TheGood Seed

tomer satisfaction. And the TC Best Western, also run by Mowczan’s company, Summerside Properties, has won a Chairman’s Award for six years running, a feat that’s “almost unheard of,” says Ron Robinson, director of hotel operations for Summerside. “That’s one of the oldest properties in the chain. It doesn’t even have an elevator or other things hotels have today. It’s all about the service, making people feel welcome, making them feel at home.”—J.S.

Back in the day, a farming region naturally evolved a local seed stock tailored to the particulars of its growing conditions. Farmers kept seeds from their biggest and best produce. They traded seeds with other farmers at seed exchanges. Each year, produce improved.

But then, same ole tale … big companies took over, farmers bought seed from national suppliers, and the connection to specific regions vanished. Now Benzie farmer Craig Schaaf and his compadres in the local organic farming movement have set out to take the venerable seed exchange idea and go digital with it: a web-based seed exchange where farmers can buy and sell seeds from produce that grew grand and luscious right here in Northwest Michigan.

For consumers, especially local foods mavens like chef Myles Anton at Trattoria Stella, the seed exchange will mean steady progress in quality of produce. And for farmers, it could mean more income. “A butternut squash sells for about 75 cents,” Schaaf says, “but it has about $24 worth of seeds in it.” Check the exchange at MLUI.org.—J.S.

SUNDAY

EDITED BY MONTEREY WHEELER

TUESDAY

Save Yourself a Trip!

Find more information on these events at MyNorth.com, and call ahead to verify all times and dates.

Foodie alert: Chateau Chantal’s cooking class, Techniques of Italian Cooking, sends out an aromatic message, buon appetito! Traverse City, 800-969-4009, chateauchantal.com. AND MORE ors American jazz 231-941-8082,

River North Chicago Dance Company honors American jazz composer Miles Davis. City Opera House, Traverse City, 231-941-8082, cityoperahouse.org.

DANCE

Saddle up with the Brown Bag Book Club to discuss Half Broke Horses at Traverse Area District Library. 231-932-8500, tadl.org.

LITERARY

Jump on Route 66 for a 1940’s musical revue at Interlochen. In the Mood takes you back to the big band sounds that inspired the nation during WWII. 800-681-5920, interlochen.org.

MUSIC

Springtime brings

Springtime brings romance and Chamber Music North delivers with Purely Romantic, selections by the great romantic composers. Milliken Auditorium, Traverse City, 800-836-0717, cham bermusicnorth.com.

MUSIC

Fill ‘em up for the Fresh Food Partnership could be the slogan at the Empty Bowls fundraising event. Traverse City, 231929-3696, freshfood partnership.org. AND MORE

Easter

Amical’s Cookbook Dinner Series revolutionizes some simple and delicious meals

Amical’s Cookbook Dinner Series revoluand delicious meals à la Jamie Oliver’s Jamie’s Food Revolution Traverse City, 231-941-8888, amical.com.

AND MORE

“Streeters’ Got Talent” and you do too. Grab a mic and show your stuff tonight and every Thursday. Traverse City, 231-932-1300, groundzeroonline.com.

LOUNGE SCENE

20 Sleeping Bear Dunes comes alive in Reflections by the Bay’s presentation, “Historic Structures in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.” Frankfort, 231-352-4671, benzieshoreslibrary.org. AND MORE

National Arbor Day is this month, the perfect time to pick out a seedling at Boardman River Nature Center’s annual sale. Traverse City, 231-941-0960, NatureisCalling.org.

NATURE

“Bodies

NATIONAL ARBOR DAY

Traverse City, 231-995-1055, dennosmuseum.org.

ART

The Second City:

Fair & Unbalanced is second to none when it comes to improv. Stumble onto their act at Milliken Auditorium in Traverse City, 231-995-1553, dennosmuseum.org.

THEATER