Traverse Northern Michigan, March 2024

0 3 . 2 0 24 Josephine Roberts: Returns to her roots to conserve Northern Michigan’s natural resources

Shining Bright How this year’s North Stars are changing our world.

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features 03.24

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT UP NORTH PEOPLE, PLACES, FOOD AND EVENTS.

Marla Courtney: Teaching youth the power the music

18

T H E N O RT H STA R S

These five women are the heartbeat of the North—lighting the road ahead and changing our world for the better.

BY MEAGAN FRANCIS, ALLISON JARRELL ACOSTA, E M I LY T Y R A & K I R S E T I N M O R E L L O PHOTOS BY COURTNEY KENT

28

THE LAST LAUGH

Life for Shea Petaja felt like a slow-moving car crash; the tragedy nearly broke her. Until one night at a comedy club changed everything.

BY SHEA PETAJA / ILLUSTRATION BY JULIETTE BORDA

36

photo by Courtney Kent

L I F E I N A N O R T H E R N TO W N

Remote work, pretirement, or just a change of heart about life’s priorities are all calling plenty of folks who love it here to make the big move—to full-time life Up North. Here’s the relocation intel you need before you pack.

B Y C A R A M C D O N A L D, C A R L Y S I M P S O N , MEAGAN FRANCIS & ALLISON JARRELL ACOSTA

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11 | UP NORTH

Through the Boundless Futures Foundation, Soon Hagerty hopes to empower more female entrepreneurs; plus, new businesses and events to check out this month.

54 | ON THE TABLE

Kohlrabi is the star of this springforward slaw with avocado crema.

56 | LOVE OF THE LAND

Whether it’s second winter or an early thaw, this coastal icon is a treat to visit in the off-season.

15 | TRAVEL

The skiers who know, know: The U.P.’s Mount Bohemia is unlike any skiing in North America. Even in spring.

DIGIT

photos by Sarah Peschel (right) and courtesy of Chris Guibert

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51 | CULINARY NORTH

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54 ON THE COVER North Star Josephine Roberts photo by Courtney Kent

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Traverse

NORTHERN

MICHIGAN A MyNorth Media Publication

Vol. 43 | No. 10

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Cara McDonald

SENIOR EDITOR SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR DIGITAL CONTENT & SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGIST

Elizabeth Edwards Meagan Francis Carly Simpson Allison Jarrell Acosta Rachel Soulliere

CULINARY COLUMNIST

Stacey Brugeman

PROOFREADER

Caroline Dahlquist

REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS

Kandace Chapple Anna Faller

ART DIRECTOR PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Tim Hussey Theresa Burau-Baehr

ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR, SPECIAL SECTIONS

Rachel Watson Julie Parker

DIRECTOR OF SALES

Mike Alfaro Ann Gatrell Julie James Meg Lau

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Erin Lutke

MARKETING DIRECTOR

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Ashlyn Korienek Nichole Earle

OFFICE MANAGER

Kayla Kennedy

MARKETING COORDINATOR

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING OFFICES

415 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684 Phone: 231.941.8174 | Fax: 231.941.8391 SUBSCRIBER SERVICES

Visit MyNorth.com/Account to renew your subscription, change your address or review your account.

Please email other subscription inquiries to info@mynorth.com or call 800-678-3416 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST.

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Traverse Northern Michigan, (ISSN10713719) is published monthly by Heritage Broadcasting Company of Michigan, 1 Broadcast Way, Cadillac, MI 49601.

Periodicals class postage paid at Traverse City, MI 49684 and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Traverse Northern Michigan, 415 Cass St., Traverse City, MI 49684. Advertising rates available upon request. Subscription rate: $39.95 for 12 issues. Single issue price: $6.50.

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Editor’s Note

SELF-CONTENT

I

by CARA MCDONALD

’m a writer, but off the clock I’m pretty quiet. I don’t blog or post social stories and please, for the love, I don’t journal for fun. Currently my creative output needs are met and then some.

As professional storytellers, journalists and writers don’t always have the same hunger for selfexpression that the world at large seems to be experiencing, that constant, humming narrative of shares and snaps and posts and updates.

But amid all the noise we’re getting so good at making, the world has a growing need for skilled, raw, brutally honest storytelling, and not just for entertainment or information.

We need it for the value it has serving as a roadmap to the human experience.

When writers sit down to write memoirs or craft layered, deeply personal narratives, they do something no quick-hit churn of “content” can do—give us the sense that we’re not alone, and that there’s someone who has gone down the path we’re traveling, checked it for potholes and poison ivy and reported back that’s it’s doable.

Of which I was reminded this month, reading local writer and life coach Shea Petaja’s adventure from heartbreak to stand-up comedy. It’s equal parts hilarious and bittersweet, and the kind of romp that hits in an unexpected way. I caught my breath a few times during the cringey bits and relatable bits, marveling at her honesty. It made me wonder: What’s in it for anyone to spill their guts in a public, artistic forum?

You could argue we’re not exactly shy these days and that this tide of constant self-curation and oversharing flirts drunkenly with narcissistic tendencies. But to be fair, we’ve been doing this forever: diaries, letters, obituaries, wedding announcements, scrapbooks and baby books and documentaries and “This American Life.” Even gossip. To share is to be human.

But the kind of generous and thoughtful work that reveals a self and allows entry into a life without being selfcentered—well, that’s in short supply. It’s life writing that sheds light on the lives and personal experiences that once lived in the shadows, and lifts us up. It also allows the writer to understand and find meaning where previously only a hot scramble of pain, confusion and seemingly random events existed.

Shea’s story stirred some creative embers that surprised me. Writing a book, someday, in my free time, seems about as light a lift as having twins or raising a litter of border collies.

But given enough time, coffee and quiet, maybe there’s a story in me that is longing to stretch out and unravel itself.

Cara McDonald, Executive Editor cara@mynorth.com MARCH 2024

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Up North.

PEOPLE | NATURE | ARTS | NOSTALGIA | BUZZ | WISDOM | CURIOSITIES

THE STATISTICS OF CHANGE

by CARLY SIMPSON

A new foundation works to empower female entrepreneurs.

photo by Scarlett Piedmont

E

Soon Hagerty

very cool small business in Northern Michigan was once just an idea—but without seed money, those brilliant ideas struggle to make it. And when it comes to funding access, there is often a disparity for women.

In the U.S., there are 13 million women-owned businesses, which account for about 38 percent of all businesses. Yet startups with all-women teams receive about two percent of venture capital funding, and the percentage of total investment in all women-led businesses dropped from four percent in 2018 to two percent in 2021 (WEF Global Gender Report 2022).

The statistics can be disheartening; they can also encourage change.

Soon Hagerty emigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam when she was a young child. Her parents started their own business, selling produce from the back of a truck to grocery stores. They eventually created a wholesale company that still exists more than 40 years later.

Following in their entrepreneurial footsteps, Hagerty founded her first PR firm at age 30, and at age 35 co-founded a marketing, communications and events company with offices in North America and Europe.

Here in Traverse City, Hagerty is co-owner of The Good Bowl. The restaurant gives $1 from every bowl sold to a rotating list of

MARCH 2024

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global, national and local charities— more than $150,000 has been donated since 2018. Her next venture: the Boundless Futures Foundation.

Carly Simpson: Based on your own experiences as a female entrepreneur, are many women having to work harder or more creatively to start and run a successful business?

Soon Hagerty: Without a doubt. I think the statistics prove that we have work to do for equality around access to capital. Our goal at the Boundless Futures Foundation is to help bridge that gap for those who qualify for our EmpowHer grant. We’ve also created an Advisory Circle that consists of female entrepreneurs to provide mentorship for our grantees as that is equally pivotal for long-term success.

CS: Tell us about some of the applications you’re receiving.

SH: We just launched in late September 2023 but have already had hundreds of applicants who have a great business idea and newly launched businesses that include an impact initiative. Some concepts include creating solutions for food deserts, thoughtful strategies to help disadvantaged groups or approaches to mitigate climate change.

CS: What inspired your giving model?

SH: I was born in Saigon, Vietnam, lived most of my life in California and am an avid traveler, so I’ve been fortunate enough to experience different communities and cultures. I know supporting local nonprofits and businesses is key to a great community, but I think when you expand your footprint, whether it’s mentally or physically, your view of people and what they are challenged with exponentially grows.

It’s not an or equation, it’s an and equation of helping locally and nationally.

Eventually I’d like to make Boundless Futures Foundation global, but we’re starting with the U.S. so we can learn and build.

Have you been nurturing an idea, or do you know a woman whose business plan is ready for the next level? Submit an application: boundlessfutures.org

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Up North EVENTS

SPRING SHINDIGS

by ALLISON JARRELL ACOSTA

SAT / 2

Head to Mackinac Island for the Twilight Turtle Trek—a 2-mile, lantern-lit ski and snowshoe through the island’s snowy scenery. The evening trek begins with a bonfire and hot chocolate. mackinacparks.com

FRI / 8

The Traverse City Figure Skating Club presents “Under the Sea Adventures on Ice” for a limited two-day run at Centre Ice Arena. The show features four enchanting Disney tales: The Little Mermaid, Moana, Finding Nemo and Pirates of the Caribbean. Tickets start at $20.

MARCH 8–9

mynorthtickets.com

SAT / 9

Join Up North PRIDE for a Silent Disco at Ethanology Distillation in Elk Rapids. Dueling DJs will be spinning for three hours. Dance the night away and help support an organization that champions inclusion, diversity and acceptance. Tickets are $20. mynorthtickets.com

photo by Angela Brown

NEW UP NORTH

SAT / 16

Mardi Gras at Nub’s Nob is a wild ride—from a silly slalom course and fat biking, to costume contests and the Soaker Cup (alpine skiers try to ski across Lake Nubs without falling in). nubsnob.com

SAT / 16

Cheers to a fun-filled St. Patrick’s weekend in Thompsonville, with plenty of activities for all ages at Crystal Mountain’s Celts & Kayaks event. Choose your adventure: downhill kayak racing, a scavenger hunt or braving the Slush Cup (a giant pit of icy slush). crystalmountain.com

Cool finds, community updates and sweet new businesses.

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Calm your body and relax your mind in Finnish saunas with beautiful views of Lake Superior (take a cold plunge if you’re brave!). A trained guide will teach you the history and wellness benefits of this longtime Upper Peninsula tradition. Private and public sessions are available. lakesuperiorsteam.com

A new art school/art café in downtown TC offers workshops, classes and a rotating menu of projects (reservations recommended). You can “place an order” and they’ll give you all the supplies you need. Snacks, mocktails and tea, too. secondhandsocialclub.com

This Mackinac Island hotel is undergoing a $30 million, propertywide renovation. New additions include three private cottages with spacious accommodations, a 3,000-square-foot event venue, a restored apple orchard with beehives and a garden, and much more. The inn will reopen in June. theinnatstonecliffe.com

Know of a business that just opened or have a fun community update? Let us know at editorial@traversemagazine.com.

MARCH 2024

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Travel

MARCH (SKI) MADNESS

by CARA MCDONALD

The skiers who know, know: The U.P.’s Mount Bohemia in Lac La Belle is unlike any skiing in North America. Even in spring.

photos by Chris Guibert

I

n michigan, we ski what we have and are glad for it. Midwestern skiers are masters of the short and brutal, the quick and icy: it’s all in the name of time on the slopes in a season that’s relatively short and unpredictable by ski resort standards. March in Colorado? It’s the snowiest month. March in Michigan? Eh, a little less predictable.

With one important exception: The Upper Peninsula.

Heck, last May some areas in the U.P. got buried by nearly two feet of snow in a record-breaking storm.

And word’s leaked. Readers of USA Today recently named Mount Bohemia the best ski resort in North America, beating

out monster resorts in Banff, Lake Tahoe and Colorado, including heavy hitters Winter Park and Vail.

Um, what? How? Chalk it up to Mount Bohemia’s position on the Keweenaw Peninsula, a dumping point for these incredible lake effect storms that blow nearly 300 inches of snow on the mountain each year. Weather patterns create legit powder days the likes of which you’d expect to see out West. Adding to the intensity, the resort glades, chutes and wide-open runs are au natural—no grooming here.

And, at 900 feet, Mount Bohemia claims the longest vertical drop in the state.

MARCH 2024

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Travel

Regular Mount Bohemia skiers don’t mind that the terrain acts as a natural weed-out factor for the less hardcore among us (expect to be greeted by a redlettered sign in the parking lot that reads NO BEGINNERS ALLOWED).

Which prompts the caveat that if you’re not comfortable in deep, uneven snow on steep slopes, this isn’t a good choice for a weekend ski with the kiddos. It is, however, a resort with a fantastic culture (check out their staff-created TV show on YouTube) and a chill vibe, especially in the parking lot, where you’ll find a strong tailgating game.

What the terrain lacks in accessibility, the price makes up for: Day passes are $92 (a single-day lift ticket at Vail will set you back nearly $300).

WHEN TO GO: Get a hyper-local forecast

and keep an eye out for storms. Plan your trip accordingly.

WHERE TO STAY: Mount Bohemia has

several lodging options, including ski-in/ ski-out cabins and yurts, and the nearby five-bedroom Inn on Lac La Belle. The historic Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is 20 minutes away in Copper Harbor.

MARCH 2024

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photos by Courtney Kent

THE NORTH STARS Meet five Northern Michigan women who are connecting dots, bending norms and lighting the road ahead.

—

by Allison Jarrell Acosta, Meagan Francis, Kirsetin Morello & Emily Tyra

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1

Josephine Roberts To Conserve and Protect HELPING TO PRESERVE WALLOON LAKE— AND THE WORLD

B

BY M E AG A N F R A N C I S

efore Josephine Roberts interviewed with the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (WLAC), the consummate nonprofit professional admits that she had to Google, “What is a watershed?”

“I didn’t have a conservation background, obviously,” Roberts laughs. But that didn’t stop her from landing the position—and making a noteworthy impact.

While her land trust knowledge may have needed a bit of bolstering in the beginning of her tenure, Roberts brought a wealth of experience to the job.

“I’d worked in basically every single role in a nonprofit in my fifteen-year career,” she says. When Roberts saw the job posting for an executive director role

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at Walloon Lake, a mix of personal connection and nostalgia inspired her to apply. “I’d gone to Camp Daggett as a kid, and I’m from East Jordan,” she says. “I thought the job would bring me back home to Northern Michigan.”

Roberts’ skills in nonprofit management and a fundraising background served Walloon Lake and its surrounding natural resources well. In just three years, she catapulted the organization’s annual budget from $250,000 to an impressive $1 million. And in 2020, with Roberts at the helm, WLAC was able to achieve an ambitious land acquisition project that required her to negotiate for 90 acres of priceless shoreline property—a task that required finesse and diplomacy. “Land is like gold here,” she says. “So, when you talk about leaving a legacy through land, people are hesitant to let that legacy go.”

As a woman of color in a field dominated by white males (in 2021, Roberts says, she was one of only three female Asian executive directors in land trust organizations in the country), growing up as an Asian American woman helped strengthen her cultural proficiency, a huge asset when it comes to navigating projects in the conservation space.

“Being able to talk to everyone, from farmers and high-net-worth donors, to landowners on the lake and the sheriff ’s department, to people who are just trying to live in our community and send their kids to school—it’s all a big part of getting these projects done,” she explains.

While Roberts has recently begun a new role as head of development of Adventure Scientists, a global conservation organization, she’s staying put in Northern Michigan. “It’s home,” she says, and she sees connections between her new job and the work she did for Walloon Lake.

For example, Roberts references a citizen science program she oversaw, training volunteers to monitor salamanders who lay their eggs in vernal pools and then submit their findings to a larger database that tracks climate-change patterns.

As Roberts learned, that small-scale project is very similar to the kind of data collection happening globally in shoreline restoration projects.

As for her work Up North? In a nod to her early years as a camper on Walloon Lake, Roberts will step into the role of board president of Camp Daggett in 2024, leading up to its centennial in 2025. It will be the first time in the organization’s history that Camp Daggett will have both a female board president and female executive director.

As the mother of two “very outdoorsy” kids, it seems only fitting that Roberts will be lending her professional expertise to the same camp that helped her fall in love with Northern Michigan’s outdoors—and helping to nurture that same love in a new generation.

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Marla Courtney Orchestrating Change for Children TEACHING YOUTH HOW TO BUILD A CAREER— AND A LIFE—THROUGH THE POWER OF MUSIC

BY K I R S E T I N M O R E LLO

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hen Marla Courtney was 7 years old, she saw Heart’s Ann Wilson play guitar on TV—and it stopped her in her tracks. “It was the coolest thing ever,” she recalls. “She was really playing guitar and I thought, ‘I didn’t know girls could do that.’ That’s when I first realized that girls could be musicians.

That one moment impacted me for a lifetime.”

Courtney became a viola player, but stopped playing as she built a special event floral business in Traverse City. When she sold her company, everything shifted.

“I’d been a florist all my life,” Courtney explains. “I moved to Cadillac, where I didn’t know anyone, and bought a 105-year-old house.”

After a 30-year hiatus—and during a complete life change—it seemed like a great time to rediscover her viola.

“I picked it up again,” she says, “and now I’m playing in the Cadillac Symphony, even though I look like a punk rocker. Maybe that’s enough to inspire a young person to play.”

Inspiring youth is what Courtney is all about, and these days, she’s accomplishing that goal through her nonprofit Jam & Bread, which aims to positively impact Cadillac youth through music, storytelling, baking, cooking and more.

After moving to Cadillac, Courtney began talking with local teens and realized that many of them craved opportunities they felt didn’t exist.

“They were kind of lost,” she explains. She thought about the power of music and the seed of an idea was planted.

After one such interaction, Courtney knew her nonprofit idea needed to become a reality. “The universe was like, ‘Girlfriend, you need to sit down.

This is what you’re going to do!’” she recalls.

But Jam & Bread isn’t just about the arts.

‘Bread’ symbolizes financial literacy and entrepreneurship. From teaching kids how to balance a checkbook to aiding budding entrepreneurs in setting up businesses like cupcake ventures, the program equips kids with tangible future-ready skills.

At its core, it’s also about inclusivity. The impact is palpable. Dozens of students—several of whom are now a part of the Cadillac High School Orchestra—have learned to play a variety of instruments through Jam & Bread. Courtney’s voice is emotional when she recounts those stories.

“When we see that spark ignite, we’re going to do everything we can to keep the flame going,” she says. “This is how you inspire kids: You let them be creative. We’ve already seen so much magic happen.”

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Meagan Krzywosinski Going to the Mat—for People STAYING GROUNDED IN HER VALUES AT HER DESK, AT HOME AND ON THE YOGA MAT

BY M E AG A N F R A N C I S

I

f it seems incongruent that a self-described minimalist juggles both a full-time executive job—chief human resource officer at First Community Bank—while also running her own yoga studio, Meagan Krzywosinski can explain. “HR by day and yogi by life is my motto,” she says. “If you know what your values are, it becomes easy to know when to say ‘no,’ and when to say ‘yes.’”

Remaining in Northern Michigan after graduating from Petoskey High School was Krzywosinski’s first big adult “yes.”

After initially going away to college, she had a reckoning that led her back home. “Being away at a four-year university didn’t fuel my soul.

I just wanted to work, and I thought, if I work really hard and stay rooted in my values, then I can live where I want to live.”

Focusing her career on people and their needs was the next big “yes.” Since she was a teenager, Krzywosinski has always loved working with people, and as a young woman she had an experience that helped her turn that drive into a career path.

While working for the Inn at Bay Harbor in event planning, Krzywosinski was at a Marriott hospitality conference when she got a message that inspired her. “I heard Mr. Marriott himself speak, and he said something like, ‘If you’re not taking care of the guest, you’d better be taking care of the person who is taking care of the guest.’ I thought: I have to take care of the people!” she says.

That realization led her to apply for an internal posting in human resources, and despite having no HR experience, Krzywosinski got the job. In 2014, her journey brought her to the role of assistant vice president of human resources for First Community Bank.

Another easy “yes” for Krzywosinski? Opening her Petoskey yoga studio, Inspiring Inner Growth, in 2023. Krzywosinski was first introduced to yoga while pregnant with her now 16-year-old daughter, Piper, and initially was looking for physical benefits. But, “Yoga is so much more than just the physical practice,” she says. “Once I learned that on the mat, I never looked back.”

Krzywosinski finds yoga and HR blend well, offering her a different perspective on human nature. “People are complex. So, when they show up in my HR space, I can ask them: Are they having a difficult moment, or do they need to make a change to get where they’re trying to go? Are they consciously breathing? Those little tiny micro shifts can make such a big difference.”

Whether she’s navigating parenting as a single mom, teaching yoga or helping team members navigate conflicts, for Krzywosinski it ultimately all comes down to people.

“If we don’t have people, we don’t have companies. And if we don’t have healthy people, we really don’t have companies,” Krzywosinski explains. “My role in HR means truly walking alongside people to ensure they’re showing up the very best they can every day. And sometimes, that means just taking a breath.”

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Gladys Muñoz Justice for All WORKING TIRELESSLY TO CONNECT THE NORTH’S MIGRANT FAMILIES WITH RESOURCES, SUPPORT AND HOPE

BY A LL I S O N JA R R E LL AC O S TA

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hen Gladys Muñoz, a city girl from Puerto Rico, first arrived in Northern Michigan during the summer of 1988, it was a shock to the system. The 34-year-old teacher had never encountered a migrant community before, let alone agriculture of any kind.

And yet she found herself deeply immersed in that world, working with the late Jean Franco, executive director of the Northwest Michigan Migrant Project, to teach elementary and middle school students in Suttons Bay, Traverse City and Elk Rapids. During her first year of teaching, Muñoz was handed a map of Leelanau County—small dots marking each farm—and was tasked with signing children up for classes. She got lost more than a couple times, but the connections she made were more than worth the backroad rambles.

“That was my way to meet the community and learn about their needs, why they were here and the problems they were facing,” she says.

It didn’t take long before Muñoz knew she wanted to do more for the North’s migrant families.

Today, there isn’t much the 70-year-old advocate doesn’t do. Over the last 36 years, she’s worn more hats than she can count. As a devout Catholic, she’s worked tirelessly with the Diocese of Gaylord, helping to launch Spanish-speaking masses and organizing student mission trips to the U.S.-Mexico border.

She also taught medical interpretation classes at NMC, and, for six years, was the director of language and cultural diversity at Northwest Michigan Health Services.

Today, medical interpretation accounts for much of Muñoz’s work: She’s on call 24/7 to either dispatch an interpreter or to attend to matters herself, which means interpreting between doctors and Spanish-speaking patients, often in delicate situations.

And then there’s the Traverse City–based nonprofit she co-founded with Rev. Wayne Dziekan of the Diocese of Gaylord. The Justice and Peace Advocacy Center aims to address a wide array of migrant worker issues, from transportation and interpretation, to connecting with local services and navigating medical, educational and legal systems.

During the pandemic, Muñoz led a local effort to share accurate information and offer vaccinations, all thanks to CDC grant money administered by Strangers No Longer, as well as support from the local health department and the dogged dedication of four Hispanic immigrant women. This three-year initiative included a survey to collect data for the CDC. Muñoz added several questions of her own to learn more about their concerns, including: “Are there other health problems you see in your community?”

Results in hand, Muñoz found that many migrants were concerned about mental health. “Not many people called it ‘mental health,’” she says. “It was alcoholism, depression, anxiety, adolescent depression, things like that.”

With those concerns in mind, Muñoz recently decided to don another hat: that of founder of a pilot project that will connect migrants to mental health services.

Four “promotoras,” or promoters of health, have already begun training, and will connect with families throughout Leelanau, Benzie and Grand Traverse counties.

Muñoz hopes to secure grant funding soon and envisions the pilot program running for a year before assessing needs and moving forward.

“It’s really exciting,” she says with a smile. “We’ll be a link to our people.”

Muñoz knows firsthand that there’s still so much work to be done when it comes to connecting the North’s migrant families to the resources they need. But for her, the future is bright.

And if you ask Muñoz how you can get involved with her causes, her advice is simple: share your time and your talents.

“We all have something to share, and we have a responsibility to make this world a better place,” she says. “If you can read English, you can teach English. If you know how to add and subtract, you can teach math. Even if it’s just your presence, to be there with someone, listening to them. You can be the bridge.”

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Patricia Soutas-Little Rural Child-Care Champion

hen Leelanau County’s Patricia Soutas-Little became “gravely concerned” with the shortage of infant and toddler child care TRAILBLAZING INNOVATIVE NEW in her community, she rolled up OPTIONS FOR NORTHERN FAMILIES her sleeves and got to work.

BY E M I LY T Y R A As the chair of the Leelanau Early Childhood Development Commission, she and an all-volunteer band of residents set out to “shine a flashlight from different sources” to create innovative, sustainable child care for working families in Leelanau County.

But in the wake of a handful of day care centers closing across the peninsula, SoutasLittle—a previous county commissioner and former faculty member in Michigan State University’s college of engineering—knew a fresh take was needed. She shares that centers can be prohibitively costly to operate to meet required ratios of staff-tochildren, specifically those under the age of 3. They were seeking a new working model for home-based child care while “creating a balance between what parents can afford and what gives providers a living wage,” she says.

Soutas-Little knew that business chops were key to making any new homebased child care operation successful. So, the Infant & Toddler Childcare Startup (ITCS) initiative was born: a team of volunteer professionals offering personal coaching and providing assistance with everything from navigating state and local licensing regulations to financial forecasting and marketing.

ITCS was also seeded by a $318,000 grant from Lansing-based Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) to provide startup expenses for things like toys, cribs and home renovations. But even with funding, and gurus waiting in the wings to help, they kept hitting an unexpected snag in recruiting potential providers. Many wanted to give a child care business a go but, for various reasons, not in their own homes.

Then came a serendipitous conversation with ECIC’s Child Care Innovation Fund Director, Joan Blough, who “opened the door to the [LARA] Child Care Licensing Bureau,” says Soutas-Little. After convening with the state bureau overseeing the licensing of child facilities, Leelanau County’s ITCS has been given an unprecedented variance to open a special “micro-center”—the first ever in Michigan. Now, an individual child care provider can legally operate a “home-based” business at an approved site that is not their own home.

This variance made it possible for Northport resident Amalie Kristiansen to open Little Acorn micro-center in the former Leelanau Children’s Center, owned by the Village of Northport and leased by Northport Public School. Kristiansen is subleasing the space for Little Acorn for just a dollar a year and has already welcomed families who need child care at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula.

Soutas-Little says ITCS also helped with traditional home-based startups: Rhonda Mack’s Lake Leelanau Kids was the first, and Kriya Miller just opened Little Valley Daycare in her woodland cabin outside of Cedar, incorporating nature in the children’s learning and exploration. The ITCS team coached Miller through the licensing process, helped fund improvements to her home and mentored her in business planning and early childhood best practices.

Soutas-Little has emerged as a child care trailblazer, illuminating a path forward for Leelanau’s youngest residents. While Leelanau is currently the only county in Michigan exploring this experimental model of care, it’s a beta test for other rural communities to expand their number of quality facilities. In the meantime, says Soutas-Little, the next two micro-centers in Leelanau County will open by the end of March or earlier. And, thanks to the efforts of Representative Betsy Coffia, the state just awarded $400,000 for ITCS to expand the micro-center concept to Grand Traverse and Benzie counties.

Courtney Kent specializes in wedding and lifestyle photography. She loves exploring Northern Michigan with her husband and young son. courtneykentphotography.com

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Meet the people taking the movement from lifestyle trend to landscape-changing, economy-boosting community builder.

by Diane Conners photos by Beth Price

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/ illustration by Juliette Borda /

Laugh The Last

My life felt like a slow-moving car crash; the tragedy nearly broke me. Until one night at a comedy club changed everything. / by Shea Petaja /

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I

had a quarter-life crisis before it was a trend. In my twenties, I did the work to clean up the mess I had made: sold my car, got a new job, found a therapist, drove my parents’ minivan for a day (luckily the transmission went out), and found a new place to live, a cheaper car and more therapy. Essentially, I was buying myself time: Get the biggest mistakes out of the way so that adulthood would be smooth sailing. Easy.

My thirties brought a brand new type of hardship: my body fell apart.

A mystery illness took me out at the cellular kneecaps. I was leveled at the prime of my life. My mentor, a former Jesuit priest, said (in his thick Indian accent), “Stand on your crooked legs and accept the challenge.” I did that and walked with a metaphorical—sometimes literal—limp. From then on, when life got hard, I used my fine-point Sharpie pen and wrote the word “Stand” on my wrist—a temporary tattoo, a reminder.

By my mid-thirties, unhealed and defeated, I realized that life was hard. For everyone. The universe wasn’t out to get me, and I wasn’t special. A late bloomer with an old soul, I had an awakening: If I was going to survive, best view life as whack-a-mole. When something pops up (and inevitably it will), knock it down. Get really good at the game instead of denying that it exists. Joan Rivers said it best: “Listen. I wish I could tell you it gets better. But it doesn’t get better. You get better.”

This strategy worked and I was mastering it. My career in finance as CXO (Chief Experience Officer) gained national recognition. I produced and co-hosted a weekly live talk radio show. Heck, my face was on billboards. Clearly, I had arrived. My friend and I co-created a successful local storytelling event and community while I became a certified life coach. The culmination of such good things led me to the dream of owning a piece of the Traverse City pie: a house. The house—a cozy, mid-century ranch with corner windows—and I are a match made in real estate heaven.

My neighbor Joyce, who’s in her 90s, is my life coach and we watch out for each other. And, because I don’t like silence, I got a Pomeranian, hosted summer concerts and eventually joined an improv group called Tilt Think.

Life was good, so I decided to celebrate my 40th birthday one year early in honor of my aunt who died at 39.

Why wait to party if the years aren’t guaranteed?

It was a wise move. A year later, in 2020, my actual 40th landed within a month and a half of the lockdown. I stood in a long winter coat, six feet apart from my family on my lawn, waving to the parade of cars following a fire truck. I realized (again) that life can turn on a dime. The pandemic inspired a lot of us to do things out of character. In my case, that spring I decided to date … intentionally.

I put myself out there and asked the same questions I did pre-Covid: “Where have you been? Who have you been with?” I thought it best to prepare for the next global disaster with someone. This is what you do in your 40s. You plan for disasters instead of making them.

My idea worked! Before snowfall I was set up with a guy who had moved here from the city. Finally, someone who hadn’t already dated everyone in my town! As the world remained cautious, we made a connection. The quiet pandemic days were filled with mini adventures and movie nights. I learned to like anime, cats and poker.

If this were a film, you’d begin to hear the non-diegetic soundtrack that the characters cannot. It clues the audience in: The story is about to change. Dread sets in. Now, drag the suspense out for another year and a half when life lesson 234,568,247,387 begins in the spring of 2022.

First, a fracture in friendship and my decision to exit the storytelling partnership. Then, my employer and I split after 15 years: creative differences. Which meant that on August 1, 2022, I was self-employed. The coaching practice I built as a side hustle over the last eight years would become my full-time reality. On the eve of this transition my boyfriend and I went boating with my family, then on a double date with friends to see The Princess Bride at the Open Space along the water, followed by dancing. The next day, a Sunday, he took me out for lunch, then ice cream. Instead of heading to the beach, we decided to stay home and enjoy a quiet moment after a few very busy months of hosting our families. Just as we were getting ready to settle in on the double-wide, quilted hammock he’d given me for my birthday, he stood up and pulled a chair next to it instead.

As it is with any artist, there is a compulsion to do the thing that scares you most: Be vulnerable and hope it connects.

In this case, I needed them to laugh at me.

“I have hard news,” he said.

Suddenly it was clear what was happening. It felt like being dead center of an intersection and getting hit on all four sides just as it was safe to cross. Everything seemed to be in slow motion as he confessed: an apartment across town and infidelity. Others knew. I didn’t. A secret life.

How did I miss the signals? I thought we were following the same rules.

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Who would run someone over like that?

The universe wasn’t out to get me, but it was certainly making sure I didn’t hand out maps to places I had never been as a life coach. This location was called: Betrayal.

The life I’d created over the last 15-plus years had imploded, so I got in my car and decided that I would leave town and never return. The first stop was Nashville to “hide out” in my brother and sister-in-law’s studio apartment.

From there, I took every invitation that came my way.

I traveled from the East Coast to the West Coast and into the deserts of New Mexico. My coaching practice gained traction. How was it that in my darkest hour, people were coming to me, asking me for light? I took it as a confirmation that I was on the right path. I now understand you can be lost and heading in the right direction.

At each location I was welcomed with open arms and felt guided by something much larger than myself. This is how I ended up at The Mic Drop in San Diego. My host Christina said, “I think it would be really great if we laughed.” It had been a while. Our improv group had stopped performing because of the pandemic, and I never got back into it. I had lost my voice as a comedian and in turn, lost an audience.

It’s hard to have one without the other.

I had not been able to write or eloquently speak about the pain I was carrying. Up until that point, every cell in my body hurt—until I started to laugh. Three comedians, all close friends, performed one right after the other. The first was a nerdy white guy who was surprised by how terrifying aging had become. (His butt cheeks started to tap him on the back of the leg with every step he took while in his birthday suit.) The second comedian was facing midlife with a greater challenge as he battled cancer. (He put a spotlight on his Mexican heritage, in which it’s common to stay silent about weakness; turns out, it would’ve been helpful if someone would’ve let him know prostate cancer ran in the family.) The third comedian, a woman, stood up and said, “Oh my word, die already. Your set is depressing.”

Then, a wild idea came to mind, “If comedy is tragedy with a purpose, what if I did stand-up?” I started to take notes on my phone. As they told their jokes, I began to write mine. The deeper the hurt, the better the punchline. If I could write seven minutes at a time, how long would it take me to write an hour? That would depend on how much pain I could face.

That night, I drew a bath with a view overlooking the Pacific Ocean, knowing I had found a place for my words other than on social media. The only thing missing: a stage.

Just as the thought came to mind, ping! There was a text on my phone from Lisa Thauvette at Tilt Think Improv back home. She asked, “Any chance you’d like to perform standup at our Christmas show?” I heard, “Any chance you’d want to stand on your cooked legs and accept a challenge?”

The universe has a funny way of putting us back on our feet.

How could I say no?

I couldn’t. As it is with any artist, there is a compulsion to do the thing that scares you most: Be vulnerable and hope it connects. In this case, I needed them to laugh at me.

I performed my first set in front of a curated audience at the Christmas show. The next set would be at Traverse

City’s Comedy Festival. This brought in the pros: ISMO, Maria Bamford, Dean Edwards, Tom Papa, Jackie Kashian. With much trepidation I started my seven-minute set. I looked into the audience and saw a few wellknown faces in town. “The professionals told me this was a terrible idea,” I said. “To perform my first set in front of people I know. But I figure, in a town this size, you already have an opinion about me. So, here we go … I’m a life coach. That’s my first joke …”

My clients will often ask, “How do I find my voice?” I reply, “By using it.” It takes practice. It’s messy. I’m still learning. Turns out, the same goes for comedy. It’s the brave work of standing up and speaking truth in front of an audience who wants you to say what they won’t. This is who I am as a coach and a comedian. This is who I am as a person.

One laugh at a time, I am writing a better ending.

It’s a happy one, too.

Shea Petaja is a Traverse City-based coach, speaker, podcaster and writer who also performs improv and standup comedy. sheapetaja.com Juliette Borda has created thousands of illustrations for publications, newspapers and publishers around the world. She makes her paintings in her live/work space in Brooklyn, New York. @julietteborda

WHERE TO CATCH A COMEDY SHOW IN TRAVERSE CIT Y TILT THINK IMPROV Local improv! Performances on the last Sunday of every month at The Workshop Brewing Company, plus pop-up shows. Intermediate and beginner classes offered weekly.

tiltthink.com

TRAVERSE CITY COMEDY CLUB A local comedy club located on Garfield Avenue.

Hosting professional comedians from around the country year-round.

traversecitycomedyclub.com

GOOD ON PAPER IMPROV An improv comedy troupe that creates comedy scenes based entirely on audience suggestions.

Follow their Facebook page for show dates.

facebook.com/GoodOnPaperImprov

KAMIKAZE COMEDY Weekly shows at Union Street Station, plus pop-up shows announced on their website.

kamikazecomedytc.com

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S P EC I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S ECT I O N

In a region where the winters are long and days are short, maximizing natural light is more than just a nice idea: Integrating our access to the outdoors can improve everything from sleep to productivity and overall wellness. Kendra offers these tips to consider while planning your lighting design:

• It’s not (just) about the views. While everyone loves a sweeping lake vista, there’s more to thoughtful design than simply maximizing window size. Kendra emphasizes that since the sun is in different parts of the sky throughout the day, it’s best to have windows on two sides of the room to allow light to infiltrate as the sun’s position changes. And while large windows are a fundamental part of biophilic design, Kendra balances those sweeping views with energy efficiency, privacy and other concerns in the design process.

Let There Be Light The design principle of “biophilia” helps create happier buildings— and healthier inhabitants.

by MEAGAN FRANCIS

photos courtesy of Environment Architects

For

those drawn to Northern Michigan, the idea that nature heals may not be surprising. But, “That good feeling you experience when walking through a forest?

It’s something you should strive to experience indoors as well,” says Ray Kendra, principal architect at Traverse City–based Environment Architects.

Leaning on a principle called “biophilia,” Kendra advocates a holistic approach to design that nurtures a connection with the environment.

Biophilic design delves into the innate connection between humans and nature, weaving elements like views, natural patterns and, of course, natural light into the fabric of our living spaces.

• Account for the changes in seasons. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, right? Well … not exactly. The sun only rises due east and sets due west twice in a year: on the spring and fall equinoxes. By the summer solstice, the sun rises and sets quite a bit north; and at the winter solstice, it’s considerably farther south. Not only that, but the sun also appears lower in the sky in winter and much higher in summer. Thoughtful window placement that accounts for this natural “movement” of the sun will maximize light exposure when it’s most needed.

• Incorporate indirect light. An essential step in thoughtful design is considering the full spectrum of light.

Direct sunlight pouring in through a large, uncovered window isn’t always ideal: Consider the experience of squinting into the sun on a bright day, versus a gentler light filtered through clouds. Kendra highlights the importance of incorporating diffused or filtered light as part of an overall design strategy and points to solar tubes and skylights as possible elements that can bring light in from multiple angles to enhance the experience of a space.

A NATURE-FORWARD APPROACH

A growing body of research links human health, happiness and flourishing to our connection with nature. As our modern lifestyles become increasingly indoor-centric, thoughtfully creating a link to the outdoor world inside our homes and offices will become crucial to our wellbeing. Lighting is one of the most foundational ways to maintain that connection.

The principles of bringing nature into building design aren’t brand-new, but embracing a nature-first philosophy has come in and out of vogue over the years. With sustainability top of mind, Kendra predicts that in 2024, biophilia is poised to grow into an all-out movement. Will Northern Michigan embrace the trend? It seems only natural.

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S P EC I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S ECT I O N

The Power of Purposeful Home-Building Decisions Engaging the services of an in-house interior designer can inject your home-building project with the highest level of intention.

by MEAGAN FRANCIS

Building

photos courtesy of Pleasant Valley Custom Homes

a new home can be an involved, detailed and incredibly personal process. “We tell our customers it’ll be like we’re married by the time the project is finished,” laughs Marty Nemec, owner of Bellaire–based Pleasant Valley Custom Homes, a high-end residential custom home builder.

To help ease the way, Pleasant Valley has gone the extra mile to build efficiency into its business model. There’s the 4,000-square-foot storage space where building materials can be kept until they’re ready to be used, insurance against shipping delays and supplychain issues. There are the inhouse architects and project management experts who help projects run smoothly, from concept to completion. And, when it comes to optimizing efficiency, Pleasant Valley has an ace in the hole: an in-house interior designer.

Working with an interior designer, says Nemec, is one way to make the home-building process go even more smoothly by ensuring that design choices are made with the highest level of intention. Here’s what sets it apart:

A partnership from the start. Whether you already have a strong idea of how you want your space to look or could use some visual inspiration to help you conceptualize the possibilities, your designer will work closely with you to find out what excites you and build on those fundamentals. “I always try to really understand who my client is, so I can create something beautiful and true to them,” says Elizabeth Mackinder, an interior designer at Pleasant Valley Custom Homes.

Budget is key. Mackinder notes the importance of assessing whether the project will be design-driven or budgetdriven, and of being upfront about your upper limit from

the get-go. “It doesn’t help to show a client options that are out of range financially,” she says, explaining that her job is to help you explore options that align with your budget and design preferences.

Balance trends with personal taste. While hot trends can influence design, Mackinder advises against relying too much on them to inform decisions. Instead, details should be incorporated thoughtfully, considering the client’s lifestyle and preferences. “It shouldn’t be a formulaic thing that has nothing to do with the client and how they live,” Mackinder notes, emphasizing the need for a personalized touch. Mackinder walks this delicate line by asking clients to share specific examples of designs they find appealing, so they can move forward based on that information.

Build it like you mean it. “We don’t ever want a client to have to settle,” says Nemec. That doesn’t mean you’ll never have to make a hard decision, he explains … but “every decision we make should be purposeful. So if we have to do something different, let’s do it with purpose.”

The homebuilding process can be fraught with unexpected bumps in the road, and changes in everything from final costs to time frames are par for the course, Nemec says. But with the help of their in-house team of experts, Nemec is confident that on the day they get the keys to their brand-new home, his customers will feel great about how smoothly the process went, and how connected they feel to the new home they helped create. “You’re going to have a five-star experience,” says Nemec.

And with the help of the interior design team, every choice will feel intentional, purposeful—and made by design.

MARCH 2024

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LIFE IN A NORTHERN TOWN

BY CARA MCDONALD, CARLY SIMPSON, MEAGAN FRANCIS AND ALLISON JARRELL ACOSTA

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LIFESTYLE

BIKE. HIKE. BEACH. REPEAT. The North’s lakes, forests and trails beckon to weekend warriors of every stripe.

Which means, when you find yourself finally making the move to full-time local, you’re going to want to avoid the crowds by taking advantage of a midday hike, a weekday sail or a happy hour bike ride to your favorite brewery.

Here’s how to jump in with both feet and turn your “someday” hobbies into your everyday Up North reality.

photo by Dave Weidner

Remote work, pretirement, or just a change of heart about life’s priorities are calling folks who love it here to make the big move— to full-time life Up North.

Here’s the relocation intel you need before you pack.

Buy (or rent) the boat.

There’s no shortage of marinas and yacht clubs along the North’s shores, so if you’ve been toying with the idea of buying a boat of your own, now’s the time.

For those who want to test the waters first, we suggest joining a group like Leelanau Boat Club, where you can rent from a fleet of luxury pontoon boats. Membership includes hassle-free delivery to the lake of your choosing, as well as pick-up after your day out on the water. No need to worry about maintenance, cleaning or storage.

Cruise around with a cycling club. There’s no better way to get to know a new community than exploring the area on two wheels. Whether you’re interested in touring the region’s bucolic backroads or doing some trail riding around town, Cherry Capital Cycling Club is a great place to start. Choose from dozens of cycling events each month, ranging from road and gravel, to mountain bike and fat bike rides.

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LIFESTYLE

Take your hiking up—or down—a notch. With some of the state’s most scenic trails right in your backyard, the possibilities are endless—spend mornings in an oldgrowth forest and take lunchtime dune hikes. If you want to connect even deeper with your new surroundings, we suggest a “forest bathing” trip with Sleeping Bear Tour Co. You’ll quiet the noise of everyday life—cell phones off, please—and immerse in a slow, meandering walk through the woods, taking time to listen, feel, smell and even taste the natural world around you.

Explore the waterways your way. For some, the thought of solo paddling a new lake or river can be intimidating, and with countless waterways to explore, where do you even start? Good news is, you’re not alone. There are always other kayakers, SUPers and canoers who want to paddle out to the next gorgeous sunrise or sunset. Head to Facebook and search for the “Traverse City Paddle Boarders” group (more than 500 members strong!) and keep your eyes peeled for meetups, trip ideas and plenty of full moon paddles.

Get your hands dirty. If you’re looking for a community of likeminded outdoorsy folks, volunteering with a local conservancy will get you outside and connecting with other nature lovers. Organizations like Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy often hold trail clearing and maintenance events, or get involved with a stewardship program or invasive species management. —A. J. A.

photos by Dave Weidner

Go for the golf membership.

From Mackinac Island to Arcadia Bluffs, the North is brimming with gorgeous, rolling greens. And with even more time to play a quick nine, it’s worth your while to find your favorite course and get a membership.

Many clubs offer member perks like unlimited golf, league play, guest passes and access to social events.

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monthly wellness workshops.

“You don’t have to be an athlete,” Page says. “You don’t even have to exercise if you don’t want to—you can just come in, and that in and of itself is wellness.”

HOW TO FIGHT RELOCATION LONELINESS Moving to a new town can be invigorating, exciting … and lonely. And while it can feel daunting to try to weave yourself into the social fabric of a new place, it’s also one of the most important ways to smooth the transition and support your own wellness. Social isolation is such a big problem in our modern world that, last year, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy released an advisory declaring it a public health crisis.

Think outside your demographic. While it can be tempting to look for potential new social connections in your own age group or stage of life, Page points out the benefits to thinking a little more broadly. “There’s a natural adaptation that occurs when you interact with people from all different walks of life, like an older person talking with a younger person,” he says. Studies show that those who interact in an atmosphere with a variety of people from different backgrounds have more of a feeling of connectedness than they do in more isolated settings.

There’s so much to enjoy Up North, and it’s even better when you’re surrounded by friendly faces. Here are some ideas to help you connect and find community in your new hometown after a move: Find your “third place.”

Sociologists use this term to refer to a social hub that is not your home (your “first” place) or work (your “second” place.) A “third place” serves an important social purpose: it’s where you relax while connecting with a broader segment of the community. From churches to corner bars to bookstores, a third place can be anywhere outside of your home that you feel, well, at home.

For Andrew Page, president and CEO of Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, a community hub like the “Y” serves an important role as a third place. “The dynamic of wellness has changed—it’s no longer just about your biceps or waist size,” Page says. The YMCA recognizes its vital role in creating holistic wellness through building community, offering opportunities like a free community breakfast every month and free

Just jump in. The internet makes it possible to research everything to the last detail, but no tool can replace the impact of just showing up and saying “hello.” The more real-life connections you make with other people—whether the cashier at your neighborhood grocery store or the new friend you meet in yoga class—the more your new community will truly feel like your own. —M. F. MARCH 2024

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REAL ESTATE

WHAT TO WATCH FOR IN THE 2024 REAL ESTATE MARKET Four local experts share what they’re seeing in markets across the North right now.

photos by (top) Jacqueline Southby; (bottom) Dave Speckman

Jon Zickert Realtor & Lead Agent The Jon Zickert Group Real Estate One, Beulah/Frankfort Mortgage rates expected to ease.

“Recently, mortgage rates have started to come back down. This has offered hope to buyers dealing with affordability challenges. According to The New York Times, ‘Federal Reserve officials left interest rates unchanged in their final policy decision of 2023 and forecast that they will cut borrowing costs three times in the coming year, a sign that the central bank is shifting toward the next phase in its fight against rapid inflation.’ This indicates the Fed thinks the economy and inflation are improving. Why does that matter to you and your plans to buy a home? It could end up leading to lower mortgage rates and improved affordability. Although mortgage rates may remain volatile, their recent trend combined with expert forecasts indicate they could continue to go down in 2024.”

The supply of homes for sale may grow.

“As mortgage rates ease, activity in the

housing market should pick up because more buyers and sellers who had been holding off will jump back into action.

If more sellers list, the supply of homes for sale will grow, a trend we’ve already started to see in 2023.”

Home price growth should moderate.

“Mortgage rates pulling back isn’t the only positive sign for affordability.

Home-price growth is expected to

moderate too, as inventory improves but is still low overall. To wrap it up, experts project 2024 will be a better year for the housing market. So, if you’re thinking about making a move, know that early signs show we’re turning a corner.”

Ann Porter Realtor & Associate Broker Real Estate One Traverse City Randolph Street Hope for first-time buyers.

“A lot of first- and second-time home buyers are intimidated because they don’t have experience with the required work to update a home. However, improving paint, flooring, trim work and modern decor is one of the fastest ways a buyer can gain equity in a home. Quite often, homes that need some updating take longer to sell and usually get sold at a lowerthan-asking price. Having some vision and a strong work ethic can go a long way when buying real estate.”

Waterfront will always be popular.

“With so many beautiful waterfronts to choose from, buyers continue to buy up homes on the water—inland lakes, the bays or Lake Michigan. The area has been blessed with quality waterfronts that have been preserved

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Nikki Darrow Broker & Owner Big Lake Real Estate, Grand Marais It’s still a seller’s market.

“To my sellers, I let them know we are still in a seller’s market. Values are high and stability in pricing is a good thing—we still have a lot of buyers looking for their U.P. dream.

To buyers, I say don’t give up and be patient and ready—the right property will come up for sale.”

New projects in Marquette.

“Renovare Development [based in Detroit] specializes in homes for middleincome families. In Marquette, Phase 1 environmental assessments began in the fall for a new development,” Darrow says. It will feature 47 units of cottages, duplexes and townhomes in Marquette Township, geared toward providing housing for the “missing middle” workforce, such as teachers, nurses and police. Darrow also has her eyes on the Forestville residential project that has a targeted opening in 2024 with single family homes and townhomes. Interested buyers can sign up for updates online: liveforestville.com.

Raquel Rae Realtor Lighthouse Realty, Ludington The cost of single-family homes.

“In the market, single-family homes in central locations remain on the top of the priority list for those who want to move. Most of the homes that are still highest in demand are threebedroom, two-bath homes that are in move in–ready shape. A large

majority of buyers who are serious about their search and pre-qualified are those with federally subsidized loans like FHA, RD or VA. For these loans to finance, the big-ticket items within a home need to be in good working order, such as the roof, furnace, water heater, foundation, flooring, windows and electrical. Though this may not sound like a hard list to fulfill, due to demand, many of these homes have increased in price between $275,000–$425,000. With 3.5% down, this lands monthly payments between $2,400–$3,600 per month, demanding an income of roughly $85,000–$140,000 per year.” … and how state funded grants can help.

“I would highlight that a lot of local municipalities, Ludington included, are applying for state-funded grants and working with community development partners to update single-family homes. The intention of these grants is to help maintain roofing, furnaces, energy efficient windows and supplement additions if need be. If successful, this will help to create more quality living situations for current residents and increase value and finance-ability for future sales.” —C.S.

• If you’re moving to your second home full time, do you plan to keep your primary home?

• If so, who will take care of the maintenance?

• Will you be renting either property for any length of time?

Who will handle that?

• Are you counting on short-term rental income as part of your financial plan? What if zoning ordinances change?

If building or remodeling: • Where will you live while the project is underway?

• Have you had multiple contractors (she recommends up to 5) bid on major projects?

• How will you handle projects coming in over budget? Past deadline?

• If remodeling, can you live in the home first and see how it feels in winter before making changes?

Her biggest one-off piece of advice?

“Wait a year, for a lot of things. Before selling your primary home, before making a budget based on your new life here, before making big changes to an existing property, like adding a sunroom or huge picture window or giant

FINANCE

MAKING THE MOVE A financial planner weighs In Kristi Avery, partner and financial advisor at FOR Investement Partners, has helped more than a few clients pivot to full-time life Up North. “We’re not only focused on financial planning, but on what you want your life to look like with your resources,” she says. “If it’s not fulfilling, what’s the point of money?” Here are some questions she uses to get her clients on a fulfilling and financially smart path:

fireplace. Live into your new space and lifestyle through all four seasons, and you may be surprised that what felt like ‘must-haves’ are in reality expensive, impractical or just not needed.

Take that picture window example?

It could create too much glare, chill, and higher heating bills in winter.

Give yourself time.” —C.M. M AY 2 0 2 3

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photo by Dave Weidner

from overbuilding, so those homes continue to be attractive to local and out-of-area buyers, no matter what the economy is doing.”

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LIFESTYLE

EMBRACING WINTER You fell in love with summer, fall and maybe February— a postcard of a month with snow and sun. But calling the North home all winter long is not for everyone.

Here’s how we make the most of it.

Commit to at least one outdoor sport. If you’re a skier, get the pass. Want to snowshoe more? Buy a pair. Get the good boots, the pricey mittens, the roof rack.

When you go all in and make a seasonal sport easier and part of your everyday lifestyle, it becomes a part of your identity—and winter becomes a season to look forward to, not dread.

Get fitted. Hard-won wisdom: Rent or demo the best gear, then buy local. Tempting as it is, surfing for online deals or hitting a ski swap without a good ski fitting is a recipe for a suffer-fest. Local shop pros will match you with skis that love you back—the right model, shape, length or flex to bring out the best of your abilities and prevent a ton of frustration.

Buy a pass that works for you. Whether that’s for your local ski hill, Nordic center or ice rink,

photo by Tim Hussey

Get the snow tires. Guess what’s cheaper than your insurance deductible? Snow tires. The chemical composition of snow tires creates grip, buying you better control–especially on lake-effect snow in late fall and spring. Four-wheel drive doesn’t equal four-wheel stopping, and don’t let anyone sell you on a good all-season tire as being the same thing: Consumer Reports tests have repeatedly shown that winter tires deliver better start/stop performance than all-season tires on icy roads.

committing to a pass makes you more likely to do the thing. As a local, you may ski or ride or skate at different times than you used to, so consider weekday-only options, night skiing or Sunday afternoon packages, too. Insider tip: Your home mountain may offer multi-resort passes for sister properties in the region and beyond. For example, the Boyne Mountain/Highlands platinum pass includes an Ikon Base Pass, which extends access to destinations worldwide like Aspen Snowmass, Jackson Hole and Revelstoke.

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photo courtesy of Boyne Mountain and The Highlands

Find an indoor thing, too. Improv groups, karaoke, author readings, a favorite local band, trivia night at the brew pub down the street—all fair game for passing time in winter. When you get a regular thing going, especially one involving uproarious laughter and a group of like-minded weirdos, winter weather feels more like a friend. Check with local arts councils, bars and pubs for dates of events, and find supper clubs, comedy nights, paint & sip classes and more at mynorthtickets.com.

Invest in great basics.

Chuck your cotton base layers and hoodies—they aren’t warm enough to be safe for Up North winter weather. Think wool base layers, big leather mittens, furry boots and the down parka of your dreams— full length, if you like. You’ll up your

WHEN YOU MAKE A WINTER SPORT PART OF YOUR LIFESTYLE, WINTER BECOMES A SEASON TO LOOK FORWARD TO, NOT DREAD.

enjoyment levels exponentially. The U.P.’s Stormy Kromer makes perfect wool classics for layering; try The Journey Vest.

Create an environment perfect for hunkering down. With a little intention, your home becomes an indoor haven from the dark and cold. That can look like adding tube skylights for increased natural light, opening up windows to bring the outdoors in or layering on lots of welcoming textures and textiles. (A sherpa sofa? Yes, please.) If Netflix gets you through the bitter cold, invest in a great home-theater setup and sound system. Bonus points for keeping a huge stash of coffees (try Kalkaska Coffee Co.) and teas (like Leelanau’s Light of Day Organics) for hand-warming sipping. —C.M. MARCH 2024

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We specialize in architectural molding, windows, doors, stair parts, and siding.

Petoskey Showroom, 1920 M-119 Traverse City Showroom, 3025 Cass Rd. Millshop, 931 Mill St., Northport For more information call us at 231-881-9318

Petoskey • Traverse City • Northport www.tmmillcom

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S P EC I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S ECT I O N

From House to Home Call on custom millwork to truly make it yours.

by LISA BLAKE

photos courtesy of Thomas & Milliken Millwork

You’re

making the full-time move to Northern Michigan. Whether it’s the realization of a lifetime dream or a spur-of-the-moment decision, your move warrants a home that expresses your style and is as breathtaking as the landscape that surrounds it. Adding intentional touches and thoughtful nooks—think trimwork for customized detail, coffered ceilings for texture and depth and a refreshed front door for enhanced curb appeal—makes any new build or remodel sing and a new-to-you space feel like home.

Taking your at-home vision from creative flicker to live-in reality takes an experienced pro.

In Northern Michigan, that partner in the process is Thomas & Milliken Millwork. This millwork operation of 47 years specializes in doors, molding, stair parts and windows as well as custom sidings such as hemlock and cedar to add character, functionality and luxury to any home.

Building, creating and carving runs through Andy Thomas’ veins. The founder of Thomas & Milliken reflects fondly on his great-great-grandfather and great-grandfather’s knack for carpentry and cabinetry. Both built cabinetry, furniture and homes in Northport from the 1850s to the 1930s. In the early 1990s, Thomas & Milliken provided the woodwork for the iconic Traverse City Park Place cherry wood stairway and lobby desk followed by work on Petoskey’s Bay Harbor infrastructure. If you’ve strolled downtown Traverse City, you’ve likely seen their work adorning churches, libraries and courthouses.

5 WAYS TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR HOME

We sat down with Andy to talk about introducing custom millwork to make your most personal spaces truly your own:

1. Make an up-front statement. A beautifully crafted custom front door is an aesthetic game changer. When

remodeling, Thomas says, it is important to remember that older doors can shift and fall out of adjustment after years of unforgiving weather on one side and an indoor temperature on the other side. Whether you are choosing fiberglass, real wood, glass or aluminum, you’ll want an expert to assist with design and installation.

2. Add views for days with a window wall. A shining star in the Traverse City showroom, five-panel multi-slide windows open up living spaces to views out of 12-foot-tall and 20-footlong glass panels. Slide them to one side and instantly bring the outside in, opening your living room to a patio or deck.

3. Use ceiling treatments to maximize flow. When you enter a home, Thomas advises, there should always be a center of focus. Adding a coffered grid of beams to your ceiling

draws the eye up and makes the room feel bigger. Gain the same focal effect with custom fireplace mantel millwork.

4. Open up your stairway. Innovative homeowners are swapping traditional wood handrails for stainless cables, inviting in a more free-flowing modern feel. This treatment works well on outside deck stairs as well, Thomas says.

5. Pick a door. Any door. If all your doors are the same, choose one and make it different to make a design statement. For example, if they’re all painted, take one door and replace it with a natural wood door with a clear finish and millwork pattern. Call on Thomas & Milliken for the hardware bling.

MARCH 2024

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Scott Norris believes building a new home should be a deeply rewarding experience.

FEATURED ARTISANS

Lucas Johnson

Chuck Jones

David Arnold

Adam Rizbridger

Scott Norris has been building breathtaking homes in the Greater Grand Traverse Area since 1984.

231.946.6848 • ScottNorrisConstruction.com • 5111 Cedar Run Rd, Traverse City

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S P EC I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S ECT I O N

Where Craft Meets Creativity Where have all the craftspeople gone? Skilled artisan work is hard to find these days—unless you hire a team of talent that brings visions to life.

by MEAGAN FRANCIS

“Home”

has long been seen as a place to relax and escape from the stressors of the world. In our post-pandemic era, it’s also increasingly become a place to work and socialize.

It follows, then, that homeowners would also have a growing desire to feel a creative connection to their dwelling spaces.

Often that connection begins with the building and design process. In an age dominated by generic lookalike materials, a craft-first approach stands out, creating a deeper relationship between a space and the people who live in it.

photos courtesy of Scott Norris Construction

HOW COLLABORATION LEADS TO EMOTIONAL ENGAGEMENT

Scott Norris, owner of Scott Norris Construction, recalls a former customer’s reaction when asked to answer the question: If you had to pick one word to describe the building experience for your new home, what would it be? “He actually teared up a little bit,” recalls Norris. “He said it was deeply rewarding, and added that he wished he could do it again.”

That response isn’t surprising for Norris, who heads up a team of talented artisans and craftspeople who help bring home owners’ personalities to life in their most personal spaces. “I think when people are creative, they feel more alive. When people are able to be engaged on an emotional level, it really means something.”

Norris believes that engagement starts with taking a homeowner’s unique personality and life experiences and translating them into distinctive designs within the home.

And that begins with craft.

into tangible elements of a home.

For example, when a backsplash was needed behind one nature-loving homeowner’s stove, Norris recruited his sister, an artist, to imprint animal tracks into the tile so that it appeared a bird and a squirrel had walked across the wall. Another homeowner was delighted with the railings crafted from branches that Norris’ team found, peeled down and wrapped around a winding staircase. “We’re able to do all kinds of unusual, creative things,” says Norris. “We can really involve our clients’ imaginations, instead of being stuck with the standard mass-produced things you can buy online or at a big-box store.”

THE TEAM:

Some of the craftspeople at the heart of Scott Norris Construction include:

Lucas Johnson, a third-generation cabinet and furniture maker, offers this reason why he loves what he does: “As a woodworker, it’s my best expression of creativity and art.”

David Arnold, who runs the millwork shop, appreciates the natural beauty of wood and particularly enjoys the endless variety of creative ways it can be shaped and applied.

“David can create or re-create any profile from historic to modern millwork,” Norris says.

Chuck Jones, a finish carpenter with 15 years of experience in large timber joinery, is motivated by the sense of legacy his craft imbues. “These beautiful timber structures may well be standing for centuries to come,” he says.

YOUR CREATIVE CONCIERGE

With its millwork, welding, cabinet and timber frame shops in-house, the team has the capability to fabricate everything from custom furniture pieces to intricate metal railings. The dedication to customization extends beyond aesthetics; it involves problem-solving and figuring out how to turn ideas

Adam Rizbridger, who heads up the welding shop, puts his touch on all kinds of metalwork. “He’s a meticulously creative young man who can fabricate anything, from custom railings to unique shelf brackets, custom door pulls, or almost anything else a client could dream up,” says Norris.

MARCH 2024

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S P EC I A L A DV E RT I S I N G S ECT I O N

How to Find (Or Create!)

Your Up North Dream Home

A real-estate expert’s tips on making the most of a tight market.

by KIRSETIN K. MORELLO

After

photos courtesy of Venture Properties

Whether

it’s family time around a backyard fire pit, sunny days spent by picturesque lakeshores or toasts to friendship among sprawling vineyards, Northern Michigan is made for memories.

It’s not just Michiganders who appreciate what the region offers. CNN honored Northwest Michigan as one of three U.S. must-visit destinations in its “Where to go in 2024” article, highlighting its perennial natural beauty and the allure of its outstanding outdoor recreational activities.

But as much as people like to visit, they love to live here, too. In a tight market, like the one we’re Before seeing now, it’s more difficult for hopeful home buyers to find their desired property.

“With limited inventory, I encourage buyers to think outside the box,” says Kimberly Bork, broker/owner of Venture Properties, a boutique real estate brokerage that specializes in selling Northern Michigan residential waterfront, vacant land and commercial properties.

Venture Properties has helped numerous clients find their dream homes by listening to their wants and needs and working with them to make their dreams come true.

“There’s no charge to look at properties and discuss what could be,” Bork says.

Here, Bork shares four ways you can make your Up North dream home a reality—even in our current low inventory market.

2. Painting the Picture

1. Re-Evaluate Your Wish List

4. Pocket Listings

Sometimes it’s worth taking a second look at your “musthaves.” One Venture Properties client who was struggling to find a private waterfront home expanded their search. “They found a wonderful, move-in ready home that met everything else on their wish list,” Bork says. “They traded the private waterfront for west-facing panoramic views of the Manitou Islands and Good Harbor Bay. The home is located just around the corner from a gorgeous Lake Michigan beach they can enjoy and walk for miles.”

A “pocket listing” is when a real estate agent knows an owner who’s willing to sell their property for the right price, even though it’s not currently listed.

“This is another area where our local connections and long-standing relationships make a big difference. Venture Properties loves to connect the dots and bring buyers and sellers together. Despite higher interest rates, we are still experiencing high demand for private waterfront properties,” explains Bork. “We still need waterfront sellers.”

Sometimes a property has great bones and simply needs to be brought up to date with its fixtures and finishes. Bork provided virtual staging for her sellers who listed a ’70s ranch home on 50 acres with Venture Properties last summer. Virtual staging gives buyers the vision of what the space could be. Another Venture Properties client could see the potential and purchased the home.

With Bork’s help, the couple was connected to a local builder and is using innovative renovations to create their dream home. “They re-envisioned the attached twocar garage and are converting it into a stunning new living space.

There is a separate detached three-car garage so they are not sacrificing a garage,” Bork says.

“The private acreage? They’re adding a plunge pool and hot tub and renovating two older storage outbuildings to be fun bonus spaces.”

3. Create a Sale Sometimes the right offer can change a property’s status from not-for-sale to under-contract-with-you. If you see a property you love, it’s worth a try. With 44 years of local real estate expertise, Venture Properties’ relationships are a powerful asset in creating a sale.

“For a client we’ve worked with for the past twenty-fiveplus years, we approached another client of several years to see if they’d sell their second home. We asked them to name their price,” says Bork. “It worked. We created a win-win.”

MARCH 2024

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Kohlrabi overwinters well, and so I especially like it at this time of year when our palates are craving that bright pop of spring crunch.

photo by Sarah Peschel

—CULINARY COLUMNIST STACEY BRUGEMAN

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WHAT’S FOR LUNCH? THE CHEF’S IN P. 52 THE BUZZ AROUND TOWN P. 53 KOHLRABI SLAW WITH AVOCADO CREMA P. 54 MARCH 2024

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T he Cu l i nary North Served

WHERE LOCALS LUNCH

by CARLY SIMPSON

Craving a big, strapping sammie?

Luckily, the chef ’s in.

T

The Chef ’s In

519 W. Front St., Traverse City chefsindeli.com

Sara Gardinier

photos by Dave Weidner

hose of you who are familiar with the Facebook page “Overheard in Traverse City” know that it can be a place for … debate. Contentious debate. Residents here have strong opinions and aren’t afraid to share them.

It’s nearly unheard of for us Overhearders to agree on anything. There are a few exceptions though, including how much we love The Chef ’s In. The Front Street eatery has been a lunchtime institution since the ’80s, serving generously plump sandwiches on freshly baked rolls, daily soups and, perhaps most venerated of all, the salad bar.

A photo of the veggie-laden counter garnered nearly 400 likes on Facebook and more than 100 comments—all of them kind.

The kitchen is helmed by “The Sandwich Lady,” Sara Gardinier, who is quick to greet guests with a smile and even quicker on the line. Gardinier and her husband Kurt took over operations from Sara’s sister and brother-in-law, Theresa and Charlie McDonald, who opened The Chef ’s In in 1986 and ran it for 35 years.

My go-to: The honey turkey sandwich with lettuce, tomato and honey Dijon. More favorites: the Reuben, mushroom Swiss burger, turkey cheddar.

—

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SPONSORED

THE BUZZ AROUND TOWN A taste of the North's craft beverage scene.

FOUR LEAF BREWING IS FEELING LUCKY Alongside the annual Clare Irish Festival, Four Leaf Brewing is hosting a week-long celebration of everything Irish on March 11–16. Watch for a special Irish-inspired lighter roast ale that’ll be served at most Clare area watering holes, food specials (homemade soda beer bread with honey butter, corned beef cabbage dinners) and a full lineup of events at the microbrewery.

fourleafbrewing.com 3/11 Annual Irish Festival Beer Release 3/12 Irish Taco 3/13 Irish Brew Pub Trivia

3/14 Irish Folk Music 3/15 Irish Karaoke 3/16 Live Music All Day

VINO MADNESS AT SHADY LANE CELLARS During the start of March Madness (March 16–17), participating wineries on the Leelanau Peninsula Wine Trail, including Shady Lane Cellars, are pairing classic snacks with local wines. (Tickets available online at MyNorthTickets.com.) And while we love potato chips and pinot noir, we are especially delighted that Shady Lane Cellars is SIP Certified.

It’s one of four wineries in Michigan that have earned the “Sustainability in Practice” distinction. The Shady Lane team follows strict rules to protect people, planet and prosperity—encompassing everything from competitive wages and medical insurance for staff, to using alternative fuels and safe pest management.

shadylanecellars.com

Get Your Michigan Brewvine Passport An easy-to-use mobile passport packed with deals and specials at your favorite Michigan breweries, wineries, cideries and distilleries

photo by Rachel Soulliere

mibrewvine.com

MARCH 2024

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T he Cu l i nary North On the Table

TASTE OF SPRING

by STACEY BRUGEMAN

I

Find out why versatile kohlrabi is dubbed “the jicama of the North.”

seem to be a magnet for a friendly round of “stump the food writer.” Over the decades, I’ve attended a handful of dinner parties where the host intentionally served me fresh quince or bitter melon with the hopes that I might not be able to figure out what I was eating. I usually walk away with my pride still intact, but a Traverse City friend once got me.

On a summer afternoon during early Covid, our host started an outdoor luncheon with individual crudités platters.

Nestled among my colorful assortment of crunchy vegetables were long, white batons—mostly opaque but with a few whispers of translucency. They were sweet and crunchy. “It tastes like jicama,” I said, “but …” Before I could really think about it out loud, he’d already won the round. “It’s kohlrabi,” he said.

Motivated by that moment, I’ve been wanting to create a jicama-inspired recipe for kohlrabi ever since, and I’m not alone. “We call it the jicama of the North,” Loma Farm’s Nic Theisen recently told me of the bulbous brassica with a pale green or purple skin. Kohlrabi overwinters well, and so I especially like it at this time of year when our palates are craving that bright pop of spring crunch, even if it’s still acting like winter outside. This slaw of shaved kohlrabi and cabbage, avocado crema and toasted pepita seeds is great as a standalone side dish, used to top chorizo tacos or served alongside a sunny-side-up egg as part of a breakfast tostada. No matter how you plate it, it’s the perfect way to get a taste of spring.

Stacey Brugeman is a 20-year food and beverage journalist. Her work has appeared in Food & Wine, Saveur, Travel + Leisure, Eater, Midwest Living and on Instagram @staceybrugeman.

Sarah Peschel, @22speschel, is a stylist and photographer with an appreciation for all things local agriculture, food and drink.

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^ Kohlrabi Slaw with Avocado Crema Makes 12 ½-cup servings 1 just-ripe avocado ½ cup sour cream ½ cup heavy cream 1 lime, halved ½ teaspoon salt, divided ½ cup raw pepitas 1 bunch kohlrabi, trimmed, about 1 pound leafless bulbs 1 small red cabbage, about 1 pound 1 jalapeño, seeds removed and thinly sliced 1 cup cilantro, chopped 1. Using a spoon, scoop the pulp out of one avocado and place into a food processor, discarding the skin and pit. Add the sour cream and heavy cream and whiz the mixture, pulsing from time to time so as not to whip the cream, until the mixture is smooth throughout. Juice half of the lime, reserving the other half. Add scant Tablespoon lime juice and ¼ teaspoon salt to the crema and allow to sit and sour while you are making the slaw.

2. Warm a dry skillet over medium-high heat and toast the pepitas while shaking the pan, until the seeds are beginning to brown and just fragrant, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

3. Juice remaining lime half, pouring the juice into the bottom of a medium-sized bowl.

Using a sharp vegetable peeler, peel the outer layer off of the kohlrabi bulbs. Working with a mandolin or patient knife skills, julienne the kohlrabi into small batons that are the size of wooden matchsticks. Add to the bowl with the lime juice and toss to combine.

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5. Serve the slaw as a side dish, atop tacos or as the star ingredient in breakfast tostadas—garnishing the final dish with the remaining crema.– S.B.

photo and styling by Sarah Peschel

4. Trim off the base of the red cabbage, and remove the three outer leaves. Cutting perpendicular to the freshly cut base, halve the cabbage. Now working parallel to the cut base, thinly slice the cabbage halves into ribbons, producing about 4 cups of shaved cabbage. Add the cabbage, jalapeño, cilantro, toasted pepitas, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and most of the crema to the kohlrabi, reserving several spoonfuls of crema for garnish.

MARCH 2024

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Love of the Land

get there

photo by Dave Weidner

BIG SABLE POINT LIGHTHOUSE Sure, you could wait for the summer crowds, but why not enjoy a leisurely off-season hike to one of the most iconic lights in the North? No matter the weather, the two-mile sandy trek to Big Sable Point Lighthouse in Ludington State Park is well worth the Lake Michigan views (lingering snow and ice only add to the drama of the 112-foot-tall, black-and-white tower). Warm up with a post-hike latte at Red Rooster Coffee and check out their featured St. Paddy’s Day drinks, offered all month long.

Or, turn your trip into a weekend-long journey and explore the other five lighthouses guarding the stretch of shoreline between Frankfort and Mears. –ALLISON JARRELL ACOSTA

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