Northern Express

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RestauranTour Issue

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GET LEAN ON THE FARM How a near-environmental disaster spawned Grass River Natural Area NORTHERN MICHIGAN’S WEEKLY • may 13 - may 19, 2019 • Vol. 29 No. 19

“Fun is Here!”

Play Keno • Buzztime Trivia • Watch the Game

DINE IN - TAKE OUT - DELIVERY “Serving Good Food & Good Friends” since 1983

“BRING YOUR FAMILY, BRING YOUR FRIENDS, BRING YOUR TEAM” 525 High Lake Road, TC 231.941.0313 • peegeos.com

Hours: SU & M, 11am-10pm • T, W, TH, SA, 11am-11pm, • F, 11am-12 am

Preventing and Treating Stroke Neurologist shares key information, treatment options at Mini Expo Stroke is the fifth-leading cause of death in the United States, but up to 80 percent of strokes can be prevented.

Kersti Bruining, MD

As part of National Stroke Awareness Month, Munson Medical Center neurologist Kersti Bruining, MD, will share important information on how to prevent a stroke, as well as the latest treatment options.

Mini Expo Gather information and tips from representatives of Munson Medical Center’s Stroke Program and various departments: • Advance Care Planning • Food and Nutrition

Tuesday, May 21

• Grand Traverse Area Stroke Club

5:30 - 8 pm 6 - 7 pm

• Mary Free Bed at Munson Medical Center Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit

Mini Expo Talk by Kersti Bruining, MD, Medical Director, Munson Medical Center’s Stroke Program

• Brain Injury and Neurologic Rehabilitation Services

Cowell Family Cancer Center | Conference Rooms 1 - 2

• Community Health Library

217 S. Madison Street, Traverse City, MI

• Munson Healthcare Home Health • Stroke Community Education • Stroke Nursing Unit

2 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

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driver’s license, and in some cities, you can even vote. You will find that we have spent billions of dollars printing documents in your language so you will not be impeded in availing yourself of these taxpayer-provided perks. And, if by some happenstance you are apprehended and told that you must return to your country, the ninth circuit court of appeals has ruled (legislated) that you have a right to appeal. The taxpayers will, of course, pay for your lawyer and legal fees. By the way, you can also proudly carry the flag of the country you left and parade down our streets expressing your contempt for America.

You must show identification to board a plane, cash a check, buy liquor, or rent a video, but demanding identification to vote is considered discriminatory against illegal aliens.

Recently a Charlevoix fish wholesaler was fined $1 million and given a year imprisonment for purchasing $22,000 worth of illegally caught fish. When was the last time an illegal alien was fined or imprisoned for using fake identification or breaking into our country?

Why wouldn’t the hordes want to come to America? Only a half-wit would try coming here legally. Why wait for years, fill out complicated forms, and provide proof that you have skills that will make you a productive citizen? Who needs the hassle?

Just set foot on American soil and enjoy the dream.

Our country was founded by geniuses, but we are governed by contemptible fools!

Herb Friske, Petoskey

Coincidence? I think not.

A wise sage once said “Knowledge is power.” I believe this to be true. However, since the last presidential election, this axiom had been under constant attack. One could think we may be looking at the swamp being “drained,” but are we seeing what is happening? There are so many coincidental events occurring that do not bode well for our democracy.

For example, the White House has announced that it will withdraw from the US Signature of the Arms Trade Treaty, occurring at the same time of the recent NRA convention. This follows the withdrawal of the Paris Agreement in June 2017 and the Intermediate Range Missile Treaty. More can be learned by checking: www.controlarms.org.

Add in the Mueller Report results, which at this point in time, is a non-report, full of lawyer doubletalk by the attorney general, acting as the defense attorney for President Trump. Indeed, complicated problems, and it seems the U.S. with these moves is more interested in economic affairs than human rights.

Staying informed is a must; the road to redemption will be very bumpy until the next election as the White House and Congress are at a stalemate.

Thomas E. Hagan, Empire

Crime and Punishment If an American illegally entered Mexico, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, or most any other country, they would be arrested, imprisoned, and possibly executed.

What are the consequences of entering America illegally? The chances are excellent that you will receive subsidized housing, free medical care, free education, food stamps, a

Cheating Labels One of the ways that companies “cheat” the public is to reduce the size of the product and raise the price at the same time. This has always been announced as the “new” whatever. One of the first memories that I had of this bait-andswitch con job as a child was the “new” Tootsie Roll.

Just recently, I purchased what used to be a five-quart plastic carton of vanilla cream from a warehouse superstore. I always save the five-quart ice cream tubs with the others from past purchases only to discover that it was considerably smaller.

Looking on the label, it no longer says “five quarts” but instead is being hawked as “family sized.

Size is not the only deception in this game. Over the years, companies also decrease the quality of the product with cheaper fillers, which contributes to the obesity epidemic, all in the name of profit.

I can choose not to buy a Tootsie Roll, but we are stuck with this sitting president for the next four to eight years. Perhaps we should refer to President Trump as the Tootsie Roll president?

William E. Scott, Traverse City Correction: In the May 6 issue story “Mysterious Rise of a Cell Tower,” we referred to Gregory Hanlin as a real estate broker and appraiser. He is an associate broker for Mark Hagan, and formerly an appraiser. — Ed.

CONTENTS Meet features Northern Seen

Crime and Rescue Map......................................7 Legendary Dishes................................................10 The Grass River Natural Area..........................16 Birch & Maple.............................................19 LEAN on the Farm.........................................21 Don’t Ride 100 Miles for a Banana..................25 Seen............................................................32 Restaurant Roudup........................................34

Like nothing dates................................................39-42 you’ve seen before music A real-time, 24/7 online feed of social media posts we love from throughout northern Michigan Incorporating Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter An endless scroll of posts, accounts, friends and hashtags we follow Also now available: secure one of the top three positions for your company (ask us at info@northernexpress. com)

Four Score.....................................................44 Nightlife.........................................................45

columns & stuff Top Ten...........................................................5

Spectator/Stephen Tuttle....................................6 Modern Rock/Kristi Kates................................43 Film................................................................46 Crossword...................................................48 Freewill Astrology..........................................49 Classifieds..................................................50

Check out Northern Seen at northernexpress.com

Northern Express Weekly is published by Eyes Only Media, LLC. Publisher: Luke Haase 129 E Front Traverse City, MI 49684 Phone: (231) 947-8787 Fax: 947-2425 email: info@northernexpress.com www.northernexpress.com Executive Editor: Lynda Twardowski Wheatley Finance & Distribution Manager: Brian Crouch Sales: Kathleen Johnson, Lisa Gillespie, Kaitlyn Nance, Mike Bright, Michele Young, Randy Sills, Todd Norris For ad sales in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne & Charlevoix, call (231) 838-6948 Creative Director: Kyra Poehlman Graphic Design: Kristen Rivard Distribution: Matt Ritter, Randy Sills, Kirk Hull, Kimberly Sills, Gary Twardowski, Eric Cox, Listings Editor: Jamie Kauffold Reporter: Patrick Sullivan Contributors: Amy Alkon, Rob Brezsny, Ross Boissoneau, Jennifer Hodges, Kristi Kates, Dani Horvath, Michael Phillips, Craig ManningSteve Tuttle, Meg Weichman Copyright 2019, all rights reserved. Distribution: 36,000 copies at 600+ locations weekly. Northern Express Weekly is free of charge, but no person may take more than one copy of each weekly issue without written permission of Northern Express Weekly. Reproduction of all content without permission of the publisher is prohibited.

Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 3

this week’s

top ten carrot top The Little River Casino Resort, Manistee welcomes Scott “Carrot Top” Thompson on Sat., May 18 at 5pm. Laugh it up as this red-haired king of prop comedy unpacks loads of crazy props and wacky inventions. Tickets: $45, $55, $60. lrcr.com

Cadillac Gem Recognized by State Kudos to the Cobbs and Mitchell Building in Cadillac — it’s one of six structures across Michigan to receive the Governor’s Awards for Historic Preservation.

The building’s renovation was led by Grand Rapids developer Robb Munger, who in recent years has launched several redevelopment projects around Cadillac. Munger spent more than a year restoring the structure, a 1907 classical revival building, which was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places but had sat vacant for a decade.

The Cobbs and Mitchell restoration project was profiled in “Could Cadillac Once Again Live Up to its Name?” in the Aug. 25 edition of Northern Express.

“Historic structures and archaeological sites help to anchor our communities,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at a special ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda hosted by the State Historic Preservation Office. “These projects contribute to our economy and strengthen the neighborhoods we call home. When we can educate people about our state’s unique past and inspire curiosity in new skills that could lead to job opportunities, we are helping to build a stronger Michigan.”

4

In her now-notorious Longroads essay, literary livewire Michele Filgate reflects on how years of abuse at the hands of her stepfather influenced her relationship with her mother.

When the essay went viral, she knew she’d hit the literal motherload. The resulting anthology, “What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About: Fifteen Writers Break the Silence,” is everything we ever wished we could share with our moms set in print and bound in hardcover. With narratives ranging from hilarious to heartfelt, this highly anticipated essay collection showcases 14 skillful storytellers in exploration of motherhood and all of its magnitude. Maybe a Mother’s Day gift … or conversational icebreaker?

2 tastemaker

Johan’s Sour Cream Old Fashioned

Johan’s Pastry Shop in Petoskey should be mildly ashamed of itself for its obnoxiously fresh offering of mouthwateringly delicious donuts, cakes, breads, and other delights. But of particular offense to the vigilant waist-watcher is Johan’s incredible sour cream old fashioned donut ($2). Now, don’t go mistaking this donut for some bland bit of batter that tastes like ancestory.com. No. While it truly is an anachronistic treat (dating back to 1829!), the Johan’s version offers an uberrich sweetness punctuated by a crunchy, carbuncular exterior that affords great texture. Deep-frying this donut variety at lower temperatures produces the jagged surface eruptions, resulting in satisfyingly crispy edges — a bit of an anomaly in the donut world, since most are soft. These brittle edges, however, drizzled as they are with a super-sweet vanilla glaze, contrast nicely with the donut’s soft, yellow, cakey interior, the batter for which is enriched with sour cream, and sometimes buttermilk. While some may startle at its $2 price tag, fear not. This is no feathery trifle of a pastry. Nay. A rich, hefty round cake is what your $2 earns. But, don’t take my word for it.

Go taste how wrong — and right — it is for yourself. Johan’s Pastry Shop, 565 W. Mitchell, Petoskey. 231-347-3815

4 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

Hey, read it!

What My Mother and I Don’t Talk About

5

6

Silent Ride to Remember Planned

The Cherry Capital Cycling Club will take part in an international event to remember cyclists who have been injured or killed on the road.

The Ride of Silence takes place at 7pm May 15 in Traverse City.

Bill Danly, the club’s president, said the past year has been an important one for bicycle safety in Michigan — a “safe passing” bill became law and requires motorists to keep at least three feet away from cyclists as they pass them.

“This is an important safety concern for our club because we conduct road rides throughout the season and also host two of the biggest bike tours in the region,” Danly said.

(Read about upcoming bike races on p. 25 of this issue.)

The silent ride begins near the Filling Station in the former train depot at the south end of Boardman Lake in Traverse City. All riders are welcome, whether they are Cherry Capital club members or not.

Stuff we love Broad Stripes, Bright Stars & Lil’ Spitters Traverse City’s new baseball team, the Pit Spitters, is offering area youngsters an opportunity to take the field. The Baseball Buddies program invites members of local Little League teams to join the Pit Spitters before the game. Each child will get to run onto the field with a Pit Spitters player, hear their name announced over the PA system, and get to stand next to their designated Pit Spitter for the national anthem. “Our goal is to make every game memorable for all of the fans,” said Pit Spitters Promotions Manager Britani Eaton. “This will give area kids a memory they’ll never forget.” There will be one team per game, so space is limited. Visit www.pitspitters.com for packages and to request a game date. The Pit Spitters open their inaugural season Tuesday, 7pm May 28, against the Green Bay Booyah.

Free Haircuts!

More than 1,500 local folks are diagnosed with cancer each year, so chances are good that you know someone who not only has fought cancer but also has been helped with cash raised through North Peak’s annual Mohawks for Munson fundraiser. In the last four years, the event has raised more than $60,000 — every penny of which has gone directly to the Patient Cancer Needs Fund, which helps cover costs for transportation, mortgage payments, utilities, childcare, copays, coinsurance, and more for patients who are undergoing treatment and unable to work. This year, North Peak’s goal is to raise over $20,000 for Munson hospitals and the Cowell Family Cancer Center’s PCN funds. Sound huge? It is — but the needs for their funds are even bigger, about $170,000 annually. Whether you volunteer or offer up your melon for a money-makin’ mohawk, your help is welcome at the event. It happens noon to 4pm May 18 at North Peak in Traverse City and features — besides public head shaving, of course — delicious BBQ, live music, free Moomers ice cream, a bounce house, and face-painting, plus crafts and a faux-hawk styling station for kids. Register your head or a team of them by emailing megan@ missionrestaurantgroup.com. Learn more about the event by searching Mohawks for Munson 2019 on Facebook.

Bottoms up Petoskey Farms’ 2018 La Crescent

8 Available online or in-store.

Open 7 days a week.

E N BA N G L MICHIGA LE T $12 BRACE

www.hullsoffrankfort.com

The quietly but quickly growing Bay View Wine Trail is under the radar no more. Thanks to a fresh rebrand, the now 12-member group of wineries near the Tip of the Mitt — think Ellsworth, Alanson, Harbor Springs, Petoskey, and Walloon — is now the (exceptionally SEOand wine-lover-friendly) Petoskey Wine Region. If you haven’t already stumbled upon their website, the unforgettable petoskey.wine, head there to get in on the gang’s latest news, upcoming events, and link to each winery. Every one has great wines on offer, but our favorite for a sunny, almost-summer day: Petoskey Farms’ 2018 La Crescent. A semi-sweet white with light notes of pineapple, honeydew, and wildflower, it’s well-balanced, with medium body, and, as it turns out, the ideal mate to watch absolutely no clouds roll by. Get some at Petoskey Farms’ downtown tasting room, 207A Howard St., in Petoskey, (231) 290-9463; or just outside of town, at the vineyard and winery, 3720 Atkins Rd. (231) 290-9463.

Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 5

NOTHING UNCONSTITUTIONAL ABOUT IT spectator

by Stephen Tuttle

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A discussion about free speech is always a good idea. Even the president is deeply concerned. Deeply. His current angst was spawned after Facebook and Instagram (Instagram is owned by Facebook) banished several darlings of the very far right.

The president has previously complained about alleged social media censorship and other alleged shenanigans he believes somehow disadvantage him and his followers.

He says we have something in this country called free speech, then wonders why no radical left-wingers were banned and why conservatives don’t get “equal time.” That he makes these claims on social media seems lost on him.

But the Fairness Doctrine was repealed by the FCC in 1987, during the Reagan Administration, because they said it had failed in its mission to encourage the balanced discussion of controversial issues.

The First Amendment says “Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech … ” And, in fact, Congress has made no law. But the private sector can and does abridge free speech constantly, and legally.

Social media are private-sector enterprises. We use those platforms with their permission, not by right. We agree to abide by their policies and terms of use despite the fact hardly any of us have ever read them. Had we done so, we would have discovered most reserve the right to remove us should we violate those terms, which include their own forms of a speech code.

There is nothing unconstitutional about this. They aren’t the government. The First Amendment says “Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech … ” And, in fact, Congress has made no law. But the private sector can and does abridge free speech constantly, and legally.

If you work for a company of any size, there is a good chance you have some kind of employee handbook dictating, among other things, behavior it considers detrimental to company business. That likely includes social media posts. The government can’t stop you from saying most anything you want, but your employer can stop you from working there.

Large corporations with sizable human resources departments now routinely check social media during the hiring process. And they need not ignore your snarky posts or raunchy photos when making their decision.

The president’s musings about radical leftwingers is fair enough. The obvious answer is that, as offensive and ludicrous as the left can be, and despite their constant criticisms of the president, they aren’t in the same league as those he now defends.

Among those given the boot by Facebook/ Instagram were Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, whose venomous anti-Semitism should have been banned long ago; Milos Yiannopoulos who, among other outrages, once advocated pedophilia; and Alex Jones, who lies about murdered children and their families and every other tragedy since 9/11.

6 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

There is no such thing as “equal time.” The president is likely referring to a bygone era.

There used to be something called the Fairness Doctrine. In 1949, at the dawn of television, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) promulgated the Fairness Doctrine. If you had or wanted a broadcast license, you were required to report controversial issues, including elections, in a way that was “honest, equitable and balanced.”

The social media sites determined they and others were “dangerous.” Those sites have the right to do that.

If such a rule existed today — and attempts have been routinely made to legislate it back into existence — most of Fox News and MSNBC could not broadcast at all. And such government intrusions run dangerously close to or well over the constitutional line.

The president makes a better argument when he rails against censorship on college and university campuses and the way they consistently squeeze out conservative speakers and ideas. We don’t just ostracize them; we try to banish words they might use. We call them “trigger words” and provide “safe spaces” to which the offended can flee. You know, just like in the real world for which they’re being prepared.)

The president could have made an additional valid censorship point had he dropped down to K-12 education; schools are still banning books.

In 2018, schools banned books discussing LGBT issues (because they might “confuse” children), books featuring same sex parents, books they believed “promoted Islam,” and a couple books about refugee children in the Middle East said to “foment terrorism,” And, for the umpteenth year in a row, making the top 10 of books banned in schools was “To Kill A Mockingbird.” After all, it uses the N-word and contains violence.

Never mind that it’s an important American literary classic with about a year’s worth of teachable moments.

The president doesn’t understand the realities of speech restrictions on social media and is about three decades late with his demands for equal time. He doesn’t care about banning books because he’s not a reader.

But he’s been right about speech issues on campus, and that’s a discussion worth having.

Let’s start by acknowledging what the Constitution actually says.

Surely someone at the White House already knows all this. They should probably tell the president.

Crime & Rescue TWO FACE HEADPHONE THEFT CHARGES Two men face charges after sign-in sheets and surveillance video connected them to stolen headphones at the Traverse Area District Library’s main branch.

Robert Lee Alvarado, 32, faces charges of larceny in a building, a four-year felony, and being a four-time habitual offender, a status which could increase the maximum penalty to 15 years.

A library supervisor told police that after a pair of headphones went missing April 30, the computer lab sign-in sheet and surveillance video connected the theft to Alavardo. When a Traverse City Police officer reached him by phone, he admitted to taking the item, according to the charges.

In a separate case, 28-year-old Matthew William Stamp faces charges of larceny in a building and being a three-time habitual offender; he faces a maximum of eight years in prison for allegedly stealing headphones April 22.

Stamp also was connected to the missing headphones through a sign-in sheet and surveillance, according to the charges.

HUMAN REMAINS FOUND State police are looking for answers after cremated human remains were found in a plastic bag in a rural Emmet County township.

Troopers were called May 6 to West Townline Road in Friendship Township, between Harbor Springs and Cross Village, after the suspicious item was discovered. Staff from a funeral home helped them confirm the contents of the bag were human remains.

Investigators are now trying to figure out how those human remains got there and who they belong to. Anyone with information should call the Gaylord post at (989) 732-5141.

LOTS OF METH LEADS TO ARRESTS Police found half-pound of crystal meth and hundreds in counterfeit cash when they raided a house in Blair Township.

Traverse Narcotics Team officers and Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s deputies took a search warrant to the home on Astro Drive April 30.

Inside an open safe in a bedroom, as well as elsewhere in the house, officers found a large amount of meth, $1,800 in counterfeit cash, and an unregistered handgun.

Police arrested a couple who were at the house, Brian Conrad, 28, of Grand Rapids, and Nicole Hastings, 30, of Traverse City, on drug and weapons charges. They were arraigned May 3.

MORE ACCUSED COUNTERFEITERS CHARGED Two more suspects have been arrested in yet another northern Michigan counterfeiting case.

Two downstate residents suspected of passing fake $100 in March were arrested following a Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s

by patrick sullivan psullivan@northernexpress.com

investigation.

Vinlea Rene Winter, 19, was arrested in Ypsilanti by the United States Secret Service on May 2, and Eddie B. Simmons III, 22, was arrested in Jackson by Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies on April 30.

The pair face charges of conducting criminal enterprises, possession of counterfeit note with intent to utter and publish, possession of counterfeit bank, state, or municipal bills, and uttering and publishing.

DRIVER WHO SKIPPED TOWN SENTENCED A Charlevoix man who has a rap sheet that includes seven misdemeanor and 19 felony convictions got 16 months to two years in prison for a skirmish with police during a traffic stop in 2017.

Christopher Milan Kroll was sentenced May 8 for two counts of resisting and obstructing and drunk driving, according to Charlevoix County Prosecutor Allen Telgenhof.

The now-40-year-old was pulled over by City of Charlevoix Police in December 2017 for driving 68mph in a 35mph zone on Petoskey Avenue.

Kroll was uncooperative during the arrest, spitting at officers, refusing sobriety tests, and blocking the patrol car door from closing him into the backseat.

While the case was pending, Kroll skipped town. He was arrested in Kent County and prosecuted there in a separate case for possession of methamphetamine and firstdegree shoplifting. He was sentenced to prison on those charges in December. He still faces an additional charge of absconding from bond in Charlevoix County.

TEACHER FACES CHILD ABUSE CHARGE A teacher at Wolverine Elementary School faces child abuse charges.

Jennifer Sumbera faces a charge of fourthdegree child abuse following an investigation by the state police into an incident that occurred on April 9.

Troopers were called to the school to investigate a child abuse allegation against the 44-year-old Wolverine woman, who was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. A report was sent to Cheboygan County prosecutors, who decided to charge Sumbera with a one-year misdemeanor. She was arraigned May 1.

ATV DRIVER STRUCK BY PICKUP State police were called to a crash in March on Prospect Street near Spring Street in Onekama. An ATV driver, whom investigators determined had been struck by a Jeep, was seriously injured.

Police also determined that the driver of the Jeep had accelerated out of his driveway so fast that he left a skid mark before crashing into the ATV driver. Afterward, he backed into his driveway and went into his house without offering aid to the ATV driver or calling for help, police said.

The case went to Manistee County prosecutors for review. The driver, 83-year-old Albert Earl Brown, was charged in April with one count of reckless driving causing serious impairment and one count of failure to stop at a crash. Brown was arraigned May 1.

emmet cheboygan charlevoix

antrim

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benzie

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missaukee

crawfor D

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Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 7

DON’T HANDCUFF TAXPAYERS, ANTRIM COUNTY opinion

bY Donna Gundle-Krieg

Now Accepting New Patients.

The Antrim County Commissioners are working on very expensive plans for new and/or upgraded facilities including a jail, administrative building, courthouse, sheriff ’s office, and more. Estimates for these renovations or new buildings range from $40 to $76 million, according to the Antrim County Facilities Master Plan.

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Before deciding on which option to pursue, commissioners should consider the impact on taxpayers and affected business owners. In addition, commissioners should responsibly manage the building process as well as the properties that we are entrusting to them. It’s hard to feel good about a huge government building project when they have let current facilities deteriorate to the point that $40 million renovations or all-new buildings are “necessary.”

Dr. Eby

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Consideration of the county taxpayers is vital.

In fact, does Antrim County even have millions of dollars to pay for this? Commissioner Ed Boettcher said, “There may be the need for a bond or millage for partial funding, but we may be able to fund from our budget. This will be a long-term project.”

Of course it will be easier for the commissioners if they can figure out how to fund this project without a millage or bond; because it will be tough to convince voters. Just because “we” have funds in the county coffers to fund such a mammoth project is no reason to freely spend the money.

Libertarians such as myself believe in the option of lowering our taxes and giving taxpayers back some of our hard-earned dollars.

Four options for the project were presented following a recent public survey: • Option F, $40.2 million: Renovate existing jail and administrative campus.

Therefore, the impact on all county taxpayers should be the most important factor in the decision. Commissioners should also consider the economic impact. Increasing the size of the jail and police station definitely affects surrounding businesses.

For example, Joe Short of Short’s Brewing Company wants to see any plans benefit downtown Bellaire. “I’m a big fan of relocating and building off-site … we’re running low on downtown storefronts,” he explained.

It is true that downtown business owners and groups have worked hard to create a desirable and walkable downtown that’s attractive to tourists. Moving some or all government buildings would help alleviate the shortage of storefronts and parking.

However, should we trust our commissioners to properly manage new buildings? For some reason, we trust their expensive consultants when they determine that county government needs more space. It seems to be a given that “significant upgrades are needed at county buildings.”

My question: If these buildings have been properly maintained, why do they need significant upgrades?

Also, why are commissioners now moving toward demolishing the building at 101 Depot Street in Bellaire? Two years ago, they purchased the 28-year-old building for $495,000. For some reason, the heat was left off this winter. The water damage was so extensive that the building now needs to be destroyed.

• Option G, $75.9 million: Construct all-new county buildings on a new site behind the Antrim County Animal Shelter.

Administrator Pete Garwood claimed “Demolishing the buildings was the plan when we bought the building.” Yet they paid above market price for a building that was perfectly fine when it was privately owned.

• Option H, $42.8 million: Build new jail and sheriff ’s office on the new site and renovate the current administrative and courthouse buildings.

This debacle is just another example of how people in government tend to spend other people’s money freely and irresponsibly.

Antrim County taxpayers deserve better.

• Option I, $50.2 million: Build new jail and sheriff ’s office off-site and rebuild administrative building.

The commissioners should spend our money wisely, as if it were their own, with consideration for all taxpayers living in the county. Option F or H are preferable as the least expensive options, and they should be evaluated in more detail for comparison.

Option H was preferred by last year’s survey participants, most of whom were from Bellaire.

However, commissioners need to consider input from all areas of the county, not just Bellaire. Of course, Bellaire residents and business owners have been the most vocal and prefer the option of relocating the jail and sheriff ’s department.

For a mere $2 million more than Option F, they can have new buildings and remove this undesirable element from downtown.

Sometimes it does make sense in the longterm to spend more on rebuilding rather than renovating. As a real estate broker, I have seen many people start remodeling projects, only to eventually ask, “Why not just knock it down and start over?”

Let’s face it: We would all love to have newly built homes and offices. However, we can’t always have what we want. Many of the people

8 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

who would foot the bill of the new county project live in houses or buildings that aren’t new and shiny.

We do not need to build the newest, biggest, and best of everything for our government workers and prisoners at the expense of the taxpayers. And government buildings and jails should not interfere with a thriving downtown dependent on tourists.

Last but not least, regardless of which option they choose, the commissioner’s plans should include proper maintenance and management of current and future buildings.

Donna Gundle-Krieg, Owner and Broker of DEK Realty in Mancelona, is the District 1 Representative for the Libertarian Party of Michigan. She is the Chairperson of the newly formed Northwest Michigan Libertarian Party (NWMLP). Email her at dokrieg@gmail.com.

Creme de la Weird In St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, Lucas Dawe, 20, appeared in court on April 11 to face charges of possessing stolen skeletal remains.

According to court documents reported by The Chronicle Herald, Dawe is suspected of stealing a skeleton, estimated to be more than 100 years old, from the All Saints Parish cemetery. The skeleton was found along a walking trail on April 6, and police were led to Dawe after an anonymous witness reported seeing him licking the bones. He was also charged with interfering with human remains, after he was accused of boiling the bones and drinking the water.

What’s in a Name?

Residents of a particular neighborhood in the Denver suburb of Cherry Hills Village may not have ever known the name of their subdivision: It didn’t appear on signs, but could be found in the fine print of real estate documents. Nonetheless, the Cherry Hills Village City Council voted unanimously on April 16 to change the neighborhood’s name from Swastika Acres to Old Cherry Hills. Councilman Dan Sheldon explained that the name came from the Denver Land Swastika Co., which divided the land into plots in the early 20th century, before the Nazis appropriated the symbol: “There was nothing wrong with (the name) at that time,” Sheldon told KDVR-TV. Only one resident opposed the name change, Sheldon said. “She thought it was important to preserve that historical value of that symbol ... even though she herself lost family members in the Holocaust.”

Florida.

Some days everything goes right. So it was for the Polk County Sheriff ’s officers who responded to a call on March 24 from Marta Diaz in Winter Haven, Florida. Diaz’s car, a tan Jeep Patriot, had been stolen earlier in the day. As the officers took Diaz’s statement, that same tan Jeep pulled up in front of the house, and Ronnie Dillon Willis, 25, emerged, telling deputies he was “looking for his cellular phone, which was pinging back to the residence,” reported the Miami Herald. Diaz told the officers she didn’t know Willis but had seen him earlier on her street. Willis told the officers he woke up that morning at that location, inside a vehicle, but he wasn’t sure if it was the Jeep or a minivan also parked there. He knocked on the door of the house, but when no one answered, he took the Jeep to look for his phone, which was missing. The deputies arrested Willis for grand theft of a motor vehicle; Willis also had a suspended license, for which he received a traffic citation.

Latest Religious Messages Over Easter weekend, hundreds of people visited a gum tree in a suburb of Perth, Australia, after the tree appeared to start “weeping” on Good Friday, which the faithful took to be a divine sign. For three days, the tree continued to leak water from a branch stump, provoking people to drink the “holy” water and bathe in it.

“What made it exciting yesterday, a man decided to take all his clothes off and have a shower,” remarked neighbor Jacqui Bacich to 9News.

The excitement died down after the Water Corporation discovered the tree’s roots had wrapped around a cracked iron water pipe about a foot underground, and the leaking water had slowly filled up a hollow part of the trunk.

What Goes Up ...

Two years ago, 39-year-old Dion Callaway was attempting a high-speed landing after skydiving at the Cloverdale Municipal Airport in Sonoma County, California, when he shattered his left heel and eventually having to have his leg

amputated below the knee. On April 21, the Santa Rosa resident was back at it, skydiving, when he lost his leg again — his $15,000 prosthetic leg “just flew off,” Callaway told the Press Democrat. “I’ve jumped with the prosthetic before, but a rush of air got inside this time. I tried to watch where it was falling, but ... I could not keep track.” Early the next morning, workers at Redwood Empire lumberyard spotted something they first thought was a soda can. Yard production manager Micah Smith said his first reaction was, “Oh, that’s not a soda can, that’s a leg ... where’s the rest?” The story ended happily after Smith called the sheriff ’s office, where Callaway picked up his leg later that day. “Skydiving is my everything,” Callaway said.

“I always seem to come back to it. ... Must Come Down Members of England’s Colchester United Football Club were confused by the cheeseburger they found on the pitch at their training ground in March. “When we discovered the burger ... we weren’t quite sure what to think,” media manager Matt Hudson told Sky News. But Tom Stanniland, who was tracking the burger, knew exactly what had happened and called the club to explain. “I sent a burger into space using a weather balloon,” Stanniland said. “It had gone about 24 miles up and the weather balloon popped. It’s ... traveled over 100 miles and landed.” The burger was attached with a zip tie to a styrofoam box fitted with a GoPro camera and a tracking device.

Stanniland took a bite out of the burger after retrieving it, but wasn’t impressed: “That’s not nice,” he said.

Update The news on Easter was full of videos of the man in a bunny costume involved in a brawl in Orlando, Florida, who claimed innocence by saying he was defending a woman who had been spit on. “I am the type of person who avoids fights by any means necessary, but in that situation, I would fight any day,” 20-year-old Antoine McDonald told the media. But the Tampa Bay Times reports McDonald has a rap sheet that belies this chivalrous image. The Pasco County Sheriff ’s Office said McDonald is wanted in New Jersey in connection with a vehicle burglary and was a person of interest in a carjacking and two armed robberies in Florida. Police in Dover, Delaware, report arresting McDonald for two armed robberies there in 2017. No arrests were made in the Orlando incident.

News That Sounds Like a Joke In College Station, Texas, the Peach Creek Vineyard is trying out a new concept for its wine-tasting events: wine with alpacas. Teaming up with the Bluebonnet Hills Alpaca Ranch, the vineyard offers customers the chance to pet and take selfies with alpacas while sipping wine and shopping for yarn, wool or clothing. “In 24 hours, we were sold out,” vineyard owner Kenneth Stolpman told KTRK-TV. One event sold out so quickly Stolpman had to turn away more than 1,000 people.

Family Values Police in Phoenix responding to a suspected child abuse call on April 19 arrived in time to see 27-year-old Rebecca Gonzales slap and punch her 7-year-old son in the parking lot of a Walmart store, reported ABC15-TV. The boy, according to court documents, had been at Walmart with his grandmother and was supposed to be Grandma’s lookout while she shoplifted, but Gonzales wasn’t happy with his performance.

The boy, whose mouth was bleeding, told police his mother hit him because “he didn’t watch out for his grandma good enough.” Gonzales was arrested for aggravated assault.

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2nd annual

Northern Michigan’s Legendary Dishes

By Criag Manning In early 2018, the Northern Express set out to answer a vital question: What are some of the most legendary dishes in northern Michigan?

Through hundreds of recommendations from readers, as well as extensive research on our part, we crowned our first class of iconic dishes. That installment featured everything from a tomato soup to an herb-encrusted rack of lamb and highlighted beloved Up North establishments like Amical in downtown Traverse City and Art’s Tavern in Glen Arbor.

Now, we’re happy to announce the next class of inductees into our growing hall of fame. This time around, we wanted to put a summertime spin on the proceedings. When locals or outof-towners think of summertime in northern Michigan, which menu staples bring back the memories of long, hot days in July and August?

We believe these four dishes are all must-try summer standards and are proud to add them to our Menu of northern Michigan’s Iconic Dishes.

7 monks

(Traverse City) ABBEY BURGER When 7 Monks Taproom opened its doors in downtown Traverse City in the fall of 2011, it quickly became one of the area’s foremost beer bars.

With 46 taps and a commitment to highlighting Michigan’s thenburgeoning craft beer scene, 7 Monks was an instant must-visit destination for beer aficionados.

It’s still that, almost eight years later. 7 Monks regularly fills tap slots with tough-to-find beers, like the Bourbon Barrel-aged Old Rasputin Imperial Stout from North Coast Brewing Company. But the 7 Monks identity today is different than it was in those early days. At first, it was “Come for the beer.” Now, it’s “Come for the beer, stay for the food.” Or maybe even “Come for the food, stay for the beer.”

The 7 Monks menu is crammed with innovative and mouthwatering twists on “pub grub” staples, from mac and cheese to chicken wings. If there’s a signature dish on the menu, though, it has to be the Abbey Burger, a decadent creation that is surely every carnivore’s dream. The burger itself is a blend of Sanders beef and bacon, which is then topped with arugula, gruyere, and an out-of-this-world sweet-and-salty caramelized bacononion marmalade. 7 Monks serves the burger up on a fresh sesame bun (from Bay Bread Bakery, right down the street) with fresh-cut frites as a side.

Pair it with a beer (or two), grab one of 7 Monks’ sidewalk patio tables, and you’ve got the perfect summertime burger experience.

10 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen (elk rapids)

LOUISIANA JAMBALAYA For many years, Pearl’s New Orleans Kitchen, in Elk Rapids has been embracing both the Cajun (rural) and Creole (city) styles of New Orleans cooking. Fittingly, what is arguably the restaurant’s signature dish — the Louisiana Jambalaya — has roots in both.

“Both Cajun and Creole cuisines claim jambalaya as their own,” said Dane Porter, general manager for Pearl’s. “Creole cooks make a ‘red’ jambalaya with meat, seafood, tomatoes, rice, and what they call the ‘trinity’ — onion, celery, and bell peppers.

The Cajun version is often made without tomatoes.”

Pearl’s take on the dish hews closer to the Creole red jambalaya tradition, pairing chicken, shrimp, and andouille sausage with tomatoes and the trinity. It’s a dish with kick, complemented nicely by Tassospiced rice. (Tasso — a seasoned and highly flavorful type of pork — is a signature of Louisiana cuisine that is rarely used in other types of cooking.)

The Louisiana Jambalaya has been a consistent fixture on the Pearl’s menu for 21 years and running. There are other more “exotic” dishes on the menu, such as the Bayou Alligator appetizer or the Crawfish Cakes. But the Louisiana Jambalaya remains the restaurant’s most iconic dish for how it pairs authentic New Orleans traditions with flavors that feel both universally welcoming and innately close-to-home.

3

The Villager Pub (Charlevoix)

WHITEFISH DINNER Few dishes say northern Michigan — especially northern Michigan in the summertime — quite like whitefish. Many restaurants in the region have a whitefish on the menu, and every establishment prepares the dish a little bit differently. You can try it broiled, blackened, pan-seared, or cedar-plank roasted. You can try it almondencrusted, covered in herbs and parmesan cheese, or stuffed. The options are nearly endless.

All the variety makes it difficult to highlight just one local whitefish as the best in northern Michigan. If we had to choose just one for the summertime, though, it would be the whitefish dinner at The Villager Pub in Charlevoix.

Lightly battered, deep fried to perfection, and served with French fries, coleslaw, and a bright tartar sauce, this pub-style dish is the ideal comfort-food capper to a busy summer day. It’s a meal that calls to mind 90-degree days, Fourth of July fireworks, speeding boats, and everything that is great about the season.

It doesn’t hurt that The Villager Pub is located right on Bridge Street, just a short stroll from the Charlevoix City Marina and the glorious views of Round Lake. The prime location makes The Villager Pub a popular tourist draw, too, an easy spot to stumble into after cruising into the harbor or exploring the downtown area. When patrons do find their way to The Villager, the flaky, flavorful whitefish is one of the go-to menu staples. As one Yelp user put it, “You cannot find a better two-piece whitefish dinner anywhere.” The only way to make it better? Order the three-piece version.

Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 11

4

Village Cheese Shanty (leland)

NORTH SHORE SANDWICH What’s the first sign of summer? For some, it’s Opening Day for Major League Baseball. For others, it’s the day that Bell’s Brewery unleashes its fresh batch of Oberon. For locals in (or within, oh, about 25 miles of) Leland, it’s the day Village Cheese Shanty opens its doors.

A seasonal establishment tucked away in Leland’s historic Fishtown, Village Cheese Shanty could easily go overlooked. Over the years, though, the shop has gained a reputation for making some of the best sandwiches not just in northern Michigan, but anywhere. From the moment Village Cheese Shanty opens its narrow screen doors each spring — this year, opening day was April 12 — it’s not uncommon to see lines out the door. There are even stories about teachers and students at local schools teaming up to make bulk sandwich orders on opening day.

The Village Cheese Shanty has the feel of a quaint, smalltown market, selling everything from specialty cheeses to snacks to local Leelanau wines. There’s also a menu 18 sandwiches deep, spanning three different categories: honey-wheat pita sandwiches, fresh-baked baguette sandwiches, and pretzel bread sandwiches. Frankly, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu — especially given that each (huge) sandwich is just $6.95.

But if the soft salted pretzel bread is Village Cheese Shanty’s claim to fame, the North Shore is their masterpiece. Piled high with turkey, bacon, swiss, lettuce, tomato, and cucumber, and topped with an irresistible homemade herb mayo, the North Shore is the must-try sandwich for new Cheese Shanty initiates.

It’s not at all uncommon to hear first-timers proclaiming it the best sandwich they’ve ever had. They’d be right.

Add ’em to the list!

Still hungry?

Add this year’s menu of iconic Northern Michigan eats to the freshman class featured last year: Tomato Spinach Swiss Soup Poppycock’s, Traverse City Chicken Jalapeno Soup Art’s Tavern, Glen Arbor Dry Aged Tomahawk Ribeye Vernales, Harbor Springs Chicken Pot Pie Amical, Traverse City Herb-encrusted Rack of Lamb The Rowe Inn, Ellsworth

FREE WINE & CHEESE! (we got your attention, didn’t we?)

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR TASTING SOCIAL

May 18 from 2-5 pm www.AndersonsGlenArbor.com 231.334.3149 12 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

Come on in to your local Culver’s restaurant: Culver’s of Cadillac, Gaylord and Traverse City (Two Locations) Julie Hall, co-owner of Kei Ju Farm & Rescue, with one of the farms resident draft horses.

© 2018 Culver Franchising System, LLC. The Wisconsin Dairy logo is a registered trademark of the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board. The REESE’S® and HEATH® trademarks are used under license from The Hershey Company.

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Chef’s notes a local chef’s recipe we love, brought to you by fustini’s

As we transition seasons and segue from winter to spring, I like to celebrate the fresh bounty of local produce and reacquaint our palates with one of northern Michigan’s most iconic ingredients, the morel mushroom. Soon we find ourselves benefactors of the harvest of a vegetable that that is the quintessential essence of the taste of summer itself, asparagus. This recipe, which brings both ingredients to the pan, is a fan favorite and featured at a few of our locations this time of year.

— Fletcher Gross, co-executive chef, Slate & Sorrelina

Morel & Asparagus Bisque Ingredients: • 4 oz. dried morel (rehydrated in 4 cups water) or 2 oz. fresh • 6 lbs. asparagus, chopped; a half-dozen pieces reserved • 3 C. Spanish onions, medium dice • 3 C. button mushrooms, sliced • ½ C. garlic, minced • ½ C. Fustini’s Truffle Oil • ½ gallon heavy cream • 1 C. marsala cooking wine • 1 tbsp. dried oregano • 2 tbsp. kosher salt • 1 tbsp. black pepper • 1 tsp. Fustini’s Meyer Lemon Olive Oil • All purpose flour (for dredging) • Cooking oil (for frying)

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Directions: 1. Sweat spanish onions and garlic in truffle oil; cook till translucent. Deglaze with marsala, reduce till liquid is almost gone.

2. Add morels, buttons, and asparagus (minus reserve), then allow to soften.

3. Add heavy cream, rehydrating liquid, dried oregano, salt, black pepper; bring to a simmer.

4. Use an immersion blender and blend till smooth.

5. Bring to a simmer.

6. Use a potato peeler and run lengthwise down the asparagus you reserved a few times, to create ribbon-like peels.

7. Dust the asparagus peels in flour, then in a small frying pan, heat cooking oil and lightly fry peels till crisp.

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Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 13

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The Grass River Natural Area at 50 How a near-environmental disaster spawned what’s become a living wetlands laboratory.

By Patrick Sullivan Fifty years ago, the notion that a vast tract of wetlands could be preserved in its pristine state rather than be developed into lakefront lots was a novel idea. There were no land conservancies. There was no such thing as a conservation easement. The Nature Conservancy, the nonprofit established in 1951 and dedicated to preserving wildlife habitat, had never undertaken a project in Michigan.

That didn’t stop a soil conservation officer in Antrim County from recognizing the environmental importance of the wetlands surrounding the Grass River, which flows from Lake Bellaire to Clam Lake, and then pursuing a dream to see that land protected.

A half-century later, Jenn Wright, who has been the executive director of the Grass River Natural Area for one year, marvels at the origin story of the nonprofit she serves. She sat down with Northern Express to talk about the dramatic events that unfolded to ensure the preservation of those critical wetlands.

Northern Express: The idea for the Grass River Natural Area came about in 1969. But there weren’t examples to follow. There weren’t things like natural areas or land conservancies. How did someone decide to make this happen?

Jenn Wright: So, in 1968, Dr. [Alfred] Austin, who was a property owner on the banks of Grass River, decided one day he wanted to develop his property, and in order to develop his property, he dredged Lake Bellaire. He had a sandsucker come in, and he used that sand to create a foundation. Well, Lake Bellaire is mostly marl, a type of soil that doesn’t drain, basically, and so all of a sudden, he’d done this — he’s cut all of the cedar trees, he’s dumped all of the sand in there, and it doesn’t drain. He can’t build on it. He’s stuck.

Express: That sounds like it would be considered an environmental crime today.

Wright: Exactly. It would. The interesting thing is, he immediately went to the conservation services office, which today would be our soil conservation district, and that’s where he met Warren Studley. He walked in and he said, “I messed up. I just did this. I feel terrible.

I shouldn’t have done it. What do I do?” In today’s day and age, it would be fines, it would be whatever it would be, and Warren, for some reason, Warren kind of stepped back

and thought, “If this happened,” and he started looking at maps, “this could be a problem.

Anybody could do this.” People want to build on water. It’s beautiful, right? So, Warren started looking at maps, and he sort of parceled together this big ecosystem of riparian lands that were adjacent to Grass River and also into Lake Bellaire and Clam Lake, and he decided he was going to start advocating for preserving and protecting them.

the epitome of grassroots, the perfect flow.

Granted, there were things along the way that were bumpy — but in general, you had this ability and this interest in looking outside of the box and trying to figure out how to do it.

Express: That could not have been a simple task.

Wright: I think it was the amount of wetlands, and that the wetlands were pristine. If you think about Michigan, Michigan is fairly disturbed, in terms of the land. Anything upland would have been cut and farmed in the late 1800s. But everything into the wetland, they couldn’t do anything with that. So, it’s historic. It’s always been here. It’s never been disturbed. And, as a soil conservation officer, as a biologist, [Studley] recognized the impact of what happens to water flowing through wetlands. It’s filtered. That’s what wetlands do, so I am sure recognized that aspect of it as well.

Wright: So he went to a group of citizens. He went to a public meeting, and he shared his vision. The stories that you read are that he was extremely animated and very convincing —super passionate — and people were drawn to Warren. He went to this meeting, and there happened to be a county commissioner in the room. He shared his story, and the commissioner said, “We need to do this. Let’s figure out how we can make this happen.” And he left. And the next day the county commissioner came and said, “I want you to present what you just said to the county commissioners on Thursday.”

This is literally a day away.

Express: That’s interesting. I can’t imagine it was like the Antrim County Commission was made up of a bunch of radical environmentalists at the time.

Wright: It wasn’t. Warren could somehow paint that picture of what could happen if they didn’t do this. So he went to the county commissioners — he actually didn’t want to then; he didn’t feel like he had the plan fully flushed out — but he did, he shared his story, and by the end of the meeting there was a conversation about some federal funding that they potentially could get, but it the application had to come from the county in order to get this. So, at the end of this commissioners’ meeting, another commissioner raised his hand and basically said that he moves that the county goes forward with the application for this grant, and he wanted to write a check to Warren for $2,000 to get this project started. So, Warren walked away and thought, “This is happening.”

Express: Not only is there not resistance, there is enthusiasm. Which is really surprising.

Wright: Exactly. It’s so surprising. This whole story, as I read it, and I didn’t know this coming in, this whole story, it was just like, this is like

16 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

Express: What was it about this particular tract of land that called out to Warren Studley and the other founders and said, This is the land that should be preserved?

Express: What happened next?

Wright: He went to the Three Lakes Association, which still exists. It’s folks from Torch, Clam and Lake Bellaire. They have a board and a newsletter, and they meet, and they do activities and projects. He pitched his story to them, and the Three Lakes Association agreed to take it on as a project. At the time they called it the Grass River Wildlife Project. So, then he needed to get the landowners on board. Their ultimate goal was to own this land, and you’ve got people who own this land. He had to figure out how to get them on board to either give and/or sell their property.

Express: Wow. That sounds like a hard job.

Wright: At the time, it happened to be that the taxes for people living on water were the same across the board, so if you lived on Torch Lake, you paid the same taxes as you did if you were living on Grass River, and there were several landowners that were struggling, who weren’t able to maintain that. So, there was actually interest automatically from them to think about how to win-win this project — how to get rid of their land and make this happen. Warren talked them into this project, got three big landowners to sign agreements. The problem was, they were waiting for this federal funding; it was going to take a couple of years. The

landowners, especially those big three, were antsy. They didn’t really want to wait. So, the county stepped up and actually waived their property taxes for three years, until that federal funding could come in and they could actually pay [the landowners] for the value of their land.

Express: Was that a controversial decision at the time?

Wright: It doesn’t come off as a controversial decision in our history books, and I haven’t heard anybody say it, but I just think about that, and I think, in today’s day and age, it would never happen, first of all, and, if it did, imagine what would come out of that. That was a huge plus for the landowners.

Express: And it secured those critical pieces.

Wright: Exactly. The first piece that we actually got — Bill and Paul DeLange, they owned 328 acres, basically in the heart of this property.

They owned the cabin [that for years served as Grass River’s visitors center]. That was their family’s hunting cabin. It had been for years.

They were having some family discord. One of the sons was having some financial problems and needed to sell his share, and they were trying to decide what to do, and they heard about this project. They actually stepped forward, and they were the first official gift of land that we received. There was a contingency that they could use it for five years, in the summer, and then it became the property of Grass River. So that was sort of the kickoff.

Express: So, Grass River and Antrim County were now in the land-conservation business.

Wright:As we started to acquire these properties, it became pretty apparent that there was no written or legal statute as to how to conserve property. There weren’t conservancies. There weren’t conservation easements. There was no legal process. But one of the people involved in the project happened to know the director of The Nature Conservancy. The closest office was in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Express: Wait. They knew the national director of The Nature Conservancy?

Wright: Yes. They were friends. They lived on Torch Lake, and they had connections. So, they called John Flicker, and he came to Bellaire, and he heard their story and agreed to be part of

this project, by holding the deeds to the land that was being acquired until the county could accept them back. The Nature Conservancy at the time had the processes for how to restrict the deeds and what to do. So basically, what happened was, the land was given to the county, the county gave the land to The Nature Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy put restrictions on the deeds that said it has to be used for scientific, education, and aesthetic purposes. That’s the only thing the land could be used for. And once that was done, The Nature Conservancy turned around and gave it back to the county. So there was this weird, long process. We were the first project in Michigan for The Nature Conservancy. Now they have an office in the state. That alone, when I read that, I thought that’s crazy.

Express: That’s historic.

Wright: It’s huge. And it happens all the time now. So they went through that process. In the meantime, they still needed to fundraise. They continued to grow. Think about the grassroots fundraising: They had a Mancelona teacher who collected pennies from her students. They would actually do skits on why Grass River should be saved. And they collected 10,000 pennies. They had popcorn for preservation.

They sold raffle tickets. They did all the crazy things that you do to fundraise.

Express: In those early days, what was the objective of the fundraising?

Wright: Land. It was all land.

Express: You weren’t trying to build a visitors’ center yet.

Wright: They really were just thinking about land acquisition and preservation at the time.

In the ’70s, we’re one of the few county-owned natural areas in the nation. We are a model. We actually had the Park Service come visit us, and they deemed us “The Grass River Model.” We had

people coming to learn how and why this project happened the way it did and why it was successful.

In the 1980s, focus shifted to Grass River Inc., the nonprofit end of the project. Grass River Natural Area Inc. was established in 1979, and since that time, the nonprofit has been contracted

by Antrim County to manage the property. In 1980, construction began on what would become a two-mile boardwalk through the wetlands area of the preserve, and trails through the upland sections of the property were established, giving the public access to the property.

The boardwalk was completed in 1984, enabling Grass River to host school groups, and Grass River’s focus shifted to developing educational programs. At first, the organization used the property’s tiny, original hunting cabin for events. By 1988, Grass River saw 20,000 visitors annually. The first executive director was hired in 1992. Construction of the 3,000-square-foot visitors center was completed in 2011, and today Grass River sees over 30,000 visitors per year.

Jenn Wright

Express: What are the educational lessons that you teach at Grass River?

Express: What plans do you have for Grass River’s future?

Wright: We know that people don’t spend a lot of time in nature nowadays. We also know from some research that being outdoors in nature is really beneficial — emotionally, mentally, and physically. People who get outdoors are healthier. So, we want people to know that being outdoors is a good place to be, number one. Also, the fact that this is their backyard.

The things you find here are the things you find in your backyard. It’s what makes up northern Michigan. Finally, the water component — we have a million gallons of water that comes through here, and if this would have been developed, the clarity of the water in Clam Lake, or the color of Torch Lake, or the health of Grand Traverse Bay could look very different had we not had this huge two-and-a-half-milelong filter that is able to take care of the water as it comes through.

Wright: Personally, I have a dream — I’ve said this since I started. I would love to see some sort of a nature preschool model. Nature preschool is something that in the last 10 years has grown exponentially in this country, and there is a lot of research to show that nature preschool is super impactful, because they allow kids to do what they do best, which is be kids. But you can tie in the curriculum, you can tie in the learning, and it happens in an outdoor setting. I’ve had some conversations with some folks in the community about what that might look like.

Also, infrastructure-wise, we have to finish [the reconstruction of] our boardwalk.

Our previous executive director fundraised and raised $400,000 for a third of a mile of boardwalk. Do the math — it’s really expensive.

But it’s an amazing boardwalk. Last summer from June to August, they ripped up the old boardwalk and put the new one in, and it was sort of a proof of concept for us to see how it went. We’re finding that it is incredibly popular. People are loving it, partially because it’s accessible. Last fall I was here in October on a Saturday; I had a gentleman come in, and he just couldn’t tell me enough about how excited he and his wife were, because she is in a wheelchair, and they wanted to see fall colors, and they knew they could get out to the boardwalk. He sent me back a picture of her with her thumbs up, and he has since sent me money for the next sections that we do. Now that we have the momentum and can see what they can be, we really want to continue that process into the next couple years and raise the money and finish the boardwalk.

This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

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French Toast

Lunch Special

Nick at the bar

BIRCH & MAPLE Eclectic twists on American (and international) staples served by the waterside in Frankfort.

By Danielle Horvath Completely remodeled and re-opened last year, Birch & Maple restaurant is bringing new twists to old favorites in Frankfort. Colorado transplants Natalie Niederhofer and Nick Crawford have transformed the former Bayview Inn with a bright, welcoming feel and lots more room thanks to a new entryway, expanded seating, and a beautifully upgraded enclosed patio.

Located on Main St., with a view of the Betsie Bay, the eatery was exactly what the couple had in mind when they were searching for a site in 2017. “We considered other spaces, we looked in Colorado [where they were living at the time], but we wanted to put down roots, and it is very expensive to do that there. When we looked at the [Frankfort location’s] patio and the view of the bay here, we were sold,” Crawford said.

“We saw the growth in the Frankfort area as an opportunity and wanted to be a part of it. From the reception we have gotten so far, people love it and were waiting for something like this.”

Neither Niederhofer or Crawford are strangers to culinary startups. Both were a part of the early teams at popular Steamboat, Colorado, eateries Aurum Food & Wine, and Table 79 Food Bar. Niederhofer, whose family has a cottage on Crystal Lake, is a graduate of the Great Lakes Culinary Institute. Crawford is a certified sommelier.

Although Crawford said their forte has been “higher-end dinners,” they identified a need for more breakfast options in the area and decided to start there.

“We wanted to start slowly, let the town get to know us by serving fresh and highquality breakfast and lunch at first,” he said.

Their breakfast choices are an eclectic new twist on American staples, like their popular buttermilk-brined fried chicken on a house-made waffle, served with a bourbon toffee sauce; or French toast Monte Cristo that includes Black Forest ham, American cheese, maple syrup, and is topped with their signature crispy egg. Traditional fare is also available, including three kinds of eggs Benedict and hearty omelets.

Lunch choices have likewise been modernized and elevated. Diners can expect a palate-pleasing Bistro burger, their Croque Madame recipe is a take on the classic French ham and cheese sandwich (Croque Monsieur), topped with ooey-gooey cheese sauce and a crispy fried egg. Or whet your appetite with three tasty fish tacos topped with pickled cabbage, mango salsa, fresh herbs, and house slaw; or choose from several fresh salads — Caesar, Michigan cherry and kale, or Mediterranean — plus a homemade seasonal soup each day.

Popular small plates include portobello fries, with parmesan, truffle oil, red pepper flakes aioli, and mouth-watering Chipotle BBQ baby-back pork ribs with house slaw.

Larger appetites should consider their specialty stacked Bistro Double-Double: two 8-ounce Michigan beef patties topped with bacon, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, and sriracha aioli.

As befits their fresh culinary style, the menu changes with the seasons. “In spring, we focus on spring veggies, and move into dishes featuring fresh tomatoes, peppers, and summer squash — and then fall and winter calls for heartier dishes,” Crawford said.

They launched their 5–9 p.m. dinner hour last year in mid-June and were received

very well. “From the reception we have gotten so far, people love it and were waiting for something like this,” Crawford added.

Dinner offerings include an 8-ounce grilled prime beef filet with crispy potatoes, seasonal vegetable, smoked bleu cheese, and sautéed mushrooms; and 16 oz. pork loin chop with Alabama BBQ sauce, green chili cheese grits, wilted greens and farm-fresh tomatoes. A variety of fresh salads, seasonal homemade soup choices, and pasta dishes are also available.

Birch and Maple partner with Cold Creek Farm in Benzonia, and locally source as much of their ingredients as they can.

“We have a unique relationship with them.

Everything they grow we use — all their produce and micro-greens,” Crawford said. “We also use pasture-raised eggs and hormone-free meat as locally sourced as we can find.” Cold Creek Farm was recently named Environmentalist of the Year by the Northern MI Environmental Action Council (NMEAC).

Their full bar choices are also fun spins on old favorites, with offerings like the Tikistyle drink Nectar of the Gods to a classic Old Fashioned, made with locally sourced Iron Fish Distillery whiskey, sugar, and angostura bitters. Crawford said he strives to expand people’s horizons on wine.

“Life is too short to drink the same wine all the time,” he said. “Northern Michigan has great wineries — we carry six or seven of them — but we also might introduce you to something outside of the spectrum, like a Cabernet from Australia or Spain.”

Another mission they’re one: Setting high standards for their employees, knowing that well-trained staff can not only make the difference in the kind of dining experience

guests have but also the experience staff has working at Birch + Maple.

“Our mentors got us interested and made it fun. We want to do the same for our employees. Restaurant people are a dying breed. A lot of young people don’t realize they can make a very good living if they are passionate and willing to learn. We are trying to open eyes up,” said Crawford. “We got to work with professionals, we went on a restaurant tour with 14 different chefs and got to pick their brains. We feel it’s our turn now, to be those leaders, be those mentors.”

In addition to a mandatory four-day training for new staff, the couple also encourages employees to work at the local farm where the restaurant purchases its produce, so they can see the transition from growing, harvesting, cooking, and ultimately, serving. They also take trips to local wineries and distilleries, and have professionals come in to share new techniques. “We are in this for the long haul and are eager to pass on what others gave to us.”

Find Birch and Maple at 727 Main St., Frankfort. www.birchandmaplefrankfort. com, (231) 399-0399.

INTERNATIONAL TOUR For six Tuesdays this summer, Birch & Maple will host six “destination dinners,” taking guests deep into the culinary traditions of different countries — Italy, Greece, and Japan among them — by way of a sumptuous, fivecourse meal. Limited to 30 reservations, each Destination Dinner will take place every other Tuesday, starting in June.

Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 19

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LEAN

on the Farm

Wendy Babcock

Could the demands of the restaurant world’s farm-to-table movement overwhelm small local farms? Not if Dan and Wendy Babcock, who apply tenets of Japanese auto manufacturing to their Serendipity Farms, have anything to do with it.

By Eric Cox

A

top the high, breezy hills east of Wolverine sprawls a fairly nondescript 40-acre farm owned by Dan and Wendy Babcock, northern Michigan farmers who place a high value on the integrity of the food they produce, consume, and sell.

Obviously missing in the greening landscape of Serendipity Farms are the hard lines of fixed fencing that normally border such properties. Here, animals don’t traipse around the same patch of ground day after day, month after month. At Serendipity, the fencing, like the animals it contains, is mobile — a key feature of the pasture-based animal management plan they use.

The Babcocks rotate their animals like many grain farmers rotate crops — in ways that don’t overburden or decimate the soil.

Take the Serendipity chickens, for example.

Their loitering areas change periodically.

Fencing is moved and the brood with it. The area they were once confined to is left naturally fertilized and all but picked clean of bugs by the hungry birds. And, since the birds are eating lots of natural food, they’re also ingesting lots of nutrients, making their eggs and meat more nutritious, said Wendy Babcock.

Hogs, too, get a respite from the square pens in which they’re traditionally kept.

At Serendipity, the swine are fenced off in a marshy woods, where they’re allowed to root and wallow ceaselessly. Their foraging churns up the earth and decimates the dense undergrowth, opening the forest floor up to the sunshine and new growth.

Across the farm, cows amble past donkeys. Guinea fowl roam about in pairs, while a throng of little black piglets chase their mother and seek shelter in her girth at the slightest hint of danger.

To the untrained eye, Serendipity Farms might look sparse and disjointed. But a closer look reveals an intricate plan.

The Babcocks are using safe, sustainable egg and meat production methods in their

growing farm-to-table food business. Aside from their coveted Animal Welfare Approved certified management methods, Wendy employs a production scenario that got its start in the world of Japanese auto manufacturing.

That’s right — Japan. Car manufacturing.

In her endless quest to bring Serendipity Farms into an efficient, profitable but, above all else, responsible entity, Wendy reached into the far east to improve her family’s Midwest operation. Her quest to streamline the farm’s meat and egg production led her to the Toyota Production System, often called LEAN manufacturing.

Though this method was borne of Japan’s massive auto production industry, the heart of this method’s primary mission — waste reduction — is an outcome sought in many businesses, not just car making.

To Babcock, the LEAN way is central to her operation, providing a disciplined framework, the principles of which are helping her reduce costly redundancies, curb waste and the cost and labor associated with managing it, and, most importantly, focusing on the integrity of the products she offers customers.

The 51-year-old former barrel racer called on an anecdote to illustrate her point.

She said wintering her flock of egg-laying hens resulted in hours of extra labor because, since the birds couldn’t go outdoors, they stayed in their pens and nesting boxes when they pooped. Ordinarily that might not be a big deal, but since the eggs are to be sold later, they have to first be washed.

That, of course, meant Wendy was forced to stand over a sink, scraping and scrubbing the eggs clean. That’s a bunch of extra time and a lot of water. Plus, handling the eggs more often resulted in increased accidental breaks — another waste.

Carefully considering the problem, the couple settled on a pretty ingenious solution: re-purpose an old piece of plastic into a door the hens could use to access the pasture throughout the winter.

It worked.

The chickens spend more time outside

relieving themselves. The eggs are cleaner.

Wendy’s time cleaning pens and scraping poo off eggs, and extra water required to do so, are saved. Likewise, fewer eggs are broken since they aren’t handled and scraped as much.

The little move they made with the repurposed plastic is a great example of LEAN production. Thoughtful consideration of a problem yielded a very low-cost-high-effect solution that not only saved them time but also improved the product (eggs) by keeping them cleaner throughout the production process.

According to Wendy, lean farming has nothing to do with efficient farming. “You can be efficient at wasting. You can be efficient at overproducing,” she said. “There are all kinds of ways being efficient is anti-lean.”

Overproduction, she said, is one facet in which efficiency runs afoul of lean protocols. Though it may satisfy a farmer to see an enormous haul of summer hay, for example, overproducing hay can result in several problems. Without immediate buyers for that hay, the extra product must be stored and kept fresh, often at added expense to the producer.

LEAN principles help farmers streamline goods, producing just enough to satisfy demand, but not so much so that the excess must be stored or otherwise handled. Babcock said the excess hay, while perhaps providing an ego boost to the grower, creates more downstream waste — waste that could’ve been avoided had LEAN methods been employed.

All these LEAN procedures are aimed at one thing, though: improving the end products for customers who value Serendipity Farms’ certified non-GMO and no-soyproduction scheme.

It’s working, too. The farm sells fresh eggs, broiler chickens, grass-fed and grass-finished beef, turkey, pork, and goose. Babcock Farms honey, maple syrup, organic smoothie packs microgreens and vegetables — all produced in the family’s thoughtful, natural way, are available at the farm store.

To learn more about the farm and its LEAN methods, visit www.serendipity-farms.com.

A Little More About LEAN As small farmers in America strive to make ends meet in a climate of continually shrinking margins, many, like Dan and Wendy Babcock, are looking for ways to streamline their operations, improve value and reduce waste.

Developed by Japanese industrial engineers at Toyota between 1948 and 1975, the Toyota Production System (TPS), the framework for LEAN farming, places prime consideration on eliminating production waste in virtually all its forms. From underutilized workers to overproduction, TPS — sometimes called “just-in-time production” is aimed at conserving resources.

The philosophy has been adapted to the farm model, in which many of the same principles are brought to bear in reducing waste while boosting value and, ultimately, quality.

Farmers who employ LEAN principles make sure their tools and implements are all stored in the same place. More importantly, they are returned to their proper places after use. It seems absurdly simple, but, according to Wendy Babcock, that simple practice saves her a bunch of time and frustration, since she doesn’t have to spend valuable minutes looking for a lost tool and fretting over it.

Transportation, as well as inventory, process, production, staff training and customer feedback are all carefully considered so that the best, least wasteful method can be applied.

Once the LEAN principles are in place, the workload should be more streamlined, with customers enjoying the best products possible because every step in its production has been been “LEANed.” The model can be applied to all sorts of endeavors, not just manufacturing or farm production. LEAN principles can be applied to the organization of one’s garage, for example, or a restaurant.

Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 21

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Don’t Ride 100 Miles for a Banana

Benzie’s Bike Up North lets riders loose on prettiest roads in the North fuels ’em up on Cherry Hut pie; rewards with a hot buffet and craft cocktails

MORE REASONS TO RIDE

By Ross Boissoneau The Kentucky Derby is over, but race fans are just getting started in northern Michigan. And among the myriad races is the 11th Annual Bike Up North, which takes place June 1.

If you’re not yet a road biker, this might be your reason to become one.

Put on by the Benzie Sunrise Rotary Club as a fundraiser for Benzie Central Schools, the event has expanded over the years. This year it will include the Iron Fish Team Time Trial 100K/62 mile race for four-man and three-woman teams, as well as 30-, 45-, and 100-mile routes.

“It’s morphed into a really cool thing,” said Bill Kennis, the event chair. “We thought, Benzie is so beautiful, we could do a tour.”

Kennis expects between 300 and 400 riders, hailing from across the Midwest. The 30-mile course passes through Kaleva and is mostly flat and very fast, with a few scenic rolling hills. The 45-mile route shares the 30-mile route to Kaleva and then heads northwest to the pristine shores of Bear Lake, with some additional hills adding to the challenge.

Kennis said the feature race is the 100 kilometer, which comes out to 62 miles. This course serves as the team time trial with staggered start times; scoring is determined by the third male rider from each team or the second female rider.

The rolling path of this race wends through orchards and offers panoramic views along the entire south shore of Crystal Lake.

Finally, add the best of the 62-mile and the 45-mile together, and you get the 100-mile course, with winding roads and hills and views of orchards, Platte Lake, Bear Lake, and Crystal Lake. All the courses begin and end at Crystal Mountain “Our courses are designed for maximum beauty and safety,” said Course Coordinator Michelle Russell.

Kennis said the natural beauty of the area is a big part of the appeal, but so is the hospitality offered during and at the end of the race. “At the end of most races, you get a Gatorade and maybe a banana. Here you get lots of stuff,” he said. Said

stuff includes a hot buffet luncheon following the event, as well as live music. Iron Fish Distillery is hosting an aprés bike event with games and classic cocktails for celebrating.

Courses and food stations along the race feature Cherry Hut pies for carb-reloading and Graceland Fruit snacks.

All told, Kennis expects the races to bring in between $15,000 and $20,000. The funds are earmarked for various programs run by the Sunrise Rotary Club, all of which benefit students at Benzie Central. Part of the money goes toward a $1,000 scholarship for a graduating senior, which is renewable for three years. The club also works with the Reading Is Fundamental program, reading to first-graders and giving them free books.

Another portion of the funds raised goes toward an annual trip for freshmen, who travel on charter buses to Michigan State, Central Michigan, or Grand Valley to give them a taste of college life. “Some have never seen a university. Benzie kids [who attend that university] will meet them, tell them, ‘You can do it.’

For more information or to register, visit www.bikebenzie.org.

If you’re not yet in shape for Bike Up North in Benzie County, there are plenty more opportunities to pedal this summer and fall. Among the highlights: • The Beaver Island Bike Festival takes place Saturday, June 22. As much a party on two wheels as a race, there are two distances — 20 and 42 miles — each offering historic sites, island monuments, and great scenery. Surfaces vary from pavement to gravel roads and two-tracks. Each route includes rest stops with food, drinks, and bathrooms. The after-race party features dinner, music and entertainment.

The fun actually starts with a Thursday night dinner, then a Friday night registration cocktail party with live music. www. beaverislandbikefestival.com • The 19th annual Tour de TART takes place Friday, July 19. The evening ride (which takes about two hours) starts on the west side of Traverse City at Darrow Park and ends at Village Marina & Park in Suttons Bay. Riders will enjoy two food stops along the 17-mile ride, waterfront dinner and swimming at the Suttons Bay Marina (catered by the VI Grill), local beer and wine, lots of treats, and then a bus ride back to Traverse City. The event is capped at 600 riders; families are welcome.

Go to www.traversetrails.com, then click on Events.

• The Cherry Roubaix, on Aug. 3, offers riders distances of 20, 40, 60, or 90 miles, all starting at 10am from a staggered starting line on Front Street in downtown Traverse City. The event begins with a relaxing ride of approximately four miles to the stop point on Cherry Bend Road. From there, the rollout will be chaperoned by neutral pace cars.

The course will feature the best of Leelanau County: Epic climbs, rolling vineyards, and views of the Lake Michigan. There will be water and food stations positioned along each route.

After the race, participants are invited to celebrate, listen to music, eat local food, enjoy local craft beers, and play games. www.cherry-roubaix.com.

Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 25

26 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 27

Marie Benedict

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LAWYER-TURNED-AUTHOR Showcases the Women History Hides

By Ross Boissoneau

Downtown TC 126 E Front St • 231.932.0510 28 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

For Marie Benedict, the opportunity to explore and share her vision of female pioneers overshadowed the perks of her day job. A magna cum laude graduate of Boston College and cum laude graduate of the Boston University School of Law, Benedict was a successful litigator with two of the country’s premier law firms.

“I will not say I did not enjoy law. It was challenging and interesting,” she said. But she couldn’t shake the idea of pursuing her lifelong interest in history.

“I thought I’d be a history professor, but I got detoured into law,” she said. “Then I circled back to my original passion,” she said.

The initial result was early novels “The Chrysalis” and “The Map Thief,” which leap across the centuries, and her young adult series, “The Books of Eva.” Those led to historical novels about women who were either lost or ignored in the passage of time. The first focused on Albert Einstein’s first wife, Mitza Maric. She then invented a maid who helped spur Andrew Carnegie’s philanthropic efforts.

Her most recent book, “The Only Woman in the Room,” explores the other side of glamorous actress Hedy Lamarr, who was, in fact, also an inventor. The innovations Lamarr pioneered are in large part the basis for today’s widespread GPS and Bluetooth technologies.

Benedict will discuss her books with Detroit Free Press columnist Rochelle Riley on May 30 at the City Opera House as part of the National Writers Series.

As a child, Benedict said she dreamed about exploring and untangling the riddles of the past as an archaeologist or historian. Her interest deepened with books that explored history while introducing fictional elements and characters; among the most influential was one she read in middle school, Marion Zimmer Bradley’s famed fantasy novel “The Mists of Avalon,” which interprets the legends of King Arthur through the perspectives of female characters in the tales.

As an adult, she turned to historical fiction as a means to unravel those mysteries while keeping readers engaged. “I couldn’t tell the stories in exactly the way I wanted” without some invention, she said.

Benedict said the story of Albert

Einstein’s first wife developed from her reading of a biography of Einstein. “There were two or three sentences about his first wife. I had to find out who she was. It was a romantic and scientific partnership.”

Her invention of Carnegie’s was inspired by her own family’s history. “My family came to Pittsburgh from Ireland. They used one of the first Carnegie libraries to start their ascent into education. I became curious about the origin of his [Carnegie’s] philanthropy. I fictionalized the main character to give credit to so many woman immigrants,” said Benedict.

The book about Lamarr presented still another means of exploration. Lamarr’s movie career was well-known, but her proclivity toward invention and technology was and still is not. “With Hedy, all we knew was what was seen on screen,” Benedict said.

Benedict stops short of calling “The Only Woman in the Room” her best book but said she continues to improve as a writer. “You grow and evolve with each book you write,” she said. She said changes in her life, including motherhood, have also impacted her as an author, as have changes in society. “I feel a stronger responsibility. [My books] speak to people about issues, such as #MeToo.” Benedict promises there are more coming and said she is always on the lookout for characters that might populate such books. “I feel like I’ve developed an antenna.

I keep a long list of women whose stories I’d love to tell.”

The May 30 event begins at 7pm. For tickets and more information, go to NationalWritersSeries.org.

ABOUT RILEY

Guest host for the event, Rochelle Riley, is an award-winning columnist for the Detroit Free Press and USA TODAY Network. Riley is the author of four books, and among her honors are a Pulitzer Prize, a National Headliner Award, and a National Scripps Howard Award. Riley often writes on the subjects of inclusion and diversity, and was the 2017 winner of the NABJ Ida B. Wells Award, which is given to individuals who have made outstanding efforts to make newsrooms and news coverage more accurately reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.

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Happy EVERY Day! Join us at the LOBBY BAR for Happy Hour every day of the week from 4 - 7pm.

Food specials. $3.50 bottled beer. $4.00 well cocktails or house wines.

OCTOBER 2019

7 thru 12

FRANKFORTBEERWEEK.COM

Live music Friday & Saturday evenings.

Hotel Indigo Traverse City 263 W. Grandview Parkway Traverse City, MI 49684 t: 231.932.0500 Reservations: 877.8.INDIGO (846.3446) hotelindigo.com/TraverseCityMI

facebook.com/hotelindigo @hotelindigo

Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 29

FRANKFORT

Exhibitions | Classes | Events | Gift Shop Open 7 Days | Free Admission | South End of 2nd Street SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY EVENINGS FOR A LIMITED TIME.

PRICE INCLUDES A PINT OF OUR FRESH, HAND-CRAFTED BEER! Smoked Brisket Sandwich 14 Latin Sliders 13

Char-Blackened Mahi Mahi 19 Korean Bánh Mí 14

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30 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

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Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 5/2/19 201912:30• PM31

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NORTHERN SEEN 1. The winners showing off their payments after the Kentucky Derby party hosted by Windemuller Electric at the Traverse City Golf & Country Club.

2. Tracy Olsen, Cindy Godmer, and Katy Maynard were the big prize winners at the most recent Recess event, held at the TC Pit Spitters ballpark.

3. It’s all in the family (winery) with Ralph, Laurie, and Dustin Stabile of Mackinaw Trail Winery.

4. Jimmy Spencer, Christi Petersen, and Craig Corriveau during Petoskey Uncorked, the unveiling of the new brand for the Petoskey Wine Region.

5. Leah Olson, Andrew Roush, Derrick Voegeo, and Josh Seguin were representing the wine region well at Petoskey Uncorked.

6. John, Debbie, Liz and Scott enjoying the soft opening of the Soul Squeeze tasting room in Lake Leelanau.

MAY 17-24 Friday to Friday

Save the next date, Oct. 18-25

Here’s how it works:

Three course menus for $15/$25/$35 with some establishments offering two for one pricing.

Enjoy your favorite restaurants and discover new ones at an affordable price. The best restaurants in the Petoskey area have joined forces for this special culinary event!

Spring into your best smile!

Experience the Schulz Ortho Difference

Visit petoskeyrestaurantweek.com for participating restaurants and featured menus. petoskeyrestaurantweek.com follow us on facebook

32 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

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Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 33

Please be seated for these abbreviated versions of the restaurant reviews we’ve featured since our last RestauranTour issue. Bon Appetit!

Paper Station Bistro Harbor Springs Paper Station Bistro, a petite brasserie, opened its doors in July of 2015. Nestled among the pastel awnings and storefronts of Harbor Springs’ tourist-driven downtown, the building’s raw wood and cut metal immediately suggest a little extra seasoning. And the difference is delicious. “[The building] was a diner called Mary Ellen’s Place [before it was ours],” said Mike Naturkas, co-owner of Paper Station Bistro with wife Tawna Naturkas. “When it was Mary Ellen’s, it also carried newspapers: the Detroit Free Press, The Washington Post, the Petoskey News-Review, [and the like]. At one time, they also carried tons of magazines and comic books and stuff like that, so people [would come in] for a cup of coffee and the paper, and then leave. In New York, [the little stalls] where you go to buy the paper are called ‘paper stations,’ so our name just kind of rolled into that.”

Needless to say, the Paper Station Bistro is far from its former days as a grab-and-go joint for the news and a cup of joe. “[Our background] is in fine dining,” says Mike, “so, when people ask, I tell them it’s a highend burger joint.”

On the Menu: “Our beef is all wagyu, from Fairway Packing Company in Detroit — we don’t sell anything but that,” Mike says. The eponymous “Station Burger,” an eight-ounce patty piled with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, and house-made Thousand Island dressing, is the most popular pick, followed closely by the ooey-gooey Hudson Burger, a masterpiece of mushroom and Swiss, and the classic, crumbly Bleu Burger. But burgers are just the start. In addition to pumped-up pub fare — think hand-dipped onion rings and truffle-parmesan French fries — Paper Station Bistro adds a little countercultural kick to Harbor Springs’ old school Americana with flavor-packed fusions like Asian sesame wings, Mediterranean naan wraps, and Korean-style spicy fries with Bulgogi beef and sriracha mayonnaise.

In fact, the No. 1 foodie fave is the ABC Chicken. “Almond boneless chicken,” says Mike. “It’s a Detroit dish.” Featuring a tempura-battered chicken breast served over basmati rice, a house-made soy glaze and a sliced almond garnish, the ABC Chicken is quickly becoming a cult classic. “People summering from New York and California stop here first [just] to get it,” he says.

“Sometimes, simple is the best.”

Find It: Paper Station Bistro is located at 145 E. Main St., in Harbor Springs. (231) 242-4680, www.paperstationbistro.com.

Trattoria Stella Traverse City Without a lot of vision and a big leap of faith, this well-loved and highly respected Traverse City eatery would never have come to be. Opening back in 2004, it was the first only business in Building 50, part of the former State Hospital — also known as the Northern Michigan Asylum. Although the whole property was under redevelopment at the time, many windows on the floors above the restaurant were still broken, and caged porches loomed above its front door. Detroit natives Amanda Danielson and her husband, Paul, knew they had to create a total experience that would enable guests to suspend reality once they sat down and allow themselves to be transported to a cozy trattoria in Italy.

On the Menu: In the kitchen, Chef Myles Anton formulates an ever-changing menu based on what is fresh and available. He believes in incorporating foods and techniques from other regions, especially Europe. Several trips to Italy, Germany, and Austria have allowed him to work alongside and learn from renowned butchers in those countries, and multiple stages in Italian kitchens in Palermo, Rome, and Florence have been instrumental in the inspiration and refining of his cuisine, in which 95% of the menu is produced from scratch. Anton has also practiced a continuous whole-animal butchery program for the last nine years, and the menu features a special Chef ’s Taste of offal and a Chef ’s Cut of meat every day.

A sampling of items from a recent dinner menu bore testament to Anton’s omnivorous and local/global approach to cooking in every category. Antipasti Caldi (hot appetizers): chargrilled Spanish octopus with house-made Calabrese sausage, smoked shallots, rice, beans and tomato; Antipasti Freddi (cold appetizers): house-made charcuterie platter with massafegati, cacciatore, Calabrian ham, duck liver pâte, rabbit galantina, giardiniera, hard-boiled egg, Italian parsley, date and onion puree, tart cherry mostarda and crostini; Zuppa e Insalate (soup and salad): oven-roasted and chilled beets with house-made fresh mozzarella, candied hazelnuts, red onions and strawberry vinaigrette; Paste (pasta): hand-rolled tortelli with butternut squash and amaretti cookie filling, spiced pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed oil, sage butter and grated Parmigiano Reggiano; Pietanze (main dishes): seared organic breast of chicken saltimbocca with Prosciutto di Parma ham and Fontina Fontal cheese stuffing, golden potatoes, celery root, broccoli florets, thyme and lemon. (Don’t worry, Stella’s servers are willing and able to demystify any unfamiliar ingredients!) Bruschetta and the white and red pizzas are especially popular in the bar area, but can be ordered anywhere in the restaurant.

Find It: Trattoria Stella is located at 1200 West 11th St., in The Village at Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City. (231) 929 – 8989, www.stellatc.com.

34 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

Harwood Gold Café Charlevoix Two sisters, sharing a commitment to family, an appreciation for the land, and some serious entrepreneurial chops are making their mark on a prominent corner in downtown Charlevoix. Harwood Gold, their café and retail destination is an extension of Parsons Centennial Farm, south of Charlevoix, where four generations of family have produced maple syrup and other maple products. Amber Parsons Munday and Katie Parsons Untalan are the fifth generation to take up the business, and with the opening of Harwood Gold, in 2016, they have made it their own, with a 75-product lineup that elevates pure maple syrup to another realm.

Harwood Gold has the vibe of a country general store — if that general store were in a hip urban neighborhood. “Rustic contemporary,” is how Munday describes the setting. Shelving and tables are fashioned from wood repurposed from the family farm.

Counter-height tables are topped with the marble slabs originally used by Murdick’s Famous Fudge — the previous tenant, for more than five decades — and above, a restored tin ceiling speaks to the building’s history. Generous windows frame views of East Park and the marina.

On the Menu: Hawrwood Gold’s maple syrup infusions (currently numbering 16) include roasted hazelnuts, saffron and apricot, and Madagascar vanilla. Spreads and sauces range from black fig and maple paste, and horseradish maple mustard, to farmstyle catsup, maple BBQ, and maple Sriracha. Harwood Gold preserves pair sweet maple sugar with a variety of local fruits, from blueberry lemongrass to strawberry rhubarb. All Harwood Gold products are rigorously tested and then produced in small batches by chef Christina Yost in the farm’s state-of-the-art kitchen. And, three versions of Harwood Gold maple syrup represent the brief sugaring season in its entirety: delicate Golden, rich Amber, and robust Dark.

While the promise of taste-testing draws is reason enough to draw guests, the café offers reason aplenty to stay. Its salads, soups, and wraps are generous, inventive, and healthful, but it is particularly well known for its gourmet version of Aussie hand pies, the ubiquitous Down Under convenience food. Fillings include braised beef brisket, chicken and portobello mushrooms, and braised lamb shank, all encased in a rich, buttery crust that achieves both firmness and flakiness. More than a dozen coffees and teas, plus a half-dozen smoothie choices are also available.

Find It: Harwood Gold Café is located at 230 Bridge St., in Charlevoix. Learn more: (231) 437-3900, harwoodgold.com.

The Cooks’ House Traverse City Jen Blakeslee and Eric Patterson opened the first iteration of The Cooks’ House in 2008 in a tiny building on East Front Street in Traverse City that has served as an incubator for several successful local restaurants.

“People think I’m joking when I say this, but honestly, at the time, we didn’t know anything about the rise of the local food movement in this country,” Patterson said.

“For us, using local, seasonal ingredients just made perfect sense.” Though it was difficult at first, over time, the two built up a long list of farmers in the region who now deliver to them on a regular basis.

In October 2010, they moved to their present location just around the corner — a two-story, white clapboard house that was formerly home to the House of Doggs.

“It needed a lot of renovation,” said Blakeslee. They started with $25,000, and by the time the remodel and everything else was done, they had less than $2,000 in the bank — less than a day’s worth of revenue. “Which is not how you want to open a restaurant,” Patterson noted. Nevertheless, it thrived.

“When we opened The Cooks’ House, we really wanted to make sure that it was casual and approachable enough for everybody,” said Blakeslee. Although they both take their cooking seriously, neither she nor Patterson take themselves too seriously. On their website, they describe the restaurant as having a “comfortable, come-as-you are approach to enlightened food.” For the dress code, they suggest only: “clothes.”

On the Menu: While elements of their favorite culinary influences — French for Patterson; Italian (closely followed by Indian, Asian, and Mexican) for Blakeslee — might show up on The Cooks’ House menu at any time, Blakeslee’s and Patterson’s food defies any particular definition. What comes out on the plates that are brought to the tables is elevated cuisine, artfully presented, but never predictable, and definitely not fussy.

Seasonality is about the only the common denominator. The menu posted on the restaurant’s website is just a sample of what you may encounter on any given night, but it offers a very good idea of the infinite variety and flavor combinations guests have to choose from, any season of the year.

Each item is listed succinctly, with only its ingredients; clever names have no place here. Thus, under Salads & Appetizers, one might find Roasted Beets-Red CabbageDukkah-Olive Oil-Fresh Chevre. Or Warm Mushrooms-Asian Seasoned Pig Ears-Horse Gram Lentils, or Gemelli Pasta-Braised Rabbit-Milkweed Pods-Parmesan Cheese. Main Plates could include Hay Smoked Striped Bass-Carrots-Radish-Pea Shoots-Sesame Seeds; or Slow Roasted Brisket-Wild Ramp Chimichurri-Potato Subji-Swiss Chard; or Sautéed Chicken Breast and Leg ConfitBaby Kale-Whole Roasted Garlic-Curry.

Five- and Seven-course menus are another option, with or without suggested wine pairings. Dessert may be something like Parsnip Cake-Spiced Honey Yogurt.

Find It: The Cooks’ House is located at 115 Wellington St., in Traverse City. (231) 9468700, www.cookshousetc.com.

Wren Suttons Bay Wren Suttons Bay opened on August 1, 2018. But this Wren is completely different from chef Adam McMarlin’s earlier eatery, Wren the Butcher, at State Street Marketplace in Traverse City.

Though there is still meat on the menu, it is not the main event. Wren Suttons Bar is wholly focused on being a reflection of place.

“I believe that your menu should represent where you are and when, so to me, what makes sense is cooking with ingredients that you can acquire from sources nearby at various times of the year,” said McMarlin. In northern Michigan, that means proteins like trout, walleye, chicken, and rabbit. Lately for him, it has also meant sourcing foraged wild rice, beets, quail eggs, cultivated mushrooms, parsnips, and maple syrup from his many suppliers.

On the Menu: Wren has a relatively small menu that changes often. “It starts with what is available,” he said. “If you asked me to just sit down and write a menu, I probably couldn’t do it. But if you gave me an ingredient, I could go from there. It’s fun to work that way.

Based on that model, one can also play a fun guessing game about the key ingredients that inspired other items on the current menu: Starters like the parsnip soup (with apples and gastrique), mixed green salad (with carrot, fennel and daikon radish), and spinach salad (with quail eggs, smoked walleye and currants); or entreés like chicken (with poached turnips, beurre blanc and radish), walleye (with foraged rice and roasted parsnips), and fettucine (with trumpet royale mushrooms, oyster mushrooms and sage).

A recent dessert list included a butterscotch pot de creme (with bourbon maple syrup and Scottish shortbread) and chocolate cake (with pear, hazelnut and chocolate syrup).

“As far as ingredients go, there’s nothing that’s off limits or permanent for me — anything can change at any time,” said, McMarlin, adding however, that Wren’s menu will always include a steak dish, a pasta dish, and one or more fish dishes on the menu, albeit with varying preparations. “When people come here, I hope and I want it to be because they are looking for the experience that we’re going to give them, and they can kind of let

go of the reins a little bit and know it’s probably going to be different every time. That thing they liked so much the last time they were here might not be on the menu anymore, but I think they will also really like what we’re doing now. For me, it makes the menu feel almost like a living thing. It’s always evolving. It keeps everybody on the staff interested, too. We have a couple of really good customers who have been in about seven times since we opened, and they told us recently, ‘It’s better every time.’ And it should be — if it’s not, then I’m not doing my job.”

Find It: Wren is located at 303 N. St. Joseph St., in Suttons Bay. (231) 271-1175, www.wrensuttonsbay.com.

The Roadhouse Mexican Bar & Grill Benzonia Like most restaurants in Northern Michigan, summer is high season for the Roadhouse Mexican Bar & Grill in Benzonia. But it’s worth a drive from outlying regions at other times the of year as well, with the added advantage of having a much better chance of scoring a seat inside or — at least in spring and fall — on the inviting outdoor deck.

Roadhouse owner Gretchen BookelooNahnsen grew up in the hospitality industry, but one Friday evening in 2001 when she found herself sitting at the bar talking to then proprietor, Jim Barnes, she was a little surprised about her reaction to his confession that he was looking to sell the restaurant.

“I didn’t know anything about Mexican food,” she said, “but I liked the Roadhouse, and I just decided on the spot to buy it. We pretty much struck a deal right then and there. I just took the ball and ran, and it has been quite a good little business for me.”

Chef Miguel Roman, originally from Northern Mexico, “came with the package,” she joked. “He was already here when I took over, and that was such good luck for me. He had started as a dishwasher, but Jim had been teaching him how to cook, so I encouraged that further, and he has just gotten better and better. He’s amazing. His wife does kitchen prep, and one of his sons is also coming up through the ranks. His brother works for us now, too — he’s been here at least 10 years.” Much of the rest of the yearround staff has been with the restaurant for more than a dozen years.

On the Menu: The Roadhouse describes its food as “fresh, not fast — hand-prepared daily.” Bookeloo-Nahnsen elaborated: “Our

prep list is huge. We marinate every meat, and cook our beans, rice, vegetables, and sauces in-house — almost everything is from scratch — using fresh herbs and spices.

We also fry our own chips and make three different kinds of salsa — roasted tomato, peach, and fresh tomato.”

First time at the Roadhouse? BookelooNahnsen suggests starting with the house guacamole and then trying the enchiladas (three corn tortillas with either seasoned ground beef, chicken, shredded pork, or cheese, plus mild green chile sauce, onions, refried beans, cheese, and sour cream, all topped with a sunny-side-up egg upon request). Other hot options are the crab enchiladas (three corn tortillas stuffed with crab, onions, and cheese, topped with housemade jalapeño queso sauce and served with sour cream) or vegetarian enchiladas (three corn tortillas filled with black beans, corn, red peppers, onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and cheese, topped with house-made mild green chile sauce and served with sour cream).

No. 2 on the entrée favorites list is the Roadhouse Skillet, which is kind of like a deconstructed fajita (tequila-marinated steak and jerk chicken, grilled peppers and onions, and Monterey Jack, all baked golden brown and served with sour cream).

Customers also love Chef Miguel’s chile rellenos, which are part of two dishes: the Combination Azteca (one each chile relleno, chicken enchilada, and hard-shell ground beef taco) or the Combination Maya (one Chile relleno, one chicken tamale, and two empanadas).

Not surprisingly, the Roadhouse bar menu boasts 70 kinds of tequila; an enticing array of margaritas; Mexican, local craft, domestic and imported beers; and red and white house wines and a few nice Spanish labels (among them a tempranillo rosé and an albariño) available by the glass or by the bottle.

Find It: The Roadhouse Mexican Bar & Grill is located at 1058 Michigan Ave/U.S. 31 South (“at the top of the hill”) in Benzonia.

(231) 882-9631, www.roadhousesalsa.com.

Cousin Jenny’s Cornish Pasties Traverse City Pasties — the ubiquitous self-contained, hand-held pastry (usually filled with meat and vegetables) favored by Cornish miners, and later, Upper Peninsula miners — have a longstanding tradition in Jerilyn De Boer’s family. Her parents operated Jean Kay’s Pasties, named for her mother, Jean Kathleen

Kay Harsch, in Iron Mountain for years.

Her brother, Brian, who helped establish that original restaurant, now has his own Jean Kay’s in Marquette. And building on that heritage, DeBoer brought pasties to the Lower Peninsula, building her own legacy over the past 40 years in Traverse City.

“I went home for a couple of months before we opened and trained with my dad, and he and my mom passed on their recipe for the classic Cornish pastie, which is filled with steak, rutabaga, potato, onion, salt, and pepper,” said Jerilyn De Boer of Cousin Jenny’s.“For the first few years, our clientele consisted mainly of transplants from the UP,” said De Boer. “For the rest, it took education and perseverance on our part — a lot of the customers who came in didn’t even know how to pronounce pastie.” [Ed. note: It’s pass-tee, not pays-tee.]

On the Menu: Cousin Jenny’s makes several kinds of pasties because, De Boer explained, “This is a different market from the UP.” De Boer’s first “expansion” was the veggie pastie (with seven different vegetables, cream, and cheddar cheese); followed by the chicken pastie (with peas, carrots, potatoes, corn, cream of chicken soup, and cheddar cheese). Those two, along with the original steak version, are served daily at Cousin Jenny’s. Two additional varieties bring the selection up to five on a rotating basis during the week, and might include the French potato pastie (with ham, green onion, Monterey Jack, cheddar cheese, and sour cream], the German pastie (with Swiss cheese, ham, and sauerkraut in a rye crust), the Italian pastie (with pizza sauce, pepperoni, Italian sausage, green pepper, and mozzarella cheese — a hit with kids), or the steak’n’cheddar pastie (like the traditional steak pastie, but with the addition of cheddar cheese]. Pasties are offered in two sizes: 10 ounces or 16 ounces.

While a lot of pastie shops fully bake their pasties, De Boer said one of the keys to Cousin Jenny’s success is that after the make their pasties, they only partially bake them: “We never take them to the fully-baked stage until right before serving time. That preserves the quality and guarantees that you get a hot, fresh pastie every time.” Customers can also buy partially baked pasties to go and either take them home and bake them right away, or freeze them for later.

Pasties are the No. 1 seller at Cousin Jenny’s, but the restaurant’s beautifully composed salads are a close second. The menu features 17(!) of them, as well as several sandwiches and wraps, and two to three varying kinds of soup.

Find It: Cousin Jenny’s is located at 129 South Union St., in Traverse City. (231) 9417821, www.cousinjenniespasties.com

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Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 37

38 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

may 11

saturday

SPRING BIRDS AT OTTER CREEK: 8am. Carl Freeman will lead Benzie Audubon’s annual field trip to search for warblers & other migrating birds at Otter Creek in Sleeping Bear National Park. Meet Carl at the west end of Esch Rd. (where it ends at Lake Michigan) & walk south on the road that runs along the creek. Esch Road is off M-22, south of Honor. Bring your National Park pass.

Free. benzieaudubon.org

-------------------9TH ANNUAL GAYLORD HALF MARATHON: 8am, Otsego Lake County Park, Gaylord. Featuring 13.1, 10K & 5K races & a 1 mile fun run. tritofinish.com/gaylordhalfmarathon

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SPRING STREAM MONITORING: 8am, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Needed: two groups of volunteers for the morning: one to collect samples in the stream & one to pick through the samples at the center. All abilities & ages welcome. Contact james@grassriver.org for more info. grassriver.org

-------------------ANNUAL PERENNIAL & PLANT SALE FOR HAITI: 9am-3pm, Traverse Bay United Methodist Church, TC. Sponsored by the Grand Traverse District United Methodist Haiti Mission Team. Proceeds fund the ongoing partnership with young Haitian farmers, working to improve the community of Musac. 231-228-5927.

-------------------TOUCH-A-TRUCK: 9am-noon, TC Christian School. See, touch, explore, & maybe even honk the horns of your favorite trucks & emergency vehicles that serve the Grand Traverse community & beyond. Featuring vehicles & equipment from the military, First Responders, the construction & forestry industry, plus helicopters from North Flight & the US Coast Guard. Free. tcchristian.org/2019/04/25/toucha-truck-and-a-helicopter-too

-------------------TRAVERSE CITY AOMCI MEET: 9am, Medalie Park, Logan’s Landing, TC. Northern MI’s only AOMCI meet. Talk old outboards & see a Great Lakes vacation destination. Free.

-------------------VOLUNTEER STREAM MONITORING COLLECTION DAY: 9am. Help collect aquatic bugs to assess the quality & health of the local waterways. No experience required & free lunch included. Info: 231-882-4391 or john@benziecd. org. All ages welcome. Sampling gear & waders will be provided.

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6TH MARIS FIGHT LIKE A GIRL SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT: 10am, Central Lake softball field.

Featuring Central Lake, East Jordan, Mancelona & Bellaire softball teams. Proceeds go towards Leukemia research. Donations accepted.

-------------------BEAR RIVER FEST: 10am-6pm, Bear River Valley Recreation Area, Petoskey. Watch MI’s top whitewater canoe & kayakers compete with others from around the country at MI’s first man made whitewater park. michiganpaddleevents. com/events

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LEELANAU INDIVISIBLE HOSTS LARRY MAWBY: 10am, Leland Library. Larry Mawby will discuss climate change & local agriculture. Free.

LIDS FOR KIDS TRAVERSE CITY: 10amnoon, F&M Park, TC. This bike safety event is a bike helmet fitting & free helmet giveaway for children ages 4-12 & their families. Children can register to win a free bicycle from McLain Cycle & Fitness, cruise a Norte bicycle obstacle course, meet police officers & firefighters, & tour a fire engine. Free. lidsforkidsmi.org/ traverse-city

-------------------MESICK MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: May 10-12.

Enjoy a giant flea market, carnival, mud bog, softball tournaments, arts & crafts show, 5K run & grand parade. mesick-mushroomfest.org

-------------------MIGRATION MYSTERIES: 10am-12:30pm.

Meet at the Charlevoix Library for the first half of this program where you will learn what bird migration & the international space station have in common. Next go on a guided bird hike with naturalist Samantha Baker from Little Traverse Conservancy at Susan Creek Nature Preserve.

may

Register: 231-237-7350. landtrust.org

-------------------SHANTY TO SHORTS 5K, 10K, FUN RUN: 10am, Shanty Creek Resort, Bellaire. Downhill races. Starts in front of the main entrance of the Lakeview Hotel. $40. shantycreek.com/event/ shanty-to-shorts-5k-10k-fun-run

11-19

-------------------YOUNG WRITERS JURIED EXPOSITION RECEPTION: 11am-1pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center Theater, Petoskey. Winning authors of the 17th Annual Young Writers Juried Exposition are formally acknowledged & have the opportunity to read their work on stage. Students, teachers, family & friends are welcome to attend. Free. crookedtree.org

send your dates to: events@traverseticker.com

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CULINARY ARTS SHOWCASE: 12-2pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Support the Petoskey Culinary Arts Program as they showcase their epicurean abilities. Free. crookedtree.org

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ALES & ACES BEER FESTIVAL: 1-5pm, Odawa Casino, Ovation Hall, Petoskey. Featuring 40+ breweries & 160+ beers. $20. odawacasino.com/entertainment/events.php

-------------------HORIZON BOOKS, TC EVENTS: 1-3pm: Ilya D’Angre will sign her book “The Oaken Crucible.” 3-4pm: Margaret Mallory will sign her book “Kidnapped by a Rogue.” 4-6pm: Book Launch Party with John Wemlinger, author of “Before the Snow Flies.” horizonbooks.com/event

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MODEL RAILROAD MEETING: 1-4pm, Charlevoix Public Library. National Model Railroad Association North Central Region Division 2 Monthly Meeting. Includes a presentation on model railroading & a show & tell. For info, email: info@ncrdivision2.groups.io Free.

-------------------BLOOM, A SPRING SHOWCASE OF DANCE: 2pm & 7pm, TC Central High School Auditorium, TC. Presented by Design Dance Studio.

Tickets can be purchased at mynorthtickets. com. Bloom is two shows featuring the Baby Bee young dancer program & the Design Dance Company, a 24 member elite team. Performances in contemporary, ballet, jazz, tap & hip hop will all be showcased in a family friendly show. $15-$20. designdancestudio.com

-------------------THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME, ARTS ACADEMY THEATRE CO.: 2pm & 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium. Based on the Victor Hugo novel & songs from the Disney animated feature, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Alan Menken & Stephen Schwartz. $29 full, $26 senior, $11 youth. tickets.interlochen.org

-------------------WORLD BELLYDANCE DAY TC FUNDRAISER: 2-5pm, Traverse Wellness Center, TC. Presented through the art of bellydance with Amira Hamzar to benefit Single MOMM of TC. Featuring mini classes. All ages, sizes, shapes & genders welcome (18+ for BellyEsque, please). $5 each or $25 for all 6 classes. Register: https:// www.paypal.me/theschoolofrak (please note which classes you are taking). 231.313.5577.

AmiraHamzarRaks.com

-------------------STELLA!: 3pm, Sleder’s Family Tavern, TC. Stella’s music includes folk, American roots & more. 947-9213. $20 advance; $25 door.

-------------------“ANOTE’S ARK”: 4pm, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. Free documentary screening. Golam Rabbani will discuss his personal experience of entering the US as a political refugee. Followed by discussion about local actions we can all take to tackle climate change, & audience Q & A. Find on Facebook.

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ACLU’S SMART JUSTICE CAMPAIGN LAUNCH PARTY: 4-6pm, State Street Market, TC. Free. go.peoplepower.org/event/action_attend/19249

-------------------AFTERNOON WITH LIVE RAPTORS: 4pm, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Presented

by Wildlife Recovery Association. Registration: Email Rachel Straughen: rstraughen@gtcd.org or call: 941-0960, x17. $10/adult, $5/kid 12 & under, 2 and under, free. natureiscalling.org/

Have a blast with your four-pawed friends and support TART Trails, Inc. at the same time! The 10th Annual Tails to Trails 5K will be held on Sat., May 18 at 9am on the Vasa Pathway. $20/individual; $40/family until May 12, then $25/individual; $50/family. traversetrails.org/event/tails-to-trails-a-four-paw-5k

event/an-afternoon-with-the-raptors

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MICHIGAN DNR STATE PARK CENTENNIAL CAMPFIRE STORYTELLING AUDITIONS: 4-6pm, Hofbrau Steak House & American Grille, Interlochen. Become a Centennial Storyteller & share your heartfelt or humorous 6-8 minute story at the Interlochen audition. Storytellers chosen from these auditions will participate in one official Campfire Storytelling Project event in June-Sept. These events will be recorded & distilled down into a podcast series available online at: Michigan.gov/StateParks100. Free.

-------------------SMART JUSTICE EVENT: 4pm, State Street Market, TC. Join the launch of the Campaign for Smart Justice! A state-wide effort committed to reducing incarceration in MI by 50 percent, & eliminating racial disparities in the criminal legal system. Free. aclumich.org/en/events/ smart-justice-campaign-launch-traverse-city

-------------------WINE ON THE BAY: The Inn at Bay Harbor, May 10-12. Located along the Bay View Wine Trail, this event features tasting events, special dining menus, Sparkle at The Spa, wine touring & more. innatbayharbor.com

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ROCK N JAM: 4:30pm, The Rock, Kingsley.

Music lovers of all ages are invited to a community play along. Listeners & dancers are also welcome. Free. facebook.com/pg/therockofkingsleyMI/events

-------------------COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES PRESENTS STATE BIRD PROVISIONS: amical, TC. San Francisco’s State Bird Provisions was named Best New Restaurant when it opened in 2011.

These former Tapawingo ex-pats have continued to compile accolades for their unique modern American cuisine. Call 941-8888 for reservations. amical.com/state-bird-provisions

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THE DOROTHY GERBER STRING PROGRAM PRESENTS: YEAR-END PROGRAM: 6pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. All aspects of the DGSP are featured in this collage concert, including beginning & intermediate classes, private lesson & Suzuki students, the Dorothy Gerber Youth Orchestra, & The Cummings Quartet. Free. Tickets required. greatlakescfa.org

-------------------BAYSIDE TRAVELLERS CONTRA DANCE: Solon Township Hall, Cedar. 7pm: Basic Skills Workshop; 7:30-10:30pm: Contra & Square

Dance. Live music by Dang Ornos. $11 adult, $7 student, $9 member. dancetc.com “BLITHE SPIRIT”: 7:30pm, Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall. This comedy is presented by the Elk Rapids Players. $15; $12 seniors & students. brownpapertickets.com

-------------------MANITOU WINDS PRESENTS FOUND OBJECTS: 7:30pm, Grace Episcopal Church, TC. Chamber ensemble Manitou Winds presents this spring concert featuring vocalist Emily Curtin Culler. Free. manitouwinds.com/upcomingperformances

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THE WHO’S TOMMY: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. By Peter Townshend & Des McAnuff. After witnessing an accidental murder, a young boy is so traumatized that he loses his ability to see, hear, or speak. He also ceases to care about life & suffers various abuses until he discovers pinball. Tickets: 947-2210, oldtownplayhouse.com, or at OTP Box Office.

Adults: $30; youth under 18: $17.

-------------------GOOD ON PAPER IMPROV: 8pm, West Bay Beach Holiday Inn Resort, TC. $10.

-------------------GOPHERWOOD CONCERTS: 8-10:30pm, 4320 E. 46 Rd., Cadillac. Featuring Ann Arbor singer/songwriter Chris Buhalis. $7-$15. mynorthtickets.com

-------------------HELL ON HEELS DRAG PRESENTS “THE SECRET GARDEN”: 8pm, Red Sky Stage, Petoskey. Enjoy lip syncing, dancing & singing with special guest Mya Space. $10 advance; $15 door. mynorthtickets.com

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AN EVENING UNDER THE STARS: 9-10:30pm, Pigeon River Country Discovery Center, Vanderbilt. Led by astronomer Patrick Stonehouse. This is an outdoor event. Bring a camp chair, blanket & flashlight for afterwards.

A red lens or plastic insert is strongly encouraged to prevent night blindness. pigeonriverdiscoverycenter.org

may 12

sunday

MESICK MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: (See Sat., May 11)

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MOTHER’S DAY DINNER: 11am-2pm, Rainbow of Hope Farm, Kingsley. Featuring a petting zoo, balloon

Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 39

animals, face painting & more. $12 adults, $7 ages 5-10, & free for 4 & under. 231-263-5465. rainbowofhopefarm.weebly.com

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YOGA + BEER: 11am, Silver Spruce Brewing Co., TC. A one hour flow class. This class will start off slow, & as it continues, you will go through sequences that will allow more movement into the body. Bring your own mat. Must sign up. Donations appreciated. eventbrite.com

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SPRING MUSHROOM HUNT: 1pm, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Search for morels & more with a naturalist from Grass River Natural Area. $5. grassriver.org

---------------------THE WHO’S TOMMY: 2pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. By Peter Townshend & Des McAnuff. After witnessing an accidental murder, a young boy is so traumatized that he loses his ability to see, hear, or speak. He also ceases to care about life & suffers various abuses until he discovers pinball. Tickets: 947-2210, oldtownplayhouse.com, or at OTP Box Office.

Adults: $30; youth under 18: $17.

---------------------A WILDFLOWER WALK IN THE PARK: 2:30pm, Michigan Legacy Art Park, Thompsonville. Join Caitlin Chism on this tour to learn about the wildflowers growing along the trail.

The hike covers 2 miles of rustic hilly trails through the 30-acre forest preserve. Free. michlegacyartpark.org/tours-workshops

talk about the major state & regional environmental issues of the past several decades, as well as current issues. Free. gthumanists.org

may 14

tuesday

COFFEE @ TEN, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Carnegie Building, Rotunda Room, Petoskey.

“Japanese Aesthetics & Art with Mami Takahashi.” Mami Takahashi will illustrate visual examples of the concept of MA, presenting a way of seeing the arts through an eastern perspective. Free. crookedtree.org

---------------------CONNECTING WOMEN LUNCHEON: Noon, Treetops Resort, Oak Room, Gaylord. Featuring Carrie Sharpe, “He says, She says” communication consultant & speaker.

---------------------LEARNING FOR LONGEVITY: SPRING IS HERE - LET’S GET MOVING!: 1:30pm, MCHC, rooms A&B, TC. Register. Email: Library-CommunityHealth@mhc.net or call: 9359265. Free. reg.abcsignup.com

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NUTURE NATURE WITH NATIVES: USING NATIVE PLANTS IN YOUR GARDEN: 2pm, Bellaire Public Library. Presented by Antrim Conservation District’s McKenzie Fox & Heidi Shaffer. bellairelibrary.org

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HARBOR SPRINGS BUSINESS & RESTAURANT EXPO: 3-7pm, Holy Childhood Church Community Hall, Harbor Springs. Includes 44 business & restaurant exhibitors. $5.

“BLITHE SPIRIT”: 3pm, Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall. This comedy is presented by the Elk Rapids Players. $15; $12 seniors & students. brownpapertickets.com WINE ON THE BAY: (See Sat., May 11) “FREAKY FRIDAY” AUDITIONS: 5-7pm, Cadillac High School Auditorium. Presented by Cadillac Footliters. cadillacfootliters.com

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MOTHERS UP NORTH: 5-7pm, 123 Speakeasy, TC. Join the Traverse Area Historical Society & explore the lives of the women who have nurtured their families, friends & northern communities throughout the history of TC. Free.

may 13

MONDAY

STATE SEN. WAYNE SCHMIDT COFFEE HOURS: 9-10am, GT Pie Co., 525 W. Front St., TC. 2-3pm: Elk Rapids District Library. For constituents throughout the 37th Senate District. senatorwayneschmidt.com

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SEN. CURT VANDERWALL HOLDS COFFEE HOURS: Open to residents of the 35th Senate District. 12:30-1:30pm: Manistee County Government Center. 2:30-3:30pm: Cadillac Area Chamber of Commerce. 4-5pm: Missaukee County Building, Lake City.

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TCHS CLASS OF 1960 REUNION PLANNING MEETING: 1pm, Cottage Café, meeting room, TC. For info email: mickey@telecomclassifiedads.com

---------------------“FREAKY FRIDAY” AUDITIONS: 6-8pm, Cadillac High School Auditorium. Presented by Cadillac Footliters. cadillacfootliters.com

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TRAVELOGUE OF INDONESIAN ISLANDS: 6pm, Samaritas, Acme. Award-winning photographer Chris Doyal presents a photographic tour of Bali & North Sulawesi’s aquatic life, reefs & other interesting critters. An optional dinner will be served at 5pm for $5. Register.

922-2080. Free.

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DB ROUSE: 7pm, Red Sky Stage, Petoskey.

An Americana musician from Milwaukee, DB & his guitar, Meal-Ticket, have worked as a lounge singer on a cruise ship, a singing ranch hand near Austin, TX, & as a hobo musician for the Grand Canyon Railway. He is an entertainer, a poet & a published novelist. $15 advance; $20 night of. mynorthtickets.com/events/db-rouse

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GT HUMANISTS PRESENT ROSS HAMMERSLEY: 7pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. Environmental attorney Ross Hammersley will

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RPCV MEET UP: 5:30pm, Robby’s Mexican & Spanish Cuisine, TC. The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Northern MI will host a social hour & informal discussion about past service, ideas for creating a community of volunteers in the area, & other service-related topics. Free.

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100+ WOMEN WHO CARE: 6pm, Otsego Resort Special Events Center, Gaylord. otsegofoundation.org

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HERB WALK & YOGA: 6pm, DeYoung Natural Area, TC. Learn how to relate plants & yoga in a fun, relaxing setting with certified herbalist & owner of Bear Earth Herbals, Sierra Bigham, & 200 hour certified yoga instructor Devin Moore.

These Yoga + Plant walks will include tea, poses, meditation & info on the medicinal & edible properties of the local plant friends. Free. yogaplantwalkdeyoung.eventbrite.com

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MICHIGAN MAIN STREET PRESENTATION: 6pm, Cheboygan Opera House. Cheboygan has been awarded Main Street Select Level.

Representatives from Michigan & National Main Street will be in town for a baseline assessment on May 14-15. There will be a formal announcement tonight, with food & networking following. Free. Find on Facebook.

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EXPRESSIVE CULTURE SERIES - BARBARA J. BARTON MANOOMIN: “THE STORY OF WILD RICE IN MICHIGAN”: 6:30-8:30pm, Eyaawing Museum and Cultural Center, Suttons Bay. Barbara J. Barton is an award-winning author & singer-songwriter, endangered species biologist, & wild foods forager. “Manoomin: The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan” is the first book of its kind to bring forward the rich tradition of wild rice in MI, & its importance to the Anishinaabek people who live there. Free.

---------------------SPRING AUTHOR SERIES: 6:30-8pm, Charlevoix Public Library. With true crime author Mardi Jo Link. Mardi is the author of New York Times bestseller “Wicked Takes the Witness Stand,” along with “Isadore’s Secret” & “When Evil Came to Good Hart.”

may 15

40 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

wednesday

18TH ANNUAL “IDEAS FOR LIFE” SENIOR EXPO: 10am3pm, GT County Civic Center, TC. Wear your most outrageous derby-style hats. Over

100 organizations will offer products & services to help seniors, such as free health screenings like dental, hearing & balance testing. There will also be giveaways, games, a “Taste of Traverse” strolling luncheon, & more. tcseniorexpo.org

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EATING FOR OTHERS: 11:30am, Palette Bistro, Petoskey. 10% of dining proceeds go to Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council. Learn about the non-profit: https://www.watershedcouncil.org wineguysgroup.com

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CREATE! TEENS & TWEENS BLIND TASTE TEST CHALLENGE: 4-5pm, Interlochen Public Library. For ages 10-19. Sign up. 231-2766767. tadl.org/interlochen

Bearup-Neal talks to three members of this quintet to go deeper into the reasons for the trip. Free. glenarborart.org

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NATIONAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: May 16-19, Boyne City. Tonight includes the Schmidt Amusements Carnival in Veterans Park & Craft Beer Block Party downtown from 5-9pm. bcmorelfestival.com/events

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BENZIE BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5-7pm, The Mayfair Tavern, Elberta. $5.

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ELK RAPIDS BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5-7pm, Townline Ciderworks, Williamsburg.

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AFSP OUT OF THE DARKNESS WALK KICKOFF PARTY: 5-7pm, Right Brain Brewery, TC. Register for the walk in Sept. Get all your walk questions answered & pick up your free gift. Food will be provided by OPA. Free. afsp.org/traversecity

DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY FUNDRAISER: 5:30pm. Featuring Jenifer Strauss from Story Be Told. Help raise funds to Inspire a Love of Reading! All money raised from this event will go directly to funding the books purchased to mail to children in the Grand Traverse region. $50 per person includes dinner at Boone’s Long Lake Inn, TC.

ANTRIM COUNTY WOMEN DEMS & FRIENDS MEETING: 6pm, Torch Lake Township Hall. Guest speaker is Katie Fahey, who founded Voters Not Politicians, a grass roots movement resulting in the passing of Prop 2, which ended gerrymandering in MI. RSVP: chrisandglennh@gmail.com $5 donation appreciated.

NORTHLAND WEAVERS & FIBER ARTS GUILD MEETING: 5:30pm, TC Senior Center.

There will be a show & tell of items created from recycled materials. There will also be an opportunity to sell, trade or give away some of your excess fiber materials. Please bring items for the MLH conference challenge. Free. northlandweaversguild.com

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MANOOMIN: THE STORY OF WILD RICE IN MICHIGAN WITH AUTHOR BARB BARTON: 6pm, Leland Township Library. Free. lelandlibrary.org

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TC RIDES - FREE COMMUNITY CONCERT: The Little Fleet, TC. Featuring the students of Matthew Cochran, an Interlochen guitar professor. Meet at F&M Park, TC at 5:45pm.

Start riding your bike to The Little Fleet at 6pm. elgruponorte.org

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MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SUPPORT GROUP MEETING: 6:30pm, MCHC, rooms A&B, TC. Caregivers welcome. Call Larry Kustra with any questions: 248-930-7140.

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12TH ANNUAL HARBOR SPRINGS RIDE OF SILENCE: 7pm. Starts & finishes downtown at the city parking lot of the Harbormaster (250 E. Bay St.). Cyclists will take to the roads in a silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Helmets required. Please arrive at the start by 6:30pm for sign in, pre-ride instructions & staging. Free. facebook.com/RideofSilenceHarborSprings

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2019 RIDE OF SILENCE: 7pm, The Filling Station, TC. Presented by the Cherry Capital Cycling Club, this is a slow roll 5 mile bike ride through the TC community. Arrive by 6:30pm to register. You must wear a helmet, ride no faster than 12 mph & ride silently. The ride is held during National Bike Month & aims to raise awareness of cyclists, motorists, police & city officials being frequent users of the public roadways.

It’s also a time to show respect for & honor the lives of those killed or injured in cycling accidents. Free. cherrycapitalcyclingclub.org

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SPRING WILDFLOWERS OF THE FOREST: 7pm, Trinity Lutheran Church, Frankfort. Learn how to identify the spring wildflowers that are only present between the spring thaw & early summer (between April & early June). Program presented by Paula Dreeszen, GT Regional Land Conservancy preserve steward. Free. plantitwild.net

may 16

thursday

CONVERSATION WITH THE CATS: ‘A SUPERIOR ADVENTURE’: 11am, Glen Arbor Arts Center gallery. The Glen Arbor Arts Center is in conversation with the CATS — five Leelanau County painters who followed in the historic footsteps of seven Canadian painters. A conversation with The Cats about their “Superior Adventure” — a trip & an exhibition will be held. GAAC Gallery Manager Sarah

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---------------------WOMEN IN THE WILD SERIES PART II: MOUNTAIN BIKING: 5:30pm. Enjoy a fun way to see the trails & spring wildflowers greening up the forests. Bring your own bike & helmet.

Meet at the Robinson Road parking area. Preregister: 231.347.0991 or landtrust.org/events/.

Free. landtrust.org/event/women-in-the-wildseries-part-ii-mountain-biking

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GEOCACHING 101: 6pm, Cadillac Wexford Public Library. With Linda & Gordon Kimbel a.k.a Rangers 4+1. Learn about the 8400+ caches they have found, the electronic gear needed, & what you can expect to learn along the way in discovering your first cache or your 100th. Free.

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IAF LECTURE: 6pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. “(Latin) American First? Fixing Problem’s in America’s Backyard.” Speaker Ambassador Charles Shapiro, president, World Affairs Council of Atlanta, former ambassador to Venezuela & coordinator of U.S.-Cuban Affairs. Free for current students & educators. $15 others. nmc.edu/news/2019/02/ iaf-spring-events.html

---------------------“COWS DON’T POOP STEAK DAD?”: First Congregational Church, TC. Presented by Plant-based Lifestyle TC & Matt Myers, cofounder of M22. Food tasting & social from 6:30-7pm & presentation from 7-8pm. Register. kennedy@pbltc.org $5/person. eventbrite.com THE WHO’S TOMMY: (See Sat., May 11)

may 17

friday

BUCKLEY OLD ENGINE CLUB’S SPRING SWAP MEET: 9am, Buckley Old Engine Show grounds. Buy, sell, trade or just look. Antique tractors, tractor parts, engines, engine parts, tools, car & truck parts & more. 231-499-6574. Free. buckleyoldengineshow.org

---------------------PETOSKEY RESTAURANT WEEK: May 17-24.

Participating restaurants in Petoskey & Bay Harbor offer three-course menus for $15/$25/$35 with some establishments offering two for one pricing. petoskeyrestaurantweek.com

---------------------ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE TALK: SUSAN WINK: Noon, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Susan Wink shares stories from her 2019 artist’s residency with the Glen Arbor Arts Center. Wink’s residency focuses on a mixed media project called “Grace + Despair.” She will be using found materials including driftwood & other beach debris; & working in clay to create sculptural forms. Free. glenarborart.org

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NATIONAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: May 16-19, Boyne City. Today includes a craft show, free morel seminar, Morel Fest Wine & Dine, First Annual Morel Festival Pub Crawl & more. bcmorelfestival.com/events

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SEN. CURT VANDERWALL HOLDS COFFEE HOURS: Open to residents of the 35th Senate District. 2-3pm: Leelanau County Government Center, Suttons Bay. 4-5pm: Benzie County Government Center, Beulah.

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BARLEY, BBQ & BEATS: 5-9pm, The Wex, Cadillac. A celebration showcasing barbecue from leading pitmasters, hand-crafted cocktails from select MI distilleries & live music from 1000 Watt Prophets & Luke Winslow King.

Tickets include 3 drink tokens & 3 food tokens. $40 advance; $45 door. hom.org/bbb2019

---------------------2019 EMPIRE ASPARAGUS FESTIVAL: Downtown Empire. Friday night includes a pig roast & live music by Jack Pine. Sat. includes the 5k Kick Yer Ass-paragus Fun Run/Walk at Empire Beach, live music by the Benzie Playboys, 5th Gear Band & others, the Asparagus Recipe Contest & Cook-Off & much more. $5/ person; 16 & under free. empirechamber.com/ event/asparagus-festival

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VOCALIST & PIANIST KATHERINE RYAN & FIDDLER & SINGER HANNAH HARRIS: 7pm, Red Sky Stage, Petoskey. Linking Genres: An Exploration of the Connection between Jazz & Irish Traditional Music. $12 advance; $15 night of. 12 & under free. mynorthtickets.com/events/ katherine-ryan-and-hannah-harris

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THE WHO’S TOMMY: (See Sat., May 11) WATOTO AFRICAN CHILDREN’S CHOIR: 7:30pm, First Congregational Church, TC. First time in TC, from Uganda Africa. Free nursery for 0-2 yrs. old, when requested on reservation form. Free. fcctc.org/programs/mel-larimerconcert-series

---------------------30TH ANNUAL ZOO-DE-MACK: Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, May 17-18. Tonight includes registration from 8pm-midnight in the lobby below Zoo Bar; & the Kick-Off Party from 8pm-1:30am in the Zoo Bar. zoo-de-mack.com/ zoo-de-mack-info

may 18

saturday

NATIONAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: May 16-19, Boyne City. Today includes the Morel Breakfast, 59th Annual Morel Mushroom Competitive Hunt, “Run For Their Lives” 5K, Taste of Morels, concert featuring Yankee Station & more. bcmorelfestival. com/events

---------------------30TH ANNUAL ZOO-DE-MACK: Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, May 17-18. Today includes registration from 7:30-10:30am in the lobby below the Zoo Bar; the ride starts between 7:30am & 10:30am at Boyne Highlands in the Ski Area Parking Lot; lunch from 10:30am-2pm at Legs Inn; Post Ride Party from 12-5pm at The Crossings, Mackinaw City. $75. zoo-de-mack.com/zoo-de-mack-info

---------------------GT CONSERVATION DISTRICT NATIVE PLANT SALE: 8am-3pm, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Featuring over 50 species of native plants. Plant experts will also be on hand to help answer questions about what plants would work best in your landscape. natureiscalling.org/native-plant-sale

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10TH ANNUAL TAILS TO TRAILS 5K: 9am, Vasa Pathway. Join us with your four-pawed friends! All proceeds benefit TART Trails. $20/ individual; $40/family until May 12, then $25/ individual; $50/family. traversetrails.org/event/ tails-to-trails-a-four-paw-5k

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BUCKLEY OLD ENGINE CLUB’S SPRING SWAP MEET: 9am, Buckley Old Engine Show grounds. Buy, sell, trade or just look. Antique tractors, tractor parts, engines, engine parts, tools, car & truck parts & more. 231-499-6574.

Free. buckleyoldengineshow.org

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ENHANCE EAST JORDAN: 9am-3pm. Five projects to choose from: Friends of the Jordan, City of East Jordan - Parks, East Jordan Public School - Bike Trail, Grandvue Medical Care Facility, or Raven Hill Discovery Center. Register: info@ejchamber.org or 231-536-7351.

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GRAND TRAVERSE AREA CHILDREN’S GARDEN ANNUAL PLANT SALE: 9am-3pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. All proceeds benefit GTACG 501c3 non-profit. Shop or consider donating plants. Call Joan for more info: 231-649-0044. childrensgardentc.org

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RELAY FOR LIFE OF OTSEGO-MONTMORENCY COUNTIES: 9am-9pm, The Ellison Place, Gaylord. “Hope Comes in Many Colors.”

Info: 989-350-4964. main.acsevents.org

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TVC5K - RUN THE RUNWAY: 9am, Cherry Capital Airport, 1220 Airport Access Rd., TC. Benefits the Wings of Mercy West Michigan & Goodwill Inn of Northern Michigan. $37; 14 & under, $10. runsignup.com

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2019 EMPIRE ASPARAGUS FESTIVAL: (See Fri., May 17)

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DAYS FOR GIRLS/RUMPLED QUILTS KIN GUILD: 10am-3pm, Golden Fellowship Hall, Interlochen. The quilt guild along with the Days for Girls in Benzie (Kathy Ross) are making reusable sanitary products for third world countries. Days for Girls is a non-profit organization that helps girls stay in school & retain dignity, giving back important days of their lives. Anyone who would like to participate in this project can help for any amount of time. Free.

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GARDEN STORYTELLER SERIES: 10-11am, The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, TC. Growing Green with Jenny Jean! Featuring touring artist & storyteller Jenifer Straus & master gardener Jenny Jean. Also take part in a planting project. Free. thebotanicgarden.org/ events

---------------------KNEE-HIGH NATURALIST: CRITTER CATCHERS (3-5 YEAR OLDS): 10am, Round Lake Nature Preserve, Harbor Springs. Take a peek under logs & turn over leaves to uncover some critters. See the world of insects & decomposers & discover their unique adaptations & the places they call home. Pre-register: 231.347.0991 or landtrust.org/events/. Free. landtrust.org/event/knee-high-naturalist-crittercatchers-3-5-year-olds

---------------------SPLASH OF COLOR 5K RUN & 1 MILE WALK: 10am, Petoskey’s Bay Front Park.

Benefits mental health awareness. Presented

by North Country Community Mental Health. $15-$20. eventbrite.com

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WINERIES OF OLD MISSION PENINSULA BLOSSOM DAY: 10am-5pm. The ticket price includes a souvenir glass, light bite at each winery & wine tastings at all 10 wineries. $30 advance; $35 day of. wineriesofomp.com/33/ blossom-day

---------------------JOURNAL-KEEPING IN NATURE: A WORKSHOP WITH KAREN ANDERSON: 10:30am, Leland Township Library. Join IPR essayist Karen Anderson for a discussion of journalkeeping in nature—with tips, prompts, & sample writings from many famous naturalists, including Annie Dillard, Peter Matthiessen, Aldo Leopold, & Terry Tempest Williams. Bring a notebook & favorite writing implement. Be prepared for going outdoors for a brief excursion.

Free. lelandlibrary.org

---------------------CHILDREN’S AUTHOR PATTY BROZO: 11:30am-1:30pm, Saturn Booksellers, Gaylord.

Meet this author of “Miss Pinkeltink’s Purse.”

Story times will be at noon, 12:30pm & 1pm. saturnbooksellers.com

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HORIZON BOOKS, TC EVENTS: 11:30am12:30pm: Book Release Party with Brianne Farley, author of “Charlotte the Scientist Finds a Cure.” 2-4pm: Mary K. Eastman will sign her book “Return to Sleeping Bear.” horizonbooks. com/event

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PETOSKEY RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Fri., May 17)

BIKE-A-THON FUNDRAISER: Noon on Sat., May 18 to noon on Sun., May 19, GT County Civic Center, Norte Wheelhouse, TC. Proceeds help make improvements at the Civic Center & fund scholarships so kids in need can participate in programs. elgruponorte.org CENTENNIAL SUMMER FUN OPEN HOUSE: Noon, Interlochen State Park. Celebrate the MI state parks’ centennial & National Kids to Parks Day. Get ideas for family-friendly outdoor fun offered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) & area organizations to encourage learning-through-adventure all summer long.

“Touch the Trucks” where kids can get handson with the biggest equipment the DNR uses to maintain parks, stock fish, enforce laws & fight fires. Participate in the Centennial Summer Fun Scavenger Hunt where you can get to know area outdoor organizations, get a selfie with Smokey Bear, try your hand at archery, casting & much more. Free - must have a recreation passport for vehicle entry. michigan.gov

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MOHAWKS FOR MUNSON: 12-4pm, 400 W. Front St., TC. Annual fundraising event that supports the local cancer community & Cowell Family Cancer Center at Munson Health Center, TC. Register. Enjoy BBQ, live music

by Mike Moran, free Moomers ice cream, a bounce house, face painting, crafts for kids, Mohawk shaving & a faux-hawk styling for kids.

Free. crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/mohawksformunson2019

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SCIENCE DAY: EARTH & SPACE: 12-4pm, Raven Hill Discovery Center, East Jordan. Featuring activities developed by the National Informal STEM Education Network. Kids of all ages can take part in ‘make-it, take-it activities’ which will give guests an opportunity to construct an electroscope to detect static electricity, make a pocket solar system, build & test simple rockets & more. 231-536-3369.

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WATER SENSORS CAREER EXPLORATION DAY: Noon, NMC’s Great Lakes Campus, Room 112, TC. This session recaps & continues to work with water sensors, with an exploration of groundwater & inland streams. It wraps up with careers in water round table. For ages 11-20. Contact: Mark Ewing: 231.631.7490; mark.ewing@scouting.org Free. exploringmi. eventbrite.com

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5TH ANNUAL IPL’S MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS & FRIENDS TEA: 1-3pm, Interlochen Public Library, Community Room. Light fare, sweets & tea will be served. Peter Rabbit theme. Create a craft together. For ages 7-107.

Sign up. 231-276-6767. tadl.org/interlochen

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GALLERY TALK: “DISCOVERING LIFE IN A PACKAGE”: 1pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Enjoy a guided, interactive viewing of Orna Ben-Ami’s Entire Life in a Package exhibition. Led by Rev. Wayne Dziekan, the program will focus on connecting the exhibition’s art & message to our own lives & experiences with the goal of helping to build solidarity with migrants, refugees & asylum-seekers around the world. Reserve your spot: 995-1055. Free. dennosmuseum.org

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POWER! BOOK BAGS’ THIRD BIRTHDAY PARTY: 2-5pm, The Little Fleet, TC. Free.

Bring a children’s book for distribution at the School Vacation Book Give-Aways. powerbookbags.com

---------------------THE RETURN OF THE CROSSHATCH BENEFIT: 4-8pm, Short’s Brewing Co., Bellaire.

A mid-spring dance party featuring DJ Ras Marco, a local food special, the launch of the Crosshatch spring matching gift campaign, & the first ever Imperial Crosshatch Beer. Find on Facebook.

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CAAC DANCE RECITAL: 6pm, Cheboygan Opera House. Call the Box Office at 231-6275841 for tickets. $10 adults, $5 students. Find on Facebook.

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FLAG RAISING TAILGATE PARTY AT WEST BAY BEACH RESORT: 6pm, West Bay Beach Holiday Inn Resort, TC. Join the American Legion & VFW for a Flag Raising Ceremony

from 6-6:30pm featuring Levi Britton singing the National Anthem. Relax & dance after the ceremony to the tunes of Levi Britton & Sweetwater Blues Band from 6:30-10pm. Free. Find on Facebook.

---------------------N. MI PRE-SEASON PARTY FEATURING KNEE DEEP: 6-10pm, Old Art Building, Leland. Donations benefit the Old Art Building & Veterans Housing USA. MyNorthTickets.com or 231-256-2131. $15, includes pizza.

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BENEFIT FOR MICHIGAN CITIZENS FOR WATER CONSERVATION: 7pm, St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Beulah. Sponsored by the Singing Sisters of Northern Michigan, Gaia Women of the Great Lakes Basin & St. Andrews Social Justice Committee, this benefit supports the concern of Michiganders for our water, onefifth of the world’s fresh water. People in MI are particularly concerned with the health of the Great Lakes surrounding our state. Donation of $20 requested. mistysheehan11@gmail.com

---------------------PETER “MADCAT” RUTH: 7pm, Red Sky Stage, Petoskey. Enjoy this Ann Arbor Grammy Award-winning virtuoso harmonica player.

Peter also sings & plays ukulele, guitar, highhat, jaw-harp, penny-whistle, kalimba, banjo & other folk instruments. $15 advance; $20 door. mynorthtickets.com/events/peter-madcat-ruth

---------------------CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SONG: 7:30pm, First Presbyterian Church, Harbor Springs. A concert by Little Traverse Choral Society. Adults $15; students $5; children under 12 free. littletraversechoralsociety.org

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THE WHO’S TOMMY: (See Sat., May 11) CARROT TOP: 5pm, Little River Casino Resort, Manistee. This red-haired king of prop comedy will unpack loads of crazy props & wacky inventions. $45, $55, $60. lrcr.com/ event-calendar/concerts/carrot-top

---------------------CHRISTIE LENEE: 8pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. Christie’s guitar work & instrumental compositions are described as ‘Michael Hedges meets Joni Mitchell and Dave Matthews.’ $15 members, $20 non-members. blissfest.org/concert-series

---------------------SIPS & GIGGLES COMEDY SHOW FEATURING AARON KLEIBER: Aaron Kleiber has appearances on AXS TV’s Gotham Comedy Live, NUVO TV, Bob & Tom Radio, toured with Bert Kreischer, Jim Breuer, Bob Saget, Doug Benson and many more!

ECCO Event Space, 121 E Front St, TC. $20adv; $25 door. Mynorthtickets.com

may 19

sunday

JOLLY PUMPKIN RUN: 8:30am. Start & end at Mission Point Lighthouse. The 5K & mile courses are on Old Mission Point Park wide trails with views of both East & West Grand Traverse Bay & local cherry orchards. $44. jollypumpkinrun. com/race-information-traverse-city-mi

-------------------BIKE-A-THON FUNDRAISER: (See Sat., May 18) ---------------------64TH ANNUAL NMC BARBECUE: 11am-5pm, NMC, TC. Featuring buffalo steakettes or hot dog, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw, beverage & ice cream; live entertainment; children’s games & activities & more. The traditional spring “Picnic Under the Pines” will raise money for student scholarships & the new West Hall Innovation Center. $6 advance; $8 day of. nmc.edu/ departments/public-relations/nmc-barbecue

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NATIONAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: May 16-19, Boyne City. Today includes a craft show & Schmidt Amusements Carnival. bcmorelfestival.com/events

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PLOW DAY: 11am-3pm, The Rex Dobson Ruby Ellen Farm. Horse-drawn plowing demonstrations, horse-drawn wagon rides, woodturning, blacksmithing, rope making, harnessing demonstration, obstacle course run, & more. Free; donations accepted. rubyellenfarm.org

Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 41

SUMMER 2019

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PETOSKEY RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Fri., May 17)

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BLESSING OF THE BLOSSOMS: 12:30pm, Chateau Chantal, TC. This non-denominational service is the origin of the Cherry Festival, with Pastor Melody Olin from Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church. Complimentary cherry pie, refreshments & musical entertainment will take place after the service. Free.

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SPRING WILDFLOWER WALK: 1pm. Take a hike through a rich, northern hardwood forest in search of spring ephemeral wildflowers. Meet at the Church Road parking area (expect to park along the road). Pre-register: 231.347.0991 or landtrust.org/events/. Free.

YARN BOMB MAKER DAY #2: 1-3pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center. This is one of several Makers Days leading up to a Sept. 15 yarn bombing/installation at the GAAC. Please bring: your needles, craft yarn, old wool sweaters & scarves that no one wears, & yarn sewing needles. This yarn bombing is part of the upcoming exhibition “Fiber Without Borders,” Sept. 13 Nov. 7. 231-334-6112. Free. glenarborart.org

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June 28, 29 & July 5, 6 RICHARD III

by William Shakespeare

JULY

CAAC DANCE RECITAL: 3pm, Cheboygan Opera House. Call the Box Office at 231-6275841 for tickets. $10 adults, $5 students. Find on Facebook.

SUMMER 2019

Monday, July 1 BÉLA FLECK & the FLECKTONES Saturday, July 6 DORRANCE DANCE Thursday, July 11 CASTING CROWNS Friday, July 12 REBA MCENTIRE Tuesday, July 16 I’M WITH HER Wednesday, July 17 DIANA ROSS Saturday, July 20 JOSHUA DAVIS with STEPPIN’ IN IT Tuesday, July 23 PETER FRAMPTON The Farewell Tour Thursday, July 25 “WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC

AUGUST Aug. 1 - 4 9 TO 5, THE MUSICAL

Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton

Friday, Aug. 9 LADY ANTEBELLUM with KYLIE MORGAN Tuesday, Aug. 13 JONNY LANG and JJ GREY & MOFO Wednesday, Aug. 21 VINCE GILL

ON SALE NOW! tickets.interlochen.org 800.681.5920

CHERRY CAPITAL CYCLING CLUB MON. EVENING PENINSULA RIDE: Mondays, 6pm, TC Central High School, west side parking lot.

Old Mission Peninsula ride out along East Bay & return along West Bay. Beware of high traffic areas & please ride single file in these areas, especially Center Rd. along East Bay & Peninsula Dr. along West Bay south of Bowers Harbor. cherrycapitalcyclingclub.org

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CTAC SCHOOL OF MUSIC COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS SPRING CONCERT: 2:30-4pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center Theater, Petoskey.

Free. crookedtree.org

Interlochen Shakespeare Festival

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GUIDED WALKING HISTORY TOURS: Mon., Tues., Weds. at 2pm. The tours begin & end at Perry Hannah Plaza - 6th & Union streets.

Each tour is about two & a half hours of slow walking over a two-mile route, with a rest stop at the TC Visitors Center.

STORY STEW: Peninsula Community Library, Old Mission Peninsula School, TC. Held every Thurs. at 10am, with the fourth Thurs. offering free books for kids courtesy of Born to Read & Twilight Rotary. Featuring stories, crafts & songs. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org STORYTIME: Fridays, 10:30am at Leland Township Library. Stories & play designed to promote joy & growth in literacy. Children ages 0-6 & their caregivers welcome. lelandlibrary.org

-------------------THREADS FIBER ARTS GROUP: Mondays, 10am, Peninsula Community Library, Old Mission Peninsula School, TC. Bring your own needlework project & work among friends. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org

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THURSDAY NIGHT MOUNTAIN BIKE RIDE: Thursdays, 6pm, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Open to all, but geared for intermediate level riders & new racers. You’ll get a chance to ride a lap of the Peak2Peak Mountain Bike Race Course including the Crystal Climb. Meet at the Park at Water’s Edge. Rental bike with helmet: $19. Helmet only: $10. crystalmountain.com/ event/thursday-night-mountain-bike-ride

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TC BACKGAMMON CLUB: Tuesdays, 6-9pm at Right Brain Brewery, TC. Free lessons available to all new-comers. facebook.com/TraverseCityBackgammonClub

-------------------CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF SONG: 3pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor.

A concert by Little Traverse Choral Society.

Adults $15; students $5; 12 & under free. greatlakescfa.org ENCORE WINDS CONCERT: 3pm, First Congregational Church, TC. “Our American Musical Heritage.” $15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 students, 12 & under free. mynorthtickets.com

2ND ANNUAL BENEFIT FOR CHERRYLAND HUMANE SOCIETY: FUNDRAISER FOR FIDO: 4-7pm, Visions Weddings & Banquets, TC. Featuring live music by The Dune Brothers, live & silent auctions, & small plates from TC venues. Tickets: $50 in advance from Pets Naturally or $55 door. 944-1944.

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DENNIS PALMER: 4pm, Sleder’s Family Tavern, TC. This performance is a CD release celebration of Dennis’ latest recording entitled “Untethered.”

Dennis has released five CDs of original music ranging from acoustic blues to contemporary folk.

947-9213. $20 advance; $25 door.

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KEVIN BURKE: 7:30pm, The Rhubarbary, 3550 Five Mile Creek Rd., Harbor Springs. This fiddle great is a beloved Irish music player. In the U.S. he received a National Heritage Fellowship from the NEA, & in Ireland, the prestigious Gradam Ceoil award. 231-499-8038.

ongoing

ODE TO ASPARAGUS: Held as part of the upcoming Empire Asparagus Festival. Poets are invited to submit their asparagus-themed verse to the Glen Lake Library by Thurs., May 16.

Poems can be emailed to info@glenlakelibrary. net; mailed to GLCL, PO Box 325, Empire, MI 49630; or dropped off at the library’s interim location, 12020 S. Leelanau Hwy., Empire. All entries will be shared at the poetry reading on Sat., May 18 at 2pm at the Empire Township Hall. Prizes will be awarded for the top poems.

231-326-5361. glenlakelibrary.net

-------------------BLOOMS & BIRDS: WILDFLOWER WALK: Tuesdays, 10am, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. A relaxing stroll on the trails with Grass River Natural Area docent Julie Hurd to find & identify wildflowers. Along the way listen & look for the birds that call Grass River home. grassriver.org

42 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

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-------------------BOYNE CITY INDOOR FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 9am-noon, City Hall, Boyne City.

GAYLORD DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 10am-2pm, The Alpine Plaza, main hallway, Gaylord.

-------------------EAST JORDAN FARMERS MARKET: Thursdays, 9am-1pm, Memorial Park, East Jordan.

-------------------ELLSWORTH FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 9am-noon, Ellsworth Community Square.

-------------------INTERLOCHEN FARMERS MARKET: Sundays, 9am-2pm, 2112 M 137, Interlochen.

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SARA HARDY DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 7:30am-noon, Sara Hardy Farmers Market Lot, Union St. at Grandview Parkway, TC.

-------------------SUTTONS BAY FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 9am-1pm, intersection of M22 & M204, Suttons Bay.

-------------------THE VILLAGE AT GT COMMONS, TC FARMERS MARKET: Mondays, 12-4pm, South Historic Front Lawn.

art

THE CATS ON THE PROWL: A SUPERIOR ADVENTURE EXHIBITION: Glen Arbor Arts Center.

In 2016 five Leelanau County painters followed in the historic footsteps of seven Canadian painters. The result is a visual record of “The Cats on the Prowl: A Superior Adventure.” An exhibition of paintings generated by that trip are on display through May 26. GAAC hours: Mon.-Fri., 9am3pm; & 12-4pm on Sun. glenarborart.org.

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“THE ART OF COMING UNDONE” EXHIBIT: Michigan Artists Gallery, TC. Over 40 artists interpreting the work of Daniel Belardinelli. Runs UNDER ART:

S through mid-June. michiganartistsgallery.com

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“PORTRAITS OF WHIMSY”: Charlevoix Circle of Arts. Paintings, assemblages & sculptures that illustrate that “whimsy” can truly acquire the status of sophisticated fine art. Runs through June 8. charlevoixcircle.com/exhibits.html

-------------------GREAT NORTHERN FINE ART - FINE CRAFT EXPO: An outstanding fine art—fine craft open to all MI artists 18 & older, offering eight juried category awards - $500 each, & a grand award determined by the People’s Choice: $1,500.

Can submit through May 31. Downtown Grayling becomes an art gallery during the fifteen days of voting: July 19-Aug. 3. Artists’ demos & the Performing Arts Music Competition will take place on Sat., Aug. 3, concluding with the awards gala at 5pm at Paddle Hard Yard, Grayling. artisanvillage.org/call-for-entries.html

-------------------CALL FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS - NORTHPORT PHOTO EXHIBIT: Through May 31. 2019 NORTHPORT PHOTO EXHIBIT: June 21-30.

Limited to 35. Photographers Reception: June 21, 6pm. northportartsassociation.org

-------------------2019 YOUTH ART SHOW: Crooked Tree Arts Center Galleries, Petoskey. Artwork created by Char-Em ISD & home school students, kindergarten through grade 12. Runs through May 11. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/2019youth-art-show-petoskey

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“ITALY: CLOSE UP”: Runs through May 25 at Twisted Fish Gallery, Elk Rapids. Featuring photographers Kathie Carpenter, Marilyn Hoogstraten, Kathy Silbernagle & Babs Young. twistedfishgallery.com

-------------------OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT: - POP-UP EXHIBITION: K.W. Bell & her torso sculptures will run through May 12.

- ANNUAL MEMBER EXHIBITION: Members of OAC are able to enter up to two works of art to be on display through May. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org

-------------------GAYLORD AREA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS, GAYLORD: - JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT: Runs through June 1.

- CREATIVE CROWD: Fridays, 11:30am2:30pm through June 28. Bring your own supplies to work on any type of art or craft project. gaylordarts.org

-------------------HIGHER ART GALLERY, TC: - CALL FOR ARTISTS: MODERN ARCHETYPES: An all-female artist exhibit exploring the idea of human consciousness & how archetypes unite all of us. Submit up to 2 pieces each which really capture the idea of the role archetypes play not only in your own life personally, but in society as a whole. Deadline to apply is July 1 at midnight. Exhibit runs Sept. 6 - Oct. 4.

- “DRAWN TO” WOMEN OF CONTEMPORARY ILLUSTRATION: A curated exhibit featuring 14 female illustrators from around the world.

Runs through June 7. higherartgallery.com

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CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC: - “BODIES OF COLOR... RECENT WORK BY DECARLO LOGAN”: Logan’s artwork analyzes the intangible aspects of identity to encourage dialog & understanding. Two recent mixed media series by the artist will be on display.

Runs through July 20.

- “BODIES OF ME... RECENT WORK BY LIZ WIERZBICKI”: Held in Carnegie Gallery. Liz creates work that critiques ideas of gender, sexuality & self in a digital age. Runs through July 20.

- “BODIES OF... JURIED EXHIBITION OF CERAMIC ARTS”: Juror Sigrid Zahner selected approximately 60 works by Great Lakes regional artists to be included in this exhibition. Runs through July 20. crookedtree.org

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MODERN

The Raconteurs

ROCK

BY KRISTI KATES

One of native Detroiter Jack White’s many projects is his band The Raconteurs, with Jack Lawrence, Brendan Benson, and Patrick Keeler. The Racs have been pretty quiet, album-wise, for the past 10 years or so, but that’s about to change. The third album, Help Us Stranger, is set to hit outlets June 21 in all the usual formats, plus limited-edition vinyl with green, black, and copper swirls. The album will also include contributions from sister singers Lillie Mae and Scarlett Rische, as well as multi-instrumentalist Dean Fertita, of Queens of the Stone Age, who’s also in White’s other other band, The Dead Weather …

The official soundtrack for the new Warner Bros. comic book movie Shazam! (starring Zachary Levi, Mark Strong, Ian Chen, and Jack Dylan Grazer) is out this week. It features the movie’s original music, composed by Benjamin Wallfisch, who’s also known for his musical work in Hidden Figures and Blade Runner 2049. The digital version is out now; the CD version will hit physical outlets May 10 and can be pre-ordered online, complete with tracks “Compass,” “This is Power,” “Super Villain,” and “Come Home Billy” …

Bus Benefit is the name for the annual Memorial Day weekend festival hosted by Buses by the Beach that will take place at

Camp Blodgett, just south of Grand Haven on the shore of Lake Michigan. Tickets are on sale now for the event’s May 24–27 dates.

A wealth of regional acts are on the bill this year: Expect Nicholas James, Political Lizard, Van Mason, The Go-Rounds, Fauxgrass, and Roosevelt Diggs. In addition to the concert performances, attendees can also enjoy wooded camping, swimming, a silent auction, food and beverages, and family activities; if you show up in a VW bus or van, all the better …

In more festival news (albeit it a little farther away), the Woodstock 50 Music and Arts Fair has announced the lineup of its three-day 50th anniversary event, which will happen the same weekend as the original Woodstock, August 16–18. Set in Watkins Glen, New York, the fest will include performances from a wealth of pop and rock musicians, including The Lumineers, The Killers, Run the Jewels, The Head and the Heart, Chance the Rapper, The Black Keys, Cage the Elephant, JAY-Z, Imagine Dragons, and Michigan’s own Greta Van Fleet. For the complete lineup, ticket info, and additional information about the charitable causes partnering with the event, visit www.woodstock.com …

LINK OF THE WEEK Interpol has a brand-new five-track EP,

A Fine Mess, on the way May 17 on Matador Records. The EP serves as follow-up to the band’s latest full-length release, August 2018’s Marauder. The band has already released a preview single and video from the album.

Check it out at https://youtu.be/lk7im7Iqzek …

THE BUZZ Those of you hoping The Rolling Stones would make a stop in Michigan on its 2019 North American No Filter tour will have to wait a while longer to find out if those dates will be added or not; the postponed tour will offer up new dates after Mick Jaggers medical issues are resolved.

You can still catch Sara Bareilles in concert; her tour kicks off in Detroit on Oct.

5, in promotion of her new album Amidst the Chaos …

Lansing’s Wharton Center has announced its slate of performance events for the 2019–2020 season, which will include the musicals Les Miserables and Dear Evan Hansen, plus performances by Imami Winds, Pilobolus (dance company), and the Kenny Barron Trio …

Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids will kick off its season June 6 with Nahko and the Medicine for the People … and that’s the buzz for this week’s Modern Rock.

Comments, questions, rants, raves, suggestions on this column? Send ’em to Kristi at modernrocker@gmail.com.

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MOHS SURGERY MEDICAL DERMATOLOGY COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY Prompt appointments available.

Both of our physicians, Laurel Leithauser, MD and Anthony Van Vreede, MD are board-certified dermatologists. Dr. Leithauser is also a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon and skin cancer specialist.

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FOURSCORE by kristi kates

Sad Planets – Akron, Ohio – TeePee

Putting indie-rocker John Petkovic and The Black Keys’ Patrick Carney together — you’d think — should result in a grit-pop collection of quirkily interesting proportions. And it almost does. With hints of both U2 and The Replacements, these tunes do evoke a place (namely grungy, struggling working-class towns of the Midwest), but the album’s overproduction negates the music’s effectiveness. “Just Landed” is too smooth for its country-punk approach, while “City Ghosts” is so effect-laden, it just comes across as cheesy.

Anthony Van Vreede, MD, FAAD

Daniel Norgren – Wooh Dang – Superpuma

Kristen Rivard

Realtor™

231.590.9728

kristen.rivard@cbgreatlakes.com 402 East Front Street • Traverse City, MI Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated

Recorded entirely on a 16-track analog recorder, Norgren, who brought in some pals to fill in on bass (Anders Grahn), guitar/ banjo (Andreas Filipsson), and drums (Erik Berntsson), presents a warm, recognizable sound while still keeping the tunes fresh and intriguing. Mixing his singer-songwriter approach with crafty soundscapes (that include elements of folk, psychedelic pop, and country) results in highlights like the pleasantly meandering opener, the affirming “The Power,” and the equally positive “Rolling Rolling Rolling.”

www.tcskinsurgery.com (231) 486-0230 1225 West Front Street, Suite C, Traverse City

BLissfest Music Organization Presents

Spring Concerts Jai Wolf – The Cure to Loneliness – M&P Music

Rebecca Loebe

Sajeeb Saha, otherwise known as Jai Wolf, has a real knack for combining shoe-gaze pop melodies with dance-remix DJ grooves (including a previous remix collaboration with Zedd), and he’s found the perfect base for his operations via his new record label home. “It All Started with a Feeling” is pure nostalgia, all ’80s synths and rumbling ’70s bass lines. “Around the World” (featuring Now Now) revolves around its anchoring catchy piano line, while “Drowning” brings in Robokid’s vocals for extra emotion.

Snowy White and the White Flames – The Situation – AFM Records

Christie Lenee

44 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

Snowy White is a respected guitarist, having worked with the likes of Pink Floyd, Roger Waters, and Thin Lizzy. But this solo outing is pretty average, compared with his accomplishments on guitar. White, who also sings, brought in an impressive shortlist of friends to work with him on the album, but unfortunately, the tunes themselves are less than this ensemble’s potential. From the cliched title track to the tired bar-room sounds of “Blues in My Reflection,” there aren’t any standouts in the entire set.

nitelife

may 11 - may 19 edited by jamie kauffold

Send Nitelife to: events@traverseticker.com

Grand Traverse & Kalkaska

ACOUSTIC TAP ROOM, TC 5/11 -- DB Rouse, 7-9 5/17 -- Les Dalgliesh, 7-9 5/18 -- Zeke, 7-9 GT DISTILLERY, TC Fri. – Younce Guitar Duo, 7-9:30 KILKENNY'S, TC 5/10-11 -- Lucas Paul, 9:30 5/16 -- 2 Bays DJs, 9:30 5/17-18 -- Risqué, 9:30 LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC 5/13 -- Open Mic Night w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9 ORYANA COMMUNITY CO-OP, TC 5/16 -- Blair Miller, 4 PARK PLACE HOTEL, TC BEACON LOUNGE: Thurs,Fri,Sat — Tom Kaufmann, 8:30 SAIL INN BAR & GRILL, TC Thurs. & Sat. -- Phattrax DJs & Karaoke, 9 SLEDER'S FAMILY TAVERN, TC 5/12 -- Stella!, 3 5/19 -- Dennis Palmer, 4

STUDIO ANATOMY, TC 5/11 -- PAN, The Glorious Dead, Undercroft, Cavalcade, 8 5/18 -- Comedy Night: Mother's Day Showcase, 9 TC WHISKEY CO. 5/16 -- Sam & Bill, 6-8 TAPROOT CIDER HOUSE, TC 5/11 -- Chris Smith, 7-9 5/18 -- StoneFolk, 4 THE DISH CAFE, TC Tues, Sat -- Matt Smith, 5-7 THE HAYLOFT INN, TC 5/11 -- The Cow Puppies, 8 THE PARLOR, TC 5/11 -- Dave Crater, 8 5/15 -- Wink, 8 5/16 -- Chris Smith, 8 5/17 -- Matt Mansfield, 8 5/18 -- Chris Sterr, 8 THE SHED BEER GARDEN, TC 5/15 -- Sutton James, 5-9 THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC 5/11 -- Charlie Millard, 8 5/13 -- Rotten Cherries Comedy Open Mic, 8:30 Tues. – TC Celtic – Traditional Irish music, 6:30-9

Wed -- Jazz Jam, 6-10 5/17 -- sLow taKo Record Release Party, 8 5/18 -- Turbo Pup, 8 UNION STREET STATION, TC 5/11 -- Turbo Pup, 10 5/12, 5/19 -- Karaoke, 10 5/13 -- Jukebox, 10 5/14 -- TC Comedy Collective, 8-9:30; then Open Mic/Jam Session w/ Matt McCalpin & Jimmy Olson, 8 5/15 -- DJ DomiNate, 10 5/16 -- DJ Prim, 10 5/17 -- Happy Hour w/ Shavey & Friends; then Skin & Marshall 5/18 -- Skin & Marshall - Dance Party, 10 WEST BAY BEACH HOLIDAY INN RESORT, TC 5/11 -- Good on Paper Improv, 8 5/18 -- Flag Raising Tailgate Party w/ Levin Britton Singing National Anthem & Sweetwater Blues Band, 6-10 VIEW: 5/11, 5/18 -- DJ Motaz, 10 5/15 -- Jimmy Olson, 6 5/16 -- Jeff Haas Trio & Laurie Sears, 6

Emmet & Cheboygan BEARDS BREWERY, PETOSKEY 5/11 -- Greg Vadnais Quartet, 8-11 5/12 -- Owen James - Second Sunday Solo Set, 6-9 5/17 -- Adam Hoppe, 8-11 5/18 -- Two Track Mind, 8-11 5/19 -- Charlie Millard, 6-9

CELLAR 152, ELK RAPIDS 5/11 -- Blair Miller, 8 5/17 -- Jeff Brown, 8-10 ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS 5/11 -- Kyle Brown, 8 5/18 -- The Pistil Whips, 8 LAKE STREET PUB, BOYNE CITY

Sat -- Karaoke, 8-11 PINE LAKE LODGE, BOYNE CITY 5/17 -- Jelly Roll Blues Band, 8-11 RED MESA GRILL, BOYNE CITY 5/14 -- Jakey Thomas, 6-9 SHORT'S BREWING CO., BELLAIRE 5/11 -- The Shifties, 8:30-11 5/17 -- Reggie Smith & The After Party, 8:30-11 5/18 -- Charlie Millard Band, 8:30-11

KNOT JUST A BAR, BAY HARBOR Mon,Tues,Thurs — Live music

CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY 5/17 – Annex Karaoke, 10

LEO’S NEIGHBORHOOD TAVERN, PETOSKEY Thurs — Karaoke w/ DJ Michael Willford, 10 THE SIDE DOOR SALOON, PETOSKEY Sat. – Karaoke, 8

Leelanau & Benzie DICK’S POUR HOUSE, LAKE LEELANAU Sat. — Karaoke, 10-2 LAKE ANN BREWING CO. 5/11 -- New Third Coast, 6:30-9:30 5/14 -- Blake Elliott, 6:30-9:30 5/17 -- Jim Crockett Band, 6:30-9:30 5/18 -- The North Carolines, 6:309:30 LEELANAU SANDS CASINO, PESHAWBESTOWN BIRCH ROOM: 5/11 -- Dominic Fortuna, 9 5/18 -- Duke & The Studebakers, 8 SHOWROOM:

5/14 -- The Good Time Orchestra, noon LUMBERJACK'S BAR & GRILL, HONOR Fri & Sat -- Phattrax DJs & Karaoke, 9 ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH 5/11 -- Kyle White, 6-9 5/16 -- Open Mic w/ Jim & Wanda Curtis, 6 5/17 -- Troy Graham, 6-9 5/18 -- Chelsea Marsh, 6-9 STORMCLOUD BREWING FRANKFORT 5/11 -- Dale Wicks, 8-10

5/17 -- Sean Miller & Lara Fullford, 8-10 5/18 -- Keith Scott, 8-10 5/19 -- Robbie Provo, 5-7 THE CABBAGE SHED, ELBERTA 5/11 -- Sandra Effert, 5-9 5/16 -- Open Mic Night, 8-11 5/17 -- Jake Frysinger, 6-9 5/18 -- Bill Frary, 6-9 VILLA MARINE, FRANKFORT Tue -- Open Mic, 8-11

CO.,

Otsego, Crawford & Central ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD Sat -- Live Music, 6-9

Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee

Antrim & Charlevoix BEE WELL MEAD & CIDER, BELLAIRE 5/18 — Blue River, 7pm

ERNESTO'S CIGAR LOUNGE & BAR, PETOSKEY 5/16 -- Owen James Trio, 7-10

STIGG'S BREWERY & KITCHEN, BOYNE CITY 5/19 -- Blair Miller, 6

LITTLE RIVER CASINO RESORT, MANISTEE 5/18 – Carrot Top, 5

NORTH CHANNEL BREWING CO., MANISTEE 5/16 – Vinyl Night

TJ'S PUB, MANISTEE 5/18 -- Blair Miller, 7

TORCH LAKE CAFÉ, CENTRAL LAKE 1st & 3rd Mon. – Trivia, 7 Weds. -- Lee Malone Thurs. -- Open mic Fri. & Sat. -- Leanna’s Deep Blue Boys 2nd Sun. -- Pine River Jazz

Send us your free live music listings to events@traverseticker.com KEIKO MATSUI

INTERLOCHEN ARTS ACADEMY SINGERSONGWRITERS

DANú Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 45

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Thurs - $1 off all drinks & $2 Coors Lt. pints

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Fri May 17 - Buckets of Beer starting at $8 (2-8pm) Happy hour: Shavey & Friends Then: Skin & Marshall (no cover)

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When I saw Long Shot, we were given a free promotional windbreaker, the cast and crew were all in attendance, and there was even a surprise serenade by Boyz II Men (which will make sense once you’ve seen the film), but I swear this is not going to influence my review here.

Because even before all that happened, I don’t think I have ever been in a theater so electric, so full of laughter. A complete joy bomb went off in that room, and I will never forget it. And it wasn’t just the free booze talking; it was truly the feeling of having witnessed something special.

And, sure, that special something might not be some kind of thing that redefines a genre or marks a transformative moment in the cinematic art form. But this was a film so genuine, so charming, so sharp, and so hilarious (and also one that appeals equally to men, women, young, and old), that it is something altogether rare.

Long Shot is essentially a rom-com of the unlikely-couple sort, but with a modern political backdrop. And I know, I know, the absolute last thing you want to watch right now is anything political, but don’t worry — this is the kind of political film that won’t utterly depress and/or enrage you. Think of it as The American President by way of Knocked Up, or a slightly raunchier Crazy Rich Asians, which is all to say it’s a totally crowd-pleasing blast.

So, said improbable pairing consists of Charlotte Field (Charlize Theron), the nation’s celebrated Secretary of State, who is elegance and sophistication personified, and Fred Flarsky (Seth Rogen), a principled journalist who recently quit his job after his alt-weekly was bought out by an evil rightwing conglomerate. He’s also a total dadbod-rocking schlub.

Their paths cross at a swanky fundraising gala. When Charlotte spots him, she thinks he looks familiar but can’t quite place him, while Fred knows exactly who she is — not only the Secretary of State but also the babysitting neighbor he had a crush on (and embarrassed himself silly in front of years ago).

46 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

Charlotte is in the midst of testing the waters for a presidential run and trying to get buyin on a global climate act. And while she’s totally brilliant, the feedback is that she needs to work on her likability and needs to be funnier, so she brings in Fred to punch

up her speeches. As they travel the world together on a diplomatic tour, the sparks fly!

So while the plot stays close to classic romcom formula, it also reenergizes it. What makes the film stand out is how Long Shot’s escapist romantic-fantasy premise feels completely grounded and real, thanks to the sincere chemistry of its leads, smart script, and heartwarming nature. It’s also just ridiculously funny. The banter, the antics, the screwball appeal — you’ll laugh until it hurts, and it hurts so good.

And as much as I hate the hot-woman-withschlubby-guy trope, here it is used not so much as a source of low-hanging fruit, but rather as the basis for some refreshing and complex dynamics. Charlotte has to make compromises in her job that the freewheeling Fred doesn’t agree with and can’t understand.

Charlotte is the powerful figure in this relationship, and it feels like for once in a rom-com, the female doesn’t have to compromise anything about herself in her romantic pursuit. And the film doesn’t make a big deal about this, or even her presidential run — its feminism is completely inherent and natural.

And as good as Rogen is as at what he does comically (I keep saying this is not your son’s Seth Rogen movie) in his goofy, endearing, sweet way, Theron steals the show. The rare occasions she has made departures into comedic territory have always been something to treasure, but here she seems to have never had more fun on screen. The woman can truly do anything.

Rogen and Theron are backed by a stellar supporting cast, including O’Shea Jackson as Fred’s more successful friend, June Diane Raphael and Ravi Patel as Charlotte’s key staffers, Bob Odenkirk as the clueless TV star president (not seeking re-election to pursue a career in prestige film), and Alexander Skarsgård as, basically, Justin Trudeau, except he’s single and ready to mingle.

This is the perfect date night movie, whether you’re on a date with your significant other, friends, or even your parents (unless they really can’t handle anything remotely blue).

Heartwarming, giddy, and endlessly likable, the only “long shot” is that you won’t crack a smile.

Meg Weichman is a perma-intern at the Traverse City Film Festival and a trained film archivist.

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endgame

SHOP

T

his is a cinematic feat that cannot be ignored. It’s impossible to not to stand in awe at the symphony of characters and story, and the sheer cultural force that the Marvel team has so elegantly assembled — or the poignant way they bid this era of their Cinematic Universe adieu. Picking up after the events of Infinity War, wherein half of all living things in the entire universe disappeared with the snap of uber-baddie Thanos’ fingers, the remaining Avengers are left to overcome their grief in a world where they may no longer have a purpose. And this might be the Marvel film you enjoy most because it doesn’t as strictly follow formula. Whereas most Marvel battle sequences fail to leave a lasting imprint on your memory, instead blending together in your mind over the last 20 some films, here there is less of this repetitious action and a great deal more character introspection as well as a jaunty heist vibe. And when the big battle does finally come, I don’t think there’s a chance you’ll ever forget it. Endgame is heartfelt, it’s sweet, it’s thrilling, it’s epic, it’s awesome, it’s reassuring. This is pop perfection at it’s most comforting and enjoyable. The power these superheroes seem to hold on our collective imagination has never felt more real. So if you have joined these crusaders at any point in this 11-year journey, how can you not see them out? (To be clear, in many ways, this is also just the beginning.)

world rks fly!

c romWhat Shot’s feels to the script, o just antics, until it

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he Teen Vogue and definitely not the Seventeen magazine of teen flicks, Teen Spirit is a very predictable and slight Cinderella story told through an extremely arty lens. It follows a teenage girl (Elle Fanning) as she competes in a reality TV singing competition. Fanning perfectly embodies a waif-like ingénue. And her character, Violet, pursues her “dream” with a world-weariness that is welcomed, but can also read as disinterested, as though to try too hard would challenge her cool girl image. She may want to win, but not that badly. Fanning can be aloof and ambiguous because the film is so caught up in capturing mood, which is to the detriment of the story. Above all else, aesthetic is king here. And it’s a very evocative one; with a dreamy palette, dazzling neon lights, and the perfect dance soundtrack, this glossy pop confection just screams “Instagram generation.” But for all of its indie filmmaking artifice, it’s also much sweeter and more traditional in its narrative arc (I’ll give you one guess if she wins or not) than one would expect, disguising its crowd-pleasing instincts in art-house seriousness.

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issing Link is what’s been missing from animated film this year. It’s a gentle and whimsical buddy comedy in the tradition of grand globetrotting adventures (think Around the World in 80 Days or Raiders of the Lost Ark) about a humanoid Sasquatch named Susan (Zach Galifianakis) and a Victorian dandy (Hugh Jackman) looking for Susan’s distant cousins in the mythical Shangri-La. Brought to the screen with true artistry and thoughtful care, the film feels very much like an old school adventure but with very modern and progressive sensibilities. And those sensibilities are very much the product of the boundary-pushing stop motion animation house from where it came. Laika is responsible for some of the most technologically and narratively complex animated stories out there and is a vital voice in children’s entertainment. And for the follow-up to its Oscar-nominated soulful epic Kubo and the Two Strings, Laika makes a refreshing departure into some much lighter territory. So while this is a much simpler story than we are used to seeing from Laika, this relaxed and delightful film is filled with simple pleasures, from its witty banter and truly astonishing visuals to its powerful and effective message about friendship and acceptance.

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Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 47

the ADViCE GOddESS Tales From The Lopside

Q

“Jonesin” Crosswords "a few good turns" --cycling through. by Matt Jones

ACROSS 1 Baked, so to speak 5 Cocoa substitute 10 Talk show host who’s somehow board-certified 14 Cookie with a “Game of Thrones” variety in 2019 15 “Battlestar Galactica” commander 16 Become entangled 17 Luxury SUV manufactured in the U.K. 19 Singer Burl 20 Playground equipment 21 Avgolemono ingredient 22 Peregrine falcon place 23 Gooey stuff seen on Nickelodeon 25 Jousting outfit 27 Hurdle for a doctoral student 32 Freshen, in a way 35 “Three’s Company” landlord 36 Grates harshly 38 2 + 1, in Italy 39 Troublemakers 40 Fielder’s feat 41 Neologism for an extreme enthusiast (just added to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary) 42 “___ the ramparts ...”

43 Revamp 44 Old movie holders 45 “Mr.” in “Elmo’s World” segments 47 Practice 49 Circulatory system components 51 Hunk of gum 52 Iowa State University town 54 John who appears in a 2019 episode of “The Twilight Zone” 56 Balkan capital 61 Boggs of the Red Sox 62 Relinquished 64 Dumpster emanation 65 Go on stage 66 “SNL” segment?

67 Got out 68 Loads cargo 69 Poetic tributes

DOWN 1 ___ d’oeuvres 2 “Dies ___” (Latin hymn) 3 Wilder who played Willy Wonka 4 Sty occupants 5 Paint job protectant 6 “And now, without further ___ ...”

7 Type of party chronicled in Mixmag 8 Psi follower 9 Pie chart alternative 10 Key of Beethoven’s Ninth 11 Semi-aquatic mammal with webbed feet 12 Quarry deposits 13 Lemon peel part 18 Pumped up 24 Jeweler’s measurement 26 Prefix trickily paired with “spelled” 27 Betelgeuse constellation 28 Shakespearean character in the NATO Phonetic Alphabet 29 Gave a thumbs-up to 30 Guitar maker Paul 31 He gets knighted in “Cars 2” 33 Asia-Europe border range 34 Nerve-wracking 37 Phillips-head hardware 40 Strong holds 41 Galilee, e.g.

43 “Aladdin” song “Prince ___” 44 Decorated again 46 Negev, e.g.

48 They’re gonna ... do what they do 50 Obsolescent contraction 52 Off-base, unofficially 53 Crafted 55 Unfooled by 57 Caramel-filled Hershey’s brand 58 Like many fans 59 “Scream 4” and “Party of Five” actress Campbell 60 Olympian war god 63 Mtn ___

48 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

: My boyfriend and I are in a long-distance relationship (for almost four years) that works very well, talking daily and seeing each other every two months. The problem is that it feels like he has much more love for me than I have for him. (He’s totally head over heels and expresses this constantly.) I absolutely do love him, and I tell him frequently. But my love intensity just does not match his. Additionally, I should mention that I’ve tried to leave him in the past. I didn’t think the relationship was serving me. He is married and technically unavailable. (He is working toward dissolving the marriage.) Also, he works hard but has no financial resources. I do want to stay in the relationship, but I’m not sure how to deal with the imbalance in expressiveness. I don’t want to be inauthentic.

— Pressured

A

: You’re dating a man who not only is still married but needs to crowdfund his divorce.

Many women believe it’s somehow nobler if they love a poor dude, telling themselves (and often the guy) that they don’t really care about money. But as I often point out, because women are the ones who get pregnant, female emotions evolved to make women feel bad — resentful, angry, screwed over — when they get involved with men who are (for example!) still “married and technically unavailable” and have “no financial resources.” Boyfriend: “Hey, honey...got ya a great birthday present, and you won’t even be charged for it till your next credit card statement!”

And even if a woman is a staunch feminist, all “I don’t care who the earner in the relationship is,” the psychological operating system driving us right now is adapted for ancestral times and the problems that arose then. So it just keeps on keepin’ on, pushing a woman to go for men who can “provide,” even when she’s on the birth controlliest birth control (like a copper IUD — basically bioterrorism for sperm, backstopped by a Ukrainian nightclub bouncer).

In other words, you are not getting the long end of the stick here, financially or commitmentwise, and evolution has programmed you to be nagged by feelbad emotions until you do something to change that. Your boyfriend, meanwhile, surely has some feelbad of his own. Because men coevolved with women, male psychology leads men to anticipate that female romantic partners who feel shorted on

BY Amy Alkon

cash flow and/or commitment will soon be conducting their exit interview.

In light of this, your boyfriend’s expressing love in the manner of a burst water main may be a form of “mate guarding,” evolutionary psychologists’ term for attempts to fend off mate poachers and keep one’s partner in the relationship.

Because we humans have an evolved motivation to reciprocate — to give back what we get in equal measure — it’s possible that the more romantically expressive your boyfriend is, the more you’re led to feel you’re shorting him on what he seems to be owed.

But is the apparent emotional asymmetry here actually a problem? Many people do make the assumption that romantic partners’ love should be 50-50 and that there’s something wrong with the relationship when it isn’t. However, what really matters is whether there’s enough love on each side to keep the partners together — especially in the face of any costs imposed by a partner or the relationship.

Accordingly, consider whether the longdistance aspect might be staving off feelings and conflict that could come out if you two were living together. Research repeatedly finds that women tend to resent male partners who aren’t their equals or betters in job status and earnings. For example, a study by business school professor Alyson Byrne finds that a woman’s having higher job status (and the money that comes with) often leads to marital instability and divorce. She and her colleague even find that women experience “status leakage,” finding the status they’ve earned through their work diminished by virtue of their having a lower-status spouse.

As for you, you say you want to stay in the relationship, presumably because you love your boyfriend. However, it’s also possible that your being in the relationship for a while — almost four years — is keeping you in the relationship.

Consider what economists call the “sunk cost fallacy,” the human tendency to keep investing in a project based on the time, energy, and/ or resources we’ve already “sunk” into it. Of course, the rational approach is deciding to continue based on whether the investment will pay off sufficiently in the future.

Looking at your situation that way should help you make a decision. At the moment, as I see it, there’s nothing standing between the two of you riding off into the sunset together...pulling a wagon carrying his current wife, their couples therapist, a divorce mediator, and several collection agents.

aSTRO

lOGY

BY ROB BREZSNY

DR. TIMOTHY TOPOLEWSKI, CONDUCTOR AND CLARINET SOLOIST

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): I think it’s time for a sacred

celebration: a blow-out extravaganza filled with reverence and revelry, singing and dancing, sensual delights and spiritual blessings. What is the occasion? After all these eons, your lost love has finally returned. And who exactly is your lost love?

You! You are your own lost love! Having weaved and wobbled through countless adventures full of rich lessons, the missing part of you has finally wandered back. So give yourself a flurry of hugs and kisses. Start planning the jubilant hoopla. And exchange ardent vows, swearing that you’ll never be parted again.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Capricorn

author Henry Miller wrote that his master plan was “to remain what I am and to become more and more only what I am—that is, to become more miraculous.” This is an excellent strategy for your use. The coming weeks will be a favorable time to renounce any tendency you might have to compare yourself to anyone else. You’ll attract blessings as you wean yourself from imagining that you should live up to the expectations of others or follow a path that resembles theirs. So here’s my challenge: I dare you to become more and more only what you are—that is, to become more miraculous.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): London’s

British Museum holds a compendium of artifacts from the civilizations of many different eras and locations. Author Jonathan Stroud writes that it’s “home to a million antiquities, several dozen of which were legitimately come by.” Why does he say that? Because so many of the museum’s antiquities were pilfered from other cultures. In accordance with current astrological omens, I invite you to fantasize about a scenario in which the British Museum’s administrators return these treasures to their original owners. When you’re done with that imaginative exercise, move on to the next one, which is to envision scenarios in which you recover the personal treasures and goodies and powers that you have been separated from over the years.

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): “I hate it when

people tell me that I should ‘get out of my comfort zone,’” writes Piscean blogger Rosespell. “I don’t even have a comfort zone. My discomfort zone is pretty much everywhere.” I have good news for Rosespell and all of you Pisceans who might be inclined to utter similar testimony. The coming weeks will feature conditions that make it far more likely than usual that you will locate or create a real comfort zone you can rely on. For best results, cultivate a vivid expectation that such a sweet development is indeed possible.

ARIES

(March 21-April 19): According to humorist Dave Barry, “The method of learning Japanese recommended by experts is to be born as a Japanese baby and raised by a Japanese family, in Japan.” As you enter an intensely educational phase of your astrological cycle, I suggest you adopt a similar strategy toward learning new skills and mastering unfamiliar knowledge and absorbing fresh information. Immerse yourself in environments that will efficiently and effectively fill you with the teachings you need. A more casual, slapdash approach just won’t enable you to take thorough advantage of your current opportunities to expand your repertoire.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): The Louvre in

Paris is the world’s biggest art museum. Over 35,000 works are on display, packed into 15 acres. If you wanted to see every piece, devoting just a minute to each, you would have to spend eight hours a day there for many weeks. I bring this to your attention, Gemini, because I suspect that now would be a good time for you to treat yourself to a marathon gaze-fest of art in the Louvre — or any other museum. For that matter, it’s a favorable phase to gorge yourself on any beauty anywhere that will make your soul freer and smarter and happier. You will thrive to the degree that you absorb a profusion of grace, elegance, and loveliness.

CANCER

Our American Musical Heritage

MAY 13 - MAY 19

(June 21-July 22): In my astrological opinion, you now have a mandate to exercise your rights to free speech with acute vigor. It’s time to articulate all the important insights you’ve been waiting for the right moment to call to everyone’s attention. It’s time to unearth the buried truths and veiled agendas and ripening

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mysteries. It’s time to be the catalyst that helps your allies to realize what’s real and important, what’s fake and irrelevant.

I’m not saying you should be rude, but I do encourage you to be as candid as is necessary to nudge people in the direction of authenticity.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): During summers

in the far northern land of Alaska, many days have twenty hours of sunlight. Farmers take advantage of the extra photosynthesis by growing vegetables and fruits that are bigger and sweeter than crops grown further south. During the Alaska State Fair every August, you can find prodigies like 130-pound cabbages and 65-pound cantaloupes. I suspect you’ll express a comparable fertility and productiveness during the coming weeks, Leo. You’re primed to grow and create with extra verve.

So let me ask you a key question: to which part of your life do you want to dedicate that bonus power?

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): It’s time for you

to reach higher and dig deeper. So don’t be a mere tinkerer nursing a lukewarm interest in mediocre stories and trivial games. Be a strategic adventurer in the service of exalted stories and meaningful games. In fact, I feel strongly that if you’re not prepared to go all the way, you shouldn’t go at all.

Either give everything you’ve got or else keep it contained for now. Can you handle one further piece of strenuous advice, my dear? I think you will thrive as long as you don’t settle for business as usual or pleasure as usual. To claim the maximum vitality that’s available, you’ll need to make exceptions to at least some of your rules.

SUNDAY, MAY 19 • 3PM FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 6105 CENTER RD • TC

Beautiful Log Home with Lake Skegemog Views 2075 Sq. Ft. • 24' x 24' Heated Garage, Plus 12' x 24' Attached 3 Bedroom Lean-To 2 Bath • Lower Level Walkout 2.18 Acres • 12' x 20' Hickory Elevated Flooring Deck • Wet Bar • Skylights • • • • •

KEELAN

COMMERCIAL GROUP, LTD.

231.645.0510 jkeelan@netonecom.net Owner is licenced broker in state of Michigan

NEW LISTING! Unique Northern Michigan lakefront home.

NEW LISTING!

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): “All human nature

vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is painful,” wrote author Flannery O’Connor. I think that’s an observation worth considering. But I’ve also seen numerous exceptions to her rule. I know people who have eagerly welcomed grace into their lives even though they know that its arrival will change them forever. And amazingly, many of those people have experienced the resulting change as tonic and interesting, not primarily painful. In fact, I’ve come to believe that the act of eagerly welcoming change-inducing grace makes it more likely that the changes will be tonic and interesting. Everything I’ve just said will especially apply to you in the coming weeks.

ScORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): There’s a certain

problem that has in my opinion occupied too much of your attention. It’s really rather trivial in the big picture of your life, and doesn’t deserve to suck up so much of your attention. I suspect you will soon see things my way, and take measures to move on from this energy sink. Then you’ll be free to focus on a more interesting and potentially productive dilemma — a twisty riddle that truly warrants your loving attention. As you work to solve it, you will reap rewards that will be useful and enduring.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Author

Hélène Cixous articulated a poetically rigorous approach to love. I’ll tell you about it, since in my astrological opinion you’re entering a phase when you’ll be wise to upgrade and refine your definitions of love, even as you upgrade and refine your practice of love.

Here’s Cixous: “I want to love a person freely, including all her secrets. I want to love in this person someone she doesn’t know. I want to love outside the law: without judgment. Without imposed preference. Does that mean outside morality? No. Only this: without fault. Without false, without true. I want to meet her between the words, beneath language.” learn all you can from them.

120 feet of private frontage on all sports Spider Lake. Largest part of Spider Lake, sunshine on Woodsy setting beautifulbottom. view of Duck Lakecon& the westthe beach all with day,a sandy Quality erly sunsets. Shared Duck Lake frontage within a very short struction, perfectly maintained. Open floor plan w/ soaring vaulted pine ceiling w/ a wall of winwalking distance at the end of the road. Large wrap-around dows looking out the to the lake.

Floor-to-ceiling, natural Michigan wood burning CHERRY KNOLL One of a kind property acres w/ a stone, large main home, rentalfireplace home, multi-level decks inFARMS! spacious yard that backs up toona 113 creek. w/ Heatilator vents.

Built in bookcases in separate area of living room for cozy reading center. workshop, finished garage w/ bathroom, pole building & barn.

Currently has a bed & breakfast license.

Open floor plan. Master with cozy reading area, 2 closets, slider Finished family room w/ woodstove.

Detached garage has complete studio, kitchen, workshop, Massive kitchen w/ painted wainscoting, opens to covered front porch.

Formal dining room w/ bay winout to deck. Maple crown molding in kitchen & hall. Hickory original trim/wood wainscoting.

Separate owners quarters on main floor.

Family room was added 1&dow, ½bamboo baths & its own deck.

2 docks, large deck on main house, patio, lakeside deck, bon-fire pit flooring in main level bedrooms. Built in armoire & inmultiple 1970inon main floor, f/p w/ slate hearth, view of gentle sloping valley/woods.

Adorable playhouse, &dresser sets of stairs.

Extensively landscaped w/ plants & flowers conducive to all the wildlife 2nd bedroom. 6 panel doors. Finished family room in dollhouse & wishing well w/(1791482) koi fish.$220,000.

(1857087) $1,500,000. that surrounds the MLS#1798048 area. $570,000. walk-out lower level.

Marsha Minervini Thinking selling?

Making of What Was Making What Was Call now a free market Oldfor New Again Old New Again evaluation of your home.

2231-883-4500 31-883-4500 w w w. m a r s h a m i n e r v i n i . c o m

500 S. Union Street, Traverse City, MI

231-947-1006 • marsha@marshaminervini.com

Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 49

NORTHERN EXPRESS

CLASSIFIEDS

EMPLOYMENT

MEDICAL OFFICE POSITION AVAILABLE. Part-time medical office worker wanted. Two days/week. Duties include accounts payable (Quickbooks), payroll, and clerical. $16/hr.

Room to advance. onethird4@aol.com NORTH PEAK BREWING CO. is on a mission to find great cooks. Work in one of Northern Michigan’s busiest restaurant and brewery. $11-$13 an hour depending on experience.

Please stop in to apply. 120 West Front Street, Traverse City.

OPEN ACCOUNTANT POSITION - Thompson Surgical Instruments.Newly created position!

Full-time Accountant needed in Traverse City at Thompson Surgical Instruments. Please send cover letter and resume to: stephanie. myers@thompsonsurgical.com ENGINEERING SUPERVISOR. The Engineering Supervisor is responsible for assisting with system engineering, engineering technology systems, construction projects, operations, and planning functions, supervising staking engineers and mapping. Must have an associates or higher college degree,

with emphasis in technical or engineering studies. Bachelor’s degree preferred. https:// cherrylandelectric.applicantpro.com/jobs/

JOIN THE ATS TEAM! Join our team as a Midnight Shift Care Coordinator; the heart of what we do. Work to support clients daily needs in a therapeutic atmosphere at our residential facilities. We offer competitive health and wellness benefits, opportunities for growth, and supportive work environment where employees truly matter! https:// addictiontreatmentservices.org/our-team/ employment POSITIONS AVAILABLE. A LOCAL PRINTING COMPANY is growing again! Looking for upbeat, customer focused people to expand our team!

Positions available for production assistant and a graphic designer. Prior print industry experience, math and mechanical aptitude and knowledge of Adobe CC applications highly recommended. Competitive pay, flexible hours, full time or part time position. Send resumes to freshcoastgraphics@gmail.com.

MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN WANTED. BeechTree Partners is growing and we are in need of a full time Maintenance Technician

APPLY ONLINE NOW! 2020census.gov/jobs 2020 Census jobs provide: Great pay Flexible hours

Weekly pay Paid training

The U.S. Census Bureau is committed to hiring Census Takers to work in their own communities—there are thousands of great jobs available nationwide! It’s an important way you can support your community and get paid while doing it. By working in the field, you’re helping to make sure that everyone is counted. It’s work that’s good for you and for your community.

For more information or help applying, please call 1-855-JOB-2020 The U.S. Census Bureau is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

50 • may 13, 2019 • Northern Express Weekly

for our Ridge45 and Trailside45 Apartment Communities. This is a great opportunity for someone who wants to grow with an organization. Interested candidates should stop in at Ridge45 for an application. sfuhs@westwind.build.

NOW HIRING! INFORMATION SYSTEMS SPECIALIST. Love all things data? Accepting applications for Information Systems Specialist!

COMPETITIVE PAY! Fabulous FRINGE BENEFITS package! Great WORK CULTURE! Apply today! lisa.schut@networksnorthwest.org

BUY/SELL/TRADE WANTED OLDER MOTORCYCLES / ROAD OR DIRT BIKES, Used ATV’S Snowmobiles Antique/Newer Boats Motors,Running Or Non. 810-429-6823 WANTED: OLD WOODEN DUCK DECOYS Paying cash for old, wooden duck, goose, fish decoys. Please call 586-530-6586.

BUYING OLD WOODEN DUCK DECOYS BUYING OLD WOODEN DUCK, GOOSE and FISH DECOYS. Call/text 248 877 0210.

maintenance problem and offer a quality cost effective solution. Hourly rates. Free estimate.

231.714.0911 www.firstcallcomm.com RHYTHM & LEAD GUITARISTS. wanted for semi-pro variety dance band in Bellaire area.

Call 231-533-8368.

LANGUAGE TUTOR, VOCAL AND PIANO INSTRUCTOR. Local UofM Music major, fluent in Russian,Italian,Spanish,5 years teaching experience. Available to tutor language,piano & voice lessons in TC area. 231-946-3746 or 231-409-3605.

BUSINESS VENTURES. Retail Display Business:Northern Michigan.Summers Off. Independent contractor, must have good credit.

Warehouse, office equipment and inventory included. delvecio75@gmail.com HEARTSONG WELLNESS located @ windsongcenter.net May Special! $50 off 1st visit for 1.5 hr of massage and counsel.

231-325-4242 MOTHER’S DAY GIFT CERTIFICATE SALE Give the gift of massage for Mother’s Day. Now through May 13th you can purchase a one hour massage for only $49. http:// synergymassagetc.com

FOR SALE CAL KING CLASSIC STYLE sleep number matress excellant condition,all the equipment included. Asking $975.00 (231) 640-0079

REAL ESTATE

BARN SALE - May 4th & 5th - 9 to 5 Daily Mission Peninsula, 19521 Center Rd; Furniture, Art, & Lots More, 231-631-7512.

HOME FOR RENT. Zillow-2 BR/Garage 20531 E. Trails End -Interlochen-$800 per month 231-882-5939

WANTED: OLD STEREO TUBE EQUIPMENT Working or Not, Amplifiers, Radios, Test Equipment - Eico, Healthkit, Scott, Fisher, and more 231-346-7122

LOOKING FOR A RELIABLE CONTRACTOR? Traverse Homes is available to build your new home this summer. Prompt, efficient, fair pricing. traversehomes@gmail.com. www.traverse-homes.com

COM EQUIPMENT. 8ft.refrigerated deli display case, 4ft dry bakery display case, 2 commercial coffee grinder, commercial coffee airpot brewer.

Call pat 231-340-0557 2013 FOREST RIVER 20’ RV CAMPER/Toy Hauler. Heavy duty w/dual axles. Excellent shape, great for couples. Sleeps 2-4, kitchen and bath. Power crank hitch. Sleeps 2-4.

Grayling location. $14,900. Call/text Chris 906-322-7856 WILDERNESS SYSTEM:ALTO EXPEDITION KAYAK 18 yr old. Good shape,has rudder(foot pedal needs repair)Needs 5”port cover. B/O 534-3250 $49 HOT STONE MASSAGE At Bodies in Motion. West Bay Traverse City.

Denise Kennedy LMT 941-232-2265.

OTHER

SEE LEELANAU & OLD MISSION...Hop n Grape Tours! Scenic Route to Gods Country!

Customized Beer/Wine Tours Great Rates!

2314096362 COMMERCIAL BUILDING REPAIR & MAINTENANCE: Call First Call Commercial Building Services, over 60 years experience.

Let us be your source for commercial building repair and maintenance. We quickly assess a

SPACE FOR LEASE. TRU FIT BUILDING, 1129 Woodmere, over 11,000 SF, office/ business/start-up, may be divided. Ground floor, lots of windows, restrooms, kitchen, great location. Call Eric at 409-4100. gerstnereric@gmail.com.

Submit to: northernexpress.com/classifieds

Northern Express Weekly • may 13, 2019 • 51

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