Issuu

INTO THE WOODS

FRO M LUXU RY CAM PI NG TO TH E GRE AT L AKES , U NCOV ER TH E M AGI C O F SU M M ER IN M I CH IGAN J U LY 2 02 5

D I S C OV E R DIXBORO

Michigan spirit and New England charm found in greater-Ann Arbor

L I V E WORK P L A Y

LIFESTYLE LETTER

In the woods, By the lake…

July 2025 PUBLISHER

Maria Karpiel | maria.karpiel@citylifestyle.com E D I TO R

My heart feels at home. There’s never been a quote that better encapsulates how I feel. Growing up on a small lake in Northern Minnesota and being just 20 minutes from the shores of the “big” lake—Lake Superior— the woods and the lakes are a part of who I am. In my pre-kids era, I lived on the East Coast, the West Coast, and traveled internationally—but it was always the woods and the lakes where I felt the most at peace, the most at home, and the most inspired to explore. Welcome to the July “Explore” issue of Ann Arbor City Lifestyle, where we embrace the long, hot summer days and lean into the extra time to discover—or rediscover—the incredible vibrancy of our surrounding area. From Ann Arbor to Dixboro to Chelsea to Dexter to Saline, our area is what “staycations” were made for. There are parades, festivals, fireworks, ice cream socials, concerts, fireflies, neighborhood barbecues, and maybe an extra minute for another cup of coffee to simply enjoy this gorgeous weather at home. As we all know, July is also one of the best times to make time to explore our incredible state of Michigan, whose beauty is unmatched at this time of year. We begin by taking you into “The Woods,” a luxury camping experience near Fennville, that offers adults the opportunity to truly unwind and escape the hustle of everyday life. Sometimes, your feet just have to leave pavement. Next, we explore the Great Lakes through the eyes, lens, and perspective of author and photographer David Zurick, whose new book The Third Coast will be released on July 15. David takes us on a tour of the region through the four seasons, highlighting the lakes and the people defined by them. We’ll also meet Ann Arbaugh who, appropriately fitting given her name, seems to know every street in town, every shortcut, and every hidden pathway in our unique city. Finally, it’s not summertime in Ann Arbor without the signs popping up in lawns across the city for the Ann Arbor District Library’s Summer Game. We encourage you to take a walk to see how many codes you can find—and maybe discover an unfamiliar corner of the city while you're at it. Whether you’re heading out to explore our great state or staying home to rediscover our incredible community, let’s lean into these moments: staying up a little later, getting ice cream a few more times than we should, having dinner outside, and enjoying the simple beauty that is summertime in Michigan. MARIA KARPIEL, PUBLISHER @ANNARBORCITYLIFESTYLE

Rebecca Voigt | rebecca.voigt@citylifestyle.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Sue G. Collins, Katie Hopkins, William Walker Orr C O N T R I B U T I N G P H OTO G R AP H E R S

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Corporate Team CEO Steven Schowengerdt COO Matthew Perry CRO Jamie Pentz VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders AD DESIGNER Evan Deuvall LAYOUT DESIGNER Lillian Gibbs QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler

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inside the issue JU LY 2 0 2 5 | EX P LO R E

18 12

Featured

18 22 28 6

Into The Woods

Escape to a luxury Michigan campground to unplug, unwind, and savor life’s little joys

America's Third Coast

Award-winning photographer David Zurick’s new book about the Great Lakes shoreline

Neighborhood Ann-atomy

Ann Arbaugh helps people find homes—and feel at home—in Ann Arbor’s tight-knit neighborhoods

Game Time

AADL’s Summer Game encourages residents to get out and explore Ann Arbor

28 On the Cover

Departments

The Woods is a luxury campground in Fennville, Mich., that's perfect for escaping the everyday and reconnecting with nature.

Lifestyle Letter

City Scene

Business Monthly

Travel Journal TRAVEL

Artist’s Palette ARTS + CULTURE

Local Limelight REAL ESTATE

Inspired By LIFE + CULTURE

Our Town LIFE + CULTURE

Photography: Hannah Zeigler, HZ Photography

Realty Report REAL ESTATE

Events

Locals Only LIFE + CULTURE

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Photography: www.betsysphotography.com

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J U LY 2 0 2 5

city scene WHERE NEIGHBORS CAN SEE AND BE SEEN

A.J. SAULSBURY

1: Co-Chairs Brian and Julie Muthig with Jon and Ashley Oberheide at the Ele's Place Derby Day Soirée. 2: The Cinetopia Film Festival brought cinephiles to the Michigan and State Theaters. 3: Co-Chairs Toby and Kathy Brzoznowski at the Ele’s Place Derby Day Soirée. 4: Ann Arbaugh, Milo, and Kristin Mills at the Humane Society of Huron Valley 2025 Walk, Wag and Run. 5: Sean & Sarah Magee at the ChadTough Defeat DIPG Gala. 6: Pilates studio Core Collective opened a second Ann Arbor location at Packard Row on May 21. 7: Sheri Belcher and Todd Tribble at the Red Shoe Affair.

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business monthly A R O U N D U P O F N E W S F R O M LO C A L B U S I N E S S E S

“All Girls Skate” Drop-In Program Crystle Partington of Ann Arbor Gardens, a sponsor and founding board member of the Ann Arbor Skatepark, invites the community to “All Girls Skate.” Held from 9–10:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Sunday, June–October, the program welcomes girls and non-traditional skateboarders to build skills, confidence, and community. To donate or learn more about free programming at the Ann Arbor Skatepark, visit a2skatepark.org.

Scan to read more Photography by Dug Song

DGY Dentistry Celebrates 35 Years of Artful Excellence in Ann Arbor This year marks 35 years of DGY Dentistry delivering unmatched expertise, aesthetic precision, and deeply personalized care. Founded on the belief that dentistry is both science and art, DGY has become a destination for discerning patients seeking restorative and cosmetic results that last. With a serene, gallery-like space and a legacy of excellence, DGY continues to elevate the dental experience. dgydentistry.com

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Michigan Progressive Health is a Proud Sponsor of ViewFest 2025 Michigan Progressive Health is thrilled to participate in ViewFest 2025— the largest mental health experience in the U.S.—on July 15 at the Detroit Zoo. As a leader in psychedelic-assisted therapy, MPH is redefining mental wellness through expertise, innovation, and compassion. Stop by to explore how ketamine treatment is helping patients find lasting relief. wordsofhope4life.com/viewfest2025 `

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I N TO

The Woods

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

Escape to a lu xur y Michigan c a m p g r o u n d fo r s we e t s i m p l i c i t y ARTICLE BY WILL WALKER ORR PHOTOGRAPHY BY HANNAH ZEIGLER, HZ PHOTOGRAPHY

In a tranquil corner of Fennville, Mich., lies an enchanting wooded property that invites its guests to partake in something increasingly rare in 2025: a little peace and quiet. At The Woods Luxury Camping, mornings begin with fresh air, birdsong, and the smell of coffee and pine. By night, gentle fires crackle under starlit skies as s’mores toast and conversation lingers. It’s a cozy, timeless CONTINUED > JULY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

place—and now in its third season, The Woods is as dedicated as ever to its peaceful mission: helping guests escape from the stressors of everyday life. The Woods began with one family’s longing for “the stillness of the forest,” according to the property’s executive assistant and self-proclaimed “Camp Whisperer,” Abbi Petro. After years of running a coffee shop in Holland, Mich., Petro’s mother-in-law, Jacqueline Petro, set out with her family to create this quiet, spacious haven rooted in nature. “Our dream was simple—to create a place where people could unplug, unwind, and savor life’s little joys,” the younger Petro says. This simple vision grew into one of the most unique and remarkable glamping retreats across the entire state. Just a five-minute drive from Lake Michigan, The Woods features 18 custom-built cabins designed to combine modern luxuries with a homey, rustic aesthetic. There’s the wonderful sun-lit Glass House cabins, the cozy Hideaway Huts, and the delightful A-frames, with each separate structure offering a wholly distinct camping experience. “We designed everything by feel,” Petro says. “We wanted each space to feel like a gentle hug from the woods.” Every trip to The Woods begins with a peaceful stroll through the forest, where cars are left at the edge of the woodlands as guests walk down the lantern-lit trails and check-in to their unique private cabins. Inside, you will find plush white bedding, cozy furnishings, and an assortment of thoughtful amenities, including s’mores kits, bug spray, linens, extra toothbrushes, and even ice-filled coolers. “We try to anticipate what guests might need before they even think to ask,” Petro says. This extends beyond the cabins to The Woods’ communal areas as well, including its sleek modern bathhouse and the campground’s central hub, where you can cozy up to the fire, play yard games, and grab snacks from a vintage camper that’s been lovingly transformed into the site’s canteen. Also, CONTINUED >

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

JULY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

keep an eye out for passing chickens and rabbits just south of basecamp—you might even get the chance to feed a lucky bunny or two. Every dwelling, structure, and walkway at The Woods is fit with one collective purpose: to immerse its guests in nature. Each luxury cabin is equipped with large skylights that allow for undisturbed stargazing from bed, while those who prefer a daytime snooze can doze off in one of the many hang-strung hammocks scattered across the wooded campgrounds. Forget distracting alerts and push notifications—according to Petro, many guests enter another rhythm upon entering the camp. “People arrive, and you can see it in their body language—everything softens. It’s like the forest tells them it’s okay to breathe,” she says. Though some visitors of The Woods invariably feel that exploring Lake Michigan and the local wineries in Saugatuck and Holland is the real adventure, many others embrace the care-free pace of the campground, which Petro calls “a reset button wrapped in luxury

T R AV E L J OU R N A L | TRAV E L

linens and forest air.” Furthermore, sustainability is also an important part of The Woods’ mission, having adapted many of its trails from old ATV paths to preserve the surrounding wildlife. Since opening the campsite in 2023, The Woods has seen an overwhelmingly positive response from its guests and the greater community. Of its many success stories, one stands out in particular: “We had a guest come to celebrate her remission after breast cancer,” Petro says. “We hosted her stay as a gift. Her gratitude reminded us exactly why we built this place.” From its humble origins as a heartfelt family dream to the expansive retreat it is today, The Woods offers far more than simply luxurious camping—it’s a refuge from modern life. When asked to sum up The Woods in a few words, Petro says: “Calm. Serenity. Sweet simplicity.” For those who heed the call and embrace nature’s quiet stillness, you’ll find peace and sanctuary in this tranquil wooded expanse. bookthewoods.com

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America's Third Coast AWARD-WINNING PHOTOGRAPHER DAVID ZURICK’S NEW BOOK ABOUT THE GREAT LAKES Courtesy of Northwestern University Press, Copyright David Zurick

Available July 15 from Northwestern University Press, The Third Coast: America’s Great Lakes Shoreline is a photographic journey into the heart and soul of the Great Lakes region. Here, Ann Arbor City Lifestyle sits down with award-winning photographer David Zurick to discuss his upcoming book exploring the distinct personalities, majesty, and mystery of these natural wonders.

David Zurick AS MIDWESTERNERS, THE NAME THE THIRD COAST FEELS EMPOWERING—SOMETHING UNIQUELY OWNED BY THE GREAT LAKES REGION. IN YOUR OWN WORDS, TELL US THE STORY BEHIND THE NAME OF THE BOOK. Well, as I began my journey around the Great Lakes, I started to see the names of things like “The Third Coast” in shops and cafés. And it just stuck in my mind as a way to refer to this shoreline—which, added all up, is longer than the Atlantic and Pacific coasts combined—and what it represents for the United States and for the people that live on those lakes: a kind of defining geography. You know, a lot of folks don’t go out in the middle of these lakes. We experience these lakes from the shoreline, right? So that’s how we tend to see them. YOU TAKE YOUR READERS ON A JOURNEY TO THE GREAT LAKES THROUGH THE SEASONS AND TRY TO EVOKE THE PERSONALITY OF EACH LAKE AND THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE. WHAT WERE YOUR FAVORITE SPOTS AT EACH LAKE? One of the things I got out of this project was an understanding of how different these lakes actually are from each other— which I didn’t really realize, despite being born and raised on Lake Huron. I actually began this project on Lake Huron in the fall, and it was really home ground for me... I mean, I spent my childhood up until my early 20s cruising that Thumb coastline.

ARTICLE BY MARIA KARPIEL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID ZURICK

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CU LT U RE

I guess the turning of the seasons in autumn, and the reflectiveness that often comes with that season—that became the area I zeroed in on for Lake Huron. Seeing places that I had visited many, many times as a kid with my family, and now exploring them photographically as an adult, to see what kind of imagery I could make there. So in the book, Lake Huron represents fall. Then we moved into the winter season, and I knew it had to be Lake Superior—it has such an energy, such a presence. My favorite spot was spending time along the shoreline near Whitefish Point. The wind, the ice formations, the water smashing into the rocks—I mean, the intensity of it all. It’s known colloquially as the “Shipwreck Coast.” This is where a lot of lake freighters have shipwrecked, so that was an interesting area for me. For spring, I went to Lake Michigan— which is a thing. Lake Michigan has a lot of beauty, but photographically, the most interesting part was probably the most abused part of Lake Michigan— down by Hammond, Ind., you know, East Chicago, this heart of hardcore industrial wasteland that has taken that lakeshore and turned it into something that isn’t so pleasant. The focus of my photography has always been—I don’t really take a lot of pretty pictures. What I really take are photographs of the cultural landscape— the imprint of human society living in that place. When I go in with a camera,

Courtesy of Northwestern University Press, Copyright David Zurick

“One of the things I got out of this project was an understanding of how different these lakes actually are from each other.” — David Zurick

CONTINUED >

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“What I really take are photographs of the cultural landscape—the imprint of human society living in that place. When I go in with a camera, I'm looking at the landscape as a mirror, and I'm kind of a reflective surface— reflecting the lives, the people who live there.” — David Zurick

I’m looking at the landscape as a mirror, and I’m kind of a reflective surface—reflecting the lives of the people who live there. And then Lake Erie and Ontario—I chose to do them in the summer. What really grabbed me there was just, you know, having fun in the summer—out on the beach, barbecuing, cruising the lake. There were several spots around there that caught my eye that way. Not just the beach places, but people enjoying the fleeting summer warmth of the lake. DID ANYTHING SURPRISE YOU ON THIS PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY OF THE GREAT LAKES? Well, most of my work has been internationally focused—in Polynesia, the Himalayas, India. So the most surprising thing is that I had just as big an adventure on this project as I have on any of my photography projects anywhere in the world. I didn’t realize how interesting of an adventure the Great Lakes would be for me, even though I grew up there.

A RT IST ’S PA LE T T E | ARTS + CU LT U RE

Photo credit: Neil Weaver

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NEIGHBORHOOD ANN-ATOMY Jack-o-lanterns lining Fair Oaks Parkway on Halloween. Photo courtesy of Ann Arbaugh.

Ann Arbaugh helps people find homes— and feel at home—in Ann Arbor’s tightknit neighborhoods ARTICLE BY KATIE HOPKINS PHOTOGRAPHY BY ABBIE BUHR

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | REAL E STAT E

When Ann Arbaugh first moved to Ann Arbor 13 years ago, she wasn’t thrilled about it. “I was very hesitant,” she says. “Especially because my name was going to be ridiculous.” Moving from suburban Cincinnati, she had just married and taken her husband’s last name. That made her, officially, Ann Arbaugh of Ann Arbor—a punchline she wasn’t quite ready for. A Buckeye by birth and education, she also wasn’t sure what to expect from life across the border. But within a month, she was in love. The city’s energy, its possibilities, it all clicked. “My daughters were teenagers at the time, and they had a kind of freedom here they never had in the suburbs,” she says. “They took the city bus. They walked downtown. It was a totally different lifestyle.” That spirit of mobility and discovery—of putting herself in new places and getting to know them—has defined Arbaugh’s life here ever since. It’s how she fell into real estate, a second career that quickly became a calling. It’s how she learned every street in town, every shortcut, every hidden pathway that links one neighborhood to the next. And it’s how she became something more than just a real estate agent: A community connector, a neighborhood guide, and—by her own tongue-in-cheek description—Ann Arbor’s version of The Love Boat’s Julie McCoy.

“I feel like I know every block,” she says. “And when I work with clients, I get to show them not just houses but all the little stories tucked away in each neighborhood—Mushroom Park, the old dirt road off Geddes, or that tiny footpath behind Northbrook that connects to 7th Street and gets you to school.” Arbaugh came to real estate almost by accident. Artistic by nature, she once dreamed of flipping homes with her husband. A real estate license would make those deals smoother. “But we never flipped a single house,” she laughs. “Still haven’t. But once I got into real estate, I fell in love with it.” She began with a respected mentor, then joined Alex Milshteyn’s top-producing team, where she’s now been for nearly a decade. “It’s like a little family,” she says. “The collaboration and knowledge on this team has been everything.” CONTINUED >

JULY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

— ANN ARBAUGH

TUCKED AWAY IN EACH NEIGHBORHOOD.”

“I FEEL LIKE I KNOW EVERY BLOCK. ALL THE LITTLE STORIES 24

LOCA L LIM E LIGH T | REAL E STAT E

But for Arbaugh, the work has never been just about buying or selling. It’s about relationships: educating first-time homebuyers, gently advising retirees preparing to downsize, helping new arrivals explore the region, and staying in touch long after moving day. “I’ve helped people paint, pack, even clean out gutters,” she says. “I’ve crawled on roofs. I’ve shown up with my paintbrushes and helped get homes ready to sell.”

There’s a streak of old-school generosity running through everything she does, a sensibility shaped not just by her Ohio roots, but by the deep connections she’s formed in Ann Arbor. She’s made her mark in real estate, yes—but also as an organizer, a neighbor, and a tireless advocate for the character of her adopted city. Shortly after moving to her neighborhood, she spearheaded a door-to-door campaign to clean up a residential parking issue. From there the organizing snowballed. First came the block directory. Then the potlucks and bounce houses. And then there were the pumpkins. What started as Arbaugh and a few neighbors carving jack-o-lanterns for Halloween evolved into a full-scale neighborhood tradition. It’s now so big that a

local family donates $100 for every pumpkin carved, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofits like Garrett’s Space and the Burns Park PTO. Each year, hundreds of glowing pumpkins line the small stone wall on Fair Oaks Parkway, providing a spooky, spectacular end to trick-or-treating, and a visible symbol of what a neighborhood can do when someone takes the lead. “Fifteen years ago, I wasn’t a community organizer,” she says. “But I figured, if I don’t do it, who will?”

She’s carried that same energy into philanthropy, previously chairing the St. Joe’s Holiday Ball and serving on the board of Fostering Futures. And through it all, she’s continued to explore—branching out into other towns for clients, getting to know new communities the way she once got to know Ann Arbor. “I didn’t grow up here,” she says. “But this is my home now. I walk into a grocery store, I see someone I know. I drive around, I remember who used to live in that house and who just moved in. That’s a kind of community I never had before.” For Ann Arbaugh, Ann Arbor isn’t just a place she moved to with a familiar sounding name. It’s a place she’s helped build— one block party, one home, one pumpkin at a time.

JULY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

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The Island of Missing Trees

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It is 1974 on the island of Cyprus. Two teenagers, from opposite sides of a divided land, meet at a tavern in the city they both call home. The tavern is the only place that Kostas, who is Greek and Christian, and Defne, who is Turkish and Muslim, can meet, in secret, hidden beneath the blackened beams from which hang garlands of garlic, chili peppers and wild herbs. This is where one can find the best food in town, the best music, the best wine. But there is something else to the place: it makes one forget, even if for just a few hours, the world outside and its immoderate sorrows.

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Cutting for Stone

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The author is a Nobel-laureate Turkish novelist. The book, set in Istanbul between 1975 and 1984, is an account of the love story between the wealthy businessman Kemal and a poorer distant relative of his, Füsun.

JULY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

ARTICLE BY WILL WALKER ORR

Game Time AADL’S SUMMER GAME ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO GET OUT AND EXPLORE ANN ARBOR—ALL WHILE SUPPORTING LIBRARY USAGE AND LITERACY

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For over a decade, the Ann Arbor District Library’s Summer Game has been a beloved local tradition that’s launched readers into a citywide hunt for codes, hidden clues, and delightful surprises—no library card required. Originally launched in 2011, the Summer Game transformed AADL’s summer reading program into a plethora of scavenger hunts, online challenges, puzzles, and special community events. Every summer, thousands of Ann Arbor residents young and old join in on the fun by hunting for secret codes across town and in the library’s catalog. Those points are then redeemed for fun prizes, which range from T-shirts and toys to books and other swag in the Summer Game Shop. After breaking the record for total participants in 2024, the Summer Game is back this year with new twists and surprises, including new puzzles, new collectible badges, and even an

“Families will go on walks, friends will get together at AADL events—we’re offering all of these opportunities to do these cool things, and it’s allowing people to connect.” — Rich Retyi 28

O UR TOWN | L I FE + C ULT U RE

end-of-summer ice-skating party. For more information on this year’s Summer Game, we spoke with AADL Communications & Marketing Manager Rich Retyi.

Searching for Summer Game codes is a perfect way to explore the city.

For those unfamiliar, what exactly is the Summer Game and how does it work? It’s one-part classic summer reading program, and then there’s a whole other section with online codes, riddles, and puzzles to solve. We also have codes hidden all over—on buses, in libraries, even on billboards. People can even make their own codes and post lawn signs. All of it earns you points for prizes in the Summer Game Shop.

The Summer Game has really grown over the years—what has that looked like on your side? Last year we had a record: 14,672 players, up 2,000 from 2023. The game is as big as it’s ever been, and it’s not just kids playing, either—it’s adults, families, friend groups—everybody engaging with the library in this really creative way.

With that many players, there has to be a lot of moving parts behind the scenes. How do you and the team pull off something of this scale? There’s a whole Summer Game team that works year-round—testing badges, planning events, coordinating prizes, etc. We’ll probably start talking about prizes for 2026 in October. The Summer Game touches every single unit at the library because, when it’s boiled down, it’s encouraging library usage—and that’s part of all of our jobs.

What kind of impact do you believe the Summer Game has on the community? It gives people something fun to do together in the summer. Families will go on walks to try and receive badges, friends will get together at AADL events— we’re offering all of these opportunities to do these cool things, and it’s allowing people to connect.

Finally, any advice for players joining for the first time? You have to play the game to get the game. It’s a little tricky, because there’s so many different things to do—but it doesn’t take long to get it. You just have to jump right in. The 2025 Summer Game runs June 11 through August 24, 2025. Learn more at play.aadl.org. JULY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

realty report A S A M P L E O F R E C E N T LY S O L D P R O P E R T I E S I N A N N A R B O R .

ADDRESS

SOLD PRICE

%SOLD/LIST

DOM

Sq.Ft. (Above Grade)

Ann Arbor Hills

862 Belfield Circle

$1,447,000

97%

2,864

$505

Ann Arbor Hills

780 Heather Way

$1,150,000

96%

2,146

$536

Dicken

1802 Weldon Boulevard

$575,000

112%

1,150

$500

Downtown

441 S Ashley Street 501

$1,950,000

100%

2,456

$794

Downtown

318 S Thayer Street

$2,050,000

103%

2,756

$744

Eberwhite

708 Soule Boulevard

$590,000

103%

2,032

$290

Kerrytown

401 N 4th Avenue

$2,150,000

108%

2,543

$846

King

3946 Waldenwood Drive

$1,000,000

87%

153

3,828

$261

Landsdowne

2020 Winsted Boulevard

$773,000

100%

2,480

$321

Lower Burns Park

1120 Granger Avenue

$599,000

100%

1,248

$480

Lower Burns Park

1506 Golden Avenue

$780,000

96%

1,290

$605

Old West Side

520 W Madison Street

$485,000

100%

1,145

$424

Orchard Hills

403 Lenawee Drive

$925,000

109%

2,004

$462

Wines

2865 Newport Road

$1,225,000

112%

2,100

$583

NEIGHBORHOOD

This data is a sampling of recently sold properties. Source: IRES MLS System

Ann Arbaugh Your Ann Arbor Realtor Representing Sellers & Buyers Relocation Specialist ann@alexmi.com | 734.585.6518 alexmi.com/agent/ann-arbaugh

R EA LT Y R E P ORT | REAL ESTAT E

Price Per Sq. Ft.

buildwithmomentum.com 734.929.4946 @momentumconstruction

J U LY 2 0 2 5

events A S E L E C T I O N O F U P C O M I N G LO C A L E V E N T S

JU LY 4 T H

35th Annual Ann Arbor Jaycees 4th of July Parade Downtown Ann Arbor | 10:00 AM Get ready for an unforgettable Fourth of July experience right in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor. Expect to see everything from creative floats and community organizations showing their spirit to marching bands, dance troupes, costumed characters, and more. Learn more at a2jaycees.org/fourth-of-july-parade. JU LY 6T H

Silent Book Club Happy Hooves, Dexter | 2:00 PM Grab a good book and some snacks and join other adults for about 30 minutes of chatting and connection before embarking on over an hour of wonderful silent reading. Enjoy a date night with the book of your choice in a fun, relaxing atmosphere. Learn more at ourcommunityreads.com. JU LY 1 1 T H

Founder’s Day Ice Cream Social U-M William L. Clements Library | 4:00 PM Join the staff of the Clements Library for an ice cream sundae bar on the south plaza. Guests are invited to view the current exhibition, play yard games, and take home library swag. Learn more at clements.umich.edu/events. JU LY 1 1 T H

The Rolling Sculpture Car Show Liberty & Fifth Ave. | 2:00 PM The Rolling Sculpture Car Show is a celebration of timeless design, unparalleled craftsmanship, and passion for classic cars. Hosted annually in the heart of Ann Arbor, this event brings together car enthusiasts, collectors, and families for a day of admiration and nostalgia. Learn more at mainstreetannarbor.org/rolling-sculpture. JU LY 1 5T H

Dart for Art & Paint the Town Block pARTy North University & State Street | 5:00 PM Lace up your shoes for Dart for Art, an all-inclusive one-mile run/walk that supports the educational and ancillary programs of the Ann Arbor Street Fair. Immediately followed by the Paint the Town Block pARTy, activities include the one-mile race, putt putt for all ages, a petting zoo, plein air painters, DJs, food, drinks, and ART. Learn more at dartforart.org. JU LY 1 7 T H - 1 9 T H

Ann Arbor Art Fair Downtown Ann Arbor | 10:00 AM The Ann Arbor Art Fair captivates nearly half a million visitors over a vibrant three-day extravaganza every July. Renowned as the largest juried art fair nationwide, it showcases the talents of nearly 1,000 artists, spanning an impressive 30-city-block footprint throughout downtown Ann Arbor. Learn more at theannarborartfair.com.

EVE N TS

J U LY 2 0 T H

Summer Flower Fest HOMES Campus | 12:00 PM Meet in the beer garden at HOMES Campus for a summer market and flower fest. Featuring 25 local brands, a bouquet bar, gorgeous flower walls and floral displays, come shop small while sipping great coffee from Dozer or enjoy a beer from the bar. Tickets are required to make a bouquet and can be purchased at eventbrite.com/e/summer-flower-fest-homes-campus-tickets-1331333597629. J U LY 2 5T H - 2 6T H

26th Michigan Summer Beer Festival Riverside Park Featuring hundreds of beers from many of Michigan’s finest breweries, the Summer Beer Festival is a celebration of Michigan beer. Guests over 21 are welcome and will enjoy not only fresh, local beer, but food and live music from a variety of Michigan bands, including headliner Keeler and The Keels. Purchase tickets and learn more at mibeer.com/events/summer-beer-festival. J U LY 3 1 ST

Sonic Lunch: Phillip Phillips Liberty Plaza | 11:30 AM Bank of Ann Arbor’s outdoor summer concert series, Sonic Lunch, brings Phillip Phillips and special guest Ben Goldsmith to Liberty Plaza in downtown Ann Arbor. Taking place every Thursday through August 28, Sonic Lunch concerts are free and suitable for all ages. For the full summer schedule visit soniclunch.com.

GET INSPIRED E AT & D R I N K SHOP LOCAL YO U R D I G I TA L D E S T I N AT I O N FOR LOCAL LIVING

JULY 2 0 2 5 | C I TYL I FE STYL E . C OM / A N N A R BO R

ARTICLE BY REBECCA VOIGT

Feels Like SUMMER EXPLORE EDITOR REBECCA VOIGT’S SUMMERTIME FAVORITES THROUGHOUT MICHIGAN

L ake L i fe I grew up on Portage Lake, just northwest of Ann Arbor, and my family and I still enjoy fireworks, swimming, water sports and all summer has to offer there and at my in-laws’ cottage on Eight Point Lake near Clare.

Dex te r S umme r Fe stival Formerly known as Dexter Daze, this two-day event is a source of many fond memories. With more than 100 vendors, live music, food trucks, Kids Action Zone, a parade, and more, there’s something for everyone at this charming small-town festival.

Travers e Cit y Horse S hows Not only is Traverse City home to fantastic wineries and restaurants, it’s also an equestrian destination. One of the country’s premier horse shows, the Great Lakes Equestrian Festival, takes place there every summer. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography

A l Fre s co i n An n Arbor

Che lse a Communit y Fa ir

Whether in the heart of downtown at Café Zola or on the patio at The Dixboro Project, exploring Ann Arbor’s culinary scene with a meal outdoors is a summertime favorite. And don’t forget to save room for ice cream at Blank Slate Creamery!

From riding the merry-go-round to showing my lamb (yes, I also grew up on a farm), I have so many wonderful childhood memories of the Chelsea Community Fair. Now, I take my kids every summer, and it warms my heart that not much has changed since I was a kid.

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