It’s the
journey that excitesus. But it’s the
destination that calls us.
R
Welcome to the fourth issue of Barefoot Magazine, the annual lifestyle magazine of Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. Rising in the midst of northern Michigan’s bountiful freshwater beauty, surrounded by Blue Ribbon trout streams and winding wooded trails, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa is regarded as a premier, year-round destination in itself. We’ve been ranked among the nation’s finest resorts with accolades from Golf Digest, Successful Meetings, Family Circle and others. We’re always honored to receive such recognition. But throughout our 900-acre property — from the sandy shores of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay to the top of our 17-story glass Tower — our team’s focus is on presenting you with a grand experience. Whether you’ve arrived for business, vacation or a more permanent stay, you’ll find accommodations, amenities and activities right here that suit your needs and lifestyle, paired with service that exceeds your expectations. You’ll also find that our own love for northern Michigan’s unique natural attributes and commitment to our community instills in us here a level of environmental stewardship that surpasses hospitality standards nationwide: Throughout 2011, every employee worked diligently toward the Resort’s achievement of an ISO-certified Environmental Management System. Read more about extra steps we’re taking to ensure your own grand experience in this issue of BAREFOOT— along with many ways both on-site and off that you can enhance time spent in our award-winning region. Seeking them out is what the BAREFOOT lifestyle is all about! Sincerely, Steve Timmer
contents volume 4, 2012
columns 6 18 26 46 48 54
Region Family & liFestyle HealtH & Fitness Retail Dining WeDDing & special events
58 meetings &
conventions
62 native cultuRe 65 FootpRints
16 8
24
54
features 30
34 40
tHe gReen liFe Hospitality achieves new eco-heights. getting scHooleD Swing into a whole new game. tHe canDy giRl can There’s no place sweeter.
2 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
9
24
34
ON THE COVER/ PAGE 1 A scenic break on a cycling tour of Grand Traverse Bay. Photography by Andy Wakeman
51
puBlisHeR Gemini Publications BAREFOOT Magazine is the official lifestyle magazine of Grand Traverse Resort & Spa and is published once per year. Distribution is throughout the Resort’s property and by free subscription. To inquire about advertising rates and deadlines, subscription information or to submit story ideas, email info@gtresort.com. No part of this publication may be used without written permission of the publisher. Š 2012 All Rights Reserved.
associate puBlisHeR Randy D. Prichard rprichard@geminipub.com eDitoR Lisa M. Jensen Design Christopher H. Pastotnik WRiteRs Janice Binkert Jason Deegan Linda Hass
pHotogRapHeRs Brian Confer Andy Wakeman contact us BAREFOOT Magazine Grand Traverse Resort & Spa Marketing Department 100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd Acme, MI 49610 Phone: 800-748-0303 Email: info@gtresort.com
Every effort is made to avoid errors, misspellings and omissions. If, however, an error comes to your attention, please accept our apologies and notify us via email or phone so we may make the appropriate corrections. Thank you.
grandtraverseresort.com
10% PCW
read more at grandtraverseresort.com 3
The GRAND LIFESTYLE Don’t Just Dream It… Own It.
Keller Williams - Greater Grand Traverse Exclusive real estate agency for Grand Traverse Resort & Spa properties (231) 938-1200 www.KWgrandtraverse.com
(231) 929-1235
read more at Barefootgrandtraverse .com 5
region Bon Appetit magazine cites Traverse City Top Five “Foodie Towns”
in its 2010
across the U.S., applauding its first-rate restaurants, farmers’ markets, chef artisans and fans of locallygrown, gourmet fare.
NationalGeographic.com (Oct. 2009) lists Traverse City as one of America’s Top Adventure Towns.
courtesy Broneah
AOL Travel News names Traverse City 8th in its list of America’s Top 10 Beach Towns — as well as one of the Top 10 “Coolest Towns in the States” (2010).
6 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
catch a wave (or two) through Broneah Kiteboarding both summer and winter months (www.broneah.com). read more at grandtraverseresort.com 7
Amazing Races
The Cherry Capital is a sweet haven for endurance sports: There are about as many races here as there are weekends in this Top 5 Triathlete Town (2010) — and bikes are catching the biggest buzz.
“The region’s glacier-carved landscape of gentle hills, long narrow lakes and winding rural roads is challenging but not exhausting,” says the Traverse City Visitors & Convention Bureau, “and there’s a well-developed system of paved and unpaved trails for off-road cyclists. But the trickle of serious cyclists has become a flood.” Catch them at these top regional events that include bikes:
M-22 Challenge, June 2012. This 22-mile, multi-sport race starts with a run into Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and a steep Dune Climb, followed by a groomed trail run, a bike route around Big and Little Glen lakes and a hand-powered paddle (choose your craft) 2.5 miles out and back into Little Glen before a wet-and-wild run to the finish (www.m22challenge. com).
Mud, sweat & Beers (MsB), May 2012. Get ready to be sweaty while there’s still snow in the woods! Launched in 2010 by a local group of brew-lovin’ mountain bikers, MSB beckons Midwest riders to the rockin’ terrain of Mt. Holiday Ski & Recreation Area (www.mt-holiday. com) to raise funds for disadvantaged kids. (www.mudsweatand beers.com).
“Some people do it for fun. Some do it to get in shape. Others do it for the trophy…Are you in?”
8 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
— M-22 Challenge Cherry-Roubaix, August 2012. Inspired by France’s classic Paris-Roubaix, Traverse City’s 5th annual three-day event includes a harrowing brick-paved short course in TC’s Old Town; a charity ride out to Old Mission Peninsula to benefit a local women’s cancer fund; a fun-filled Cruiser Classic; downtown sprints; a kids’ ride, and 2012’s lungsplitting State Championship Road Race, Tour de France-style, on Leelanau’s Peninsula (www. cherry-roubaix.com). It’s all part of Traverse City’s week-long Third Coast Bicycle Festival (www.tcbikefest.org).
cherry-roubaix The Iceman Cometh Challenge, November 2012. Held the first Saturday of November, this 27-mile, point-to-point mountain bike trek from Kalkaska to Traverse City through Pere Marquette State Forest launched in 1990 with 35 racers and no purse; in 2011, registration closed four hours after it opened with more than 4,700 bikers vying for over $54,000 in winnings. Grand Traverse Resort & Spa is the host site for the Ice Cycle Expo the day before the nation’s largest single-day race, paired with two beginners’ courses. (www.ice man.com).
Top: Marc courville
OTHER RACE WAys Bigfoot snowshoe Race, January 2012. Held at Timber Ridge in Traverse City, the Bigfoot 10K (26.2-mile) and 5K (13.1-mile) runs serve as Midwest qualifiers for March’s U.S. Snowshoe Association National Championship in Colorado. But with a zero learning curve, anyone who’s inspired to strap ’em on can take on the hilly terrain (www. runsnow.com).
the Pere Marquette State forest attracts skiers nationwide and from across the globe for a weekend of races including a 12k, 27k and 50k. This year, the site also plays host to the National Masters Championships (www. vasa.org). For more events, visit www. traversecity.com.
Bayshore Marathon, May 2012.
A qualifier for the Boston that ribbons along Grand Traverse Bay’s crystal waters, the Traverse City Track Club’s 30th Annual Bayshore Marathon (26 miles, 385 yards) packs full to its 2,500-runner cap. This premier event attracts athletes of all ages who enjoy local support along a scenic route tabbed “flat and fast” (www.bayshoremarathon.org).
The 36th Annual North American VAsA, February, 2012. A year-round mecca for hikers, mountain bikers and nature lovers alike, the Vasa Pathway premier cross-country ski trail in read more at grandtraverseresort.com 9
Northern Michigan’s Favorite Way to Fly! Quickly & Conveniently Connecting You To The World
tvcairport.com 10 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
Mark & TaMal lindSay
Dunes’ Day
Embracing 64 miles of scenic Great Lake beaches as well as two unspoiled islands, 26 inland lakes, more than 50,000 acres of terrain and those monumental dunes of legend, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was crowned “Good Morning America’s Most Beautiful Place in America” 2011. Tens of thousands of viewers voted online for this northwest Michigan cache of wonders, which claimed top spot fame over rivals like Sedona, Ariz.; Lanikai Beach, Hawaii; Aspen,
Colo.; Cape Cod, Mass. and Grand Teton National Park, Wyo.. “It is remarkable in its beauty, in the farmland, in the people and in the way (nature here is conserved),” says Sleeping Bear fan and celebrity Chef Mario Batali, who with his family “spends the entire summer in paradise.” Swim, hike, fish and explore with a guide or on your own in this award-winning national lakeshore, less than an hour from Grand Traverse Resort & Spa (www.nps.gov/slbe). read more at grandtraverseresort.com 11
Surefi re Shorelines Grand Traverse Resort & spa: The shores. Reserved for guests of the Hotel, Tower and Condos, as well as Club members, the Resort’s private stretch of natural shoreline on East Grand Traverse Bay comes complete with heated outdoor pool, snackstocked beach club, on-site watercraft rentals, activities like bonfires, and adjoining new beach frontage courtesy of Acme Township, working to expand its public shore access. At M-72 and US 31 North, turn west into The Shores Complex.
Acme shoreline Park & Beach: New & Nearby. Located next to the Resort’s Shores Beach Club, Acme Township is in the process of expanding it’s public shoreline beach and parkland. Outdated private structures and closed businesses were purchased by Acme Township, razed, and in 2011 new parkland and shoreline beach were opened up for public use. Along US 31 North in Acme, turn west just before M-72. Clinch Park: Convenience. Fringing more than 1,500 sandy feet of West Grand Traverse Bay in downtown Traverse City, 12 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
Clinch Park makes beach days easy with picnic tables, restrooms and lifeguards. Adjacent to Clinch Park Marina, east of Union Street on Grandview Parkway. Traverse City state Park: sugar sand. A vehicle permit is required, but this sweet beach expanse — paired with a bathhouse and prime picnic spots — is worth it. Across from the Traverse City State Park campgrounds on US 31 North, east of Traverse City. East Bay Park: shallow Waters. Got kids? Your littlest ones will especially love this gently sloping beach into waters that stay shallow for a good long while. Lifeguards, restrooms and a playground beckon families, too. At the base of East Grand Traverse Bay and the foot of Front Street. Bryant Park: sunset date. While children romp in soft sand and among majestic pines, adults can watch the sun melt into a West Bay horizon.
Top: andy wakeMan
Northern Michigan was made for time spent along the water’s edge — and in it. Check out these local favorites.
Restrooms, charcoal grills and lifeguards make this a top day spot as well. Near downtown Traverse City off M-37. West End Beach: Beach Glass. Treasure seekers will find plenty of sand-frosted chips for their pockets on this quiet West Bay shore, punctuated by old piers from Traverse City’s frontier past. At the north end of Division Street. Volleyball Beach: Action-Packed. This easy-to-find downtown beach attracts young, lean and super-tanned fans, though plenty of folks who can’t spike or serve enjoy it, too. Just west of Clinch Park and the Open Space. Haserot Beach: serene Escape. Washed in sunshine, this crescent-shaped township park is nestled 20 miles from TC just east of Old Mission’s small historic village. Just three miles north, acres of public shoreline and trails surround the peninsula’s 1870 beacon.
Top: andy wakeMan
For more freshwater destinations, go to www.traversecity. com. To find out more about Resort rentals and recreation, call (800) 236-1577.
read more at grandtraverseresort.com 13
Michigan farmers produce 70 to 75 percent of tart cherries grown in the U.S. — the first orchard of which was planted on Old Mission Peninsula by a Presbyterian missionary (and the region’s first European settler) in 1852. To celebrate
the harvest, the “Cherry Capital” celebrates with a week-long national festival beginning in July (www.cherryfestival.org). 14 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
Protecting Paradise
Crystal waters, abundant fields and pristine forests revitalize visitors year-round. Delve into their safekeeping on community-managed eco-tours. Located three miles from Traverse City, the 505-acre Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve includes almost every kind of habitat found in Michigan, from pine forest and marsh to beaver pond and bog. The Boardman River’s winding southern currents can also be explored from almost seven miles of improved trails featuring bridges, boardwalks, boat launches, picnic spots and canoe portages; discover more at the Boardman River Nature Center’s “Healthy River Exhibit” (www.na tureiscalling.org, 231-941-0960).
lefT: brian confer
In Suttons Bay, the Inland seas Education Association offers shipboard and shore-side programs focused on freshwater science and stewardship. Parents, grandparents and kids can learn hands-on together on a Family Ecology Sail aboard the two-masted schooner, Inland Seas, or the classic Friendship Sloop Liberty. (www.schoolship. org, 231-271-3077). On Old Mission Peninsula, sustainable farming practices at Bowers Harbor Vineyards are recognized by the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (www. maeap.org). To discover how this family-owned boutique winery is producing world-class Riesling, Chardonnay and other award-winning varietals using proven scientific standards to protect air, water and soil, visit the picturesque property for a tour (www.bowersharbor.com; 800-616-7615). read more at grandtraverseresort.com 15
Seeking Adventure?
From “big air” rides to rentals that can be pedaled, paddled and pulled full-throttle, there are lots of ways to play in Traverse City’s bays.
Talk ranks Michigan #1 in its 2012 “Top 12 States
for Fly Fishing,” and Traverse City has
earned the magazine’s #3
spot as “Best Fishing
Town.
these venues among others as well: Old Town Playhouse (www. oldtownplayhouse. com); Traverse Symphony Orchestra (www. traversesymphony.org) and Dennos Museum Center (www. dennosmuseum.org), among others.
PICk FOR kIds: The Great Lakes Children’s Museum in nearby Greilickville is always a hit with two galleries of handson, water-related exhibits (www. GreatLakesKids.org).
Fly HIGH: Catch a few waves and sunset from a new perspective (kiteboarding, www. broneah.com; parasailing, www. tbparasail.com; hot air balloon ride, www.grandtraversebal loons.com).
TAkE A HIkE: Whether by foot, bike, blades or skis, hop on board the non-motorized TART (Traverse Area Recreation Trail). This family-friendly paved pathway stretches 10 miles from M-72 on T.C.’s west side to Acme, passing beaches, bridges, a marina, mini-golf and more along the way.
TOuR THE 45TH: Fruits of the vine taste more than fine on Old Mission Peninsula, where Grand Traverse Bay’s protective climate wards off early frosts, prevents premature budding and insulates plants while summer sun and rain ripen premium grapes (www.wineriesofoldmis sion.com).
PAINT THE TOWN: While a palette of art galleries brightens downtown Traverse, check out
For more ideas, go to www. traversecity.com.
16 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
sET sAIl: Catch bay breezes from a 43-passenger Nauti-Cat catamaran (www.nauti-cat.com) or Traverse Tall Ship Company Schooner Manitou (www.tall shipsailing.com).
right: Brian confer; aBove courtesy art and soul gallery
Field & Stream’s Fly
TIE A Fly: Just 15 minutes to one of the nation’s most revered Blue Ribbon trout streams — the Boardman River — Grand Traverse Resort guests can quickly swing into the artful act of attracting prize browns and brookies, while newcomers can wade into the sport with master angler David McCool and his team of expert casters (www.mc cooloutdoor.com).
Something for everyone Event Design Manager Meg Gamelin (800-236-1577 ext. 6206) can help Resort guests and groups pick and book regional excursions year-round, from spring hikes and parasailing, to sleigh rides and autumn kayaking, even river rafting in winter. “When people discover how much there is to do,” she said, “they’re in awe.” read more at grandtraverseresort.com 17
family & lifestyle
“Traverse City is a resort center for every vacationer, no matter what his age, his recreational desires, or the size of his purse…from the charm of the wild to the most modern comforts of city life.” — circa 1940, “Vintage Views Along the West Michigan Pike” by M. Christine Byron and Thomas R. Wilson (Arbutus Press) (West Michigan Pike is now US 31) 18 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
right: courtesy arButus press
Stay, Play and Get Away
Since the nation’s first motorists began journeying to Traverse City in open-sided automobiles, not much — and so much — has changed in “The Heart of Nature’s Playground.” Blue-ribbon streams, protected bays and sparkling Great Lake shores still hold the same allure. The forests still invite fourseason walks and the orchards, just-picked sweetness. And just a short drive west, the “Most Beautiful Place in America” — Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lakeshore — stretches for 35 glorious miles. Today, an ever-growing parade of festivals, a pulsing arts scene, championship golf, athletic excursions and enticing culinary events also draw visitors to the Cherry Capital, time and time again.
A lot of times, they even decide not to leave. Whether it’s year-round or for a weekend, living the resort life is just that: living! At Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, families are inspired to make the most of each day and each season by relaxing and exploring together. First-class amenities and services are icing on the cake. For convenience, stay at the Hotel or Tower. Visible for miles, the Resort’s landmark 17-story glass Tower features tastefully-appointed guest rooms and suites, all with high-speed Internet access read more at grandtraverseresort.com 19
20 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
brian confer
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa was named Best Midwest Golf Resort for a Family Trip by Travel + Leisure Golf. It has also been named as one of the nation’s best family resorts by Family Circle and one of the 25 Best Family Golf Resorts by Golf for Women Magazine.
andy wakeMan
and plenty of room to spread out. Plus every vantage point provides an ideal overlook for scoping out nearby sights – the Resort’s three championship golf courses, East Bay and nature as far as the eye can see. Or, retreat to one of 240 guest rooms in the attached six-story Hotel. Greet morning with a hot breakfast (plated or buffet) at Sweetwater American Bistro. Or grab the morning paper, a pastry and a steaming gourmet coffee at The Marketplace before you plan your day. Right on-site, an exciting selection of activities await. Make waves at the Indoor Water Playground (two pools, a waterslide, in-pool basketball, Waterwalk and zero-entry Sprayground) or unwind in a hot-tub while the kids let loose. Or, simply keep a watchful eye from the fireside café. (For convenience, the Resort’s Family Fun Package combines pool access with breakfast vouchers, in-room movie or video game, plus welcome amenity.) Take in a game of tennis
(indoors or out), check out one of the Health Club classes, head to the fitness room or take in a round of golf on one of three award-winning courses. Or, pamper yourself with a trip to the Resort’s Spa, also equipped with a full- service salon. Of course, a trip isn’t complete without shopping, and the Gallery of Shops doesn’t disappoint! After a day of recreating and relaxing, refuel with a memorable meal at one of Grand Traverse Resort & Spa’s many on-site restaurants.
private patio or balcony, plus high-speed Internet access. The Shores Beach Club, open to all Resort guests, also
like more privacy? Choose a Condo or Resort Home. Waterloving families flock to the Condos at The Shores, nestled along sparkling East Bay just seconds from the Resort Tower and Hotel. Just a short walk to the bay, these welcoming wooded retreats — like other Condos tucked in along the Resort’s scenic fairways — offer one or two bedrooms and feature a dining area, kitchenette, living room with full-size sleeper sofa and read more at grandtraverseresort.com 21
course. Appointed with a full kitchen, living room, fireplace, deck and other inviting features, each also includes access to all Resort amenities. Come to stay When the occasional northern Michigan get-away just isn’t enough, maybe it’s time to turn that vacation into something more permanent. Realtor Doug Meteyer of Keller Williams Greater Traverse City (www.kwgrandtraverse.com) knows all too well the power that this area has to turn long-time vacationers into
fans of grand traverse resort & spa can enjoy on-the-go access to upcoming events, the latest news and exclusive special offers by downloading its official mobile app for iphone and android smartphones. other features include instant access to reservations, tee times, room service, videos, photos and more. for details visit www.grandtraverseresort.com.
22 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
full-time homeowners. People are buying more than just property when they invest in the Traverse City area, he noted: They’re acquiring a sought-after lifestyle that delivers an impressive return on that investment. The Wolverine Heights neighborhood, located along the back nine of The Wolverine, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa’s Gary Player signature golf course, offers custom-built homes as well as prepped lots. The established Arrowhead neighborhood, along Jack Nicklaus’s signature golf course, The Bear, features single-family homes with both new and resale options. “Both neighborhoods are popular with year-round residents, as well as those seeking a larger ‘getaway’ home loaded with amenities,” Meteyer said. “We have something for every taste and budget, from customdesigned homes to affordable condos.” Many condo owners even choose to list their unit in the Resort’s rental management
brian confer
offers plenty of ways to play on the bay. Beyond the outdoor pool, families can spend the day playing with Jet Skis, pedal boats, kayaks and pontoons, available for rent through Blue Sky Rentals at The Shores’ private beach. Families can also enjoy drinks, sandwiches and snacks served on-deck. At the end of the day, weekend bonfires and breathtaking sunsets take top priority. Larger families planning an extended stay may prefer more spacious accommodations, like one of the Resort’s private homes along The Bear golf
“The 10 Best Places to Retire in 2012” Using data from Onboard
Informatics, U.S. News selected 10 key attributes that many people look for in a program, he added, through which they can earn revenue while enjoying the home themselves. While buying into the Resort lifestyle makes sense, especially for retirees —Money Magazine and USA Weekend rated Traverse City #3 and #4 respectively in their 2009 top spots to retire list — even young couples and families are drawn to this region. Immersed here in TC’s pristine natural surroundings, small-town charms and energetic lifestyle, those who choose to settle here are usually making the most of every day, and each season.
retirement spot, along with a city that excels in meeting each need. Their 10 excellent
places to retire in 2012 included among
others Flagstaff, Ariz; Boone, N.C., and Traverse City for its “Water views on a budget.”
Top and boTToM: andy wakeMan; Middle: brian confer
Just For Kids The Resort’s Health Club makes weekends extra special for young guests too, with Kid’s Night Out (Friday and Saturday, 6-10 p.m.). Kids ages six to 12 can meet new friends while swimming, making arts and crafts, playing zany tennis games, enjoying pizza, and in summer taking in a bonfire. Need a little “couple” time? With advance notice, parents can arrange for in-room babysitting or care for kids up to age 13 at the Resort’s licensed day care, the Cub House. Here the Resort’s welltrained team —led by teachers educated in early childhood development — prides itself in ensuring kids have fun. And, those celebrating a new year will love a Birthday Party at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa’s Health Club (Resort guests, Club members and public welcome). Learn more at www.grandtraverseresort.com. read more at grandtraverseresort.com 23
Let It Snow, Let It Snow! At Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, the fun doesn’t stop when the temperatures drop. The Resort’s Clubhouse transforms into a Winter Activities Center that’s open to guests and the public every weekend from December 2011 to February 2012. Winter activities at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa put a festive spin on together time. Onsite, enjoy ice-skating, explore groomed trails on cross-country skis or trek through fresh powder on snowshoes. Bring your own gear, or find Winter Snow Sports Rentals at the clubhouse or Adventure North in the Resort’s Gallery of Shops (MondayThursday). Those seeking a greater rush can also enjoy guided snowmobile rides at the Resort, managed by Blue Sky Rentals (www.bluesky-tvc.com or 231633-2583). Once you’re ready to come in from the cold, warm up at the Resort’s Winter Activities Center. Here families can purchase
s’mores supplies for the bonfire, play complimentary board games, enjoy hot chocolate and adult beverages, or savor favorite comfort foods off The Grille’s winter-themed menu. While kids will have plenty of fun here partaking in varying special activities indoors and out, the Resort provides free shuttle service to nearby Mt. Holiday and VASA trail head so families can tube and sled, too. Complimentary shuttle service from the Resort can transport guests as well to Antler Ridge (Hoxsie) Farm for horse-drawn sleigh rides (231-267-5795). Meanwhile, more experienced cross-country skiers will want to discover the scenic thrills of the neighboring VASA Pathway or take to challenging back-country trails nearby for a unique adventure. Downhill skiers and snowboarders will also find dozens of runs within just a short drive from the Resort. Learn more at www.grandtra verseresort.com.
Make plans to stay at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa during the Cherry Capital Winter Wow!fest! to be held Presidents Day Weekend, Feb. 17-19, 2012. While some of activities planned below are based on weather, most are not weather-dependant. downtown Traverse City: Ice sculptures, snow sculptures, the “Winter, Wine and Wow!” and non-stop events, family activities, music, food and beer on Saturday.
Grand Traverse Resort & spa: Winter recreation activities including cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice-skating, snowmobile rides and dog-sled rides at the Clubhouse. The festival concludes Sunday night with an amazing outdoor fireworks show, in the snow, at the Resort! Visit www.WinterWowFest.com for complete details. 24 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
andy wakeMan
Mt. Holiday ski & Recreation Area: Great downhill action with several events throughout the weekend.
2012 Calendar of Events JANuARy Winter Activities Center & Golf Academy Open for the season grandtraverseresort.com
FEBRuARy Taste the Passion Leelanau Peninsula lpwines.com 36th Annual Vasa & National Masters Championship Williamsburg vasa.org Cherry Capital Winter Wow!Fest! Traverse City winterwowfest.com
APRIl National Trout Festival Kalkaska nationaltroutfestival.com
MAy spring sip & savor Leelanau Peninsula lpwines.com Blossom days Old Mission Peninsula wineriesofoldmission.com
Bayshore Marathon bayshoremarathon.org
sarah Hardy Farmers Market Open for the season Traverse City downtowntc.com
JuNE diva’s uncorked Old Mission Peninsula wineriesofoldmission.com
Top To boTToM: andy wakeMan; arbuTuS preSS; TraverSe ciTy cvb
Wine & Food Festival Leland lelandmi.com Horse shows By The Bay Williamsburg horseshowsbythebay.com
July National Cherry Festival Traverse City cherryfestival.org
Traverse City Film Festival Traverse City traversecityfilmfestival.org Friday Night live on select Fridays Traverse City downtowntc.com
AuGusT Harbor days Elk Rapids elkrapidschamber.org Traditional Pow Wow Peshawbestown gtbindians.org
sEPTEMBER detroit Red Wings Fall Training Camp Traverse City centreice.org NHl Prospects Tournament Traverse City centreice.org Michigan schooner Festival Traverse City michiganschoonerfestival.org Harvest stompede Leelanau Peninsula lpwines.com
While more cherries still come to market in Traverse City than in any other of the world, the pageantry of the National Cherry Festival hasn’t lost its homespun charm. (Photo courtesy Arbutus Press)
OCTOBER Big Hole Golf Tournament Grand Traverse Resort & Spa grandtraverseresort.com “Tuff Enuff ?” Golf Tournament Grand Traverse Resort & Spa grandtraverseresort.com downtown Halloween Walk Traverse City downtowntc.com
NOVEMBER Iceman Cometh Challenge Mountain Bike Race Kalkaska - Williamsburg iceman.com
dECEMBER New year’s Eve Celebrations Grand Traverse Resort & Spa grandtraverseresort.com
read more at grandtraverseresort.com 25
health & fi tness
Time to renew
26 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
andy wakeman
By Cyndi Lieske
Imagine immersing yourself in peace and tranquility for a few hours or even a whole day at Spa Grand Traverse. This nurturing sanctuary awaits: All you have to do is drop all vestiges of daily life at the door. “For our guests this means completely unplugging from everyday life,” said Spa Manager Dawn Olsen. “That means no Blackberry, no iPhones.” Once the outside world has been shut out, spa—aaaah reality can set in. “The employees here care about every single guest — we know the importance of ‘spa’,” Olsen shared. “We illustrate that in our treatments, in the way you’re pampered from check in to check out.” Once entering the spa area, guests have access to a sauna, mineral pools and the athletic facility for the day, whether their treatment is for 25 minutes or four hours. “You decide what your day is going to entail,” Olsen said. “Check in an hour to two hours before your service. Sit in the dry sauna to loosen up the muscles before a massage. Go swimming in the mineral pools or work out in our Health Club. Then, relax behind the rock wall, read your favorite book and sip some tea or try our homemade granola. “We really try and promote the fact that this is your getaway, your way.” Visit Grand Traverse Resort & Spa’s 100,000-square-foot
Health Club for gentle yoga, cardio-circuit training, Zumba or aqua fitness. Or, work out solo in the cardio-fitness theater, followed by revitalizing laps in the pool. Make an appointment to meet with a personal trainer to get the most from your workout routine.
soothed Through The seasons
Year-round Spa Grand Traverse offers services and treatments designed to prepare and protect you from anything Mother Nature sends along. From dry winter skin and seasonal allergy relief to becoming bikini-ready for summer, there’s a process designed to help. “Individual health benefits are also physical, whether it’s a facial or massage,” Olsen explained. “So, it’s not just about that mental boost.”
Both club members and Resort guests can jump start their own
active lifestyle at the Grand
Traverse Resort & Spa Health Club by meeting with a personal trainer (231-534-6770).
hour or two, sometimes longer.” Experience Basalt stones warmed to ease tense muscles during a Grand Stone Massage, while hydrating facials replenish thirsty skin. “We do offer a winter spaspecific menu of services,” Olsen added, “including facials with a touch of peppermint in them and a stress-relief wrap, to care for skin.” spring Back. A special facial called “Breathe” soothes sinuses irritated by seasonal allergies; massage can also enhance immunity and promote flexibility, bringing a sense of renewal. “Massage also can relieve migraines, and improve the condition of the body’s largest organ –the skin,” Olsen noted.
Winter Rescue. Cold, darker days can be tough on skin and bring on doldrums. To combat both, Olsen prescribes a “spacation.” “Come here and completely decompress,” she said. “Let our professionals pamper and take care of your every need for an
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Anyone passionate about living an active life throughout the year is invited to join Grand Traverse Resort & Spa’s own Team
BAREFOOT (www. grandtraverseresort.com/ barefoot).
Autumn. Ease into autumn with a revitalizing bamboo massage designed to help stimulate the immune system. “Warm bamboo tools are used to help stimulate the flow of blood and the lymph,” Olsen said. “It’s definitely and amazing experience.” Throughout the year, Spa Grand Traverse also invites 28 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
Join The Club As northern Michigan’s premier golf, tennis, fitness and social hub, The Club at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa attracts friendly, energetic residents from Traverse City and surrounding areas, as well as Resort property owners. Three levels of Club membership are offered — Village, Bear, and Jr. Bear (for members under 40) plus 4 month summer and winter memberships.
Each offers varying benefits that range from use of Resort amenities and special pricing for dining, Gallery shops, Resort accommodations and Spa services to golf, fitness programs, children’s activities, and Concierge service. Tennis is one of The Club’s most active programs, with five indoor and four outdoor courts, plus all types of leagues for varying ages and skill levels, group lessons and private instruction from a staff of tennis pros and instructors. Open daily at 6 a.m., and until 11 p.m. on weekends to accommodate busy schedules, the Health Club is staffed by a hospitality-driven team. To learn more, visit www.grandtra verseresort.com.
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Beach Ready. Pre-summer’s best services include Asianinfluenced specialties designed to bring a healthy glow while shedding inches — the perfect accompaniment to readying for a wedding or summer reunion. Try the Shio Doro Detoxifying Body Treatment, a warm salt mud applied to the body. “Its purpose is to increase cell turnover, as well as hydrate and improve your skin’s firmness,” Olsen said. “It’s also meant to rejuvenate tissues and detoxify reducing inflammation. We do actually promote that it is supposed to reduce the appearance of cellulite on the body.” Parafin is painted on the body during the Parafango Body Treat. “This one’s really unique,” the spa manager noted. “You lose water weight along with this treatment.”
guests to sample the sweetest fruits of the region: A Cherry Honey Glow, Cherry-Infused Massage or Cherry-Infused Manicure or Pedicare. Learn more about Spa Grand Traverse by visiting www. gtresort.com.
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The Green Life
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Blanketing 900 acres of a region blessed with natural attributes, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa holds deep roots as an environmental partner while achieving new heights in eco-hospitality.
Brian Confer
By Lisa M. Jensen
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A stream of “green” accolades earned over the years for initiatives both at the Resort and beyond it (see sidebar) includes “Leader” certification from Green Lodging Michigan and being named 2011 Business of the Year by the Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council. Employees who serve on the Resort’s voluntary GREEN Committee to promote awareness on-site and support community efforts like Adopt-AStream, Acme Beach Clean-Up, Adopt-A-Highway and Tart Trail Clean-Up helped achieve these honors. But their focus wasn’t on earning awards.
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FOOd ANd BEVERAGE Earth-friendly practices include growing herbs on-site, supporting regional purveyors, printing menus on recycled paper, energy-saving water sprayers and a diligent composting system.
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involvement,” said Resort GREEN Committee Chairperson and Environmental Systems Manager Shaina O’Dwyer, noting that the impact of a staff ranging between 500750 members year-round is influential. “Employees who are educated here take this knowledge back into their homes and communities. “Green activism is just like exercising and eating healthy,” she added. “The more you do it, the better and more empowered you feel. And when you can see the results of your efforts, you feel motivated to do even more.” Beyond stewardship Over the past five years, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa has particularly seen an increasing number of companies and organizations committed to living greener. “In order for them to book meetings and conventions here, we’ve needed to satisfy a larger list of requirements,” O’Dwyer said. “They don’t want bottled water or paper copies; they prefer for everything to be technology-based. They want to be served local produce, and to know what happens to what’s not used. They want to be sure a linen reuse program is in place. Sometimes, they even want to know which vendors we do business with.” From zoned irrigation and organic fertilizers to biofriendly cleaning products and in-room recycling bins, the Resort was already meeting
many of these demands and other standards for energy conservation, air quality, reduced water consumption and waste set by Michigan’s Energy Office and the Department of Environmental Quality. An eco-path had been paved, but it didn’t end here. In August of 2010, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa began a rigorous climb beyond any U.S. state’s Green Lodging guidelines toward a benchmark seldom reached in hospitality world-wide.
“Green activism is just like exercising and eating healthy. The more you do it, the better and more empowered you feel.” — sHAINA O’dWyER structured for success Developed by ISO, the globe’s most universally-adhered to publisher of International Standards, ISO 14001: 2004 provides a strategic framework for enterprises of any type or size to approach, manage, and continuously improve their environmental performance. “One of the first requirements was putting an environmental policy in place that establishes upper manage-
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A commitment to environmental health is at the core of the Resort’s corporate culture, and employees at every level are educated about the personal roles they play in reducing its carbon footprint. Once trained, each team member pledges his or her dedication by signing the “Green Wall” in the Tower’s service hall. “Understanding inspires
ment’s 100 percent commitment to the cause,” O’Dwyer said. “Basically, it states they will allocate all resources necessary, whether personnel or monetary, to achieve this goal.” The ISO-certification process left no rock unturned. How every activity, product and service at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa impacted the environment was documented and assessed internally and by outside accreditation consultants. Both areas of improvement and opportunity were identified, along with more efficient eco-
practices that were structured into action. Over a year, the Resort’s dedicated team diligence — led by O’Dwyer — ensured compliance to applicable environmental legislation and regulations within the ISO 14001:2004 International Standard. But nobody is resting on laurels. Every year, a third-party audit will not only check for continued compliance, but question whether each current practice and procedure is effectively and most efficiently meeting or reaching set environmental
goals. Objective internal assessments are also made. “While ISO certification is cutting edge in hospitality,” O’Dwyer noted, “it has long ensured that the most respected, long-established manufacturing organizations operate like well-oiled machines. It’s why some businesses only work with other ISO-certified companies. “We were self-driven to do this,” she said, “because we want to be our best — and then become even better.”
A Culture of Caring Following are ways Grand Traverse Resort & Spa is reducing its carbon footprint.
The Green Committee This volunteer group of Resort employees serves as a community role model by participating in local initiatives; promotes eco-stewardship amongst coworkers; brainstorms new ideas; and implements programs that work.
program, among other local initiatives.
Golf and Grounds Certified as a Michigan Turfgrass Environmental Steward and Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary, the Resort was lauded by the Environmental Institute for Golf for retrofitting maintenance equipment with recycled catalytic converters.
Promoting Action and Awareness While the Resort uses energyefficient products and systems, eco-safe cleaners and biodegradable waste bags, it provides in-room recycling bins and a linen reuse option for guests.
Annual ISO audits are performed to spotlight what’s being done right, as well what can be improved, said Grand Traverse Resort & Spa Environmental Systems Manager Shaina O’Dwyer.
“Everybody benefits from a feeling of moving forward. Sharing success also makes ‘going green’ more mainstream.”
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Community Partnerships With the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, the Resort monitors and protects Acme Creek, a tributary coursing through its grounds. Through Bay Area Recycling for Charities, the Resort expanded its recycling program to include clean office paper, magazines, newspapers, cardboard, non-beverage metal cans and plastic. Conference Services also replaced massive paper use with an electronic system. The Resort also helps keep the community clean through MDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway
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Getting Schooled By Jason Deegan
I once had a guy tell me that my swing “would make Ben Hogan puke.� I used those nasty comments to thump him soundly in our match that day, but unfortunately that guy never did eat those awful words.
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brian confer
They’ve been stuck ringing in the back of my head for all these years. I know my swing is quirky and unpredictable. And somehow I’ve always managed to limp my way around a golf course well enough to lower my handicap to a 9. But if I ever wanted to become a “ball striker” instead of a hit-and-hope kind of player, I knew I’d need a little guidance and a lot of love from a patient instructor. I found both at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa Golf Academy, spearheaded by Scott Hebert. Hebert launched his new program in the spring of 2011 out of the resort’s fabulous learning center on the north end of the range. The building features three hitting bays, all equipped with mirrors and video technology. My timing was fortuitous. I started my two-day golf school last fall the day after Hebert won his fifth Michigan section PGA Championship. Hebert has always been a top player — he’s a six-time Michigan Open champ and the 2008 National Club Professional Champion. I
found out firsthand just how well he can coach. By the end of the sessions, I was launching 7 irons and hybrids higher and farther than I ever have before. His methods just might help your game, too. day 1 Our first talk felt more like a church confessional. “Where are all your clubs?” Hebert asked, while doing his traditional analysis of the equipment in my bag. I sheepishly admitted I hadn’t carried anything lower than 7 iron for years because I can’t get longer irons to fly. “We can change that,” he said. We started small with the short game, pitching and chipping to the practice green. I hit a few good ones, missed a few more. “The chip shot shows a lot about people’s game,” Hebert assured me as he led me back inside to view the video he shot. Hebert brought up a split screen with me compared to two of the game’s greatest, Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam, to prove just how haphazard my grip was and show that I wasn’t
using my lower body. Without seeing me make a single full swing, he had diagnosed my problem, a shut-faced club at impact with a swing plane that came too far inside. All this caused a low ball flight that tends to hook left. We strengthened my left hand on the club and weakened my right and did a few drills and half-shots to get me comfortable using a full backswing and releasing the club for the first time in my life. “How did it feel to get those handcuffs off?” said Terry Crick, another instructor with the school. It felt pretty good. We skipped the bunker work scheduled and delved briefly into putting. Unfortunately, my putter mimicked my full swing, coming inside on the backswing too quickly, causing an inconsistent strike. Hebert set up a putting chamber — four tees stuck into the ground with a fifth tee behind, forcing me to make shorter, more-committed strokes read more at grandtraverseresort.com 35
day 2 After a quick review, Hebert had me back on the putting green working on my stroke. I struggled with the lag-putting drill Hebert gave me. I couldn’t control long putts, failing to cozy them close to the hole.
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“If you make two more putts a round, your handicap goes down,” Hebert reminded me. “It’s the game within the game.” “If you make two more putts a round, your handicap goes down,” Hebert reminded me. “It’s the game within the game.” Thankfully, in the next session, my new-found chipping prowess — featuring a forward press with my legs and a more pronounced downward strike — was spot-on. The rest of my session gave me a new appreciation of PGA Tour pros. I banged ball after ball, searching for my revamped,
more upright swing plane. I was striking some majestic shots. After one soaring 7 iron, I joked, “Is it ever going to come down?” Hebert chuckled. Yet I still couldn’t master the move consistently, especially with the driver. Hebert never gave up prodding me. “You’re not enough like a Ferris wheel. You’re more like a merry-go-round,” he said. The visual struck a chord with me. At one point, he took my right thumb entirely off the club, and asked me to point it straight up. This trick helped me again for a while before I fell into my old bad habits that have been festering for 20 years. We both agreed I’d skip my oncourse instruction time to grind out more time at the range. As the session ended, Hebert preached his final sermon with words that I won’t soon forget. “You can go back to your old swing, or you can try to get better. I’ll always be in the back of your mind. You’ll hear my voice and remember everything we’ve talked about,” Hebert said. Thankfully, he’s right. I still might not swing the club on plane, but in less than two days under his tutelage I’d gained a better understanding of my golf swing than in two decades of playing and reading all those instruction tips in magazines. Best of all, it’s Hebert’s voice I hear whispering when I’m on the first tee, not the critic who haunted me for so long. I’m not Ben Hogan yet, but I’m closer than I’ve ever been.
boTToM: brian confer
with a straighter motion. Moving the ball forward in my stance got the ball rolling “on top of the grass.” By my count, I made five eight-footers in a row — a first for me — before we moved onto the full swing. After filming a few of my crooked lashes at the outdoor range, we went indoors again to see my best friend “Annika” and a new pal, David Toms. Piece by piece, we attempted to build a new swing. By lunch time, the end of our day, I hadn’t mastered anything, but I felt good about the progress. That afternoon, taking my new grip for a test drive, I birdied two par 5s on The Wolverine. I also jacked a few tee balls out of bounds, but Rome wasn’t built in a day, right?
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OUT 9 8 7 83 6 5 467 3,5 1 8 4 1 3 4 3 5 2 7 3,404 3 404 1 168 42 216 41 3 8 4 2 5 Hole 5 02 4 6 386 3,1 367 40 435 39 2 9 4 8 1 1 k c 4 Bla 6 528 356 49 10 382 39 5 355 9 7 1 4 2 1 7 Blue 4 9 2 5 6 363 3 3 White 15 6 4 Handicap 36 4 3 5 4 4 3 5 4 4 2,664 4 117 35 7 2 4 Par 1 321 128 30 5 2 4 1 330 26 Red
e By Jason d
Thanks to three different designers, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa boasts a colorful palette of golf courses for guests.
The Bear, by Jack Nicklaus, defines “championship golf” in every regard, as the host for the Michigan Open for many years. The Wolverine, by Gary Player, complements The Bear with subtle touches—notice the open greens and wider fairways—that allow players to score. Spruce Run, by William Newcomb, is as underrated as any place in northern Michigan. Finding a “Divine Nine,” a compilation of the resort’s best nine holes, proved to be a dif-
The Wolverine No. 10 38 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
4 3 6
5
8 7
ficult task from such a diverse collection of 54 holes. More than 20 holes were nominated by a panel of resort experts—Director of Golf Operations Tom McGee, Head Professional Scott Hebert (a six-time Michigan Open champion) and Director of Golf and Grounds Paul Galligan. Strategic charmers like fifth hole on The Bear and No. 4 on the Wolverine just didn’t make the cut. McGee used several criteria— including layout, difficulty,
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hazards, playability, playing options and sheer beauty – before deciding on his hole selections. “It was very difficult to pick just nine,” McGee said. “The Bear is loaded with them, and there are several on both The Wolverine and Spruce Run that would make many dream nine lists.” Playing architect to ‘build’ a traditional nine-hole, par-36 layout was the most fun part of this process. Sadly, all we can do is daydream about teeing it up on this unique 3,583-yard design.
The Wolverine, No. 5
spruce Run, No. 18 slopes right to left and back to front.
sEVENTH HOlE
The Bear, No. 12
FIRsT HOlE
The Wolverine No. 10, 435 yards, par 4. A perfect starting point, this par 4 can ease players into the round. Its fairway is forgiving, although the thick tree cover framing the right side can gobble up balls. The approach must avoid water on the left and the three bunkers surrounding the green.
sECONd HOlE
spruce Run No. 11, 396 yards, par 4. A narrow chute through the trees frames the tee shot. Three bunkers litter the landing zone. Tucked behind a pond, the green pitches severely from back to front toward the water hazard, so any putt above the hole will require a delicate touch.
THIRd HOlE
The Bear, No. 3, 528 yards, par 5. This is a great risk-reward par 5 for big hitters who can find a tight fairway. The tee tends to feed balls directly into the bunker complex left of the fairway. If you’re in trouble, a layup short of the stream trickling in front of a small kidney-shaped green is the only play. Aggres-
sive players in the ‘A’ position can have a go in two for a shot at eagle.
FOuRTH HOlE
The Wolverine, No. 5, 216 yards, par 3. Visual intimidation makes this such a daunting task. All players see from the tee is the marsh that you’re required to carry. Deep bunkers flank each side of the green. A front pin is exacting. A north wind can make it even tougher.
FIFTH HOlE
The Bear, No. 12, 413 yards, par 4. This no-frills hole requires two solid strikes to solve. A tight, tree-lined fairway gives way to a two-tiered green protected by water and bunkers right. It’s best to miss short and left, avoiding the water, bunker and trees on the left.
sIXTH HOlE
spruce Run, No. 18, 404 yards, par 4. The finishing hole at Spruce flies over a valley with several bunkers left of the fairway. Avoiding the three greenside bunkers doesn’t guarantee par. Three-putting is a worry on a large undulating green that
The Bear, No. 15, 543 yards, par 5. The fairway on the course’s “signature hole” starts out generous before constricting and again widening near three fairways bunkers further along. The green hangs precariously into a pond, surrounded by three bunkers. It’s a demanding approach over water, whether it’s the second or third shot.
EIGHTH HOlE
The Bear, No. 9, 181 yards, par 3. Jack Nicklaus’ version of the famous 17th at the Players Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass comes near the end of the round to heighten its importance. The long, narrow green on a peninsula appears to be an island, although the bunkers on the left and right actually keep plenty of balls from a watery grave.
NINTH HOlE
The Bear, No. 18, 467 yards, par 4. It’s only fitting this round climaxes here. The background is striking, with the clubhouse, tower hotel and water fountain in the pond all in full view. Players must pick their poison in attacking a split fairway divided by a depression and a single tree. The narrower fairway up the right side affords a shorter carry over water to the green, but the fairway to the left is easier to find. “Like a book, the last chapter has to be riveting,” Hebert says. read more at grandtraverseresort.com 39
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The Candy y Girl Can By Janice Binkert
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Do you remember playing “Candy Land” as a child and wishing you could hop into the board to explore that landscape of giant lollipops and gumdrops? It’s never too late: Make your wish come true at the sweetest stops in Grand Traverse Resort & Spa’s Gallery of Shops: Dylan’s Candy Bar and Dylan’s Candy Bar-Candy Café!
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Who says candy is just for kids? Certainly not fashion legend Ralph Lauren’s daughter Dylan, who founded the New York-based flagship Dylan’s Candy Bar — a three-story, 15,000-square-foot shrine to sweets — in 2001. The wildly popular candy emporium now has branches in New York State, Florida and Texas, as well as satellite shops within high-end retail establishments all over the U.S. and soon, the world. Dylan’s Candy Bar creates an unforgettable experience, combining childhood nostalgia with the latest in retail concepts and chic design, artfully strung together like candy beads. So how did Dylan’s Candy Bar end up in the Tower?
Resort retail buyer Kiley Park was at a trade show when she discovered Dylan’s Candy Bar. “She called me, very excited, and I went on the company’s website immediately,” shared Diane Goodyear, the Resort’s retail manager. “We had been trying to find something vibrant and eye-catching to fill an empty space in the Resort’s Gallery of Shops, and we wanted it to have appeal for all ages. “We also wanted it to be a little over the top — different from anything we had ever had here.” Their timing turned out to be ideal, because just when Goodyear and Park were searching, Dylan’s Candy Bar was really starting to catapult.
Grand Traverse Resort’s retail team arranged a meeting with the store’s president of wholesale, who became intrigued by their idea of the Resort actually buying the store concept (the Resort owns almost all of the stores in the Gallery of Shops). “People from Dylan’s visited us half a dozen times, checked out space, and loved what they saw here,” Goodyear said. “Anytime we asked, they came back to consult with us and to make sure that we had graphics and the layout right — that we were carrying out the Dylan’s concept as it was originally conceived. They really helped us make the store successful. ” Beyond enticing Resort guests, the candy emporium
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Just Desserts Dylan’s Candy Bar transports everyone who walks through the door into a magical world of candy and candy-themed gifts, clothing and accessories. For some, it’s a trip down Memory Lane: With “My Boy Lollipop”
playing in the background, they peruse tables, shelves and bins brimming with perennial favorites like Swedish Fish, Sour Patch Cherries, Jordan Almonds, Gummy Bears, Skittles, Candy Corn, Gumballs, Wax Lips, Mallo Cups, Coke Bottles, Pez…the list goes on and on. Goodyear said adults delight in mixing and matching as much as kids. Personalized candy mint tins, candy jars and mugs are also big sellers. The latest scoop (pun definitely intended): Dylan’s Candy Bar at the Resort added a sister shop, Dylan’s Candy Bar-Candy Café, in June 2011, bringing the total square footage of Dylan’s to 2,800 square feet. Outfitted with gumball-topped tables and bright colored chairs, candycane stools and a real cottoncandy wagon, everything about this sweet stop says fun. The Candy Café’s 14 flavors of homemade ice cream (including exclusives like Red Velvet Cake and Coffee & Donuts), tempting displays of Doug Murdick’s Fudge, decadent specialty chocolates, party items and novelties take Dylan’s to a whole new level of “wow.” This year, the café will be expanding its events activities
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as well, offering creative ways to celebrate birthdays, baby showers, weddings and other occasions. Between Dylan’s two venues, guests won’t soon forget an 18-foot chocolate wall, a 175-bin bulk candy display, seven tall Lollipop trees – each seven feet tall, 24 flavors of Jelly Belly jelly beans and an eightfoot tall chocolate bar tree! And yes, they do sell “Candy Land” — a super-sweet Dylan’s version, of course.
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is also drawing many more visitors from Traverse City and the surrounding region. “It’s a destination,” said Goodyear. “Dylan’s attracts families to the Resort. And while they are here, they enjoy the other amenities on the property as well.”
Fish East and West Grand Traverse Bays for trophy smallmouth bass from a fully-rigged Ranger Z-520 Bass boat using the latest in tournament-proven techniques. Fully USCG Licensed, Inspected & Insured
TraverseBass.com Grand Traverse Resort & Spa Mobile App Explore the vibrant world of Grand Traverse Resort & Spa from your home or office by downloading our official mobile app. Get on-the-go access to the latest Resort news, exclusive offers and upcoming events.
FEATURES INCLUDE:
• EXCLUSIVE Special Offers • Instant Access to Reservations, Tee Times, Room Service and More • Latest Calendar of Events • Videos and Photos • Share with Others on Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and Google Latitude • Password Protected Area for Meetings and Weddings Download the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa mobile app at grandtraverseresort.com or scan this QR code learn more at grandtraverseresort.com
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retail
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Gallery of Shops
After a sugar rush at Dylan’s Candy Bar and Dylan’s Candy Bar-Candy Café, continue exploring the stores in the Tower Gallery of Shops, which offer equally enticing merchandise — from clothing for children and adults to local gifts, logo wear, toys and more. “We try to be unique in all of the shops we feature in the Gallery,” said Diane Goodyear, the Resort’s retail manager. “But we also make it a point to stock everyday items that people need and want when they are away
from home.” The North Face “shop within a shop” at Adventure North Outfitters is a big draw for Resort guests and locals alike. Fashion-forward clothing from Lolë and Prana, Oakley
Grand Traverse Resort & Spa offers several special shopping events in the Gallery of Shops every year and supports events in Downtown Traverse City. • Special Seasons at Dylan’s Candy Bar: Valentine’s Day, Easter, Sweetest Day, Halloween, Christmas. • Birthday Parties/Events: Anytime of year at Dylan’s Candy Café. • Green Friday: Save some green the day after Thanksgiving with specials in the Gallery of Shops. • Holiday Shopping Event: Gift specials and special activities in the Gallery of Shops. • Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market: Every Saturday morning, May 12 - October 27. Andy WAkemAn
• Friday Night Live in Downtown Traverse City: July 20, 27, August 3, 10. For details on these and other events, visit www.grandtraverseresort.com .
sunglasses, and other popular sportswear and accessory collections round out the selection of top-quality merchandise. “Pure Michigan” has arrived at the Bear Logo Shop! Hoodies, crewnecks, hats, puzzles, the Pure Michigan cookbook and more will let you show how much you love our state. You’ll also find updated casual apparel for men, women and children by Camp David, Artisan and others featuring the exclusive Bear logo, along with postcards, gifts, a modest selection of personal toiletries and basic over-thecounter medications like aspirin. One of the most popular shops in the Gallery, the classic toy boutique Tumbleweeds attracts shoppers of all ages with life-sized plush pets by Melissa and Doug, and an array of educational, classic toys, books, games and puzzles. Fans of Brighton jewelry, handbags and accessories will find northern Michigan’s largest selection at Ashleigh’s, along with elegant clothing lines Sky, Cartise, Ubu and others. The Pro Shop, open during golf season and located in the Clubhouse, just steps away from the Hotel and Tower, stocks leading brand golf apparel for women and men, plus shortgame accessory clubs and other golf-related merchandise. The Gallery of Shops operates Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn more at www.grandtraverseresort.com. find more dining at Barefootgrandtraverse .com
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dining
Dining at Aerie: Above All, Unforgettable
By Janice Binkert
Aerie Restaurant & Lounge is the crown jewel in Grand Traverse Resort & Spa’s trove of dining experiences. Located on the 16th floor of the Tower — with panoramic views of Grand Traverse Bay, northern Michigan’s regional beauty and conversation-stopping sunsets —Aerie has always been a destination restaurant.
As Grand Traverse Resort’s executive chef, Guillermo Valencia brings a worldly vibe not only to Aerie, but to the property’s other venues. He began his culinary training in Barcelona, and since then has worked all over the world, taking something with him from every kitchen —from the humble to the magnificent — in which he has set foot. Chef Valencia says a period of time spent in Japan was pivotal in his career. 48 learn more at grandtraverseresort.com
“The Japanese are masters of knife techniques and presentation, which are paramount in every type of cooking,” he explained. In the Caribbean and later in Florida, with its Spanish influences, he was introduced to new ingredients, flavors and cooking techniques that he embraced into his culinary repertoire. Stints in France, Italy, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Monaco and the United Kingdom working alongside top European
left: Andy WAkemAn
During the past year, it has also become a mecca for those who love bold, exciting flavors.
In 2009, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa served as
the first-ever presenting sponsor of Taste the Local Difference, a regional effort to promote the farms, wineries and others that offer fresh,
locally-grown food products in northwest Lower Michigan.
Above: tAvlA Studio
and American chefs further honed his skills and knowledge. Today, he blends the flavors of these diverse cultures into a fascinating Latin-fusion style of cooking that’s finding great favor with Aerie’s guests. Nothing but the Best Ingredients are sourced from near and far. “As soon as I arrived in northern Michigan, I began educating myself about the food and wine that is avail-
able locally,” said Chef Valencia. “I have gotten to know many of the wonderful local farmers, and I am committed to incorporating their products into our menu.” To create his unique flavor profiles, however, he and the Resort’s Food & Beverage team do not hesitate to go further afield to procure specialty meats, fish, seafood and other ingredients. “Among other things,” noted Chef Valencia, “we get top-qual-
ity beef from Nebraska, lamb from Colorado, and langoustines from Spain.” The dining experience at Aerie pairs locally-grown produce with products and tastes that have an international flair. The Resort is dedicated to bringing in the best of everything from wherever they can get it, to create an inventive, exciting menu. And what is on that new menu? Although it changes with the seasons and the availread more at grandtraverseresort.com
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Meet the Chef
ability of ingredients, there is a great emphasis on fish and seafood — and Chef Valencia’s Latin fusion specialties are well represented. Gazpacho and Ceviche with a garnish of garlic langoustines stands out on the appetizer list, as do winter menu appetizers Baby Octopus with Oxtail and Soft Shell Crab with Chorizo. Salad selections on the win50 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
ter menu include Mediterranean Pea with snow pea tendrils, baby peas, snow peas, and fresh mint vinaigrette, as well as a Lagoon Salad with fresh Mediterranean Langoustines, steamed snapper, smoked salmon, avocado & asparagus, baked polenta chips, truffle and parmesan, Manchego cheese, and citrus dressing. Main courses range from twice-cooked, crisp-skin Pork
Belly served with apple vanilla marmalade Latin plantains, spicy black beans and white rice, to seared Aromatic Sea Bass Verde, marinated in aromatic Verde spicy tea and served with cilantro and a black truffle rice cake, to Veal Chop variations served with buttered cauliflower crumbs, citrus, mint and chili salsa, sweet & sour capsicum essence, and baby zucchini.
Andy WAkemAn
executive Chef Guillermo valencia is like a human Swiss Army knife… except that he was born in Spain, not Switzerland. A ball of energy who nearly glows with enthusiasm, he holds degrees in business administration, mechanical engineering and fine arts in addition to culinary arts. He is also a talented musician, a proficient multi-linguist, an extreme sports aficionado, a prolific author and an avid gardener. However, Guillermo valencia is first and foremost a chef, passionate about his chosen profession and determined to carry it out to the very highest standards. He also holds those around him to those high standards, although his leadership style is more that of mentor and educator than taskmaster. “i love to teach,” he shared. “if i have to show someone how to do something 100 times until they learn to do it right, i will take the time to do that.” valencia’s team is appreciative: While he’s on the job at 6 a.m. and stays available to them late into the night, the Resort’s top chef delegates responsibility and promotes trust. “He’s fantastic to work with,” one colleague said, “and the food and atmosphere are better than ever.” What’s his secret? “there is no secret,” maintains Chef valencia. “the whole theme of my life is that when i want to do something, i put my heart and soul into it. And my motto is that everyone in this world deserves respect.”
Andy WAkemAn
Unforgettable “People love it!” shared one member of the Aerie staff. “It’s unlike anything we’ve ever had here — or anywhere else in Traverse City. Many of them used to come first and foremost for the atmosphere and the view, but now they come for the food, and the beautiful surroundings are just frosting on the cake.” Speaking of cake, every day Head Pastry Chef David Sicotte creates a selection of fresh desserts that match the originality and complex flavor profiles of the main menu items. Aerie’s food is very appealing, and the staff pays particular attention to presentation, but they also put great emphasis on providing guests with first-class service, a relaxing environment, and an overall memorable experience. Even the plates, glasses and silverware are designed to enhance guests enjoyment. As the Aerie staff likes to put it, “People make a choice to come here. Our philosophy is that it should be as good as – or even better than – what they could have in a big city.” The Traverse City area, arguably, is one of the most charming places in the world. Combine that with a great meal and exemplary service and it adds up to an unforgettable experience. Not surprisingly, the wine list from which patrons can select pairings for such eclectic cuisine is expansive, designed to suit every taste and budget, and encompasses international and national offerings as well as several from northwest Michigan wineries. Aerie is increasingly attracting more and more people from Traverse City and the surrounding region, in addition to Resort guests. The hope is that when they come to Aerie for the unique dining experience, they’ll also discover all of the other great things the Resort has to offer. Learn more about Grand Traverse Resort & Spa’s dining experiences at www.grandtra verseresort.com.
Sunday Brunch is served in Aerie Restaurant & Lounge, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Highlights include King Hawaiian French toast with Blis vanilla maple syrup, Tuscan eggs Benedict, Jamaican jerk pork loin, Traverse cherry salad and variety of parfaits, granola, yogurts and fresh fruits; champagne is served after noon (231-534-6800 for reservations).
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Roasted Rack of Lamb Ingredients: 6-8 loin lamb chops in a rack 6 to 8 large cloves garlic, quartered 2 cups panko bread crumbs (Japanese) 3 to 4 sprigs fresh rosemary, stripped from the stems /4 to 1/2 cup olive oil
1
Salt and freshly ground black pepper /4 cup grapeseed oil
1
1 cup yellow mustard
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Place the garlic, bread crumbs, and rosemary in a food processor and pulse for a few seconds to chop, then add enough olive oil until a paste is
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formed. Season rack of lamb with salt and pepper, and coat with yellow mustard on all sides. Press paste firmly onto surface of rack. Heat grapeseed oil over medium heat in a sautĂŠ pan and brown each side of the rack, leaving each side undisturbed for the first 2 minutes to allow the crust to integrate into the meat. Place rack on a baking sheet and finish in the oven for approximately 6 to 8 additional minutes. (For medium rare, brown in sautĂŠ pan and finish in oven, 8-12 minutes total time). Allow rack to rest for 2-3 minutes. Serve by slicing into chops with two bones per chop, two chops per serving.
Andy WAkemAn
Serves: 2
grand Lobby Bar
The Restaurants
top: bRiAn ConfeR; RiGHt: Andy WAkemAn
(All venues are smoke-free.) The Grille Open now throughout every season, including winter (Friday, Saturday and Sunday during northern Michigan’s snowiest months), The Grille is housed in the Resort’s Northwoods-inspired Clubhouse beneath high timber beams with scenic views of The Bear’s 18th green and welcomes guests of all ages. Converse at the bar, outdoors on the patio or settle into one of the restaurant’s comfortable, cushioned seats. Lunch and dinner menus — created by northern Michigan native and Executive Sous Chef William Mathews — feature a wide range of familiar club favorites, from steaming homemade soups, crisp salads and appetizers including house-made potato chips tossed in melted blue cheese and garden chives to hearty sandwiches, wraps, pastas, tenderloin, chicken and signature grilled burgers. Sweetwater American Bistro Nestled just off the Grand Lobby and overseen as well by Executive Sous Chef William Mathews, the Resort’s inviting, “mini
global” bistro is a full-service restaurant designed to meet everyone’s needs and tastes. A unique semi-circle bank of seating along with tables and booths appeals to families as well as business colleagues; singles will find, too, this is a cozy place to take in a hearty meal amid attentive servers and warmly-hued décor. Start off the day with Sweetwater’s breakfast smorgasbord, or select from the menu. Lunch choices span a spectrum of savory soups, fresh salads, sandwiches. Main dishes for dinner range from pan-roasted chicken and grilled salmon to ribs and bacon-wrapped meatloaf. New on the menu: Flavorful, juicy burgers made of Fulton ground beef, including a 10-ounce option served on a king Hawaiian bun. Be sure to save room for dessert. Jack’s Sports Bar Guests seeking a spirited spot to catch the score can catch all their favorite teams on one of four flat-screen TVs or just their favorite beverage from Jack’s friendly full-service bar. Ample seating is designed for larger
groups and couples alike. Menu fare runs the gamut. Heartier appetites will be pleased with Jack’s selection of burgers, sandwiches thin-crust, not to mention crispy calamari and rock shrimp served with sweet chili sauce.
Grand Lobby Bar Serving a wide selection of bottled beers, wines and spirits nightly in the Resort’s inviting entrance lounge, the causally elegant Grand Lobby Bar is ideal for indulging in people-watching, conversation, a cold brew or serious cocktail. The Marketplace Tucked within the Resort’s Gallery of Shops, The Marketplace offers a bevy of quick pick-meups and quiet bistro tables to enjoy a magazine, book or paper, all available here. Choose from an assortment of fresh deli sandwiches, wraps and salads, or an array of Pastry Chef David Sicotte’s fruit compotes, truffles and baked goods, all crafted daily in-house. Or, order up a specialty beverage, hot or chilled, Starbucks Coffee. find more dining at grandtraverseresort.com
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weddings & special events
A Wedding Story By Linda Hass Photography by Jen Kroll
Anna and Joe Lazar’s September wedding paired Grand Traverse Resort & Spa’s canvas of amenities with the artistic inspirations of A Day In May Event Planning & Design to create a masterpiece of memories the couple keeps framed in their hearts.
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Grand Traverse Resort & Spa has been cited in Best
Weddings 2010 and 2011 by TheKnot.com
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“We were able to enjoy the entire wedding with our guests, and every detail, piece of décor and scheduled event of the weekend went off without a hitch,” shared Anna, who credits the teamwork of Special Events Manager, Rachelle Grockau and Alicia Caldecott, owner of a Day In May. “It was an amazing, luxurious and unforgettable experience.” The newlyweds, who reside in Royal Oak, are Traverse City natives. The Resort has earned its national reputation as a premier destination wedding hotel not only because of its deluxe onsite amenities and surrounding regional beauty, but because of Grockau’s attention to detail and expertise in collaborating with various parties, including the bridal couple’s parents, and wedding planners and outside vendors chosen by the bride and groom. This teamwork has funneled countless themes, visions and exceptional photography to fruition, from hands held in a blossoming cherry orchard to just-married waves from a snowsparkled sleigh. Landscaped with lush 56 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
pallets of fragrant blooms in bouquets of myriad color, the Resort served as a sensory-rich backdrop for Anna and Joe’s chosen Garden of Versailles theme. Romantic roses coupled with bright Black-Eyed Susans enhanced the couple’s goldenhued tent. “The entire scene was a wonderland of color and elegance, with touches of whimsy,” said Grockau of the wedding. Held in the Resort’s Michigan Ballroom, the Lazars’ reception evoked a royal atmosphere with linen-draped walls, gold-beaded plates and crystal chandeliers brought in just for the occasion. “Although the room glowed with an opulent feel,” Caldecott noted, “the table settings were intimate and inviting.” The reception dinner included pancetta corn chowder made from farm-to-bowl sweet corn; fresh-cut filet mignon; and a late-night snack of mini grilled-cheese sandwiches for 170 guests — all prepared by the Resort’s chefs. “I’m dedicated to making sure each bride’s wedding day is flawless, including tasting
“We didn’t need to leave the property once — Grand Traverse Resort’s 5-star golf courses, sandy beaches, pools, and (on-site) shopping kept our guests fulfilled all weekend. The next day we even treated our guests to a post-wedding brunch on Level 17 of the Tower, where they could enjoy spectacular views of the bay and of Traverse City. It was an amazing mini-vacation for everyone, even for us newlyweds!” — Anna Lazar sessions with the entire family beforehand,” Grockau said. The result, shared Lazar, was a dining experience that matched any 5-star restaurant. “The chefs used the freshest locally-grown produce, menu items were unique, the food arrived in a timely manner, and the service staff was impeccable,” she praised. While the full-service Resort can accommodate wedding parties as large as 500, intimate
events for parties as small as 5 can be just as beautifully orchestrated, said Grockau, adding that some couples utilize the services of the Resort’s Event Design Manager for winery tours, Tall Ship adventures or other area excursions. To learn more about wedding and special event services at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, visit www.grandtraverseresort. com.
The Lobby offers engaged couples an inviting
preview of amenities and personalized services offered by Special Events Manager Rachelle Grockau and her dedicated on-site team in “I
Do — A Wedding Destination Showcase.”
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meetings & conventions
Accolades & Awards 2011 Meetings MidAmerica’s “Best of” Mid America Award (8-time winner) Smart Meetings 2011 Platinum Choice Award Successful Meetings Pinnacle Award (18-time winner) 2009 Meetings & Convention Golden Tee Award Corporate & Incentive Travel’s Award of Excellence 2010 Michigan Meetings & Events Magazine Best Resort; Best Golf Course (tie); and Best Restaurant with Private Dining Space (Aerie Restaurant & Lounge)
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Uncovering “Customer Care” Regarded as one of the Midwest’s largest full-service, year-round resorts and conference centers, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa is Michigan’s premier destination to mix business with pleasure.
bRiuAn ConfeR
High-profile groups who choose the Resort annually include the Center for Automotive Research, the Detroit Red Wings and Special Olympics Michigan. For the first time last fall, the Resort hosted AgriBank, Farm Credit Bank (FCB), the largest of five borrowerowned lenders within the federal Farm Credit System. Barbara A. Stark has served as AgriBank, FCB’s manager of meetings and travel for the past 11 years. The certified planner of more than four decades shared feedback following her group’s recent experience. You held the AgriBank District Insurance Conference at the Resort Sept. 30 through Oct. 6 in 2011. Who attended this meeting and what was its goal? Primary attendees were insurance specialists serving a rural America District that stretches from Ohio to Wyoming and from Minnesota to Arkansas. The goal is to provide educational opportunities and industry updates, but this conference does an excellent job of combining business and fun — attendees look forward to it each year.
What made you choose Grand Traverse Resort & Spa? Our Insurance Conference travels each year to one of 15 states in the upper-middle part of the nation, and it was time to go back to Michigan. I was introduced to the Resort by Taryn Miracle, associate director of sales for the property. She greeted me with a smile at an industry trade fair and began describing this very special place in northern Michigan. It was Taryn who created a vision of what our conference would be like at Grand Traverse Resort: Beyond her knowledge of the
property, she truly knew the extent of the hotel staff ’s talent, capability, and ability to deliver. Later Taryn, and the Resort’s Event Design Manager, hosted our site visit. They did a great job of showcasing Traverse City attractions and ways to expand our conference experience. As we reflect on the outcome of 20ll’s Fall meeting, hosting 250 attendees, I must say Taryn didn’t miss the mark — it was a huge success! read more at grandtraverseresort.com
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able to direct my every request. responsible for the success of You told our Interim General Special thanks, too, to Jordan our meeting. Their production Manager that most hotels/ in Registration and John in of this conference was flawless resorts practice customer Room Service for true “customer from the moment our group service, but you found that the care” of a late-arriving guest. encountered the shuttle driver Resort practices “customer Whether spring, summer, winter or To Steve Baehr, my Conference (Gary-Good-Guy) at the airport care.” What did you mean? Services Manager and go-to to smiles from the bellmen and While customer service can be fall, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa for every conference need. And registration desk, on through attaught and learned as a service to emerge. my two super “she-roes,” help provided by house- to standard, “customer care” goes invitestentive successful strategies Banquet Manager Gaye and Askeeping, room service, banquets, beyond a guest’s expectations. It sistant Banquet Manager, Teresa, engineering and housemen is inherent, and it takes thought. who kept the wheels turning! I’m (Seth, Ricky, and Joey — I love It comes with heart and passion also sure there are other memyou guys!). from within the individual to bers I didn’t meet who touched Not to forget, is the excepmake that guest’s experience the and supported our conference tional food that came from the best that it can be. The Grand success. kitchen and the service equal to Traverse Resort team members What most impressed it from an incredible waitstaff who we encountered gifted us me was how they all worked (Fran, Krista, Karen, Robert, Brywith “customer care.” They went together to deliver the best total an, Kelly, Amanda and others). the extra miles with a genuine We couldn’t have asked for more! “customer care” possible. If what attitude of caring. I asked for wasn’t within a team In addition, the on-site audiomember’s capability, they convisual department surpassed our What specifically made your nected me with who could help, expectations (thanks Chip and meeting at Grand Traverse then followed up to ensure I was Josh), while my “go-to-gal” and Resort & Spa exceptional? satisfied. It was an awesome the “voice of Grand Traverse” I would say, without question, thing to see and experience. — PBX Operator Heather — was the Grand Traverse’s staff is 60 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
The Resort is owned and operated by the
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, which also owns and operates Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel, just four miles to the east, and Leelanau Sands Casino & Lodge, located 25 miles northwest. The Grand Traverse Resort & Spa Golf Academy, featuring 2008 PGA Professional National Champion and six-time Michigan Open Champion Scott Hebert, is open year-round and available for groups.
In what ways did the Resort as a facility meet your conference needs? We found great conference space with excellent flexibility, a championship golf opportunity, safe walking paths, great food, a little shopping (I confess I sampled everything at American Spoon Foods). The property is well-kept by maintenance, engineers, and groundskeepers. Lodging rooms
Partnerships
were spacious and meticulously cleaned by local housekeepers who didn’t miss a detail. If you were to return to Traverse City for vacation, what would be on your must do list? The first thing I would do is go back and say “Hi” to as many Resort staff members as I could find. Yep! I would come back to see the staff.
A proud member of Meeting Professionals International, the Resort fully supports Michigan’s home chapter, along with initiatives including “Meetings Mean Business” and “Face Time. It Matters.” The Resort also supports and/or partners with Financial & Insurance Conference Planners; the Michigan Society of Association Executives; Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International; and the Michigan Chapter of the Society of Government Meeting Planners, among others.
Featuring 23 treatment rooms, Spa
Grand Traverse can customize
services for many guests at the same time. Chair massages and paraffin treatments in meeting rooms (along with corporate discounts) also can be arranged. The Resort’s Event
Design Manager can find and book
countless regional excursions for attendees and/or their families to enjoy, as well as theme a specialty event with everything from linens to entertainment.
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native culture
“Who We Are�
brian confer
Eyaawing Museum & Cultural Center Reaches Out to Serve Community
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When Eyaawing Museum & Cultural Center opened in 2009, it fulfilled the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians’ dream for a home to showcase, study and share their vibrant culture and history with tribal members and the public. Designed as a place of learning and safekeeping, the emphasis at Eyaawing is on education and increasing understanding and respect for the Tribe’s culture, art, and history.
Eyaawing’s mission is to gather, interpret, and maintain a record of the history of the Grand Traverse Band, and communicate the Tribe’s story within the context of the Anishinaabek’s respect for the circle of life, honor for families, and the telling of the true heritage. The center serves both members of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, and the larger community. It is a place where the
traditions, language, and art of the Tribe are kept, taught, and celebrated. It also provides a portal to Tribe for the community — a place where the public is welcome to learn about the culture and history of the Grand Traverse Band. The name Eyaawing (pronounced a-ya-wing) means,
the colorful medicine Wheel window in the anishinaabek Bemaadiziwinan gallery illustrates the seven sacred directions and the teachings of the seven grandfathers.
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To date the center’s most successful program is the Expressive Culture Series. Launched in the summer of 2011, the series features a variety of artists, demonstrators, and presenters in an interactive learning environment (arrow-making, above). “Who we are,” in Anishinaabemowin, the traditional language of Michigan’s native people: the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Pottawatomi. It is the language of the Grand Traverse Band. “Eyaawing is growing slowly and steadily,” according to Cindy Patek, Grand Traverse Band member and Eyaawing employee since June 2009, who was named the center’s director in November 2010. To date the center’s most successful program is the Expressive Culture Series. Launched in the summer of 2011, the series featured a variety of artists, demonstrators, and presenters in an interactive learning environment. Eight presenters focused on topics ranging from tribal beadwork, genealogy, and traditional arrow-making to the region’s natural resources and history of Peshawbestown. Patek, who earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Valdosta State University with further studies at Western Michigan University, is working with staff and tribal members to expand the series, and to make this an annual event. Meanwhile, the center’s per64 read more at grandtraverseresort.com
manent exhibit is a work in progress. Shared Patek, “We want it to have interactive elements with audio and video touchpads, to be an expression of our living culture and presents the evolution of the Tribe through the ages with elements of art, hunting and fishing, treaties, and veterans — the exhibit will showcase of our history and culture together.” Whether there to learn, listen, or look, visitors to Eyaawing’s family-friendly, two-story design are in for a visual treat, even before they enter the building. The contemporary structure overlooks the waters of West Grand Traverse Bay in the Village of Peshawbestown about 20
minutes north of Traverse City in Leelanau County. The museum grounds, accessible from both levels, are an outdoor commons along the shoreline, where the public is welcome to walk and learn about the Anishinaabek’s traditional uses of plants. On the ground floor, space is allocated for collections’ storage, a work room, and classroom, that is also available for meetings. The upper floor houses galleries, an audio/ video viewing room, archives and study center, and the museum store, Odaawe Gamik. Eyaawing’s Odaawe Gamik features the work of tribal artists who work in both traditional and contemporary media and themes, as well as educational materials for teachers, and books and recordings about the Grand Traverse Band’s and upper Great Lakes Anishinaabek culture and history. “We’d like to develop more programming similar in nature to our Expressive Culture Series,” Patek noted, “so the community becomes more aware of our culture and history. We want Eyaawing’s exhibits and programs to be a bridge between non-native and native peoples.” Eyaawing Museum & Cultural Center is located at 2304 North West Bay Shore Dr. in Peshawbestown, 20 miles north of Traverse City and six miles north of Suttons Bay, and is pen yearround, Wednesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, call (231) 534-7764 or visit www. gtbindians.org.
footprints
As a child I loved running through the grass with my bare feet. It was cool and soft and in those days‌days lingered into long sunsets. — John M. Harder
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TIME TO DISCOVER Grand Traverse Resort & Spa 100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd. Acme, MI 49610 | 800-748-0303 grandtraverseresort.com info@gtresort.com
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Owned & Operated by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians