Northern Express - March 28, 2022

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One Perfect Day • 10 Adventures Under $10 • Moomers Keeps Moo-ving On From the Mitten State to the Sunshine State • Mud Season NORTHERN MICHIGAN’S WEEKLY • special double issue • march 28 - april 10, 2022 • Vol. 32 No. 13 & 14 Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 1

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2 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

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Republican AG Candidates Seek to Control Family Planning Three Republicans running for Attorney General in Michigan just fell all over themselves in a recent debate in Alpena. Answering a question about the Supreme Court’s decision in Griswold v. Connecticut, they all felt it should be rescinded because it violated “states’ rights.” This landmark decision struck down Connecticut’s ban on the sale or even public discussion of contraception in 1968. Former Michigan House Speaker Tom Leonard, State Representative Ryan Berman, and Kalamazoo-based attorney Matthew DePerno indicated they thought the issue was wrongly decided and trampled on states’ rights. DePerno is one of the Trumpanista lawyers who never has any evidence when he shows up in court but promotes the “Election Steal Big Lie” everywhere else.

I went to high school near Boston in the 1960s. There were guys bootlegging condoms from New York because the Catholic Church had so much influence on New England states. Attacking birth control and family planning is second only to banning abortion in some peoples’ book.

Funny how conservatives always want to pry big government off your back, then put it down your pants.

John Gerty | Williamsburg A Round of Applause for the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra In these times of continuing confusion, world sadness, and the search for the “new normal,” I’m writing to recognize an organization that is contributing to our community in many soul-nourishing and uplifting ways.

Although the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra is not addressing life and death issues, it is certainly a vanguard for an important part of our community’s cultural life here in northern Michigan. Those brought up on classical music, or newly discovering it, can breathe a collective sigh of relief that the venues for it are now again open. We are fortunate to have great talent right here, and I encourage those who can to take the time to enjoy and appreciate what we have.

The orchestra is not only returning to dynamic in-person concerts, but is also expanding their educational outreach to area students, offering resources for classroom

teachers, and making music come alive to people of all ages and walks of life.

A new video series the orchestra has produced is “Legends & Mysteries.”

The first video, “Elgar’s Enigma and The Confederate Gold,” is accompanied by educational materials to engage the kids.

The storyline is thought-provoking and brings a local storyline to life with Elgar’s beautiful orchestra music. I applaud their efforts, as I learned many historical points about this area while enjoying the journey through music, watching as well as hearing the orchestra, and engaging with the “what if?” part of the story.

I think you will agree, we need even more of this creative positivity right now, locally produced. And of course, live musical performances continue to offer their own magic and have been dearly missed by so many. Lucky for us, the treasure of live local GLCO concerts is now back for us as we await our return to “normal” life.

Kathy Ackerman | Charlevoix A Letter to Representative Bergman Mr. Bergman: I assume that you are still searching for transparency on the 2020 election which is why you refused to certify Mr. Biden as president. I might have found a piece of the puzzle.

News recently came out that the author of the debunked story about the Dominion voting systems election fraud was produced by senior Trump White House policy aide Joanna Miller, who worked for senior Trump advisor Peter Navarro. Allegedly, Navarro had incorporated the Miller report into one of his own, which he and aides had begun to write two weeks before the election took place on Nov. 3.

Alas, your search for transparency could have started two weeks earlier! I often wonder what John McCain would have thought about this. And I often wonder why you still march to the beat of Trump’s drums.

Greg Surma | Interlochen Observations on Letters and Opinions [Express letter writer] Hertz levels many accusations, every one of them false, against Republicans. He provides no evidence to support his accusations because there isn’t any. He’s just regurgitating Democrat talking points. I wish it were possible to inject letter writers with truth serum, but then there wouldn’t be any Democrat letters.

[Express letter writer] Kilpatricks’s attempt to gainsay me pays no attention to facts—it just repeats more talking points. Dr. Birx openly said in early 2020 that anyone dying with COVID would be counted as having died from COVID. That is a fact; I watched the presser. Don’t challenge my integrity or my intelligence.

Tuttle’s column of Feb. 14 is another exercise in guilt-stricken liberalism. Our Constitution is the greatest political document of all time, and the republic it created is the greatest and noblest country of all time. If you don’t like it, leave. Millions from around the world would love to replace you. So we had slavery; so did the Indians before us, along with general Stone Age savagery such as cannibalism. Most cultures have had slavery; we got rid of it. And the westward expansion was merely one

of many imperial expansions throughout history, expansions which conquered whoever was in the way. BTW, the Lakota pushed the Crow out of the northern plains.

What about that?

Charles Knapp | Maple City The Second Cold War The Cold War is reborn with the same adversaries again, though both sides are vastly changed. The first time, we in the West saw it as a battle against communism, the totalitarian version of Marxism. This time, we realize the enemy is totalitarianism itself: autocracy.

Conservatives are probably correct that Marxism and its offshoots thrive by totalitarian means and that our free market is more conducive of liberty. They fail to acknowledge the ways that our own superior (but not flawless) system has been used as a means of coercion by the wealthy to consolidate their power in this system of politics so dependent on outside funding.

Capitalism can even become the tool of fascist tyrants like Putin or Hitler.

Conservatives are also wrong when they denigrate democracy and say we are really a republic. (We’re a democratic republic.) The embrace of the wannabe Putin autocrat, dear leader Trump, and the embrace of working the refs in our system—like some of the mechanisms of institutions like the Electoral College, Supreme Court, and the Senate—shows a lack of confidence in the value of their own ideas in the free marketplace of ideas.

The battle is joined—the sides are democracy and totalitarianism. In a world of nuclear weapons, we must be smart and careful and learn from our own experience of the first Cold War. That means we must stand strongly together and avoid fringes and conspiracies and “alternate facts” and coexist with this adversary until they crumble from within by their own corrupt evil. Glory to Ukraine!

David Green | Honor The Filibuster: A special interest dream The filibuster is being used even when the majority voters of the minority party are in favor of a particular bill. Such a situation is undemocratic because the elected officials are there to serve the voters who elected them. The present situation has resulted in legislation being blocked, including legislation supported by the vast majority of Americans.

The lack of popular legislation leads to a situation where what the government essentially does is serve special interests and ignore the interests of their constituents. So, who can the voter vote for? One party does not focus on legislation to assist the middle class and the other party is unable to pass legislation that they campaigned for. This can also lead to an alternative form of government as democracy appears unworkable for those who feel ignored by the system.

Let’s revise the filibuster so it can only be used to protect minority interests, but not when the legislation has vast public support. This revision of the filibuster will make democracy work since the government will be serving the will of its voters regardless of party affiliation.

Ronald Marshall | Petoskey

CONTENTS feature

10 Adventures Under $10..............................10 Moomers Keeps Moo-ving On........................12 Spring Break Travel......................................14 One Perfect Day In.....................................16 Local Refresh................................................18 Loudon Wainwright........................................20 Mud Season..................................................22

columns & stuff

Top Ten........................................................4 Spectator/Stephen Tuttle...............................6 High Notes (sponsored content)......................7 Opinion.........................................................8 Weird............................................................9 Dates........................................................23 Nitelife..........................................................25 Film..........................................................26 Advice......................................................27 Crossword.................................................29 Astrology...................................................28 Classifieds................................................30

Northern Express Weekly is published by Eyes Only Media, LLC. Publisher: Luke Haase PO Box 4020 Traverse City, Michigan 49685 Phone: (231) 947-8787 Fax: 947-2425 email: info@northernexpress.com www.northernexpress.com Editor: Jillian Manning Senior Writer: Lynda Twardowski Wheatley Finance & Distribution Manager: Brian Crouch Sales: Kathleen Johnson, Lisa Gillespie, Kaitlyn Nance, Michele Young, Randy Sills, Todd Norris, Jill Hayes For ad sales in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne & Charlevoix, call (231) 838-6948 Creative Director: Kyra Poehlman Distribution: Joe Evancho, Sarah Rodery Roger Racine, Gary Twardowski Charlie Brookfield, Randy Sills Contributors: Ross Boissoneau, Geri Dietze, Anna Faller, Craig Manning, Al Parker, Rachel Pasche, Stephen Tuttle, Meg Weichman, Lynda Wheatley Copyright 2022, all rights reserved. Distribution: 36,000 copies at 600+ locations weekly.

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Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 3

this week’s

top ten Four Chairs and a Keyboard Make a Broadway Musical An Equine Literary Event Theater geeks, rejoice: The mother ode to the utterly weird and wonderful world of Broadway, on and off, is getting its shot on the Old Town Playhouse stage in Traverse City. [title of show], the critically acclaimed musical about two guys writing a musical about two guys writing a musical, follows struggling writers Hunter and Jeff as they race to write a show for a pressing festival entry. As the deadline looms, insecurities creep in, jealousies flare, and Broadway references, industry in-jokes, and snappy dialogue and lyrics fly. Funny, heartbreaking, and infinitely relatable to anyone who has ever tried to create…anything, [title of show] debuts at 7:30pm March 31 and runs until April 10, with six evening shows and two matinees between. Tickets—$28 per adult, $15 for those under 18—are on sale at oldtownplayhouse.com. Warning to those thinking of attending with someone much younger than 18: Like all great theater, this show contains adult language and situations. (Photo by Harpestar)

Award-winning humorist Debby Buck DeJonge will sign her book Lead Horse at Horizon Books in Traverse City on Saturday, April 9, from noon – 2pm. Enjoy the adventures of Candy Clark and her nemesis, Crissy von FoqueTrot, in the arcane, sometimes steamy world of dressage riding as they travel from northern Michigan to the Palm Beach Circuit with stops in between. horizonbooks.com

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Amidst the recent onslaught of true crime, true con, and true tech adaptations (see The Dropout, The Thing About Pam, WeCrashed, Super Pumped, etc.) comes a limited series whose DNA is not far from these ripped-from-theheadlines stories but is more empathetically told. Based on the Esquire article that brought the story of Michelle Carter and her criminal conviction for her role in encouraging her boyfriend’s suicide to the forefront of the nation, The Girl from Plainville offers a complex look at a case that was often only defined in sensational terms. Starring an outstanding Elle Fanning in the role Michelle Carter, the series captivates in a quietly unnerving way that offers no easy answers.

Streaming on Hulu.

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2

tastemaker Black Market Foods’ Hot Mess

Few things scream spring in northern Michigan quite like the perfect roadside sandwich.

For the best in mobile munchies, look no further than Charlevoix’s Black Market Foods.

First opened as a food truck in 2021, the business expanded to a permanent storefront earlier this year, and its Hot Mess sandwich followed. A reimagined take on a traditional cheeseburger, this behemoth begins with a scratch-made bun, which chefs grill to goldenbrown perfection. From there, each finished roll is filled with house-spiced ground beef and topped with American cheese and pickle chips. Finished with ketchup, mustard, and crispy onions, this $8 stack is sure to have you heading back for seconds. Complete with a Grandma’s Recipe chocolate chip cookie and your choice of chips and French onion dip or homemade coleslaw. Now, all this meal is missing is a picnic blanket. Enjoy yours at 311 Bridge Street in Downtown Charlevoix. (231) 437-3337. blackmarketchx.com

4 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

Hey, watch It! The Girl from Plainville

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Art in the Castle

Two of our favorite things—art and castles—come together in Charlevoix April 9 and 10. This juried, fine-art fair features work from artists across the Midwest and is the perfect time to find a gift for the hard-to-shopfor person on your birthday or holiday list.

(Or just treat yourself—we won’t tell.) The fair will have everything from jewelry to ceramics to paintings available for purchase, all staged within the beautiful walls of Castle Farms.

Tickets are $5 at the door, or snag a 2-for-1 deal if you purchase ahead of time on Eventbrite.

Bonus: Castle Farms is also hosting a wine tasting at the event, available to attendees for an additional fee. The fair runs from 11am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Learn more and purchase tickets by going to artfairfun.com/art-in-the-castle. Find Castle Farms at 5052 M-66 in Charlevoix…It’s the only castle nearby, so you probably won’t miss it. (Pictured: painting by Mandy Pringle)

Stuff We Love: C-SPAN Recognizes Interlochen Student Each year, C-SPAN hosts a national “StudentCam” competition, which invites middle school and high school students to create a short documentary film in response to a prompt.

The 2022 competition garnered over 1,400 entries from 41 states (plus Washington, D.C., Morocco, and South Korea) with the theme “How does the federal government impact your life?” Interlochen student Lily Citron had a prize-winning response in her six-minute documentary “Section 230: Liability on the Internet,” which looks at the ways Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act has provided both help and harm to today’s society, with a special attention on the recent proliferation of offensive content and misinformation on websites and social media. As a third-prize winner, Citron will receive $750…and some serious bragging rights. Her film can be viewed at studentcam.org alongside the other 149 winning videos.

The Dish Cafe in Traverse City to Be Sold Owners Patty Hickman and Randy Waclawski announced on March 22 that after 15 years of running the downtown Traverse City restaurant, they will be selling The Dish Cafe on April 8. Their Facebook post says, “15 years ago on April 9, we took over and re-opened The Dish Cafe. This year, on April 8, we will sell The Dish and serve all of you one last time.

Bittersweet, for sure.” Fans of the restaurants took to the comments section to offer support and gratitude for Hickman and Waclawski’s 15 years at the helm of the popular salad, soup, sandwich, and smoothie joint. At the time of this issue’s printing, the new owners have not yet been announced, though the Facebook post announcing the closure states, “We will keep you posted on all the details in the coming days.” The Dish will be closed during spring break (March 25 through April 2), and Hickman and Waclawski’s final few days of ownership will run from April 3 to April 8.

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bottoms up Bailey’s Farms’ Kombucha Our palates—and guts—have grown to appreciate the sweet and sour fizz begat by China’s age-old refreshment, kombucha, but never have we loved it so much as when Bailey’s Farms’ kombucha came on the scene. Bailey’s uses some of our favorite teas from Traverse City’s Light of Day Organics to craft its kombucha, and the results are exceptional. Our No. 1 pick for a hot tea on dreary days, Light of Day’s lavender-laced Creamy Earl Grey, becomes a perky and wildly refreshing zinger in Bailey’s same-named kombucha when served over ice.

For a caffeine-free pick-me-up, we tried Bailey’s twist on Light of Day’s Tulsi Citrus Soother and found the tea’s fragrant lemongrass and orange peel base still brings forth its light touch of tulsi and cardamom spices, but the addition of kombucha’s gentle fizz makes the mix even sweeter. Swig it straight from the bottle, serve over ice, or blend in a shot of vodka for a sinful yet probiotic-supportive cocktail. Find their kombucha at one of many locations listed at baileysfarms.com/contacts or order a case (12 bottles, $90) for delivery to your door.

Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 5

PUZZLING AND BIZARRE Celebrate with our Earth Weekend Sale!

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Nature and Science for creative and curious minds of all ages

spectator

By Stephen Tuttle Local politics are an ongoing festival of bizarre actions and puzzling decisions.

In what follows, the names have been omitted to protect the guilty.

Traverse City’s City Commission is establishing priorities and laying out their plans for the next year or two. As always, they’ve hired a consultant to help steer the process. Beth Milligan reported on preliminary results in her article in the March 13 edition of The Ticker (an online sister publication to Northern Express).

After what was reported as “multiple strategic planning sessions,” the consultant came up with what she described as highlevel themes. They were “focusing on long term impacts, approaching challenges with optimism, focusing on solutions, considering future generations when making short-term decisions, considering goals and actions through the lens of the climate crisis, understanding constituents may want opposing things and keeping this in mind while making decisions.”

Good grief, that was an exercise in the obvious. One does hope our city commission was already on board with all of that without needing to be told.

Focusing on solutions? Well, yes, we sort of expect that of our elected officials, despite what seems like their hesitancy to find solutions and their difficulty focusing. Those vague goals do have the distinct advantage of making objective analysis impossible.

To be fair, the consultant also suggested some less lofty issues: housing and homelessness, water systems, access and mobility, climate, connecting people with each other and nature, and economic development. To her everlasting credit, she did not use the words “affordable” or “workforce” as adjectives preceding “housing.”

Grand Traverse County Commissioners, in an unusually charitable mood, have decided to simply give Twin Lakes Park, a potential jewel in the crown of the county park system, to Long Lake Township. Not content with that generosity, they’ve also decided to include $31,000 annually for a few years to help defray the cost of maintenance on the park they just gave away.

6 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

They did this with minimal discussion and despite the strong objections of their own Parks and Recreation Commission and some nearby residents. One commissioner complained the park doesn’t make a profit, though that is not the purpose of county parks. With $18.2 million extra dollars to spend, one would think they’d find a few extra tens of thousands to keep and maintain what is a spectacular natural resource. Something is not right here.

The county is also going to dedicate some parking at the Governmental Center to permitted facility employees and install ubiquitous parking meters in the rest of the lot. They are concerned, they said, about those living or visiting the nearby Commongrounds Cooperative development. You might recall the lack of vehicle parking and proliferation of bicycle racks at the new residential/retail co-op was met with great fanfare when it was announced. Why, people will be biking, walking, and taking the bus so they won’t need cars, we were told. It’s a failed philosophy being repeated with other buildings downtown. Eliminating parking isn’t a solution—it’s an expansion of a problem.

Whitewater Township, in the northeast quadrant of Grand Traverse County, wants to create a new master plan as charter governments are required to do from time to time. To that end, their planning commission recently met with the addition of a consultant hired to help guide them through the process.

As reported by Jordan Travis in the March 20 edition of the Traverse City Record-Eagle, that first meeting didn’t go so well.

A certain amount of basic data is often, or always, included in every community’s master plan. Geographic size, number of households, and basic demographics from the U.S. census are included. As soon as those demographics were mentioned, a wave of ignorance broke out among some planning commissioners. The breakdown in common sense was quick and complete.

The Census Bureau’s numbers for the township triggered an almost immediate and completely irrational disconnect.

Keep in mind that census numbers have neither a political affiliation nor a political ideology; they’re just numbers.

One commissioner said he was “…opposed to this whole color thing.” Another said the demographics themselves were “… government and media promoting racism.”

One commissioner mentioned a Chinese sister-in-law, another, a Black brother-inlaw. One commissioner wondered if they could just say theirs is a “diverse community” and move along. The consultant was forced to remind them they are not diverse by any known definition. The township is 94.7 percent white, 2.6 percent American Indian or Alaska native, 0.2 percent African American, and 2.5 percent Latino or Hispanic. (Those are the Census Bureau’s descriptors.)

Finally, the coup de grace for their planning commission’s reputation was the individual who was reported to have said, “…it’s not like you don’t let colored people in…” The consultant and one commissioner resigned almost on the spot. Their next meeting is scheduled in April.

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Earth Day Annual Spring Clearance As winter fades away, our thoughts turn to renewal. Spring always brings a sense of hope for the future. Tender young shoots emerge from the soil as the ground begins to warm. After months of darkness, the bright rays of sunshine are a welcome relief, but they aren’t enough to instantly kick the winter blues. While waiting for sunshine and warmth to steadily return and revitalize you, manage rainy weather blues with the proper strain.

“Spring ahead” means more sunshine, but it also means the loss of an hour of precious sleep. Make the best of this change and avoid morning grogginess by going to bed early and giving yourself a mental boost to start the morning. We suggest choosing a relaxing indica when you’re ready for bed to help you better transition to this shift in time.

Your spring cleaning list might seem like a huge undertaking, but there’s something enjoyable about opening up your windows, turning on the tunes, and clearing the dust off your shelves in the fresh spring air. To help you stay motivated as you clean top to bottom, try a stimulating sativa. You will be able to take a nice sigh of relief when the job is done and everything is refreshed.

Look for THC:CBD ratios that will help you to feel the pleasant cannabis effects without levels of psychoactivity that would interfere with getting the tasks done.

Seek out cannabis products containing dominant levels of the specific terpenes that you’ve noticed provide you with uplifting, energizing effects. Try to avoid those that make you feel sedated or overly relaxed — you don’t want to feel couch-locked when you need to get out in the garden. If you’re not sure about your terpene preferences or how different terpenes might affect you personally, ask one of our experts at Dunegrass before beginning your experimentations.

A final consideration when using cannabis for any spring activity is how much and how often to dose THC. Dosage is a personal preference that varies from person to person and situation to situation, so the best thing to do is to carefully experiment until you find what works well for you.

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Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 7

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WE CAN FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE AND RUSSIAN AGGRESSION guest opinion

by Cathye Williams

While some refuse to face the truth, most Discover the roots people recognize that the continued use of your uniqueness of fossil fuels is harming the planet and all 231-421-8868 life on it. Carbon emissions drive climate 231.932.0510 231-421-8868 231.932.0510 231-421-8868 231.932.0510 change, leading to ocean acidification, loss of 231-421-8868 231.932.0510 13o 13o E. DOWNTOWN TCTC • 126 E Front StSt DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWNTC TC• • E.Front Front St St DOWNTOWN • 126 E Front biodiversity, rising sea levels, more frequent/ 13oE. DOWNTOWNTC TC••13o E.Front FrontSt St intense storms, wildfires, floods, and DOWNTOWNTC TC••126 126EEFront FrontSt St DOWNTOWN DOWNTOWN

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droughts. More directly, air pollution from carbon emissions leads to an estimated 3.6 million premature deaths a year.

The cruel Russian invasion of Ukraine highlights another compelling reason to transition to clean energy: ending the stranglehold that fossil fuel states have on the safety and security of sovereign nations.

In response to Russian aggression, President Biden announced a host of sanctions, including a ban on imports of Russian oil and gas products. These sanctions, while weakening Putin’s assault on an innocent nation, will limit world supplies, adding strain in Europe and the West at a time when people are already struggling with inflation. Even worse, they will create volatility and rising prices, boosting Putin’s profits that he will ultimately funnel back to his war machine. It’s clear that America’s—and the world’s—fossil fuel dependence is complicating our ability to control Russian aggression through sanctions.

American oil companies and their allies in Congress would like us to think that the only remedy to this quandary is to increase domestic oil and gas production. While energy independence is an important goal, this is a troubling “solution.” No matter how much we produce in the U.S., we are still beholden to global oil prices. Increased domestic production might lower prices some, but it would have a minimal impact on the huge global market.

Increased post-pandemic global demand, exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, has driven up gas prices, but why are fossil fuel companies enjoying record profits while Americans face these higher energy costs? Recent statements by oil CEOs reveal that their priorities have little to do with the suffering of Ukraine, nor the plight of American consumers. Instead, they have stressed the importance of returning cash back to the shareholders and stated that they “have no need and no intent to invest in production growth this year.” (So says the CEO of Occidental Petroleum, headquartered in Houston.)

The short-term costs of the necessary and just transition to clean energy should not be the burden of consumers, but rather of the industry that has reaped exorbitant profit from dirty energy for decades. Furthermore, even if extracting more fossil fuels provides any relief, it will exacerbate another problem: climate change, a harm that oil companies have ignored for decades.

So, how can we loosen Putin’s stranglehold and end our dependence on life-killing fossil fuels?

8 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

First, reduce demand rather than pumping more oil. The oil industry would like us to

think this means deprivation, creating a false narrative that we wouldn’t be able to drive anywhere or heat our homes. This is far from a realistic assessment of what would be needed. The International Energy Agency plan says that Europe can reduce its need for Russian gas through energy efficiency, electrification, conservation, increasing production from existing nuclear plants, and accelerating deployment of wind and solar installations. Americans could also adopt many of these efficiency measures such as carpooling, work-at-home options, and incentivizing public transportation.

These are hardly huge sacrifices for most people and have the added benefit of saving us all money.

Second, move swiftly to non-fossil fuel sources of energy. In spite of what the fossil fuel industry would have us believe, we have the technology necessary to move fast, and deploying it will save us money. Climate advocate Bill McKibben has suggested invoking the Defense Production Act to ramp up the manufacture of heat pumps for shipment abroad. Rewiring America’s Electrify for Peace Policy Plan is a three-part plan that would build American manufacturing and workforce capacity to help Europe reduce its reliance on Russian energy and support long-term energy security for the U.S. as well.

During World War II, we mobilized in a similar way, transforming American labor and industry to produce what was needed to defend democracy: tanks, bombers, destroyers, helmets, and parachutes. We innovated and created substitutes for materials not readily available to us. Today, these same strategies could bring control of renewable manufacturing back to our shores. The timeline is doable—wind farms in Europe have been built inside of 18 months without any wartime pressure.

Finally, we should implement carbon pricing with a border adjustment. A steadily increasing carbon fee would speed the transition to cleaner energy options throughout the entire economy, and the revenue collected from polluters would be returned to Americans as a “carbon cashback” dividend, protecting us from higher costs and guarding against inflation.

The border carbon adjustment would impose international pressure for carbon free energy, breaking the grip of oil states like Russia. The EU is already planning a tariff like this, and a joint trade mechanism would create a united front to counter them further.

We should remember another key advantage of renewable power: it’s widely distributed, making it far less vulnerable to attack. All the more reason to support an all-out effort to decarbonize the free world.

Cathye Williams serves as volunteer and media liaison for the Grand Traverse and Manistee chapter of Citizens Climate Lobby.

She writes from the northern corner of Manistee County.

Yeah, It Melts In Your Mouth

Awesome!

Thirteen-year-old Matilda Walden of Bentham, United Kingdom, has broken the Guinness World Record for assembling a Mr. Potato Head, United Press International reported on March 14. Walden put together the iconic toy in just 5.69 seconds. The previous record had been in place for 10 years.

Her secret technique? “I had to be joining the nose and mustache together as I picked them up in one hand,” she said. Walden was hoping to raise awareness of Skipton Extended Learning for All, an organization that offers services to children. Walden noted, “I have disabilities, and sometimes find that in other community events I was not welcome and people judge me.” She is thinking about going for the record for assembling a Mr. Potato Head while blindfolded.

Inexplicable On March 12, a standoff in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, dragged on for 10 hours after Catherine Ann Imler, 57, made an odd appearance around 1:30 p.m. at another resident’s home, WJAC-TV reported. Imler was naked, and she reportedly forcefully entered the home, where she stole the man’s shotgun. As she walked out his back door with the gun, he asked her what she was doing, and she said, “It’s my house.” Imler then returned to her own home. The victim called authorities, who set up a perimeter around Imler’s house but couldn’t extract her until late that evening, when she was taken to UPMC Altoona with self-inflicted injuries from a sword.

Bright Idea A big night out on March 12 led Leoni Fildes, 34, to a big idea: She would get an Uber from The Church Inn in Salford, United Kingdom, to Ukraine, to “help” the situation there. Fildes admits she had “one too many double pink gins and shots of Sambuca,” the Manchester Evening News reported, and she was saved from her drunken philanthropic tendencies by fiscal realities: Her Uber app reported “insufficient funds” to back the 1,700mile trip, which would have cost about 4,500 British pounds. (Not for lack of trying, though -- Uber attempted to make the transaction nine times.) “I remember when we were looking, we said, ‘Oh, we’ll get the comfort one.’ That’s dearer -- the XL one,” Fildes said. “I’m so glad I didn’t have the funds available.”

Oops, I Did It Again NBC2-TV reported on March 6 that Anthony Antonaras, 38, of Venice, Florida, inexplicably rammed his pickup truck three times into the home of a woman he knows, damaging her garage doors and a window near the front door. When she came outside, Antonaras was sitting in the bed of the truck as “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus blared from the stereo. He told police that his “foot slipped”; but he also said that the woman is “not a good person” and that the incident was “a message.” Antonaras could be heard screaming expletives while the homeowner was speaking with the 911 dispatcher on the phone. He faces felony charges for criminal mischief and other offenses.

We All Need a Little Good News Sunday, March 13, was a holiday in New Zealand: Waitangi Day. As such, Turanga library in Christchurch was scheduled to be

closed for the day, but the automated door locks malfunctioned, The Guardian reported, and the unstaffed and unsecured library was used by 380 people that day -- without any ill effects. “Our self-issue machines automatically started up and 147 books were issued by customers,” a library staff member said. “No book-theft alarms went off, and at this stage nothing has been reported missing, nor have we spotted any damage.” Only one disgruntled customer left a note about there being “no librarians in sight.” “We’re grateful for the honesty of the people who used the library during this time,” said Bruce Rendall, head of facilities, property and planning at Christchurch city council.

Least Competent Criminal Thomas Eugene Colucci of Spring Hill, Florida, wasn’t quite sure that the methamphetamine he purchased from a man he met at an area bar was the real deal, Fox13TV reported. So on March 10, he called 911 to ask authorities to test his stash. Colucci told the Hernando County Sheriff ’s Office that as an experienced meth user, he knew what it should feel like, and handed two small baggies over to a deputy. He wanted officials to “put the person in trouble” who sold him the drugs, but he couldn’t provide a name or contact information. Deputies did test the substance, which proved to be meth, and placed Colucci under arrest for possession.

Blue Light Special Pastor Paul Knight of Hope Church in Grand Forks, North Dakota, is puzzled. On the morning of March 9, as he drove by his own home, he noticed that someone had placed a giant K from a Kmart store on his front lawn, the Grand Forks Herald reported.

The sign is believed to be from the Kmart store that’s being redeveloped in town. “I don’t know who to call,” Pastor Knight said. “So I am kind of making a general announcement: The people who are responsible for this, you’re welcome to remove it anytime. My wife hopes it’s gone by June, I think.”

What Are the Odds?

Katie Chisholm, 32, is only about 2% Irish, according to her ancestry.com report, but the luck o’ the Irish was with her, and her mother, Mary Adams, 67, and her daughter, Charlotte Chisholm, 1, as they all were born on March 17, The Irish Sun reported. Katie, of Omaha, Nebraska, says she and her family “just feel like the luckiest people ever. My husband’s family has a much stronger Irish heritage -- his mother’s maiden name is O’Connor. St. Patrick’s Day was always a major family holiday for him growing up.” As for those odds of three generations of women born on March 17? According to the Sun, they’re about 1 in 100,000.

You Had One Job On March 14, as the Norwegian Escape, a 164,000-ton cruise ship that can carry 4,000 passengers, attempted to pull away from Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic, it hit the seabed, damaging the ship’s hull and putting an end to the rest of the seven-day cruise. According to CNN, Norwegian Cruise Lines said the grounding was the result of wind; passengers were evacuated and will receive a full refund, plus a credit toward a future cruise. Passengers didn’t seem to mind being stranded in paradise; one tweeted that “morale is high.”

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Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 9

S E R U

T N E

0 V 1 D A $ h t r o N 10 R p U E k Fun D N U

a e r B g n i r p S e l b a d r o f f A

By Lynda Wheatley

Going somewhere warm over spring break always sounds tantalizing—until you compare the prices this week to those of the same trip two weeks later. (Or earlier.) Rather than paying a premium, we suggest dedicating this week to exploring your own backyard.

With few tourists and even fewer locals around, lines are short, traffic is light, and deals abound. We can’t promise sunny skies, but we can guarantee 10 free or inexpensive ways you and your kids can make the most of this year’s break, with sanity (and budget) intact.

2.

LAUNCH INTO OUTER SPACE Kids can always drive a boat, a Coast Guard ’copter, and a fruit truck at the Great Lakes Children’s Museum in Traverse City, but during this year’s spring break, they can head off to outer space. Just like real astronauts, kids will train for their trek with hands-on experiments (static electricity, surface tension), problemsolving challenges (reconnecting a power supply; designing, building, and testing a space vehicle), and a human hamster wheel. Littles aren’t left out, either; they’ll get their mitts on moon adventure blocks and a lunar landscape sensory station, and all kids can try an astronaut snack. Three time slots are open daily on March 25, 28, 29, 30, 31, and April 1. Reservations are recommended: greatlakeskids.org. $7 per visitor over age 1.

3.

1.

HIKE AT NIGHT As sunset falls over a secret (and super sweet) trail hidden behind Kohl’s in Traverse City on the first Friday of spring break, you and your kids can set off on an easy 1-mile path with lanterns in hand. The Grand Traverse Conservation District hosts the self-guided hike—and will greet you at the trailhead with hot cocoa 7:30pm and 9:30pm on March 25—and point you to the best features of the aptly named Kids Creek. Think: gravel paths, wooden bridges, boardwalks, a burbling creek, duck pond, and more. The event is free, but please register at natureiscalling.org. Prefer sunlit hikes? The GTCD offers two other all-ages hikes, both guided, over spring break: 10am on March 30 at Miller Creek Nature Preserve and noon on April 1 at the Boardman Valley Nature Preserve. See the website for details.

10 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

FEED A REPTILE, BUILD A ROCKET With snakes, lizards, rats, tents, teepees, slides, virtual reality, and more art, science, and building opportunities than a kid could shake a wand at, COGNiTiON is a magical place for young minds—but best of all, young hands can touch just about everything at this nonprofit in Beulah. Only $7 per kid for all-day entry, a single visit here can easily keep kids occupied for hours. Best of all, COGNiTiON is expanding its hours just for spring break: From Monday, March 28, through Friday, April 1, the center is open from 10am to 5pm. Normal winter hours—10am to 5pm Wednesday through Saturday and 1pm to 5pm Sundays— resume April 2. No reservations are needed. discovercognition.org.

4.

BOWL OUTSIDE Snow, rain, sunshine, or sleet—whatever the day brings, bring the kids to bowl down Main Street in Harbor Springs between noon and 2pm Saturday, April 2.

The Harbor Springs Chamber is shutting down the town’s main drag to make it the biggest outdoor bowling lane Up North.

Johan’s Pastry Shop, at the intersection of State and Main, will provide free hot cocoa and donuts. The Rocking Horse Toy Company is giving away a free grab gift to kid bowlers, and the Harbor Springs Lyric Theatre is planning a free movie that morning. Stay tuned to the Lyric’s Facebook page (@lyricharborsprings) for the official announcement.

5.

SUGAR UP & HIKE Alpine Maple Farms in Gaylord says the sap got a late start this year, but that’s perfect timing for sweet-toothed spring breakers looking to see how trees are tapped and how the sap is made into pure maple syrup, sugar, candy, and even maple cotton candy.

Guided tours are always free during syrup season; small groups can call ahead to set up a time: (989) 858-9252. Find Alpine Maple Farms at 3399 Wilkinson Rd., in Gaylord.

PAINT SOME POTTERY Sure, you could easily corner yourself into paying $45 for your kid to paint a cookie jar shaped like a snowman, but if you can steer their big vision to the first stack of shelves at Handz On Art in Traverse City, you’ll both find loads of smaller ceramic pieces—animals, fish, hearts, Easter eggs, and other objects that make a young artist’s heart go zing—for $10 or less, which includes the piece, all the paint, and firing (firing and pick-up is scheduled for a later date). There’s no limit on the time spent—or memories made. Learn more at tchandzonart.com

6.

8.

7.

TOUR A WORLD RECORD FIREHOUSE The two-story pressed-brick structure standing at 281 First St. in Manistee was built in 1888 in a “cross-gabled” Romanesque-Revival style, is flanked by a 2 1/2-story domed tower capped in copper, and hasn’t undergone any alteration in design since. It isn’t just beautiful; it is the oldest continuously manned operating fire station in the world, says Guinness World Records. And if you’d like, an on-duty firefighter paramedic will take you on a tour of it just about any time between 9am and 5pm, says City of Manistee Fire Department Captain John Peddie. Guests will get to learn the history of the fire station, check out firefighter gear and equipment, and get up close (and inside!) the firetrucks. You’ll want to call the station beforehand to confirm a time and date, number of visitors, and their ages, Peddie says. “This helps us prepare. Most tours take approximately 30 minutes.” He adds that the total time depends greatly on two things: one, the age demographic of the visitors, and two, of course, fire. “Any emergency calls will end the tour.” (231) 723-1549

9.

EVADE LASERS Spy kids who dream of dodging laser beams can put their mettle to the test in Incredible Mo’s Laser Maze in Grawn.

Only $3.25 a game Mondays through Thursdays, Mo’s Laser Maze gets kids moving fast as they work to fulfill their mission’s must-dos without breaking a light beam before the clock runs out. After that warm-up, get ’em moving with a round of laser tag. They’ll take off through a semi-dark, 2-story arena full of hideyholes to take aim at opposing teammates and hide or run like heck to avoid getting hit with the other team’s beams. Each game lasts 10 minutes and costs $6 per person Monday through Thursday. Friday through Saturday, both games go up: $3.75 per maze, $7 per tag. If you do want to splurge, we recommend staying for some bowling, arcade games, or the incredible kids’ (and adult) menu at Mo’s Sauce restaurant—all are under the same roof. incrediblemos.com

ROLL AROUND THE WATER Barring any big, unexpected snowfall, word has it that the 7.5-mile Lake Cadillac Foot and Bike Path that winds around Lake Cadillac is clear and ready for walks, bikes, scoots, and trikes. We recommend starting and ending at the After 26 Depot Café (127 W. Cass St., after26project. org), which enjoyed a former life as Cadillac’s grand old railway station, just behind the downtown district and overlooking the water. If you and your bud want breakfast (it’s served all day), kids usually love the chicken and waffles—three breaded and deep-fried chicken strips served atop a homestyle waffle doused in maple syrup and powdered sugar. If lunch is on your mind, the savory-sweet Monte Cristo (ham, turkey, swiss, and strawberry preserves pressed between two waffles, $9.99) can be yours starting at 11am.

Skipping meals? Then save that $10 for downtown Cadillac’s Toy Town, just across the parking lot, where kids can find countless ways to make that money go far. toytowncadillac.com

10.

SHOOT THE ULTIMATE OFF-ROAD SELFIE Bigger kids looking for some big adventure should aim their Google Maps to Slagle Creek Overlook. One of the biggest and best panoramic views of the Big Manistee River and the surrounding Udell Hills, it not only offers a shot at a sweet Up North selfie, but also two cool adventurous routes to get there. 1) Hike in from the Red Bridge Trailhead off Coates Highway, and head about 4 miles north on the trail, or 2) Edge up the tricky twotrack known as S. Slagle Creek Road to drivers of 4x4s and SUVs and “Do Not Go” to everyone else (accessed just west of the intersection of 1 Mile and 30 Mile roads). Find a trail map and more information under the Grab a Map section at cadillacmichigan.com.

Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 11

Opening day of Moomers 2022

Moomers Keeps Moo-ving on 25 years of America’s best ice cream

By Ross Boissoneau Northern Michigan’s most popular ice creamery began with sweet and simple roots. Nancy Plummer had always wanted to have an ice cream parlor, so the first-grade teacher at Long Lake Elementary convinced her husband Bob to construct a little building next door to their farm on North Long Lake Road where she could scoop to her heart’s content during the summer.

“We opened with a shoebox for a cash register,” says Nancy. She took a leave of absence from teaching that first year, which turned out to be permanent. “I taught 27.3 years. I said, ‘I’m done. I’m not going back.’

So I had to rely on this for income.”

Clearly, Nancy made it work. And in the 25 years that followed, her dream became a true family business, with her children Jon and Becky taking on integral parts of the operation. (Sisters Tara and Anne put in their time too, but now live downstate.)

“Not until I had kids did I realize how cool a family business is,” says Jon, who now manages the operation.

The Perfect Flavor The shoebox register is no more, as Moomers has blossomed beyond all anticipation. Business has grown every year, and it downright exploded when the shop was named “America’s Best Scoop” by Good Morning America over a decade ago.

That triumph actually led to the creation of the parlor’s signature ice cream. “When Good Morning America happened in 2008, for the first time we had to develop and select our top flavor,” says Jon.

Bob, Nancy, and Jon Plummer

First, they considered flavors that were already popular, such as Butter Pecan and Coconut Almond Delight. But they ultimately went with a flavor created by a happy accident. Bob, who typically oversees the farm rather than putting in time at the parlor, was making some Black Cherry ice cream when he got creative, adding a carton of brownie chunks and a chocolate swirl.

Thus was born Cherries Moobilee. “We used to make four or five batches a year.

Now we make four or five a day,” says Jon. It’s not the family favorite though. “My favorite is Lemon Poppyseed Muffin,” says Nancy, while Jon opts for Pralines and Cream.

Jon estimates that over the years Moomers has developed over 300 proprietary flavors, of which anywhere between 20 and 40 are usually available. Among them are

12 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

Cosmo (chocolate ice cream with swirls of chocolate fudge, marshmallow, and caramel); BP Swirl (peanut butter flavored ice cream with a peanut butter swirl and chunks of Reese’s peanut butter cups, named for Becky Plummer Mead); Pink Peppermint Fudge (pink peppermint flavored ice cream with a chocolate swirl, brownie pieces, and red and green pieces of peppermint candy); and Samooa (toasted coconut ice cream with toasted coconut flakes, chocolate flakes, shortbread cookie pieces, and a caramel swirl).

For the locals, there’s Buffalo Tracks, made exclusively for Oleson’s Food Stores, with chocolate flakes and Oleson’s own home-ground peanut butter in Moomers Caramel Sea Salt ice cream.

The Plummer family started their own

creamery a dozen or so years ago, with milk, cream, and other products from their own dairy cows next door. That led to the “Creamline” ice cream products. “That is strictly from our own cows,” says Nancy.

Ready to Grow Bob has added on to the building housing the scoop shop and ice creamery and installed decks overlooking the cows grazing contentedly next door. While the pandemic initially closed the business, the resulting shutdown/slowdown ended up increasing sales at retailers around the region, such as Meijer, Tom’s, Oleson’s, and other grocery stores, specialty food shops, and ice cream shops. “Wholesale exploded, and it never came back down,” says Jon. Moomers now runs a second shift on Wednesday just for Meijer.

In addition to the four family members, there are five other full-time employees.

Come summer they add 20-plus more, and many of the crew members are high school students. “It’s a first job for many of them,” Jon says. A number of the students return through high school and college, and a couple have made it a longtime post.

This year, like virtually every other business in the area, Moomers could use some additional help. “We went to the high school for recruiting and got zero responses,” says Nancy.

But all is not lost. While skiing at Nub’s Nob this winter, Jon struck up a conversation with a girl on the lift with him. “She said she always wanted to work at Moomers,” he says.

Now she does.

The customer-turned-employee story is not an uncommon one, and for one couple, the job turned out to be extra sweet. “They met here, now they’re married and live down the road. They have three kids,” says Nancy. Making it even more special: “I had her in first grade.”

Memorable Wines. Patient Winemakers.

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3/24/22 2:17 PM

Anniversary Treats

Moomers is celebrating its 25th year in business with a couple different specials. For a start, on the 25th of each month, the ice creamery will offer a special treat of some kind.

Jon Plummer says they are keeping the specifics under wraps, but he promises each will be special in its own way.

The other is the year’s new flavors.

Each year when it opens, Moomer’s debuts four new ice cream concoctions.

The new releases are developed in a variety of ways, from suggestions by customers to opportunities for new products. Jon says each fall they have a contest among employees to develop their own personal flavor. Those are then voted on, and the winner becomes one of the featured flavors for the next year’s opening. This year’s winner is the Blueberry Crumble, which features a base of cinnamon ice cream along with a blueberry swirl and graham cracker chunks.

The second new flavor is TC Mud Pie: coffee ice cream with Oreo cookie pieces and a chocolate swirl.

Sleeping Bear is the third, a chocolate ice cream base with a caramel swirl, a marshmallow swirl, and graham cracker pieces.

Rounding out the new flavors is 25th Celebration, a sweet (but not too sweet) confection made from cake batter ice cream with yellow cake pieces and a chocolate swirl.

The four will only be available for a limited time. Jon says it’s their way of thanking their loyal local clientele by having something just for them before the lines swell out the door with tourists.

Spring merchandise arriving daily shop online at thelimabean.net 231-271-5462 Downtown Suttons Bay

Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 13

FROM THETheMITTEN STATE TO THE SUNSHINE STATE convenience (and cost) of flying Allegiant Air

By Jillian Manning About 17,000 passengers will fly in and out of Traverse City in the two-week period surrounding spring break, according to Kevin Kline, CEO of Cherry Capital Airport (TVC).

Many of those folks are headed south for warmer weather, especially since TVC boasts three nonstop flights to Florida on Allegiant Air, landing in Punta Gorda/Fort Myers, Tampa/St. Pete, and Orlando/Sanford.

For those of us who’ve spent more than a decade Up North, the option of a nonstop flight is something of a novelty, unless of course you’re headed to Detroit or Chicago.

The Allegiant flights also carry an attractive price tag, with tickets (sans fees) starting as low as $50 one way. Northern Express set out to get the scoop on who travels on these flights, where they go, and how it impacts both northern Michigan and destinations in Florida.

By the Numbers Surprisingly, spring break isn’t the busiest time of year for local fliers. (The gold medal goes to late June, once school is out and before the glory days of summer are here to stay.)

However, Klein says spring break remains a top driver for local travel in and out of TVC. “Our parking lot is full, [we have] a lot of full flights, and concessions are going to be high,” Klein tells us. “It is a peak time of the year. It’s not the peak like July is, but…I would rank it up in our top five in bringing in our best economic activity at the airport.”

Klein predicts nearly 100 percent of seats will be sold for the Allegiant flights over the school break. Allegiant operates two types of aircraft out of TVC—the Airbus A319 (which seats 156 passengers) and the Airbus A320 (which seats 186). With multiple flights to each destination during the vacation window, thousands of passengers will be making the three-hour, 1,400-mile trips.

The airline touts its cheap fares, and at a glance, that $50 price tag can seem too good to be true. Well, technically, it is. Yes, you can get out of town for under $100, but your return flight is likely to be in the ballpark of $125-$250, with last-minute tickets or highdemand days rising above $350 on either end. Then, you can either choose a bundle for your seat, baggage, and other upgrades, or you can buy a la carte. Seat prices range from as low as $1 for a back-row middle seat

to $39+ for front-of-craft spots with better legroom. A carry-on bag can cost $18-$50 each way, a checked bag $30-$50.

All told, when we booked a sample trip at the lowest prices we could find with no upgrades—other than a carry-on, since we figured most folks don’t travel with only a purse or backpack—the bill came out to $240 with all the accompanying taxes and fees.

Travelers who want a few more bells and whistles are likely to see prices topping $300.

Even with no frills, $240 remains a competitive rate and has the perk of being attached to a nonstop flight, which means no layovers, no getting stuck in O’Hare, and no worrying about whether there will be time to eat or use the restroom as you sprint to your connection. “Convenient” is the word Klein uses repeatedly to describe the Allegiant flights.

Flying Together So, who is flying Allegiant these days?

The answer to that question: just about everyone.

“I think [the senior] population is traveling more often because of the Allegiant flights and the convenience of the nonstops,” Klein says. “But then, because of the cost, you see a lot of families that are going. … This time of year is really focused on families and couples and everybody going on vacation.”

Justin Mortier, a Traverse Citian and managing partner of hospitality group LaBelle Management, has one of those families.

“Our family has utilized Allegiant multiple times,” Mortier says. “The price is more economical for our large family. The warm destinations are very desirable and, most importantly, the direct flights are game changers. Navigating four kids through a large airport to catch a connecting flight can be quite stressful.”

Although most folks are flocking toward Florida for a getaway, Klein also notes that spring break is a busy time for inbound traffic, with snowbirds returning and passengers from other areas of the country headed to northern Michigan.

“This spring break, you’re going to see what I call multi-directional traffic, not just a southern flow of traffic and then a northern flow at the end,” Klein explains. “Because of the pandemic, you’re going to see people start to get back out to go visit family.”

14 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

Indeed, U.S. travel is expected to be up for spring break 2022. Vacasa, an international vacation rental management company, finds that 37 percent of Americans are planning to travel during spring break, up from 29 percent last year. The World Travel & Tourism Council believes this trend will continue throughout the spring and summer, predicting domestic travel over Easter to be up 212 percent from 2021 and summer trip booking up 58 percent.

Spring in the Sunshine State You’ve bought your ticket, boarded your flight, and landed in Florida. What happens then? Well, Disney is an obvious draw for the Orlando/Sanford passengers, and beach and golfing trips are also popular for those who have missed warm-weather activities.

Across all three destinations, business booms thanks to the arrival of the cold, sunstarved northerners.

“I see people coming here in droves to just get outside,” says Cynthia Hinson, director of communications and public relations for the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau (PGEB VCB). “Everyone wants to go to the beach. They want to get in the water. … And because the weather’s so nice—it’s not too humid yet—people can enjoy all the hiking trails.”

Whatever folks are looking for, the data is clear in one respect: people are visiting.

The PGEB VCB just announced a $1.6M

increase in their tourist development tax—a five percent tax collected via lodging facilities—from 2020. Of course, that isn’t solely from Michiganders flying south, but as the hospitality saying goes, heads are definitely in beds.

“Our hotels are booked out. Our Airbnbs are booked out. You have to plan a couple of weeks in advance—you can’t just come down unless you want to pay top dollar,” Hinson explains.

But for those who planned ahead, a vacation in Punta Gorda may feel a little bit like home.

“Everyone does everything on the water,” Hinson says, mentioning beloved Up North activities like paddleboarding, boating, and fishing. In terms of non-aquatic activities, she points to great restaurants, shopping, and art exhibits. (Does that sound like some NoMi towns you know?)

For readers headed south, Hinson’s top recommendations over spring break include: • Spring training for the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park • The “ZimSculpt” exhibit at Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens • Fisherman’s Village • The Military Heritage Museum • Babcock Ranch Eco Tours Those of us who are staying home over the break just ask that you bring some sunshine back with you.

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Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 15

One Perfect Day In… Your northern Michigan staycation guide

By Northern Express Staff & Contributors Not all of us are headed for warmer climates this spring break, and if you’re sticking around the North, you can still create a little getaway magic here at home. Reporters Rachel Pasche, Geri Diezte, Craig Manning, and Lynda Wheatley give us the scoop on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in four NoMi towns full of vacation vibes.

FRANKFORT

HARBOR SPRINGS

What to Do Outdoors: There is something raw and powerful about the lakefront during the colder months. The Elberta Dunes South Natural Area boasts a few hiking trails that wind out to breathtaking views of the bluffs. These trails are great year-round, though we recommend boots if there is still snow coverage.

What to Do Outdoors: Spring is tricky in this neck of the woods, swinging from open-jacket comfort to blustery fronts, but you can always get back to the land on one of Little Traverse Conservancy’s many year-round trails. Fur kids are welcome, on leash. (BYO bags.)

Frankfort is a prominent destination for tourists and locals alike to take in the sheer magnificence of Lake Michigan, sample some of the local offerings, and explore the natural beauty that surrounds the area. Although Frankfort barely stretches a mile, it’s full of ways to while away the hours, regardless of the season.

Indoors: The Garden Theater is a historic single-screen movie theater downtown showing a medley of movies, documentaries, and independent films. Check their website to see what they’re playing (they only post their schedule a few weeks in advance), then grab tickets, popcorn, and candy as you travel back in time to a simpler movie-viewing experience.

Where to Eat Breakfast or Lunch: Birch & Maple is a from-scratch kitchen that dishes up breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Their brunch menu is full of scrumptious creations, including the incredible French Toast Monte Cristo, featuring thick ham and American cheese sandwiched between two pieces of french toast, topped with maple syrup and a crispy egg. It’s a little sweet, a little savory, and a lot delicious.

Lunch or Dinner: Stormcloud Brewing is an iconic brewery that serves up some of the best brews and bites in town. The beer and food are all crafted in house, and all menu items come with a beer pairing recommendation so you can sip while you snack. We recommend the Roasted Root flatbread pizza and homemade popcorn, which comes in four different flavors.

Harbor Springs, on the northern shore of Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay, is one of prettiest harbor towns anywhere. Nestled as it is between bluff and bay, the village has been protected from overzealous development, and as a result, the place simply radiates charm without even trying. The pocket-sized downtown mixes unique retailers, galleries, restaurants, and specialty food shops. (Some restaurants are seasonal, so check ahead.)

Indoors: Try the Lyric Theater for first-run movies in three screening rooms. The concession stand alone is worth a visit: organic popcorn with real butter, adult beverages, and Milk Duds! History buffs will enjoy a visit to the Harbor Springs History Museum for local lore and engaging hands-on activities, or stopping by the Andrew J. Blackbird Museum for a trove of Native American artifacts. Last, if you’re out with the kids, stop at Northern Lights Recreation, with sixteen lanes of bowling, two-story laser tag arena, a game arcade, and billiard room. (Also home of the Sassy Loon Bar and Grill.)

Where to Eat Breakfast: For a memorable breakfast, visit Small Batch at the Cupola, a tiny, eclectic restaurant and bakery with atmosphere to spare, plus memorable dishes. Try the Rise & Shine, a seriously upscale version of the ubiquitous breakfast sandwich. Eat in or take out.

Lunch or Dinner: Pierson’s Grille & Spirits, the après ski-themed eatery, is well-known for satisfying fare, just-right Bloody Marys, and friendly ambience. For lunch, try the 5 Dragon, their version of the classic Rueben.

Where to Stay The Hotel Frankfort is a boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown. With charming rooms, a restaurant featuring a variety of dishes plus an extensive wine list, and a location that offers convenient walking access to the main street, this is the perfect place to consider your home base during your staycation.

Where to Stay The Birchwood Inn—found three miles north of Harbor Springs in the forested Tunnel of Trees—gives off an authentic northern lodge feel. Snag a midweek deal in March for a twoqueen room at just $79 and $5 off a full-day pass per person at nearby Nubs Nob ski area, which plans to be open through April 3.

The Harbor Lights Resort sits on Lake Michigan and offers some unparalleled views, plus a bit of flexibility for your stay. Their rooms vary from motel rooms to complete condominiums. There’s even an indoor pool to keep the kiddos busy during your stay.

At the Best Western in Harbor Springs, kids 12 and under sleep free. (A good deal for big families!) The little ones will also enjoy the heated pool and hot tub, while parents will be happy with complimentary breakfast and a fitness room for a morning jog, though several nature preserves are within a short walk or drive if you want to stretch your legs outdoors.

16 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

BELLAIRE

Bellaire may be off the beaten path compared to other northern Michigan towns, but it has little trouble attracting visitors. There are plenty of reasons for the popularity, from a bounty of natural beauty to one of the state’s biggest craft breweries.

What to Do Outdoors: On a sunny spring day, Bellaire has plenty of options for outdoor fun. If you have hiking on the brain, a trio of nearby natural areas—Grass River, Mohrman, and Glacial Hills—have 40 miles of gorgeous trails between them. Although ski season has passed at Shanty Creek, their golf courses will open soon, and the brave can always take a kayak (and plenty of weather-appropriate gear) to explore the beautiful Chain of Lakes.

Indoors: If you find yourself in Bellaire on a crummy weather day, you can still have lots of fun with the family, especially at Bellaire Lanes and Games, which offers eight lanes of bowling, an arcade, and laser tag.

Where to Eat Breakfast: Every small town needs a cute, friendly coffee shop, and M88 Morning Grind is Bellaire’s. Whether you’re just grabbing a coffee or are hunting for some morning treats (take your pick of quiche, breakfast sandwiches, scones, muffins, or donuts), M88 has you covered.

Lunch or Dinner: For your next meal, swing by Short’s Brewing Company. With more than two dozen original brews on tap at any time, there’s something to please any beer enthusiast.

Options include famous staples like Bellaire Brown (a full-bodied, caramelly brown ale) and seasonals like Goodnight Bodacious (a double black IPA with a big, boozy punch).

As for food, the menu is packed with creative apps, salads, sandwiches, and pizzas. We recommend the Johnny on the Spot, a decadent pizza with Granny Smith apples, bacon, blue cheese, and white sauce.

Need some dessert after your meal at Short’s? Walk right across the street to Bee Well Mead & Cider, where you’ll find some sweetly delicious ciders and meads that incorporate everything from maple syrup to mango.

Where to Stay With a variety of lodging options on site—including hotel rooms, condos, and even full homes— Shanty Creek Resort is the perfect hub for any Bellaire visit. Shanty has multiple restaurants (including a Starbucks-serving coffee joint), two indoor pools, and entertaining activities like a Topgolf Swing Suite and e-bike rentals, so the whole family will find something to love.

Those seeking a more intimate lodging experience will love quaint B&Bs like Applesauce Inn (home to three cozy rooms and an add-on option of weekday high tea) and the downtown Stone Waters Inn (home to 10 rooms along the Intermediate River).

GRAYLING

Whether you get blue skies or gray, Grayling delivers on its promise as a hub of outdoor fun. (Seriously—they say you enter the “River Time Zone” when you arrive.) Pair the great outdoors with great food and plenty of activities for all ages, and you have a laid-back, pure NoMi getaway on your hands.

What to Do Outdoors: Home to some of the prettiest stretches of the legendary Manistee and AuSable rivers, Grayling boasts some of the best trout fishing in the state. On both rivers, rules for possession vary by angler age, time of year, and species, but in general, if you keep to artificial tackle and flies and release your catches, you can wet a line in both rivers yearround. (Check the 2022 Michigan Fishing Guide for details: michigan.gov/dnr.)

Prefer to stay on land? Head to our favorite one-of-a-kind hike in Grayling, the 1.25-mile loop to a look at northern Michigan’s pre-logging past: Hartwick Pines’ Old Growth Forest Trail. It leads you to an awe-inspiring 49-acre tract of virgin timber, the largest continuous stand of old-growth white pines in the Lower Peninsula.

Indoors: We have three not-to-miss stops: A movie at the old Rialto Theatre, the classic movie house that’s been screening flicks since 1915; the AuSable Artisan Village Art Gallery, HQ for art to buy, make, hear, and see; and any one of the quaint gift and gallery boutiques that stand on and around Grayling’s main downtown drag, Michigan Avenue.

Where to Eat Breakfast: Start your morning in Grayling the way locals have for 50+ years: drooling over the multitude of sugary, buttery goodies inside Goodale’s Bakery and Deli’s glass cases. You can’t go wrong with any style of Loren G’s famous “fried cake” doughnuts or turnovers, but the Danish Elephant Ears are otherworldly. Grab an Albie’s pasty and Kowalski kielbasa—direct from Hamtramck—to go too. They’ll come in handy later.

Lunch or Dinner: Stop for a craft beer or cocktail and a bite—and feel free to keep on wandering with said libation in hand—from any of the bars and breweries within Grayling’s new social district: the famed Spike’s Keg o Nails; Ray’s BBQ, Brews and Blues; Rolling Oak Brewery; Michigan Brew; and Paddle Hard Brewing. (Note: Dead Bear Brewing is just outside the district, but if you and your crew can stuff down the Bear Den’s 100 Pounder pizza—featuring 100 pepperoni slices and a pound of cheese—we’re assuming you’ll be thirsty on the way home).

Where to Stay Ramada by Wyndham Grayling Hotel & Conference Center on the I-75 business loop offers standard lodging ($79+) with an indoor playset and pool and free breakfast.

Gates AuSable Lodge is a comfy, classic go-to that sits on the banks of the AuSable, and every room overlooks “one of the most prolific stretches” of this blue-ribbon trout stream. Single rooms start at $90. Pets allowed for $10.

w o r s h i p. c o n n e c t . g r o w. s e r v e .

tccentralumc.org

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facebook.com/cumctc Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 17

LOCAL REFRESH NoMi products and services to instantly change your life (or at least your home)

By Lynda Wheatley

With spring on the horizon, we’re looking for all the tips and tools to make cleaning, household projects, and life itself a little easier. (Because let’s be honest, what we really want is to go outside and play in this nearly-warm weather.)

The good news is, you can become a pro at everything from replacing your backsplash to monitoring the water quality of your favorite lake…all without leaving northern Michigan. Here, we dive into five projects perfect for rain or shine that require minimal expertise but offer a major improvement for your day-to-day life.

PROJECTS FOR A RAINY DAY

PROJECTS FOR A SUNNY DAY

A No-Sew Update for Upholstery Unless you’ve been sniffing oil-based paint, you’ve likely heard of chalk paint—a thick, water-based paint for wood furniture and cabinetry that applies easily, dries quickly, and boasts a matte, vintage-looking finish. But did you know you can use chalk paint to change the color of upholstery too? True story. A thin coat of chalk paint applied with a brush or wet rag to a low-pile fabric—think cotton, linen, velvet, etc.— will dry to a soft texture, with no cracking or color rubbing off on anyone’s bum.

Head into Red Dresser to get advice from Deb Hepner, the Annie Sloan Chalk Paint stockist, on your particular project and check out the multitude of colors available for less than $43 a liter (larger than a quart), which covers roughly 175 feet of fabric. thereddressertc.com Barnin’ Down the House For those of us who don’t own a century-old barn but desperately want the look of those sturdy old beams and planks in our homes, there is an alternative to being arrested for stealing some: Lake Ann Barnwood. They do all the hard (and legal) work of finding and deconstructing old barns and creating custom pieces from those well-seasoned pieces. They will install too, but there’s a lot you can do with old barn wood yourself. Members of our editorial team have DIYed an old barn beam into a fireplace mantle, bolted a rectangle of old (well-sanded) planks to a ’30s-era desk to make a kitchen island, and—after seeing some photos on Lake Ann Barnwood’s homepage—now plan to add a little bit of texture to an otherwise dull accent wall this spring. Tell owner Joe Harrison what you’re dreaming of, and he’ll make it happen: lakeannbarnwood@gmail.com.

Insta-Tile Improvement Want to update your kitchen in a weekend? If you can wait until a weekend in 2024, you might find a contractor who’s available, but you can do it yourself in a few hours with peel and stick tile. Trust us, they’ve come a long way in the last six years, with brands like Smart Tiles, Tic Tac, and Art3d dominating the market for their range of style and texture, ease of application, and durability over time.

While the brand you choose will ultimately be determined by its look and planned placement—choose peel and sticks made specifically for backsplashes if you’re “tiling” a wall near a sink or stove, for instance— you’ll find dozens of options in products made of textured vinyl or faced with a thin sliver of natural material, like wood, stone, or glass. Those comprised of vinyl are generally cheaper and easier to install—just use scissors—while those using real material often require a tile knife or tin snip to cut. We love Smart Tiles’ Blok Chevron. Each piece, $18.41, measures just over 22.5 inches wide by 11.5 high. You can find Smart Tiles as low as $6.98 per section at Lowe’s.

18 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

Boom! You’re a Water Quality Guru Lake-home owners (and lake lovers): a critical step in protecting the inland lake you love is monitoring what’s happening under that water. The easiest way we know to do that is to become a Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program volunteer. By watching the online or recorded version of this year’s annual CLMP volunteer training—scheduled May 10, 2022—you can become a volunteer and begin actively monitoring your favorite lake’s transparency, aquatic invasives, phosphorus and chlorophyll concentrations, and other factors that can impact its health. The CLMP, one of the oldest volunteer monitoring programs for lakes in the entire country, will help you access the right equipment, sampling methods, tech support, and laboratory assistance so you can detect early warning signs of poor water quality and, ideally, act before it’s too late. Learn more and enroll at micorps.net/lake-monitoring.

Get Back to Nature The native plant movement is here to stay, and for good reason. Butterfly milkweed keeps our monarch visitors happy; oak trees keep the squirrels happy; and wild strawberries keep the humans happy. If your yard is ready for an upgrade—or you just want to learn more about Michigan flora—now is the time. First, check out the resources MSU Extension has on native plants at canr.msu.edu/nativeplants, where you can find the best plants for your region, soil, and sun. Then, if you want to start cultivating early, catch the native seedling sale running now through March 31 at the Grand Traverse Conservation District. Shop the available seedlings online (natureiscalling.org/native-seedling-sale) to place your order for pick-up in April.

Otherwise, wait until May for their annual native plant sale when your leafy new friends can go straight into the ground. (Their “plant-by-number” flats are especially great for beginners and provide customers with a perfectly mapped out 4x10-foot garden.) Other conservation districts—like Charlevoix, Leelanau, and Missaukee—will have similar opportunities later this spring.

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By Ross Boissoneau Actor, singer, songwriter, band sideman, TV sidekick—each are roles played at one time or another by Loudon Wainwright III. (And don’t forget Grammy-Award winner and father to several other popular musicians.)

Wainwright takes all these roles in stride. “I see myself as a singer/songwriter,” he says, though he notes the modifier “skewed” might easily find a place ahead of that label. (Bonus points to readers who knew “skewed singer/songwriter” was another term for someone with more than their fair share of dark and offbeat humor.)

Such is the case for a man whose biggest hit was the 1973 hit novelty song “Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road.”

Then there’s the holiday charmer “I’ll Be Killing You (This Christmas),” in which he sings, “’Tis the season you must die/ Though there’s no way that you’ll miss this/A Bushmaster’s on my wish list.” He wrote the sarcastic ode, which takes potshots at the country’s gun culture, a year after and as a reaction to the Newtown, Connecticut, school massacre. Wainwright told the Huffington Post, “Occasionally, I get into social commentary.

I’m old enough to remember when there was such thing as a protest song.”

Asked why he writes songs like those instead of, or at least in addition to, more straightforward fare, Wainwright says he takes cues from some of his influences. “Some of my songwriting heroes had a sense of humor,” he says, mentioning people like Tom Lehrer and Frank Loesser. He also wants to push the envelope. “I enjoy being surprised and unsettled. I also like to amuse myself.”

Wainwright thinks his songs appeal to a slightly subversive audience, whatever the listener’s age. “My audience is certainly people in my age bracket,” 75-year-old Wainwright says, “but I’m often surprised. The other night a couple brought their daughter [to a show]. She’s 11 but was familiar with a lot of the material. So I’m corrupting younger as well as older people.”

Jack of Many Trades As to his history, Wainwright played keyboards with the original iteration of metal mock band Spinal Tap prior to the band’s pseudo-documentary film. He was also David Letterman’s original musical sidekick on Letterman’s morning show that predated Late Night before Paul Shaffer got the gig.

And he’s a proud father of four, three of whom have followed him as musicians. Rufus Wainwright and Martha Wainwright are his children from his marriage to Kate McGarrigle, and Lucy Wainwright Roche is by his second wife, Suzzy Roche. “I’m happy they are very talented. They make records and sing with other people, including me. I’m very happy that they got into the business. They are ridiculously talented. They are irritatingly talented,” he says with a laugh.

When it comes to his own music, Wainwright says his shows include a broad range of material, and any younger folks in the crowd may find themselves on the spot. “If I see someone younger than my usual demographic, I ask what they want. I’m excited to do the newer songs; some [older ones] I don’t do or have forgotten.”

The set list may or may not include that big hit from decades ago. “I’m under no obligation to do anything. I think there was a period when I refused to do ‘Dead Skunk’ when I was grumpy,” he says.

Wainwright has received numerous accolades over the years, including a 2010 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album for High Wide & Handsome: The Charlie Poole Project, along with two previous Grammy nominations. His acting credits are extensive as well, and he’s had parts in the films Knocked Up (for which he also recorded the soundtrack), The 40-Year-Old Virgin, For Your Consideration, Elizabethtown, and numerous others. On the small screen, he’s appeared in Parks and Recreation, Grounded for Life, Ally McBeal, and M*A*S*H.

Loudon Wainwright III and the Life of a Troubadour 20 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

A Night on the Stage But while Wainwright went to college with the idea of becoming an actor, he dropped out to write songs. Songwriting and performing became his vocation and a calling that has lasted throughout his long career. While the means of delivering music has changed from tapes and albums to CDs and now streaming, he believes the in-concert experience remains the best way to engage others.

“The industry has changed, with streams and podcasts.

People aren’t buying CDs anymore. But songs and shows will always be there. You’ve got a bunch of people in the dark. It’s exciting, sexy, mysterious. And at the end of the night I get paid.”

You can be in the crowd with Wainwright on April 15 at 8pm when he visits Milliken Auditorium at the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City. Tickets can be purchased at dennosmuseum.org/ events/milliken.

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231-676-8252 Torchcannabisco.com Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 21

Mud Season Snow and sun make for spring fun at area resorts

By Al Parker Some call it “The Mud Season,” giving the brief window between the end of March and early April the lofty status of a fifth annual season. It’s a term used by ski resorts to describe the time when skiing and snowboarding wind down and golf cranks up. Skiers cope with once-pristine runs dotted with brown patches of dirty, dingy earth while golfers wait in the wings brandishing their new putters.

Mud Season features sunny days that are kissed with balmy winds, but spring rains and melting snow can make things dicey for outdoor-sport lovers. Northern Express asked resorts how they deal with the changeable weather as skiing makes way for golf, and let’s just say folks have to get creative.

Crystal Mountain Resort golf pro Greg Babinec shovels snow in April 2018.

Crystal Mountain Resort Latest ski date: April 13, 2014 Earliest golf date: March 17, 2010

“Needless to say, the transition period between skiing and golf in northern Michigan can be quite, well…northern Michigan,” says Brittney Buti, manager of public relations at the Thompsonville resort. “You never know what Mother Nature and Old Man Winter will have in store, so there is no set date every year when skiing stops and golf returns. However in a typical year, the slopes are put to bed the first weekend of April and the greens open up a couple weeks after.”

But there have been exceptions to that rule.

“In 2020 it was 80 degrees during our March at the Mountain events,” recalls Buti. “People were skiing in shorts and bathing suits. Then in 2018, we had just closed our ski hill and were preparing to open up the golf courses the following weekend, and it dumped snow.”

Crystal Mountain features 58 downhill slopes, 24 km of cross-country skiing, and 36 holes of challenging championship golf. That means there’s always hustle and bustle during the transition from winter sports to golf. There have even been times when Crystal Mountain workers have had to fire up their plow trucks to clear the resort parking lots to make room for their golf carts.

This year, the resort’s ski season is slated to end April 3, and they hope to open the links

by April 15, weather permitting.

“This year, so far, is on par to be a typical year,” adds Buti. “We always look forward to every season with excitement, as do our guests, but keep in mind we’re always thinking ahead—season (ski) passes are already on sale for next winter!”

Treetops Resort “Throughout the years, Mother Nature has provided opportunities to ski late into the season and, other times, provides the warmth to open golf early,” says Susan Wilcox Olson, a resort marketing official at the Gaylord resort that features five championship challenging courses over impressive terrain. “There’s always spring skiing fun to be had.”

In mid-March, the resort hosted snow volleyball and other games during “ShamROCK the Mountain,” a new celebration at the resort.

That was followed a week later by the Slush Cup, always an adventure as hardy skiers splash their way through bone-chilling slush and frigid water to the finish line. Ironically, the event was initially planned as part of “ShamROCK the Mountain,” but was pushed back a week when Mother Nature turned the slush to solid ice.

“Now it’s on to golf season,” says Olson. “A perennial favorite is the We’re Open Open, a golf tournament slated for April 30, our first official day of golf.”

The We’re Open Open is a one-day event that kicks off the golf season with a four-person scramble on the Smith Signature course.

“We certainly may open a course or two of the five courses earlier and will keep golf enthusiasts up to speed on play,” Olson adds.

Hundreds of drivers are expected at the Schuss Mountain Snow Challenge on April 2-3.

Treetops Resort hosted snow volleyball during their ShamROCK the Mountain event earlier this month.

Shanty Creek Resort Latest ski date: March 31, 2012 Earliest golf date: March 12, 2012

“It’s all about the weather,” says Lindsey Southwell, the Antrim County resort’s director of marketing. “We’ve had snow in May some years. Last year, our last ski dates were at the end of March, and we usually start golf two or three weeks later.”

Shanty Creek’s sister location, Schuss Mountain, fills the gap between skiing and golfing by hosting one of spring’s most exciting events on April 2-3. The Schuss Mountain Snow Challenge transforms the late season ski slopes into side-by-side uphill truck races.

Drivers of modified trucks, jeeps, and other vehicles stomp on the gas and race to the top of the mountain. It’s loud, aggressive, and supports a great cause: a portion of the proceeds is donated to the Michigan’s Disabled American Veterans.

22 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

mar 26

saturday

EARLY SPRING BIRD WALK: 9-11am, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire.

Look & listen for early arrivals. Binoculars are available to borrow, or bring your own.

If there is still snow, bring snowshoes, or rent some for an additional $5 in the Grass River Center. Limited space. Please pre-register. $5. grassriver.org

---------------------WAGBO FARM MAPLE SYRUP OPEN HOUSE: 10am-2pm, Wagbo Farm & Education Center, East Jordan. Visit the Sugar Shack Syrup-making in action, taste the goods, hike up to the Sugar Bush, pet the farm animals. 231-536-0333. Free. m.facebook. com/pg/marthawagbofarm/events

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30TH ANNUAL NORTHWEST MICHIGAN RV & CAMPING SHOW: 11am-8pm, GT County Civic Center, TC. More than 40 units will be displayed, including folding camping trailers, travel trailers & fifth wheel travel trailers. There will be exhibitors featuring campground info, dealer on-site RV financing, & RV rentals. $7 for ages 13+; $6 for ages 55+; free for 12 & under. showpass. com/2022-northwest-rv-camping-show

---------------------RETRO DAY: 11am-2pm, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Wear your neon, ringer tees, gigantic jeans & vintage sweaters. Enjoy retro favorites from a DJ, On-Slope Scavenger Hunt, Candy Jar Challenge, & Costume Contest. crystalmountain.com/event/retro-weekend

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POWDER FOR PAWS: 4-7pm, Nub’s Nob, Harbor Springs. Benefits the homeless animals at Little Traverse Bay Humane Society.

Includes food & live music from Jeff Pagel.

Tickets are $50/person ($10 for kids 6-12 years old & kids under 5 are free) & must be purchased by 5pm March 18. ltbhs.givecloud.co/product/powderforpawsticket/powder-for-paws-tickets?fbclid=IwAR1uGQBJ6 HrwJu5iKZuvtWeF3dxTZ9othlsAhtiOSt6HK JGUQphL90GvYP8

---------------------COMEDY WITH IAN BAGG: 7pm & 9:30pm, TC Comedy Club, TC. First learning he was funny from other kids sitting the bench in hockey, Bagg earned a top-5 finish on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” He’s also been on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Tonight Show,” & more. He’s performed multiple collaborative NHL alumni shows for teams such as the Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues & the Toronto Maple Leafs. $20$25. traversecitycomedyclub.com/ian-bagg

---------------------DISNEY’S THE ARISTOCATS, KIDS: Presented by the OTP Young Company at Old Town Playhouse, TC at 2pm & 5pm. In Paris, an eccentric millionairess wills her entire estate to her cats. The greedy, bumbling butler pulls off the ultimate catnap caper. $15 adults, $8 youth under 18 (plus fees). oldtownplayhouse.com

mar 27

sunday

30TH ANNUAL NORTHWEST MICHIGAN RV & CAMPING SHOW: (See Sat., March 26, except today’s times are 11am-5pm.)

---------------------JAZZ (LATE) BRUNCH: With East Bay Drive. 3pm, GT Circuit, TC. Featuring Chateau Chantal wine & food from the Good Bowl. $20 donation.

---------------------GREAT LAKES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA PRESENTS “DOUBLE REED STAM-

PEDE”: 4pm, First Congregational Church, Charlevoix. This concert features woodwind instruments with two reeds, such as oboe & bassoon. Free. glcorchestra.org/concerts

mar 28

monday

mar 30

wednesday

PRESENTATION BY JONATHAN P. HAWLEY: 7pm, Glen Lake Library, Empire.

Dr. Hawley will speak about his newly released book, “Guardians of the Manitou Passage.” He will share some of the stories of the men, women & families who made up the life-saving service & their heroic acts to patrol beaches & rescue survivors in storm infested waters. glenlakelibrary.net/events

mar/apr

26-10 send your dates to: events@traverseticker.com

GUIDED HIKE: 10am, Miller Creek Nature Reserve, TC. Explore, ask questions & discover the features of this 66acre reserve. Miller Creek Nature Reserve is located behind Grand Traverse Crossing Mall on S. Airport Rd. Meet at the trailhead behind Aldi’s. Register. Free. gtcd.wufoo.com/forms/m1ha95wd1h1d9vw

---------------------KIDS SPRING BREAK FUN COOKING CLASS: 2-4pm, Interlochen Public Library.

For ages 6-12. Kid-friendly recipes with fresh, healthy ingredients, featuring fun & creative presentations. 231-276-6767.

mar 31

thursday

[TITLE OF SHOW]: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Two self-confessed nobodies have three weeks to write an original musical for submission to a festival. But what to write about? That’s easy: write about what to write about! Adults: $28; youth under 18: $15 (plus fees). tickets.oldtownplayhouse. com/TheatreManager/1/login&event=359

apr 01

friday

GUIDED HIKE: 12-2pm, Boardman Valley Nature Preserve, TC. Explore the waterways & woodlands of this 208-acre reserve. Register. Free. gtcd.wufoo.com/ forms/mq52jkn0jmzuao

---------------------ONLINE LUNCHEON LECTURE: UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS: Noon.

NMC’s UAS Program Manager Tony Sauerbrey will speak about the UAS program, which is the leading training center for drones in the region. Register. Free. ncmclifelonglearning.com/event-4628608

---------------------FREE BEGINNER BELLY DANCE CLASS: 6pm, Pure Essence Wellness Center, 1240 E. 8th St., TC. Hosted by Amira Hamzar of the School of Rak. For absolute beginners for all ages, sizes, shapes, genders & ethnicities.

Also held on Zoom. AmiraHamzarRaks.com

---------------------COMEDY WITH CHRISTOPHER TITUS: 7:30pm & 10pm, TC Comedy Club, TC. This stand-up comedian, writer, actor & producer’s multi-cam half hour “Titus” premiered to critical & audience acclaim on Fox, earning the show an Emmy Nomination. Most recently he wrote, produced, directed & starred in the feature “Special Unit,” about a team of special needs people who form an undercover police unit. $30-$40. traversec-

North Central Michigan College, Petoskey hosts the Henrietta Lacks Traveling Museum in their library on Tues., April 5 from 9am-5pm. Lacks died of cervical cancer in 1951 at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.

Her cells were taken without her or her family’s knowledge prior to her death, and have lived on for more than 70 years, helping lead scientific discoveries, from cancer treatment to COVID-19 vaccine development. This museum will feature Lacks’ great nephew, Jermaine Jackson, at 10am and 2pm. Free. ncmich.edu

itycomedyclub.com

---------------------FOUND IN TRANSLATION: A DRAMATIC OPERA EXPERIENCE: 7:30pm, The Village at GT Commons, Kirkbride Hall, TC. An evening of opera hits sung by renowned opera stars. Presented by Traverse City Opera. The concert features transcendent opera singing in its original language paired with dramatic English interpretations by local professional actors. $20 per person. traversecityopera.org/upcomingevents

---------------------[TITLE OF SHOW]: (See Thurs., March 31)

apr 02

saturday

EASTER CRAFT & VENDOR SHOW: 10am-3pm, The Ellison Place, Gaylord. The Easter Bunny will be in the house doing pictures until 3pm. facebook.com/ events/2398796816919646

---------------------BOWLING DOWN MAIN STREET: 12-2pm, intersection of State & Main streets, Harbor Springs. Free bowling certificate, hot cocoa & donuts, & a grab gift.

----------------------

RETURN OF THE NATIVE: ARCTIC GRAYLING: Iron Fish Distillery, Thompsonville. Learn how Michigan’s native Grayling were driven to extinction & hear plans to reintroduce Grayling into northern Michigan rivers. Held at 1pm & 3pm (space limited). Please RSVP through Eventbrite. For more info please contact Info@ Ironfishdistillery.com Free. eventbrite. com/e/return-of-the-native-arctic-graylingmichigan-arctic-grayling-initiative-tickets-297444162497

---------------------SKY DANCE OF THE WOODCOCK: 7:15pm, Veronica Valley County Park, Lake Leelanau. Celebrate the mating flights of the American Woodcock. Wear footwear for damp meadows, and a small flashlight might be useful. Free. grandtraverseaudubon.org

TSO MAESTRO SERIES: JULIAN SCHWARZ: 7:30pm, Historic Barns Park, Cathedral Barn, TC. World caliber soloist on cello Julian Schwarz joins TSO Maestro Kevin Rhodes at the piano. Main floor, $45.50. traversesymphony.org/concert/maestro-series-julian-schwarz

---------------------[TITLE OF SHOW]: (See Thurs., March 31)

apr 03

sunday

POETS’ NIGHT OUT: This event celebrates original poetry written & submitted by residents of Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee & Wexford counties. Winning poems are published in the Poets’ Night Out chapbook, & the winning poets will read their poem at this event. 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Free. tadl.org/pno

---------------------[TITLE OF SHOW]: (See Thurs., March 31, except today’s time is 2pm.)

---------------------TSO MAESTRO SERIES: JULIAN SCHWARZ: (See Sat., April 2, except today’s time is 3pm.)

apr 05

tuesday

NORTH CENTRAL HOSTS HENRIETTA LACKS TRAVELING MUSEUM: Learn about the woman whose lines of cells – harvested without her knowledge – has informed numerous scientific advances during the past 70 years, from cancer treatment to COVID-19 vaccine development. 9am-5pm, NCMC Library, Petoskey.

Featuring Lacks’ great nephew, Jermaine Jackson, at 10am & 2pm. Free. ncmich.edu

---------------------HOUSING AND HEALTH IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN - HEALTH FORUM: 7:30am.

Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 23

Join a free community discussion about the impact of housing on health in northern Michigan presented by GVSU in TC & NMC. Panelists from across the community will share information on local resources, how housing is important for our overall community health, & how we can support one another. Free. gvsu.edu/hfnorthernmich

----------------------

live

stand-up

TCNEWTECH PITCH & NETWORKING EVENT: 5:30pm, City Opera House, TC. Each presenter is allowed 5-minutes to present their business or new technology & 5-minutes of questions & answers. The audience decides by a text vote which startup will receive the $500 cash prize. Also held at 6pm via YouTube, Facebook, or LinkedIn. tcnewtech.org

---------------------COFFEE & CONVERSATION AT THE CHAMBER: 8-10am, Harbor Springs Area Chamber office, 118 E. Main St., Harbor Springs. Sponsored by PES Energy Solutions. Enjoy a cup of coffee & chat with Chamber staff & the sponsor of the month. Free.

christop

april 1

apr 06

her titu

s

a prolific stand-up comedian, writer, actor, and producer, Christopher Titus plays to sold-out clubs and theaters around the country. With a take no prisoners wit, he has written and starred in eight 90 minute comedy specials, some of which spent months on the Billboard Top Ten Comedy Chart. Chris Titus is a voice like no other.

april 8-9 With his innocence and friendly demeanor, Mitch fatel quickly engages the audience and then catches them off guard with a mixture of mischievous dialog and ofF-color comments. mitch has appeared on almost every Late Night Comedy Show and took home honors as the Best Comedian at the HBO Aspen Comedy Festival.

MITCH FATEL

Legendary Comedian, Bobcat Goldthwait, is no stranger to show business. Since his first appearance at the age of 20 on the David Letterman Show in 1983, Bobcat has gone on to maintain a thriving career as a writer, director, actor, voice actor, and stand-up comedian. He Bobcat Go has directed numerous ldthwait TV shows, including Jimmy Kimmel, Chappell’s Show, Community, among others.

may 20 -21 JOHN HEFFRON

HENRIETTA LACKS FILM SCREENING: Featuring “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” 10am & 2pm, NCMC Library, Petoskey.

Free. ncmich.edu

---------------------RECESS SPRINGS BACK: 5-7pm, Action Water Sports, TC. After work fun for grownups. Enjoy nibbles provided by Jimmy John’s of TC, beverages & incredible prizes, including two platinum tickets to Darius Rucker at Interlochen on June 25, an Apple Watch, half day guided on-water experience & a half-page Northern Express ad. $10 admission. traverseticker.com/recess

apr 07

thursday

HENRIETTA LACKS DISCUSSION: 1pm, NCMC Library, Petoskey. Featuring Professor Davina Gutierrez, Ph.D. Book Club discussion immediately following. Free. ncmich.edu

----------------------

april 22-23

May 6-7 MICHAEL PALASCAK

wednesday

enjoy gr

eat

food, dr & LAUGHinks, S!

to purchase tickets and view our full schedule, visit traversecitycomedyclub.com or call 231.421.1880 ask about hosting your next event here!

738 S. Garfield Avenue, Traverse City

FREE LAUNDRY SERVICE FOR THOSE IN NEED: 8:30-11:30am, Traverse City Laundry, 1131 S. Garfield Ave., TC. Held the first & third Thursdays of the month. 947-3780.

----------------------

IDENTIFICATION & CONTROL OF HONEY BEE PESTS: 6pm, NCMC Library Conference Center, Petoskey. Little Traverse Bay Beekeepers Guild is featuring guest speaker & Apiculture Extension Educator Ana Heck from the Michigan State University Extension service. Register. ncmclifelonglearning. com/event-4748430

---------------------FAMILIES AGAINST NARCOTICS FORUM: 6:30pm, Central United Methodist Church, TC. Featuring Michigan State Representative John Roth, who will discuss what bills are in legislation right now to help families struggling with substance use disorder & what other discussions on SUD are in the works. Also held via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/94508436061? pwd=RDNrQ1RqN0VNODVLVGJvTU9wZl Rxdz09. Free. familiesagainstnarcotics.org/ grand-traverse

---------------------NWS: BRAD MELTZER (VIRTUAL): 7pm.

Brad is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of “The Inner Circle,” “The Book of Fate,” & ten other bestselling thrillers. Join him for a virtual discussion of “The Lightning Rod,” his newest Zig & Nola novel. $10.50. nationalwritersseries.org/product/brad-meltzer [TITLE OF SHOW]: (See Thurs., March 31)

24 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

apr 08

friday

AMERICAN CORNHOLE ORGANIZATION’S GRAND TRAVERSE MAJOR: 9am, GT Resort & Spa, Acme. Featuring over 200 men, women & juniors competing in singles, doubles, co-ed divisions. Free for spectators; $20/person or $40/team. americancornhole.ticketsauce. com/e/aco-grand-traverse-major

---------------------UP NORTH LAKE & COTTAGE SHOW: 3-8pm, GT Civic Center, TC. Featuring a diverse mix of over 100 exhibitors representing construction, remodeling, kitchen & bath, interior design, furniture, floor covering, home services & much more. tccottageshow.com

---------------------COMEDY WITH MITCH FATEL: 7:30pm & 10pm, TC Comedy Club, TC. With his innocence & friendly demeanor, Mitch quickly engages the audience & then catches them off guard with mischievous dialog. He has a prolific appeared on almost everys late night comedy act show & took homewriter, honors as the Best CoChristophe median at the HBOtoAspen sold-out Comedy Festival. theaters ar $20-$25. traversecitycomedyclub.com

april 1

- - - - - - - - - country.

- - - -Wiw- - - - - - - - prisoners

an JAZZ COMBO written & JAZZ ORCHESTRA eight 90 7:30pm, min WITH BILLY CHILDS: Interlochen specials, so Center for the Arts,spent Dendrinos Chapel & Remont T of jazz music as cital Hall. Enjoy anBillboard evening Comedy Cha Grammy Award-winning composer & pianist Titus is a vo Billy Childs performs with the Interlochen Arts Academy Jazz Combo & Jazz Orchestra. $14 full price; $11 student. interlochen. org/events/jazz-combo-jazz-orchestra-billychilds-2022-04-08

---------------------[TITLE OF SHOW]: (See Thurs., March 31)

apr 09

saturday

AMERICAN CORNHOLE ORGANIZATION’S GRAND TRAVERSE MAJOR: (See Fri., April 8)

-------------

UP NORTH LAKE & COTTAGE SHOW: (See Fri., April 8, except today’s times are 10am-6pm.)

---------------------BOOK SIGNING: 12-2pm, Horizon Books, TC. Debby DeJonge will sign her book “Lead Horse.” Enjoy the adventures of Candy Clark & her nemesis, Crissy von Foque-Trot, in the world of dressage riding. horizonbooks.com/ event/book-signing-debby-dejonge-lead-horse

---------------------COMEDY WITH MITCH FATEL: (See Fri., April 8, except tonight’s times are 7pm & 9:30pm.)

---------------------MADE IN MICHIGAN FUNDRAISER: 7-9:30pm, Cadillac Elks Lodge. Benefits Gopherwood Concerts. Musicians to be announced. $7-$15. mynorthtickets.com/events/made-inmichigan-fundraiser-4-9-2022

---------------------ORCHESTRA VIOLIN CONCERTO WITH RACHEL BARTON PINE: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Corson Auditorium.

This renowned violin soloist will perform with the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra under the direction of conductor Dr. Leslie B. Dunner. Pine will join the orchestra as the soloist for Violin Concerto No. 2 by Grammy Award-winning jazz pianist & composer Billy Childs. $14 full price; $11 student. interlochen.org/events/orchestra-violin-concertorachel-barton-pine-2022-04-09

---------------------[TITLE OF SHOW]: (See Thurs., March 31) ---------------------GIN BLOSSOMS: 8pm, Little River Casino Resort, Manistee. Formed in 1987, Gin Blos-

soms’ lengthy career has produced multiple Top 40 singles & platinum albums, including “Hey Jealousy.” $35, $45, $50. lrcr.com/ event-calendar/concerts/gin-blossoms

apr 10

sunday

TSO SYMPHONIC SEASON GRAND FINALE: 3pm, Corson Auditorium, Interlochen Center for the Arts. $25.50-$61.50. Immediately after the concert, join in the Season Announcement Party at 5pm at BlueBridge Events Centre, Grawn. traversesymphony.org

---------------------UP NORTH LAKE & COTTAGE SHOW: (See Fri., April 8, except today’s times are 10am-4pm.)

---------------------ST. MARY LAKE LEELANAU EASTER EGG HUNT: St. Mary School, Lake Leelanau.

Rain, snow or shine the egg hunt will begin at 12:15pm with Fr. Ben blessing the baskets.

Hunting will be divided into 3 age groups: Toddler/Preschool, K-2nd, & 3rd-5th. Free.

---------------------[TITLE OF SHOW]: (See Thurs., March 31, except today’s time is 2pm.))

ongoing

GTCD ANNUAL NATIVE SEEDLING SALE: Presented by the Grand Traverse Conservation District. Offering more than 25 high-quality, bare-root tree & shrub species.

This year’s selection includes four Michigan Assisted Tree Range Expansion Project (ATREP) species to support Climate Change resilience in our forests. The sale runs through March 31 with order pick-ups at the Boardman River Nature Center on April 2930. natureiscalling.org/native-seedling-sale

---------------------PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: Held on Tuesdays at 10:30am at Suttons Bay Bingham District Library. Start your day with stories & more. sbbdl.org

---------------------BELLAIRE WINTER FARMERS MARKET: Fridays, 9am-1pm, Downtown Bellaire. Held at two locations: Bee Well & Terrain. Produce, eggs, meats, honey, maple syrup, baked goods, local artists, crafts, & more.

---------------------INDOOR FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 10am-2pm, The Village at GT Commons, The Mercato corridor in Building 50, TC. thevillagetc.com

art

“WONDERLANDS” EXHIBIT & ARTIST TALK/RECEPTION: Higher Art Gallery, TC. The exhibit runs April 8 - May 5 with a Collector Preview on April 7 at noon. April 10, 12-1:30pm: Sculptor Cara O’Brien, painter Mary Sundstrom & mixed media artist Shan Bryan-Hanson will discuss their work, inspiration & materials. Please RSVP. facebook. com/events/507855597575192

---------------------SPOTLIGHT ON INNOVATION 2022: Charlevoix Circle of Arts, Charlevoix. This annual exhibit showcases student artwork.

Students, teachers & community members will be in attendance. Artwork from area 11th & 12th grade students will be on display through April 9. Free Youth Art Lab classes for ages 10 & up will take place during the exhibit timeframe: April 9, 1-3pm: Intro to Sewing with Sewing Machines. Pre-registration required. charlevoixcircle.org

Grand Traverse & Kalkaska ACOUSTIC TAPROOM, TC 4/1 -- John Piatek & Friends, 8

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, TC 3/30 -- Eric Clemons, 7:30-10:30

DELAMAR, TC ARTISAN WATERFRONT RESTAURANT & TAVERN: 6-9: 3/27 -- Rhett & John 3/31 -- Blake Elliott LOWER LOBBY: 3/26 -- Drew Hale, 7-10

MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC 6-9: 4/1 -- Loren & Shelby 4/8 -- Rhett & John

ENCORE 201, TC 3/26 -- Drag Show, 8-11:45 4/1 -- Larz Cabot, 9-11 4/2 -- Skin Kwon Doe Hosts 90’s Theme Dance Night, 8

TC COMEDY CLUB, TC 3/26 -- Comedy with Ian Bagg, 7 & 9:30 4/1 -- Comedy w/ Christopher Titus, 7:30 & 10 4/8 -- Comedy w/ Mitch Fatel, 7:30 & 10 4/9 – Comedy w/ Mitch Fatel, 7 & 9:30

FRESH COAST BEER WORKS, TC 4/1 -- Electric Soul, 6-9 HOTEL INDIGO, TC 4/1 -- Blair Miller, 6 KILKENNY’S, TC 3/25-26 -- Broom Closet Boys, 9:30 LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC THE BARREL ROOM: Mon. -- Barrels & Beats w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9

ROVE ESTATE VINEYARD & WINERY, TC 4/8 -- Chris Smith, 5-8

THE GT CIRCUIT, TC 3/27 -- Jazz (Late) Brunch Featuring East Bay Drive, 3 THE LITTLE FLEET, TC 4/10 -- 78s for The People: Spinning Original 78 rpm Records from the 1920s -1950s, 6-8

THE PARLOR, TC 8-11: 3/26 -- Drew Hale 3/29 & 4/5 -- Jesse Jefferson 3/30 & 4/6 -- Wink Solo 3/31 & 4/7 -- Jimmy Olson 4/1-2 -- John Pomeroy 4/9 -- Dave Crater THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC 3/26 -- DJ Ras Marco D, noon2pm; Clark After Dark, 7 3/28 -- Vinyl Lovers w/ Eugene’s Record Co-op, 7 3/29 -- Open Mic, 7 3/30 & 4/6 -- Jazz Show, 6 4/1 -- Jesse Jefferson, 7 4/2 -- The Truetones, 7 4/4 -- Big Fun Jam Band, 6 4/5 -- Open Mic & Musical Talent Showcase, 7 4/8 -- Chris Michels Band, 7 4/9 -- John Richard Paul, 7

ETHANOLOGY, ELK RAPIDS 4/9 -- Blair Miller, 8

HELLO VINO, BELLAIRE 3/26 -- Doc Woodward, 7-9 MAMMOTH DISTILLING, BELLAIRE 3/26 -- Clint Weaner, 7:30 SHORT’S BREW PUB, BELLAIRE 3/26 -- Seth Bernard, 8-10:30

BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY 2-6: 3/26 -- Tyler Parkin 4/2 -- Chris Calleja 4/9 -- Chase & Allie ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES, 10: 3/26 -- Vertigo

DICK’S POUR HOUSE, LAKE LEELANAU Sat. -- Karaoke, 10-1 LAKE ANN BREWING CO. 6:30-9:30: 3/26 -- Chris Skellenger & Paul Koss

4/1 -- Niemisto/Kumjian/Blumenfeld 4/2 -- Andre Villoch 4/8 -- Protea 4/9 -- Mike Moran ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH 6-9: 3/26 -- Sean Miller 4/1 -- Bill Frary 4/2 -- Chelsea Marsh 4/8 -- Barefoot 4/9 -- Our Selves

STORMCLOUD BREWING FRANKFORT 7-9: 3/26 -- Blair Miller 4/2 -- Meg Gunia 4/9 -- Cold Leather Seats

CO.,

Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee

Emmet & Cheboygan BEARDS BREWERY, PETOSKEY 3/26 -- Owen James Trio, 6 3/27 -- Jeffrey Schlehuber, 5-7 4/2 -- Rhett & John, 6 4/3 -- Drawbridge Uke Band, 5 4/9 -- Chris Sterr, 6 4/10 -- Owen James: Second Sunday Set, 5

Send Nitelife to: events@traverseticker.com

Leelanau & Benzie CICCONE VINEYARD & WINERY, SUTTONS BAY 3/31 – Live From The Hilltop – Open Mic Edition, 6-9

Sun. -- Sunday Vibes Sessions w/ Local DJs, 2-5 4/1 -- The Marsupials, 8-10:30 4/2 -- Stonefolk, 8-10:30 4/5 -- Open Mic Night, 7-10 4/8 -- Blair Miller, 8-10:30 4/9 -- The Distant Stars, 8-10:30

edited by jamie kauffold

Cold Leather Seats brings their own Americana-blend of country, folk, rock and blues to Stormcloud Brewing Co. in Frankfort on Sat., April 9 from 7-9pm. They draw inspiration from Jason Isbell, Head and the Heart, and Jeff Buckley.

THIRSTY FISH SPORTS GRILLE, TC 3/27 & 4/10 -- Music Bingo, 6-8 4/5 -- Tuesday Trivia, 7-9

Antrim & Charlevoix BIER’S INWOOD BREWERY, CHARLEVOIX 4/7 -- Open Mic Night - Sign up at 6:15; Music at 7

nitelife

mar 26 - apr 10

4/2 – Detour 4/9 – Jabo Bihlman’s Family Band THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN 3/26 -- Tai Drury, 7:30 4/1 -- Brett Mitchell, 7:30 4/2 -- Jakey T, 7 4/8 -- Radel Rosin, 7:30 4/9 -- Elizabeth Landry, 7:30

LITTLE RIVER CASINO RESORT, MANISTEE 4/9 – Gin Blossoms, 8

Otsego, Crawford & Central BENNETHUM’S NORTHERN INN, GAYLORD 3/29 -- Nelson Olstrom, 5

Be the Reason For This Smile Extended Day Care Assistants and Managers $16.37 - $20.13 per hour

www.

Traverse City Area Public Schools

.net/jobs

Great Community, Great Schools

Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 25

by meg weichman

Outside of literary mainstays like Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret and The Care and Keeping of You, there aren’t many works you can point to as being part of the mainstream female puberty canon.

DON JULIN JEFF HAAS JACK DRYDEN RANDY MARSH JOE WILSON

While this isn’t that much of a shock given the general state of our culture, it is a missed opportunity, because puberty is one of the most difficult, wild, scary, and arguably most universal parts of growing up and one rich with storytelling possibilities.

That’s what makes Pixar’s Turning Red such a wonderful and welcome addition to Disney’s mainstream animation catalog. It offers a look at the messy lives of early-teen girls, doing for the travails of puberty what Inside Out did for mental health. These are girls not in their benign prepubescent stage, and also not in the film world’s so-called “awkward” teen years where if they simply take off their glasses, they look like gorgeous grown women. Turning Red not only looks straight into some of the most painful parts of growing up, but it meets them with fun and whimsy and ebullience.

MONDAYS, APRIL 4TH & 18TH 6-8:30 PM Workshop Brewing Co 221 Garland St Traverse City traversecityworkshop.com

National Writers Series

Presents a virtual event with #1 Bestselling Author

BRAD MELTZER

TROUBLE ALWAYS FINDS HER… SHE'S

THE LIGHTNING ROD!

Z

ig and Nola are back—in the hugely entertaining, highly anticipated follow-up to Brad Meltzer’s #1 New York Times bestselling thriller The Escape Artist.

With guest host John Searles, a New York Times bestselling writer.

"This is a terrific, compelling, unputdownable thriller."

~ Lee Child, author of the Jack Reacher series Literary Sponsor: Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services

THURSDAY, APRIL 7 • 7 PM EST Tickets at NationalWritersSeries.org 26 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

turning red

Now how does it manage to tackle such uncomfortable topics with such effervescent whimsy? With a fantastical and wacky—but also grounded—menstruation metaphor.

The film centers on 8th grader Meilin “Mei” and her family, who are Chinese immigrants living in Toronto during the early 2000s.

And yes, the Y2K nostalgia is on display in all its Tamagotchi and mix-CDs-in-jewelcases glory. Mei is an ideal daughter. She willingly and lovingly gives her parents the respect they deserve. She loves school and is guided by the principals of “Study,” “Work,” and “Listen” that she keeps as motivational reminders in her bedroom.

But in a bit of East meets West tension, Mei is increasingly finding herself pulled in two directions: between duty to her family and the allure of the normal teenager. One day, after a particularly large surge in her emotions, Mei finds herself transformed into a giant, fluffy red panda. Like, literally. And when she runs to the bathroom to hide, her mother (voiced

by Sandra Oh) understandably asks her if “the red peony” has bloomed, which is just the beginning of an avalanche of cringe-worthy moments Mei endures.

As she grapples with this new physical form, Mei comes to understand that the red panda comes out only when she is experiencing strong emotions. Her mother eventually explains the source of this transformative power: an ancient blessing—or curse—that has been passed down the maternal line of her family for generations.

Her mother wants Mei to keep her red panda to herself until a sealing ceremony can be performed at the top of the next moon cycle, but Mei subverts both her family’s and the audience’s expectations by starting to embrace her panda side. As it turns out, her friends and peers actually like the red panda version of Mei, and she begins to use her new ability to raise money via photo ops and appearances to buy concert tickets for her and her core group of friends to see the boy band 4*Town.

It is truly wonderful to see Mei so free to be herself when she lets the red panda run wild. This is a film that is unapologetically female and also so true to itself and its

experience—a universal story told with such beautiful specificity. From the 2000s setting that embraces teenybopper culture and a glorious pastel teen dream color palette to its distinct animation style that channels classical Chinese art, anime, Miyazaki, and a retro 2D look, the film is as authentic as it is inventive.

This is clearly a deeply personal work for director Domee Shi (Oscar winner for the short film Bao). Shi is actually the first woman to solely helm a Pixar feature—25 films in for the company, but glad we got here nonetheless—and the film explores such sensitive themes like burgeoning female sexuality (girls have hormones too!), generational trauma, and immigrant assimilation. It does this all with such joy and with females at the center. That the climax involves bringing generations of Asian women together is an amazing thing in and of itself.

Yet for all these highlights that make Turning Red such a rewarding and groundbreaking watch, it also fails to deliver that emotionally satisfying catharsis we’ve come to expect from Pixar.

The mother-daughter relationship needed to be more developed, the third act drags, and the humor often falls flat. So while this may not be top-tier Pixar, its unique charms and refreshing relatability afford it a pretty hefty grace period.

after yang Not all robots are evil or a reflection of our technological fears. And not all movies set in the near-future have to represent a vision of either a dystopia or a utopia. That After Yang does not fall neatly into any of these sci-fi tropes tells you a lot about what you can expect from this lovely and warm futuristic wonder about a family (led

by Colin Farrell) grieving the loss of their “technosapien.” Korean-American writer/director Kogonada, he of the beautiful gem of a film Columbus, is on the record as being heavily influenced by the work of revered Japanese filmmaker Yasujirō Ozu. His latest film is very much in the same vein of the great director’s meditative and acutely observed filmmaking that packs an emotional wallop, unexpectedly working its way into your very soul.

SPRINGS BACK!

WEDNESDAY APRIL 6 • 5pm-7pm ACTION WATER SPORTS ON US-31

DOOR PRIZES • Apple Watch • Half day guided on-water experience • Two platinum tickets to Darius Rucker • Jimmy John’s catering package FOOD: Jimmy John’s of Traverse City DRINKS: Wines and Craft Beers $10 cover charge for food and beverages Join us on May 4 at Turtle Creek Stadium

Recess is brought to you by Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 27

TUES TRIVI 7-9PM

A TO-GO OR DERS AVAILABL E 231-2524157

M SUN 6-8P NGO MUSIC BI

Sun-Tues Noon-9pm • Thurs 4-9 • Fri/Sat Noon-10pm (kitchen open noon-9pm) closed Wednesdays

DRINK SPECIALS (3-6 Monday-Friday): $2 well drinks, $2 domestic drafts, $2.50 domestic bottles, $5 Hornitos margarita SUNDAY - $6 Ketel One Bloody Mary & $4 Mimosas DAILY FOOD SPECIALS (3-6pm): Monday - $1 chips and salsa Tuesday - $1 enchiladas Thursday - $5 fried veggies (cauliflower or mushrooms) Friday - $5 hot pretzels w/ beer cheese

MARCH MADNESS IS BACK!

221 E State St. - downtown TC

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northerndenrealty.com

00 E. RUDOLPH RD. - 70 ACRES MLS# 1896477 $525,000 - NEW LISTING!

If your’e looking for an exceptional large acreage parcel for recreation, hunting, or the utmost in privacy to build, you’ll want to check out this 70 +/- acre parcel on quiet Rudolph Road. Incredibly diverse, open meadows with antique apple trees, rolling hillsides with mature and emerging hardwoods, a stand of towering red pines and spruce trees, a meandering valley that winds its way through this special property. Zoning is Agricultural-Conservation, which allows a single family dwelling and a multitude of wildlife and ag uses. It’s located on seasonally maintained portion of Rudolf Road, which the Leelanau County Road Commission stops plowing about 300’ from the NW corner, so you’ll have to make your way east to the property and driveway if building is in your future, but it will be worth it! To walk, ski, or snowshoe (this time of year at least), you’ll want to approach it from the west off of Cedar Road, aka Co. Rd. 651, onto either Roman Road which connects to Rudolph Road, about a half mile to the north. Buyers should verify access to all utilities, measurements, and total acreage.

231-334-2758

www.serbinrealestate.com

28 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

“Jonesin” Crosswords "OK Computer"--each has an integral component. by Matt Jones

ACROSS 1. When quadrupled, a Crash Test Dummies hit 4. “Dog Day Afternoon” chant 10. Crypto art initials 13. 2010 health law, for short 14. Umpire’s error 16. Gp. with auditors 17. Paste that can be used in breads and meat dishes 19. ___ au vin 20. “The Usual Gang of ___” (Mad Magazine group) 21. Screen that may loop until you start the movie 23. Heat, in Honduras 24. “Night” essayist Wiesel 26. It is, to Iglesias 27. Entity that manages composers’ intellectual property 30. Prepare a slingshot 31. River painted by van Gogh 32. It’s south of Leb. 35. 1998 Matthew Lillard film set in Utah 38. 6-pointers, briefly 39. Complete beginners, slangily 41. It may offer couples packages 42. Pressure-driven apparatuses 49. Last half of a ball game?

50. Alley group 51. “Fiddlesticks!”

53. One of Paul Revere’s signals 55. Possible choice 56. “Addams Family” cousin 57. Nurikabe, Masyu, or sudoku 60. Advanced degree in math?

61. More racy, as humor 62. Snakelike fish 63. Garage opener?

64. Decorated again 65. Source of the skit “Word Crunch,” where players find inappropriate words in a word search

DOWN 1. Specialty of the late Amazing Johnathan 2. Engineer for whom a type of paving is named 3. Henner of “Evening Shade” and “Taxi” 4. “Roll to Me” group Del ___ 5. Eyelid twitches, e.g.

6. Cough syrup amt.

7. “ER” setting 8. “Bodak Yellow” rapper 9. Sussex secondary school exam 10. Compliment from a tennis opponent 11. User interface 12. Drafting tools 15. Was winning 18. “Happy Birthday” playwright Anita 22. Blend together 24. “Lawrence of Arabia,” for one 25. Groups indiscriminately 28. Hall-of-Famer Ripken 29. Tick off 32. Getting some air 33. Vegan coffee shop order 34. Nicholas Sparks’s “Nights in ___” 35. 9-digit no. issuer 36. Bars in supermarkets 37. Time out 40. Telly watcher 43. Commotion 44. Van ___ Mungo (‘30s-’40s baseball player with a novelty song named for him) 45. Tarnished 46. Chrissy of “This Is Us” 47. Game show giveaways 48. Taken dishonestly 52. Tackle box line 54. Links star Ernie 55. Receptive 58. “___ be an honor!”

59. 1955 merger with the AFL

the ADViCE GOddESS Cower Struggle

Q

: I’m a 20-something single woman. I just moved to a new city where I don’t know anybody. I’d like to meet people, but I work from home, and I’m pretty shy. The idea of having to earn people’s acceptance in a new environment (and possibly making a mess of it) leaves me tempted to stay home with Netflix and my cat.

— Afraid

A

: To be human is to err. And err. And err.

Personally, I have clogged somebody’s toilet, shattered an expensive, um, vase (“Nooo...not Nana’s ashes!”), and knocked a guy’s red wine the length of a white-on-white living room. In my defense, not all at the same party.

You can’t really control what happens to you — and if you’re as graceful as I am, you can’t really control what you do. What you can control is how you react: whether you “shy away” from public life or put on a brave face, hoping somebody in your circle gets arrested for bestiality and bumps you from the top of the social newsfeed.

Researchers have spent decades squabbling over how shyness should be defined, and they have yet to agree on a definition. However, shyness, to some extent, is a super-light shade of “social anxiety disorder”: a debilitating fear of being “negatively evaluated” by others — deemed disgusting, stupid, ugly, weird, or otherwise rejection-worthy -- and then being publicly humiliated and socially deleted.

Social anxiety sufferers, desperate to avoid the eyeballs and judgment of others, live shrunken lives. Parties, meetings, and classes are often out of the question, as are situations requiring “public speaking” (like the coffee line, with the ever-looming danger of being asked “You next?”).

Though you’re merely shy — meaning you probably just dread and sometimes duck out of parties or talking with strangers — it’s important to reflect on whether your shyness is standing between you and the life you want — or...whether it is (or has been) a good thing.

That question — about the possible benefits of shyness — might sound a little nuts (though it’s anything but). Answering it requires exploring shyness from an evolutionary perspective: Why might shyness have evolved -- that is, what might’ve been its function in an ancestral environment?

Now, maybe you’re grumbling, “Ancestral environment?! Who cares what some hairy

BY Amy Alkon humans were doing way back when?”

Well, we need to care, because our modern skulls are home to an antique psychological operating system — adapted for the mating and survival problems of our distant human ancestors.

In ancestral times, getting booted from your hunter-gatherer band meant going it alone in a horribly harsh environment, millennia before DoorDash — or doors. If you didn’t starve to death, you might become the brunch entree for Mr. and Mrs. Tiger. Deeply unpleasant — and a big dead end for your genes.

That’s where our emotions — including feelbad ones like fear and anxiety — come in. Psychiatrist and evolutionary researcher Randy Nesse explains that our emotions are motivational tools, driving us to behave in ways that help us survive and pass on our genes. For example, he observes that “People develop a fear of heights after a fall” — killing the appeal of skydiving, rock climbing, and other sports with a concerning, shall we say, splat rate.

Along with our ancestral history, your personal history has shaped your behavior.

At some point, it was probably “adaptive” — functional, protective — for you to duck and cover; for example, if, like me, you were a little kid bullied by bigger, older girls. (“Out of sight; out of beatdown.”)

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But...does it make sense now to keep ducking and covering? It’s unlikely there are giant meangirls (or other childhood “monsters”) lying in wait for you. Plus, your adult “neighborhood” is vastly bigger than your childhood one: filled with new friends to make, should the ones you have give you the shove.

Changing a habit is seriously hard -- but doable. It takes repeatedly behaving as the person you want to be. Scary — maybe even terrifying — but here’s a tip: You might feel shy, but you don’t have to act shy. As I wrote in “Unf*ckology”: “Your feelings are not the boss of you.” (Just because you have a feeling “doesn’t mean you have to go all ‘Yes, your lordship!’ in response.”)

We tend not to unpack our fears — ask ourselves, “Yo, Self? What’s the worst that could happen if I go say hi to Hot Strangerdude?” Unless you can truthfully answer, “I’ll be snatched up and pecked to death by a pterodactyl!” there’s really no good reason not to take the plunge.

Nobody’s liked by everybody, but let’s be real: Contrary to your worst fears, other guests at the cocktail party aren’t waiting for you to leave so they can compare notes on how stupid you look trying to eat a mini quiche.

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231-947-1006 • marsha@marshaminervini.com

Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 29

NORTHERN EXPRESS

CLA SSI FIE DS

CAREGIVER NEEDED: Seeking part-time, independent caregiver for older gentleman, TC. 231-620-6793 _____________________________________

GREENHOUSE & FARM FLEX SCHEDULE 2040 HOURS AVAIL: family farm 20 years growing specialty produce. hiring now. year round or seasonal. use hand tools to plant, weed, harvest, prepare beds. $15/hr with monthly review/raise. weekly paycheck. gas allowance. 20 miles south of meijers. to discuss text 231 649 2763 _____________________________________ SERVERS, BARTENDERS, BUSSER, COOKS, HOSTS: The Traverse City Country Club is hiring! Seeking experienced front and back of the house staff for the club house and the pool. Hard-working, but new to the industry? We will train! Flexible schedule, generous pay, free golf and staff meals included! Join our team! Call 231.947.9140 or email Concierge@tcgcc.com _____________________________________ POSITIONS WAITING TO BE FILLED FOR 55 AND OVER: PAID PART-TIME POSITIONS WAITING TO BE FILLED! Must be age 55+,

Unemployed and Seeking Work and Meet Income Eligibility. Positions in retail, customer service, inventory, stocking and clerical.

Contact AARP Foundation SCSEP at 231252-4544 to learn more about opportunities for seniors in Grand Traverse, the Upper Peninsula & other Michigan counties. _____________________________________ SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231228-6248 _____________________________________

DAN’S AFFORDABLE HAULING: Hauling junk, misc, yard debris, estate sales, foreclosures, heavy demo. Free estimates. Call (231)620-1370 _____________________________________ HOME HEALTH WORKERS NEEDED (NORTHERN MICHIGAN): We are looking for caring and skilled Home Health Aides, CNA’s, MA’s and LPN/RN/BSN. Come join our growing professional and caring team. We have a need for full and part time caregivers all over Northern Michigan. If you are a caring and dependable home health care

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PAID JOB TRAINING FOR 55+ Part-time positions waiting to be filled. Paid job training for qualifying seniors. Must be unemployed, seeking work and meet program guidelines.

You will earn while you train on the job. For more information contact AARP Foundation SCSEP Program, 231-252-4544.

Serving Grand Traverse and other Northern Michigan Counties. Call to find out more. _____________________________________ RELIEVE STRESS, ANXIETY, PAIN Board certified Shiatsu Therapist now accepting new clients under CDC protocols at 820 W.Front St. TC. American Organization Bodywork Therapies of Asia. Change happens 231.668.1029 _____________________________________ EASTER CRAFT & VENDOR SHOW 10am3pm. Ellison Place-Gaylord. Crafters & Vendors bringing you Special Items for Easter! www. facebook.com/events/2398796816919646. No entry fee. Easter Bunny will be in the house doing pictures. Tickets available online at https://

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NMC graduate now working in health care pursues degree in physician assistant studies at GVSU

Michele Coffill

Like many students who graduate from high Grand Valley State University school, Elias Sanchez had aspirations to attend a large, traditional, four-year university many miles away from Traverse City.

Also like many students, Sanchez then realized paying for that type of college experience would have been a financial burden.

“The reality of our financial situation set in, and I was not able to go away for school,” Sanchez said. “I needed to stay in town and help my mom.”

Sanchez received scholarships to enroll in Northwestern Michigan College. He said the student discounts offered by area businesses help to keep costs down, as does living with his mother, rather than renting an apartment with friends.

In April, Sanchez will earn a bachelor’s degree in allied health sciences from Grand Valley State University’s Traverse City Regional Center. He earned an associate degree from NMC. He is now focused on a career as a physician assistant and plans to apply to Grand Valley’s master’s degree program. As a phlebotomist at Munson Medical Center, Sanchez said he has met PAs and appreciates their interactions with patients and their work-life balance. He hopes someday to work as a PA in a hospital emergency department.

Sanchez had worked as a pizza cook at the Filling Station but wanted to work at the hospital. A friend told him about Munson’s phlebotomy department

and its on-the-job training; he was immediately hired.

“Sometimes I get to draw blood from patients in the emergency department and I really enjoy it. I like the energy in the emergency department. Plus, I’m quick on my feet and able to multitask,” he said.

He also hopes those connections at the hospital will prove beneficial when it’s time to find a PA job.

“By working at Munson now, I’m able to meet people who work in management and develop professional networks,” he said.

He works 12-hour shifts three days a week, which sometimes presents challenges keeping up with homework. But Sanchez said he has developed a good system of time management and credited his manager for being accommodating.

“On my days off, I plow through my school work.

I find time to go to the gym and that helps with stress management,” he said. “I have a routine down.”

GVSU Physician Assistant Studies GVSU opened its satellite PAS program in Traverse City in 2015, to educate students who want to stay in northern Michigan and provide patient care. Since that program began, more than 70 percent of students who earn PAS degrees work in the area.

The PAS program has an articulation agreement with NMC that grants preferred admission to the program at the Traverse City Center for two qualified NMC students who meet admission criteria. Learn more about programs and pathways from NMC at www.gvsu.edu/tcpathway.

easy. accessible. all online. www.northernexpress.com/classifieds Elias Sanchez balances work at Munson Medical Center with his classes at GVSU’s Traverse City Regional Center. He already has earned an associate degree from NMC.

30 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly

Mike Annelin

Enthusiastic & Experienced

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M E N TO RS H I P M AT T E RS This year, the 7th Annual Big Little Hero Race is raising awareness for the need of local mentors within our community.

7TH ANNUAL

SATURDAY APRIL 23 2022

We believe every child deserves a hero. Through our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan and NMC’s College for Kids, we are striving to make that belief a reality.

All proceeds from this year’s race will sponsor scholarships for local Littles to attend College for Kids at NMC!

To volunteer, sponsor, or register to race visit:

BIGLITTLEHERORACE.COM

Northern Express Weekly • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • 31

32 • march 28, & april 4, 2022 • Northern Express Weekly