impact stays local. Olds says that “every dollar raised in our stores stays right here in northern Michigan. Store revenues cover all of the administrative costs of our Food and Housing programs, including Food Rescue…”
Who They Serve
Olds estimates that in addition to the impact of Food Rescue’s work—which delivers to 70 community meal sites and food pantries around the area—Goodwill also serves 1,500 people a year through their homelessness services, which work to provide access to shelter and housing. On top of that, Goodwill has provided $500,000 in store vouchers to neighbors in crisis.
“Our stores make it possible for every charitable donation to go directly to program services that bring food to neighbors and help people find home,” he says.
Halloween at Goodwill
There’s one time of year when the energy inside a Goodwill store hits a whole new level: Halloween.
“Halloween is one of our favorite times of year,” Olds says with a grin. “You’ll find the classic costumes, wigs, makeup, and decorations, but the real fun is in the DIY creativity.”
It’s the season of imagination, when a sparkly dress becomes a disco diva outfit or a flannel shirt turns into a lumberjack costume. “Our shoppers love building oneof-a-kind costumes from thrifted finds,” Olds says. “A vintage blazer for a mad scientist, a sequined dress for a disco diva, or a flannel and suspenders for a lumberjack look.”
The most popular Halloween finds? “Anything sparkly, black lace, cowboy boots, hats, and vintage dresses.”
The best time to shop? Olds says Halloween starts in July at Goodwill, and
August and September usually have the best selection, “but even in October, you’ll find spooktacular items.”
And if you’re cleaning out your closets this fall, Olds says Goodwill stores are “always looking for costumes, accessories, formal wear, wigs, and anything with character.”
Get Involved with Goodwill
Step inside a Goodwill store, and you’ll see the surface—the clothes, the housewares, the friendly faces. But just below that surface hums a social enterprise quietly transforming lives.
“Our stores are more than retail— they’re a community lifeline,” Olds says.
“When people shop or donate, they’re helping turn everyday items into lasting change.”
To get involved, Olds recommends the following:
1. Volunteer your time. “We’re always looking for more community members to join us as volunteers,” he says.
2. Give financially. “Financial gifts help deliver millions of pounds of rescued food, provide emergency shelter, and sustain programs that help neighbors thrive.”
3. Donate goods. “Every item dropped off at our donation doors supports local programs that feed and house our neighbors and keeps usable goods out of the landfill,” Olds says.
Learn more at goodwillnmi.org.
Falling into Fall Fashion
Four Up North stores share their top trends for 2025
By Geri Dietze
Ah, sweater season. Cooler weather has us checking out the fashion scene in four of the region’s most popular retailers in the Charlevoix/Petoskey/Harbor Springs Area. Read on to get a look at what’s in demand for grown-ups and kids alike, and how they’re faring in the tariff storm for imported brands.
Threads: Petoskey
When asked how many lines are carried at Threads, owner Chris Jaconette admits that she “can’t even begin to count.” At a glance, there are over 60 brands on the Threads website—mostly American, but also including some interesting European lines—so that gives you a good idea of the breadth of choices offered by this career merchandiser.
Threads appeared first in Bay Harbor and then moved to Petoskey’s Gaslight District in 2009, and discerning shoppers have been keeping the place busy ever since.
This is not fast fashion, and the prices reflect it, with most pieces, but not all, landing in the $200-$400 range. But if one thinks about modern, timeless pieces, with exceptional materials and construction as an achievable investment, it all starts to make sense.
In Store: At Threads, you’re shopping White + Warren, the American go-to for fine cashmere; or Velvet by Graham and Spencer, beautifully realized pieces, still mainly constructed in Los Angeles, along with a select group of international producers; Cara Cara, whose prints, knits, and fine fabrics are hand sewn by small teams chosen specifically for their expertise; or 1970’s vibe Xirena, with colorful lifestyle pieces combining LA sensibility with the aura of European resort life. And don’t forget Hat Attack, creator of classic accessories made of natural fabrics, much of it produced right here in America.
So far, inflation and tariffs have not seriously affected Threads, but Jaconette does share that “a couple of companies no longer ship to the U.S.,” and others have raised their prices.
On Trend: According to Jaconette, trends for 2025 are varied: neck scarves; denim in just about every shape; western influences from stitching to bandanas to boots; plus a deep, rich color palette including chocolate brown, reds, and burgundies. Oh, and animal prints continue their long run.
Shop: 400 Bay St, Petoskey or shopthreadsonline.com; (231) 439-9844. (P.S. Just up the street is Apres, Thread’s sister with clothing, fun accessories, and choices for gifting.)
J. Phillips: Charlevoix
Charlevoix’s J. Phillips packs a lot of fashion into its 1,000-square-foot storefront, as it continues to build upon a family legacy going back over four decades, when Rod and Judy Phillips first started retailing in Petoskey. Manager Jene St. Amour took the reins of the Charlevoix location in 2021.
In Store: Currently the store represents 30 to 40 lines, both established favorites and comparative industry newcomers. She recommends Tribal, a Canadian brand known for mix and match separates, with flattering fits, especially in pants. “Tribal is a beautiful line,” St. Amour says.
On the other side of the globe, Zaket & Plover is an Australian knitwear brand featuring cashmere cotton blend sweaters in a mix of color combos. “[The] line is unique, with color blocks, prints, and stripes…in pinks, oranges, and teals.”
St. Amour admits that prices have gone up thanks to tariffs, but while J. Phillips runs in the higher-priced range, sales and deeper discounts are not unheard of, so stop in often.
On Trend: Consistency has always defined J. Phillips in quality and in style. They’re not controlled by trends, but rather guided by a solid knowledge and appreciation of what endures in fashion.
But colors define fall and winter, and St. Amour shares that some are carryovers from the previous year. “We’re still seeing black, browns, purples,” and, depending on the lines, there are some blues, greens, and burnt orange, plus neutral shades and bright color blocks. Natural, sustainable fabrics dominate at this time of year, including cashmere. “We do very well with cashmere,” St. Amour says. Alashan Cashmere, for example, was founded in 2004, when the apprentice to a third-generation Rhode Island fiber processor bought the business and applied his skills in color, spinning, and weaving to create a singular line of luxury knitwear. Traditional navy and chocolate brown, plus creams and teal blues speak quiet luxury.
And, no surprise, denim, in all shapes, is still popular, especially the “very in” barrel style. Lysse New York and the Canadian line Sympli offer comfort with clean, modern style. Also look for cold weather jackets and coats in leather, pleather, and faux suede and fur. Shop: 317 Bridge St, Charlevoix; (231) 547-6072.
Fox and Hound: Petoskey
Petoskey’s Fox and Hound is the source for well-dressed kiddos, from infants to ages six or seven. Owner Alexis Murphy, who grew up in Petoskey and Harbor Springs, presides over this beautiful collection in a beautiful setting, sometimes accompanied by her sweet lab, Winnie. The space is cozy, restful, and full of must-haves for the small set.
In Store: Fox and Hound carries Michigan-made clothing— Chunky Cheeks and Northern Needles for example—as well as a couple of brands made stateside. To counter the tariff issue, some international lines shifted to U.S. warehouses to stay ahead of production and availability. “These brands depend on the U.S.,” Murphy adds.
Still, spending has remained steady from residents and visitors alike, and Murphy emphasizes the importance of shopping small and local. “I have loyal, local customers,” she explains, “[and the] support comes full circle; you don’t just support the business, but also the community and small brands.”
On Trend: Fashion-forward baby designs moved to a neutral color palette some time ago, and the trend continues. Look for soft shades of grey, beige, brown, sage green, and everything in between. “Neutrals are always a timeless look,” Murphy explains, “especially for [gifting] ahead of the gender reveal.”
Boys have a wide selection of mix and match sweaters, pants, and shorts, plus onesies and sets in charming prints. “For girls, [it’s] always dresses,” Murphy says. (Anyone who has ever cooed over a baby outfit knows the fun in dressing little girls.)
She adds that there is a “country, nostalgia theme, with floral patterns and pretty collars.” And believe us, collars are in, big time: wide, Peter Pan, frilled and ruffled And, bubble rompers are everywhere, for both boys and girls, in soft, organic fabrics. (Fun fact: The romper goes back a century or so, and was originally just for boys, but little girls like to romp, too.)
Shop: 204 Petoskey Street, Petoskey or foxandhoundkid. com; (231) 489-8122.
The Outfitter: Harbor Springs
Here, every member of the family will find clothing, accessories, and gear all under one roof, with 4,000 square feet dedicated to an active life. Starting as a Harbor Springs gun store, The Outfitter came into being in 1972 when it was rechristened, and has spent the next half century of careful stewardship under only two other owners.
In Store: Because activewear is also fashion wear, buyers will find just the right combination of style, comfort, and versatility. Look for all the best brands, for men and women: Patagonia, Mountain Hardware, Toad & Co, Duck Head, KUHL, Smartwool, Outdoor Research, plus so much more.
Spokesperson Emily Keen explains that local and seasonal customers keep the Outfitter busy year-round, but that they are starting to feel the pinch of international trade policies.
“[Our] confidence remains high, and the atmosphere is overall positive,” she says. But tariffs have had an impact. “Unfortunately, we have seen the effect of tariffs on almost all our brands. Price increases are apparent across the board and have even affected the availability and production of certain styles and brands.”
On Trend: Embracing active wear for Up North lifestyles means lots of easy-to-layer pieces. “We’re seeing a lot of cozy fabrics—like sherpa, boucle, bamboo, and chunky knitwear—return this year,” says Keen. “Oversized silhouettes are still very prominent, as well as a neutral color palette with pops of jewel tones like dark garnet and sapphire blue.”
Taking its place among the heavy hitters this year is Belong Designs, the Colorado-based company dedicated to getting people outside, and doing it with responsible sourcing and sustainable materials. Great designs and a fun color palette help.
“They specialize in outdoor apparel that can take you from trail to town; their super soft knits are already a hit with our staff and customers!” Keen adds.
And, since we’re entering the sloppy seasons, outdoor fashionistas might enjoy Hikas gaiters, reimagined in quilting and bright colors. Plus, they’re sustainable, with goose-free down made from oyster shells and recycled plastic bottles.
Shop: 153 E. Main St., Harbor Springs or outfitterharborsprings.com; (231) 526-2621.
The Thrill of the Thrift
Meet some of the superstar thrifters at TC’s Penny Lane
By Rachel Pasche
Step into Penny Lane, where old clothes find new life as they do in any consignment shop. The difference, you’ll soon notice, is the immense variety within the curated booths you won’t find elsewhere. Forty booths line the walls and fill the space with an eclectic and ever-changing array of clothing items, accessories, shoes, home goods, and even artwork.
Owner Jena Wright was inspired by similar consignment concepts she encountered out west and thought (correctly!) that a unique consignment model would succeed in Traverse City.
“The concept is a community collaboration, providing a platform for local sellers to earn money and be creative, while also fostering an inclusive shopping environment,” Wright says.
The booths are booked out over a month in advance due to the high demand. Each is operated by an individual who rents the space on a weekly basis for a flat fee. The
store provides the rack, shelves, hangers, and a tagging system; the seller is responsible for bringing their items, setting their own prices, and arranging their booth creatively. After setting up their booth, sellers usually leave the logistics of running a storefront up to Penny Lane, though they are free to return during the week to refresh or restock their booth.
“The store works so well because it creates a constantly changing inventory for shoppers, making each visit a unique experience. By offering a variety of styles and items from different people, it avoids the static feel of a traditional thrift or consignment store,” Wright explains.
Wright tells us there are several factors that go into what makes a “successful booth”: brands sold, quality and quantity of items, the organization and presentation of the booth, and the seller’s own marketing efforts. “There isn’t one category that sells better than others; it really depends.”
While there’s no predicting what will be in stock each week, that gives customers
a new opportunity each visit to find something unique, vintage, or priced lower than it would be in a traditional retail store. We spoke with a few of Penny Lane’s regular sellers to unpack what sort of things fill their booths.
Clothing & Crochet
Jessica Jabara runs a regular booth at Penny Lane and her homemade business, Bird Nest Closet, where she makes microcrochet earrings. Her booth consists of both the adorable earrings and items from her own closet, family members, estate sales, and vintage or thrift shops.
“The combination of handmade and vintage items gives my booth variety, with items that are both modern and from the past,” Jabara says.
To her, thrifting has always been a treasure hunt, scouring aisles and shelves for unique pieces. “I love when thrifted items connect with someone new; pairing thrifted finds with my crochet gives my booth character and helps it stand out.”
Art & Styling
Heather Spooner is a local muralist and artist who runs Ampersand Lettering Lab and was behind “The Letter League,” which connected strangers using handwritten letters during the COVID shutdown. Spooner recently took up a regular booth at Penny Lane, where she sells both thrifted items and the occasional handpainted jacket.
“I love having a booth at Penny Lane because it allows me to curate items of all sizes that I find interesting,” Spooner says.
She loves thrifting, especially while traveling, and is excited to “bring in all sorts of cool things” she thinks “others might like to add to their wardrobe to express their own creativity.” Styling and creating outfits from thrifted clothing items is one of the many ways Spooner shares her art.
Slips & Side Hustles
Kara VanHorn has both a degree in textile and apparel merchandising and her own business selling dyed vintage slips (The Slip Shoppe), so having a booth at Penny
Lane is a natural fit.
VanHorn has been collecting vintage slips for years and, after dying one for a photoshoot with a friend, latched onto the idea of giving the slips new life and color.
“The Slip Shoppe’s mission is simple: to take a piece that might otherwise end up in a landfill and reimagine it. Now I have two booths at Penny Lane—Booth 36 for slips, and Booth 40 for thrifted
finds,” VanHorn says. “The second booth grew out of my merchandising and buying background. Over the past year, I’ve put together themed collections ranging from White Lotus-inspired pieces to Southwestern styles.”
Penny Lane has given VanHorn the opportunity to “build a side hustle that’s both personally fulfilling and environmentally sustainable.”
For Me & For You
Karie McIntyre has operated Booth 6 consistently and has rented out the booth through the end of the year.
“I love the idea of rescuing pieces that would otherwise end up in a landfill somewhere, the thrill of the thrift is really exciting to me,” McIntyre says.
Her booth, which is full of “quiet luxury” items ranging from vintage items
to popular brands, gives her the freedom to explore fashion. “I love that I can find something fun, wear it for a week, then give it a new home.”
She likes that Penny Lane allows sellers to price their own items and fill their booths with whatever strikes their fancy. “There’s really something for everyone, whether they’re shopping for a specific style, era, or price point.”
The Slip Shoppe booth
Karie McIntyre's booth
Where Art & Advocacy Meet
By Anna Faller
For Anishinaabe Two-Spirit and beadwork artist, Becca Lynn (she/they), each intricate pendant or pair of earrings she creates is about more than just craft; it’s cultural connection.
“There’s something magical and very spiritual about creating,” she says. “It’s about transforming [our] energy into something else.”
While beading has been an Anishinaabe practice for centuries, contemporary beading has morphed into an art form of its own, she notes, with modern creatives now employing their practice to reference popular culture, make political statements— or in her case, celebrate the nuances of queer and indigenous identity.
It was with this goal in mind that Lynn’s beadwork business, QueerKwe Designs, was born, and through it, she’s working towards a more inclusive world, one bead at a time.
Reinventing Tradition
As Lynn explains, the tradition of beading in Anishinaabe culture is multifold. Beadwork harkens back to the rich indigenous culture of Great Lakes trade, wherein beads transformed from clay to glass and served as critical economic leverage for regional tribes during periods of colonization in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Beadwork artist Becca Lynn on tradition, gender, and LGBTQ+ support
It’s also an ancestral form of selfexpression, not only as it relates to dress, but also as a method of communicating with other tribe members. “We have always been a people that like to adorn ourselves,” Lynn says.
Ojibwe florals, for instance, which often feature patterned colors and symmetry, are not only lovely to look at but could also carry signals about dialect or clan membership throughout the community.
Then there’s the spiritual aspect of beading, which for Lynn, who comes from a long line of artisans, represents a means of cultural preservation and connection to her family’s powerhouse women, including her mother, her aunts, and in particular, her late grandmother.
In fact, Lynn says, her favorite beadwork collection to date is one called Nookomis, the Anishinaabemowin word for grandmother, which incorporates her grandma’s heirloom beads.
“Beadwork has always been a way for me to connect to my community,” she says. “It was a way for me to take all of the energy that I didn’t know what to do with and transform it into something beautiful.”
A Long Road
Lynn didn’t always love beading, though. In fact, when she was first learning the art as a middle-schooler, she hated it.
“I couldn’t sit still; I couldn’t stop talking. I didn’t have the dexterity or the patience,” Lynn notes. She was also starting to perceive her Two-Spirit identity at the time, which, in her largely conservative (and predominantly white) northern Michigan hometown, didn’t help matters.
“[By] late elementary school, I knew that I was different,” she says. “Being present [in beading practice] was really difficult when I was constantly running from those internal battles.”
The Two-Spirit term, per Lynn’s definition, is a contemporary placeholder, first coined in the 1990s to describe a centuries-old concept surrounding indigenous gender structures. Though it’s difficult to define in English, Lynn adds, the term generally refers to a state of being that falls outside of traditional male and female binaries, referring instead to a third gender that harnesses energies of both. Lynn says that each Two-Spirit’s experience is entirely individual.
Among indigenous cultures, Two-Spirit folk were traditionally accepted, and even embraced, for their unique worldview. “These [traits] were often thought of as gifts,” Lynn notes. “Why wouldn’t you want to [hear] and learn from someone who’s experiencing the world differently than you are?”
Colonization and forced Catholicism—
which, in the Great Lakes region, dates back as far as the 17th century—subsequently erased much of that tradition, thereby increasing attitudes of homophobia and transphobia across indigenous spaces.
This included Lynn’s community, which she ultimately chose to leave as a young adult to fully and safely explore what queerness could look like. From there, her journey took her to the University of Michigan and an honors thesis surrounding Two-Spirit identity formation, and later, the #NoDAPL Standing Rock Protests, where she demonstrated for eight days, and in that time, witnessed police brutality that left her reeling.
It was about that time that Lynn rediscovered beading, but on her own terms as a way to work through and heal from those traumas. And once she started, she didn’t want to stop.
“I really [thought] about how lucky I was to leave my tribal community and explore my identity,” she says. “I wanted to create an online space of combining traditional beadwork practice with contemporary Pride flags. It seems so simple and easy, but I had never seen anything like it.”
Beading Begins
Enter: QueerKwe Designs (pronounced “queer-kway”), Lynn’s artisan beadwork shop, which combines the traditional
indigenous practice of beading with contemporary queer representation.
“The main focus of my work is very queer-centered. Not [as many] artists are doing that year-round,” she explains.
In Lynn’s designs, this theme most often takes shape through Pride-centric colors or patterns, though she adds that her work is also driven by certain attitudes or current events. The on-going stigmatization of trans and non-binary folks, for example, has made for a recent uptick in representing those communities in her work.
Then, there’s the shop’s ending syllable, “kwe,” which is an Anishinaabemowin word meaning “woman.” As Lynn explains, this not only plays homage to the strength and resilience of indigenous women, but also the ever-evolving nature of her TwoSpirit identity.
“That was something I had to figure out,” she says. “I realized I didn’t have to leave my connection to indigenous womanhood to relate to both [genders].”
As for her other artistic inspirations? Lynn highlights fellow creatives, both online and in her community, as regular muses, as well as her beadworking family members. She is sure to mention artisan group White Feather’s Daughters, which includes her mom and aunts; Renee Dillard, a natural fiber artisan; and quillwork artist and basket maker Yvonne Walker Keshick.
Reclaiming Space
For Lynn, QueerKwe is also about celebrating a cultural space for the LGBTQ+ community in northern Michigan, in native traditions, and beyond.
“Remembering that this is my ancestral land, and that queerness and trans-ness have always been sacred here is something
that’s [really important],” she notes. “We’ve always been here, and nobody can take that from [us].”
Widespread queer representation in tribal communities, however, is still lacking. Lynn says this makes her art and advocacy work, as well as that of other queer creators, all the more impactful, especially for those who might be struggling with their orientation or gender identity and lack resources. In fact, bringing her work back home is a key part of what’s made her own journey so beautiful.
“I get to work with local youth and let them know that they have a space here. When I was growing up, there were maybe one or two other [queer] people; but now, these kids have a safe space where they can be whoever they need to be,” Lynn says.
Continuing to grow that space, though, requires increased local support, especially when it comes to broaching tough conversations. With that in mind, listening to the queer community is a great place to start, Lynn says.
Other ways to enact change, she tells us, include supporting local youth, who in accordance with Anishinaabe tradition, are least-influenced by modern toxicities; contributing to queer visibility with flags, stickers, signage, and the like; and championing the work of queer organizations.
The real key, though, is accepting other people for who they are. “You don’t need understanding to have respect,” Lynn concludes. “You just have to listen to [people] and [keep] showing up.”
Find QueerKwe Designs
(etsy.com/shop/ queerkwe) and on social media @queerkwe or Facebook.com/queerkwedesigns.
TOY STORE TROUBLE AHEAD?
Local shop owners worried about a not-so-merry tariff Christmas
By Todd VanSickle
Whether you were good or bad this year, expect more tariffs in your stocking come December. At the start of the second Donald Trump presidency earlier this year, the administration imposed sweeping tariffs on a wide range of products made outside of the United States.
From January to April, the average U.S. tariff rate rose from 2.5 percent to an estimated 27 percent—the highest level in more than a century. One of the highest tariffs, 30 percent, was slapped on toys imported from China.
“Maybe the children will have two dolls instead of 30 dolls,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting in April, where he added that American consumers might be faced with fewer and more expensive toys.
That prediction appears to be coming true. As we head toward the holiday shopping season, the toy tariffs have raised prices and left local toy stores scrambling to keep shelves full during a time of uncertainty for shoppers and business owners.
Traverse City’s Toy Harbor
Toy Harbor in Traverse City is in its 40th year. The store first opened in 1984 by Nancy Walton, who was having a hard time finding creative and quality toys for her children in northern Michigan. Her daughter-in-law, Amanda Walton, took over the business about five years ago.
The second-generation owner says she continues to offer a lot of the same educational and imaginative toys her mother-in-law had on shelves. “She always had a no weapons or guns policy, so we still carry that on,” Walton says. “We really don’t have much that requires batteries. It’s a lot of imaginative play.”
Walton enjoys seeing how toys bring happiness to her customers. “Usually, you don’t come into a toy store and are in a bad mood, so I like that everyone’s happy to be here, except sometimes little kids do leave unhappy.” (Only when they can’t buy everything they want!)
Overall, Walton says business is good, but nowadays she is constantly faced with challenges due to the recent tariffs.
“Most of the toys are just not made in the United States,” Walton says. “I would say most of them are made in China, but there are a lot that are manufactured in other countries. And now there’s a tariff no matter where you look.”
She says the most challenging part for the toy industry has been the unknown and lack of consistency with how the tariffs will be handled. “One day it might be this, and then the next day it might be that,” Walton notes. She receives multiple emails a day from suppliers about how they are going to deal with the tariffs.
“It is very challenging and kind of scary, I didn’t really know how to manage that,” Walton says of her buying planning for the holidays. “Do I invest in a lot of inventory to get ahead of the tariffs? Or, what if people don’t shop because of the tariffs? What if I am stuck with the inventory? So, it was just finding ways to manage that. I don’t think the toy companies know how.”
In the first part of the year, toy suppliers often told storeowners to wait out the tariffs and see what happens, while others cut inventory or passed on all the extra tariff costs immediately. By mid-summer, Walton started to see the effects of the tariffs and had to adjust her prices.
“Some things, it’s really minimal. Like I have these little charms, and they went up $1,” Walton says. “And then I have another product that’s really popular, these little doit-yourself models, and those each went up $10 per model. Every company handles it differently and passes it on differently.”
To balance the tight margins of owning a small business, “I have had to pass on not 100 percent, but I would say the majority” of the price increases onto customers, Walton says.
Frankfort’s Corner Toy Store
Ben MacRae and his wife Amy have been
in the toy business for 20 years. They own Corner Toy Store in Frankfort. They started selling toys online in 2005 and three years later opened a 3,000-square-foot store in downtown Frankfort on Main Street.
Going into the Christmas season, he is cautiously optimistic. “There’s a lot of strain on people’s budgets,” MacRae acknowledges. “Obviously, a lot of things are more expensive. We’ve seen a big impact in tariffs in our industry.”
At the wholesale level, he’s seen prices jump dramatically in the last few months. The Corner Store carries a lot of toys from Europe, which has about a 10 percent tariff. But the Chinese toys are the heaviest hit with tariffs, MacRae says.
“I’ve got a baby doll manufacturer that’s got almost a 20-percent surcharge on it for tariffs,” MacRae tells us. “We can’t absorb that. It gets built right into our cost. It gets
passed on to the customers directly. So the sh*tty thing is, what used to be a $40 retail baby doll is now a $50 baby.”
MacRae says tariffs aren’t the only problem—a lack of inventory is also a concern as the shopping season nears.
“I have a company that just canceled half of their catalog,” MacRae says. “So we went from having 100 items to pick from on their catalog to like 50. They’re just straight up not bringing half of their product to the United States this year, which really sucks.”
He’s also seen shrinkflation when it comes to the toy industry. “We are still early on in this, but next year I think you will see more toys still at the same price point, but there will be one less item,” MacRae says. “Instead of an eight-piece horse set, it will be a six-piece.”
He has already seen it in some of the packaging, where manufacturers “cut
corners where they can.” MacRae adds, “I think we are going to see some de-contenting shortly.”
On a sobering note, MacRae says the tariffs could put his business at risk of closing its doors.
“It could be something that puts a lot of people at risk,” MacRae explains. “We can only stockpile physically and financially so much stuff. If all the manufacturers run out of product in October, you might not have a very good Christmas.”
Michigan Retailers Association Response
At the state level, Michigan Retailers Association Vice President of Communications Victoria Velda says the organization launched its Buy Nearby campaign during the first full weekend in October. She tells us the annual event highlights Michigan’s small businesses and encourages shoppers to patronize local stores.
“We’re seeing consumers starting to shop as early as the first of October,” Velda says. “So we are just really encouraging shoppers to think local and buy nearby when they’re entering that holiday shopping season.”
Per Velda, if Michigan customers shift just 10 percent of online shopping to nearby retailers, we could create more than 12,000 new jobs and boost the state’s economy by $1 billion.
In May, the Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) conducted a Retail Tariff Impact Survey with the state’s retailers. Fifty percent of respondents said they faced increased pricing due to the tariffs. More than 50 percent said they were considering changing inventory that they carried, and 36 percent said they considered changing suppliers, the survey reported.
“This survey was quite a few months ago, but the data speaks very strongly to what we’ll be seeing through the holiday season,” Velda says.
She added that the retail index—which, per the MRA website, “tracks sales, inventory, pricing, promotional activities, and hiring trends among Michigan retailers”—has been all over the board this year. It dropped to 47.2 in May, but rebounded to 60.2 in July, the highest it has been since January 2024.
Then August numbers came in at 44.9. As of press time, September numbers had not yet been released. MRA’s guidelines note that “index values above 50 generally indicate positive sales activity.”
“There’s been a lot of instability in that index this year, and consumer confidence has been right there along with it,” Velda says. “We hear consumers saying they’re buying early and buying in bulk because they wanted to avoid the tariffs.”
The Michigan Retailers Association doesn’t have any immediate plans to address the tariffs at a legislative level. But toy store
owners like MacRae and Walton would like to see more consistency with the tariffs and planning done to push more manufacturing to the U.S. if that is the end objective. They said with the ever-changing landscape, it is difficult to run a business or be a supplier.
“The manufacturers don’t have time to adjust. There is no rhyme or reason,” MacRae says of the oscillating nature of the tariffs. “As a small business there is no way of combating this. You get like two days’ notice. What are you supposed to do?”
SHOP LOCAL, AND SHOP NOW
Both Walton and MacRae agree that buying now is the best strategy for a merry Christmas.
“If you see something that you really want, or you know will be a great gift for a loved one, I would buy it when you see it, and I wouldn’t hold off, because it might not be there when you come back later,” Walton says. “I’m not super confident that I could have that same Lego for you in a month or the same stuffed animal, because there’s just uncertainty about what I can get and when it will arrive.”
MacRae agrees. “Shop early for Christmas, because there will be things you won’t be able to get. It is scary coming into a holiday season and [knowing] you might run out of product before the season ever gets there. It would be like Traverse City running out of sand before all the tourists get there in July.”
If you’re ready to shop, here are their top recommendations by age group:
Infants: Fun rattles and lovies, soft books, any toys from Fat Brain Toy Company.
Toddlers: Classic toys like blocks, jack-in-box, shape sorters, Pretend Play toys, and building sets from Magnatiles.
4 to 6 years: Stomp rockets, Calico Critters, Playmobil sets, Bruder trucks and Schleich figures.
6+ years: Fidgets toys, Legos, Robotime, craft and art sets, science sets and puzzles, Corolle Dolls.
Hottest overall item: Jellycat plush toys. The mini-stuffed toy is popular for all ages, including tweens, teens, and even college students.
Find Toy Harbor at 221 E Front St. in Traverse City (facebook.com/toyharbor); and Corner Toy Store at 401 Main St. in Frankfort (thecornertoystore.com).
Girls
The McRae family has been in the toy business for 20 years.
Cooperation is Radical
Food co-ops are about more than bulk granola and essential oils, we’re about local, democratic ownership, community food security and solidarity with workers across the supply chain.
Learn how food co-ops are revolutionizing the grocery industry to make it work better for people and planet.
Look for the Co-op Trade mark to find brands cooperatively owned by their workers, farmers or community.
The Power of Housing
Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing’s 30-year role in our community
By Lourin Sprenger
When the doors of the Traverse City State Hospital closed more than three decades ago, many of its live-in residents were left without stable housing or the support they needed to survive independently. Out of that void came the organization now known as Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing (NMSH), which has spent 30 years ensuring that some of the region’s most vulnerable residents have a place to call home.
The mission is simple in words but complex in practice: housing first, with wraparound support. And while NMSH’s approach has proven effective, the stigma surrounding homelessness remains one of the greatest barriers.
“People often think homelessness is a choice, or the result of laziness,” says volunteer Peggy Miller. “But when you sit with someone and hear what they’ve survived—trauma, job loss, generational poverty, health challenges—you realize it’s not about choices. It’s about circumstances and whether a community chooses to help.”
Laying the Foundation
Miller became involved with NMSH more than five years ago, during the height of the pandemic. For her, volunteering quickly became more than an activity; it became a calling. She still remembers the first time she sat down with a resident. She thought she was there to offer support, but instead, she walked away with a new perspective.
“I’ve learned more about resilience here than anywhere else,” Miller says. “When someone who has spent years without a stable home looks you in the eye and says, ‘This is the first place I feel safe,’ you realize how powerful housing is. It’s dignity, stability, a chance to breathe.”
For Miller, the impact of NMSH’s work is measured in small, human moments: a resident sharing a meal in their own kitchen, another celebrating the first time they could pay rent on time, or simply hearing someone
laugh in a place they can finally call theirs.
“I’ve come to realize that home isn’t just a structure,” she says. “It’s a foundation for everything else. Without it, how do you apply for a job? How do you get your kids to school? How do you heal?”
How It Works
That philosophy is the backbone of supportive housing. At NMSH, residents pay 30 percent of their income toward rent, while the nonprofit covers the remainder. But the keys to the apartment are just the beginning. Case managers—only four of them serving about 150 individuals across 80 households—work daily to help clients pay bills, find doctors, secure jobs, and build basic life skills.
“We’re not just giving them keys—we’re teaching life skills,” says Becca Binder, executive director of NMSH. “A lot of people don’t realize, but many of our younger clients don’t know how to clean, cook, or do laundry. They grew up in unstable housing themselves. For them, success is learning routines that most of us take for granted.”
This individualized support is what makes the model sustainable. Unlike shelters, which provide short-term relief, NMSH offers permanent supportive housing—and the results prove it works.
“A lot of people assume the solution is shelters,” Binder said. “But the reality is, the solution is permanent housing. It works, and the data supports it.”
Success Stories
NMSH reports a 96 percent retention rate, meaning nearly all clients remain housed year after year. Behind that statistic are deeply human stories.
One man, after years of cycling between homelessness and short-term housing, arrived in Traverse City feeling defeated. With the support of a case manager, he stabilized and eventually requested a transfer back to Kalkaska County so he could reconnect with his longtime behavioral health team.
“That level of self-awareness and advocacy is incredible,” Binder says. “When we first met him, he couldn’t have voiced that. It shows how stability creates growth.”
Another client, a young mother, came to NMSH after years of moving between unsafe living situations. With housing secured, she began focusing on parenting, learning how to budget and cook, and most importantly, keeping her children in one school district.
“Having that consistency for her kids was a turning point,” Binder recalls. “For her, home meant the ability to finally be the mom she wanted to be. Watching that transformation was one of the most powerful things I’ve witnessed.”
Funding Roadblocks
But stability remains fragile. Rising rental costs across northern Michigan have made it increasingly difficult to secure affordable units. Most of NMSH’s budget comes from federal HUD funding, but case management—often the deciding factor between success and failure—relies on state grants and community philanthropy.
“We’re always looking for landlords willing to partner,” Binder says. “We might have funding ready for a client, but no unit
within HUD’s rent cap. That’s heartbreaking, because the need is here. We just need more doors to open.”
Miller has seen firsthand how that shortage creates roadblocks. “It’s heartbreaking to see someone finally ready for housing—mentally, emotionally, financially—and then have to wait because there isn’t an apartment available,” she says.
“When you know the difference a safe space can make, those delays feel cruel.”
Still, both Binder and Miller find hope in the work. For every challenge, there is a story of resilience: a client reconnecting with family, another enrolling in school, a household celebrating the stability that allows them to stay together.
“What NMSH does is simple at its core— they give people a home. But the ripple effect is enormous,” Miller concludes. “I’ve watched people grow into themselves once they have stability. You see shoulders relax, eyes brighten, and plans start to form. It’s more than four walls. It’s the chance to start again, to feel like you belong. NMSH makes that possible—and it changes everything.”
Learn more about Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing at nmshousing.org.
Mental Health Care for the Whole Family
PSYCHIATRY | THERAPY | COUNSELING
Volunteer with the Long Term Care
Ombudsman Program
Ombudsman volunteers visit older adults in northwest Michigan’s nursing homes, homes for the aged, and adult foster care homes—offering a listening ear, friendly support, and a voice when it’s needed most.
We’ll guide you with stepby-step training, let you shadow a mentor until you’re comfortable, and offer a flexible schedule that works for you.
Get involved like you would for your own loved one. Your presence matters more than you know.
(your home here because good
Saturday
WOLVERINE STATE 100: Petoskey. Today features the 100 Mile Race, 100 Mile Relay, 100KM Race & 50KM Early Start Race. See web site to register & for various times. Virtual races also offered. $165-$330. runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/Petoskey/ WolverineState100
RUN IT REAL FAST - CADILLAC’S KISS50 5K: 8:30am, 190 W. Cass St., Cadillac. $27.50. findarace.com/us/events/run-it-realfast-cadillacs-kiss50-5k
FRANKFORT FALL FESTIVAL: 9am-5pm, Open Space Park, Main St., Frankfort. Featuring the Port City 5K Run, Fall Festival Craft Fair, Parade & Mutt March, pumpkin decorating, free alpaca petting & feeding, guess the weight of the giant pumpkin, Kids’ Communal Mural Project, cornhole tournament, live music by The Scottsville Clown Band & AndyLynn BetsyBaye’s DanceMix, Giant Pumpkin Drop & much more. frankfortfallfest.my.canva.site/2025
ROCK THE LIGHT TRAIL RUN: 9am. 5K at the Leelanau State Park trails off Densmore Rd. by the Woosley Airport in Northport. Challenging & fun trail loop. $30 + SignUp fee. runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/Northport/RocktheLightTrailRun
46TH ANNUAL CHARLEVOIX APPLE FEST: Downtown Charlevoix, Oct. 10-12. Apple orchards, farm market, art & craft show, kids activities & more. facebook.com/ CVXAppleFest
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY USED BOOK SALE: 10am-noon, Cadillac Wexford Public Library, Cadillac. Fundraiser. Books, $1-$2. friendsofthecadillaclibrary.wordpress.com/ upcoming-programs
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN SUMMER CRAFT SHOW SERIES: 10am, Washington Park, downtown Cheboygan. More than 30 crafters & artists will display jewelry, home decor, artwork & much more. Free. facebook.com/ madeincheboygan -
OPEN STUDIO FEATURING CIEL SKÅL: 10am-2pm, Good Hart Artist Residency, 910 N. Lamkin Rd., Good Hart. Using mixed media of pen-and-ink, graphite, & watercolor, Skål delves into themes of loss, generational trauma, identity, & context of place, drawing inspiration from her background & art historical research. Meet Ciel & view her artwork. She is Good Hart’s Artist-in-Residence, Oct. 3-24. Free. -
THE UPPER MID-WEST LOG & TIMBER
DESIGN-BUILD EXPO: 10am-6pm, GT Resort & Spa, Acme. Meet with log & timber frame home builders & suppliers. See products & have your questions answered on topics like floor plan design, budgeting, financing, & the difference between a log & timber frame home. Free - $12; good for all 3 days. loghomeshows.com/events/the-northern-michigan-log-timber-design-build-expo
WALK TO END PERIOD POVERTY IN KENYA: 10am, NMC’s Boardman Lake Campus, TC. Presented by the NMC Multicultural Club. All funds raised go directly to provide sanitary pads, reproductive health education, clean water & sanitation facilities in Kenyan communities. There will also be music, prizes, activity stops & more. For more info & to register, visit web site. uplifttravel.org/ post/walk-to-end-period-poverty-in-kenyawith-nmc-multicultural-club
10TH ANNUAL LAKE LEELANAU STREET
HARVEST FESTIVAL: 11am-6pm, downtown Lake Leelanau. Featuring children’s activities including face painting, juggling acts by Clark Lewis, a live petting zoo with Double Oak Farm; arts & crafts, local artists, food, live music by New Third Coast & Blue Footed Booby, & much more. Free. lakeleelanaustreetfair.org
ART IN THE BARN: 11am-4pm, 6411 N. Overlook Rd., Northport. Artist Douglas Racich will be in his studio at his 1870’s Leelanau County barn. Featured works will include egg tempera & watercolor paintings. This month’s special guest artist, Moira Racich, will be showing artwork including paintings from her ongoing Dark Sky series. Free. leelanauprints.com
FIFE LAKE’S ANNUAL SCARECROW FESTIVAL: 11am-2pm, Center of Fife Lake Village. Games, crafts, food, hay rides, donkey petting, costume contest at noon, business trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating & more. Free. fifelakechamber.org/event-details/fife-lake-scarecrow-festival-1
HORSE NORTH RESCUE FALL FESTIVAL: 11am, Horse North Rescue, Interlochen. Meet the horses & enjoy kids’ games & crafts, cider & donuts. Free. horsenorthrescue.org
SAY NO TO ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE: 11am, corner of Grandview Parkway & Union St., TC. Join in showing solidarity with the people of Palestine who are being killed by Israel while our communities pay for the weapons. Demand that the U.S. Government serves America, not Israel. Meet every Sat. mideastjustpeace.net
ANNUAL APPLE DAY: Noon-4pm, Farm Club, TC. Press some apples! Featuring more than 20 varieties to taste & bags to purchase. Other treats available to buy as well. Free. farmclubtc.com/events
TC DESIGN WEEK: Oct. 4-11. Design open houses, panel discussions, workshops, mixers, storytelling, fashion & light show, dance party, & Radical Design Finale & Exhibition. Visit web site for more info. tcdesignweek.com
THE HIGHLANDS HARVEST FEST: Noon4pm, The Highlands at Harbor Springs. Face painting, cookie decorating, burlap sack racing, a juggler, pumpkin ring toss, yard games, cider, & donuts. Take part in the autumn Highlands Stein Hoisting event (2pm) for a chance to win a gift card. Your tickets includes the scenic chairlift ride, all the activities, & Stein Hoisting. $20; 5 & under, free. highlandsharborsprings.com/events/harvest-fest
MEET THE ARTIST: 2-4pm, Art on Union Gallery, TC. Meet the Artist & Live Demo with Barbara Reich. Barbara will be painting pastel pumpkins. Enjoy fall refreshments while watching her demonstration, & browse all the local talent. Free. artonunion.com
ORGANIST ANDREW ROGERS ACCOMPANIES SILENT MOVIE: Head organist at the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor, Andrew Rogers heads to The Music House Museum, Williamsburg at 2pm & 6pm to accompany the 1928 American silent film, “The Man Who Laughs” on the ‘Mighty’ Wurlitzer theater organ. $25 + fee online; $30 door. mynorthtickets.com
JAZZ AT CITY OPERA HOUSE: 3pm, City Opera House, TC. MSU Jazz Orchestra One wsg Sean Jones, trumpet. Rodney Whitaker, director. Central High School Big Band & Central High School Lab Band. Thomas Vieira & Craig Jones, directors. $5-$12. cityoperahouse.org
2ND ANNUAL TRUNK OR TREAT: 4pm, Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre, Honor. Trunk or treating from 4:15-6pm; Costume Parade & Pet Costume Contest from 6:15-7pm; single feature movie at dusk. There will also be a Best Trunk Contest & creepy concessions. facebook.com/ events/666065035749917?ref=110
POWER! BOOK BAGS’ SUNSET SOIREE!: 4:30pm, Shady Lane Cellars, Suttons Bay. Help support PoWeR! Book Bags, which promotes language, literacy & human interactions. They provide under-resourced children & their families with researchproven tools to support playing, writing & reading. Attend the fundraiser & enjoy beverages, charcuterie, desserts, live music & more. One ticket: $100; two tickets: $175; 10 tickets: $750. powerbookbags.org
WITCHES NIGHT OUT: 5-9pm, Elk Rapids & Ames St. Join your friends & local shops for a spellbinding night. Featuring popups & contests, giveaways, deals, treats & more. Free. business.elkrapidschamber.org/events/details/witches-night-out49724?calendarMonth=2025-10-01
GLCO PRESENTS FALL COLOR TOUR CONCERT: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra (GLCO) presents Fall Color Tour Exploring Color in Music & Painting. Featuring the works of Debussy, Mussorgsky, Haydn, Bach, Wagner & Mendelssohn. Tickets range from free to $65. glcorchestra.or/concerts
STELLA! IN CONCERT: 7pm, AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Enjoy an evening of country roots songwriting, three-part harmonies & string instrumentation by this American roots trio from southeast Michigan. $25. artisanvillage.org/events
DOWNTOWN SOUND PERFORMING ARTS SERIES: 7:30-9:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. Featuring Nathan & Jessie, bringing their trilingual
blend of swingin’ bluesy jazzy folk. Performing on resonator guitars & accordion, their tunes reflect a life steeped in culture, humor, storytelling, & the joy of improvisation. $10$40. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ downtown-sound-nathan-jessie-october-11
NORTHERN MICHIGAN DANCE FESTIVAL PROGRAM B: 7:30pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Join TCDP for the second performance of the Northern Michigan Dance Festival. The program features a mixed bill showcasing professional dance companies & artists from across the country. It includes an optional Q&A with the artists after the performance. $33.65-$39. mynorthtickets.com/organizations/traverse-city-dance-project
MATT FRASER: AMERICA’S TOP PSYCHIC MEDIUM: SOLD OUT: 8pm, Little River Casino Resort, indoor venue, Manistee. Fraser’s readings lead guests through a rollercoaster of emotions, from laughter to crying, turning skeptics into believers with stunning details. He is also the star of the hit television series Meet the Frasers on E! Entertainment. $45-$55. lrcr.com/event/matt-fraser
SPIN DOCTORS: 8pm, Odawa Casino Resort, Ovation Hall, Petoskey. This alternative rock band from NYC is best known for its early 1990s hits “Two Princes” & “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong.” $45. odawacasino.com/entertainment
Sunday
WOLVERINE STATE 100: 5:30am, Petoskey. Today features the 50KM race. See web site to register. Virtual races also offered. $140 + SignUp Fee. runsignup.com/Race/Events/ MI/Petoskey/WolverineState100
The 17th Annual Frankfort Film Festival offers some great selections, Oct. 15-19 at The Garden Theater, Frankfort… including the highly popular anthology “Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake)” that hits close to home! Filmed and produced in and around Green Lake, Interlochen, this film sold out at The State Theatre showing in Sept. gardentheater.org/frankfortfilm-festival-2025
Learn more at: munsonhealthcare.org/commitment
for
Rasho
Featuring a
Bike, Farmland
& Bike Combo, & 1 Mile Kid’s Race. Traverse over grass, wooded dirt trails, & farmland running terrain. See web site to register & for various start times. $5-$50; discounts for TCTC members. runsignup.com/ Race/MI/TraverseCity/Farmland
MADE IN CHEBOYGAN SUMMER CRAFT SHOW SERIES: (See Sat., Oct. 11)
THE UPPER MID-WEST LOG & TIMBER DESIGN-BUILD EXPO: (See Sat., Oct. 11, except today’s time is 10am-4pm.)
ART IN THE BARN: (See Sat., Oct. 11)
GLEN LAKE’S FALL FLANNEL FESTIVAL: 11am-2pm, Glen Lake School’s Campus. Bounce houses, cider making, cornhole, games, pie eating contests, food truck & much more. $5/person or $20/family. glenlakeschools.org/o/glcs/article/2425816
SECOND SUNDAY ART PROJECT: 1pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Take part in a vibrant participatory artistic experience every second Sun. of the month. From printmaking to painting & weaving, each session offers a unique & creative activity. $0-$10. simpletix.com/e/second-sunday-artproject-tickets-227579
MEET THE ARTIST!: 2-4pm, Art on Union Gallery, TC. Watercolorist Michael Sincic has an amazing ability to paint legally blind. Free. artonunion.com
NORTHERN MICHIGAN DANCE FESTIVAL
PROGRAM C: 2pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Join TCDP for the final performance of the Northern Michigan Dance Festival. Pre-show music from 1:302pm by the Charlie Millard Band. Watch the dancers take warm up class onstage at Milliken Auditorium from 10:30am-noon. $33.65-$39. mynorthtickets.com/organizations/traversecity-dance-project
VINEYARD AT SUNSET 5K: 3pm, French Valley Vineyard, Cedar. $35. runsignup.com/ Race/Events/MI/Cedar/wine5k -
“A MUSICAL KALEIDOSCOPE” WITH ENCORE SYMPHONIC WINDS: 3pm, TC Philharmonic Center, Cherryland Center. The semi-professional ensemble, Encore Symphonic Winds, will challenge you with a mindexpanding array of colors, shapes, & textures. Free. tcphil.org/encore-symphonic-winds
ELBERTA HERITAGE CENTER COMMUNITY FUNDRAISER: 4:30pm, Betsie Bay Furniture, Frankfort. Join for live music with The Nephews, food pre-orders from Still Grinning Kitchens, & a raffle. Free. elbertalaborheritagecenter.org/event/community-fundraiser
monday
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ DAY: Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Enjoy a free day of learning, celebration, & community as you honor the vibrant & enduring cultures of Indigenous peoples. 11am Storytime with TADL followed by a pow wow dancer presentation. A free book & take home craft will be available. simpletix.com/e/indigenous-peoples-daycommunity-day-tickets-227587
OTP YOUNG COMPANY AUDITIONS: 4:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, Schmuckal Theatre, TC. For “The Hobbit.” oldtownplayhouse.com/youth-learning/calendar.html
EARTH SCIENCE WEEK & NATIONAL FOSSIL DAY CELEBRATION: 5:30-7pm, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Venture into the dynamic world of earth science. The Pebble Pups & the GTCD announce a joint celebration of Earth Science Week (Oct. 1218) & National Fossil Day (Oct. 15). This immersive experience will showcase the ways earth science is conducted by a diverse range of people & professions. Free. natureiscalling.org/events/earth-science-weekamp-national-fossil-day-celebration
LECTURE SERIES: HISTORY OF THE ICE BREAKER & MAHS ANNUAL MEETING: 7pm, Mackinaw Area Public Library, Mackinaw City. Free. mackinawhistory.org/lecture-series
tuesday
FALL PEEPERS: MAGNIFICENT MAMMALS: 10am, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Jump into the world of furry, warm-blooded creatures! Investigate different adaptations & what makes them unique. For ages 3-5 with an adult. Held outdoors. Register. $5/child; cash only. natureiscalling.org/preschool-peepers-program
QUILTS FOR KIDS: 10am-noon, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Join Kellie Chase to transform fabrics into patchwork quilts for kids facing serious trauma. Quilts for Kids is a non-profit organization. Materials provided. RSVP. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org
TECH TUESDAY: IDEVICES: 2pm, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library, lower level Community Room. Join for a tutorial & Q&A on iDevice basics. Bring your Apple device & your questions. Free. sbbdl.org
OTP YOUNG COMPANY AUDITIONS: (See Mon., Oct. 13)
A PARENT LIKE YOU WORKSHOP: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Facilitated by Claire Cassidy, a licensed therapist with a background in school social work, this 90-minute workshop aims to help parents identify their core values & use them to guide everyday parenting decisions. Ms. Cassidy hopes to help parents develop an internal compass that guides them through the mundane & the monumental of parenting with more confidence & less stress. Free. tadl.org
TEEN KITCHEN SKILLS: KNIFE SKILLS WORKSHOP: 6pm, Oryana West, Community Kitchen, TC. Each session focuses on essential knife skills, kitchen safety, & handson learning through fun, produce-driven recipes. These classes are put on & designed by Cook It Forward for teens ages 12-15. Parents are welcome to attend alongside their kids. Free (limited spots available).
PETOSKEY AUDUBON OCT. PROGRAM: 7pm, Northern Lights Recreation, conference room, Harbor Springs. Enjoy a presentation on protecting the Kirtland’s Warbler on its wintering grounds in The Bahamas. Dr. Steve Roels will discuss how the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) is helping this Michigan bird, which has become a symbol of conservation success & the positive impact of habitat restoration. Free.
wednesday
30 oct 02 oct 15
NAMI CONNECTION & NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP: Noon, Christ Church, lower level, 430 Fair oct 13 oct 14
Rosé
October 17-19 | Benefiting Breast Cancer Awareness Month Sip. Stay. Support. Join us for a weekend of events in support of the Munson Cancer Fund. Savor an elegant farm-to-table dinner at Artisan, a sparkling bubbly brunch and much more. Extend the celebration with a Hampton Water–themed guestroom, complete with branded decor and special surprises.
Church, lower level, 430 Fair St., TC. NAMI Connection is a support group for people with mental health conditions. You will gain insight from hearing the challenges & successes of others, & the groups are led by trained leaders who’ve been there. NAMI Family Support Group is a support group for family members, significant others & friends of people with mental health conditions. Gain insight from the challenges & successes of others facing similar experiences. Both groups are held on Wednesdays at the same location & at the same time. Free. namigt. org/support-and-education/support-groups
PETOSKEY BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5-7pm, Gypsy Distillery, Petoskey. Enjoy food & a cash bar. Bring your business cards for networking & to win prizes. $10 members; $15 not-yet members. petoskeychamber.com
WOMEN IN TECH MEETUP: 5-7pm, Earthen Ales, TC. Held the 3rd Weds. of each month. 20Fathoms hosts this event which includes snacks. You are responsible for your own beverage. Help build community & support amongst women working in, or interested in, the tech industry & tech-related roles. Free. 20fathoms.org/tech-career-hub/ traverse-city-women-in-tech-meetups
AUTHOR GINGER LANGDON: 7pm, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. Empire resident Ginger Langdon will discuss her new book, “Empire After Dark.” The collection of vignettes recount the many everyday yet magical encounters with the varied animal residents of the village. glenlakelibrary.net
THE 17TH ANNUAL FRANKFORT FILM FESTIVAL: The Garden Theater, Frankfort, Oct. 15-19. Films include “Tina” “Every Little Thing,” “Dahomey,” “The Life of Chuck,” “Scrapper,” “Small Things Like These,” “The Librarians,” “Sunfish (And Other Stories on Green Lake),” & many more. There is also an FFF Opening Night Trailer Viewing Party. For tickets & more info visit web site. gardentheater.org/frankfort-film-festival-2025
THIS MUST BE THE PLACE - FALL SHOWCASE: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. From The Eagles’ Hotel California to Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind, places are a time-honored source of inspiration for songwriters & performers. Join Interlochen’s Popular Music Ensemble for a whirlwind musical tour of some of the world’s most iconic destinations. Adult, $17; child - college, $14. interlochen.org/events/ must-be-place-fall-showcase-2025-10-15
thursday
COFFEE @ 10, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Civic Engagement & Stewardship. Featuring Derek Shiels & Lindsey Walker, City Council members & environmental stewards. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ coffee-10-derek-shiels-and-lindsey-walkercity-council-members-and
LEELANAU READS BANNED BOOKS DISCUSSION: 10am & 2pm, Leland Twp. Public Library. Leelanau County libraries are hosting a community read of Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried” in honor of Banned Books Week (Oct. 5-11). Book discussions will be held at each library. Free. lelandlibrary.org
FAMILY PLAYGROUP: 10:30am, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Families with children ages 0-5 are invited to join for free,
nature-based playgroups on the 1st & 3rd Thurs. each month. Enjoy stories, playtime, snacks, & connection with other families. Free. grassriver.org
THE 17TH ANNUAL FRANKFORT FILM FESTIVAL: (See Weds., Oct. 15)
BELLAIRE BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5:30-7pm, Mammoth Distilling, Bellaire. Network with other business owners & professionals. Cash bar, snacks, refreshments & door prizes. $5 chamber members; $10 nonmembers; free for Spotlight members.
THE STATE OF CHEBOYGAN: RESILIENT & STRONGER TOGETHER: The Cheboygan Opera House. Presented by the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce. Your ticket includes admission to a networking session in the Cheboygan City Fire Hall from 4:30-5:30pm. The event will begin at 5:30pm in the Opera House auditorium. This year’s presentations will focus on the county’s emergency response services, with a look back at last spring’s unprecedented ice storm. $10 + $2 Opera House Box Office fee. theoperahouse.org
INTERNATIONAL
AFFAIRS FORUM’S INAUGURAL ANNUAL GALA: Hagerty Center, NMC’s Great Lakes Campus, TC. Peter Meijer, former Michigan Congressman & military veteran, will be the keynote speaker. Meijer will share his perspectives on the value of service to our nation & give insights into current global challenges facing the U.S. & the international community. A cocktail reception will run from 6-7pm, followed by dinner & the main program from 7-9pm. $150. tciaf.com/Gala2025
CIRQUE MECHANICS TILT!: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Cirque Mechanics takes you on a journey to the back lot of their inventive theme park, where in the shadow of the roller coaster & under the lights of the Ferris wheel, you’ll meet the carnies, characters, & operators that keep the thrills coming & the rides running. Tickets starting at $32. greatlakescfa. org/events/detail/cirque-mechanics-tilt
MUSICAL THEATRE: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Experience the stars of tomorrow as Interlochen Arts Academy musical theatre students light up the stage with a fast-paced revue of Broadway favorites, from Golden Age classics to contemporary hits, all in the heart of downtown TC. $10-$25. interlochen.org/events/musical-theatre-cityopera-house-2025-10-16
friday
LGBTQ+ SENIORS COFFEE MORNING: 8:30-10am, Up North Pride Community Center, TC. Start the morning off with a cup of Higher Grounds coffee. upnorthpride.com/ event/2025/8/22/lgbtq-senior-coffee-morning-d64jj-2xte9
OCTOBER WELLNESS SERIES: 10:30am, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library, lower level Community Room. Join psychiatrist Andrea Skrocki for a presentation & discussion on Seasonal Affective Disorder. Learn practical tools to manage the winter blues & how to improve your wellbeing during the winter months. Free. sbbdl.org/event/october-wellness-series-andrea-skrocki
PORT ONEIDA PATH TO PAGE: A HIKING & WRITING EXPERIENCE: Noon-4pm, Port Oneida historic region. For writers at any lev-
el, but ating farms, historic Anne-Marie the Michigan nine books a variety people.
& 3rd playtime, families.
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- - -Opera tomormusical with a favorites, from contemporary hits, $10-$25. interlochen.org/events/musical-theatre-cityCOF8:30-10am, CommuStart the cup of upnorthpride.com/ event/2025/8/22/lgbtq-senior-coffee-morn -
- - -10:30am, lower psychiatrist Andiscussion practi& how winter sbbdl.org/event/october-well-
- - -HIKING Noon-4pm, Port any lev-
el, but especially for those interested in creating history-inspired pieces. Hike through farms, woods & fields of the Port Oneida historic region with local poet & playwright Anne-Marie Oomen. Anne-Marie received the Michigan Author Award for 2024. Her nine books & individual essays have earned a variety of honors. Registration limited to 15 people. $100. phsb.org
THE 17TH ANNUAL FRANKFORT FILM FESTIVAL: (See Weds., Oct. 15)
-
FALL ARTISAN & WINE WALK: 5-8pm, Suttons Bay. Stroll from store to store viewing work from local artisans, sampling local fare & refreshments. A walking guide is created which includes the name of the participating merchants along with the artist they are hosting & a winery if they choose to sponsor one. Receive a stamp on the walking guide & enter to win $150 in gift cards from participating businesses.
POETRY WITH GLOVER DAVIS: 6pm, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. Poet Glover Davis will share selections from his various collections including Academy of Dreams. Davis is Professor Emeritus of Creative Writing at San Diego State University where he taught for almost 40 years. glenlakelibrary.net
RAISE A ROSÉ WEEKEND: Delamar Traverse City. Recognize October Breast Cancer Awareness month & benefit the Munson Cancer Fund, Oct. 17-19. This event is presented by Hampton Water, which was co-created by Bon Jovi and his son, Jesse. Take part in the Harvest for Hope Dinner and silent auction (featuring an autographed Bon Jovi guitar) on Sat., Oct. 18 at Artisan, as well at the Pink Out Pool Party at Delamar, Sat. afternoon, & the sparkling Bubbly Brunch in Artisan, Sun., Oct. 19, plus much more. For tickets & more info visit web site. delamar.com/hotels/delamartraverse-city/raise-a-rose
HAUNTED OPEN HOUSE!: 6:30-8pm, Poetess & Stranger, Petoskey. Join John Cassidy & Bumps in the Night, Petoskey’s own ghost hunting crew, as they share real paranormal stories & demonstrate their ghost-hunting gadgets. Free. poetessandstranger.com
CIRQUE MECHANICS TILT!: (See Thurs., Oct. 16)
CONTEMPLATIVE MOVEMENT PRACTICE: 7-8:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. A three part session divided between meditation held in a circle, personal attunement (warmup), & collective or external attunement/improvised movement (open space). Facilitated by Ben Cheney. Register. Free. crookedtree.org/class/ctac-petoskey/ contemplative-movement-practices-october
AGED TO PERFECTION: “HEAVEN ON THEIR MINDS”: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, Schmuckal Theatre, TC. Featuring “The Moussaka Meeting” & “Waiting for God.” $10. oldtownplayhouse.com/atp/performances/heaven.html
GRUMPY MONKEY: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Phoenix Theatre. Meet Jim the Chimpanzee, the oft-grouchy protagonist of Suzanne Lang’s New York Times bestselling children’s series, who comes to life in a family-friendly stage adaptation by Interlochen Arts Academy Instructor of Theatre Laura Mittelstaedt. Arts Academy theatre students star in this production that teaches kids of all ages how to cope with big feelings. Free. interlochen.org/concertsand-events
saturday
SKI SWAP (DOWNHILL & XC): 9am, TC West Middle School. The Grand Traverse Ski Club is hosting its annual Ski Swap - a great chance for the community to buy & sell downhill & cross-country gear including skis, boots, poles, racing suits, ski coats, & more. gtskiclub.org/wp-content/uploads/ sites/3193/2025/09/2025-GTSC-Ski-Swap_ flyer-scaled.jpg
19TH ANNUAL PEAK2PEAK MOUNTAIN BIKE CLASSIC: 9:30am-4pm, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. The race starts & finishes near the base of the front-side slopes. Ride through hardwood & pine forests on a course that is fast & challenging. See web site to register & for various starting times & prices. crystalmountain.com/eventsactivities/events/event-calendar/peak2peakmountain-bike-classic
FLEE & ELUDE 5K/10K: 10am, Crawford County Courthouse parking lot, Grayling. $22.20 - $27.50. findarace.com/us/events/ flee-elude-5k-10k
HAYDAY 5K FUN RUN: 10am, 4797 Grant Highway, Manistee. $30. findarace.com/us/ events/hayday-5k-fun-run
NO KINGS 2 NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION: Noon-2pm, GT County Civic Center, TC. This non-partisan protest organized by Traverse Indivisible aims to unite citizens from all backgrounds to advocate for a government that serves the people & to defend fundamental First Amendment rights, especially free speech. More info & RSVP on web site. Free. mobilize.us/nokings/event/841121
THE 17TH ANNUAL FRANKFORT FILM FESTIVAL: (See Weds., Oct. 15)
FALL FAMILY FESTIVAL: 1-4pm, Mt. Zion Family Worship Center, TC. Food, games, candy, bounce houses, a petting zoo & drawings for prizes. Please bring one bag of wrapped candy per family for admission. facebook.com/events/830039109356729
RAISE A ROSÉ WEEKEND: (See Fri., Oct. 17)
AGED TO PERFECTION: “HEAVEN ON THEIR MINDS”: (See Fri., Oct. 17, except today’s times are 2pm & 7:30pm.)
GRUMPY MONKEY: (See Fri., Oct. 17, except today’s time is 2pm.)
CRYPTID & CREEPY CREATURE COSTUME WORKSHOP, PARADE & PARTY: Michigan Legacy Art Park, Thompsonville. 3pm: Theater Maven Lindsay Greer will help you create a costume for today’s parade. 5pm: Cryptid & Creepy Creature Parade. Begin at the Art Park entrance, & proceed to the Amphitheater for a dance party. 5:30pm Dance Party: Seasonal music, donuts & apple cider to celebrate insects, bugs, & other creepy crawlers who make the Art Park their home. $10 adult; $5 ages 5-17; $20 family. michlegacyartpark.org/events
ELEGANCE IN MOTION: 3pm, City Opera House, TC. A Night of Dance. Tango with Kim & Lee Elston, waltz with Mel & Nancy Kiogima, & enjoy blues with James Weston, Shua Kiel & Ashley Urbanus. Includes four hours of open dance, featuring styles from the workshops. $40. cityoperahouse.org/node/678
4pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. From poisoned pipes to hurricane winds, “A Water Trail” follows a mother’s journey from artist to activist. Out of grief & separation, she co-founds The Sister Tour, a platform where women build through art, storytelling, & enterprise. Following the screening, join a conversation with the film’s writer, director & producer. Pay what you wish. simpletix.com/e/a-watertrail-film-screening-tickets-228065
2ND ANNUAL WITCHES NIGHT OUT: 5-10pm, downtown TC. Downtown TC will transform into a spellbinding experience as 25+ local businesses open their doors for a night of magic & mystery. Enjoy exclusive sales, themed treats, tarot, fairy hair, live performances, & more. Dress like a witchor however makes you feel powerful! Free. blessedbetea.com/witches-night-out-2025
OKTOBERFEST: 5pm, Shanahan’s Barn, Charlevoix. Live music, German cuisine, brews, a silent auction, & contests. Festive attire welcome. Benefits Charlevoix Historical Society & Charlevoix Circle of Arts. $150/ person; $20 for Oktoberfest stein. charlevoixcircle.org/oktoberfest
HAUNTED BOARDWALK: 6-9pm, Sturgeon River Preserve, Gaylord. Donate your carved pumpkin to be displayed on the boardwalk! Enjoy the pumpkin-lit path on the boardwalk & then vote for your favorite pumpkin! Must have a pumpkin submission form if you are donating a pumpkin. Venture onto the haunted Green Loop for a spine-chilling scare! Attendees will be required to sign a waiver for this part of the preserve, as it will be dark & there are tripping hazards. Free; donations accepted. headwatersconservancy.org/events-enews
JOSHUA DAVIS: 7-9pm, Old Art Building, Leland. This songwriter, bandleader, composer, guitarist, & vocalist has performed folk, blues, jazz, ragtime, country & more. The music that moves him is imperfect, honest & raw. OAB members: $25; non-members: $30. oldartbuilding.com/events/joshua-davis-2025
WESTBOUND SITUATION - CHAMBERGRASS: 7pm, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Enjoy this blend of classical chamber music, bluegrass, & jazz. $25 advance/$30 at door. thebaytheatre.com/special-events/westbound-situation
BACKSTAGE PASS: 7:30pm, TC Philharmonic Center, Cherryland Center. An hour of music with the full TC Philharmonic orchestra, behindthe-scenes stories, & straight talk from Maestro Kevin Rhodes. $10. tcphil.org/concerts
sunday
RAISE A ROSÉ WEEKEND: (See Fri., Oct. 17)
UNP HIKE AT ALLIGATOR HILL: 10am, Old Mission State Park. Enjoy the fall colors at Alligator Hill in the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore area in Empire. Meet at the trailhead on Stocking Rd. before hitting the trail. Head over to Cherry Republic for a post-hike snack. upnorthpride.com/event/2025/9/13/ unp-hike-on-old-mission-peninsula-cmzct
-
HARVEST FESTIVAL: 1-3pm, Better Together of Northern Michigan, Inc., TC. Autumn-themed food, games, pumpkin painting & surprises. wearebettertogethernm.org/calendar/harvest-festival
GRUMPY MONKEY: (See Fri., Oct. 17, except today’s time is 2pm.)
THE 17TH ANNUAL FRANKFORT FILM FESTIVAL: (See Weds., Oct. 15)
THE PLANETS + 2001 A SPACE ODYSSEY: 3-5pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Featuring Gustav Holst’s The Planets & several iconic selections from Stanley Kubrick’s groundbreaking 2001: A Space Odyssey, meant to represent the best of mankind in what was the future at the time of the film. There will also be a performance by the winner of the concerto competition. $27-$65. tcphil.org/concerts
A TASTE OF IRELAND: 4PM SHOW IS SOLD OUT: 4pm & 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. The Irish Music & Dance Sensation. Featuring former World Irish dance champions & stars from the West End’s Lord of the Dance and Riverdance, this high-energy production blends traditional Irish tunes like “Danny Boy” & “Tell Me Ma” with folk mash-ups, acapella tap battles, & storytelling. $41-$61. theoperahouse.org
ongoing
SCREAMS IN THE DARK HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS: Screams in the Dark: Blackwood Hollow, 5548 M-66, Kalkaska. Embark on a terrifying adventure through the twisted halls of Blackwood Manor & the haunting paths of Trails Of The Lost before it’s time to face your fears as you enter the chaotic dark carnival of Pandemonium, where nightmares come to life. Plus more! Held on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, starting at 7:30pm, through Nov. 2. See web site for times & tickets. $20/ person. evernighthaunt.com/index.html
FREE COMMUNITY YOGA CLASS: Wednesdays, 7:30pm at Original Hot Yoga TC. 231-392-4798. originalhotyogatc.com
BRIGHTLETICS AGELESS GRACE PARKINSON’S CLASS: Mondays, 11-11:50am, GT County Senior Center, TC. Brightletics founder Lisa George teaches this class that is done in a seated chair & is structured in a seven part sequence targeting specific challenges or symptoms of Parkinson’s. Sponsored by Parkinson’s Network North.
farmers markets
BOYNE CITY: Veterans Park. Held on Wednesdays & Saturdays through mid-Oct. from 8am-noon. boynecityfarmersmarket.org FRANKFORT: Saturdays, 9am-1pm, Open Space Park, Main St.
HARBOR SPRINGS: Corner of State & Main streets, downtown. Held on Saturdays from 9am-1pm through Oct. 11. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food producers & more. There will be live music on select dates, & also Kids Days. petoskeyarea.com/events/ harbor-springs-farmers-market-2025
INTERLOCHEN: Corner of US-31 & J. Maddy Parkway. Held every Sun. through Oct. from 9am-2pm. Featuring local fresh produce, locally produced food, & natural artisan arts & crafts. facebook.com/InterlochenFarmersMarket
KINGSLEY FARMERS MARKET: Brownson Park, Kingsley. Held every Weds. from 3-7pm through Oct. Featuring 30+ vendors, hot food, live music & free workshops. kingsleyfarmersmarket.com
SARA HARDY DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET: Parking Lot B, Cass St. & E Grandview Parkway, TC. Held on Wednesdays through Oct. from 8am-noon, & Saturdays through Oct. from 7:30am-noon. dda. downtowntc.com/farmers-market/
SUTTONS BAY: North Park, 601 Front St. Held every Sat. through Oct. 18, 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
ELEMENTAL: EARTH, FIRE, AIR, WATER: Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Michigan artists explore the elements as inspiration for their work in a variety of media. Runs Oct. 17Nov. 21. Opening reception on Oct. 17 from 5-7pm. Open Tues. - Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon-4pm. oliverart.org
3RD ANNUAL WHEN FORM MEETS FUNCTION EXHIBIT: Northport Arts Association. This juried show spotlights artists who work in three dimensions - clay, wood & fiber - & gives them a chance to exhibit & sell their work in one collaborative space. Runs through Nov. 2. See web site for hours. northportartsassociation.org/events-exhibits
SECRET BEACH: Love Farm, Beulah. From Oct. 4-25, the Cathedral at Love Farm hosts Secret Beach, an exhibit of regional artists offering glimpses into unfathomable futures & access to general profundity. love.farm
LIGHT/HOUSE - RUMINATIONS ON THE STORM: Higher Art Gallery, TC. Enjoy the curious & fantastically strange artwork of multi-disciplinary artist Saul Gray-Hildenbrand. His sculptures, paintings & fiber wall hangings are on display through Oct. 18. See web site for hours. higherartgallery.com
BIG AND SMALL EXHIBIT: Charlevoix Circle of Arts. A playful contrast in scale, monumental paintings meet intricate miniatures. Runs through Oct. 25. Hours are Mon. through Fri., 11am-4pm; & Sat., 11am-3pm. charlevoixcircle.org/exhibits-2025
JURIED FINE ARTS SHOW: Gaylord Area Council for the Arts. The exhibit runs through Nov. 12. Hours: Weds., Thurs., Fri., 1-5pm or by appointment. gaylordarts.org/juried-finearts-exhibition.html
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:
- ART FROM THE HEART: WORKS FROM HARBOR HALL’S HEART STUDIO: Held in Atrium Gallery through Oct. 11. Featuring artwork created by clients of Harbor Hall’s HeART Studio art therapy program. Check web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ ctac-petoskey/art-heart-works-harbor-hallsheart-studio
- OPEN STUDIO: Held in the Visual Arts Room, Saturdays, 10am-1pm. Free drop-in art studio for the whole family. New projects are offered weekly. crookedtree.org - PROCESS & PRACTICE: CRAFTING WELLBEING: Held in Bonfield Gallery. The exhibition, juried by Dr. Elizabeth FergusJean, features about 45 artists whose works explore relationships between sustained creative practices, experiences with art, & wellbeing. Runs through Nov. 1. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ process-and-practice-crafting-wellbeing
- VIBRANT MATTER: ENGAGING ENERGIES: Held in Gilbert Gallery. Featuring the works of several artists, this exhibition explores the notion of vibrant materialism, which suggests that all matter, both living & nonliving, possesses a kind of vitality & the capacity to influence & be influenced by its surroundings. Runs through Nov. 1. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctacpetoskey/vibrant-matter-engaging-energies
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC: - GUILD POP-UP EXHIBIT: JANE KENDRA: Held in Libragallery. Embracing the Horizon.
Kendra uses the striking colors of the Great Lakes as the inspiration for her waterscape paintings. She captures the nuances of the shifting colors in the sky & water in her acrylic paintings on shou sugi ban wood planks. Runs through Nov. 1. Check web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traversecity/guild-pop-exhibit-jane-kendra - HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS: Held in Cornwell Gallery. CTAC, TC invited Michigan artists to submit work for Highways and Byways, a juried exhibition exploring the roads we travel, both literal & metaphorical. The theme invites exploration, reflection, & storytelling across all visual art forms. It runs through Oct. 25. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctactraverse-city/highways-byways-traverse-city - TEXTILES IN CONTEXT: Held in Cornwell Gallery. An exhibition featuring the work of four visual artists—Shanna Robinson, Nancy McRay, Barbara Bushey & Sarah BearupNeal—who explore the expressive potential of fiber. Runs through Oct. 11. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traverse-city/textiles-context-traverse-city
- TRAVERSE AREA CAMERA CLUB: 2025 AWARD WINNERS: Held in Carnegie Rotunda through Oct. 11. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-traversecity/traverse-area-camera-club-2025-awardwinners-traverse-city
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC: - DEWEY BLOCKSMA: ROUNDTABLE: Blocksma’s artwork is a gathering of figures & ideas, real & imagined, informed by medicine & art. Common themes include: puzzle heads, violin women, fake computers, Dutch cowboys, porcupines, & much more, all within a world assembled & reassembled, juggling toys buffeted by current events. Runs through Jan. 4. Check web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/now-on-view
- ICE INTO OCEAN: ARCTIC TRACINGS: This exhibition is the result of a seven year collaboration between Cy Keener & Justine Holzman, exploring how ice shifts & reshapes the landscapes of the Arctic. Through large scale drawings, images, & installation, the exhibit investigates the nature & movement of ice & water across this remote environment. Runs through Jan. 4. Check web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/now-on-view
- BENEATH THE SURFACE: TRAINING TOMORROW’S WATER STEWARDS: The Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at NMC is advancing freshwater, groundwater, & marine science through cutting-edge technology, education, & research. This exhibit highlights NMC students’ hands-on work with remotely operated vehicles, sonar mapping, & groundwater sampling. Runs through Jan. 4. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum. org/art/now-on-view
GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER:
- SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT: MIXED MEDIA PAINTINGS BY CAROL C SPAULDING: Held in the Lobby Gallery. Enjoy this small group of new mixed media paintings that runs through Dec. 17. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org/exhibits - HISTORY / HERSTORY: WHOSE STORY?: This exhibition explores the idea that the victors have written history. Whether it’s visual art, literature, film, sports, science, politics, education, animal, mineral, real or imagined history, this exhibition asks: Who’s telling what stories? Who’s included in the official record? Who’s excluded? Omitted? Erased? Twenty-four exhibitors take on these questions. The exhibition runs through Oct. 23. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org
Tomorrow is more memories in the making
Energy isn’t just power—it’s possibility. It transforms a house into a home, bringing warmth, comfort, and the promise of moments that matter.
From preparing nutritious meals to sharing the joy of cooking with loved ones, the energy we deliver fuels family memories and sparks the moments that light up our lives.
Because with energy, we don't just cook—we create memories.
Playground" it's themeless time again. by Matt Jones “Jonesin”
"Verbal
of
Oil used in perfumery
Galaxy alternatives 16. Like the first woman to win the Fields Medal
Show how it was
2007 documentary featuring members of Green Day, Black Flag, Fugazi, and the Sex Pistols
Cardiac readout
22. Silicon Valley industry, briefly 23. Ripening medium 27. House document
29. "Everybody Talks" band Neon ___
Scope opener 34. French politician whose commission was key in creating the euro and modern European Union
38. Features of many TV dramas
40. Big number presented to the audience? 41. Bendy pipe
42. Promotional piece 43. Couple
46. 1990s "Bond girl" portrayer 48. Feet, slangily
Academic suffix 52. 1965 John Coltrane album set up in four parts 57. Personalize, perhaps
Shout of respect
61. More catchy, as music
62. Midwest state capital not on the Interstate Highway System
63. Words of regret 64. Became a snooze
Threw barbs
Powdered wig 3. Wobbly citrusy option
Crosswords
4. Rolling Stones hit "Honky ___ Women"
5. Top roster
6. Steak namesake
7. Prepare (oneself)
8. Olympic gear that weighs about 27 ounces
9. "Queer as Folk" actress Gill
10. Accord promoter
11. "Coronation Street" character ___ Sharples
12. DVR button
13. Suffix for record holders
17. Specialty of Chopin or FaurÈ
20. Close NASCAR position that may result in a photo finish
24. 1990s "murder ballad" by the then-Dixie Chicks
25. French 101 word often seen after d'
26. "Dress for Less" chain
28. "The BFG" author
30. "Morbius" director Daniel
31. Change copy
32. Casual meetup?
35. ___ Tower (Telegraph Hill landmark)
36. Je ne sais ___
37. Install, in a way
38. Follow
39. Pale green shade
44. Revere
45. Faced off, maybe
47. Silent comedian who wasn't in silent films
49. Nervous noises
50. Blackjack option
53. Hibernation location
54. Transcending
55. So
56. Mother of Zeus and Hera
57. Prefix for glottis
58. When repeated, biting commentary?
59. Nav need
lOGY
OCT 13 - OCT 19
BY ROB BREZSNY
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): ): I’m pleased to inform you that the coming weeks will be an excellent time to make a big wish upon a bright star. But I must also tell you how important it is to be clear and exact. Even a slight error in formulating your wish could result in only a partial fulfillment. And aiming your plea at the wrong star could cause a long delay. Sorry I have to be so complicated, dear Libra. The fact is, though, it’s not always easy to know precisely what you yearn for and to ask the correct source to help you get it. But here’s the good news: You are currently in a phase when you’re far more likely than usual to make all the right moves.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Certain African lions in Kenya have no manes. Scientists theorize it’s an adaptation to heat or a reflection of extra aggressive hunting strategies. But symbolically, it challenges expectations: Is royalty still royalty without the crown? I bring this to your attention, Leo, because I suspect you will soon be asked to explore your power without its usual accouterments. Can you properly wield your influence if you don’t unleash your signature roar and dazzle? Will quiet confidence or understated presence be sufficiently magnetic? Might you radiate even more potency by refining your fire? I think so. You can summon strength in subtlety and majesty in minimalism.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): During the next nine months, you will face a poignant and potentially inspiring choice: whether to wrangle with an endless tangle of mundane struggles, or else to expand your vision to the bigger picture and devote your energy intensely to serving your interesting, long-term dreams. I hope you choose the latter option! For best results, get clear about your personal definition of success, in contrast to the superficial definitions that have been foisted on you by your culture. Can you visualize yourself years from now, looking back on your life’s greatest victories? You’re primed to enter a new phase of that glorious work, rededicating yourself with precise intentions and vigorous vows.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): During World War II, Scorpio actor and inventor Hedy Lamarr developed frequency-hopping technology to prevent enemies from jamming torpedo guidance systems. Her solution rapidly switched radio frequencies in hard-to-intercept patterns. The technology was so advanced that no one could figure out how to fully adopt it until years later. Engineers eventually realized that Lamarr’s invention was essential for WiFi, GPS, and cell phone networks. In the coming weeks, Scorpio, you, too, have the potential to generate ideas that might not be ready for prime time but could ultimately prove valuable. Trust your instincts about future needs. Your visionary solutions are laying the groundwork for contributions that won't fully ripen for a while.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): I guarantee you won’t experience a meltdown, crack-up, or nervous collapse in the coming weeks, Sagittarius. What unfolds may bring a similar intensity, but in the opposite direction: a personal breakthrough, a cavalcade of illumination, or a surge of awakening. I urge you to be alert and receptive for relaxing flurries of sweet clarity; or streams of insights that rouse a liberating integration; or a confluence of welcome transformations that lead you to unexpected healing. Can you handle so many blessings? I think you can. But you may have to expand your expectations to welcome them all.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In 1959, a Swedish engineer named Nils Bohlin designed the three-point seatbelt, revolutionizing car safety. Working for Volvo, he insisted the design must be made freely available to all car manufacturers. Bohlin understood that saving lives was more important than hoarding credit or profit. Capricorn, your assignment now is to give generously without fussing about who gets the applause. A solution, insight, or creation of yours could benefit many if you share it without reservation. Your best reward will be observing the beneficial ripple effects, not holding the patent.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Your exploratory adventures out on the frontiers have been interesting and mostly successful, Aquarius. Congrats! I love how you have avoided tormenting yourself with self-doubt and roused more boldness than you’ve summoned in a long time. You have managed to ignore useless and superstitious fears even as you have wisely heeded the clues offered by one particular fear that was worth considering. Please continue this good work! You can keep riding this productive groove for a while longer.
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): In Korean tradition, *mudangs* are shamans who endure a personal crisis or illness and emerge with supernatural powers. They perform rituals to seek the favor of spirits. They heal the ancestral causes of misfortune and ensure good fortune, prosperity, and well-being for the people they serve. I don’t mean to imply you’re following a similar path, Pisces. But I do think your recent discomforts have been like an apprenticeship that has given you enhanced capacity to help others. How will you wield your power to bless and heal?
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Life is tempting you to tiptoe to the brink of the threshold of the rawest truth, the wildest beauty, and the most precious love. Your ancestors are conspiring with your guardian angels to lure you into the secret heart of the inner sanctum of spiritual truth. am totally sincere and serious. You now have a momentous opportunity—a thrilling opening to commune with subtle powers that could provide you with profound guidance.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In the forests of America’s Pacific Northwest, “nurse logs” lie fallen but fertile. These dead trees host seedlings, mosses, and new saplings that rise from their decaying trunks. regard this as a powerful metaphor for you, Taurus. Something old in you is crumbling, like outdated beliefs, outmoded duties, or obsolete loyalties. Part of you may want to either grieve or ignore the shift. And yet I assure you that fresh green vitality is sprouting from that seemingly defunct thing. What new possibility is emerging from what was supposed to end? Resurrection is at hand.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): A deeper, wilder, smarter version of love is beckoning you from the horizon. Are you ready to head in its direction? I’m not sure you are. You may semiconsciously believe you already know what love is all about, and are therefore closed to learning more. It’s also possible that your past romantic wounds have made you timid about exploring unfamiliar terrain. Here’s my assessment: If you hope to get exposed to the sweeter, less predictable kinds of intimacy, you will have to drop some (not all) of your excessive protections and defenses. PS: At least one of your fears may be rooted in faulty logic.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): Princess Diana transformed the British monarchy because she insisted that royal duty should include genuine emotional connection. Her generosity wasn’t merely ceremonial but was expressed through hands-on charity work. She had close contact with youth who had nowhere to live. She walked through minefields as part of her efforts to rid the planet of that scourge. She hugged people with AIDS at a time when many others feared such contact. "Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward," she said. Her ability to maintain grace while remaining emotionally authentic reflected a genius for blending strength with sensitivity. Can you guess her astrological sign? Cancerian, of course. Now is a perfect time for you to draw inspiration from her example. Express your wisely nurturing energy to the max!
Grand Traverse & Kalkaska
CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE WINERY, TC
10/11 -- Blair Miller, 6-8
ENCORE 201, TC
10/10-11 & 10/17-18 -- DJ Ricky T, 9
IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC
10/11 -- Rebekah Jon, 6-8 10/16 -- Beyond Trivia!, 7-9
KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC 9:30: 10/10-11 -- North 44 10/17-18 -- Scarkazm
KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING
10/14 – Open Mic Night w/ LaRose Duo, 6-8
10/16 – Trivia Night w/ Marcus Anderson, 6:30-8:30
LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM:
10/13 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9
TASTING ROOM:
10/17 -- The Rupple Brothers, 5-7
MARI VINEYARDS, TC 4-6:
10/14 -- John Richard Paul
10/15 -- Jerry Byville
10/16 -- Your New Neighbors
MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC
7-9: 10/15 -- Trivia Night
ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS OUTDOORS, 7-10:
10/11 -- Charlie's Root Fusion
10/18 -- Rochelle Clark & Jason Dennie
FIRESIDE LOUNGE, BELLAIRE
7-10:
10/11 -- James Robnett
10/17 -- Todd Aldrich
10/18 -- Spencer Oppermann
JAX NORTHSIDE, CHARLEVOIX
10/11 & 10/18 -- Karaoke Night, 9 10/15 -- Trivia Night, 7-9
10/16 -- Open Mic Night
MT. HOLIDAY, TC 10/17 -- Chris Sterr, 6-9
NORTH BAR, TC 7-10:
10/11 – Mal & Mike 10/16 – Drew Hale
10/17 – Funky Uncle 10/18 – Rob Coonrod
OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS: 10/11 -- Jesse Jefferson, 6-9
10/17 -- Jeff Socia, 7-9 10/18 -- Bauer Jones, 7-9
RIGHT BRAIN BREWERY, TC 10/18 -- Kamikaze Comedy w/ Adam Degi, Joe Curtis, Jack Rutkowski & Host Ben Bradshaw, 8
SAIL INN BAR & GRILL, TC PATIO: Weds. -- Live Music w/ Josh, 6 Thurs. & Sat. – Karaoke, 9
TC WHISKEY CO. Tue -- Open Mic w/ Chris Sterr, 6-9
THE ALLUVION, TC 10/13 -- Funky Uncle - Funky Fun Mondays, 6-8:30
10/16 -- The Jeff Haas Quintet + Lisa Flahive wsg NMC Jazz Big Band, 6-8:30 10/18 -- The Bad Plus, 7pm & 9pm
Antrim & Charlevoix
LOST CELLARS, CHARLEVOIX 10/17 -- Leebee Shaner, 5-8
MAREK'S HARBOR GRILL, CHARLEVOIX THE FLYBRIDGE (ROOFTOP BAR): 10/10-11 -- Boardman River Band, 8-11
10/12 & 10/19 -- David Lawston, 7-11
10/16 -- Karaoke, 7-11 10/17 -- Dejayimar, 7-11 10/18 -- Jake the Dog, 7-11
MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY 10/17 -- DJ Jordan Williams, 8-11
THE HAYLOFT INN, TC
7:30-11:
10/10-11 -- Sandy & The Bandits
10/17 -- Little Dipper
10/18 -- The Timebombs
THE LITTLE FLEET, TC
10/18 -- Free Spirit (Spirit-Free, Sober Oct.) Dance Party w/ DJ Wave Runner & Christo Fur, 8
THE PARLOR, TC
10/11 – Rhett & John, 9-12
10/14 – Jesse Jefferson, 8-11
10/15 – Rob Coonrod, 8-11
10/16 – Jimmy Olson, 8-11
10/18 – Wink Solo, 9-12
THE PUB, TC
10/11 – Rolling Dirty Duo, 9-12
10/13 – Karaoke, 8-11
10/15 – Zeke Clemons, 8-11
10/17 – Henry Herig, 9-12
THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC
7:
10/11 -- Cold Leather Seats
10/12 -- Full Tilt Comedy: Comedy Lab!
10/14 -- Open Mic w/ Zak Bunce
10/16 -- DJ Trivia
10/17 -- Reese Keelor
10/18 -- Andy McQuillen
UNION STREET STATION, TC
10/11 -- Knuckle Fuss, 10
10/16 -- DJ1 Wave, 9
10/17 -- DJ YesImJon, 10
10/18 -- Gypsy Blue, 10
SHORT'S PULL BARN, ELK RAPIDS 10/14 -- Trivia w/ Quizding, 6-8
OTSEGO, CRAWFORD & CENTRAL
ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD 10/17 – Lou Thumser, 6-9
BIG BUCK BREWERY, GAYLORD 10/18 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6
C.R.A.V.E., GAYLORD 10/17 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6-9
Well known on the northern Michigan music scene, John Richard Paul brings his solo act to Mari Vineyards, TC, Tues., Oct. 14 from 4-6pm. He has performed with all the staples, including his duo, Rhett and John. Beyond that, he has shared the stage with stars like Trace Adkins, Toby Keith, Brett Michaels, Dwight Yoakam and more. Enjoy everything from indie to classic rock.
Send
Emmet & Cheboygan
BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY
10/11 & 10/18 -- Chris Calleja, 2-6
10/12 -- Two Track Mind, 1:30-5 10/17 – Chris Calleja, 4-7:30
BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, BAY HARBOR
5-8:
10/11 -- Nelson Olstrom 10/17 -- Derek Boik 10/18 -- Ricky Hill
CHESTNUT VALLEY GC, HARBOR SPRINGS
BIRDIES TAVERN: 10/17 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9
CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY
10/11 -- Robert Barclay - 40th Anniversary of The Juke Joint, 8-10 10/14 -- Trivia Night, 7-9 10/17 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30
DOUGLAS LAKE STEAKHOUSE, PELLSTON 10/18 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9
NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY 10/11 -- Brett Hartfert, 7-10
10/13 -- Quiz Runners Trivia, 6-8 10/15 -- Singo Bingo: “Beatles to Bieber,” 6:30
10/17 -- Brian Thomas, 7-10
10/18 -- Lara Fullford, 7-10
ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY OVATION HALL: 10/11 -- Spin Doctors, 8
VICTORIES, 9: 10/11 -- Driving Dawn 10/17-18 -- DJ Big Ton
POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS
SEASONS OF THE NORTH WINERY, INDIAN RIVER 10/11 -- Ty Parkin, 2-4
THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN
10/11 -- Silver Creek Revival, 8 10/17 -- Musician's Playground, 7 10/18 -- Gina & Jordan, 8
THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER 10/16 -- Dominic Fortuna, 7:30-9:30
10/11 -- Delilah DeWylde, 11am2pm; The Outfit Band, 5-8pm 10/12 -- Kirby Snively, 11am-2pm; Pete Kehoe, 3-6 10/17 -- Yankee Station, 5-8 10/18 -- The Real Ingredients, 11am2pm; M-119 Band, 3-6pm 10/19 -- Terry Coveyou, 11am-2pm; Serita's Black Rose, 3-6pm
Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee
BUCKSNORT SALOON, MESICK 10/13 -- Open Mic w/ Vic Trip, 6-9
LITTLE RIVER CASINO RESORT, MANISTEE 10/11 – Matt Fraser, 8-9:30: SOLD OUT
NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA
10/11 -- Chief Day w/ Ted Bounty & The Bounty Hunters, Great Lakes Brass, Manitou Truckin' Company, & Airborne or Aquatic, noon-10pm 10/16 -- Open Mic Hosted by Casey Chinnock, 6
ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD 6-9:
10/17 -- Breathe Owl Breathe, 6 10/18 -- Howard Wilson, 6 THE GREENHOUSE - WILLOW/PRIMOS, CADILLAC 10/15 -- Wednesday Trivia, 6-9 10/17 -- Delilah DeWylde, 7
Otsego, Crawford & Central
9/27 -- Brian Curran 10/3 -- Mike Ridley
nitelife
Leelanau & Benzie
BEL LAGO VINEYARD, WINERY & CIDERY, CEDAR
10/11 -- Andre Villoch, 3:30-5:30
BLACK STAR FARMS, SUTTONS BAY
10/11 -- Johnny Aimcrier, 6-8
BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU
TASTING ROOM:
10/12 -- Highway North, 4-6:30
10/19 -- Loose Change, 3-5:30
DUNE BIRD WINERY, NORTHPORT
3-6:
10/12 -- Chris Smith
10/15 -- Your New Neighbors
10/19 -- Rhett Ducouer
FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH
10/13 -- Music Trivia, 6-8
10/15 -- Open Mic w/ Andy Littlefield, 6-8
10/16 -- Trivia Thurs., 6-8
10/17 -- Next Stop Comedy, 7-8:30
FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR 3-6:
10/13 -- Larry Perkins
10/16 -- Dennis Palmer
IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE
5:30-7:30:
10/11 -- Alex Teller
10/17 -- John Piatek
10/18 -- Matt Gabriel
LAKE ANN BREWING CO.
10/11 -- The Daydrinkers Series w/ Johnathon North & Friends, 3-6; Drew Hale, 6:30-9:30
LITTLE TRAVERSE INN, MAPLE CITY
10/17 -- Elizabeth Landry, 6-9
RIVER CLUB, GLEN ARBOR
10/11 -- Luke Woltanski Duo, 5-8
10/17 -- Chris Smith, 4:30-7:30
10/18 -- Broom Closet Boys, 5-8
SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY
3-6:
10/11 -- Drew Alkema
10/17 -- Friday Night Live w/ Billy & The Kid
10/18 -- Highway North
ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH
10/11 -- Oktoberfest w/ Highway North, 5-8
10/16 -- Open Mic Night, 6-9
10/17 -- Brian Curran, 5-8 10/18 -- Aaron Dye, 5-8
STORMCLOUD BREWING CO., FRANKFORT 7-9:
10/11 -- Robert Rolfe Feddersen
10/18 -- Jakob Abraham
SUTTONS BAY CIDERS
10/16 -- Thurs. DJ Trivia, 6:30-8
SWEET’S BAR & GRILL, HONOR Mon. – Music Bingo, 7 Fri. – Music Bingo, 8; Karaoke, 10 Sat. – Karaoke, 8
NORTHERN EXPRESS
THE CABBAGE SHED, ELBERTA 10/16 -- Open Mic Night, 6:30-9
THE FOLDED LEAF, CEDAR 10/11 -- Joe Wilson Trio, 5-7:30 10/14-15 -- Jeff Haas Trio, 6-8 10/18 -- Hilary James & Kevin DiSimone, 5-7:30
THE HOMESTEAD RESORT, GLEN ARBOR WHISKERS, 6-9: 10/11 -- Bryan Poirier 10/17 -- Scott Foor 10/18 -- Elisabeth Christe
CLASSIFIEDS
REFLEXOLOGY. CRANIOSACRAL. MYOFASCIAL Realease: REFLEXOLOGY. CRANIOSACRAL. MYOFASCIAL RELEASE. 231-944-6398. 812 Garfield Avenue
SEWING AND QUILTING CLASSES AT INTERQUILTEN: Classes for beginner to advanced. Check our class schedule InterQuilten.com
BEGINNERS MAH JONGG CLASSES WITH BARBARA: Starts 10/20 for 4 weeks. Central TC. Preregister and Info: ellives@Aye.net
TRAVERSE CITY COTTAGE FOR RENT: 1 BR, Full Bath, Well Furnished, All Utilities Included, All New Appliances, W/D, Parking, Nice Setting, Month-to-Month to One-Year, No Pets; $1,600 per month. Call (231) 631-7512.
NORTHPORT PROMISE 60’S BINGO NIGHT FUNDRAISER: Come chill out with us from 6:00 to 9:30 pm. We’ll be hanging loose at the bingo table where you can play to win some out-ofsight prizes. Cost is just $75 per person! You’ll get…bingo cards, munchies, cash bar , prizes, music Space is limited. www.northportpromise. com. Or $75 per person to The Northport Promise - PO BOX 292 Northport, Mi 49670
SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231228-6248
COMPUTER PROBLEMS?:: I'll come to your home or office and make your computer, tablet, phone and TV work! Call James Downer at Advent Tech. YOUR HIGH TECH HANDYMAN! Call: 231-492-2087
