top ten this week’s

Races Around the North

There are a lot of big races happening over Memorial Day weekend, from the Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City to the Top of Michigan Festival of Races in Petoskey to the Rotary Stride for S.T.R.I.V.E. 5K in Cadillac. But the competition that caught our eye is the World’s Largest Gathering of Blow Up Costumes in a 1K Footrace. Truly, is there anything more joyful than watching folks in inflatable T-rex costumes run around a track? (The answer, in the very professional opinion of this writer, is no.) If you need a little joy in your life this weekend, head to downtown Alanson on Saturday, May 27, at 9am to spectate or participate in this magnificent feat of athleticism. Race sign-ups are $20 per person for $40 for a family. Proceeds from the race go toward helping Alanson Public School fifth graders attend Camp Dagget and take a trip to Lansing. Learn more at petoskeyarea.com/events.

Most folks know Iron Fish Distillery for their award-winning spirits, but have you heard about their wood-fired pizzas? We’re hooked on their Sassage pie ($21), which is a Michigan meat lovers’ dream. Aged hard salami, pecan wood-smoked bacon, and buffalo and pork sausage are the core ingredients at play. (Want to know how the sausage gets made? According to Iron Fish’s website, it uses “bison from Myer Farm in Copemish, MI. The bison feed on the nutrient dense spent grains left over from Iron Fish spirits.”) Add in some classic red sauce, parmesan, mozzarella, and microgreens, and you have a solid pizza. Throw in some Mr. Bing Chili Crisp—a spicy, chili-oil based topping—and you have a great pizza. Enjoy your slice with one of the distillery’s flagship cocktails and then finish the night out with their delicious Turkish Diplomat baklava. Find all that and more in the tasting room at 14234 Dzuibanek Road in Thompsonville. (231) 378-3474, ironfishdistillery.com

Eerie Erie

The Garden Theater in Frankfort will host a screening of The Erie Situation on Monday, May 22, at 7pm, followed by a Q&A with director David J. Ruck. When a bloom of highly toxic algae entered the drinking water plant in Toledo from Lake Erie in 2014, citizens had to go without running water for three days, and the documentary explores a mix of big agriculture, politics, and water security rights. Tickets, $10. gardentheater.org/upcoming-events

Hey, Read It! Hello Beautiful 4

As it's one of spring’s buzziest book releases— and Oprah’s 100th Book Club pick—we just couldn’t pass up bestselling author Ann Napolitano’s newest book, Hello Beautiful. (Spoilers: It didn’t disappoint!)

Inspired by the author’s own journey through grief, the novel opens on William Waters, a basketball prodigy whose athletic scholarship plucks him from his dysfunctional home and into the path of the dazzling Julia Padavano. Julia is a package deal, and it’s within the tight-knit bubble she and her three younger sisters share that William finally experiences the love and support his own family couldn’t provide. But when his past demons resurface, they not only threaten the couple’s future but also tear the sisters apart at the seams. How far will one family go before they discover what matters most? You’ll have to read on to find out! (Psst: Better grab this one before it hits your TV; rumor has it that plans for an on-screen adaptation are already in the works!)

The secret is out!

We didn’t try very hard to keep this secret and why would we? It’s too good not to share. Find your escape with this award winning tropical delight. Flavors of peach, pear, passion fruit, and pineapple with a hint of coconut. Creamy guava, white grapefruit, white rose petal, and bright acidity. Perfect for a day at your secret paradise.

Secret Beach is available at

6 Poppin’ Corks at the Casino

Michigan Wine Month—the time of year where we have an extra excuse to indulge in a glass of NoMi’s finest—is still cruising along in Leelanau County, and the cherry on top of the May festivities has to be the Leelanau Vintners Celebration. This special wine pairing event is held at Leelanau Sands Casino on Saturday, May 27, and offers food and drink duos from Good Harbor Vineyards, Aurora Cellars, Verterra Winery, French Valley Vineyard, Bel Lago Vineyard Winery, Amoritas Vineyards, 45 North Vineyard & Winery, and Boathouse Restaurant. Singer/songwriter Elizabeth Landry will be on hand to entertain. Tickets are $30 per person and give you access to five food and wine pairings. You can also purchase additional tickets for wine by the glass ($4 each) and a souvenir wine glass ($7) for your collection. For more details and tickets, head to leelanausandscasino.com or call (231) 534-8207.

Stuff We Love: Official Summer Merch

Over 30 million people visit Michigan State Parks each year, and in 2023, you might start seeing a lot more folks rocking Traverse City-made gear. Great Lakes Proud—the company that brought you the iconic Great Lakes car decal—has teamed up with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a series of official state park merchandise. We’re talking tees, hoodies, cozies, hats, and—of course—stickers and decals. In the collection, you’ll find a Michigan mitten in the shape of a morel mushroom, s’more, and tree ring; a bubbly “Root Beer Falls” design nod to Tahquamenon; and the “Campfire Connoisseur” slogan and accompanying blaze that immediately gives off summer-at-the-park vibes. The partnership is an extension of the “These Goods Are Good for Michigan” program that raises “awareness and support through revenue sharing for state parks, trails, waterways and other outdoor spaces.” Learn more about the program and shop Great Lakes Proud plus other local brands at Goods4MI.com.

It has been almost four months since the last movie played at Elk Rapids Cinema. The theater’s owner, Joe Yuchasz, passed away in January after operating the cinema for nearly 50 years, and for a while, it seemed the single-screen movie house would remain dark. But the cinema announced the curtain will rise again Memorial Day weekend with screenings of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. In a press release, Yuchasz’s niece, Mary Vasquez, said, “Our Uncle Joe loved Elk Rapids, and bringing culture and entertainment to the village was important to him. The best way our family can honor his legacy is by keeping the theater open.” (Pro tip: Tickets are $7 for kids 11 and under and $9 for everyone else, but note that their website says credit and debit cards are not accepted.) Elk Rapids Cinema is located at 205 River St. in Elk Rapids. For more information about the reopening, visit elkrapidscinema.com or call (231) 264-8601.