Northern Express - October 20, 2025 by Northern Express

Fall Restaurant Guide

A Happy Hygge Life

Do you awake in the morning to a “Happy Place?” Until the four-year period 2017-2020 as well as the past nine months, I did.

We used to have access to vaccinations, doctors, and could afford food. Universities received grants for a diverse student body as well as world-renowned research. Trade agreements with all countries provided a healthy balance of trade that resulted in a booming world economy. We used to be kind to people from other countries, even encouraging unskilled workers to fill job openings. The U.S. was respected as the leader of the Free World.

I’m still generally a content person who enjoys family and friends and appreciates our northern Michigan lifestyle. However, I avoid national and international news because it makes me very unhappy. Do you feel the same?

It concerns me greatly that the U.S. population will become very unhealthy. Decisions concerning healthcare are now being made by politicians and not scientists. Cutting Medicaid and veterans’ benefits will certainly make those populations less healthy. Eliminating vaccinations will set back decades of progress in communicable disease.

At the same time, food costs and inflation are climbing while the president is spending billions on a new Air Force One and a ballroom at the White House. His tariffs are isolating our NATO allies, raising prices, and destabilizing the world economy. Both skilled and unskilled legal and illegal workers are being deported in a cruel manner.

Is “hygge” possible in the U.S.? Yes, it is. As they do in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Happiest City in the World, we can prioritize our social welfare systems, including healthcare and education. Instead of continuing tax cuts for the wealthy, we can invest in healthier and better lives for future generations.

Gary Muller | Bellaire

Political Virus Blocking Brainpower Has a Cure

Imagine this: Some Americans are experiencing an unknown political virus that suppresses opposing views, prevents critical thought, and mysteriously forces compliance with its political beliefs. Such a virus is spread by people whose mental faculties harbor and convey only repetitious extremist political views, without the speakers’ or listeners’ ability to change the message, even if false.

A team of neurosurgeons and scientists have been conducting tests to diagnose this unexplained abnormality and determine how to untangle the infected individuals’ brainpowers and restore their intellectual abilities and clarity of thought. Unable to think, infected people are hopeful that scientific research will uncover a cure.

Unaffected by the political virus, this team of experts announced that theoretical testing of this phenomenon showed positive signs for a cure. The cure’s

objective: reset the cognitive capacities in the minds of infected people and restore their desire, ability, and willingness to think critically. The cure’s benefits are its simplicity and easy access at no cost. To achieve recovery, the process will initially release educational enlightenment into the earth’s oxygenated atmosphere. Once the breathable gas is found safe and readily available, treatment to renew one’s mental awareness and capabilities can begin.

For the thinking person, the cure’s value is obvious. Once inhaled, educational enlightenment would clear the infected citizens’ minds and restore their mental powers. They would again be able to comprehend the issues affecting them, argue, debate and express opinions knowledgeably, differentiate truth from falsehood, and objectively evaluate the qualities of candidates running for office.

By using educational enlightenment thoughtfully, one regains the ideals for democracy, its values, governance, and rule of law. Educational enlightenment is a worthy asset and essential for critical thought among voters. America is facing a challenging future, and needs the best minds to “Return America to Its Roots Again!”

Bill Steeves, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret) | Traverse City

Facts & Questions

I was sorry to see Stephen Tuttle stricken with a bad case of bothsiderism while writing about the government shutdown. His point: A pox on both of their houses. It’s EVERYBODY’S fault.

That’s irresponsible. Previous shutdowns aside, the particulars here cannot be ignored.

Fact: House Republicans sent the Big Beautiful Bill budget to the U.S. Senate with no Democratic votes. Fact: That bill puts healthcare insurance out of reach of millions of people who now have it. Question: Should Senate Democrats vote yes on the Republican’s bill, allowing deep harm to many families? Or should they insist on a compromise?

Fact: Senate Republicans blame Democrats for the shutdown but refuse to negotiate on this issue. Questions: Should Republicans negotiate on this issue? And is democracy about compromise?

Fact: Senate Democrats are defending healthcare insurance for millions of strapped working families. Fact: Republicans refuse to negotiate over eliminating insurance support and want that money to pay for tax cuts for rich folks. Question: Should healthcare insurance subsidies continue, or should millions be cut off from it to pay for those tax cuts?

This is the stark choice offered by those in charge of the Senate, the House, and the Presidency—Republicans, all. They refuse to negotiate or compromise. Blaming “both sides” for this amounts to willful blindness.

So, my final question: Whose side are you on? It simply cannot be “both.” Nor “neither,” unless you’re OK with harming lots of people.

Jim Dulzo | Beulah

Northern Express Weekly is published by Eyes Only Media, LLC.

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top ten

Spooky Season in Manistee

Holy Halloween, Batman! Here’s what’s happening in Manistee this week: Tuesday, get creative with the Pumpkin Stack Sip and Paint class at The Purple Paintbrush. Wednesday, watch Sleepy Hollow (1999 version) at the Vogue Theatre with 10am and 7pm showings. Friday, see the Manistee Civic Players perform It Was a Dark and Stormy Night at the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts at 7:30pm. Then Saturday is the big day with the Manistee Fall Festival taking over downtown, including trickor-treating fun with participating merchants! Nearby, you can also catch a cider, wine, and beer pairing with The Cheese Lady at Northern Natural Cider House & Winery or the Whoville Haunted Corn Maze at Calvin Lutz Farms in Kaleva. Get all the details at visitmanisteecounty.com/area-events.

2 tastemaker Poppycocks’ Coconut Curry

Picture this: You’ve snagged the coveted window table at Poppycocks in downtown Traverse City. You think things can’t possibly get better, but then the Coconut Curry ($24) arrives. To your right, a stack of grilled naan. Everywhere else, a savory combination of coconut red curry, basmati rice, chickpeas, cauliflower, carrots, and zucchini. And let’s not forget the toppings: the dish is finished with fresh cilantro and a zingy citrus crema. There’s just enough heat in the dish to warm you from the inside out as these October days grow cool, and you’ll finish feeling full and cozy. (Though our pro tip is to save about a third of the dish for lunch tomorrow and use the extra belly room to shop Poppycocks’ famous dessert case.) Here’s hoping you, too, get the window table at 128 E Front St. (Since our visit, it looks like Poppycocks has slightly updated the curry dish for fall, but it still sounds delish!) poppycockstc.com/dinner-menu

Making Movies, Making Music

Latin Grammy-nominated ensemble Making Movies—which NPR calls “sensual, smoky, and seductive”— visits the City Opera House in Traverse City Saturday, Oct. 25, at 7pm. Founded by Enrique Chi and rooted in the traditions of Panama, this band represents a melting pot of Black and Latino culture. A filmmaker and activist, Chi is producing AMERI'KANA TV, a National Endowment for the Arts-funded documentary series that explores an alternate history of American music. The group has also championed the conversation around music as medicine. Tickets range from $10-$60. cityoperahouse.org/makingmovies

Hey, Read It! Audition 4

Do we ever really know the people we think we’re closest to? In one version of reality, an older woman nervously meets a handsome (and much younger) man in a crowded restaurant before her husband interrupts them. In another, all three of them meet for dinner, smiling and toasting each other’s success. It’s all about perspective as these scenes unfold. Are they coworkers, perhaps? Parents and child? Or a trio engaging in something salacious? In bestselling author Katie Kitamura’s newest mind-bender of a novel, Audition, an aging actress seeks a bridge between her life’s many roles—mentor, leading lady, wife, and in another universe, mom—and how they play out in her truest performance, both on and off the stage. Tensely-written and packed with nuance, this 2025 Booker Prize-shortlisted title is just the read to lose (or find) yourself in.

Can you believe The Rocky Horror Picture Show turns 50 this year? (The film version is the longest-running theatrical release in history!) We can’t believe half a century has gone by, but luckily we’ll get a chance to celebrate the milestone. For the first time in 20 years, Old Town Playhouse in Traverse City will be doing the time warp with performances running Oct. 24-Nov. 1. (If you’re not familiar, the cult classic has a history as a “midnight movie,” so you can opt for the 11pm shows on Oct. 25 and Nov. 1.) Come as you are, or don your best costume! But please do NOT bring props—OTP will have supplies on hand for that purpose. Tickets are $35 for adults, $25 for youth under 18—though note that OTP recommends the show for mature audiences due to language, sexual themes and discussions throughout, and violence. oldtownplayhouse.com/performances/mainstage/the-rocky-horror-show.html

This month, the City of Traverse City announced the results of the first year of its Compost and Food Waste Reduction Project, which is made possible by nonprofit partnerships with SEEDS Ecology & Education Centers and Carter’s Compost and a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (The latter funded a weatherproof, in-vessel composting unit for the city.) The goal of the program was to reduce methane emissions and landfill waste, and on both accounts, they succeeded. Here’s the dirt: more than 58,000 pounds of food scraps were collected by Carter’s Compost through the year, which translated into 27.5 cubic yards of finished compost by the end of the summer. To learn more about the project and get involved as a city resident or business, head to traversecitymi. gov/projects/compost-and-food-waste-reduction-project.html.

Mug of cider? Check. Flannel? Check. Pumpkin + Nutmeg candle? Check. Farm House Candle Co. in Leelanau has rolled out their autumn slate of hand-poured, small batch, all-natural soy candles (that means a carbon neutral burn!), and you’ll want to choose your favorite scent before it’s gone. Each candle combines two classic fall vibes: Pumpkin + Nutmeg, Cider + Donuts, Woodsmoke + Apple, and the all-new Leather + Woods. This writer has been buying these candles for years, and they have great throw (the range that the candle’s scent disperses in a room) and burn time, especially for a candle that fits inside a reusable 8-ounce Mason jar. Shop the candle selection ($22 a piece) at farmhousecandlecompany.com, or head to one of the local retailers listed on their “Stockists” page. (P.S. Farm House Candle Co. also sells wick trimmers, wooden matchsticks, and glass cloches for the true candle aficionado!)

It’s high time for pie time, and this season, we’ll be enjoying ours in liquid form at 45 North Vineyard and Winery, where the buzzworthy Apple Pie Wine Slushy (and its partnered pumpkin version) are back on the menu! A seasonal twist on the summer frozé, these fallified bevvies start with a base of the winery’s estate-grown Pinot Gris, featuring crisp notes of apple and tropical fruit with honey-drenched florals and bright acidity. The wine is blended with a sachet of baking spices and rich apple butter made from apple pie filling cooked down with a homemade brown sugar syrup. Topped off with a dollop of fresh whipped cream and a pumpkin cinnamon sugar donut from Gallagher’s Farm Market & Bakery, these slurpable treats are autumn in a glass. Get your fall slushie fix at 45 North Vineyard & Winery in Lake Leelanau (8580 E Horn Rd.). fortyfivenorth.com

Pictured: A vintage shot from the 2005 show.

ANTIFA DOESN’T EXIST

spectator

By Stephen Tuttle

On September 22, in one of the 209 Executive Orders he’s issued just this year, Donald Trump declared “Antifa” (his capitalization) a “domestic terrorist organization” and ordered that they be investigated, disrupted, and dismantled. We’ll discuss how comically inept this was a bit later.

The U.S. did have some domestic terrorist organizations in the late 1960s and early 1970s, or at least something close to that. The confluence of civil rights, women’s rights, and anti-Vietnam war protests gave birth to some sketchy organizations, and some of the protests did involve violence, including bombings. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), the Weathermen and the Weather Underground were all active and angry. (It should be noted a new, totally non-violent version of the SDS was formed in 2006 and is still active.)

What these groups had in common was they were actually organizations with some sort of structure and leaders. They had offices and a mailing address and chapters in multiple states.

Antifa has no such organizational capability because there is no antifa organization of any kind anywhere. As the name says, the people loosely calling themselves antifa are mostly protesting against what they see as fascism on the rise in the country. They also often stretch their activities to include protests on issues involving the environment, women, people of color, and immigrants.

To be sure, there are people who enjoy these protests so they can dress up in all black, wear masks, throw stuff, and light fires. They sometimes call themselves antifa, but mostly they are anti-everything and just try to foment anarchy.

Trump would like to identify areas “infiltrated” by antifa so he can send in the troops to prove he’s a tough guy. There is, however, no reason to believe local law enforcement cannot adequately deal with the rock throwers and fire starters without needing outside help from either masked feds or weekend warriors from the National Guard.

students in apartheid-ravaged South Africa. He founded the Open Society Institute in 1993, changing the name to the Open Society Foundations in 2004.

They currently operate in Africa, Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and North Africa. Their focus is on social justice, preserving or developing democracy, and the environment. They have a strict non-violence rule. It is not clear if any Soros foundation money has ever reached the people taking to the streets, though the organization might support peaceful demonstrations and activities.

And that’s just the beginning of the problems with Trump’s anti-antifa orders.

There is nothing in the U.S. Constitution or statutes that would allow the president to declare any group a “domestic terrorist organization.” Federal law only allows such a declaration on foreign groups. The courts will have to decide if the president can simply make up another law and then require it be enforced.

Eliminating antifa will be a real challenge since no such group actually exists. It’s what some protesters call themselves, though it’s likely they now wish they hadn’t. In short, there is no antifa organization anywhere. There is no national headquarters, no executives or a boards of directors, no conventions, no president, no state chapters, no mailing address to which the Soros organization can send their money… there is no such organization as antifa. That reality will make it difficult to defund and dismantle.

Antifa is an idea, and not an especially welldefined one. It is not a real organization.

Trump wants to snuff out protests he doesn’t like by claiming they are violent and out of control when they are neither. Portland is a good example. Trump and Kristi Noem, his head of Homeland Security, have both referred to “war ravaged” Portland or called it a “war zone.”

The president also says he wants to go after those who “fund antifa,” and that number one target is a group called Open Society Foundations, founded and primarily funded by the chief villain and target of the extreme right, George Soros.

Soros, a Hungarian born immigrant whose family escaped the Nazi death camps in WWII, made his fortune with a hedge fund and through currency speculation. He began his philanthropic work in 1984 by providing college scholarships to Black

But when Noem went to prove it to herself, flanked by enormous security, the “war zone” was about a dozen peaceful folks including a guy in a chicken suit. The protests got bigger only when the masked ICE agents descended on the city looking to scoop up brown-skinned Spanish speakers.

There is no “war ravaged” American city because there are no wars occurring here and certainly no need for any form of the military to be involved. Protesting is our cherished right, and those engaging violently or destructively should be arrested by local law enforcement, not the military, and prosecuted by local authorities, not the feds.

THE ETHANOL TRAP IN IOWA & WHY TO MATTERS TO MICHIGAN

GUEST OPINION

by Rick Cross

Drive I-80 through Iowa and you’ll see wind turbines standing tall over endless fields of corn. It might look like the future and the past working hand in hand. But if you’ve spent any time on that land, like I have, you know it’s more complicated than that.

When I was in Iowa, corn and soybeans were the backbone of the rotation. Corn one year, beans the next. Everyone knew that wasn’t really enough. We talked about the need for a third crop like it was the holy grail. But no one could name one that actually worked. Not in terms of markets, not in terms of equipment, not in terms of profit. We were locked in. We still are.

livestock that feed neighbors, build soil health, and keep farms viable. Too much of it sits idle, or worse, gets paved over for storage units, big-box stores, and second homes that nobody actually farms.

We accepted wind turbines in cornfields because they don’t get in the way. They leave 98 percent of the land open to plant around. But this idea that big monocultures are the best use of good soil has kept us from investing in smarter, more diverse farm systems. Instead, the Corn Belt’s political clout props up ethanol mandates, farm subsidies, and a crop insurance system that rewards

Our farmland faces pressures too—not from overproduction, but from underutilization and conversion to non-farm uses.

Iowa’s black dirt is some of the most productive soil on Earth. I remember walking those rows as a kid, picking rocks, checking for cutworms, and watching the sky for hail storms that could wipe out a year’s income in 10 minutes. Neighbors talked about rotating in oats or alfalfa, planting vegetables, or raising more livestock. But no one wanted to be first— and no one could afford to be wrong. So the corn went in, year after year.

About 40 percent of U.S. corn goes to ethanol. Another 35 to 40 percent goes to animal feed. Only a tiny fraction becomes food for people, and even that usually means high-fructose corn syrup.

This isn’t a food system. It’s a commodity treadmill. Ethanol didn’t solve any agricultural problem. It just gave us a place to dump the surplus. The result is land that could produce a real diversity of food and fiber instead gets worn out churning out more of the same.

You don’t have to be in Iowa to see the impact. In northern Michigan, we’re not blanketed in corn, but we still live with the consequences. We pay more at the pump because ethanol mandates distort the fuel market.

Our farmland faces pressures too— not from overproduction, but from underutilization and conversion to nonfarm uses. We’ve got pasture and hay ground that could help diversify our local economy and food supply. But like in Iowa, politics and habit get in the way of good land use.

Here in northern Michigan, our sandy loam may not be Iowa’s black gold, but it’s good soil for pasture, orchard, berries, vegetables, small grains—crops and

planting the same crop over and over, not innovating or adapting.

I’m not here to knock farmers. Most are doing exactly what the system pays them to do. I get it. I’ve lived it. But we have to stop pretending this is an economic issue alone. It’s a political and policy issue, and until we face that, we’re going to keep wasting some of the most valuable farmland on Earth growing a crop most people can’t eat, for a market that only exists because Congress says it should.

Northern Michigan might not be the Corn Belt, but we still have choices to make. About how we use our land. About whether we protect our farmland for agriculture or watch it become the next vacant subdivision or RV park. And about whether we let Washington politics keep dictating rural economics from thousands of miles away.

There’s no single fix. But we can reward farmers who rotate crops wisely, support local processors and markets so diverse crops and livestock pay, and pass local ordinances that protect good soil from permanent pavement. It’s not easy work. But it’s better than staying locked in an ethanol trap that enriches lobbyists and middlemen more than the families working the land.

If we want a smarter, more resilient future for northern Michigan’s farmland— whether it’s in Emmet County or Leelanau County—we can’t just follow the ruts carved by corn politics. We’ve got to chart our own path.

Rick Cross has worked the land in both Iowa and Michigan. A seventh-generation Michigander with a background in botany, he now writes from northern Michigan about how politics shapes what we grow— and what we don’t.

Sign of the Times

Ohio state Rep. Thaddeus Claggett, of Licking County, introduced a bill in the state house in late September that would declare AI systems "nonsentient entities" and ban them from gaining legal personhood. WCMH-TV reported that the bill seeks to prohibit people (or other AI systems) from marrying AI. Claggett said the legislation would prevent AI from holding power of attorney or making decisions on another's behalf. He said Ohio is "attempting to put some guardrails in place so that we always have a human in charge of the technology, not the other way around."

among other creepy features. The lucky winner will be furnished with "ghosthunting gear" including EMF meters, EVP recorders and thermal sensors, and the ghost hunter will be expected to take photos and videos for evidence.

Awesome!

On Sept. 25, when an 86-year-old Oskaloosa, Florida, woman took her granddog for a walk, she didn't return after 10 to 15 minutes, as she generally does, her husband said. He called 911 and reported her missing, ABC News reported, and a sheriff's deputy set out to look for her. Deputy Devon Miller soon came upon Eeyore the dog, standing in the middle of the road. The dog "practically dragged" Miller to where the woman had fallen, and help was summoned. Recovering from her hospital bed, the woman was amazed that Eeyore had saved the day. "You're such a good boy. Grandma loves you," she said.

Don't Eat That!

Least Competent Criminal Dude, don't confess your crimes to ChatGPT. In Springfield, Missouri, 19-year-old Ryan Schaefer went on a crime spree on Sept. 28 in a Missouri State University parking lot, The Smoking Gun reported. The college sophomore allegedly shattered car windows, ripped off side mirrors, dented hoods and broke windshield wipers. When Springfield police officers visited him at his apartment the next day, Schaefer admitted that the person on surveillance video did bear a "resemblance" to him and turned his phone over as evidence. Investigators found a conversation between Schaefer and ChatGPT, which included questions such as "what if I smashed the ... outta multiple cars" and "is there any way they could know it was me." Schaefer went on to make vague threatening statements to the AI tool; he was charged with felony property damage.

Hair Today, Gone

If you haven't made it to Leila's Hair Museum in Independence, Missouri, time is running out. Huff Post reported on Oct. 9 that the 30-year-old museum is re-homing its displays after the death of founder Leila Cohoon last December at 92. Museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Museum of Funeral History are collecting items from Ozzy Osbourne, Marilyn Monroe and, reportedly, Jesus. Cohoon's granddaughter, Lindsay Evans, said the process of finding new homes for the collection is helping her grieve: "Every time I come here, I feel her here." Cohoon concentrated on finding items from the 19th and 20th centuries, when people kept hair of the dead in jewelry or coiled it into wreaths. She worked with antique dealers all across the country to locate the pieces. "If it had hair, she got it," said Evans. "When this is empty, it'll break my heart a little bit."

News You Can Use

The El Cortez Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas has a sure bet for you: Casino.org is offering $5,000 to one person to spend a full weekend in the hotel, trying to scare up ghosts. The New York Post reported that the 84-year-old hotel, located on the "old strip," reportedly has in the basement the cremated remains of former employees who died without family,

An elderly woman named Zhang in Hangzhou, China, heard a rumor that swallowing live frogs could alleviate back pain, Oddity Central reported on Oct. 8. She asked relatives to capture some frogs for her (without explaining why) and consumed five in one day, and three the next. When her stomach pain became unbearable, her family rushed her to the hospital, and doctors determined that "Swallowing live frogs damaged the patient's digestive system and allowed parasites to enter her system," one physician announced. She was suffering from a Sparganum tapeworm. Zhang recovered and was discharged after two weeks.

Nathan Rimington, 33, a truck driver from Yorkshire, England, got a craving for gummy candies and went all in, ordering a 6.6-pound bag of Haribo cola bottle sweets, the Manchester Evening News reported on Oct. 1. Then Rimington went all in on eating them, finishing off the bag in three evenings -- all 10,461 calories. A couple of days later, terrible stomach cramps sent him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with diverticulitis caused by the gelatin in the candies. After six days of IV fluids, he went home and hasn't touched a gummy since. "It was my own stupid fault, I've not eaten a cola bottle since," he said.

Repeat Offender

A business in Greenmount, Maryland, has been victimized three times by the same burglar, the owner, Tia Hamilton, believes. According to WMAR2-TV, Hamilton's store, DiGi Business Center, was broken into on Feb. 6, Sept. 30 and Oct. 2. "I noticed my register is gone; it's the same MO, he's not destroying anything," she said. "There are bars on the window, so you have to be super skinny to fit through those bars." Baltimore police are investigating, but the perp wears gloves and a face covering during the intrusions. "It's a violation to me when you steal," Hamilton said.

Meats

MITCH ALBOM

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Doors open at 6pm with live music & cash

TICKETS:

A SIMPLE FALL HARVEST Inside the Ingredients

By Nora Rae Pearl

Sometimes the best things in life don’t require any seeking—they are already in front of you, ready to be found. This is the case for squash and potatoes, which are plentiful at every roadside stand this season. For pumpkins, butternuts, acorns, and other squash, drive out to Matt Harris Farm in Honor or The Ugly Tomato in Cedar. For local potatoes, head to Oryana in Traverse City and pick up a bag of Meadowlark Farm’s Goldrush Russet Potatoes. Then join us in the kitchen for these cozy—and filling—fall recipes.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Russet potatoes

• Olive oil and coarse salt

• 2 egg yolks

• 1 cup Type 00 flour

• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil

• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into cubes

• 4 large sage leaves, loosely torn

• 1 lemon

• Parmesan

To make the gnocchi: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place the potatoes on the baking sheet, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Rub all over the potatoes so that they are fully coated. Bake for 50-60 minutes until they are tender. Allow to rest until cool enough to handle but still warm.

Cut in half, and carefully remove the hot flesh from the inside, discarding the skin. Place into a large bowl and mash until very smooth (or put through a potato ricer). Add the egg yolks, flour, and salt. Knead gently until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Divide dough into four pieces. One piece at a time, roll out on a lightly floured surface into a 1-inch thick log—it should be around 10 inches long. Cut into 3/4-inch thick little pillows. Each log should get around 15 pieces. Boil until the gnocchi floats and is cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes.

To assemble: Remove the gnocchi from the water and place into a colander to drain excess water. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil. Once the oil is hot, add the gnocchi. Cook on one side until golden, then flip them over. Add the butter and sage and continue to cook until the remaining side has browned. Once off the heat, zest over half of the lemon and grate on parmesan to taste. Enjoy immediately.

BUTTERNUT SQUASH & SPINACH LASAGNA

Fall’s bounty is layered with noodles, creamy béchamel, and spinach, then topped with Gruyère cheese.

Ingredients

• 1 large butternut squash

• 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided

• Salt and pepper

• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

• 7 tablespoons butter

• 1 small onion, finely diced

• 4 teaspoons minced garlic, divided

• 6 large sage leaves, loosely torn

• 1/2 cup flour

• 3 1/2 cups whole milk

• Nutmeg

• 12 oz. oven ready lasagna noodles

• 9 oz. fresh spinach

• 14 oz. sliced Gouda (20 slices), cut into thirds

• 8 oz Gruyère, coarsely grated

To make the butternut squash: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment. Peel the squash, then cut in half lengthwise and remove the seeds. Cut into 1/4-inch thick half moons. Fan out the slices on the prepared baking sheet, keeping them still very close together. Brush with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt, pepper, and the dried thyme. Roast until tender, about 30 minutes. Set aside, but leave the oven on.

To make the béchamel: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter and 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, sauté the onion until soft and translucent. Add 2 teaspoons of the garlic and the torn sage leaves, cook for one minute. Whisk in the flour and cook for one minute, stirring constantly. Gradually work in the milk, one cup at a time. Cook until bubbly and thick, stirring often. Add in 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and a generous pinch of nutmeg. Set aside off the heat. In a large bowl, toss together the spinach with the remaining 2 teaspoons of garlic and 1 tablespoon of oil.

To assemble: In a lasagna or casserole pan, add 3 tablespoons béchamel and spread across the bottom. Add 3 noodles, followed by a quarter of the sauce, one third of the butternut squash slices, one third of the spinach mixture, and 5 slices (15 pieces) of the gouda cheese. Repeat two more layers just like this. Do one final layer of noodles, topped with sauce and gouda cheese. Sprinkle the Gruyère on top. Bake for 45 minutes or until nicely browned. Allow to cool at least 20 minutes before serving.

RUSTIC POTATO GNOCCHI WITH BROWN BUTTER & SAGE

Light potato “jackets” that are perfectly fried and served with parmesan and fresh lemon.

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1 > Well, we’re used to hearing from [Airport Director] Kevin [Klein], but delighted to hear from you!

MacClaren: Yes! I started first week in January, but didn’t move up in here until June. I was going back and forth between downstate the first six months. My job is really fun and changes day-to-day. I work with the airlines on new routes and expanding our awesome existing routes and finding new ways to grow those.

2 > I’m guessing you’re basically working with just 4-5 people, those contacts at each major carrier?

MacClaren: Yes, maintaining those relationships with the network planning teams at each airline. It’s similar to the role I had at Flint Bishop Airport, gathering the data and telling the story of where our airport needs to go and where we’re headed in terms of our area’s growth and events. It’s an interesting way to dive into the community through that lens.

3 > What would be an example of that?

Well, looking at our Dallas route or showing where people are connecting through Chicago or Charlotte. Talking about the big Horse Shows event here and how the leisure travel demand has grown, but also that our shoulder seasons have really taken off as our local residents are traveling more in the winter.

4 > I know it’s very, very competitive with the airlines, and you’re bringing a better story because we’re growing, versus places in decline. So is say, Milwaukee airport's representative coming in as you’re leaving a meeting at an airline?

MacClaren: It’s hard to even get in front of those people at the airlines. There are literally thousands of airports requesting time with them. So you’re building relationships, setting yourself apart. Even something as small as sending them Traverse City cherry pie, checking in when you have a new data point, or something really cool like a new event happening here.

Cleared For Takeoff At Cherry Capital Airport

Autumn MacClaren is Cherry Capital Airport’s (relatively) new Director of Air Service Development and Marketing, and shares with the Express the inside scoop on the latest booming growth at TVC, which airline routes are staying and going this winter, and more.

> Switching gears, how did our busy summer turn out at the airport?

MacClaren: It was my first summer here. I had heard about it before, but it was pretty wild. Seeing the growth firsthand, we are definitely bursting at the seams. Our new terminal can’t come fast enough. I just loved seeing the team come together and seeing Kevin out there actually throwing bags to make sure we get through this phase before the new addition. It was a very cool thing to witness. We had a lot of weather events, too, which always impact the flight schedule here. But I enjoyed working with the whole team here on all those operational challenges.

6 > Do you have the passenger numbers for August? Did you set another record?

MacClaren: Yes. We’ve had 674,088 total passengers January-August, which is up 21.7 percent versus last year. For August we were up 19 percent versus last August.

7 > How are the airlines doing individually?

MacClaren: United has grown really nicely. Delta has remained steady. American has really grown here. Allegiant is up 35 percent year-over-year. Sun Country has been steady. Avelo is up. And we added Jet Blue. So really all our carriers are up except Delta and Sun Country, which have been holding steady.

8 > How are fall and the holidays looking?

MacClaren: I can’t see future bookings, but I can see seat availability, and the coolest part I think is United is now extended to Denver until December 1, which is a huge extension. It was Jet Blue’s first summer here and they’re now going to Boston through October 23. Charlotte was a yearround route through MDOT grant. That grant ended, but the season is actually longer than it was prior and now ends November 2 and returns May 1. So more seats in our market overall, which is so important.

9 > How about spring break routes and seats?

MacClaren: Allegiant released their schedule and they’ll return in October and go through May 1 and they added seats to their Florida markets, where last year was a record year. Arizona is back, and returns March 19.

10 > Is the parking situation fixed now?

MacClaren: Even in September, a traditionally slower travel month, our statistics are showing people out there traveling and our parking lots still full. So we broke ground on Labor Day on our $3 million economy lot, which will add another 360 spots. That should be ready to go around spring break time.

11 > This growth and the need for expansion; it seemed sort of sudden to many, but I’m sure Kevin saw it building over the years.

MacClaren: He saw it coming definitely. And now it’s happening and can’t come fast enough. We needed it years ago, really. However, FAA funding formulas do not allow for forecasted growth but to focus on building for the current demand.

12 > What’s the update and how will travelers be most affected during the construction?

MacClaren: We will have shovels in the ground in the spring, which is so great. There will definitely be some pains throughout that process, but we have a team here working on a plan during construction to make sure we accommodate travelers. I think the gates and the space in the terminal will be most affected, but as I said, we’re building a plan to minimize how much people are affected.

13 > What else is new?

MacClaren: Our new police department [mandated due to airport traffic] is getting up and running, and we’re ahead of schedule on that. Joe Fitzgerald is our new captain, and he’s here and the new station is under construction now during the car rental area. There’s lots going on, as always!

By Northern Express Staff & Contributors

The leaves are falling, and menus are switching over from summer fare to comfort food. For this year’s Fall Restaurant Guide, our staff pulled together seven of our favorite dining experiences from the last three months, but be forewarned: Some of these eateries have already said their summer farewell or will be closing up for the season soon! There’s no time like the beautiful, red-and-gold-and-orange present to treat yourself to a fabulous meal. (Especially if it comes with a view.)

Lake N’ Leaf Harbor Springs

This past spring, transplanted Colombian Veronica Beydoun opened Lake N’ Leaf on West Main Street in downtown Harbor Springs.

“It’s not easy to find healthy and tasty options around here,” says Beydoun, who moved to northern Michigan from Colombia five years ago after meeting her future husband, Andrew Beydoun. “Healthy food doesn’t have to be boring. It can be tasty. We’re making healthy food that tastes good, is affordable and convenient.”

Lake N’ Leaf adjoins the resort city’s popular Harbor Ice Cream. In fact, Beydoun operates the revamped restaurant—now under her brand and creations—and the long-time ice cream shop, taking the latter business over from her husband’s parents, Cindy and Rocky Beydoun. She gave the space a complete makeover, creating a warm,

I

welcoming environment with bean-bag-like chairs, wood accents, and light colors

On the Menu

Lake N’ Leaf sells salads, bowls, coffee (made from the Lavazza brand), kombucha, coconut water, and other NA beverages.

The bowls are the stars of the menu, featuring an array of fresh and tasty ingredients. Take the AM Sunrise, which is packed with roasted sweet potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and spinach, served with boiled egg, avocado, and feta cheese. Or try the Lake Cream for a sweeter palette, which includes plain Greek yogurt with banana, fresh blueberries, strawberries, crushed chocolate, granola, and topped with a honey drizzle.

At the top of the most-ordered bowls on DoorDash is Brune Grove, served with the customer’s base choice, topped by a combination of grilled chicken, sweet corn, cucumber, carrots, purple cabbage, cherry tomatoes, avocado, and a chipotle sauce.

Among the standouts, Beydoun says, is Aqua Bloom, which features grilled salmon, mango, purple cabbage, seaweed salad, edamame beans, avocado, and yum yum sauce. “All these ingredients go very well with salmon,” she says.

Also noteworthy is the Burrata Bomb, creamy burrata cheese paired with cherry tomatoes, peppery arugula, and pesto topped with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

“The Burrata Bomb has been very popular,” Beydoun says. “People seem to love it.”

Find Lake N’ Leaf at 117 W Main St. in Harbor Springs.

The strings of cars on either side of M-22 at Chimney Corners might be your first clue that something special awaits you inside Rock’s Landing. The warmth of the greeting upon entering is confirmation. Then there’s the view—the sparkling waters of Crystal Lake are visible from practically everywhere, and you may end up literally two feet from shore.

The cozy restaurant—“our capacity is 78,” says co-owner Chris Bigelow—serves about twice that many on a typical night. The openair porch is enclosed with heavy-duty clear plastic to keep the weather out when needed, while portable heaters are at the ready for cool evenings. When those windows are rolled up, you can hear the waves lapping against the shoreline while you eat and watch as boaters pass by almost within reach.

With the lakeside setting comes a seaside menu. Bigelow calls the dinner menu “Mediterranean influenced.” Meyers trained in French cuisine while working in Portland, Oregon, and he’s expanded that influence with other Mediterranean styles, as well as Asian and Scandinavian influences.

On the Menu

The resulting menu is diverse and interesting, and almost as fun to read as to eat: salt and pepper calamari with pepper chutney, gnocchi sorrentina with red sauce and fresh mozzarella, mushroom adobo with tofu, broccoli, and adobo sauce, and blackened redfish with celeriac remoulade

slaw, red beans and rice, and creole butter.

“All [of it] is homemade and made fresh every day,” says Bigelow with pride. Many of the vegetables and greens are sourced from local farms, while the fish is flown into Grand Rapids and driven directly to the restaurant.

That delivery is critically important, as Bigelow says the sablefish gets his vote as the best thing on the menu, as well as most popular. Also known as black cod, it is prized for its buttery texture, and Meyer and his crew pan sear each piece with za’atar spice and serve it with Mediterranean vegetables and couscous.

Bigelow also gives props to the Rocks Burger, ground in-house from the cuttings from the prime grade spinalis steak, aka ribeye cap, known for its marbling, tenderness, and flavor.

Find Rock’s Landing at 1577 Crystal Dr. in Frankfort, open seasonally from mid-May to mid-October. Reservations are recommended. (231) 399-0158; rocksoncrystal.com

Wildflour Bakery

Cadillac In just one year, owners Tom and Heather Goodman have earned the 2024-2025 Trailblazer Award for business leadership from the Cadillac Area Visitor’s Bureau, plus a place on MyNorth.com’s 2025 Red Hot Best Bakery for their region. Their business, Wildflour Bakery, is billed as a “modern, fusion style cafe” with great teas—

Rock’s Landing Frankfort

from the traditional cuppa (served with cute hourglass timers for the perfect steep) to authentic boba milk teas and bubble teas— and Viennese coffees, alongside Heather’s eye-popping array of pastries and sweets.

Everything is house made, and the Goodmans source their ingredients from near and far, just as long as they are the best. Local fruits and vegetables are a given, whenever possible, as are products from top-tier vendors. Some of the components come right from the source: French butter with 85 percent butterfat, and flours and olive oil from Italy. Add a state-certified reverse osmosis (RO) water system for the kitchen and the front of the house, and you can be sure that nothing interferes with creating the best flavors possible.

On the Menu

When you arrive, expect cookies, muffins, pies, and every iteration of American and international favorite, but Heather Goodman likes to “play with flavors,” so while you can choose a traditional scone with Devonshire cream, you might also try one with a flavor combo, like strawberry/rhubarb, strawberry/orange, or raspberry with lemon drizzle.

In that same vein, enjoy a traditional brownie, or choose Heather’s Milky Way or Trail Mix versions. French croissants come plain or flavored, with strawberry, chocolate, peach, almonds, and more. Guests often opt for the filled-to-order cannoli, and Wildflour’s ½ and ½ version comes with pistachios on one end and chocolate chips on the other, so you don’t have to choose

Tom Goodman’s delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner items fill out the rest of the space. Fresh salads, sandwiches, and wraps are available every day.

Perfectly formed individual quiches are encased in a deep crust, and Tom’s rich and creamy Chicken Pot Pie delivers a bite of tender crust with every bite. Soups range from Tomato Bisque to Mushroom and Sausage and everything in between. (Add a Mac and Cheese puck if you choose.) Fresh pasta bowls and pasta salads get their inspiration directly from Tom’s Italian experience.

Find Wildflour Bakery at 105 S. Mitchell St., Cadillac. (231) 444-6400; wildflourcadillac.com

Douglas Lake Bar

Pellston

You won’t see any billboards or flashy advertisements for the Douglas Lake Bar & Steakhouse as you make your way to this hidden gem 20 minutes south of the Mackinaw Bridge and just six miles west of I-75.

The almost 100-year old log cabin bar and restaurant is situated on the south end of Douglas Lake and blends into the sleepy, residential lakeside neighborhood. For generations, residents and visitors from afar return each summer for fine dining in an idyllic, laid-back setting.

Inside the restaurant, the Grateful Dead plays in the background as a slew of staff members make last-minute preparations. The main dining room is laden with wood from the floor to the ceiling, and there are

two original stone fireplaces that give the expansive room an up north feel of a bygone pioneer era.

On the Menu

The restaurant is known for its steaks, like the top shelf DLB Steak Au Poivre. (The steak is so tender even the weakest of teeth will be undeterred.) There’s also a New York strip, a ribeye, and an 8-ounce Bistro Steak.

One of the more popular seafood dishes is the Shrimp Lenny—jumbo shrimp stuffed with crab, wrapped in bacon, and topped with hollandaise sauce—which is filling and decadent. Dinners can also try the Blackened Chicken Pasta (complete with fresh Roma tomatoes), the Butternut Squash Ravioli (which can be topped with a protein), and the Ahi Tuna Dinner (seared rare with wasabi and soy sauce).

DLB even has an entirely gluten-free menu, with multiple apps, salads, and mains available. Meanwhile, the kiddos can choose from Petite Filets, Chicken Fritters, Grilled Cheese, Linguini, and more.

Last but not least, dessert is a must at the DLB. The restaurant serves homemade carrot cake, and while the large portion is big enough for two, you will want your own slice. (For those on the fence, it has no nuts or raisins!) Other sweet-tooth options include the Peanut Butter Pie, Ultimate Chocolate Cake, the Crème Brûlée Du Jour, and a Hot Fudge Sundae.

Get it all while the getting’s good: The restaurant holds seasonal hours May through October and is open for a couple of weeks in December for Christmas parties. DLB also throws a New Year’s Eve party.

Find Douglas Lake Bar & Restaurant at 11001 Douglas Lake Rd. in Pellston. (231) 539-8588; douglaslakebarandsteakhouse.com

Elberta Pizza Co.

Elberta

When we talk about fresh, house-made, and hand-crafted at a pizzeria, that means fresh dough daily, inhouse sauces, handgrated cheese, and hand-cut meats. We wouldn’t expect anything else, and Elberta Pizza Co. has made its mark doing just that after a soft opening in May.

Situated at the Elberta-Frankfort causeway, this might be considered a quiet location choice for a year-round business, but Bryan and Desiree Fast, who hail from the area (Frankfort and Beaulah respectively) know what they’re doing.

“There’s a bit of foot traffic,” Bryan Fast says, “but a lot of overflow from M-22.” Adds Desiree, “It’s a good location.”

“We know operating costs will be negative for a few months in a row, [during the winter],” Bryan says, and they will adjust with the seasons, perhaps with new hours and delivery changes. (Hint: Winter will be a great time for dedicated patrons to show Elberta Pizza some off-season love.)

On the Menu

Start with the crust, American pan style, or thin. (There is a gluten free option, as well as a noteworthy cauliflower crust. “It’s pretty delicious,” Bryan says.) Crust flavors

include Butter, Cajun, Garlic/Parm, Ranch, Sesame, or Everything seasoning. For sauce, choose from Marinara, BBQ, Pesto, Ranch, White Garlic, or no sauce at all.

Patrons have five sizes between eight and 16 inches for their pies with build-yourown capabilities, or they can choose from a baker’s dozen of house choices. For example, there’s the Chicken Pesto with fresh spinach, feta, roasted red peppers, and artichoke; the house favorite Elberta Special with ham, sausage, pepperoni, and bacon, plus fresh mushrooms, onion, garlic and Italian herbs; and the Cheesy Roni, with pepperoni, jalapeños, and hot honey drizzle.

Beyond the pizza, you can try a calzone, the pocket pizza for those who love a handheld and as perfectly formed as Bryan’s hand tossed crusts. Plus there are Meat Ball or Pizza grinders, and five versions of tasty chicken wraps. P.S. “People really love our French Dip,” Bryan says.

Round out the meal with Cinnamon Sweet Dessert Sticks that come with frosting and jam for dipping or an Apple Pie calzone drizzled with caramel.

Find Elberta Pizza Co. at 619 Frankfort Ave. in Elberta. (231) 399-0071; elbertapizzaco.com

Café Exalt

Traverse City

Brengman Family

Wines’ vineyard and tasting room sits among the rolling hills of Leelanau Peninsula just outside Traverse City. The winery produces a variety of reds, whites, sparklings, and pinks (not just rosé but their special wild ferment Viva Magenta made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier).

Before you sample the libations, let’s put a little food in your stomach. Nestled inside the winery is Café Exalt, where chef-prepared shareables, small plates, and pizzas await. The cold bar is also a seasonal summer favorite, with oysters, ceviche, poke, and carpaccio available on Fridays and Saturdays.

Chef Josh Morrison was brought on board this past spring to bring new energy and ideas to the menu. This year also was the inaugural year of the winery’s vegetable garden, which Morrison has been using in his dishes and letting inspire him. Going forward, seasonality will be the name of the game at Café Exalt.

On the Menu

Change is in the air! Morrison is excited to share new dishes for fall that will warm guests from the inside out. He also recently hired an in-house baker, who will be making everything in house including baguettes, focaccia, mini sourdoughs, and all the pizza dough.

“We’ll be introducing a hand-crushed tomato rigatoni dish that will have elk sausage, made with our tomatoes that we grow here in the garden,” he says. “It’s going to be perfect with any of our reds, but the merlot is always my choice for something like an elk with that gamier taste to it.”

A classic on the small plates menu is the Sea Scallops, which currently features white wine sauce, pea puree, carrot tuile, crispy prosciutto, fresh Parmesan, and microgreens.

“We’re also going to be changing the scallop dish to have a little more winter feel to it,” Morrison tells us. “We’re changing that one to have a butternut squash puree with a cranberry gastrique, some fried prosciutto, and dill-infused beurre blanc. It’ll pair very well with our sauvignon blanc.”

In terms of small bites, “I’ll be making a roasted carrot spread with some crispy fried chickpeas and za’atar seasoning,” he shares.

Find Café Exalt and Brengman Family Wines at 9720 S Center Hwy in Traverse City. brengmanfamilywines.com

K-Pocha

Traverse CIty

This restaurant’s name comes from the Korean term for a type of outdoor food and drink stall, a “pocha.” It’s actually a shortened version of the Korean “pojangmacha,” or covered wagon. (And the K denotes Korean, for those who might not have guessed.)

Owner Phong Nguyen says that in Korea, most of the street food stands specialize in one product. At K-Pocha, you have choices—lots of them. “In Asia, it’s one dish only. They specialize. That’s hard to do in America. People love the variety,” he says. And variety there is. According to Nguyen, Korean food is known for its bold flavors. Others might substitute the word “spicy” or “hot” for bold, as various chili peppers and other spices bring out the umami (his word) of the expansive menu.

On the Menu

That bold flavor is front and center in the Sizzling Spicy Galbi (grilled ribs), Beef Skewer, or Spicy Chicken Bao Bun, while lending more familiar dishes such as Chicken Tenders and loaded fries a new zest.

Then there are the classics, though they may not be so “classic” to American taste buds. There’s the Tater-nado (skewered, spiralized potatoes), Cheesy Spicy Tteokbokki (a simmered rice cake), Black Bean Tteok-bokki, and an array of corn dogs with eight different toppings.

As Nguyen says, in America people like choices. So at K-Pocha, which are the most popular choices? He points to BiBimBap with Beef Bulgogi as a favorite, though it’s the Kimchi Fried Rice with Pork Belly he says is the No. 1 choice among customers.

The pork and chicken base for the Japanese Ramen is marinated for 16 hours, before being cooked and mixed with the seasonings. Take that, fast food.

The KFC Fried Rice—or noodles—is not based on the recipe of a famous colonel, but is Nguyen’s take on Korean Fried Chicken. Beyond its bold flavor, Nguyen says he uses a lot of potato flour in the coating. “That makes it crisp and juicy,” he says.

As for dessert, there are various ice creams and toppings. Maybe the staff will be Berry Nice to you, with a bubble waffle cone with strawberry and cherry ice cream, strawberry sauce, berry compote, and chocolate pocky rolls. Find K-Pocha at 720 Munson Ave Suite A in Traverse City. (231) 252-2468; kpochatc.com

cannoli, and Wildflour’s ½ and ½ version comes with pistachios on one end and chocolate chips on the other, so you don’t have to choose

Tom Goodman’s delicious breakfast, lunch, and dinner items fill out the rest of

expansive room an up north feel of a bygone

like the top shelf DLB Steak Au Poivre. (The will be undeterred.) There’s also a New York

include Butter, Cajun, Garlic/Parm, Ranch, Sesame, or Everything seasoning. For sauce, choose from Marinara, BBQ, Pesto, Ranch, White Garlic, or no sauce at all.

In terms of small bites, “I’ll be making a roasted carrot spread with some crispy fried chickpeas and za’atar seasoning,” he shares.

Find Café Exalt and Brengman Family Wines at 9720 S Center Hwy in Traverse City. brengmanfamilywines.com

menu, with multiple apps, salads, and mains available. Meanwhile, the kiddos can choose

The restaurant holds seasonal hours May through October and is open for a couple of weeks in December for Christmas parties. DLB also throws a New Year’s Eve party.

Find Douglas Lake Bar & Restaurant at

Find Wildflour Bakery at 105 S. Mitchell St., Cadillac. (231) 444-6400; wildflourcadillac.com

Douglas Lake Bar

Pellston

grated cheese, and hand-cut meats. We

Round out the meal with Cinnamon Sweet Dessert Sticks that come with frosting and jam for dipping or an Apple Pie calzone drizzled with caramel.

Find Elberta Pizza Co. at 619 Frankfort Ave. in Elberta. (231) 399-0071; elbertapizzaco.com

Café Exalt

Traverse City

Brengman Family Wines’ vineyard and tasting room sits among the rolling hills of Leelanau Peninsula just outside Traverse City. The winery produces a variety of reds, whites, sparklings, and pinks (not just rosé but their special wild ferment Viva Magenta made with Cabernet Sauvignon and Viognier).

K-Pocha

Traverse CIty

On the Menu

“There’s a bit of foot traffic,” Bryan Fast says,

the winter],” Bryan says, and they will adjust

On the Menu

The pork and chicken base for the Japanese Ramen is marinated for 16 hours, before being cooked and mixed with the seasonings. Take that, fast food.

Start with the crust, American pan style,

A classic on the small plates menu is the Sea Scallops, which currently features white wine sauce, pea puree, carrot tuile, crispy prosciutto, fresh Parmesan, and microgreens.

FALL FOODIE CALENDAR

15 drinking & dining events this fall

By Kierstin Gunsberg

Whether you’re looking to sample gourmet bites along one of NoMi’s wine trails or just want to feast on some good ol’ BBQ while taking in fall’s fleeting colors, these October and November foodie happenings promise plenty of opportunity to gather, graze, and go back for seconds.

October 21: Autumn Tuesday Supper at Glen Arbor B&B

Make new friends at Glen Arbor Bed & Breakfast, which winds down its communalstyle autumn Tuesday Supper series with a fresh seasonal salad, goat cheese crackers, maple salmon, and a warm bowl of butternut squash bisque. Dinner starts at 6:30pm, $35 per person. Call (231) 3346789 to reserve.

October 24: Swedish Dinner at Black Star Farms

Wrap up an afternoon of leaf peeping over at Black Star Farms’ Swedish Dinner.

Chef Tyler Rushford presents a four course menu of sweet and savory including kladdkaka—a slab of gooey, chocolatey cake—and köttbullar, a dish of swedish meatballs served over mashed potatoes and all paired with wine selections for those who want to sip while they savor. The first course

is served at 6pm and tickets start at $60. Visit blackstarfarms.com/events for more details.

October 24–25: Flannigan’s Goat Pop-Up at The Pull Barn, Elk Rapids

Pickled red onions or tangy slaw? You decide how to dress your bbq served up by Flannigan’s Goat, a food truck with lots of flavor. Catch them from 12-8 Friday and Saturday at the Short’s Brewing Co. outpost. No reservation needed, prices vary by menu item.

October 25: Boos, Brews, and Brats, Manistee

Get spooky at the Manistee Elk’s annual Boos, Brews, and Brats party at the Elks Lodge. The fun kicks off at noon—complete with a kids’ costume contest and the MSU game—and goes all night, with brats landing on the grill at 6pm and an adult costume contest (and cash prizes!) starting at 10pm. Head to facebook.com/manistee.elks for pricing and event schedule.

October 26: Scottish Luncheon, Presbyterian Church, Traverse City

Calling all haggis enthusiasts! The Presbyterian Church in Traverse City is hosting a traditional Scottish luncheon alongside performances by Grand Traverse

Pipes and Drums and a best-dressed contest (bring your plaid!). The party starts at 11am; $5-$20 per ticket, with guests under age five free. Go to tcpresby.org for tickets.

October 26: This is Halloween: Dinner & Movie Experience at The Golden Stag, Manistee Chef Jamil Alam is transforming The Golden Stag’s West Side Room into an immersive movie venue for an evening of on-theme dishes and drinks served alongside memorable scenes from the Tim Burton classic Nightmare Before Christmas. It all kicks off at 5:30pm; cost is $110 per diner. Grab your tickets at thegoldenstagrestaurant.com

October 29: Halloween Tea at the Applesauce Inn, Bellaire

Here’s your chance for some spirited fun without staying up too late. The Applesauce Inn puts a macabre spin on the traditional tea party, serving a blood-red tomato bisque plus freshly baked treats and, of course, plenty of tea. Starts at 1pm, $40 per person. Call (231) 533-6448 to reserve.

October 30: Murder at the Chateau, Traverse City

It’s anyone’s guess who the killer is—it could even be you!—at Chateau Chantal’s

Murder Mystery Experience. Whittle down the clues while feasting on amuse-bouche, a bistro salad, roast beef and yorkshire pudding, and lime posset. $85 per person, begins at 6 PM. Visit chateauchantal.com/ public-events to book your ticket.

November 1: Authentic Mexican Food at Providence Farm, Central Lake Providence Farm’s 1.5-mile scenic trail is the perfect run-up to chowing down on their Saturday-only farm-sourced tamales, tacos, and tostadas. As if that’s not enough, there’s a weekly rotating menu of main features, from quesabirria to carnitas, so maybe put this one in your calendar on repeat. Open 9am-5:30pm.

November 2: Groovy Brunch by Groove Spoon Kitchen at MiddleCoast, Traverse City

Whether you’re an early riser or the type to lie in bed all morning before finally wandering out for breakfast, Groove Spoon Kitchen’s Sunday brunch inside MiddleCoast Brewing Co. has you covered. Dig into waffles every way (smothered in nutella and whipped cream or topped with crispy fried chicken and bacon) or hit up the Bloody Mary Bar while nodding along to live tunes. Breakfast is served from 8am until 2pm (music

Photo courtesy of the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail

starts at 10am)—no reservation required! middlecoastbrewingco.com

November 8: Hope for Haiti Benefit Dinner, Petoskey

Do good while eating a great meal. Project Piti Pami is hosting this fundraising dinner at the Grand Unity Event Center in Petoskey, pairing a traditional Haitian meal with a night of community and giving back. Doors open at 6pm and tickets start at $50, with registration due by October 31. Visit facebook.com/3phaiti for purchasing info.

November 12: Sip & Savor at Lynn & Perin Mercantile Co., Frankfort

It’s a girl dinner kind of night at Lynn and Perin Mercantile Co.’s free tasting event. Sommelier Jack Evans presents wine selections on the theme “Festive Favorites,” with complimentary snack samples for each pour. Bonus: You can stock up on host gifts for the holiday season too. The sips start at 4pm.

November 14–16: Toast the Season, Leelanau

Grab those hiking boots (or snowshoes, if it’s that kind of November) and take in the late fall landscape before hitting up the second weekend of Leelanau Wine Trail’s Toast the Season showcase. Hosted by over a dozen participating wineries surrounding M-22, including Chateau Fontaine and Green Bird Organic Cellars, each venue will offer unique bites with each glass of wine. Tickets are $82 per person, per weekend. Check out lpwines.com for more.

November 21–22: Holiday & Themed Afternoon Tea at Inn at Bay Harbor

Get another wear out of your holiday card outfits with a hot cup of creamy Earl Gray

plus an assortment of festive scones and finger sandwiches at the Inn at Bay Harbor’s tea room. Pinkies up from 2-4pm both days. Call (231) 439-4066 for rates and reservations.

November 29: 2025 Mac & Cheese Bake-Off, Old Mission Peninsula

Who can’t use a cheesy pick-me-up this time of year? 2 Lads Winery, Brys Estate, and Mari Vineyards are just a handful of the 10 stops you’ll make as you indulge in just as many iterations of the comfort food classic, complete with a curated wine pairing. The feeding frenzy starts at 10am and wraps up at 5pm. Tickets are $85 per person and sell out fast: ompwinetrail.com/ wine-trail-events.

CAFE - open daily / 8am - 4pm

SUPPER - open daily / 4:30pm - 8:30pm

SECOND

Saturday, November 8 / Noon to 8pm BBQ, Live Music, Free Admission

seasonal fare overlooking the Leland River terrace, deck, & dock open all summer 4pm - 9pm / every day www.theriversideinn.com 302 River St, Leland Book a Table!

www.themillglenarbor.com 5440 W Harbor Hwy, Glen Arbor 8am - 7pm seven days / week coffee, fresh baked goods, breakfast, lunch, beer & wine www.outposttc.com 108 E Front St, Traverse City

Flannigan's Goat describes their business as a "smokecentric food experience featuring fresh Michigan style BBQ, unique takes on the classics and stuff we just make up because it tastes good!"

Take a peek at the Groove Spoon menu for burritos and other morning must-haves.

Wander In, Out, and Off

Find Donut Boats and Million Dollar Bacon in Manistee

By Abby McKiernan

There’s something magnetic about the marina in Manistee—the hum of boats, the shimmer of the channel, the promise of good times on the water. Now, there’s also the aroma of sizzling bacon, hearty pastas, and bourbon-glazed salmon drifting across the docks.

Welcome to Wander In, the newest waterfront restaurant (and so much more) to make waves in town.

Opened in late August 2025, Wander In is the creation of siblings Bridgett and Rob VanDerhoff and Rob’s wife, Carey, who dreamed of building not just a restaurant, but a destination. Their vision is a place where you can share breakfast by the water, linger by firepits with live music, and even set out on a donut boat cruise with snacks and cocktails in tow.

But before the menu or the marinaside setting, the heart of Wander In is rooted in family. Just inside the front door hangs a photograph of Bridgett and Rob’s grandparents—lifelong Manistee charter fishers who spent their summers on these same waters. Outside, their grandmother’s favorite wisteria blooms by the entryway. Together, these details honor the people who first gave the family their love for Manistee’s port and who inspired them to create a place that brings community back to the water.

Wander In…to the Kitchen

To make their vision a reality, the VanDerhoffs turned to Chef Brian D. Kissel, a Michigan native and graduate of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute. Kissel built his reputation leading kitchens at Manistee National Golf & Resort and the Blue Slipper in Onekama, where he became known for transforming simple, fresh ingredients into unforgettable meals.

At Wander In, he blends scratch-made comfort food with modern, creative twists— all anchored in the philosophy “good food, not fast food.”

“For me it is about building something out of nothing and having the satisfaction of it catching fire and growing,” Bridgett says.

Wander In’s menu is built to surprise. It’s the kind of place where a hearty Midwest breakfast meets upscale dinner plates, where classics are familiar but always come with a twist.

Breakfast might mean malted pancakes, French toast, or biscuits and gravy, but regulars already swear by the Million Dollar Bacon—honey-sweetened, perfectly crisp, and Bridgett’s undisputed favorite. Pair it with a mimosa from the build-your-own mimosa bar or a custom Bloody Mary, and you’re set for the day.

Lunch leans casual: soups, sandwiches, and burgers that are approachable but never boring. The star of the show? Cheese curds, hand-battered in a secret coating and fried golden, then served with a tart-sweet berry sauce. “I’ve never had anything taste so delicious in my life,” Bridgett admits, and guests tend to agree.

By dinnertime, the kitchen stretches into more upscale territory. Chef Kissel’s lamb chops with a sweet chili glaze have quickly developed a reputation for being “unbelievable.” The grilled salmon with bourbon glaze and rice balances smoky richness with a subtle sweetness, while the Pistelero Pasta layers Tuscan flavor with shrimp and andouille sausage. Seasonal specials rotate in—think a rack of pork with creamy polenta, or indulgent shareables like a crab rangoon dip.

And don’t skip the drinks or desserts. A Caramel Apple Martini sings of fall, while the chocolate cake and creamy cheesecakes satisfy sweet tooths after sunset.

Wander Out…side

Step outside Wander In and the atmosphere shifts from dining room to open-air gathering place. Wander Out, the restaurant’s outdoor extension, is already buzzing with energy thanks to its bar, live music stage, and reservable firepits. A woodfired pizza oven, still in the works, will add another layer to the outdoor experience in seasons to come. But even now, guests are settling into chairs, circling the flames, and savoring cocktails while live music carries across the marina.

Just beyond the docks, Wander In takes

its experience to the water. Wander Off Rentals offers a fleet of round, 10-person donut boats that invite guests to float, picnic, and celebrate right on the channel. It’s a concept that feels both playful and elevated, transforming a meal into an adventure. Guests can order takeout, climb aboard with friends, and drift into the kind of evening that feels quintessentially northern— sunsets, laughter, and a sense of slowing down together.

It’s more than clever branding; it’s a chance to experience the city from the water, the way the VanDerhoffs’ grandparents once did, but with a fresh, social twist.

Next spring, the team plans to introduce Snackle Boxes—charcuterie-style to-go kits designed for the boats—ensuring that whether you’re sipping cocktails or snacking under the setting sun, the Wander In experience goes wherever the water takes you.

On the Horizon

Next summer, Wander Out will expand with the wood-fired pizza. The team is also planning a waterfront wedding venue: a tented space designed as a complete package with the ceremony, reception, catering, and

photo-ready marina views all in one place.

Running a restaurant, outdoor bar, live music venue, and a rental fleet might sound like a juggling act, but for the VanDerhoffs, it works.

“If you create a family atmosphere behind the scenes, that naturally finds its way to the front of the house with our customers,” Bridgett says. “We want to make Wander In a great place to work and find a family within their coworkers.”

That philosophy is woven through every detail, from how they treat their employees to how they show up as leaders. “To whom much is given, much is expected,” Bridgett explains. “Culture comes from the bottom up, not just the top down. The people on the floor, from those on the kitchen line, have to be included and feel valued and cared for.”

And the VanDerhoffs make sure to lead by example: “From scrubbing toilets to cleaning the floors to talking with customers, Rob, Carey, and I have no problem rolling up our sleeves and getting the job done alongside our incredible team.”

Find Wander In at 91 Arthur Street in Manistee. (231) 299-1227; wanderinmanistee.com

Fresh ingredients, artful preparation, warm hospitality and a unique setting make Red Spire Bruch House a destination that is one-of-a-kind. American classics prepared and served with elegant simplicity.

Fresh ingredients, artful preparation, warm hospitality and a unique setting make Red Spire Brunch House a destination that is one-of-a-kind. American classics prepared and served with elegant simplicity.

Enjoy a classic brunch cocktail, bubbly, wine or beer.

Located in the Mercato in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

Enjoy a classic brunch cocktail, bubbly, wine or beer. Mon - Fri 8AM - 3PM

Enjoy a classic brunch cocktail, bubbly, wine or beer.

Weekdays 7 am - 4 pm

Located in the Mercato in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons

- Sun 9AM - 3PM Outdoor patio available (weather permitting)

- Sunday

231.252.4648 RedSpireBrunchHouse.com

CASH OR CARD?

We talk credit card fees, plus cash-only and cashless policies with local businesses

By Art Bukowski

Cash was once king, but credit cards have pulled a coup. According to U.S. Federal Reserve data, cash accounted for about 16 percent of all in-person transactions in 2023, down from 31 percent only six years prior. According to some reports, cash was used for up to 50 percent of transactions as recently as 2010.

A surge in contactless payments tied to cards (think: QR codes, tap to pay, etc.) has hastened this process, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The restaurant industry has had an increasingly strained relationship with credit cards as more and more consumers go cashless. This means difficult decisions when it comes to the fees that credit card companies charge vendors to accept payment in this manner. Absorb them, or pass them on?

Northern Express connected with local restaurants and other businesses to see how they’ve walked the line in this tedious balancing act.

Passing It On: The Surcharge

Consumers have been increasingly accustomed to, if unenthused by, seeing a small surcharge for using their credit cards (or more broadly, any non-cash transaction) as businesses have decided to pass those fees on to the consumer.

It’s something that management at Francisco’s Market and Deli in Traverse City decided to implement way back in 2018, which was considerably ahead of the curve. Co-owner Adam Inman was mostly fine with absorbing the credit card fees when cash still made up at least half of his transactions, but he just couldn’t keep taking the hit as credit card usage continued to climb.

“The amount of money that it added up to for us, it was something that we could no longer not pass on to the customers,” Inman says. “We’re trying to do the best we can with the margins that we have.”

Inman toyed with the idea of just raising prices across the board to offset these fees, but he figured that wouldn’t be fair to his cash customers.

Back when Francisco’s implemented a non-cash transaction surcharge, it was much less common. This meant Inman had a lot of opportunities to educate customers who complained about it.

“We had one regular customer who said, ‘You’re going to charge me to use my card here?’ And I said, ‘We’re not charging you; we’re offsetting the cost that the credit card companies and the banks are charging me for you to shop,’” Inman says. “Customers are getting the benefit of all those five- or three-percent back incentives to shop, but the business is taking the financial hit.”

Holding the Line: Cash Only

There are some businesses that have a pretty bold way of avoiding those credit card fees: Just don’t accept them at all. If you want to eat, you’d better have cash (or your checkbook).

Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor is locally famous for holding firm on this practice. Former owner Tim Barr kept it going for his quarter century of ownership, and new owners Paul and Barbara Olson don’t plan to change.

Barr says customer feedback on this matter wasn’t rare. Most people were more than fine with it, but those who weren’t made their thoughts known.

“We definitely heard about it,” he says. “I was called out, cussed at, whatever you want to call it, two or three times a summer.”

But Barr was glad to hold his ground for a variety of reasons. There’s honoring tradition, of course, but he also wanted his servers to be able to take cash tips home every day. He also very much loved avoiding those pesky credit card fees. The card companies themselves called Art’s to make their case every so often, but Barr couldn’t be convinced.

“It got to the point that when they’d call me up, I’d say, “Well, if you pay me to take the credit cards, I’ll consider it,” he says with a laugh.

As for people who find themselves without cash, there’s an ATM a short distance away. It wasn’t always there, though.

“Before that, if they didn’t have money with them, we’d just tell them to send it to us. Well, it got to the point where only about 50

percent of the people sent the money,” Barr says. “So we had to [stop that practice].”

Others in the business were always envious of what Art’s is able to pull off, Barr says. “I had a lot of restaurateurs say ‘Man, I wish I could do this,” he says. “Once you open the floodgates and start taking cards, you can’t turn back.”

New owner Paul Olson feels it’s part of what makes Art’s special. You have to make sure customers are aware up front, he says, but most already are.

“It’s a part of the brand, and some people really embrace it,” he says. “People are like ‘Cash only, that’s so cool.’”

Both Barr and Olson acknowledge that Art’s is fortunate to be popular enough that it can stick to its guns regarding credit cards. Other places with less demand likely can’t pull it off.

Quick and Easy: Cashless

Though it’s not common, some places in northern Michigan are at the other end of the spectrum and have moved away from cash entirely. One such operation is Boyne

Mountain Resort, which went cashless in December 2022. Cindy Johnson-Minkwic, the resort’s controller, says it just makes things easier.

“This shift has streamlined the experience for both guests and our team— transactions are faster and simpler across the property,” she says. “From a security standpoint, eliminating cash handling has been a benefit.”

Ultimately, Boyne saw going cashless as a way to keep up with consumer trends.

“Going cashless has been an adjustment, but overall, smooth,” Johnson-Minkwic says. “Like many aspects of hospitality, this transition was about staying attuned to how our guests prefer to interact with us and increasingly, that means digital convenience at every touchpoint.”

For convenience, the resort does have “reverse ATMs” that allow people to put cash onto debit cards for use throughout the resort. Boyne leadership declined to answer questions about how the fees tied to credit cards impact their business or if they found a way to offset these fees when the resort went cashless.

Art's current (Barbara and Paul Olson) and previous (Tim Barr) owners.

Franciscos co-owners Adam Inman and Michael Krenzke.

We’ll

Get involved like you would for your own

one. Your presence matters more than you know.

The More You Grow

Extending the growing season this fall

By Drew VanDrie

The unseasonably warm September weather and lengthy “locals summer” had some of us blissfully believing that winter may never come. But take heed! The gales of November will inevitably arrive, ushering in the long frigid months of Michigan winter.

But it’s not all gloom and doom! For those looking to pluck a taste of summer and access fresh greens even in the throes of chilly autumn, Northern Express connected with Adam Brown, agricultural program coordinator for the Grand Traverse Conservation District, to discuss tips and tactics on how to extend your growing season and boost your harvest well into the colder months.

Prep and Set-Up

As with any garden undertaking, planting at the proper time and within important windows is paramount for later season success.

“Timing is the big thing,” says Brown. “What happens is that in the first or second week of November, we go below 10 hours of sunlight.” This lack of sunlight shuts down the fast track photosynthesis for most plants and inhibits growth. “Having your seedlings get to maturity before that date is the key thing,” he says.

Preparing an optimum layout to receive as much light as possible is also a key factor when faced with reduced seasonal sunlight.

Brown recommends orienting your garden on any south-facing parcel, with your rows or hoop houses—a type of artificial greenhouse that usually involves steel hoops covered in clear plastic material—in an east/ west configuration. (More on how to build those below.) This type of layout can also

produce dividends when gardeners are looking to thaw out crops and collect some greens.

Opting for a sunny midwinter harvest, Brown says, “that snow is going to slide off [of the hoop house]—the sun comes out and you can go out there and pull that plastic off or the row cover and enjoy some nice greens that have thawed out.”

The Right Stuff

Once the layout is determined, creating an extended season set-up only requires a few materials.

The first and most approachable option is to install a low plant “tunnel,” which is essentially a small version of a hoop house.

“It can be any size,” says Brown. Even if your tunnel extends just above the growing plants, this set-up offers frost protection and boosts interior temperatures to help protect produce. “At the garden scale, the low tunnel can be anything like PVC hoop or wire hoops and some poly dragged over it,” says Brown.

To make the hoops, Brown suggests something simple like 2-foot rebar put into the ground with PVC piping over top to form the hoop. The poly row cover fabric comes in a variety of weights that insulate the interior and allow varying amounts of sunlight through.

“The higher weights you go, the less sunlight gets through, so you have to be aware of that,” he notes. Row fabrics can be purchased from seed providers and gardening shops.

Brown explains that the next expansive option for larger plots or more involved growers is the high tunnel or hoop house.

“These are usually 20-30 feet wide. They come in four-foot increments, so 96 feet is a common length” he says. “Those are

your bigger structures, with more bells and whistles: double layer poly for more frost protection and things like that.”

Produce Section Selection

Once you have your garden set up, it’s time to plant. Growers and gardeners may need to be reminded that there are limitations to what can grow in cold temps. As much as we may wish for fresh cucumbers around Christmas, it is probably not feasible outside of a greenhouse.

Brown highlights that plants belonging to the brassica family are the most cold hearty and can survive lower temps and threats of frost. “Start with the kale, spinach, and lettuce,” he says. “They can really take the temperature down to 30 degrees and revive themselves after a frost.”

Brown also points to any Asian greens like bok choy as another good option that can endure the cold.

Besides their ability to survive a frost, Brown notes that these plants can actually be enhanced by the colder conditions. “What makes them really nice is they put more sugar and carbohydrates into their cells so that they don’t burst,” he says. The result is a sweeter flavored kale and spinach for the table. “So the greens actually taste better after a couple hard frosts,” says Brown.

Now is also a time for root veggies: Brown recommends sewing these vegetables at least two and a half months before winter or the “Persephone period” when daylight falls below ten hours a day. All that’s needed is a bit of straw to add some extra insulation for overwintering.

“Put a little straw over those parsnips, and you can dig them up in the spring,” he says. “The same with carrots. Those root crops with a little more frost protection,

typically straw, will hold over the winter with that extra insulation.”

Brown does note that root veggies can be a prime target for deer foraging midwinter. Fortunately, hoophouses and row covers afford a layer of protection against deer and other animals.

“That’s another great reason for the covering,” says Brown, “If they can’t access it, they’re not going to be able to munch on it. So, we actually use the row cover fabric not just for frost protection but also for pest control.”

The use of row fabrics can also help protect root vegetables for overwintering.

“The heaviest weight row cover fabric can handle the snow load, and it’s not going to tear very easily,” says Brown. “They make like a 30-weight and a 40-weight, so they’re pretty thick blankets. You could put a little bit of straw and a layer of that, and the deer are not going to be able to get to that very easily.”

Bring It Inside

Last but not least, for smaller plants and herbs, coming inside may also be an option. Brown cautions that the idyllic notion of letting herbs flourish in the windowsill all year round may not be feasible with the limited gray winter light. He recommends some supplemental lighting sources such as LED or fluorescents to give inside plants a boost.

In terms of practicality, Brown also says that putting plants indoors may only preserve them for planting next season rather than having fresh options all winter. But hey, that saves time in the spring, right? Brown points to rosemary and other perennials that can be brought inside—though they do go dormant—to avoid the hassle of replanting next year.

get all the way to the Great Lakes State, if the fires are occurring thousands of miles across the continent?

“It gets a bit science-y,” Dhuyvetter says with a chuckle. “You know that weather variable we touched on earlier, how local weather patterns influence a wildfire’s behavior in its immediate vicinity? Well, broader weather patterns are also the primary culprit in influencing wildfire smoke behavior on a continental level.”

Dhuyvetter explains it all comes down to cold fronts. When a cold front comes down through Canada and into Michigan, it stays close to the ground because hot air rises and cold air sinks. Cold fronts moving across Canada are incredibly common, and they often pick up wildfire smoke and push it ahead of them, much like a snowplow pushes snow.

“Cold fronts prevent wildfire smoke from rising higher into the atmosphere and essentially dissipating,” Dhuyvetter says. “These fronts are full of cold, dense air that stays low to the ground. The cold fronts move through Canada, pick up the wildfire smoke, keep the smoke close to the ground where humans live, and then push the smoke across the continent for sometimes thousands of miles before dissipating.”

Dhuyvetter emphasizes that the cold fronts don’t actually have to be that “cold” per se. They just have to be colder than the surrounding air. “It could be 80 degrees Fahrenheit on a warm July day here in northern Michigan, but if you feel that slight cool breeze coming out of the northwest, that’s probably a cold front from Canada, and if there was a wildfire anywhere between us and where that cold front originated, it’s probably going to be bringing some wildfire smoke with it.”

Protecting Your Home and Your Health

It’s never a bad time to think about wildfire preparedness, especially because fires can ramp back up in the fall thanks to all that fresh tinder from fallen leaves (and folks improperly burning them).

Dhuyvetter says the first thing residents should do is become aware of when wildfire risks are greatest. She says the spring and fall seasons are the highest risk periods for wildfires in the state of Michigan. The spring months pose a heightened risk because plant life (fuel for fires) is still dormant from winter and hasn’t “greened up” yet. The same occurs in autumn, only in reverse. Snow cover during winter and rain combined with green plants during summer work to reduce wildfire risk, although that risk is never fully eliminated.

The next piece of advice focuses on protecting the home.

“Protecting your home during wildfire

season is all about creating defensible space,” Dhuyvetter said, pointing us to the U.S. Forest Service’s advice on the matter.

“Defensible spaces are essentially spaces around your home that will not catch on fire,” she adds. “It’s about not growing trees too close to your house. It’s about removing shrubs and undergrowth near your home and keeping your grass short and wellwatered during drought periods. The idea is to reduce the presence of natural fuels near your home so that, even if your property does suffer a wildfire, damage to your house will be, ideally, minimal.”

Next, it’s essential not to contribute to the problem. According to the Michigan DNR, the overwhelming majority of wildfires in the Great Lakes State are caused by humans. “The DNR puts out alerts on when it allows or does not allow for burning,” Dhuyvetter says. “Be aware of wildfire risk in your area at any given time and follow the rules around burn permits and bans.”

Last but not least, Dhuyvetter says it’s important to follow EGLE’s guidance on air quality alerts, especially because, even if every Michigander became an expert in fire prevention and were able to reduce Michigan wildfire incidents to zero or near zero, Michiganders would still have to contend with wildfire smoke coming in from out-of-state.

“If you’re in a sensitive group, don’t go outdoors during poor air quality days,” Dhuyvetter says. “Even if you’re not in a sensitive group, take the advisories and alerts seriously. You might not be able to feel the effects of that smoky air right away, but the smoke is having an effect on your health from that very first inhalation onward.”

This fall, keep an eye on local burn conditions at dnr.state.mi.us/burnpermits.

Dhuyvetter

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: 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

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: 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 cocreated by Bon Jovi & his son, Jesse. Take part in the Harvest for Hope Dinner & 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/delamar-traverse-city/raise-a-rose

AGED TO PERFECTION: “HEAVEN ON THEIR MINDS”: 2pm & 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, Schmuckal Theatre, TC. Featuring “The Moussaka Meeting” & “Waiting for God.” $10. oldtownplayhouse.com/atp/performances/heaven.html

DOGS & DONUTS: 2-6pm, Shady Lane Cellars, Suttons Bay. Guests who bring a friendly, leashed dog can enjoy a $5 glass pour & donut boat from Chimoski Bakery. A

portion of bottle sales benefits pets in need at the Great Lakes Humane Society. Expect a Classic K9 stunt show & live music by Highway North. Free. shadylanecellars.com/ event-home/events

GRUMPY MONKEY: 2pm, 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/concerts-and-events

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

“A WATER TRAIL” FILM SCREENING: 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-water-trail-film-screeningtickets-228065

2ND ANNUAL WITCHES NIGHT OUT: 5-10pm. 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 witch - or 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 spinechilling 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/joshuadavis-2025

WESTBOUND SITUATION - CHAMBER-

GRASS: 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, behind-the-scenes stories, & straight talk from Maestro Kevin Rhodes. $10. tcphil.org/ concerts

THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW

– SHADOWCAST: 9pm, Odawa Casino Resort, Victories, Petoskey. Doors open at 8pm. $20 cover. $5 prop bags sold by performers (no outside props). Costumes & audience participation encouraged. facebook. com/share/1E9S4hSYGr

Sunday

GRUMPY MONKEY: (See Sat., Oct. 18)

THE 17TH ANNUAL FRANKFORT FILM FESTIVAL: (See Sat., Oct. 18)

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

oct 20 oct 19

RAISE A ROSÉ WEEKEND: (See Sat., Oct. 18)

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

monday

DAWN ECSTATIC DANCE: 7:30am, West End Park, where Division enters W. Grandview Parkway, TC. Ecstatic dance is a space for free-form movement & expression of however you are in the moment. Dance at dawn, Mon. through Fri. All ages, abilities & bodies welcome. Dress for the weather. Donation.

TJ ANDREWS, GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY COMMISSIONER, SPEAKS TO THE AAUW OF TC: 6pm, Dennos Museum Center, Janis Room, NMC, TC. Women Matter continues this fall as you meet local women in professions that were once (or still are) dominated by men. Women are often under represented in local government but hopefully that is changing. Meet TJ Andrews, a

Test your grit at the Aevitas Medical Longevity Challenge! Held at Crystal Mountain, Sat., Oct. 25 at 9am, this 6-mile ruck event builds physical endurance and mental toughness. It features flat terrain, steep inclines and three challenge stations. A 2-mile loop with one challenge station is recommended for adult beginners or children ages 6-12. Prices range from $30-$75. crystalmountain.com/ruck

GT County commissioner since 2023 & a local attorney. Free. traversecityarea-mi.aauw.net

DEEP DIVING THE FAMILY ARCHIVES:

6:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Join for an evening of discovery with Woodmere’s own Katheryn & Kelly. Discover how exciting history can be when it’s your own! This hands-on session combines research tips with creative ways to record & share your heritage. Free. tadl.org/ event/deep-diving-family-archives-26187

tuesday

DAWN ECSTATIC DANCE: (See Mon., Oct. 20)

FALL PEEPERS: FABULOUS FUNGI: 10am, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Uncover the fascinating role of mushrooms in nature. Learn about how fungi communicate & why they are such good decomposers. For ages 3-5 with an adult. Takes place entirely outdoors. Register. $5/child; cash only. natureiscalling.org/preschool-peepers-program

PASTIMEPALOOZA: 4pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. Discover a new hobby & make new friends at the first-ever PastimePalooza. Free. tadl.org/pastimepalooza

NCTA INTERNATIONAL HUT-TO-HUT

HIKES: 7pm, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Grand Traverse Chapter of NCTA monthly meeting. Sara Cockrell will share her stunning memories of hiking in the Italian Dolomites, Switzerland, New Zealand, Patagonia, Everest, Pyrenees, Corsica, Norway & Iceland. Free. meetup.com/grandtraverse-chapter-north-country-trail-association/events/311158316

SWEETWATER EVENING GARDEN CLUB

OCT. MEETING: 7pm, Acme Twp. Hall, 6100 US 31 N. Guest speakers include Frank Dituri & Sara Salman, who will teach you how the county makes compost, & about a new program, SEEDS. Free.

wednesday

oct 22 oct 23

DAWN ECSTATIC DANCE: (See Mon., Oct. 20)

NAMI CONNECTION & NAMI FAMILY SUPPORT

GROUP: Noon, Christ Church, lower level, 430 Fair St., TC. NAMI Connection is a support group for people with mental health conditions. NAMI Family Support Group is a support group for family members, significant others & friends of people with mental health conditions. Both groups are held on Wednesdays at the same location & at the same time. Free. namigt.org/support-andeducation/support-groups

BIOREGIONAL MAPPING: 6pm, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. Stephanie Mills will lead a participatory workshop to depict your knowledge of ad raise questions about the nature of your home territory. Mills will facilitate graphic descriptions & revelations of our whereabouts. Space for the workshop is limited so please register in advance: 231.326.5361 or info@glenlakelibrary.net. glenlakelibrary.net

NWS: MITCH ALBOM: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Author of the #1 Bestseller “The Stranger in the Lifeboat,” Mitch Albom presents his love story “Twice.” Doors open at 6pm with live music & a cash bar. $16$56.50. cityoperahouse.org

thursday

DAWN ECSTATIC DANCE: (See Mon., Oct. 20)

COFFEE @ 10, PETOS-

KEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Reconnecting: The Artwork of Loren Eiferman, Film by Christopher Vagts. Join for a unique video interview opportunity. Getting a glimpse into the inspiration behind Loren Eiferman’s work. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctacpetoskey/coffee-10-reconnecting-artwork-loren-eiferman-film-christopher-vagts

FALL COLOR HIKE AT PERCH LAKE: 10am, 3004 Darke Rd., Kalkaska. Join the GT Regional Land Conservancy for a fall color hike at Perch Lake, a proposed new addition to the Upper Manistee Headwaters Preserve, in Kalkaska County. The Perch Lake addition protects the entirety of Perch Lake & several ecologically rich bogs that support water quality within the Manistee River watershed. Free. gtrlc.my.salesforce-sites.com/ es/event/home/fallcolorhike102325

POLISH HERITAGE CELEBRATION: 4pm, Gaylord Area Council for the Arts. Join in celebration of Polish American Heritage Month. Includes a Polish paper craft, music & dance, food, & presentation by Josie Dirkse. Free; donations encouraged. gaylordarts.org/cultural-nights.html

UP NORTH PRIDE TEEN ART NIGHT: 4:306pm, Up North Pride, TC. Join UNP & friends from UUCGT for a Teen Halloween Art Night! Paint a pumpkin, work on your Halloween costume, & more hands-on art fun just for ages 1317! Free. upnorthpride.com/event/2025/10/23/ teen-art-night-halloween-prep

FALL, FLANNEL, AND FRIENDS: 5-7pm, Townline Ciderworks, Williamsburg. $1 from each beverage sold will be donated to support the Friends of the Elk Rapids District Library. friendsoftheelkrapidslibrary.org

CLIMATE CHANGE FILM SERIES WITH CITIZENS CLIMATE LOBBY: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. A facilitated film series about various aspects of climate change & how it affects people & the region. Today features “From Sagan’s Congressional Testimony to Now: 40 Years of Climate Innovation.” Free. tadl.org/event/climate-change-film-seriescitizens-climate-lobby-25620

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS FORUM: “PUTTING THE GLOBAL ORDER BACK TOGETHER”: Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Featuring Christopher Preble, senior fellow & director of the Reimagining US Grand Strategy program at the Stimson Center, & co-host of the “Net Assessment” podcast. Reception at 6pm; program at 7pm. $15 advance, $20 door, $10 online. tciaf.com

AN EVENING WITH DAVID SEDARIS: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Renowned for his sardonic wit & incisive social critiques, David Sedaris is widely regarded as one of America’s preeminent humorists. Sedaris became a household name in 1992 after performing his essay Santaland Diaries on NPR’s Morning Edition. Since then, he has been a frequent contributor to the weekly NPR program This American Life & has penned more than a dozen collections of shorts stories & essays. Tickets start at $50. interlochen.org/events/ evening-david-sedaris-2025-10-23

SINGER-SONGWRITER: HARMONIES FOR HARVEST: 7:30pm, Interlochen Cenoct 21

Saturday, November 1

Doors at 7:00

Music at 7:30

$30 advance tickets

$35 at the door

SEAN DOBBINS Drums, Leader

ATHENA JOHNSON Vocalist

DWIGHT ADAMS Trumpet

ANDREW BISHOP Saxophones

RICK ROE Piano

CHRISTIAN DILLINGHAM Bass

Inspired by Coltrane’s Alabama and Max Roach’s We Insist! Freedom Now, The World We Know is designed to create dialog to solve the social challenges that plague our communities, regardless of race, ethnicity or socio-economic status.

ter for the Arts, Dendrinos Chapel & Recital Hall. Celebrate the season with an evening of original songwriting as Interlochen Arts Academy singer songwriters present a vibrant performance titled Harmonies for Harvest. Experience a showcase of fresh voices & emerging talent. $14-$17. interlochen.org/events/singersongwriter-harmonies-for-harvest-2025-10-23

friday

DAWN ECSTATIC DANCE: (See Mon., Oct. 20)

OCTOBER WELLNESS SERIES: 10:30am, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library, lower level Community Room. Join physical therapist & pelvic floor specialist Dr. Erica O’Neal for a presentation on Pelvic Health Basics. Free. sbbdl.org/ event/october-wellness-series-erica-oneal

LUNCHEON LECTURE: RETURNING ARCTIC GRAYLING TO MICHIGAN: 11:30am-1pm, NCMC, Library Conference Center, Petoskey. Ed Eisch, assistant chief of the fisheries division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, will explain the collaborative effort now underway with 50 partners to bring back cold water streams in the northern Lower Peninsula, Arctic Grayling. Register. $15. ncmclifelonglearning. com/event-6289907

FS ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION LLCTRUNK OR TREAT: 5pm, 4107 South Manor Wood Dr., TC. This event will be a sensory friendly space for anyone who would like to join. Find on Facebook. Free.

FRIENDS OF TADL FALL BOOK SALE: Traverse Area District Library, TC. Fri., Oct. 24 from 6-8pm: Members Only Pre-Sale. Sat., Oct. 25 from 9am-6pm: Public Sale/ Members receive 50% off. Sun., Oct. 26 from noon-4:30pm: All Day $5 Bag Sale. Hardcover books: $4; paperback books: $2; children’s books: $2; DVDs: 2 for $1. facebook. com/share/1GQKU13hGJ

CANDLELIGHT®: A HAUNTED EVENING OF HALLOWEEN CLASSICS: The Village at GT Commons, Kirkbride Hall, TC. Discover music inspired by Halloween under the gentle glow of candlelight. Shows at 6:30pm & 8:45pm. $37.50-$58. feverup.com/m/196401

ANGELINE BOULLEY: 7pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. This #1 New York Times-Bestselling Author of “Firekeeper’s Daughter” brings her newest book, “Sisters in the Wind.” RSVP required. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ mclean-eakin-presents-events-take-youplaces-angeline-boulley

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Two squeaky-clean college kids - Brad & his fiance Janet - go to visit a former professor, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion where they meet a crossdressing mad scientist. $35 for adults, $25 for youth under 18. oldtownplayhouse.com/performances/mainstage/the-rocky-horror-show.html

saturday

17TH ANNUAL ZOMBIE

5K RUN: 9am, Right Brain Brewery, TC. Take part in this zombie themed run/ walk. Proceeds benefit TART Trails. Stay after for costume prizes, music & more. $25-$35. traversetrails.org/ event/zombie-run

AEVITAS MEDICAL LONGEVITY RUCK CHALLENGE: 9am, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. This 6-mile ruck event is designed to build physical endurance & mental toughness with each mile conquered. The route includes both flat terrain & steep inclines. Three challenge stations will be set up across the course. For ages 13+. There will also be a 1-mile hike out & back (2 miles total) for adult beginners & children ages 6-12 starting at 10am. There will be at least one station for the beginner group. If you wish to hike with a pack or ruck, you must provide your own. $30-$75. runsignup.com/Race/MI/ Thompsonville/AevitasRuckChallenge

FRIENDS OF TADL FALL BOOK SALE: (See Fri., Oct. 24)

DOWNTOWN TC HALLOWEEN WALK: 1011:30am, downtown TC. From the 100, 200, & 300 blocks of East Front St. to the shops on State St. & all the side streets in between, candy awaits around every corner. Don your favorite costume. With such a large amount of foot traffic on Front St., downtown TC is encouraging a one-directional route (counterclockwise when facing west) for trick-or-treaters. Free. downtowntc.com/downtown-halloween-walk

DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY TRICK OR TREAT: Central Elementary School, Petoskey. Join for a trick-or-treating adventure throughout downtown Petoskey stores. Meet at Central Elementary School at 9:45am. The costume parade will begin at 10am, starting from Central Elementary & marching down Howard St. to Pennsylvania Park in downtown Petoskey. For the safety of the trick-or-treaters, the downtown streets will be closed to only foot traffic. Free. petoskeydowntown.com/events

HALLOWEEN FOR ALL: 10am, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Join the Dennos Museum, Children’s Therapy Corner, Children’s Advocacy Center & TADL Youth Services for the third annual sensory-friendly Halloween event. There will be a variety of fun activities, being mindful of diverse sensory needs & accommodations to create an inclusive environment where all are welcome. Free. simpletix.com/e/halloween-forall-2025-tickets-227570

NCT 2025 HIKE 100 CHALLENGE - STARVATION LAKE TO CUNNINGHAM RD.: 10am, Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground, Manistee Lake. Join Grand Traverse Chapter of the North Country Trail for the final Hike 100 Challenge of 2025. Explore the northernmost reaches of the chapter’s 107 mile section of the NCNST. RSVP. Free. meetup.com/grand-traverse-chapter-northcountry-trail-association/events/305506313

SPOOKY SATURDAY: 10am-noon, Leelanau Twp. Library, Northport. All kids are welcome for spooky STEAM experiments & activities, snacks & fun. Free. facebook.com/ events/2654372194908395

PUMPKIN PATCH PARTY: 11am-1pm, TC Elks Lodge #323. Free to kids 0-12. Lots of fun activities, games, food & candy. Come in costume for Halloween fun. Children must be accompanied by an adult. 944-5187.

TRICK OR TREAT IN THE GARDEN: 11am12:30pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Skeletons, stories, crafts & more. Not too scary family fun. Free. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org

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AUTUMN CRAFT DAY: Grass River Natural Area Education Center, Bellaire. Stop into the Center any time between noon-3pm & Naturalist crafts.

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THE SNUGGERY FESTIVAL: Noon-9pm, The Folded Leaf, Cedar. Featuring pumpkin carving, apple cider making, an artist market, costume contest, yard games & more. Summer Music Series Finale with Skyelea, Jimmy Olson, A.S. Lutes, & DJ Ras Marco D. The businesses of Cedar will also be hosting Trunk-orTreat from 4-7pm, & there will be a free movie - Casper: 30th Anniversary - at The Folded Leaf from 7-9pm. Free. thefoldedleafleelanau.com

CANDY LE-LAND HALLOWEEN: 1-3pm, Old Art Building, front lawn, Leland. Costumes are encouraged. Enjoy cider, donuts, games, trick-or-treating & more for all ages. Free. oldartbuilding.com/events/halloweenat-the-oab-2

THE ART OF WELL BEING: “JOIN OR DIE” FILM SCREENING & “JOIN FAIR”: 1-4:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. This film explores the importance of community & civic engagement. Offered in partnership with the Rotary Club of Petoskey. crookedtree.org/class/ctac-petoskey/join-or-die-film-screening-and-join-fair

THE BELLAIRE WITCH PROJECT HALLOWEEN EVENT: 2-9pm, downtown Bellaire. Tarot card readings, Halloween treats, & baked goods available to purchase at The Flying Pig, creepy cocktails, & more. Dress up in your favorite costume. bellairechamber. org/2025/10/25/307013/the-bellaire-witchproject-halloween-event

$1 FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT: 4pm, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. Singing & dancing preshow followed by “The Adams Family.” $1 snacks, popcorn & juice boxes available. gardentheater.org/comingsoon

DOWNTOWN CEDAR TRUNK OR TREAT: 4-7pm, downtown Cedar. Wear your costume. Held in collaboration with the Cedar Chamber of Commerce & other local businesses. Free.

INDIAN RIVER HARVEST BAZAAR: 4pm, Northland Brewing Co., Indian River. Craft vendors, live music, pumpkin carving, CrockPot Cook Off & more. Free. facebook.com/sh are/1DRMqcr2Zg/?mibextid=wwXIfr

BOO BASH FAMILY FUN-RAISER: 5-7pm, The Curiosity Place, GT Mall, TC. Mix up your own glow slime, learn about the science behind fluorescence, & craft after-dark art to take home. Tickets include activities, crafts, snacks, & admission. Everyone who arrives in costume will receive a special prize. $3$15. greatlakeskids.org

AUTHOR TALK WITH TIM MULHERIN: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Tim will talk about his new book, “This Magnetic North: Candid Conversations on a Changing Northern Michigan,” in which he explores the impact of the pandemic, climate change, & tourism on northwest lower Michigan. Free. tadl.org/timmulherin

FREE OUTDOOR MOVIE SHOWING & PUMPKIN CARVING: 6-9:30pm, Around the Corner Food & Fun, Northport. Enjoy this Halloween movie marathon of the Hocus Pocus movies. Bring your pumpkins; carving tools will be available. Also bring your blankets or chairs. facebook.com/ events/1273603233859808

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW: (See Fri., Oct. 24, except tonight’s times are 6pm & 11pm.)

CANDLELIGHT®: A HAUNTED EVENING OF HALLOWEEN CLASSICS: SOLD OUT: 6:30pm, The Village at GT Commons, Kirkbride Hall, TC. Discover music inspired by Halloween under the gentle glow of candlelight. feverup.com/m/196401

MAKING MOVIES: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Founded by Enrique Chi—a songwriter, musician, filmmaker, & activist—the Latin Grammy-nominated Making Movies serves as the primary platform for Chi’s creative mission. The band is committed to representing their mixed identity of Black & Latino culture & has been a vocal influence in the national health conversation around music as medicine. $10$60. cityoperahouse.org/makingmovies

STEVE POLTZ: 8pm, Freshwater Art Gallery/ Concert Venue, Boyne City. Enjoy Steve’s folkrock & Americana style of music. He’ll bring his blend of storytelling & upbeat, acoustic-driven songs. He has co-wrote with artists such as Jewel, as seen in the song “You Were Meant for Me.” 231-582-2588. $45.

WHO’S BAD: THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON EXPERIENCE: 8pm, Leelanau Sands Casino Showroom, Peshawbestown. As the longest-running tribute to the King of Pop, Who’s Bad delivers a high-energy performance celebrating MJ’s greatest hitsfrom “Billie Jean” to “Man in the Mirror.” Ages 18+. $50.05. mynorthtickets.com/events/ whos-bad-the-ultimate-michael-jackson-experience-10-25-2025

CANDLELIGHT®: COLDPLAY & IMAGINE DRAGONS: 8:45pm, The Village at GT Commons, Kirkbride Hall, TC. Discover the music of Coldplay & Imagine Dragons under the gentle glow of candlelight. $46.50. feverup. com/m/403038

sunday

FRIENDS OF TADL FALL

BOOK SALE: (See Fri., Oct. 24)

GLEN ARBOR’S TRICK OR TREATING 2025: Glen Arbor Business District. Runs from noon-3pm (or until the treats run out). Wear your costume & trick or treat at participating businesses. Free. visitglenarbor.com/event/glen-arbor-trick-or-treat-2025

WHEN HISTORY RHYMES: SURVIVAL & MYSTERY AT WHITE SHOAL LIGHTHOUSE: 2pm, Helena Twp. Community Center, Alden. Presented by Lighthouse keeper, historian, & author Jill Ore. 231-331-4318. Free.

DAVID CHOWN SOLO CONCERT: 3pm, The Music House Museum, Williamsburg. Acclaimed northern Michigan pianist David Chown will take you on a historical adventure through piano highlighting the great singer/ songwriters of the 70’s. David will focus on the music behind the great songs from 1975, a unique perspective 50 years later. David will play instrumental versions of these great songs on the Concert Baldwin. $25$30. musichouse.org/music-house-event/ the-music-house-is-proud-to-welcome-david-chown-at-300-pm-october-26-2025-fora-special-solo-concert-celebrating-70ssinger-songwriters-and-great-songs-from-19

LIVE AND LET DIE - THE MUSIC OF PAUL MCCARTNEY: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Featuring Tony Kishman, veteran of the Broadway smash hit musical “Beatlemania.” Enjoy hit songs like “Hey Jude,” “Jet,” & “Yesterday.” $10-$40. 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 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

art

SECRET BEACH AT LOVE FARM: From Oct. 4-25, Thursdays & Saturdays from 2-6pm, the Cathedral at Love Farm in Beulah hosts Secret Beach, an exhibit of regional artists who may or may not be in it for the big bucks. Instead of ubiquitous local landscapes suitable for hanging in the mega cottage, expect cryptic visions, conceptual digressions, radiant dream sequences, sublime surprises... Free. love.farm

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 Nov. 21. 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

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:

ative 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

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:

- ART SPEAKS: CREATIVE ARTS STUDIO FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES: Held in Atrium Gallery, this exhibition features work created by students in Challenge Mountain & Crooked Tree Arts Center’s Creative Arts Studio program. Runs Oct. 18 - Nov. 22. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/event/ ctac-petoskey/art-speaks-creative-arts-studio-adults-disabilities-exhibition

- 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 cre-

- 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. 30. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org

by Joseph beyer

In the new psychological thriller Good Boy, an independent horror film with a highly innovative twist, you should expect a few classic jump scares, a demonic and unknown being, and a four-legged star who will melt the heart of any dog lover out there.

So emotive and so genuine is the performance of this dog (aptly named Indy both on-screen and in real life), that his debut won him the first-ever Howl of Fame Award at this year’s SXSW Film Festival in Austin where the project debuted. There was much appaws, and distributor IFC Films and their horror label Shudder came sniffing for the rights, anticipating big bark office returns.

They seem to be right, and Good Boy has become an underground, word-of-mouth discovery in a highly competitive slasher film marketplace, opening on 1,650 screens and looking like a hit.

What has everyone buzzing is how the film does it: by telling a timeless tale of supernatural evil almost entirely from the perspective of a dog who’s the only one who can see it. While sounding like a jerky-camera nightmare the likes of a Beggin’ Strips commercial, instead Good Boy is a sophisticated exploration that takes you not only inside the mind of this animal, but also makes you feel haunted the same way Indy feels.

As Indy becomes aware he’s seeing and sensing things that aren’t right, he becomes more and more protective of his owner Todd, a human we almost never see, represented in visual fragments and a voice mainly offscreen. The two clearly have a strong bond forged since puppyhood.

But this human has very human battles of their own happening, so Todd fails to take note of Indy’s warnings until it’s too late. And from there, all hell breaks loose for both of them.

Of course, this all takes place in Todd’s family cabin to heighten the mood, an off-the-grid and frozen in time style creepy place where no one will be able to help or save them. This iconic motif gives us the flickering lights and rusty door sounds we crave in our horrormovie escapism.

As reported first by the Traverse Ticker, the film’s talented composer Sam Boase-Miller not only delivers the perfect soundtrack for this wild ride, he lives and works right here as an audio teacher at Northwestern Michigan College. Boase-Miller is also a graduate of Interlochen Center for the Arts, and he attended the film’s local premiere at AMC Theatres.

But Indy is the undeniable star. And with a stone cold precision of horrified looks, emotion, and unbelievable blocking, this Nova Scotian Duck Tolling Retriever takes you into a fantasy world reminiscent of Benji and Lassie with no CGI or mechanical trickery.

It’s an astonishing feat of filmmaking, and one that took the director Ben Leonberg and his real life partner and cowriter Alex Cannon almost three years to make, shot by painstaking shot, with their own dog Indy, filming in their own home. Their creative moxie has resulted in a breath of fresh air for a genre. (And, if you stay for the credits, most screenings include a wonderful short, behind-the-scenes bonus doc showing you how they did it.)

Thanks to Good Boy, that weird stare your dog has at the corner, or that mysterious whine in the middle of the night at nothing at all, will never be the same.

Rated PG-13, Good Boy contains less than the average amount of blood and gore, instead relying more on pure imagination to scare the bejesus out of you.

There’s a place downtown where every gathering feels extraordinary. Where colleagues are welcomed like guests in our home. Where crafted cocktails and chef-curated menus create a setting unlike any typical corporate dinner.

WE'RE NOT JUST HOSTING PARTIES WE’RE WELCOMING YOU LIKE FAMILY

& Semi-Private Dining

Mental Health Care for the Whole Family

EARTHEN ALES, TC

10/24 -- Fall Nature Trivia, 6-8

ENCORE 201, TC

Grand Traverse & Kalkaska

10/17-18 & 10/24-25 -- DJ Ricky T, 9

IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC 10/23 -- Beyond Trivia!, 7-9

KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC

9:30:

10/17-18 -- Scarkazm

10/24 -- Boardman River Band 10/25 -- The Timebombs

KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING

10/21 – Open Mic Night w/ LaRose Duo, 6-8

10/23 – Trivia Night w/ Marcus Anderson, 6:30-8:30

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC

BARREL ROOM:

10/20 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9

TASTING ROOM:

10/24 -- Aiden Tobar, 5-7

MARI VINEYARDS, TC 4-6:

10/21 -- Levi Britton

10/22 -- Jerry Byville 10/23 -- Nick Veine

MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC 7-9:

10/22 -- Trivia Night 10/23 -- Open Mic Night

MT. HOLIDAY, FIRESIDE, TC 10/24 -- Headwaters Duo, 6-9

NORTH BAR, TC

7-10: 10/18 – Rob Coonrod

10/23 – Drew Hale 10/24 – Brady Corcoran 10/25 – Erik & Mark

OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC

SEVEN HILLS:

10/18 -- Bauer Jones, 7-9

10/23 – Halloween Costume Party feat. DJ Ras Marco D, 7 10/24 – Mitchell McKay, 6-9

10/25 – Levi Britton, 6-9

RIGHT BRAIN BREWERY, TC

10/18 -- Kamikaze Comedy w/ Adam Degi, Joe Curtis, Jack Rutkowski & Host Ben Bradshaw, 8

TC WHISKEY CO. Tue -- Open Mic w/ Chris Sterr, 6-9

THE ALLUVION, TC

10/18 -- The Bad Plus, 7pm & 9pm 10/20 -- Big Fun - Funky Fun Mondays, 6-8:30

10/22 -- Lindsay Lou Honey Moon Trio wsg The Wildflowers: SOLD OUT, 7-10

10/23 -- The Jeff Haas Trio feat. Laurie Sears + Lisa Flahive, 6-8:30

10/24 -- Justin Avdek & Eric Engblade Album Release, 7-9:30

10/25 -- Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet ft. Svetlana Sahakyan, 7-9:30

10/26 -- The Alluvion Big Band, 2:30-5

THE HAYLOFT INN, TC 7:30-11: 10/18 -- The Timebombs 10/24-25 -- Off Duty

THE LITTLE FLEET, TC

Antrim & Charlevoix

10/18 -- Free Spirit (Spirit-Free, Sober Oct.) Dance Party w/ DJ Wave Runner & Christo Fur, 8

THE PARLOR, TC

10/18 – Wink Solo, 9-12

10/21 – Jesse Jefferson, 8-11

10/22 – Rob Coonrod, 8-11

10/23 – Jimmy Olson, 8-11

10/24 – Rolling Dirty Duo, 9-12

10/25 – Chris Sterr, 9-12

THE PUB, TC

10/20 – Karaoke, 8-11

10/22 – Zeke Clemons, 8-11

10/23 – Music Bingo, 7:30-10:30 10/24 – Dollar Shavey Club, 9-12 10/25 – Rob Coonrod, 9-12

THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC

10/18 -- Andy McQuillen, 7

10/21 -- Open Mic w/ Zak Bunce, 7 10/22 -- Straight Forward Bluegrass Band, 7 10/23 -- DJ Trivia, 7 10/24 -- Jazz Jam w/ Ron Getz Trio, 6

10/25 -- Zie Simmons, 7

10/26 -- Full Tilt Comedy: Comedy Mixtape, 7

TOWNLINE CIDERWORKS, WILLIAMSBURG

10/23 -- Fall, Flannel, and Friends: Benefits Friends of the Elk Rapids District Library, 5-7

UNION STREET STATION, TC

10/18 -- Gypsy Blue, 10

10/23 -- DJ1 Wave, 9 10/24 -- Stone Travelbee wsg APROPOS, 10 10/25 -- DJ Prim, 10

nitelife

Send Nitelife to:

and also offers an artist market, pumpkin carving, a Halloween movie and more. thefoldedleafleelanau.com

CAFE SANTÉ, BOYNE CITY

10/18 -- Chris Calleja, 7-10

10/20 -- The Shifties, 6-9

10/24 -- Michelle Chenard, 7-10

10/25 -- Sean Bielby - Halloween Tomfoolery, 7-10

ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS OUTDOORS:

10/18 -- Rochelle Clark & Jason Dennie, 7-10

FIRESIDE LOUNGE, BELLAIRE 7-10: 10/18 -- Spencer Oppermann 10/24 -- Nick Vasquez

JAX NORTHSIDE, CHARLEVOIX 10/18 & 10/25 -- Karaoke Night, 9 10/22 -- Trivia Night, 7-9

LOST CELLARS, CHARLEVOIX 10/24 -- Leebee Shaner, 5-8

BOB'S PLACE, ALANSON 10/22 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9

BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY

10/18 -- Chris Calleja, 2-6

10/24 -- Chase & Allie, 4-7:30

10/25 -- Michelle Chenard, 2-6

BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, BAY HARBOR

5-8:

10/18 -- Ricky Hill

10/24 -- Chris Calleja

10/25 -- Derek Boik

CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY 10/21 -- Trivia Night, 7-9 10/24 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30

DOUGLAS LAKE STEAKHOUSE, PELLSTON 10/18 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9

MAREK'S HARBOR GRILL, CHARLEVOIX THE FLYBRIDGE (ROOFTOP BAR), 7-11:

10/18 & 10/25 -- Jake the Dog 10/19 & 10/26 -- David Lawston 10/24 -- Dejayimar

MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY 10/24 -- The Shifties, 8-11

SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE 10/23 -- DJ Bingo, 6

Otsego, Crawford & Central

ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD

10/24 – Brian Curran, 6-9

BIG BUCK BREWERY, GAYLORD 10/18 & 10/24 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6

Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee

BUCKSNORT SALOON, MESICK

10/20 -- Open Mic w/ Vic Trip, 6-9 NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA 6: 10/18 -- Howard Wilson

10/23 -- Open Mic Hosted by Andy McQuillen

10/24 -- Tim Krause

10/25 -- Sierra Skye Baker

THE GREENHOUSE - WILLOW/ PRIMOS, CADILLAC 10/22 -- Wednesday Trivia, 6-9

BLACK STAR FARMS, SUTTONS BAY 6-8: 10/18 – Nick Veine 10/25 – Izzy Joy

BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU

TASTING ROOM: 10/19 -- Loose Change, 3-5:30

DUNE BIRD WINERY, NORTHPORT 3-6: 10/19 -- Rhett Ducouer 10/22 -- Billy & The Kid 10/26 -- Loose Change

FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH 6-8: 10/20 -- Music Trivia 10/22 -- Open Mic w/ Andy Littlefield 10/23 -- Trivia Thursdays

FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR

3-6: 10/20 -- John Paul 10/23 -- Keith Scott

INN BETWEEN, INDIAN RIVER 10/23 -- Mike Ridley, 4-7

NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY

10/18 -- Lara Fullford, 7-10

10/20 -- Quiz Runners Trivia, 6-8

10/22 -- Singo Bingo: Boogie Nights, 6:30

10/24 -- Eric Jaqua, 7-10

10/25 -- Mike Ridley, 7-10

NORTHLAND BREWING CO., INDIAN RIVER 10/25 -- Ty Parkin & The Old Souls, 4

ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES, 9: 10/17-18 & 10/24 -- DJ Big Ton 10/18 -- The Rocky Horror Picture Show

10/25 -- Halloween Bash w/ Costume Contest

Leelanau & Benzie

IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE

5:30-7:30: 10/18 -- Matt Gabriel 10/24 – Luke Woltanski 10/25 – Wink

LITTLE TRAVERSE INN, MAPLE CITY 10/24 -- Lipstick & Dipstick, 6-9

RIVER CLUB, GLEN ARBOR 5-8: 10/18 -- Broom Closet Boys 10/25 -- Luke Woltanski Duo

SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY 3-6: 10/18 -- Highway North 10/24 -- Friday Night Live w/ Jeff Socia 10/25 -- Dennis Palmer

ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH 5-8: 10/18 -- Aaron Dye 10/24 -- Dags Und Timmah! 10/25 -- Andy Six

PETOSKEY EAGLES CLUB 10/24 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9

POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS

10/18 -- The Real Ingredients, 11am-2pm; M-119 Band, 3-6pm 10/19 -- Terry Coveyou, 11am2pm; Serita's Black Rose, 3-6pm 10/24 -- Jelly Roll, 5-8 10/25 -- Kirby Snively, 11am-2pm; Sugarbush, 3-6

THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN

10/18 -- Gina & Jordan, 8 10/24 -- Musician's Playground, 7 10/25 -- Nate King, 8

THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER 10/23 -- Dominic Fortuna, 7:309:30

STORMCLOUD BREWING CO., FRANKFORT 10/18 -- Jakob Abraham, 7-9

SUTTONS BAY CIDERS 10/23 -- Thursday DJ Trivia, 6:30-8

SWEET’S BAR & GRILL, HONOR Mon. – Music Bingo, 7 Fri. – Music Bingo, 8; Karaoke, 10 Sat. – Karaoke, 8

THE CABBAGE SHED, ELBERTA 10/24 -- Open Mic Night, 6:30-9 10/25 -- Halloween Party - Cirque de Shed w/ K. Jones & The Benzie Playboys, 7-9

THE FOLDED LEAF, CEDAR 10/18 -- Hilary James & Kevin DiSimone, 5-7:30 10/22 -- Big Fun Unplugged, 6-8:30

10/25 -- The Snuggery Fest w/ Skyelea, Jimmy Olson, A.S. Lutes, & DJ Ras Marco D, noon-9

THE HOMESTEAD RESORT, GLEN ARBOR

WHISKERS: 10/18 -- Elisabeth Christe, 6-9

Emmet & Cheboygan

TC’s SkyeLea, known for playing R&B, pop and jazz, along with being a member of The Wildflowers and performing with Trillium Groove, plays The Folded Leaf’s Snuggery Festival in Cedar, Sat., Oct. 25 at noon and 1:30pm, along with Jimmy Olson, A.S. Lutes and DJ Ras Marco D. The Festival runs from noon-9pm

lOGY

OCT 20 - OCT 26

BY ROB BREZSNY

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Many cultures regard obsidian as having protective powers against negative energy. This makes it popular for healing talismans. Obsidian mirrors have often been used to scry for visions and prophecies. Because obsidian is so sharp, ancient peoples incorporated it into tools used to hunt for food, like knives and arrowheads. In modern times, obsidian is used for its beauty in tabletops, tiles, and architectural components. Do you know how this precious substance is formed? It's born in the shock between elements: molten lava meets water or cool air and hardens so quickly that crystals can’t form, trapping a mirror-dark clarity in volcanic glass. I propose we make it your symbolic power object in the coming months, Scorpio.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Ancient cultures in Sumeria, Egypt, and China used willow bark as a pain reliever. Many centuries later, in 1828, European scientists isolated the chemical salicin from the bark and used it to create aspirin. What had been a folk remedy became a widely used medicine all over the planet. Is there a metaphorically comparable development unfolding in your life? I think so. Something you’ve known or practiced could be evolving into its next form. The world may finally be ready to receive wisdom, a technique, or an insight you’ve used for a long time. Consider refining and upgrading it. Share it in ways that meet the present moment’s specific need.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In honor of your special needs right now, Virgo, I am coining a new English word: edge-ucation. It’s like “education” but with an extra edge. Though book-learning is included in its purview, it also requires you to seek out raw teaching in all possible ways: on the streets, the bedroom, the natural world, everywhere. To properly pursue your higher edge-education, you must hunt down provocative influences, thought-provoking adventures, and unfamiliar stimulation. Make the whole world your laboratory and classroom.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): ): When I began writing horoscopes years ago, I had greater empathy with some of the signs than with others. But I worked hard to overcome this bias, and now I truly love and understand every tribe of the zodiac equally. I attribute this accomplishment to the fact that I have three Libra planets in my natal chart. They have propelled me to develop a warm, affectionate, fair-minded objectivity. I have a deeply honed capacity for seeing and liking people as they genuinely are, without imposing my expectations and projections onto them. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to tap into these qualities in yourself, dear Libra.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Medieval alchemists engaged in literal laboratory work as they attempted to create elixirs of immortality, concoct medicines to heal diseases, and metamorphose lead into gold. But the modern practice of alchemy is primarily a psychological effort to achieve awakening and enlightenment. In the early stages of the work, the seeker experiences the metaphorical “black sun.” It’s a dark radiance, the beginning of creative decay, that fuels the coming transformation. I suspect you now have the potential to call on this potent asset, Sagittarius. It’s wild, though. You must proceed with caution and discernment. What worn-out aspects of yourself are you ready to let rot, thereby fertilizing future growth?

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In Japan, shakkei refers to the practice of “borrowed scenery.” The idea is to create a garden so that surrounding features become part of its expansive context: distant mountains, an expanse of sky, or a nearby body of water. The artistry lies in allowing the horizon to merge gracefully with what’s close at hand. I recommend this approach to you, Capricorn. Frame your current project with a backdrop that enlarges it. Partner with places, influences, or long-view purposes that augment your meaning and enhance your beauty. Align your personal actions with a vast story so they send even more potent ripples out into the world.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Computer scientist Radia Perlman is the “Mother of the Internet.” She invented the Spanning Tree Protocol, a component that’s essential for the flow of online data. Despite her work’s splashy

importance, hardly anyone knows of her. With that in mind, I remind you: Some revolutions unfold with little fanfare; positive transformations may be inconspicuous. How does that relate to you? I suspect the next beautiful or useful thing you contribute may also be veiled and underestimated, at least at first. And yet it may ultimately generate a shift more significant than you can now imagine. My advice is to trust the long game. You’re doing good work, though its recognition may be late in arriving.

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): The mystical Persian poet Hafez wrote, “Fear is the cheapest room in the house. I’d like to see you living in better conditions.” Picture that shabby room, Pisces: cramped, dim, damp. Now imagine you have resolved to never again live in such a place. In fact, sometime soon you will move, metaphorically speaking, into a spacious, high-ceilinged place with wide windows and skylights, fresh air flooding through. I believe life will conspire on your behalf if you initiate this bold move. You now have extra power to exorcize at least some of your angsts and embrace liberating joy.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): bet your upcoming night dreams will include marriages, mating dances, and sacramental unions. Even if you are not planning deeper mergers with trustworthy allies in your waking life, your subconscious mind is musing on such possibilities. I hope this horoscope inspires you to make such fantasies more conscious. What collaborations and blends would serve you well? Give your imagination permission to ponder new and exciting connections. Visualize yourself thriving amidst new connections.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In winemaking, malolactic fermentation softens a wine’s tart malic acid into gentler lactic acid. This process imparts a creamier and rounder mouthfeel, while preserving the wine’s structure. In accordance with astrological omens, I invite you to adopt this as your metaphor of power. See if you can refine your intensity without losing your integrity. Keep things interesting but soften the edges a bit. Introduce warmth and steadiness into provocative situations so they’re free of irritation and easier to engage with, but still enriching.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The coming weeks will be an excellent time to practice the art of strategic disruption. One way to do it is to interrupt your patterns so they don’t calcify and obstruct you. Just for fun, you could eat breakfast for dinner. Take a different route to a familiar place. Talk to a person you would usually avoid. Say no when you'd normally say yes, or vice versa. Part of your brain loves efficiency, habits, and well-worn grooves. But grooves can become ruts. As a rousing spiritual experiment, you could do things differently for no reason except to prove to yourself that you can. Playful chaos can be a form of prayer. Messing with your standard approaches will unleash your creativity.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): In Shinto mythology, Ame-no-Uzume is the goddess of mirth and revelry. In one story, she seduces the sun out of its hiding place by performing a humorous and provocative dance. I am sending her over to your sphere right now in the hope that she will coax you out of your comfort zone of retreat, control, and self-protection. While I’m glad you have taken this break to recharge your spiritual batteries, think it’s time to come out and play. You have done important work to nurture and process your deep feelings. Now we would love you to express what you’ve learned with freewheeling panache.

“Jonesin” Crosswords

"On and On" two things follow on. by Matt Jones

ACROSS

1. 2006 mockumentary full of catchphrases

6. Prefix before spa

10. Lines of fashion

14. Keyboard exercise piece

15. Piece of news

16. Leave off

17. Sponsored product used only for testing purposes?

19. Ship's mast

20. Jukebox choice

21. ___ …tats-Unis

22. One-named "Queen of American Folk Music"

24. Ancient Egyptian bird

26. Pair count

27. Rocket's deviation

28. Weak excuse

31. Lahore's region

33. Eggs

34. Ornamental plant

36. Floating

39. Exercise units

41. Alleviates

43. "Tomb Raider" protagonist Croft

44. Joints that may get shaky

46. It's a crowd, so to speak

48. Letters that used to follow CD

49. Land holdings

51. Result of brushing against wet ink

53. Seer's skill

55. "30 Rock" star

56. Man-goat creature

57. Purple flower

59. May honoree

60. You, to Quakers

64. Highlight of some musical performances

65. Intermission of a play?

68. Refuse to authorize

69. Bunch

70. Heart stat

71. Docs that use endoscopes

72. Follow

73. Cheesy sandwiches

DOWN

1. Racetrack transactions

2. "___ Atardecer" (2022 Bad Bunny track meaning "Another Sunset")

3. Archaeological site

4. Slow movement, in music

5. Hebrew for "hill"

6. Gets stuck

7. Airline approximations

8. Hobby room

9. "Sounds fun"

10. Garden shed implement

11. Chess game with no pieces?

12. 1989 Mazda debut

13. Milkshake insert

18. Cheerful and carefree

23. ___ Cat ("SNL" Season 51 opening musical guest)

25. Ride around town, maybe

26. Ube, for one

28. Stopper

29. Cookie sheet destination

30. The nose of a folded airplane?

31. Overly assertive

32. The whole thing

35. In disrepair

37. Pond dweller

38. Domesticated

40. Perceive

42. Source of some bun seeds

45. Sound's partner

47. Jazz ___ (comedic musician named for a flightless bird)

50. Releases

52. Not so

53. Get away from

54. Ambulance sound

56. Low-visibility, in a way

58. Big name in chips

59. Lipizzaner feature

61. It's for children, according to Pat Benatar

62. Oregon-to-New York direction

63. ___ out a victory

66. Key near Q

67. Heart stat, for short

CLASSIFIEDS

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

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.

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BUSINESS MANAGER Corbin Design is seeking a detail-oriented Business Manager to join our team. This is a salaried full-time position with benefits, including bonuses and share contributions. https://www.corbindesign.com/ about/join-our-team.html

easy. accessible. all online.

Please join us at the State Theatre in Traverse City for a screening of the film:

The Library that Dolly Built October 29, 2025, 7:00 PM

This film is a feature-length documentary covering the history, impact and future of the Imagination Library literacy program It explores Dolly's inspiration for creating it and how the program inspires a love of reading among children and families Through behind-the-scenes footage and personal stories, the film showcases the program's impact and highlights Dolly’s dedication to inspiring future generations. With its blend of heartfelt narratives and a celebration of literacy, the film reveals the powerful influence one person can have in transforming communities through reading

Suggested Donation: $10 00