Northern Express - May 13, 2024

Northern Express is a communitycentered paper that covers local people, places, entertainment, and news. We invite letters to the editor that also address issues in northern Michigan, whether that’s local policies, changes in your community, art and education, or hot topics like housing, tourism, and the environment (just to name a few). If it touches northern Michigan, it is something we want to share! We also welcome letters “in conversation” with any stories, columns, and other letters published in Northern Express.

Letters must be civil, 300 words or fewer, and submitted no more than once per month per person. Letters will be edited for clarity, and letters or portions may be omitted due to space or issues with questionable facts/citations or privacy. We do not print letters that have been sent to or published in other media. To have your letter included, please provide your full name and city of residence in northern Michigan.

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this week’s

top ten

Sustainable & Stylish

The Wedding Singer

Fashion is the passion of northern Michigan this weekend. Traverse City’s slip.vintage is putting on the first ever TC Fashion Weekend: A Slow Fashion Show focused on secondhand, vintage, and handmade clothing. First, catch the show at slip.vintage on Friday, May 17, from 6-9pm. There will be a DJ and non-alcoholic cash bar operated by Audacia Elixirs in addition to the runway experience. An afterparty follows at The Little Fleet with a featured Fashion Weekend cocktail. Then, on Saturday, head back to the store to shop the looks! All vendors—nykamping, Penny Lane, Yana Dee, and more— will have their clothes for sale at Secondhand Social Club, the sister store of slip. vintage. Fashion show tickets are $20 at mynorthtickets.com, and you can stay up on the show’s happenings on Instagram at @tcfashionwknd.

Since opening in 1932, Lil Bo Bar and Restaurant in Traverse City has mastered elevated pub-style eats, and their pickle-brined chicken tenders are the true cock of the walk. These punchy little bites start with a 24-hour marinade in kosher dill pickle juice and fresh buttermilk (this secret ingredient is what makes them so juicy!), before they’re coated in seasoned flour to order and fried until golden and craveably crispy. Go the classic chicken sandwich route with the potato bun-encased Pride and Joy ($14)—complete with lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickle “shreddies,” and homemade dilly beans—or go basic with a tender basket, but don’t skimp on the scratch-made sauces! Chick them out for yourself at Lil Bo’s downtown Traverse City location at 540 W. Front St., and stay tuned for seasonal updates, including an outdoor service expansion! lilbotc.com

Bring your big hair and head back to 1985 with New Jersey’s Robbie Hart in The Wedding Singer at Old Town Playhouse in Traverse City. See what happens when Hart’s own fiancée leaves him at the altar. Performances run through May 25; visit oldtownplayhouse.com for times, tickets, and more info.

Hey, read It! Funny Story 4

Daphne and Peter are weeks away from getting married when Peter decides he’d actually rather be with his female best friend, Petra. With limited options in Waning Bay, Michigan—a fictional town that feels a lot like home—Daphne moves in with Petra’s ex, Miles. Soon, Daphne and Miles are in a relationship of their own, though it’s totally fake and only meant to make their former lovers jealous. But as real feelings start to develop between them, Daphne and Miles will have to decide if it’s worth the risk to love again. Emily Henry, queen of the romantic comedy, is back with another bestseller in Funny Story, in a setting inspired by her visits to northern Michigan. You’ll see familiar locations (Sleeping Bear Dunes) and events (Cherry Festival), plus plenty of places where the names—but not the vibes—have been changed for fiction.

6 Riding to the Island

Thousands of outdoor enthusiasts are headed north for the 34th annual Zoo-de-Mackinac, a bike ride (not race!) on Saturday, May 18, that starts at The Highlands in Harbor Springs and rolls 51 miles to Mackinaw City along scenic, lakeside roads. Once at the top of the Lower Peninsula, you’ll swap your wheels for the ferry and spend the rest of the day on Mackinac Island, with post-ride parties at hotspots like The Gatehouse, Piny Pony, and Horns, complete with live bands. (Bonus: There are even shorter versions of the ride—25 miles each—that can be done if you want to save your legs for dancing!) If you haven’t already registered with early bird prices, registration is $80 and includes a pre-ride bash on Friday, transportation, lunch at Legs Inn on Saturday, party entrance, and round-trip ferry transportation. Sign up at zoo-de-mack.com.

40Under40 Superstars

For 18 years, the Traverse City Business News, sister publication to Northern Express, has been celebrating the young movers and shakers of northern Michigan with the 40Under40 awards, and nominations are now open for the 2024 Hagerty/TCBN 40Under40! Individuals in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, and Kalkaska counties are eligible for nomination. (They must be under the age of 40 until at least September 1.) Nominees stand out for their leadership, local influence, economic impact, and community service in our region. To put a friend or colleague’s hat in the ring, head to tcbusinessnews.com/40-under-40-nominationform. You’ll need their job title and contact info along with some shining achievements and compelling reasons why they should make the list. Nominations are due by June 14, 2024, at 5pm. Winners will be notified ahead of the September announcement and featured in that month’s issue of the TCBN.

Stuff We Love: The Lady of the Woods

Morel season is upon us, with those sought-after spores popping up in the forests and on our plates at local restaurants. While we won’t tell you where our secret spot is, we will tell you how much we love the fairytaleinspired Lady of the Woods shirt ($28) from Traverse City’s Tee See Tee. (You can just hear her whisper: “Psst. Heard you were looking for me?”) Not only is this the fashion-forward choice of spring, but you’ll also blend in perfectly in the woods when you’re out morel hunting…so no one else will see when you uncover a new, undisturbed patch! And be sure to rock the tee at the 64th annual National Morel Mushroom Festival in Boyne City May 16-19. Shop online at teeseetee.com, and get festival details at bcmorelfestival.com.

Bottoms Up

Mon., May 20th

6-8:30 pm The Alluvion

Traverse City Sat., May 25th

2-5 pm

Soul Squeeze Lake Leelanau

Detour Destination: Northern Express is committed to highlighting businesses in the construction zones of northern Michigan this season.

In the heart of Traverse City’s Grandview Parkway construction zone is Cuppa Joe’s drive-thru location. Believe it or not, this actually makes it the perfect time to visit—you can’t go wrong with short lines, hot coffee, cold smoothies, and an array of local baked goods like 9 Bean Rows, Third Coast Bakery, and Bubbie’s Bagels. Our top pick for spring sipping is the classic Chai Latte. Baristas handcraft this spiced black tea blend with cinnamon, vanilla, and Sleeping Bear Farms’ star thistle honey. A caffeine boost and a good-for-you sugar rush? That makes even the rainy May days a little brighter. Find Cuppa Joe at 1060 E Front St. in TC (along with their other locations at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons and at the corner of US-31 and Four Mile Rd.) (231) 947-4590; cuppajoetc.com

Cuppa Joe’s Chai Latte

PROTESTING THE WRONG TARGET

spectator By steven Tuttle

American college campuses have been a protest in search of a cause for a very long time. It is nearly a coming-of-age tradition.

Some would place the start of college campus protests at the “Free Speech Movement” at the University of California, Berkeley in the mid-1960s. That movement was about Berkeley lifting its ban on student protests and political activities and is considered the first significant act of civil disobedience on college campuses as it spread nationally.

Protesting against Israel’s hyperaggressive response to Hamas in Gaza was, unfortunately, too ripe an opportunity for the antisemites who gleefully joined in with a variety of hatred. Pro-Palestine chants too quickly devolved into antiJewish chants. It’s not completely clear they understood all of what they were shouting, though “Death to all Zionists” was pretty clear. “From the river to the sea” was also a favorite and would result in the total elimination of Israel.

We were protesting before we were even a country. Some would argue those early protests ...were what helped us become a country.

But that certainly was not the first protest or act of civil disobedience. We were protesting before we were even a country. Some would argue those early protests, including the famous Boston Tea Party, were what helped us become a country.

We protested immediately after our revolution, and then there were some protests around the War of 1812. We protested against the right to drink alcohol and then for that right. We protested for the right of women to vote. We protested against wars and for civil rights and women’s rights. We were born in protest and we haven’t really stopped.

We’re oddly selective about what we protest and for whom. We angrily protested police violence when George Floyd died with a policeman’s knee on his neck, but we’re quiet when cops are killed in the line of duty. This spring the protests started with the righteous indignation of protesting a Supreme Court decision and subsequent legislative reactions to that decision. That faded as attention refocused on a war in Gaza.

The pro-Israel demonstrations in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks of October 7, killing 1,200 and taking another 200 hostages, were countered by pro-Palestinian demonstrations almost immediately—the encampment at Columbia began October 14.

We loudly protest Israel’s deadly response but less so the long history preceding it. We should, the protesters shouted, stop supporting Israel, divest all investments from Israeli companies, and stop selling them military equipment.

As Israel waged a mid-20th century war of demolition in a 21st century full of social media, the protests against it grew larger and louder. Students, or those who we were told were students, began to take over small sections of college campuses. Agree with their message or not, the protests started in the best tradition of such things: loud, selfassured, nonviolent, non-destructive, and with a mandatory list of demands. Then, as seems to be the case more often than not these days, things got uglier.

The non-violence was actually gaining a bit of traction—administrations at both Brown and Northwestern agreed to speak with student leaders and address their concerns, including a vote of their trustees on future investments. Unfortunately, we can’t have protests without knuckleheads, so vandalism and some acts of violence, especially directed at Jewish students, started to occur. At Columbia, “students” broke into a building and barricaded themselves inside, necessitating a police intervention. It turned out almost half of those occupiers weren’t even students or had any other connection to Columbia.

The real problem is not the naivete of some student demonstrators but that they’ve chosen the wrong target. They should ignore Israel and even the terrorist groups perpetually attacking them and focus more clearly at home where the real source of the problem starts. If there are explosions and death in the Middle East, there’s a pretty good bet we provided the devices doing the exploding and killing.

We continue to be the largest arms dealer in the world by far and we aren’t slowing down one bit. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, we’ve increased our arms sales by 17 percent since 2019. And we’re doing our best to keep those Middle East fires burning, since Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are our three largest arms customers. Israel comes in at a fairly modest 11th biggest customer. (Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have both been involved in attacks on Israel, likely with arms we sold them.) Why there are no protests against our arms merchants is a mystery.

Righteous protest is older than our country. When laser focused with staying power and a just cause, there are sometimes impressive positive results. The Civil Rights and Voting Right Acts were largely the result of years of nonviolent protest action. But the Gaza protests will change little. Universities won’t likely divest, and we won’t abandon the only democracy, and our only ally, in the Middle East.

PEDAL POWER

Guest Opinion

by Kate Lewis

May in northern Michigan has to be one of my favorite months of the year. It’s like Mother Nature decided to throw a party and invited every color in the crayon box.

Bursts of color are popping everywhere, the anticipation of sunny summer days at the beach is building, I’m spending more time outside with the kids, and oh, the relief of fewer and fewer layers.

As the vibrant hues of spring paint the landscape and the lingering chill of winter fades into memory, there’s an unmistakable sense of renewal in the air. For me, this renewal takes the form of two wheels and a handlebar. May is also National Bike Month, a celebration of biking as transportation, as recreation, and as essential to our wellbeing and everyday lives.

Through the years, my bike has been witness to the milestones of my life. Purchased in college, she’s been my faithful companion, accompanying me on moves across the country and through life’s twists and turns. There have been other bikes that have come and gone over the years, but she’s remained a constant. From awkwardly biking with a dog in tow to installing a car seat in the burley trailer for my firstborn, she’s adapted to every phase of my life.

Now, as my daughters grow and we upgrade to a cargo bike for family rides, I can’t help but feel a twinge of guilt that my trusty bike has been collecting a bit of dust. But seeing the wonder on my daughters’ faces as we pedal together creates a new purpose of biking for me—making memories and sharing moments of pure joy.

As the seasons change and the years pass, choosing to get around by bike remains a constant source of inspiration and renewal for me, a reminder of the beauty and wonder that surround us each and every day.

The bike is a simple contraption with the power to transport us to where we want to go. It’s not just a mode of transportation; it can become a way of life, a passport to exploration, and a source of endless amusement and adventure.

Whether you’re navigating the winding trails of the forest, cruising along the shores of the Great Lakes, or simply pedaling through the quaint streets of northern Michigan villages, there’s something undeniably magical about propelling yourself forward under the power of your own legs. There’s a feeling of freedom that washes over you as you pedal, the wind in your hair and the sun on your face.

Experiences and attitudes while biking can be as varied as bikes themselves. Sometimes it’s about the moments of exhilaration, and other times it’s the quiet moments of reflection along the way. Sometimes it’s simply about the laughter and camaraderie shared with friends and family as you explore new trails and discover hidden gems just steps away from your own backyard.

Biking keeps us fit and healthy, reduces our carbon footprint, and provides a muchneeded escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. In a world that seems to move faster with each passing day, biking offers a welcome respite—a chance to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the world around us, especially as the busy summer months approach.

you were bjorn

denmark

may 17-19 • 9am-4pm 5634 lakeview dr • interlochen

As the seasons change and the years pass, choosing to get around by bike remains a constant source of inspiration and renewal for me, a reminder of the beauty and wonder that surround us each and every day. I encourage you to consider the ways in which biking can enrich your own lives and bring you closer to nature and your communities.

So here’s to May in northern Michigan, to the explosions of color, the sunny days, and the promise of new adventures on two wheels. Here’s to National Bike Month, a time to celebrate the freedom, the joy, and the sheer exhilaration of biking in all its forms. And here’s to the endless possibilities that await as you pedal forth.

Tip: Want to get the kids involved in your love of biking? Check out some of these family-friendly, bike-centric events! May 18 is the Recycle-A-Bicycle Bike Swap at the Old Town Parking Deck, a great opportunity to trade in or grab the next size up for the kiddos. And Norte is hosting five Slow Rolls this summer—super fun and chill cruises through downtown Traverse City—with the next one on June 5.

Kate Lewis resides in Leelanau County and serves as the director of communications for Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trails. You can typically find her biking on a trail, paddling on the water, hiking in the woods, exploring northern Michigan with her kids, or dancing at a Phish show.

WEDNESDAYS: D.A.T.E. NIGHT

Dessert or Appetizer w/purchase of Two Entrees (Begins 11/29)

THURSDAYS: PASTA NIGHT!

2 pasta dinners & a bottle of wine for $62

open at 5:00pm! Tues - Sat

WEDNESDAYS: D.A.T.E.

Free Dessert Appetizer w/purchase of Two Entrees (Begins 11/29)

THURSDAYS: PASTA

Non�ops

Creme de la Weird

The latest plane failure story -- about the emergency slide that fell off a Boeing 767 leaving JFK Airport last week -- gets a "whodathunkit" follow-up, the New York Post reported. On April 28, the slide washed up right in front of the beachside home in Belle Harbor, Queens, of Jake Bissell-Linsk, who happens to be the attorney who filed a federal lawsuit against Boeing after the Alaska Airlines door blowout in January. Belle Harbor is about 6 miles southeast of JFK. "I didn't want to touch it, but I got close enough to get a close look at it," Bissell-Linsk said. He said a Delta Airlines crew arrived a few hours later and threw the slide into the back of a truck. "We haven't decided if the slide is relevant to our case," he noted.

Animal Antics

The large animals are restless lately. On April 28, four zebras made a break for it from a trailer at a highway exit in Washington State, The New York Times reported. Kristine Keltgen was hauling them to her petting zoo in Anaconda, Montana, when the latch on the trailer became loose and the zebras "bolted out." Police officers and volunteers headed up the effort to corral them, but David Danton of Mount Vernon, Washington, was a ringer: Danton is a former rodeo clown and bullfighter. He and his wife happened to be driving by and stopped to help. "It was kind of divine intervention," Danton's wife said. Danton built a makeshift chute leading to a horse pen on a nearby farm. "It's just about being quiet, working them gentle and not getting excited," he said. As of May 2, one of the zebras was still on the lam, but Keltgen was sure it would be found.

spray" (water) and pretended to look for the monsters. But finally, Class called a pest control specialist, who went into Saylor's room with a thermal camera. "It lit up like Christmas," Class said. "It was floor to ceiling." Behind Saylor's wall was a 100-pound honeycomb and about 50,000 bees, which the beekeeper removed. But not before the bees had done tens of thousands of dollars in damage. "It's been a nightmare," Class said.

A Hard Act To Swallow

Parashuram, 38, a convict in a Karnataka, India, prison, acted quickly to hide his smuggled-in cellphone when guards raided his cell in early April, The Indian Express reported. Instead of stashing the contraband in a pillowcase or toilet, the convicted murderer serving a life sentence swallowed the phone. When he started complaining of stomach pain, he was transferred to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, where doctors did an ultrasound. On April 25, he went under the knife to remove the phone, which was stuck at the entrance of the small intestine. The phone had been inside Parashuram for 20 days when it was removed; the prisoner recovered from the surgery and was returned to his cell.

Surprise!

The Golden Age of Air Travel

Passengers aboard an American Airlines flight from Washington, D.C., to Phoenix on April 25 were delayed by about 90 minutes after their flight had to make an unplanned stop in Oklahoma City, Simple Flying reported. While AA's official statement called the problem a "mechanical issue," social media reports indicated that the toilets became clogged, and the plane had to land for maintenance. One traveler posted: "I was on this flight. Apparently, the lavatory tanks were NOT emptied from the previous LAX to DCA flight the night before."

Tourists Behaving Badly Fujikawaguchiko, Japan, "is a town built on tourism," said Michie Motomochi, the owner of a cafe in the city. So it says a lot that the town began constructing a large black screen on a stretch of sidewalk that is a favorite spot for viewing and photographing Mount Fuji in the distance. The Associated Press reported that construction began on April 30; the screen will be 8 feet high and 65 feet long. "I welcome many visitors," Motomochi said, "... but there are many things about their manners that are worrying," such as littering, crossing the road in traffic, ignoring traffic lights and trespassing. The town has reportedly tried other tactics -- signs in multiple languages and security guards -- to no avail.

Suspicions Confirmed

Ashley Class of Charlotte, North Carolina, was stumped by her toddler's reports of monsters in the wall of her bedroom, NPR reported. For months, Saylor told her mom she could hear something, but Class chalked it up to the stress of a new baby in the house. She and her husband deployed "monster

When David Loop of Sierra Pacific Furbabies, a feline rescue organization in California, found a box dumped in front of their office in April, the attached note explained that the "kitten" was found "in Mt. Rubidoux hiking path." But when he opened the box, Loop said instantly, "I'm pretty sure this is a bobcat kitten." Sure enough, Newsweek reported, when Loop contacted a local wildlife center, they thought the bobcat kitten was 3 to 5 weeks old. The furball has been transferred to a wildlife center where it will hang out with other bobcats and eventually be reintroduced to the wild.

Most Chatty Criminal

Last September, Stephanie Langley, 55, of East Farleigh, Kent, England, stepped outside the Hare and Hound pub and stabbed her former brother-in-law, Matthew Bryant, to death. She was convicted on May 1, the BBC reported. Although Langley "claimed in court that she had never intended to hurt her victim," she started that violent evening by telling pub-goers, "Get a drink while he's still alive." Then she told Bryant, "You're dead tonight." After she stabbed him three times, witnesses heard Langley say, "I hope he's dead." She told arresting officers she had killed him, was glad she had killed him, and was happy to go to jail for it. She'll be sentenced at a future hearing, probably to life.

News You Can Use

Attention Tornado Alley dwellers: On April 30, as violent storms were coursing around the Midwest, two "rare" versions were detected near Loveland, Oklahoma, Fox Weather reported. Meteorologist Stephen Morgan acknowledged that "some strange things" popped up that night. Turns out, more than 98% of tornadoes spin in a counterclockwise direction. But that night, two tornadoes -- technically called anticyclones -- were found to be spinning clockwise. Morgan said the anticyclonic tornado "rotated around what you could call a 'normal' tornado. What we saw ... was very rare." The anticyclones are typically smaller and weaker than cyclonic storms. There were no reports of injuries in the area.

BIKES, HIKES, BISCOTTI, AND BUNS Inside the Ingredients

By Nora Rae Pearl

Whether you are on two feet, two wheels, or just driving around, nothing hits better than picnic treats on a sunny spring day. Now’s the perfect time for a hike at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a bike ride on Traverse City’s TART trails, or an M22 cherry blossom road trip. All you need to do is remember the picnic basket.

Get inspired with the recipes below, which will keep your belly filled so your eyes can feast on spring sights all day long. For these eats, source your ingredients from Omena Organics for excellent garbanzo beans and Great Lakes Chocolate & Dessert Co. for beanto-bar goodness.

CHICKPEA SALAD ON PRETZEL BUNS

A creamy and crunchy salad on a homemade salty pretzel bun.

Pretzel Bun Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups lukewarm water

• 3 tablespoons honey

• 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• 4 1/2 cups flour

• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt

• 1/2 cup baking soda

• 4 cups hot tap water

• Flaky salt

Pickled Red Onion Ingredients

• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

• 2 teaspoons sugar

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar

• 1/3 cup water

Chickpea Salad Ingredients

• 4 tablespoons tahini

• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup

• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley

• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

• 2 15-oz. cans Omena Organics Garbanzo Beans, drained

• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped

• 1 small head romaine lettuce

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes

To make the buns: In a large bowl, mix together the lukewarm water, honey, and yeast. Let sit until foamy, about 10 minutes. Add oil, flour, and salt. Stir until a shaggy dough forms, then knead until smooth, about three minutes. Place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled, one hour. Divide into eight equal pieces. On a lightly floured surface, shape each into a 6-inch log. Cover loosely, and allow to rest 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 420 degrees. In a shallow bowl, mix together baking soda and hot tap water. Roll each log in the soda-water, then place seam-side down, a few inches apart, on a parchment lined baking sheet. Slash three lines on each log, then sprinkle with flaky salt. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes, until nicely browned. Let cool to room temperature before using.

To make the onions: Stir together all ingredients in a shallow bowl. Let sit for 30 minutes.

To make the salad: In a large bowl, whisk together the tahini through the pepper. Once smooth, whisk in olive oil followed by the vinegar. Add half of the chickpeas. Smash until mostly broken, but still chunky. Stir in the remaining chickpeas and celery.

To assemble: Slice each bun in half, “hotdog style.” Add a few romaine leaves to each. Top with chickpea salad, then tomatoes and onions. Wrap each sandwich. Chill until ready to eat, then pack up the picnic basket.

CHOCOLATE CHERRY WALNUT BISCOTTI

Everything you wanted in trail mix...now in a cookie.

Ingredients

• 2 eggs

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup sunflower oil

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

• 1 2/3 cups flour

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/3 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped

• 1/3 cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped

• Two 2.5-oz bars 58% dark milk chocolate

Instructions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar together for one minute, until a little frothy. Add the oil and extracts. Whisk until smooth. Fold in the flour mixture. Stir in the walnuts and cherries. Divide in half. On a parchment lined baking sheet, shape each half into a 2 1/2-inch wide by 10-inch long log. Bake for 24 minutes, rotating halfway through baking.

Once they come out of the oven, allow to cool for 20 minutes with a towel draped on top. This allows the steam to soften the crust, so when you slice them they will not be too crunchy. After 20 minutes, slice into 1/2-inch thick slices. Place cut side down on a baking sheet.

Increase oven temperature to 375 degrees. Bake for eight more minutes. Allow to cool completely.

Melt chocolate in a small bowl. Dip half of each biscotti into the chocolate. Allow chocolate to set before serving. If going for a picnic on a hot day, chill your biscotti until ready to go.

Nora Rae Pearl is 99 percent foodie and 1 percent chef. When she is not writing about food, she can be found waiting in line at the farmers market hoping to get a croissant before they run out. Photo credits Cody Werme.

WALKING A NEW PATH

Eight new NoMi trails to explore this spring

By Al Parker

With more than 4,020 miles of hiking trails and another 2,085 biking trails across the state—and many of those miles in northern Michigan—a great walk in the woods is never more than a stone’s throw away.

And thanks to the work of our local land conservancies, the number of northern Michigan trails is growing annually across the region. Here are eight new outdoor opportunities that have opened in the last year or so.

Little Traverse Conservancy

Probably the newest trail project in the whole state of Michigan is the Melvin Family Hiking and Biking Trails, which was officially launched by the Harbor Springsbased Little Traverse Conservancy (LTC) on April 26, 2024.

These are the first professionallydesigned and built trails near Topinabee in Cheboygan County and are expected to lure mountain bikers and hikers from across northern Michigan. Cruising along this trail gives bikers the opportunity to enjoy the scenic hills and woods between Burt and Mullet Lakes.

“This project has been an exceptionally fast and high quality experience thanks to the motivation and support of the Melvin family and many local donors who made it all happen,” said Kieran Fleming, executive director of LTC.

More than eight miles of trails were designed and built, giving mountain bikers of all skill levels a chance to enjoy unique trail features such as gravity trails, sidewinder segments, skills features, rollers, berms, and more. Separate hiking trails follow old logging roads and provide access for emergency vehicles.

Another recent LTC project brings a universally accessible trail to East Jordan. Wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and hikers will enjoy The Don and Eileen Klein Nature Trail, a scenic continuation of recent trail updates from downtown EJ to Sportsman’s Park where the Jordan River flows into Lake Charlevoix. The Klein Trail completes a 4-mile pathway and travels along the edge of the Jordan, across city and conservancy land. The new trail ultimately connects to a comfortably walkable railroad grade at the Rogers Family Homestead Nature Preserve. Just upstream from the preserve is a convenient public access/canoe launch that offers excellent paddling opportunities.

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

The GTRLC is abuzz about several new trails opened recently, including three in Grand Traverse County

At Mitchell Creek Meadows, in the Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve, there’s a new three-quarter-mile trail made possible by Roger and Ann Looyenga in honor of their children and grandchildren. From the trailhead, the trail passes through wetlands,

meadows, and forest restoration areas. At the first intersection, visitors can explore Glen’s Grove, a dense stand of white cedar sitting right on a groundwater seep. As you continue, a boardwalk and aggregate path meanders to the east through open areas before crossing a stream and looping through a riparian forest. This section of the

trail includes a spur leading to an elevated platform that offers scenic views of the surrounding landscape, which once was a golf course.

At Pyatt Lake, the Bill Carls Nature Preserve has a new trailhead and parking area just off Peninsula Drive on Old Mission Peninsula. It provides easy access to this

The trail at Mitchell Creek Meadows meanders east from its trailhead.

The new trail at Turtle Cove Nature Preserve loops for 1.7 miles.

beautiful and ecologically significant place. Along with this upgrade, a new half-mile trail was also constructed through the northern section of Pyatt Lake, which connects to the original trail via Pyatt Road.

Another Grand Traverse County project has been underway at Turtle Cove Nature Preserve, the latest nature preserve opened by GTRLC. The Beverly and Spencer Silk Nature Trail loops for 1.7 miles through various habitats and terrains, including mesic northern forest, dry-mesic northern forest, steep lake bluff, and a riparian area along Arbutus Lake. Along the trail, hikers will enjoy mature white pines and a leatherleaf bog. While accessing the lake is discouraged, the shallow waters of Turtle Cove provide habitat for scores of fish, reptiles, amphibians,

and other species.

In Benzie County, the third and final phase of trail construction has been completed at the Mt. Minnie Nature Preserve. The work was completed last summer and extends the existing trail by about half a mile to a total of 1.2 miles. This trail runs along a lush, forested ridge that sits between Big Platte and Little Platte Lakes, providing critical habitat for wildlife and offering scenic views of the lakes at several convenient stopping spots.

HeadWaters Land Conservancy

The sprawling HeadWaters Land Conservancy protects and restores land in 11 counties, including Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency,

Roscommon, Presque Isle, Ogenaw, Oscoda, and Otsego. Since its inception in 1994, the conservancy has protected thousands of acres and in 2023 opened two new trails.

Near Hillman in Montmorency County, the Lake Avalon Nature Preserve Trail runs about two-thirds of a mile across flat terrain in the 40-acre preserve. A canopy of trembling aspen, red maples, and red and white oaks lend shelter from sun or rain to leisurely hikers and bird watchers. In the winter, it’s a captivating location for a snowshoeing adventure. Located right across the street from a public access site on the east shore of Lake Avalon, it’s a perfect spot for anyone looking to combine a brief hike with a paddling experience.

In Presque Isle County, not far from the

village of Hawks, is the 0.82-mile Porcupine Run Nature Preserve Trail. It runs through the 20-acre preserve with roadside parking less than a mile from Lake Nettle. The beautiful topography provides for a relatively rigorous hike. One highlight is a small wetland complex in the southern portion of the property where tag alder and swamp conifers act as filters for spring snowmelt and summer rains. The alders are excellent hosts for several types of butterfly and moth larvae, which in turn attracts many varieties of birds. The trees’ flowers are profuse pollen producers. Opened just last year, the trail is already a popular site for avid birdwatchers. (And despite a relatively mild snow season, it drew a number of snowshoers over its first winter months.)

Benzie County’s new Mt. Minnie Trail extension runs between Big Platte and Little Platte Lakes.

The Lake Avalon Trail is shaded by a canopy of aspens, maples, and oaks.

In 2023 alone, Norte tallied 1,393 program registrations, $24,430 in scholarships, and 798 bikes lent out through its bike library program.

WHAT’S NEW AT NORTE?

Youth cycling nonprofit marks its 10th anniversary

By Anna Faller

Norte Youth Cycling is known for their brightly painted Wheelhouse, neon orange jerseys, and packs of pedaling children that appear on northern Michigan’s sidewalks each summer. But the nonprofit is so much more than just a biking club for kids.

“We’re showing children what’s available in our community, and that there are [locations] they can access by bicycle,” Norte Executive Director Jill Sill says. “That sense of connection, empowerment, and joy naturally flows through what we do. It’s a very different kind of program.”

Norte’s origins began more than a decade ago, and the nonprofit has grown to include a thriving hub of outdoor enthusiasts— with an ever-expanding array of classes and camps—and reaches upwards of 3,500 riders across the six-county region.

“We’re trying to make these experiences available to people of all ages and abilities,”

says Sill. “That consistency is important, and I think that’s really what Norte provides: it’s that social interaction where everyone is welcome.”

Just in time for its 10th anniversary, Norte is rolling out a summer’s worth of new projects and a jam-packed calendar. Kick up your stands—it’s time to ride!

From Balance Bikes to Summer Camps

The action starts with the smallest speed demons in the “learn-to-ride” Balance Bike Club. (If you’ve never heard of a balance bike, it’s essentially a two-wheeler with no pedals.) It’s an excellent tool for building confidence in budding riders, which, per Sill, is the very goal of this course. Norte offers this club after school in both spring and fall and in-school during the winter.

In fact, Norte has delivered a foursession series of balance bike lessons to 32 preschool classrooms—and 550 new riders—between January and May this year,

and they have even added a full-time School Coordinator position to make the program more accessible.

“We’ve never had this role before,” says Sill. “Schools are often the leveler in terms of accessibility. This [position] is how we can really make sure that connection to our schools is consistent and impactful.”

Norte’s transitional bike program, Pedal Power, is also a recent addition, which the group launched within the last year to facilitate skills for intermediate cyclists. Designed specifically for students who are new to using pedal bikes, these clubs feature notably smaller class sizes (the max for each is just six kids) to ensure that students receive direct instruction.

Once school lets out, Norte’s extracurricular clubs are supplemented by Summer Bike Camps. These are offered for 10 weeks from June through August and accommodate more than 1,000 kids based in Traverse City, Elk Rapids, and Glen Arbor

each year. Here’s the breakdown:

There are two traditional half-day options—these are three-and-a-half and four hours, respectively—which pair the social aspects of camp with exercise and some local discovery. Then there’s the six-hour Bike and More series, which account for the majority of Norte’s camps, and combines the fundamentals of daily cycling with another sports outlet.

To facilitate these, Norte partners with a host of community organizations—Elev8 Climbing and Fitness, Discovery Pier, and Mt. Holiday, among many others—which serve as a second camp headquarters and homebase for that week’s “and more” activity (think: fishing, zip lining, curling, etc.).

“We truly do value that exposure and experience with other opportunities,” says Sill. “Those camps are phenomenal and that community collaboration is core to our mission.”

Other Norte summer camp options

include the six-hour Shredventure day-camp, which offers longer, more challenging rides and is geared towards more experienced cyclists, as well as the gentler Intro option and two-hour Friday bike repair classes, led by Norte mechanic Tyler Wituszynski.

Rentals, Enrollment, and Facilities

Though kids are welcome to supply their own wheels, Norte’s riders are also provided with access to the free Bike Library, which is stocked with more than 1,000 kids’ bikes—800 of which were checked out last year—as well as a 25-unit fleet of adaptive bikes for users with disabilities, made available through Norte’s Bikes for All program.

The concept, says Sill, works just how you’d think: riders choose a bike they like, “rent” it, and can leave with it in one fell swoop. The only condition is that renters return their bikes every four months for a routine checkup. The program also offers satellite Bike Loan programs in four nearby counties.

All in all, the nonprofit’s “napkin math” estimates that the organization will have provided 25,000 hours of instruction to riders of all ages and covered 90,000 miles of trail in 2024. And they have no plans to pump the brakes (pun intended!).

For starters, Norte enrollment numbers—in particular, for annual summer camp slots—have continued to rise, with

SPRING TUNE-UP

804 excited bikers already scheduled for this year’s books. The organization has also seen a significant uptick of girls enrolled in their programs, spurred in large part by their More Girls on Bikes Initiative, which was launched last year.

“We might even need to start capping our Mother-Daughter rides [which often exceed 30 guests],” Sill says laughing. “They just continue to grow!”

Plans for a united Norte complex are also on the docket, she notes, though the group is still waiting on the official okay for the Civic Center Master Plan which would involve consolidating Norte’s offices under a single roof. (Norte currently occupies three separate Civic Center buildings.) The revamp would also include new facilities, namely a bicycle education center, a traffic garden, and even a pump track.

Growing the Team

Other earmarked initiatives include biking and swimming projects through Traverse City Area Public Schools, as well as adding a few new Norte positions—in particular, a Community Liaison spot in Elk Rapids and Timber Ridge Site Leads.

“There’s always been a demand for this type of community support and engagement,” Sill adds. “There are so many asks, and being able to bring in those features would greatly expand opportunities to riders

Feeling like you and your bike might need a refresh after a long winter’s break? Here are some of Norte’s top tips for bike safety and following the rules of the road!

Bicycle Maintenance: Before you go out for a ride, Norte recommends practicing their ABC Check to ensure your bike and safety accessories are in working order.

A: Let’s talk air. It’s important to give both your front and back bike tires a squeeze before you hit the trails. If they feel soft, check the tire sidewall to see if it’s time for an air top-off. (Psst: If your specs list a PSI range, start with the lower number.)

B: Next, it’s time to test your brakes. Start by pulling both brake levers—if they reach back to your handle bars, your cable is too loose and needs adjusting. If you can’t squeeze at all, it’s way too tight! Mechanical brakes can usually be tweaked with a barrel adjuster, but if you have hydraulic disc brakes, it’s time to contact your mechanic.

in our community.”

None of those initiatives, though, would be feasible without community support. Sill says Norte still has several open coaching positions for spring and summer, as well as an ongoing need for the 300 volunteers their projects require.

Funding is another biggie, in particular as it relates to the support and training of additional staff in a “program- and peopleheavy” team like Norte. Sill explains the realities of fundraising often involves navigating donors and grants that are more interested in financing gadgets than the people who build them into meaningful programs.

“At some point, I have enough bicycles. I need to be able to hire and train high quality staff to make that impact,” she adds.

Though Sill also admits that she’d love to see a bike lane on every street if she could, she underscores the importance of working with other organizations to make real change.

“I think it’s important to look at how we can collaborate with partners in the area. We have to learn from each other to create the best outcome with the resources we have,” she concludes.

For more information, visit norteyouthcycling. org. Be sure to check out their Family-Friendly Bike Events schedule, and mark your calendars for the upcoming “A Decade in Motion” celebration on May 17!

C: Your final step is testing your chain. If it’s squeaky when you pedal backward, chain lube is an easy fix. For best results, coat the whole chain with a light layer of oil before your ride (about four rotations should do the trick).

Wear a Helmet: A well-fitting helmet is your first line of protection if you find yourself in a cycling accident! Start by assessing yours before mounting your bike; it should sit about two fingers above your eyebrows, and the strap should feel snug when you open your mouth. Some helmets even come equipped with a dial that can adjust to your head size! If you’re unsure about the fit, it’s likely time for a new one.

Riding Etiquette and Respect: Once you’re out on the road or trail, it’s important to keep tabs on other riders, both for their safety and your own. The first step, per Norte staff, is to leave audio devices at home, which are often distracting and can slow your reactions. Be sure to ride with your eyes up, and respect other cyclers by using a reasonable speed and offering extra space when passing.

The youngest riders can now get used to being on two wheels thanks to the new programs offered by Norte.

Making tomorrow safer.

Tomorrow is on.

The Great Lakes are a vital source of water, life and play for all of Michigan. That’s why we’re committed to their safety and environmental protection. With the Great Lakes Tunnel Project we're taking extra precautions in the Straits, making a safe pipeline even safer. Placing Line 5 within the Great Lakes Tunnel will eliminate any risk of an anchor strike.

While the tunnel is being built, we’ve added additional safety measures— including hi-def cameras and a marine monitoring/alert system—at our 24/7 Maritimes Operation Center. Safety in the Straits is our top priority. We’re committed to keeping the Great Lakes safe for generations to come.

Learn more at enbridge.com/line5tunnel.

OUT FOR A JOY RIDE

Benzie’s Joy 2 Ride adaptive cycling program provides outdoor recreation for all

By Drew VanDrie

“Like riding a bike.” While that phrase may refer to anything that’s second-nature, it also alludes to something you’ll never forget. For Carol Kraak, founder of Benzie County’s Joy 2 Ride, the exploration, independence, and bliss that a simple bike ride offers to participants of any ability is unforgettable.

Kraak has navigated mobility issues for most of her life. But pedaling through the scenic beauty of northern Michigan served as a restorative alternative to the discomfort.

“Riding a bike made me not feel the pain, and I didn’t feel a limitation,” says Kraak. She spent many of her rides on the Betsie Valley Trail, a scenic 22-mile bike path in Benzie County that stretches from Frankfort to Thompsonville. “It made me feel alive, and vibrant, and not like I was so limited,” Kraak says.

But eventually even cycling was becoming too painful, and she was forced to retire from biking in 2016. “It sort of broke me,” says Kraak, “because I thought that’s all I could do.”

That is until she read about Healing Rides, a nonprofit organization located in Bloomington, Illinois. Healing Rides is a free program that uses adaptive wheelchair bikes to offer outdoor recreation opportunities. Per their website, the organization intends to “serve the aging, people with disabilities, and anyone else unable to bike independently.”

“It just stirred in me,” says Kraak, and the inspiration to start Joy 2 Ride was put into gear.

Getting Rolling

Kraak was quick to get the wheels turning with a vision of creating a similar nonprofit— one offering free, assisted rides to all, using her beloved Betsie Valley Trail as a practical and picturesque setting for cycling.

Kraak attributes her business acumen and helpful connections to her tenure at the Benzie County Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau, and her support to her husband, Kevin, and daughter, Kristen, who now serves on the Joy 2 Ride board.

“So I went to my husband and daughter, my greatest cheerleaders, [and said] ‘here’s what I want to do’…and took off!” says Kraak.

In 2017, Kraak consulted NorthSky Nonprofit Network of Traverse City to evaluate program viability, and from there the formation of Joy 2 Ride moved quickly. By the end of the year, Kraak had hired a nonprofit attorney, formed a 501(c)(3) with

a board of directors, and secured funding through a grant from the Benzie rotary clubs for the first Duet adaptive bicycle.

“And in 2018 we started rolling,” says Kraak. After receiving another grant from Dow Chemical, Joy 2 Ride purchased a second Duet bicycle, bringing the fleet up to two fully outfitted wheelchair bicycles.

Hitting the Trails

Joy 2 Ride typically starts rolling in early May (earlier if weather permits) and extends into the late fall. Ride length is determined by passenger preference and comfort, but usually lasts anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Friends and relatives of passengers are also highly encouraged to ride along with their own bicycles and join in the joyful progression.

Each pair of riders (one per Duet bike) requires five volunteers: a pilot to pedal each wheelchair bike, two co-pilots which ride their own bikes in front and behind— serving as the “eyes and ears” of the group— and one individual to remain at the trailhead with equipment and family members.

The organization currently has about a dozen regular volunteers, but the need for more is always present, and Kraak instills a rigorous screening process when selecting partners. “We have such great ‘people’ people,” says Kraak. She tells us Joy 2 Ride considers “How much of a character do you have for serving others? Volunteers need to have that servant attitude.”

Kraak explains that Joy 2 Ride is not numbers driven but experience driven, striving to provide a personal and positive experience to its ridership over everything else. One metric she does point to is an organizational goal to take each resident of The Maples, a skilled nursing facility in Frankfort, out three times a season if possible.

Working in Tandem

Inclusion is a major component of Joy 2 Ride. “I was no stranger to what my mom called the misfits and the underdogs, and I thought that was me,” says Kraak.

That’s why joining with The Maples was a natural collaboration for Kraak. In 2018, she contacted Gina Dilas, the activity director of the nursing facility, and after a sit-down meeting, they settled on an inaugural ride for September of that year.

Disembarking from Elberta, the group pedaled eastbound along the trail, skirting along the Betsie River, allowing residents

to observe the wildlife, the late September sunshine, and that first glimpse of leaves starting to change. From the first ride, Joy 2 Ride was an instant hit with The Maples residents. After taking 20 guests on scenic ventures in that first fall season, the program is now one of the most popular activities at The Maples.

“They love it,” says Dilas, “The residents really look forward to it every year. Right in the spring they say ‘When can we start Joy 2 Ride? When can we go on the trail?’”

But it’s not just the thrill of coasting down the shaded pathway or observing the waterfowl and wildlife along the river that makes Joy 2 Ride so special.

“They’ve built relationships with Carol and her volunteers,” says Dilas, “When [the residents] see them every spring, they have a relationship with them, they know who they are, and Carol and her volunteers are amazing!”

Kraak and Dilas worked to establish a partnership that allows the residents to participate in Joy 2 Ride at least once a week during the riding season and have formalized Joy 2 Ride into The Maples activities budget.

Joy Prevails

Making Joy2Ride a successful and safe operation is not without great effort. Kraak

herself manages much of the transportation and logistics, storing the Duets and safety equipment in two trailers on her own property. She also recognizes the effort put forth by Dilas and The Maples to staff, transport, and help organize rides along with ensuring the safety, comfort, and enjoyment of guests.

Above all, Kraak expresses that the rejuvenating experiences Joy 2 Ride provides to its passengers is worth all the effort. Within a multitude of smiles, laughs, and hundreds of rides, one particular bike ride comes to mind for Kraak.

“One of my favorites was from one of our members of The Maples. We’re coming down the trail, [and] she is like that scene from Titanic! She is just smiling ear-to-ear, and her hands are both out wide. Our joke is ‘keep your hands inside the vehicle at all times,’ and she has her hands straight out, like she is flying.”

If you ask Kraak what she is looking forward to as the riding season is nearly underway, she says simply and emphatically, “Joy! Meeting new faces, inspiring people! That’s why we call it Joy 2 Ride. It’s just what we all can do a little bit more, to stop, take a bit, and go find some joy.”

To learn more, visit joy2ridebenzie.org.

Your NoMi Mountain Biking Guide

Check out these trails in TC, Bellaire, Cadillac, Otsego County, and Kalkaska

By Emily Batdorf

As the weather warms up in northern Michigan, locals and tourists alike are gearing up for some of the area’s most popular activities: sunning at the beach, sipping local wines, and dining on farm-fresh produce. But amid the abundance of relaxing summer pursuits, don’t overlook one of NoMi’s favorite outdoor activities—mountain biking. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned pro, make time this summer to gear up and get out on our beautiful trails.

Northern Michigan Mountain Biking Association (NMMBA) is the nonprofit behind many of the region’s mountain biking trails, building and maintaining miles of local trails to keep outdoor enthusiasts busy year-round.

According to NMMBA president Tim Reicha, mountain biking has long been popular in northern Michigan, thanks to the beloved Iceman Cometh Challenge and other local events. Despite the popularity of and tradition around races like these, Reicha has seen interest in mountain biking shift over the years.

“Since I’ve been involved, there’s been a really strong community of mountain biking in the area,” he says. “It’s just kind of shifted from what it was—race focused—to more recreational now.”

With a trend toward recreational riding growing—and more trails being built all the time—there’s never been a better time to try the sport. “If you can ride a bike, you can mountain bike,” says Reicha. Whether you’re looking for physical exercise, a mental health boost, time in nature, or an activity to enjoy with friends or family, Reicha cites all of these as benefits of getting out on the trails.

While NMMBA is busy with projects around the region—including new partnerships, additional trails and trail connections, upgraded facilities, and more— there are plenty of local spots to get out and explore right now. “Each NMMBA partner trail offers something a little different and allows riders from across our region to access a trail close to home,” Reicha says.

Vasa Bike Park and Singletrack

The Vasa trail network in Traverse City, which winds through Pere Marquette State Forest, may be best known for cross-country skiing—but it’s also home to two noteworthy NoMi mountain biking destinations: the Vasa Bike Park and Vasa Singletrack.

The bike park is ideal for families and new riders who want to gain some experience and practice on a bike. Because mountain biking has unique challenges, parks like these offer the chance for riders to get comfortable riding on something other than pavement. From navigating tree roots to managing elevation to practicing turns on dirt and grass, the park offers a low-stakes entrypoint to the sport.

“The Vasa Bike Park at the Bartlett Road VASA trailhead is a partnership between Grand Traverse County Parks and Recreation, TART, and NMMBA. We have approximately three miles of beginnerfriendly trails with short cross-country loops and an area with jumps, berms, and other skill-building features,” says Reicha.

The Vasa Singletrack, on the other hand, is a 16-mile loop trail. It’s also beginnerfriendly and includes 100 feet of vertical ascent within its three well-marked loops. In the winter, you’ll find 22 miles of groomed multisport trail. The Vasa trails are wellmarked and maintained, and there are also dozens of miles of unmarked trails you can access from the Singletrack or Bike Park. Find the Vasa Bike Park trailhead at 4450 Bartlett Road in Williamsburg. The Vasa Singletrack trailhead is located at 5450 Supply Road in Traverse City.

Photos courtesy of NMMBA.

Glacial Hills Pathway

Glacial Hills Pathway is a network of more than 30 miles of singletrack sitting on nearly 800 acres in Antrim County.

“Glacial Hills is great because of its fast, flowy trails through the wooded forest and its proximity to downtown Bellaire,” notes Reicha. “With over 10 suggested routes with varying difficulty and distances, everyone can find what they’re looking for.”

The trail was built into glacier-carved hills (thus the name) segment by segment, growing from a 1/2-mile loop to the mountain biking mecca it is today. The terrain at Glacial Hills varies from beginner to intermediate and offers up to 400 feet in elevation change. (Bonus: Certain trails lead to views of nearby Lake Bellaire to the south.) The trail is groomed for winter access, too.

If you don’t want to ride solo, head to Facebook (@glacialhillstrails and @NMMBA) to connect with biking groups that use the Pathway.

And, should you need a little extra boost for your ride, know this: Last year Glacial Hills adapted their trail etiquette rules to allow Class 1 electric bikes, or low-speed, pedal-assisted bikes that top out at 20 miles per hour. (Class 2 and 3 e-bikes are not allowed.)

Glacial Hills Pathway is located just west of Bellaire. You can access the trail from three different trailheads on Eckhardt Road, Vandemark Road, and Orchard Hill Road.

Cadillac Pathway

Northeast of Cadillac, the aptly named Cadillac Pathway offers 13 miles of wellmarked trail that loops through pine and hardwood-covered state lands. This trail is home to the Bear Claw Epic, a familyfriendly, multi-lap mountain biking race held each year.

Cadillac Pathway’s terrain ranges from flat to hilly and offers something for any experience level, from beginner to advanced. And the Pathway is more than just a great trail—it’s also the perfect place to hang out after a ride. The trailhead boasts a beautiful pavilion and stone fireplace so you can refuel with a picnic. Not only that—you can cool your feet in the nearby Clam River after a hot ride.

In the winter, Cadillac Pathway is groomed for walking, cross-country skiing, and fat biking.

You can access the Cadillac Pathway via its primary trailhead at 3736 S Seeley Rd in Cadillac. Note: A Recreation Passport is required for parking at the trailhead.

High Country Pathway

“Those looking for true wilderness adventure biking should try out the High Country Pathway,” suggests Reicha. A roughly 80-mile trail navigating northern Michigan’s wooded lands, the High Country Pathway is an International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) “Epic” trail, meaning it’s a true backcountry adventure.

The High Country Pathway makes for an isolated ride, winding through Pigeon River Country State Forest in Montmorency and Otsego counties. The trail includes boardwalks, a river crossing, and plenty of wildlife—like elk, beavers, and bears. Riders should be familiar with off-grid navigation and prepare for a rugged, slow ride.

While it could be completed in one very long day, the High Country Pathway is a popular multi-day bikepacking route. There are nine state forest campgrounds along the way, so refilling water is easy. (You’ll need to pack in all your own food, though.)

You can access the High Country Pathway from several state forest campgrounds or the Pigeon River Country State Forest Headquarters at 9966 Twin Lakes Road in Vanderbilt.

Kalkaska Mountain Bike Trails

Kalkaska is not only home to the start of the legendary Iceman Cometh Challenge mountain bike race, but it also offers 12 miles of beginner-friendly singletrack, two-track, and gravel routes, including a loop around Smith Lake, that the NMMBA manages. While some loops are well-marked, there are also plenty of unmarked connectors.

Reicha notes there’s more on the way: “We have also been working with Twin Birch Golf Club in Kalkaska to build singletrack mountain bike and hiking trails on their property. We anticipate having approximately 10 miles completed by the end of summer 2024.”

You can access Kalkaska’s mountain bike trails from the Park’n’Ride lot at 1706 W Kalkaska Road—racers will be familiar with the location as the start of the Iceman race.

GREAT LAKES WATER STUDIES INSTITUTE

the bay in the heart of Traverse City, MI

WHERE COMMUNITY, PHOTOGRAPHY, AND TECHNOLOGY MEET

Michael Kent’s triple threat skillset

By Brighid Driscoll

Michael Kent is a Traverse City-raised photographer…and one of at least three well-known Michael Kents in TC. (His dad is also MK, as is another local photographer, which doesn’t make things confusing at all!) A friend to many, he’s made his mark with community-building efforts in the area.

“That rapid rapport, that ‘golden retriever’ or ‘camp counselor’ energy is the trick” to his ability to make friends and influence people, he says with a laugh. “Because I’m just so genuinely happy to see everybody.”

We sat down with Kent over coffee to talk about his work in TC out in the community, behind the camera, and— somewhat surprisingly—in front of the computer screen.

Looking Lens Self

For Kent, photography has always been more than just a hobby or a job.

“All of my childhood memories, if I think about them closely, are in third person,” Kent tells us over coffee. Recently, he discovered he has Severely Deficient Autobiographical Memory (SDAM). “I have an inability to record memories in first person, which means that this”—he holds up his camera— “becomes really valuable.”

Kent uses photos to keep a running timeline of his life and memories. His first camera, a Sony Powershot, became an extra limb. Through middle and high school, Kent captured photos of his friends. “I always had it with me, and I took pictures of important and silly things. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I took a lot of pride in my friends having my pictures as profile pictures.”

The photos were never formal or

posed, just candid clips of their everyday world. A few semesters and photo classes at Northwestern Michigan College led him to Central Michigan University. There, he entered the fine arts program and continued taking photography classes.

After graduating and moving home, Kent started a photography business he runs alongside spouse Brooke Allen: Allen Kent Photography. What began as a business specializing in senior portraits has grown into a mini photography empire with international reach. The duo bill their services as “emotionally honest and compassionate photography for all good humans” and have traveled around the country and the world for weddings, family portraits, and more.

Learn more about Allen Kent Photography at allen-kentphotography.com.

Creative Birthright

Another one of Kent’s efforts is Photo Club, a free, local community of photographers of all skill levels that Kent mentors.

In 2019, Kent was regularly attending photography networking events that focused on technical and business-related aspects of being a photographer. “But it was always sitting in a room and talking about it and never going out and doing it. And so one day, I said screw it, I’m going to grab a bunch of people to go out and shoot. We went to DeYoung Natural Area, and I didn’t overthink it. People were asking questions, and I could give subtle instruction, and people had a great time.”

Today, Photo Club consists of photo walks every other month, where the group meets to wander around and take photos. As few as four and more than 40 have shown up

to any given event. In the alternating months, the group meets up for social events.

“[A recent] month was social, and we met at Hop Lot,” Kent says. “You don’t have to bring a camera, but you can. And we talked about photography, not photography, creativity, and all sorts of things.”

Creativity can be perceived as a precious gift only given to a few, but Kent doesn’t subscribe to this belief.

“I think it’s BS that I get to call myself creative, and my mother will say, ‘Oh, I’m just not creative like you.’ Nobody is not creative. It is our birthright as human beings to have our creativity. It’s what separates us from computers—Artificial Intelligence is not creative. I can teach you tricks for coming up with ideas, and in a year, you’ll be as creative as me.”

In addition to the photo walks and socials, Kent offers photography workshops for purchase. The workshops are held in his personal studio and are meant to provide more in-depth instruction and one-on-one time.

Learn more about Photo Club at ourphotoclub.co.

Left-Brain Learning

In building the business, Kent had to learn a few things—a lot of things—along the way. Photography, though largely artistic, also requires technical abilities. Operating a camera, editing, and storing photos are all skills a successful photographer needs. The technical aspects of the job never bothered Kent, however.

“I grew up wanting to take apart my parents’ TVs and computers because I wanted to know how they work,” he says.

That was the brainchild behind his newly launched side hustle, Help Desk Studio,

where Kent exercises some of his left-brain talent as a service for entrepreneurs and small businesses. “It’s not a community—it’s not like Photo Club,” he explains. “But I want to take what I’ve done for photographers and open that up to small businesses and entrepreneurs.”

Common questions that Help Desk Studio clients ask are about archiving, backing up computers, hardware questions, SEO techniques, optimizing your Zoom setup, and more. He also has a self-directed course that teaches people how to create captivating video content and live streams.

“I’ve also built this course so that someone can just go to our website, purchase this course, and leave with the skills to know what lighting is good, so they know why a good microphone is more important than a good camera. It’s a big help for that kind of content creation.”

Learn more about Help Desk Support at ourhelpdeskstudio.com.

The Photo Club gathers to "shake the dust off" their cameras and their hiking gear. Photos by Allen Kent Photography.

saturday

TC TRAIL RUNNING FES-

TIVAL: Timber Ridge RV & Recreation Resort, TC. Today features the 100K & 100K Relay at 7am; 50K & 75K at 8am; 25K at 8:30am; & 10K at 9am. See web site for more info. tctrailrunningfestival.com

65TH ANNUAL MESICK MUSHROOM

FESTIVAL: Mesick, May 10-12. Enjoy hunting for mushrooms, Blessing of the Jeeps, 5K run, concerts, a grand parade, Mud Bog, baseball, volleyball, food, kids’ events, & much more. mesick-mushroomfest.org

NORTH MITTEN HALF MARATHON, 10K, 5K & 1 MILE FUN RUN: Crystal Mountain, white slopeside tent near Crystal Clipper charlift, Thompsonville. Half Marathon, 8am; 10K, 8:30am; 5k, 9am; 1 Mile Fun Run, 11am. See web site for more info. crystalmountain.com/event/north-mitten

WELCOME WARBLERS! HIKE: 8:30am, Lighthouse West Natural Area. Look for birds & at the habitat & topography of Lighthouse West & consider what makes it such a bird-friendly place. Free. leelanauconservancy.org/events

SPRING ART MARKET: 9am, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Engage with 25 artists selling work in a range of media from painting, printmaking, illustration, mixed media, & ceramics to glass, wood, fiber, & jewelry. Enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour with the director, a Mother’s Day card-making project, & live art demonstrations by NMC faculty & students. Free. shop.dennosmuseum. org/2024-spring-art-market

THE FATHER FRED FOUNDATION GARAGE SALE: 9am-3pm, 826 Hastings St., TC. This community event is one of Father Fred Foundation’s biggest fundraisers of the year, & all proceeds go directly to support their programs, which help individuals & families in need. fatherfred.org

VOLUNTEER STREAM MONITORING PROGRAM: 9am-2pm, Benzie Conservation District office, Beulah. Join Benzie Conservation District to discover the inhabitants of local rivers & learn what they reveal about stream health. Spend a morning as a community scientist by collecting & sorting macroinvertebrates. Waders can be provided if needed. Register: 231-882-4391. benziecd.org/events

“CHERRITIES” BENEFIT DAY: 9:30am5pm, Benjamin Twiggs, TC. Benjamin Twiggs will donate 15% of sales today to charities. facebook.com/OLDMISSIONWOMEN

HICKORY MEADOWS VOLUNTEER WORK BEE: 9:30am-noon, Hickory Meadows Natural Area, TC. Help improve habitat by controlling highly invasive garlic mustard & planting native seedlings. Meet at the Ran-

dolph Trailhead at the end of Randolph St. Please bring sturdy shoes & work gloves. Must register. natureiscalling.org/events

ADOPT A BEAN/FLOWER & MAKE A NEWSPAPER POT: Bellaire Public Library. All ages welcome. Stop in anytime from 10am-2pm to learn how to make seedling pots from newspaper. Choose a seed to plant & take with you. Great for a Mother’s Day gift. Free. bellairelibrary.org

MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOW: 10am-6pm, Washington Park, downtown Cheboygan. Featuring more than 30 crafters & artists. facebook.com/madeincheboygan

NCTA GRAND TRAVERSE CHAPTER HIKE: 10am, Maplehurst Natural Area, Kewadin. 4.5 mile hike around Maplehurst Natural Area. See web site for details. Free. meetup.com/grand-traverse-chapter-northcountry-trail-association/events/300801568 ----------------------

OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: 10am-1pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Room, Petoskey. Drop-in art studio for the whole family. New projects are offered each week. Free. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/ open-studio-may-11

PLANT EXCHANGE: 10-11am, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Bring healthy indoor or outdoor plants to swap with other gardeners &/or seeds for the seed library. 231-223-7700.

SMARTPHONE PHOTOGRAPHY CLASS: 10am-noon, Interlochen Public Library. Presented by Wayne Pope, an adjunct associate professor of photography at Lansing Community College. For ages 13 & older. Must bring your own smartphone & charger. Preregistration required: 231-276-6767. Free.

SPRING HIKE: 10am-noon, George & Ada Reffitt Nature Preserve, TC. Walk the property & enjoy the recently reopened boardwalk portion of the trail system. Volunteer hike leader Mark Rogers will give a history of this dune & swale ecosystem located within the Mitchell Creek Watershed. Register. Free. gtrlc.my.salesforce-sites.com/es/ event/home/springhikeatreffitt

44TH ANNUAL FEDERAL RECOGNITION DAY – MINI TRADITIONAL POWWOW & TRIBAL MARKET DAY: 11am-3pm, Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel Grounds, Williamsburg. Presented by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. At this free event explore various Anishinaabek crafts, artwork & foods, & talk with members to learn about the history & traditions. gtbindians.org

FRANKFORT-ELBERTA RESTAURANT

WEEK: Specials at Frankfort & Elberta restaurants all week. frankfort-elberta.com

MUSIC: BY FOOT!: 11am, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Pete Farmer, founder & owner of

Run the Runway at Cherry Capital Airport, TC during the TVC5K on Sat., May 18 at 9am! Not only will you be able to be up close to airplanes and helicopters, and chat with aviation pros, but you’ll be supporting Wings of Mercy West Michigan, who offers free flights to distant medical destinations for families who can’t afford to travel commercially. Register at runsignup. com ($44 + $3.64 SignUp fee, and only $13 for ages 1-13) and head to Airport Operations Gate #10!

Farmer Foot Drums, brings his menagerie of hand- & foot-operated percussion instruments & music for a family-friendly program/concert of interactive songs. Participants can try out several of Farmer’s hand-built instruments following his performance. Farmer performs at the GAAC as part of “By Hand,” a project exploring the creativity of human hand work in a techno-centric age. Free. glenaborart.org

PETOSKEY’S SPRING RESTAURANT

WEEK: May 3-12. Participating restaurants in & around Petoskey will be setting their own menus & deals. petoskeychamber.com/ petoskey-restaurant-week ----------------------

BOOK EVENT: 1-2pm, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey. Betsy Petersen presents “I Am Bold” by Andie Powers. mcleanandeakin.com

BENZIE AREA HISTORICAL MUSEUM

“WORLD WAR II ON THE HOME FRONT” EXHIBIT KICK-OFF EVENT: 4-6pm, Stormcloud Brewing Co., Frankfort. Enjoy food & drinks & get a sneak peek at what the “World War II on the Home Front” exhibit will entail. Fifty percent of all sales made between 4-6pm will be donated to the Benzie Area Historical Society & Museum. benziemuseum.org

“PARFUMERIE”: 7pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. An old fashioned roman-

tic comedy performed by Little Traverse City Theatre. $20 adults; $10 students (18 & younger). ltct.org/parfumerie ----------------------

“THE WEDDING SINGER”: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. It’s 1985, & rock star wannabe Robbie Hart is New Jersey’s favorite wedding singer. Love, laughter & ‘80s music collide in this romantic comedy. Adults: $33; youth under 18: $20. oldtownplayhouse.com/performances/mainstage/ the-wedding-singer.html

BAD RIVER DOCUMENTARY: 7:30pm, Cheboygan Opera House. Q&A session follows film with Dr. Ed Timm, Roger Gauthier & Andrea Pierce. Free.

CELEBRATING MEAT LOAF: 8pm-10:30pm, Little River Casino Resort, Manistee. Enjoy Meat Loaf’s songs performed by The Neverland Express plus American Idol winner, Caleb Johnson. The Neverland Express includes alumni of Meat Loaf’s official band. $20-$50. lrcr.com/event/celebrating-meat-loaf

sunday

65TH ANNUAL MESICK MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: (See Sat., May 11)

FRANKFORT-ELBERTA RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., May 11)

MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: 11am-5pm, Washington Park, downtown Cheboygan. Featuring more than 30 crafters & artists. facebook.com/madeincheboygan

PETOSKEY’S SPRING RESTAURANT WEEK: (See Sat., May 11)

SECOND SUNDAY ART PROJECT: MOTH-

ER’S DAY: 1pm, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Celebrate Mother’s Day with a family-friendly art project by making your own paper flowers. Join the fun for free with the price of admission. $0 - $10. dennosmuseum.org/ events/community-programs.html

“PARFUMERIE”: (See Sat., May 11, except today’s performance is at 2pm.)

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“SPRING MADRIGALS”: 2pm, Old Art Building, The Blue Lantern Tea Room, Leland. A selection of seasonal vocal music from Leland Public School Honors Choir. $30 each or $125 for all 5. oldartbuilding. com/events/the-blue-lantern-tea-room

“THE WEDDING SINGER”: (See Sat., May 11, except today’s time is 2pm.)

BOOK RELEASE PARTY FOR “RAW DEAL - THE INDIANS OF THE MIDWEST AND THE THEFT OF NATIVE LANDS”: 2-4pm, The Barrel Room, behind Left Foot Charley, The GT Commons, TC. Author Robert (Bob) Downes tells the story of the indigenous peoples of the Midwest from the Ice Age to the present, with an emphasis on every major treaty signed with the Indians of Michigan & the many attempts to deprive them of their homeland. Rob Coonrod will perform on the patio from 2-3pm. ----------------------

THE HUMMEL TRIO: 4pm, First Presbyterian Church of Harbor Springs. The trio includes GLCO Music Director & Conductor Dr. Libor Ondras (violin & viola), Emily Grabinski-Conklin (piano), & Andrew Laven (cello). Free. glcorchestra.org

monday

THE ARTS ARE FOR EVERYONE SNAM SHOWCASE: 1:15-2pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Free. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/artsare-everyone-snam-showcase

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STORYTIME ADVENTURES: 1:30pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Featuring “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom” by Bill Martin Jr. greatlakeskids.org

G.T. HUMANISTS MEETING: DAVID MILARCH: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. Join the Grand Traverse Humanists as they welcome David Milarch, founder of the Champion Tree Project & the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive. David will speak on his efforts to preserve the genetics of old-growth forests by cloning ancient trees & planting them back in the wild. Free. gthumanists.org

MACKINAW AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY 2024 LECTURE SERIES: 7-9pm, Mackinaw Area Public Library, Mackinaw City. “Mackinaw City Legacies: Shepler’s Ferry Service, a family legacy!” mackinawhistory.com

Tuesday

PEEPERS PROGRAM: MOMS IN NATURE: 1011am, Boardman River Nature Center, TC. An adultaccompanied program for early learners ages 3-5 years old of all experience levels with the natural world. Enjoy stories, crafts, music, &

discovery activities. Celebrate Mother’s Day & learn about baby animals & their parents. Programming is 100% outdoors, so please dress for the weather. Register. $5 per child. natureiscalling.org/preschool-peepers-program

QUILTS FOR KIDS: 10am-noon, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Transform fabrics into patchwork quilts for kids facing serious trauma. Materials provided. RSVP. 231-223-7700.

STORYTIME WITH MISS DIANE: 10am, Bellaire Public Library. Join each Tues. for stories, crafts & snacks. Free. bellairelibrary.org

KID’S CRAFT LAB: FAIRY HOUSES: 10:30am, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Make your fairies a house with a little imagination, paint, stickers, beads & gems. greatlakeskids.org

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30am, Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library, lowerlevel Community Room. Preschoolers of all ages are invited to join for stories, songs & active fun. Free. sbbdl.org

SPIRITUAL READINGS & GUIDANCE

WITH JULIE CHAI: 11am-7pm, Higher Self Bookstore, TC. Enjoy a Clairvoyant Reading, Aura Healing, Oracle Card, or Past Life Reading, in alignment with your highest good & the purpose of your soul. Call 941-5805 to schedule or drop in. $1/minimum.

TECH TUESDAY: 11am-3pm, Bellaire Public Library. Bring in your devices &/or technology questions & Gabe will help. Free. bellairelibrary.org

FREE OPEN STUDIO TUESDAYS: Noon4pm, Boyne Arts Center, Boyne City. Bring your paints, fiber arts, written arts, sculpting, jewelry, cards, drawing, or other portable mediums. Create & share.

PARKINSON’S NETWORK NORTH (PNN): 1pm, The Presbyterian Church of TC, 701 Westminster Rd. Educational Support Group. Featuring info on medication & Parkinson’s. Coffee, conversation, tips. Questions: 947-7389. Free. pnntc.com

STORYTIME ADVENTURES: (See Mon., May 13)

TECH TUESDAY: DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY: 3-4pm, Suttons Bay-Bingham District Library, lower-level Community Room. Learn tips & tricks for using your digital camera. Free. sbbdl.org

MICHIGAN 337 - THE BIGGEST YEAR IN MICHIGAN BIRDING HISTORY: 7pm, Northern Lights Recreation, conference room, Harbor Springs. Join Petoskey Audubon for this program about Danny Bernard’s quest to see more birds in one year than anyone in Michigan history. He will share his story of battling a limited budget & the time constraint of a full-time job. Free.

NWS: AMY TAN: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Amy is the best-selling author of “The Joy Luck Club.” Her new nonfiction book “The Backyard Chronicles” is a witty account of birding, nature & the beauty around us that hides in plain sight. It maps the passage of time with daily entries, thoughtful questions, & beautiful original sketches. Doors open at 6pm with a cash bar & live music. $5-$84. nationalwritersseries.org/amy-tan

wednesday

MINDFULNESS FOR SENIORS: 1pm, Glen Lake Library, Empire. Explore techniques for stress reduction with Wendy Weckstein of Northern Michigan Psychiatric Services. She’ll discuss how mindfulness can help reduce the emotional & physical stresses often associated with aging. Register in advance. Free. sharecareleelanau.org/

event/mindfulness-based-stress-reductionfor-seniors-with-wendy-weckstein ----------------------

AFTERNOON CHILL: 4-6pm, Colonial Inn, Harbor Springs. Hosted by Colonial Inn, Harbor Springs Area Historical Society, & Gypsy Distillery.

SPANISH SPEAKING COHORT: 4pm, Bellaire Public Library. This is not a Spanish class; it is a chance for native speakers to keep their skills sharp & enjoy conversations with other Spanish speakers. 231-533-8814. Free. bellairelibrary.org

PETOSKEY CHAMBER BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5-7pm, Room 94 - Taps & Bourbon, Odawa Casino & Resort, Petoskey. Enjoy making new business connections. There will be hors d’oeuvres served as well as drinks from the bar available for purchase. $10 chamber members; $15 not-yet members.

MICHIGAN’S INVASIVE SPECIES REGULATORY PATHWAYS: 7pm, Mills Community House, Benzonia. Terrestrial Invasive Species Coordinator for MI DNR Katie Grzesiak explains the procedures for adding invasive species to the Prohibited & Restricted lists. Learn how the Michigan process works. This program is sponsored by Plant It Wild. Free.

PAGE TURNERS BOOK CLUB: 7pm, Bellaire Public Library. Free. bellairelibrary.org

PENINSULA INSIGHTS: 7pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Featuring John Chase of GTC Parks & Recreation. 231-223-7700.

LISTENING IN THE DARK: SOUNDSCAPES IN THE NIGHT SKY: 9-10:30pm, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City. Sharpen your senses with Good Hart Artist Residency Composer-inResidence Susan Mayo, who is a soundscape artist, composer & cellist. Enjoy this hike at sunset to silently observe the night music of nature. Afterwards gather in the Waterfront Event Center to hear works guided by the muse of nature sounds & composed & played by Susan. Register. landtrust. org/events-template/listening-in-the-darksoundscapes-in-the-night-sky

thursday

COMMUNITY SPRING SPRUCE UP DAY: 8amnoon, Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce Office, 707 N. Huron Ave., Mackinaw City. Call the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce: 231-436-5574. Join in on the fun May 16 with your gardening gloves. mackinawchamber.com/event/ community-spring-spruce-up-day

NMCAA’S LAUNDRY PROJECT: 8:3011:30am, TC Laundry, 1131 S. Garfield Ave., TC. Free laundry service for those in need. 947-3780.

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY MEETING & SPRING LUNCHEON: Helena Township Community Center, Alden. 9:30am social time; 10am meeting; noon lunch. Contact Alden District Library for location of luncheon & menu details: 231-331-4318.

FIRST STEPS SCIENCE: WHAT’S UP WITH SAND?: 10:30am, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Explore what sand is made of using a magnifying hand lens. Do experiments & find out why sand sticks together, & if any living critters have become part of sand over time. greatlakeskids.org

IAF: INDIGENOUS SOVEREIGNTY: Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Featuring Matthew L. M. Fletcher, Professor of Law at the University of Michigan, & chief justice of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, & the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Opening

& closing drum ceremony by Dusty Bear. 11:30am reception; 12:30pm event. This event is presented with grant funding support by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians. $15 in-person ticket; $10 online livestream; free for current students & educators. tciaf.com/event-may-2024

STORYTIME ADVENTURES: (See Mon., May 13)

END OF LIFE EDUCATION SERIES: 2pm, Leelanau Township Library, Northport. Learn about the pertinent info you need to gather now - so that your loved ones don’t have to worry about it later. Presented by Heartland Hospice. Free. leelanautownshiplibrary.org/newsevents/lib-cal/end-of-life-discussion-series-1

64TH ANNUAL NATIONAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: Boyne City, May 16-19. Today includes Schmidt Amusements Carnival from 3-10pm, & Battle of the Bands from 5-9:30pm, both at Veterans Memorial Park. bcmorelfestival.com

SPRING OPEN HOUSE & STUDENT ART EXHIBIT: 4-7pm, The Village Arts Building, Northport. The Northport Arts Association (NAA) is hosting their 3rd Annual Open House with the Leelanau Township Community Foundation (LTCF) & the Northport Performing Arts Center. During the open house, the NAA will join with the Clay Studio, the Northport Performing Arts Center, & the LTCF, welcoming visitors to talk & learn more about how the organizations support the community. There will also be artwork created by Northport School students around the theme “J is for Juxtaposition.” The exhibit will be on display through May 19. Free. northportartsassociation.org/events-exhibits

“THE OTTAWAY: A RIVER RECONNECTED”: 4:30pm, City Opera House, TC. This one-hour documentary reveals the environmental awakening of a community & the effort to restore the Boardman-Ottaway River; a feat made possible by FishPass. Free; reserve ticket. glfc.org/river-reconnected.php

CELEBRATE AAPI MONTH WITH AUTHOR CURTIS CHIN: 5-9pm, Dennos Sculpture Court, TC. Help build greater understanding & empathy for people of different cultural backgrounds through positive engagement & welcoming learning events. Local AAPI restaurants & chefs will provide the food. Afterwards, head to Milliken Auditorium for a screening of “The Blessing” & a Q+A with the director, Liann Kaye. Then enjoy a reading from “Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant” by Michigan-born author Curtis Chin. Afterwards will be a Q+A with Chin, along with a book signing & sale. Free. simpletix.com/e/celebrate-aapi-monthwith-author-curtis-ch-tickets-166366

REGIONAL BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: 5:30-7pm, Farm at Frog Hollow, Boyne City. Network with members & staff from Boyne Area, Charlevoix & East Jordan Chambers of Commerce. Enjoy cocktails & catered hors d’ouvres. $10.

MENTAL HEALTH ACTION DAY: 6-8pm, The Rock of Kingsley Youth Center. Mental health education & advocacy. Featuring the “Do It for Daniel” documentary presented by Daniel’s father, Jeff Olson. This will be followed by a Q&A with the Mental Health Panel. Food will be provided by Jimmy John’s. RSVP: sbrown@ namigt.org. Ages 13 & up recommended. Free. facebook.com/events/1190438935668217

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SPRING “FLIGHT” SILENT AUCTION SUPPORTING NORTH SKY RAPTOR SANCTUARY: 6-8pm, Silver Spruce Brewing, TC. Meet a LIVE bird of prey! The event will host dozens of items up for auction from over 30 local vendors, entertainment venues, crafters, shops, & restaurants, with 100% of the proceeds supporting North Sky Raptor Sanctuary’s injured wildlife rehabilitation budget for 2024. Free/donation. facebook.com/events/3120932354708542

BUBBLES: Museum, greatlakeskids.org 64TH ROOM Today Morel Contest SPRING

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TRAVERSE INDIVISIBLE DINNER MEETING: 6pm, Raduno, 545 E. 8th St., TC. Find out what it means to be media literate. Speakers include Rebecca Pierce, editor of the TC Record Eagle, & Scott Harmsen, professor at GVSU specializing in media literacy. Free. traverseindivisible.org

“PARFUMERIE”: (See Sat., May 11)

LITTLE TRAVERSE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PROGRAM: 7pm, Little Traverse Historical Museum, Petoskey. Executive Director Jane Garver will share a local history program originally presented by Merton Carter in April 1974. Based on photographs in the historical society’s collection & info from newspapers & museum resources, this program will focus on publications & communications. Garver will discuss local authors, early newspapers, the advent of radio in Petoskey, & more. Register. Free. petoskeymuseum.org

TRAVERSE AREA CAMERA CLUB MEETING: First Presbyterian Church, TC. Meets the third Thurs. of the month. Social hour at 6pm; meeting at 7pm. tacameraclub.org

“THE WEDDING SINGER”: (See Sat., May 11)

friday

LIBRARY BOARD MEETING: 10am, Bellaire Public Library. Join for the monthly meeting. bellairelibrary.org

MORE TO EXPLORE:

BUBBLES: 10am, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, TC. Make, chase & catch them! greatlakeskids.org

64TH ANNUAL NATIONAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: Boyne City, May 16-19. Today includes an arts & crafts show, free Morel Seminar, Morel Wine & Dine, Karaoke Contest + Party, & more. bcmorelfestival.com

SPRING OPEN HOUSE & STUDENT ART

EXHIBIT: The Village Arts Building, Northport. The Northport Arts Association (NAA) is hosting their 3rd Annual Open House with the Leelanau Township Community Foundation (LTCF) & the Northport Performing Arts Center. During the open house from 4-7pm, the NAA will join with the Clay Studio, the Northport Performing Arts Center, & the LTCF, welcoming visitors to talk & learn more about how the organizations support the community. There will also be artwork created by Northport School students around the theme “J is for Juxtaposition” from noon-4pm. The exhibit will be on display through May 19. Free. northportartsassociation.org/events-exhibits

STORYTIME ADVENTURES: (See Mon., May 13)

ZOO-DE-MACK: The Highlands Resort, Harbor Springs. Today includes registration in the Lobby below Zoo Bar from 2-11pm. The Kick-off Party starts at 8pm in the Zoo Bar. zoo-de-mack.com/zoo-de-mack-info ----------------------

A DECADE IN MOTION - CELEBRATING 10 YEARS WITH NORTE YOUTH CYCLING!: 6:30pm, City Opera House, TC. Cycling inspiration & community. The evening will be filled with gratitude, giveaways, & an original short feature film created over the last year by local videographer Mark Goethel. Free, but tickets required. cityoperahouse.org/node/568

OPEN MIC - STORYTELLING EVENT: COMEDY OF ERRORS: 6:30pm, Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall, Elk Rapids. Featuring Here:Say Storytelling. Hosted by Elk Rapids Harbor Days. Willing performers will be called to the stage at random to tell a 5-7 minute, true, first-person story about a personal “comedy of errors”... a situation that went awry with unexpected, & perhaps hilarious, consequences. Tickets available online or at the door. $10. elkrapidsharbordays.org

“PARFUMERIE”: (See Sat., May 11)

“THE WEDDING SINGER”: (See Sat., May 11)

saturday

64TH ANNUAL NATIONAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: Boyne City, May 1619. Today includes the 64th Annual National Competitive Morel Mushroom Hunt, Painting in the Park with Dan, Boyne Area Skate Park Fundraiser, Taste of Morels, Great Morel Giveaway, 64th Motherload Bash w/ The Family Tradition Band, & more. bcmorelfestival.com

18

ZOO-DE-MACK: The Highlands Resort, Harbor Springs. Today includes registration from 7:30-10:30am in the Lobby below the Zoo Bar. The bike ride also starts in this same time frame from The Highlands in the Ski Area Parking Lot. Choose from 51 miles or 25 miles with spectacular views. Lunch runs from 10:30am-2pm at Legs Inn. The Post Ride Party runs from noon-5pm at The Crossings in Mackinaw City. Tonight will feature parties on Mackinac Island. zoo-demack.com/zoo-de-mack-info

ALPEN-CAR SHOW 2024: 8am-3pm, Otsego County Sportsplex, Gaylord. A fundraiser for Gaylord Alpenfest. Cars wanted! Awards, door prizes, music. Register. Rain date is May 19. $20 per entry. gaylordalpenfest.com/alpen-car-show

13TH ANNUAL RECYCLE-A-BICYCLE BIKE

SWAP: 9am-1pm, Old Town Parking Garage, TC. Become the new owner of a summer cruiser or upgrade a child’s bike. The R-A-B Bike Swap is for anyone who wants to sell &/or purchase an unused or out-grown bicycle or bike accessory. R-A-B requires that all bicycles be in ride-able condition. Tires must hold air & the brakes & shifters must be in working condition. If you are selling a bike, drop off is between 6-8pm on Fri., May 17 at the Old Town Parking Deck. Sellers receive 75% of the proceeds & the Recycle-A-Bicycle program receives 25%. traversetrails.org/event/ recycle-a-bicycle-bike-swap

SPRING STEWARDSHIP DAY: 9am-noon, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Trail grooming, garden weeding, window shining & more. Please bring a pair of gloves. Pre-register: stewardship@grassriver.org. grassriver.org

SWEETWATER EVENING GARDEN CLUB

PLANT SALE & GARDEN ART: 9am-1pm, Bayside Park, Acme. Get answers to your garden questions from the club’s members & learn about their community events & projects. Call 938-9611 for questions or directions. Free.

TVC5K - RUN THE RUNWAY: 9am, Cherry Capital Airport, TC. Benefits the Wings of Mercy West Michigan. You will have up close & personal access to airplanes & helicopters & a chance to chat with aviation professionals. $44 + $3.64 SignUp fee; 13 & under, only $13. runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/TVC5K

12TH ANNUAL STORMCLOUD ARCADIA GRIT & GRAVEL MOUNTAIN BIKE RACE: 10am, Pleasant Valley Community Center, Arcadia. Featuring the Short Grit Race - 14 miles - at 10am, & the Big Grit Race - 28 miles - at 10:15am. For more info & to register, visit endomanpromotions.com/arcadia-grit-gravel

2024 TRAVERSE CITY STROLL FOR EPILEPSY™: 10am, GT County Civic Center Park, TC. As the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan’s largest fundraising event, the Stroll for Epilepsy increases awareness & provides vital support in the fight against epilepsy. Join in this one-mile leisurely walk, & participate in other activities & event fun. Online pre-registration: $30 adult, $20 child, free for infant. Day-of registration has additional cost. epilepsymichigan.org/stroll

THE REST OF MAY IN A NUTSHELL: JAZZ, HIP-HOP, SPOKEN WORD, FUNK, SONGWRITERS, FUTURE-SOUL, SOUP, AMAZING VISUALS, AND TACOS

DOORS AND BAR OPEN 30 MINUTES BEFORE SHOW TACOS TORTAS BURRITOS QUESADILLAS ADD MEAT GORDITAS - CHICKEN - STEAK - PORK - VEGGIESPLATILLOS-COMBOS 2 GORDITAS OR 2 TACOS CON ARROZ Y FRIJOLES

HOURS

MON, TUE, THU, FRI, & SAT 11:30 AM TO 8:30 PM

WED & SUN CLOSED

TAQUERIA MOSQUEDA CAN BE FOUND IN THE HATCH @ NOBO MRKT KITCHEN POWERED BY GRAND TRAVERSE FOODSHED ALLIANCE

SIDE RICE OR BEANS CHIPS AND GUAC CHIPS AND SALSA MEXICAN COKE JARRITOS

3.50

GEOLOGY HIKE SERIES: ANCIENT

ECHOES EXPEDITION: 10am-noon. Meet at Oleson Pavilion, next to Boardman River Nature Center, TC. Featuring the Grand Traverse Area Rock and Mineral Club Pebble Pups. Journey into the World of Fossils! This program guides hikers through a landscape rich in ancient echoes, where fossilized remnants tell the tales of prehistoric life. Led by experts in paleontology, the expedition combines the excitement of a scenic hike with hands-on fossil discovery. Must register. Free. natureiscalling.org/events

KIDS CODING CLUB: 10am, Bellaire Public Library. Free class, but please register. Ages 5-18. bellairelibrary.org

NATURE DRAWING & JOURNALING: 10am, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. Artist & educator Penny Krebiehl will lead this guided nature journal & drawing workshop, gathering at the library before heading outdoors. Dress for outdoor weather, & bring your own drawing supplies. The group will then meet back at the library to share your work. All ages are welcome. Free. glenlakelibrary.net/events

OPEN STUDIO, PETOSKEY: 10am-1pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Visual Arts Room, Petoskey. Drop-in art studio for the whole family. New projects are offered each week. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/openstudio-may-18

OUTDOOR CRAFT & VENDOR SHOW: 10am-3pm, The Village at GT Commons, Historic Front Lawn, TC. Browse Michigan vendors offering jewelry, art, crafts, food & more. Great for all ages. Free admission. thevillagetc.com

ING: 7pm, Old Art Building, Leland. No one fights to preserve a multiplex, but some people will risk everything to save a marquee. See web site for more info. $10; benefits Old Art Building of Leland. bit.ly/MarqueetownOldArtBuilding

“PARFUMERIE”: (See Sat., May 11)

AN EVENING WITH WILLIAM KENT KRUEGER: 7pm. The four public libraries of Leelanau County are hosting William Kent Krueger at the Northport Performing Arts Center. Mr. Krueger is the author of more than 20 books, including the popular Cork O’Connor mystery series. He will be discussing his latest book, “The River We Remember.” He will be interviewed by local writer Aaron Stander, author of the Ray Elkins mystery series. Pre-registration is required. Call any one of the Leelanau County public libraries to reserve your seats. Free. sbbdl.org ----------------------

GOPHERWOOD CONCERTS PRESENTS: MOSS MANOR: 7-9pm, Cadillac Elks Lodge. Made up of Seth Bernard, Michael Dause, & Dan Rickabus, this group developed during the pandemic as a way to process some of that experience: the isolation, the return to nature, the rediscovery of free time, & the making of music for its own sake. And now they’re playing their music in live settings. NOTE: Tickets purchased for the March 9 show will be honored for this rescheduled performance. $10-$20. mynorthtickets.com/events/moss-manor-5-18-2024

“THE WEDDING SINGER”: (See Sat., May 11)

ter, Frankfort. dozen Empire. exhibition on Fri., tinues place art is tent. Check OUR Runs Ann Willey, Shanny

SHRINK WRAP RECYCLING DAY: 10am2pm, Irish Boat Shop, 988 West Commerce Dr., TC. If your boat was shrink-wrapped for the winter, bring the shrink wrap to the TC location of Irish Boat Shop to be recycled, instead of going to landfills & dumpsters. You will be offered free recycling bags & assistance with properly preparing & bagging the shrink wrap. Free. irishboatshop.com

TOUR WITH GTRLC: 10am. Enjoy a tour of the buildings & grounds at Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Preserve, TC. Includes an inside look at the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy’s new conservation hub & office space, including the McMullen Family Conservation Center, the Bob and Pauline Young Family Stewardship Workshop, & the native plant greenhouse & goat barn. Registration required: 929-7911.

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COFFEE WITH THE AUTHORS: BRITTANY CAVALLARO: 11am, Glen Arbor Arts Center. Brittany Cavallaro, the author of seven Young Adult [YA] novels, explains this standalone genre, & how she approaches it. Sarah Bearup-Neal, GAAC gallery manager, leads the conversation. Free. glenarborart.org/events/ coffee-with-the-authors-brittany-cavallaro

ARMED FORCES DAY CELEBRATION: 1pm, Fife Lake American Legion Post. All are welcome. 231-879-4475. Free.

DUAL AUTHOR EVENT: 1-3pm, Horizon Books, TC. Featuring John Mauk, author of “Where All Things Flatten,” & Chad Broughman, author of “The Fall of Bellwether.” horizonbooks.com/event/john-mauk-chadbroughman-dual-book-signing

PETOSKEY UNCORKED: 1-5pm, Odawa Casino Resort, Petoskey. Explore tastings from 15 different wineries at one location. Tickets include 16 1 oz. tastings, heavy hors d’oeuvres & entertainment. $50 advance/$60 door. petoskey.wine

DISCOVER SOUTH FOX ISLAND LIGHT STATION: 6pm, Leland Township Library, Leland. An informal introduction to the South Fox Island Light Station. Learn about their upcoming season. Free. southfoxlighthouse.org ----------------------

“MARQUEETOWN” BENEFIT SCREEN-

sunday

64TH ANNUAL NATIONAL MOREL MUSHROOM FESTIVAL: Boyne City, May 1619. Today includes Paint & Sip with Duncan Studios, Arts & Crafts Show, & Schmidt Amusements Carnival. bcmorelfestival.com

HEMINGWAY IN COMICS LECTURE WITH ROBERT K. ELDER: Noon, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC. Ernest Hemingway casts a long shadow in literature reaching beyond his status as a giant of 20th-century fiction & a Nobel Prize winner extending even into comic books. Appearing alongside Superman, Captain Marvel, & Cerebus, Hemingway has even battled fascists alongside Wolverine in Spain & teamed up with Mickey Mouse in Italian comics. Robert K. Elder’s research into Hemingway’s comic presence demonstrates the international reach of Hemingway as a pop culture icon. $0 - $10. simpletix.com/e/hemingway-in-comicslecture-with-robert-k-tickets-163323

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TC BEACH BRIDAL SHOW: Noon-6pm, Harbor Brook Hall, TC. Meet top local photographers, entertainers, caterers, planners, & vendors. Free admission. harborbrookhall. com/event-schedule/tc-beach-bridal-show ----------------------

“THE WEDDING SINGER”: (See Sat., May 11, except today’s time is 2pm.)

GREAT LAKES CINEMA SERIES: Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Featuring “An American in Paris” at 2pm & “Singin In the Rain” at 7pm. $5/person per movie. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/an-american-in-paris

LINCOLN, TEA, & THE LADIES’ LIBRARY MOVEMENT: 2pm, Helena Township Community Center, Alden. Presented by Tom George, M.D., vice-president of the Kalamazoo Abraham Lincoln Institute, who will reveal recent findings related to Lincoln’s only visit to Michigan. 231-331-4318. Free.

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BOYNE CITY MARKET AT THE PAVILION: Veterans Park Pavilion, Boyne City. Held every Sat. through May from 9am-12:30pm. Shop local artists, food makers & farmers. boynecityfarmersmarket.org/series/market-

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Great Featur“Singin In greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/an-american-in-paris

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PAVILION: Held 9am-12:30pm. farmers. boynecityfarmersmarket.org/series/marketat-the-pavilion-2

EAST BAY CORNERS FARMERS MARKET: Thursdays through Oct., 3-7pm, 1965

N 3 Mile Rd., TC. Featuring fresh & locally grown produce & goods. Find ‘East Bay Corners Farmers Market’ on Facebook.

SUNDAY BIRD WALKS: Sundays through June 30 in TC. Offered by the Grand Traverse Audubon Club. Visit web site to find times, locations, & map links. grandtraverseaudubon.org/events-2024

ARTISTS’ ROUNDTABLE: Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. For more than 30 years about a dozen artists have met weekly over breakfast in Empire. The Artists’ Roundtable, a retrospective exhibition of their work will open with a reception on Fri., May 17 from 5-7pm. The exhibition continues through June 14. An artists’ talk will take place in the gallery on June 14 from 4-6pm. The art is diverse in media, style, technique & content. Check web site for hours. oliverart.org

OUR INHERITANCE: Higher Art Gallery, TC. Runs May 10 - June 1. Art by Kim Kleinhardt, Ann Willey, Michelle Tock York, BG Mills & Shanny Brooke. higherartgallery.com

“ALL THINGS SPRING EXHIBIT”: Boyne Arts Center, Boyne City. Featuring the photography of Winnie & Bill Johnston. In addition, local artists have chosen one or two of the Johnston’s photographs to recreate in a medium & perspective of their choice. Their artwork will also be on display. Runs through May 30. Open Tues. through Sun., noon4pm. boynearts.org

GENERATIONS EXHIBITION - FATHER

DAUGHTER WORKS OF ART: City Opera House, TC. Enjoy an exhibit that features largescale paintings from a father & daughter duo –TC native Mitchell Truemner & Midland resident Katie Truemner Bruessow. This father & daughter bring two different styles. Their part II series will exhibit paintings inspired by Michigan’s landscapes. The exhibit runs through June 29. cityoperahouse.org/node/587

QUICK DRAW: Northport Arts Association, The Village Arts Building, Northport. This exhibit runs in the Gallery through May 12. It features hundreds of sketches from two years of work by the Figure Drawing Studio artists. Local models volunteer to sit for portraits & full figure sketches. Seasonal hours. Check web site. northportartsassociation.org/events-exhibits

“BLOOM” ART EXHIBIT: Runs through May 31 at Three Seasons Gallery, The Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, TC. An exhibit of spring & summer gardens, orchards & area farmsteads. The paintings are by local oil painter Wendy McWhorter.

MICHIGAN WATER COLOR SOCIETY

SIGNATURE EXHIBITION: Runs through May 18 at Charlevoix Circle of Arts. This Signature Exhibition will spotlight 40 watercolor artists from all regions of Michigan, including 19 Great Lakes Fellows & 21 Signature status members of the Michigan Water Color Society. Gallery hours are Mon. through Fri., 11am-4pm; & Sat., 11am-3pm. charlevoixcircle.org

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:

- EMERGING ARTISTS 2024: A COLLECTION OF NCMC STUDENT WORKS: Held in Atrium Gallery through May 11. Work in glass, metals, ceramics, painting, drawing, photography, illustration, video, & more will be on display. This exhibition is organized by NCMC faculty. Hours are Tues. - Sat., 10am-5pm. crookedtree.org/event/ctac-petoskey/emerging-artists-2024-collection-ncmc-student-works - CREATIVE PRACTICES: AN EXHIBITION OF WORK BY CTAC HIGH SCHOOL PORTFOLIO STUDENTS: Runs May 18June 8 in Atrium Gallery. See & celebrate the work of dedicated young artists. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-petoskey/creative-practices-

exhibition-work-ctac-high-school-portfoliostudents

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC:

- TRADING PLACES: Held in Cornwell Gallery. An exchange of artwork between Adrian Center for the Arts (ACA) Members & Crooked Tree Arts Center Guild Members. This will be an exhibit of ACA artwork only. Runs through May 25. Gallery hours are Tues. through Fri., 11am-5pm, & Sat., 10am-4pm. crookedtree. org/event/ctac-traverse-city/trading-placesadrian-center-arts-crooked-tree-traverse-city

- AGRICULTURA - TC: Held in Carnegie West Gallery. An open call juried exhibit with agriculture-inspired artwork by 40 artists. Runs through May 25. crookedtree.org/event/ctactraverse-city/agricultura-traverse-city

- TRAVERSE AREA CAMERA CLUB 2023: AWARD WINNERS - TC: Held in Carnegie Rotunda. The Traverse Area Camera Club is a group of beginner to professional-level photographers who all have the same love of cameras & photography. Each year, group members critique & select top examples of photography in different skill categories. Runs through May 25. crookedtree.org/ event/ctac-traverse-city/traverse-area-camera-club-2023-award-winners-traverse-city

DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:

- NMC STUDENT ART EXHIBITION: Runs May 10 - June 1. An expanded student show this year, with juried work from both NMC students along with selected artwork from regional high school students. See web sitfor hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcomingexhibitions/index.html

- PAUL WELCH: 90 WORKS, 90 YEARS: Runs through May 26. 2024 marks the 90th birthday of artist & retired NMC faculty member Paul Welch. This retrospective of his work, including several newer pieces created during the isolation of the pandemic, will be on view in the museum’s sculpture court. A reception will be held on Fri., May 17 at 5pm. Hours are Tues. through Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/ art/upcoming-exhibitions/paul-welch.html

- HEMINGWAY IN COMICS: This exhibition presents a new, more complicated way to look at Hemingway: a man, an artist, & a character that has taken on a life of its own, & allows visitors to consider why Hemingway’s image, in particular, is so enduring. It’s not only for the dedicated Hemingway fan, but for all those with an appreciation for comics, pop culture, & the absurd. Runs through May 26. Hours are Tues. - Sun., 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcomingexhibitions/hemingway-in-comics.html?utm_ source=cision&utm_medium=email&utm_ campaign=DMC-winter-2024

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GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER:

- BY HAND PROJECT: This project is a consideration of the myriad ways in which the human hand is intrinsic to creative work; & a demonstration of what human hands can make. It runs through May 30 & offers a range of programs that explore this theme through the visual, performing, architectural, & literary arts. glenarborart.org/events-page/events-all

- NATIVE PLANTS: PAINTED + STITCHED CANVASES BY DANA FALCONBERRY: Held in the Lobby Gallery through Aug. 29. Falconberry, a musician, printmaker, painter & more, has been creating textile works that combine hand-painted imagery with machine chain stitch embroidery. She uses this hybrid method of creation to continue her exploration & interpretation of native plants local to northern Michigan. Gallery hours are Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm; & Sat. & Sun., noon-4pm. glenarborart.org/events-page/events-all

- OUTDOOR GALLERY EXHIBIT: MARGO BURIAN + ORDINARY MAGIC: Leelanau County artist Margo Burian’s collages have been chosen for display in the Glen Arbor Arts Center’s 2024-25 Outdoor Gallery exhibition, an annual, invitational exhibit. Burian’s collages are rooted in the idea of Ordinary Magic, or delight. They were reproduced on five, 5-foot-square, weather-resistant aluminum panels created by Image 360 of TC. Runs through April 20, 2025. Check web site for hours. glenaborart.org

Artisan Brunch

Enjoy our spring-inspired brunch menu with fresh seasonal favorites, including our delicious Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. artisantc.com SUNDAYS | 10AM - 2PM

COMMON GOOD BAKERY & RESTAURANT, TC

5/18 -- Billy & The Kid, 6-8

ENCORE 201, TC

5/11 -- Scarkazm, 7:30-10:30; DJ Ricky T, 10:30

5/17 -- Frank Bang, 7:30-10:30; DJ Ricky T, 10:30

5/18 -- The Equality Show Band, 7:30-10:30; DJ Ricky T, 10:30

FRESH COAST BEER WORKS, TC

5/17 -- Levi Britton, 7-10

IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC

5/17 -- Raylin Vance, 6-9

JOHNNY’S TORCH RIVIERA, KALKASKA

5/16 – Darrell & His Homies, 6:30 5/18 – Darrell & Randy, 7

KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC

5/17-18 -- Risque, 9:30 Mon -- Team Trivia, 7-9 Tue -- The Will Harris Trio, 8 Wed -- The Pocket, 8 Thu -- DJ Leo, 9:30

KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING

5/14 -- Open Mic, 6-7 5/16 -- Trivia Night, 7-9

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM:

5/13 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9

TASTING ROOM:

5/17 -- Randy Reszka, 5-7

LIL BO, TC Tues. – Trivia, 8-10 Sun. – Karaoke, 8

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, TC

7:30-10:30: 5/11 & 5/18 -- Matt Mansfield 5/17 -- Clint Weaner

MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC

5/17 -- Zeke Clemons, 6-9

NORTH BAR, TC 7-10:

5/11 -- Jazz Cabbage

5/15 -- Jesse Jefferson

5/16 -- Drew Hale

5/17 -- Brett Mitchell

5/18 -- Nick Vasquez

OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS:

5/11 -- Dave Jàvu, 6

5/17 -- Jimmy Olson, 6:30

5/18 -- Tai Drury, 6

PARK PLACE HOTEL, TC BEACON LOUNGE:

5/10-11 -- Jim Hawley, 7-10

ROVE WINERY AT THE GALLAGHER ESTATE, TC 5/17 -- Chris Smith, 5-8

SORELLINA'S, TC SLATE RESTAURANT:

Thurs. -- Tom Kaufmann on Piano, 5-8

Fri. & Sat. – Tom Kaufmann on Piano, 6-9

TC WHISKEY CO.

5/11 -- Ben Richey, 6-8

THE ALLUVION, TC

5/11 -- The Greg Wahl Quintet feat. Julia Minkin, 7:30-9:30

5/13 -- Funky Uncle - Funky Fun Mondays, 6-8:30

5/16 -- The Jeff Haas Trio feat. Laurie Sears & Lisa Flahive, 6-8:30

5/17 -- Joel Fluent Greene, Peace Bell, & Evening Star,

7:30-10

5/18 -- Luke Winslow King - Full Band Show feat. Roberto Luti, 7:30-9:30

THE HAYLOFT INN, TC

7:30-11:

5/11 -- The Timebombs

5/17 -- The Underground 5/18 -- J Hawkins

THE PARLOR, TC

8-11:

5/11 -- Chris Sterr

5/14 -- Jesse Jefferson

5/15 -- Wink Solo

5/16 -- Jimmy Olson

5/17 -- Luke Woltanski & John Piatek

5/18 -- Mal & Mike

THE PUB, TC

5/11 -- Broom Closet Boys, 8-11

5/12 & 5/19 -- Rob Coonrod, 6-9

5/16 -- David Márton, 7-10

5/17 -- Rhett & John, 8-11

5/18 -- Luke Woltanski & The Dangerous Music Men (Trio), 8-11

THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC

5/11 -- Highway North, 8 5/14 -- Open Mic Night, 7 5/15 -- Jazz Show & Jam, 6

5/16 -- Trivia Night, 7

5/17 -- Jerome Forde, 8 5/18 -- Pulse of The Atom, 8 5/19 -- Comedy Open Mic, 7

UNION STREET STATION, TC

5/11 -- Sprout & The Orange, 9:30

5/16 -- Ladies Night Dance Party w/ 1Wave DJs, 9 5/17-18 -- One Hot Robot, 9:30

AMORITAS VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU

5/16 -- Garrison Wilson, 5-7

DICK'S POUR HOUSE, LAKE LEELANAU

Sat. -- Karaoke, 10-1

FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH

6-9:

5/16 -- Trivia Night 5/17 -- Open Mic

FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR

5/16 -- Rhett & John, 4-7

IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE

5/11 -- Abbey Collins, 6-8

5/12 -- Brett Mitchell, 3:30-5:30

5/17 -- Sierra Cassidy & Hunter Noll Bell, 6-8

5/18 -- Chris Smith, 6-8

5/19 – Jesse Jefferson, 3:305:30

LAKE ANN BREWING CO.

5/11 -- Daydrinker's Series w/ Billy & The Kid, 3-6; Stonefolk, 6:30-9:30

5/14 -- Uncle Z, 6:30-9:30

5/17 -- Happy Hour w/ Jesse Jefferson, 3-6; J Hawkins Band, 7-10

5/18 -- Daydrinker's Series w/ Jim Crockett Band, 3-6; Jack Pine, 7-10

Emmet & Cheboygan

Send

NORTHERN LATITUDES DISTILLERY, LAKE LEELANAU

4:45-6:45: 5/11 -- Rhett & John 5/18 -- Dominic Fortuna

ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH

5/16 -- Open Mic Thursdays, 6-8:30

5/17 -- The Feral Cats, 5-8 5/18 -- Barefoot, 5-8

SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY

5/17 -- Friday Night Live w/ Billy & The Kid, 4-7

STORMCLOUD BREWING CO., FRANKFORT

5/15 -- Trivia, 7-9

BOYNE CITY TAP ROOM

5/16 -- Adam & The Cabana Boys, 7-9

CAFE SANTÉ, BOYNE CITY

5/11 -- Lavender Lions Duo, 7-10

5/13 -- The Shifties, 6-9

5/17 -- Chris Calleja, 7-10

5/18 -- Peter Jensen, 7-10

CELLAR 152, ELK RAPIDS

5/17 -- Jazz Cabbage, 6-9

FIRESIDE LOUNGE, BELLAIRE

5/17 -- Darrell Boger, 6:30-9:30

Antrim & Charlevoix

JAX NORTHSIDE, CHARLEVOIX 5/15 -- Trivia Night, 7-9

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, BELLAIRE

5/11 & 5/18 -- Clint Weaner, 7:30-10:30

MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY 8-11: 5/15 -- Karaoke Night 5/17 -- Eric Jaqua

PROVISIONS WINE LOUNGE, BOYNE CITY

5/14 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6-8

SHORT'S PULL BARN, ELK RAPIDS

5/12 -- Blair Miller, 1-3 5/18 -- Groundwork Spring Fling Community Gathering w/ A.S. Lutes & Friends, 2-5

TORCH LAKE CAFÉ, CENTRAL LAKE

5/18 -- Jelly Roll Blues Band, 8

BEARDS BREWERY, PETOSKEY ROOT CELLAR: 5/18 -- DJs Yaob & FranckCrate Dig Record Store Pop-Up, 4-8

BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY 2-6: 5/11 -- Chris Calleja 5/18 -- Chase & Allie

CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY Tue -- Trivia Night, 7-9 5/17 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30

DIXIE SALOON, MACKINAW CITY

5/15 & 5/17 -- Pete 'Big Dog' Fetters, 8-11

MAMMOTH DISTILLING, BAY HARBOR

5/16 -- Trivia, 7-9

NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY

5/11 -- Holly Keller, 7-10

5/15 -- PubStumper's Trivia, 6:30 5/17 -- Donald Benjamin, 7-10 5/18 -- Chris Koury, 7-10

CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES:

5/17 -- Family Tradition Band, 9 OUTDOORS: 5/19 -- Rock The Lot w/ Derailed, 1-3; Driving Dawn, 5-7; & Lavender Lions Duo, 8-10

POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS

5/11 -- Pete Kehoe, 5-8

THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN 5/11 -- Jason Eldridge, 8 5/16 -- Musicians Playground ‘Open Mic,’ 7

Otsego, Crawford & Central

ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD

6: 5/11 -- Todd Aldrich 5/17 – Rick Woods 5/18 -- Zie

5/12 -- Cheryl Wolfram, 4

LITTLE RIVER CASINO RESORT, MANISTEE

5/11 – Celebrating Meat Loaf w/ The Neverland Express & Caleb Johnson, 8-10:30

BIG BUCK BREWERY, GAYLORD 5/11 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6

C.R.A.V.E., GAYLORD 6: 5/11 & 5/17 -- Kenny Thompson 5/18 -- Randy Reszka

Wexford & Missaukee

5/18 – A Tribute to Rock Hard, 9-11; Wreking Crue, 11-1

NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA 5/11 -- Lynn Callihan, 6 5/17 -- Ben Traverse & Alex Teller, 7 5/19 -- Jane Amstutz, 1

5/15 -- Trivia Night & Music Bingo w/ Shawny-D, 6-10

5/16 -- Karaoke Night w/ DJ Shawny-D, 7-10

5/17 -- Tai Drury, 8 5/18 -- Michigan Soul Tribe, 7

ODAWA

Manistee,

BLUE SLIPPER TAVERN, ONEKAMA

THE GREENHOUSE - WILLOW/ PRIMOS, CADILLAC

Leelanau & Benzie

lOGY

MAY 13 - MAY 19

BY ROB BREZSNY

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Hypothetically, you could learn to give a stirring rendering of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 on a slide whistle. Or you could perform the “To be or not to be” soliloquy from Shakespeare’s Hamlet for an audience of pigeons that aren’t even paying attention. Theoretically, you could pour out your adoration to an unattainable celebrity or give a big tip to a waiter who provided mediocre service or do your finest singing at a karaoke bar with two people in the audience. But I hope you will offer your skills and gifts with more discernment and panache, Taurus—especially these days. Don’t offer yourself carelessly. Give your blessings only to people who deeply appreciate them.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Now that your mind, your heart, and your world have opened wider than you imagined possible, try to anticipate how they might close down if you're not always as bold and brave as you have been in recent months. Then sign a contract with yourself, promising that you will not permit your mind, your heart, and your world to shrink or narrow. If you proactively heal your fears before they break out, maybe they won’t break out. (PS: will acknowledge that there may eventually be a bit of contraction you should allow to fully integrate the changes—but only a bit.)

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): I would love you to cultivate connections with characters who can give you shimmery secrets and scintillating stories you need to hear. In my astrological opinion, you are in a phase when you require more fascination, amazement, and intrigue than usual. If love and sex are included in the exchange, so much the better— but they are not mandatory elements in your assignment. The main thing is this: For the sake of your mental, physical, and spiritual health, you must get your limitations dissolved, your understanding of reality enriched, and your vision of the future expanded.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio writer Andrew Solomon made a very Scorpionic comment when he wrote, "We all have our darkness, and the trick is making something exalted of it." Of all the signs of the zodiac, you have the greatest potential to accomplish this heroic transmutation—and to do it with panache, artistry, and even tenderness. trust you are ready for another few rounds of your mysterious specialty. The people in your life would benefit from it almost as much as you.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Have you been nursing the hope that someday you will retrain your loved ones? That you will change them in ways that make them act more sensibly? That you will convince them to shed qualities you don’t like and keep just the good parts? If so, the coming weeks will be an excellent time to drop this fantasy. In its place, I advise you to go through whatever mental gymnastics are necessary as you come to accept and love them exactly as they are. If you can manage that, there will be a bonus development: You will be more inclined to accept and love yourself exactly as you are.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): I brazenly predict that in the next 11 months, you will get closer than ever before to doing your dream job. Because of your clear intentions, your diligent pragmatism, and the Fates’ grace, life will present you with good opportunities to earn money by doing what you love and providing an excellent service to your fellow creatures. But I’m not necessarily saying everything will unfold with perfection. And I am a bit afraid that you will fail to capitalize on your chances by being too insistent on perfection. Please assuage my doubts, Capricorn! Welcome imperfect but interesting progress.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Naturalist and author Henry David Thoreau declared, "We need the tonic of wildness." Amen! In my view, you Aquarians especially need this sweet, rugged healing power in the coming weeks. Borrowing more words from Thoreau, I urge you to exult in all that is mysterious, unsurveyed, and unfathomable. Like Thoreau, I hope you will deepen your connection with the natural world because it "it is cheerfully, musically earnest." Share in his belief that "we must go out and re-ally ourselves to Nature every day. We must take root, send out some little fiber."

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): I have four questions and homework assignments for you, Pisces. 1. Is there a person in your inner circle who is close to ripening a latent talent that would ultimately benefit you? I suspect there is. What can you do to assist them? 2. Is there a pending gift or legacy that you have not yet claimed or activated? I think so. What would be a good first step to get it fully into your life? 3. What half-dormant potency could you call on and use if you were more confident about your ability to wield it? believe you now have the wherewithal to summon the confidence you need. 4. What wasteful habit could you replace with a positive new habit?

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Polish-born author Joseph Conrad (1857–1924) didn’t begin to speak English until he was 21 years old. At 25, his writing in that language was still stiff and stilted. Yet during the next 40+ years, he employed his adopted tongue to write 19 novels, numerous short stories, and several other books. Today he is regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language. You may not embark on an equally spectacular growth period in the coming months, Aries. But you do have extra power to begin mastering a skill or subject that could ultimately be crucial to your life story. Be inspired by Conrad’s magnificent accomplishments.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): When I lived in San Francisco in 1995, thieves stole my Chevy Malibu. It was during the celebratory mayhem that swept the city following the local football team’s Super Bowl victory. Cops miraculously recovered my car, but it had been irrevocably damaged in one specific way: It could no longer drive in reverse. Since I couldn’t afford a new vehicle, I kept it for the next two years, carefully avoiding situations when I would need to go backward. It was a perfect metaphor for my life in those days. Now I’m suggesting you consider adopting it for yours. From what I can discern, there will be no turning around anytime soon. Don’t look back. Onward to the future!

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Cancerian basketball coach Tara VanDerveer is in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. She won more games than anyone else in the sport. Here’s one aspect of her approach to coaching. She says that the greatest players “have a screw loose”—and she regards that as a very good thing. I take her to mean that the superstars are eccentric, zealous, unruly, and daring. They don’t conform to normal theories about how to succeed. They have a wild originality and fanatical drive for excellence. If you might ever be interested in exploring the possible advantages of having a screw loose for the sake of your ambitions, the coming months will be one of the best times ever.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Am I one of your father figures, uncle figures, or brother figures? I hope so! I have worked hard to purge the toxic aspects of masculinity that inherited from my culture. And I have diligently and gleefully cultivated the most beautiful aspects of masculinity. Plus, my feminist principles have been ripening and growing stronger for many years. With that as our background, I encourage you to spend the coming weeks upgrading your own relationship to the masculine archetype, no matter which of the 77 genders you might be. I see this as an excellent time for you to take practical measures to get the very best male influences in your life.

“Jonesin”

Crosswords

ACROSS

1. Mil. officers

6. Razor guy

11. Really quiet, on sheet music

14. Photoshop creator

15. Damages

16. Before, poetically

17. "Friends" character with a namesake hairstyle

19. Actor Pace

20. Pompousness

21. Co-founder of the Pittsburgh Penguins (with state senator Jack McGregor)

23. "___ Kleine Nachtmusik"

25. Burpee unit?

26. ___ Field (Mets ballpark)

27. 1976 best-seller that opens in The Gambia

29. "Straight, No Chaser" jazz pianist Thelonious

31. English actor who played Tywin Lannister on "Game of Thrones"

38. High points

41. "1984" superstate

42. Mess of a room

43. Nephrologist played by Hugh Laurie

46. Honeycomb locale

47. Mystik Dan, for one

51. Grocery store area

53. Discover rival

57. Critical hosp. department

58. "Saturday Night Live" alum (2000-2001) who was also on "Mr. Show" and "Arrested Development"

60. Course estimate

61. Prefix with raptor

62. Description of the five theme answers?

65. Flying fox, actually

66. Nebraska's largest city

67. Actor Rami

68. Shady

69. Clearance events

70. Detroit soul singer Payne

DOWN

1. Professional path

2. Barber's "___ for Strings"

3. ___ Mountains (Appalachian range)

4. "Frankly," in texts

5. Look at

6. "Golly!"

7. A la ___

8. "Rocky" character Apollo

9. NAFTA part, briefly

10. Ari Melber's network

11. Some exercise bikes

12. Area in a crime drama

13. Cheat at cards, in a way

18. Stacks of wax

22. L as in "NATO"?

24. "... and so forth"

28. "Get outta here!"

30. It may have a fob

32. Crossworder's dir.

33. Wrestler ___ Mysterio

34. "Well ___-di-frickin'-dah!"

35. "Music for Airports" musician Brian

36. Char ___ (Cantonese-style barbecued pork)

37. Morse code symbol

38. "It's so annoying!"

39. Like the earliest life forms

40. What storm levels may indicate

44. Machinery part

45. Many, many millennia

48. Small wave

49. Climbed

50. Cry of epiphany

52. Misbakes like this one

53. Like some videos

54. Nip it ___ bud

55. Tofu beans

56. Surrealist sculptor Jean

58. Apple co-founder Steve

59. One of the Berenstain Bears

63. "Unbelievable" group of 1991

64. Rower's paddle

"Gather Round, Everyone"--a special event. by Matt Jones

PAINTER, EXTERIOR & INTERIOR: Painting services available now with 15 Years experience, # 231-633-5519 Jeff.

COTTAGE FOR RENT: TC 1 BR Cottage, Fully Furnished, Includes All Utilities, New Appliances, W/D, Cable TV, Very Nice & Quiet, Beautiful Setting, Parking, No Pets; $1,600 per month, (231) 631-7512.

BUYING OLD WOODEN DUCK AND FISH SPEARING DECOYS. Call or text 248-8770210

HANDY SERVICES: Portable Handyman. Power Washing. Mobile Home and Home maintenance/repairs. Junk removal of all kinds - including vehicles. Exterior/Interior painting. Is what you need done not listed? Let's talk about it. Senior discounts. 231463-1294

SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231228-6248

WANTED: OLD WOOD DUCK, GOOSE, FISH DECOYS: Paying cash for your old duck, goose, fish decoys. Call or text 586530-6586.

NMC CHILDREN'S CHOIR AUDITIONS! Come and join our award winning program! Auditions for 3rd-9th graders will be held on June 4 & 6, 6-8 PM, in the NMC Fine Arts Building RM 102. To schedule a 5 minute audition, visit nmcchildrenschoir.com and click "join". Singers will be asked to sing America the Beautiful in the key of G in a casual and warm environment! http://www. nmcchildrenschoir.com/join.html

HUMAN NATURE SCHOOL SUMMER CAMPS NOW OPEN! Nature Connection camps will be held at the Grand Traverse Commons, Monday - Thursday from 9:003:00 for ages 6-12, $255 per week. Come join the adventure! https://humannatureschool. org/2024-summer/

Desirable location on the base of Old Mission Peninsula, directly on West Bay. Enjoy uninterrupted water views from large windows from nearly every room in the house. The home boasts over 3,000 sq ft spreading over three floors of finished living space with three bedrooms, three and a half baths, and cathedral ceilings. A well thought out floor plan includes a main floor primary bedroom, an upstairs en-suite bedroom, a large kitchen, custom bookcases in a spacious living area, and wood flooring throughout the main level. A kitchenette in lower level allows for easy entertaining while out on the waterside patio and sandy beach. Enjoy gorgeous sunsets, boating, and fireworks from your own private beach. All of this just minutes from downtown Traverse City.