Where the Croissant Reigns Supreme

Merlyn’s Patisserie in Traverse City is elevating the pastry game one creative ingredient at a time

By Brighid Driscoll

The French popularized it, pastry connoisseurs love it, and bakers revere it… it’s the almighty croissant.

A tedious process that involves layering dough with butter, croissant-making isn’t for the impatient. But a well-made croissant is a pastry worthy of its labor—a tender, lightly crisp exterior that shatters when bitten into, with layers of buttery goodness in between.

You want to know who’s taking croissants to a whole new level in Traverse City? Merlyn’s Patisserie.

A Pastry Calling

When Anna Kucharski and her brother Jun Dupra—the future owners of Merlyn’s— moved to Mancelona from the Philippines, they brought their love of cooking with them. “It’s a cultural thing,” Kucharski says. “We grew up around cooking every day.

Learning how to cook when we were young, you eat what you make.”

They soon found kitchens in the Philippines were different from the kitchens in American households. Before moving to Michigan, they had a kitchen with a cooktop, but having an oven was new. “I didn’t have a baking experience until I was in high school,” Kucharski tells us. “We weren’t used to having an easy way to bake at home. But once I tried it, I really liked it.” She says the delicate nature of pastry making was new and exciting.

Kucharski was 19 and Dupra was 16 when they moved to Mancelona to be with their mom and stepdad. Soon after, Kucharski started attending school at Northwestern Michigan College (NMC) for accounting. She received her associate degree, but getting a bachelor’s in accounting didn’t feel right.

“At that point, I just thought about how much I like cooking and how much it’s a part of who I am,” she says, so she switched gears.

Dupra has an eye for beauty and studied fine art at NMC. When Kucharski began the pastry program at the Great Lakes Culinary Institute, her infectious energy piqued his interest in the program. “A year or year and a half later, he started in the program too and just really loved it. With his background in art, there was an interest in creativity for him. I think he loves doing this more than me!” Kucharski says with a laugh.

A Fusion of Flavors

Now, back to those croissants. After working in the restaurant industry for several years, the siblings decided to take the leap to starting their own bakery in May of 2022. Merlyn’s Patisserie—which has no storefront for guests but now occupies a commercial kitchen on Barlow Street in Traverse City—is named for their mother.

“My mom has always provided for our family when we were growing up,” Dupra says. Even now, Merlyn helps out at the Sara Hardy Farmers Market in Traverse City, one of the spots where the family sells their delicious delicacies.

Dupra says the market has been an excellent way to share their Asian-French fusion pastries with customers, and the bakery already has plenty of glowing reviews and regulars. “I don’t know if you can get these kinds of pastries anywhere else in Michigan,” Dupra says. “It’s something different, and people like it.”

Today, the bakery is best known for its cornerstone creation, the Suprême Croissant.

“The Suprême Croissant is so popular and demonstrates all of the skills we’ve accumulated. All that knowledge and experience comes together, years of it, and we can make something like this,” Dupra says.

Croissants are notoriously finicky, and many hours of trial and error are behind a good pastry. But it’s an effort that has paid off for Dupra and Kucharski. The Suprême Croissant’s shape looks similar to a cinnamon roll, but its taste is all buttery croissant, with the addition of the flavor they’re selling that week, like chocolate and kalamansi (a limelike fruit from the Philippines) meringue.

For the more standard, arc-shaped pastry, you’ll find classics like chocolate, ham and cheese, almond, and mixed berries and cream. They also have a chocolate-cherry bread pudding croissant, a monkey bread version, and one topped with “everything” seasoning.

But it’s the brilliantly purple ube croissant (pronounced ooh-beh) that folks around town seek out. Ube has a taste that’s been described as nutty, vanilla-like, and similar to sweet potato. The purple yam is a popular dessert ingredient in the Philippines and a flavor only a few in northern Michigan have had the pleasure of tasting.

That’s why Merlyn’s Patisserie is bringing these new flavors to the area by way of the pastries we know and love. “The unique flavors are meant to elevate the classic recipes, not overwhelm them,” Dupra says.

“They’re a delicious way to get out and try something different.”

A Few Other Fan Favorites

First up is the milk bread, a soft, fluffy, Japanese-style bread made with milk, flour, sugar, and yeast. It has a slightly sweet and rich flavor with a tender and light texture, as adding milk to the dough gives it a creamy and delicate taste. Its versatility makes it perfect for sandwiches, French toast, or enjoying plain.

“It’s almost similar to brioche, but it’s a bit more on the sweeter side,” Kucharski explains.

And then, of course, there are the macarons. These colorful French pastries are made with egg whites and almond flour. They have a crisp exterior, a chewy texture, and a creamy filling sandwiched between two cookies.

Macarons come in various flavors, and Merlyn’s is no exception. A few of their flavor options include pistachio-raspberry, strawberry-chocolate, and yuzu-Earl Grey tea. “We like incorporating those Asian flavors, so we like mango, coconut, and yuzu. Yuzu is a Japanese lemon,” says Dupra.

From there, the menu houses treats to delight any baked-goods enthusiast, with eclairs, cookies, tarts, donuts, and other breads and desserts, including some savory items for when your sweet tooth has been satisfied. (Think Japanese sausage bread, Korean garlic bread, or the BA*ES muffin with bacon, sausage, Asiago cheese, and a whole soft-boiled egg baked inside.)

In every category, you’ll find something a little different, a little creative, and a lot delicious.

“We want to give people an experience more than anything, something they will enjoy and remember,” Dupra says. “We put a lot of time and care into our products because we’re very proud of what we do.”

Find Merlyn’s Patisserie pastries at the Sara Hardy Farmers Market this summer or by placing a pick-up order on their website at merlyns-patisserie.square.site.

Artists on location in Traverse City including Darrow Park, Botanic Gardens and Jacobs Farm (late afternoon)

FREE PGT Artist Demo at CTAC

10:00 am - Noon

MARK VANDER VINNE

5:30-7:30pm

JESSIE RASCHE

Gallery open 10AM Fearless First Timers Workshop

Artists on location in Traverse City including Oryana, the Civic Center and Lay Park

FREE PGT Artist Demo at CTAC 10:00 am - Noon

DEBRA HOWARD

Gallery open 10AM

Small Wonders Society Event

Artists on location on Leelanau Peninsula including Grocer's Daughter Chocolates, Fish Town and a sunset painting at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

FREE PGT Artist Demo at CTAC 10:00 am - Noon

CAROL STROCK WASSON

Gallery open 10AM

FREE PGT Artist Demo at CTAC 10am-Noon

CHRISTINE BODNAR

5:30-7:30pm

PGT Awards Juror, JOSEPH LOMBARDO

Twisted Fish, Elk Rapids Old Mission Peninsula: Dougherty Mission House

Chateau Chantal Jazz at Sunset

Gallery open 10AM

Purchase Award ticket holders early entry 5:00-6:00 pm

PGT Awards Presentation 5:30 pm

FREE Pint-Sized Paintout 10:00 am - Noon

RSVP encouraged Limited to 100 participants

Gallery open 10AM Fresh Paint Party ticketed event 6:00-9:00 pm

Presented by:

Crooked Tree Arts Center 322 Sixth Street, Downtown TC

saturday CHARLEVOIX MARATHON, HALF MARATHON, 10K & 5K: Draw Bridge, downtown Charlevoix. 6am: Marathon; 6:30am: Half Marathon; 7am: 10K Run/ Walk; 7:15am: 5K Run/Walk. charlevoixmarathon.com

MICHIGAN MOUNTAIN MAYHEM: North Country Cycle Sport, Boyne City. This road bike event is one of the most grueling & challenging rides you will ever participate in. Choose from: a 50K teaser, a 100K metric century, a 160K (100-mile century), or a 200K double metric with almost 10,000 feet of climbing. You can start between 6-9am. michiganmountainmayhem.com/ mmmspringclassic -------------------- --

GLEN ARBOR SOLSTICE HALF MARATHON & 5K RACE: 7am, Downtown Glen Arbor. glenarborhalfmarathon.com

PETOSKEY’S ANNUAL SAND DIG VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT: Petoskey State Park. 231-347-2500.

SUMMER BIRD WALK: 8am, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Learn to ID birds by song & habitat on a guided bird walk. Register. $5. grassriver.org ----------------------

KID’S FREE FISHING DAY: 9am-1pm, NMC Great Lakes Campus, TC. Kids can try to hook one of 750 rainbow trout stocked by the TC Rotary Club.

MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOW: 9am-5pm, Washington Park, Cheboygan. Featuring a large assortment of crafters selling jewelry, home decor, pottery, clothing, toys, kitchen essentials, custom printed shirts & mugs, & more. For vendor info, email: madeincheboygan@gmail.com. facebook.com/madeincheboygan

PLANT SALE: 9am-1pm, Emmet County Fairgrounds, Petoskey. Presented by the Northern Michigan Master Gardeners Association. A variety of plants at reasonable prices all sourced by Master Gardeners from local gardens. Free admission. nmmga. squarespace.com

ANNUAL FRANKFORT CRAFT FAIR: 10am-4pm, Main St., Downtown Frankfort. Featuring more than 75 booths of crafters & artists.

BAY HARBOR IN-WATER BOAT SHOW: 10am-8pm, Front St., Bay Harbor. Check out the latest in watercraft, boating accessories & more. A Tiki Island Obstacle Course for kids will be present all weekend. Live music by Chris Calleja today from 2-5pm. Free. bayharbor.com/bay-harbor-lake-marina/inwater-boat-show

COFFEE @ 10, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Julia Dufault McGrath will be exhibiting her work in CTAC-Petoskey’s Atrium Gallery, June 17 - July 22. Hear her presentation about her creative practice & experimental approach to painting. Free. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-petoskey/coffee-10-julia-dufaultmcgrath

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OLD TOWN ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR: 10am5pm, Old Town District, TC. Dozens of artists & crafters will be displaying & selling their work.

OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: 10am-1pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Room, Petoskey. Drop-in free arts & crafts for the whole family. crookedtree.org/event/ctacpetoskey/open-studio-june-17 ----------------------

RIDING FOR RECOVERY - BOYNE CITY: 10am-noon, Sunset Park, Boyne City. Welcoming all donated, working bikes. They will go to those in Recovery Housing who do not have access to transportation. Monetary donations welcome. Donate, get a t-shirt. 231270-7873.

MAGNET FISHING WITH RIGHT BRAIN

BREWERY: Meet at Right Brain Brewery at 11:30am. You’ll be provided with a magnet, 50 feet of rope, & a bucket with your name on it to collect your scrap metal. Go fish! Take to the trails & utilize the 4-mile loop of the Boardman Lake Loop Trail to hit any public access areas around the Boardman Lake. Fish from shore only. Your bucket will be collected when you’re done fishing. Meet back at Right Brain for refreshments & weigh-in. The person with the most weight in metal wins $100! All proceeds from the collected scrap metal will go toward the Boardman River Clean Sweep. $25/person. rightbrainbrewery.com/80/magnet-fishing

HBAGTA’S 34TH ANNUAL PARADE OF HOMES: Noon, Grand Traverse area. June 15-18. Top area builders will showcase the latest trends in home design, technology, & landscaping in stunning new homes. $18 advance; $20 door. hbagta.com

AUTHOR EVENT: BOOK SIGNING OF “LOON RANGERS” WITH JAMES MCVEY:

1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. McVey’s book is the winner of the Prism Prize in Climate Literature. Free. horizonbooks.com

QUILTS PROGRAM FEATURES LOCAL CHILDRENS’

AUTHOR: 1-2:30pm, Renee’s House of Quilting, Williamsburg. Presented by Miss Nancy Writes, LLC. Author reading of children’s book with presentation about quilts featured in the book & other vintage quilts. Free.

JUNETEENTH FUN RUN/WALK: 2-5pm, Right Brain Brewery, TC. Featuring a 4K or 6.4K walk/run/roll. $5.

RIDING FOR RECOVERY - GAYLORD: 2-4pm, Alano Club, Gaylord. Welcoming all donated, working bikes. They will go to those in Recovery Housing who do not have access to transportation. Monetary donations welcome. Donate, get a t-shirt. 231-270-7873.

SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE! JR: 2pm & 7pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Tom, a new schoolteacher, is nervous about his first day of teaching. As he tries to relax by watching TV, various characters emerge from the set & show him how to win his students over with imagination & music. Adults, $16; youth under 18, $8 (plus fees). oldtownplayhouse. com/young-company/performances/schoolhouse-rock-live-jr.html

AUTHOR ANGELINE BOULLEY: 3pm, Odawa Casino Resort, Ovation Hall, Petoskey. This author of “Warrior Girl Unearthed” will be in conversation with Eric Hemenway. RSVP required. mcleanandeakin.com/events-main

ST. JOSEPH CAR SHOW: 3pm, St. Joseph Catholic Church, TC. No registration fee. Bring your fun car! stjosephtc.org

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ROCK THE DOCK WITH KNEE DEEP: 6pm, Downtown Charlevoix & marina. Free. Rock-the-Dock.com

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CADILLAC FOOTLITERS PRESENT

“ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSI-

CAL”: 7pm, Elenbaas Performing Arts Cen- ter, McBain High School. $12 advance tickets - available at Brinks Art & Frame, downtown Cadillac & Horizon Books, downtown Cadillac. $14 advance online. $15 door. cadillacfootliters.com/tickets ----------------------

TC PIT SPITTERS VS. ROCKFORD RIVETS: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters

BREATHING SPACE: AN ORIGINAL COMEDY: 7:30pm, Old Art Building, Leland. Leland local Rebecca Reynolds & co-director McAdoo Greer will bring their dramatic spoof “Breathing Space” for three hilarious shows, June 16-18. The play is set in an upscale lakeside village populated by the one percent & features an all-star cast of local & national, professional actors. $40. oldartbuilding.com/ events/breathing-space-national-premiere

ABBACADABRA: 8-10:30pm, Little River Casino Resort, Manistee. Performing 20 of ABBA’s greatest hits from 1973-1983, Abbacadabra – the ultimate ABBA tribute - recreates all of the excitement & passion of their record-breaking 1979 world concert tour experience. Enjoy hits like “Dancing Queen,” “Take a Chance on Me,” “Fernando,” “Waterloo,” & “Super Trouper.” $25, $35, $40. lrcr. com/event-calendar/concerts/abbacadabra

Sunday

PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE

2023: June 18-24. An annual plein air (outdoor) painting festival & competition, presented by Crooked Tree Arts Center & located in TC. Each summer, talented artists from across the country come to TC to be inspired by the region’s beautiful landscapes, Lake Michigan shorelines, & charming town & villages. The festival includes classes, live demos, kids activities, art sales, exhibitions, & more. See web site for schedule. paintgrandtraverse.com

PETOSKEY’S ANNUAL SAND DIG VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT: (See Sat., June 17)

BAY HARBOR IN-WATER BOAT SHOW: (See Sat., June 17, except today’s time is 10am-3pm.)

MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., June 17, except today’s time is 10am-3pm.)

FORGING FOR PEACE PROJECT: 11am3pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center. The Forging For Peace Project blacksmiths return to the Glen Arbor Arts Center Forge. These northern Michigan artists & craftsmen use the ancient art of blacksmithing as part of a worldwide project to raise funds for non-profits focused on peacemaking. Free. glenarborart.org/events-page/events-all

HBAGTA’S 34TH ANNUAL PARADE OF HOMES: (See Sat., June 17)

BREATHING SPACE: AN ORIGINAL COMEDY: (See Sat., June 17, except today’s time is 3pm.)

TC PIT SPITTERS VS. ROCKFORD RIVETS: 5:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters

RANDY HOUSER: 8pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Randy Houser has racked up three consecutive No. 1 hits & more than four million in singles sales to date with his Stoney Creek Records album “How Country Feels.” Tickets range from $52 - $117. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/ randy-houser ----------------------

VESPER: SOUNDS OF SUMMER: 8pm, Bay View Association, John M. Hall Auditorium, Petoskey. Celebrate the return of summer in an array of styles from The Beach Boys to Samuel Barber. $14.50, $19.50. bva.booktix.com/view/28/b2dff4788e1de5f2

Over 14 0 Years

Of monday

PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE 2023: (See Sun., June 18) --------------

SUMMER LIBRARY CHALLENGE KICKOFF PARTY: 10am, Traverse Area District Library, TC. Gather on the front lawn of the Main Library with games, snacks, & activities with friends from Challenge Island, the Grand Traverse Conservation District (and SciStarter), E3, & the Youth Services department. There will be collaborative art activities available for patrons of all ages to contribute to, including the mini art wall. The kickoff show with magician & entertainer Cameron Zvara will be held at 11am. Free. tadl.org/events

AI IS NOW: 5:30pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Patricia Henkel teaches you – hands on - how to use Chat GPT & other forms of artificial intelligence from your iPhone. RSVP. 231-223-7700. Free. ----------------------

FRAUD AWARENESS: 6-7:30pm, NMC, Timothy J. Nelson Innovation Center, TC. A free presentation by Deputy Preston from the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office. He will discuss the current trend involving email/text scams that target the elders of the community. Registration required. nmc.augusoft.net/index. cfm?method=ClassInfo.ClassInformation&int_ class_id=2489&int_category_id=0&int_sub_ category_id=0&int_catalog_id=0 ----------------------

MULTIMEDIA JOBS UPDATE: 6pm, Right Brain Brewery, TC. Hear an update on the progress to bring film, TV, commercials, & music work back to Michigan. Free. mifia. org/event-5306774

THOMPSONVILLE SUMMER FEST: 6-9pm, Thompsonville. Free food, Human Services Expo, live music with Barefoot, & raffles with prizes. Park at the Thompsonville Airport & Church, & receive a free park & ride shuttle.

FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIESJAMMIN’ MONDAYS ON BETSIE BAY: 7-9:15pm, Waterfront Park, Elberta. Jazz, blues, rock, R&B & soul. ----------------------

REFIT® TC: The Presbyterian Church of TC, 701 Westminster Rd. A group dance fitness experience that rocks your body, heart, & soul with powerful moves & positive music, to inspire you from the inside out. Classes are held Mondays at 7pm & Thursdays at 9:30am. $1 suggested donation. facebook. com/profile.php?id=100090460000055

MONDAY NIGHT MOVIE: 7:30pm, Bay View Association, Voorhies Hall, Petoskey. Featuring “My Old School.” bayviewassociation.org/events/monday-night-movie

Tuesday

PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE 2023: (See Sun., June 18)

LEELANAU COUNTY SENIOR SERVICES SENIOR EXPO: 10am-2pm, Suttons Bay Public High School. Free. leelanau.gov/seniorservices.asp ----------------------

OUTDOOR STORY TIME: 10:30am, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library. Please bring a blanket for your family to sit on. Geared towards children pre-K to grade 2 & their caregivers. Free. sbbdl.org ----------------------

SLC KICKOFF PARTY: 11am, East Bay Branch Library, TC. Kick off the Summer Library Challenge. Live music with Rebekah Jon, free sno-cones provided by Sno Great, games, snacks & prizes. There will also be a tie dye station set up for making free SLC shirts. Free. tadl.org/event/east-bay-slc-kickoff-party ----------------------

GET A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP: 2pm, Leland Township Public Library, Leland. Dr. Carrie Sands, certified sports physician, will discuss the factors that contribute to a good night’s sleep, sleep cycles & tips to improve your “sleep hygiene.” Free. lelandlibrary.org/ programs-events

LOCAL HISTORY TALK: 2pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. OMPS 3rd graders share their winning coloring artwork from the “Once Upon a Peninsula” activity book & Tim Carroll shares one room schoolhouse tales. 231-223-7700.

DIVERSITY UNDER THE DOME: STORIES OF THE VERY DIFFERENT PEOPLE BROUGHT TOGETHER BY THE CAPITOL: 1835-1956: 6:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Capitol buildings are, by their very nature, places where different people come together. These people come to work in the building as legislators, governors, secretaries, clerks, librarians, & pages. Learn their stories & celebrate their contributions in this program by Capitol Historian & Curator Valerie Marvin. Join us in person or via Zoom. Free. tadl.org/capitoldiversity

MICHIGAN NOTABLE BOOKS AUTHOR TOUR WITH ANNE-MARIE OOMEN: 7pm, Leelanau Township Library, Northport. AnneMarie will talk about her newest book, “As long as I know you: The Mom Book.” Light refreshments provided. Dog Ears books will have copies of the book available for purchase. Free. leelanautownshiplibrary.org/ event_listing?mode=day&date=2023-6-20

QUEER TALES BOOK CLUB: 7pm, Traverse Area District Library, Nelson Room, TC. Chat about books that are by &/or about LGBTQ+ people. Reading is not required, & everyone is welcome. Held the third Tues. of the month. This month’s book is “Cosmoknights” by Hannah Templer. You can read it as a webcomic (cosmoknights.space/) or get a physical copy through TADL & MeLCat. You can also read it through Hoopla. Free. tadl.org/event/queertales-june2023

SOLSTICE FREEFORM DANCE: 7pm. Located behind the building at 10781 E. Cherry Bend, TC. Outdoors. Free-form dancing for all bodies. Intentionally sequenced music allows for full expression, opening, & release. Beginner friendly. Donation: $1-$20. nomiecstatic.dance ----------------------

SWEETWATER EVENING GARDEN CLUB: 7pm, Acme Township Hall, Williamsburg. Guest speaker will be Mark Breederland, MSU Extension educator for Michigan Sea Grant Extension, & the team lead for Great Lakes Levels Variations/Coastal Erosion. He will present a program on “Great Lakes - Up, Down & All Around,” speaking on the vital importance of our Great Lakes here & worldwide. 938-9611. Free.

RESCUE OF BAT-21 BRAVO: 7:30-9pm, Bay View Association, Voorhies Hall, Petoskey. Hear the story of Bat-21 Bravo, the largest rescue operation in USAF history, from the commander of that rescue operation. John van Etten, USAF forward air controller, will speak. Free. bayviewcampusclub.org/index.html wednesday

PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE 2023: (See Sun., June 18)

NCMC HARRIS GARDEN

TOUR: 10am, NCMC, Li- brary President Heidi, Also nationally ncmclifelonglearning.com/event-5201036 IPL’S KICK-OFF

Club discussion. editor, time news exec editor, a spot, “THE Brewery, help raise tion (AA), with live & a portion the AA. Lou

Springs St., Harbor pening members Community

Viewlands, at the way, but course Join the methods invasives pared in upper required.

Peninsula of PCL with Free AN

MI. Each the book.

Park artist of shirts. tadl.org/event/east-bay-slc-kickoff-party 2pm, LeLeland. Dr. physician, will good improve lelandlibrary.org/ ---------------------Peninsula graders from the & Tim tales.

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STO-

PEOPLE

CAPITOL: District LiCapiplaces

These legislalibrarians, their Histoperson tadl.org/capitoldiversity ----------------------

AUTHOR 7pm, Annebook, “As Light books will purleelanautownshiplibrary.org/ event_listing?mode=day&date=2023-6-20

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Traverse Chat LGBTQ+ everyone month.

Hanwebcomic copy read tadl.org/event/queer7pm. LoCherry dancing for music alrelease. nomiec- brary lobby, Petoskey. Join North Central President Dr. David Roland Finley & his wife, Heidi, on a guided tour of the Harris Gardens. Also see a few of the 26 sculptures by internationally renowned artists. Register. Free. ncmclifelonglearning.com/event-5201036

CLUB: Williamsburg. Breederland, Sea Great Erosion. He - Up, vital imworldwide.

7:30-9pm, Bay Petoskey. largest rescomJohn van speak.

IPL’S SUMMER READING PROGRAM

KICK-OFF & REGISTRATION W/ GREAT LAKES CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: 10:30am, Green Lake Township Memorial Park/Freedom Park, Interlochen. Enjoy hands-on, interactive activities from the museum’s mobile unit. 231-276-6767.

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CHARLOTTE ROSS LEE CONCERTS IN THE PARK: Noon-1pm, Pennsylvania Park, Gazebo, Petoskey. Featuring Eliza Thorp. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ charlotte-ross-lee-concerts-park-2023

“WOMEN IN MEDIA”: 1-3pm, Omena-TC Yacht Club, Omena. The Omena Women’s Club will present this thought-provoking panel discussion. Panelists will be Amy Hubbell, editor, Leelanau Enterprise; Miya Ingle, nighttime anchor, 7/4 TV News; Michelle Perez, news director, WTCM Radio; Rebecca Pierce, exec editor, Record-Eagle; & Kerry Winkler, editor, Northern Michigan Woman. To reserve a spot, call or text: 269-491-7207. Free. ----------------------

“THE LONGEST DAY”: 4-9pm, Bier’s Inwood Brewery, Charlevoix. A nationwide effort to help raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association (AA), this will be an open mic style event with live music, raffles, donation opportunities & a portion of beer & pizza sales benefitting the AA. Short sets of music are scheduled with Lou Thumser, Significant Others, Blair Miller, Frank Cook, Rhett & John, & many others. ----------------------

AFTERNOON CHILL: 4-6pm, Harbor Springs Area Chamber office, 118 E. Main St., Harbor Springs. Find out what’s happening around town, &meet other chamber members & some of the folks from Northern Community Mediation. Free. ----------------------

RESTORATION TOUR: 4pm, Offield Family Viewlands, Harbor Springs. The restoration at the Offield Family Viewlands is well underway, but it will be years before this former golf course functions as a cohesive natural area. Join staff from both organizations & learn the methods that are being used to remove invasives & support prairie projects. Be prepared to hike. Meet at kiosk near white tent in upper parking lot. Free; pre-registration required. landtrust.org/events

SUMMER SOLSTICE CONCERT: 5-7pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Friends of PCL kick off the garden concert series with Irish music by Doc & Donna Probes. Free ice cream. 231-223-7700.

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AN EVENING WITH VIOLA SHIPMANBOOK RELEASE: 5:30pm, Coveyou Scenic Farm Market, Petoskey. Enjoy the release of “Famous in a Small Town,” set in Good Hart, MI. Each ticket includes a paperback copy of the book. $25. mcleanandeakin.com/event/ viola-shipman-famous-small-town

EAST JORDAN FREEDOM FESTIVAL: June 21-25. Tonight includes the Miss & Mr. Firecracker Pageant at 6pm at Memorial Park Bandshell, East Jordan. eastjordanfreedomfestival.org umich.edu/umbs/news-events/all-events/ summer-lecture-series/summer-lecture-series-full-itinerary.html

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DUELING PIANOS - CASEY ROBARDS & ANTHONY PATTERSON: 8pm, Bay View Association, John M. Hall Auditorium, Petoskey. $15.50. bva.booktix.com

June

thursday

PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE

2023: (See Sun., June 18) --------------

NMCAA’S LAUNDRY PROJECT: 6-9am, Eastfield Laundry, TC. Free laundry service for those in need. 947-3780.

REFIT® TC- OUTSIDE!: 9:30am, The Presbyterian Church of TC, 701 Westminster Rd. A group dance fitness experience that rocks your body, heart, & soul with powerful moves & positive music, to inspire you from the inside out. Classes are held Mondays at 7pm & Thursdays at 9:30am. $1 suggested donation. facebook.com/profile. php?id=100090460000055

SUMMER READING PROGRAM KICKOFF!: 10:30am, Suttons Bay Bingham District Library. Sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge & receive a free reading kit. Musician Gary Powell will lead in song. For all elementary or middle-school students. Free. sbbdl.org

THE LITTLE GARDEN CLUB GARDEN

TOUR LEELANAU COUNTY: 11am-5pm, Leelanau County. Featuring 6 gardens, all very different & unique to their owners. Visitors may visit the gardens in any order; they are spread out to north of Leland, Leland, & south of Leland. Tickets are available through Garden Club members, & at outlets throughout the county: Empire: Greystone Gardens; Glen Arbor: Northwood Hardware, Home and Garden; Leland: Leelanau Books, Two Fish Gallery; Northport: Pennington Collection; Suttons Bay: Haystacks, Plantmasters; Traverse City: Four Seasons Nursery, Garden Goods. $20; children free, including high schoolers.

CWIB LUNCHEON: 11:30am-1pm, Inn at Bay Harbor. “Heavy Hitters of Michigan Hospitality.” Panel discussion includes: Judy Booth, vice president of Boyne Resorts; Amy Cox, senior director of sales and earned revenue at The Henry Ford Museum; Jody Ewbank, director of restaurant operations at Stafford’s Hospitality; & Liz Ware, coowner of Mission Point Resort. $35 CWIB members; $40 all others. petoskeychamber.com/events/details/cwib-luncheonjune-22-2023-29665

Funky Juneteenth Wsg Amber Hasan And Funky Uncle

No tickets, just a $10 suggested donation at the door