top ten

A Good Old-Fashioned Fourth

There are so many Fourth of July events happening this weekend and early next week, we couldn’t cram them all in the Top 10 if we tried. (We did get a lot of them into our Dates section, so be sure to head there next!) But if you want a one-stop shop for Americana fun, we’d recommend heading to Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville. They have a packed Independence Day weekend, including a 5K fun run (9am on Saturday, July 1; $15-$20 registration), daily family crafts, chair lift rides, and a family golf scramble (10am shotgun start on Monday, July 3; $20/person). Also on Monday, enjoy the Bike & Golf Cart Parade (5:15pm) and a party-slash-carnival in Barr Park, followed by a campfire and free outdoor screening of The Sandlot (6-11pm). If all of that doesn’t get you in the red, white, and blue spirit, nothing will! Get all the details at crystalmountain.com/event/old-fashioned-fourth-of-july.

Taking Flight

No doubt you’ve heard them! The United States Air Force Thunderbirds demonstration team is back in town for the Cherry Festival air show July 1-2 from 1-4pm over West Grand Traverse Bay. Watch for free from a boat or beach, or level up the experience with ticketed options including Blues, Brews & BBQ at Hagerty Center at NMC Maritime Academy; the Flight Deck at Open Space Park; Indigo View Airshow at Hotel Indigo; the National Cherry Festival Air Show Cruise on The Discovery; and The Flight Path at Delamar. For more info, visit cherryfestival.org. Photo courtesy of the National Cherry Festival

Hey, Watch It! Primo 4

Imagine you’re a teenage boy who has five uncles. Now imagine those uncles are at your house all the time, bickering (mostly goodnaturedly) with each other and offering lots of (often unsolicited) advice. Oh, and occasionally giving each other concussions, punching holes in the back deck, and getting trapped on the roof. That’s the premise of Primo, a hilarious and heartfelt coming-of-age comedy that follows 16-yearold Rafa as he navigates friendships, relationships, and the uncertainty of his future. Rafa’s mom Drea, played by Christina Vidal, is the only rational force among the elder generation and offers a wry foil to the antics of her male siblings. And while the uncles are a hoot—each has their own shtick played to perfection— Ignacio Diaz-Silverio as Rafa steals the show. Created by author Shea Serrano (and loosely based on his life) and produced by Michael Schur (Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn 99, The Good Place), Primo is the family comedy we’ve been looking for. Stream it free on Amazon’s Freevee.

2 tastemaker Cheese & Co.’s The Company Bowl

As the name suggests, Cheese & Co. in Petoskey is all about melty, cheesy goodness, from crispy mac and cheese bites to six types of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches. Their best-selling menu item, though—lovingly dubbed The Company Bowl ($16.04)—is somehow almost dairy-free. (We don’t ask questions; we just eat it.) It features a flavorful base of brown rice and Cuban-style black beans layered with char-grilled chicken thighs, red cabbage, and creamy avocado. Though there is a suggestion of that better cheddar—the shredded white kind, to be specific—it’s Cheese & Co.’s infamous Cheba sauce that rounds out the bowl alongside salsa, sour cream, and a sprinkling of citrusy cilantro. Make your meal vegan with house-simmered chickpeas, or go all in with extra toppings. There are no rules here—only great eats! Find the Cheese & Company food truck parked at The Back Lot in Petoskey (425 Michigan St.) or place an order online at cheeseandcompany.com.

Take a Walk on the Artsy Side

Harbor Springs is getting the reputation of being an artsy town, and they want to show you why. On Tuesday, June 27, the Harbor Springs Chamber of Commerce is hosting Night of the Arts, an opportunity to immerse yourself in the work of artists, jewelers, musicians, florists, and more. Art in all mediums—from oil paintings and photography to precious metals and blown glass—will be on display alongside antiques and other stunning finds. More than a dozen local galleries and shops are participating, and you’ll get to enjoy live entertainment from the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra and musician Jake Waite, plus food from Johan’s Pastry Shop and Small Batch at the Cupola. This free event is open to the public and runs from 5:30-8:30pm along Harbor Springs’ Main Street. For more details, including a full list of participating businesses, head to harborspringschamber.com/events.

Stuff We Love: Four Decades of Pirate Fun

Though the pirates at this minigolf course are straight out of the 18th century, Traverse City’s beloved Pirate’s Cove Adventure Park celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. What began as a hotel—yes, there used to be a hotel on site!—with a family-friendly putt-putt spot became a tradition for thousands of locals and visitors alike, who came not just for the golf but eventually for the bumper boats, go karts, and game room, too. (And let’s not forget big-time events like Putting for Patriots over Memorial Day Weekend, which has raised over $600,000 for various veteran charities.) Now, general manager Tim Olson says Pirate’s Cove has expanded to 20 locations across the country. As for one of Olson’s favorite anecdotes from the early days…well, let’s just say true pirates would be proud. “Our original garbage barrels came from the Jack Daniels distillery,” he says. “When delivered, they still held some whiskey. The construction crew was missing or hungover the next day.”

United Way of Wexford-Missaukee Counties (UWWM) and United Way of Northwest Michigan (UWNWMI), headquartered in Traverse City, have announced the merging of their organizations effective July 1, 2023. (This follows in the footsteps of the Charlevoix-Emmet United Way joining UWNWMI in 2021.) In a press release, UWNWMI said the combined efforts will allow the nonprofit to be better “equipped to address the ongoing needs of our communities effectively” and that funds raised in Wexford and Missaukee counties will remain in those communities. A local office will also be available in the area, with Andy Ulrich, former executive director of UWWM, continuing on as director of regional community impact of the Wexford-Missaukee region. “Together, we can accomplish more, reach farther, and make a lasting difference in the communities we serve. This merger represents a new chapter of innovation and shared vision…” said Brian Kelsey, former board president at UWWM. Learn more by visiting unitedwaynwmi.org.

Bottoms Up

What’s the Cherry Festival without some cherry wine? Not only has Chateau Grand Traverse created the exclusive National Cherry Festival Wine (a semi-sweet, limited production offering that’s 40 percent cherry wine and 60 percent white) for the last 20+ years, but they also have a slew of other cherry-themed products to explore. There’s the Cherry “Port” Reserve, the Cherry Riesling, the Cherry Wine Sangria, and the Spiced Cherry Wine. But if we had to pick one, it would be the award-winning Traverse Bay Cherry Wine. Made with Michigan tart cherries, this wine is surprisingly sweet and has a gorgeous deep red color. It feels a bit like a dessert wine, though we’ve also found serving it chilled with a splash of cold sparkling water (plain, lemon, or lime work well) is incredibly refreshing on a hot summer day. Try the full Chateau Grand Traverse cherry lineup at their tasting room at 12239 Center Road on Old Mission Peninsula or shop online at cgtwines.com.