I am sad. Very sad. And angry. What I saw in Minneapolis didn’t just make me angry—it pulled me back to places in my mind I thought I had left behind.
PTSD is running rampant. As a combat veteran, I abhor cowards that gun down innocent civilians. I’ve seen courage under fire. I’ve seen fear too. This wasn’t courage— this was power without accountability.
When I watched that unarmed woman, Renee, get shot through the windshield, three or four times, I cringed. Dastardly, I thought. How courageous. If that was his sister, would he have opened fire?
And then Saturday. To witness seven guys pepper spray a woman and a man, then knock them down, then beat the man, then shoot him nine times. How brave is that?
Renee was a mom and a citizen of our county. Alex was also a citizen, a Veterans Administration ICU nurse. What did they do to warrant the death sentence?
This is madness—the kind that makes me question how we got here, and how far we are willing to fall. Those sworn to “protect” can kill with no consequences? Beat people with no consequences? And our president and administration support this behavior? Many people in our community support this behavior?
What if Renee was your wife, daughter, sister, or good friend? What if Alex, the ICU nurse who cared for veterans, was your son, husband, brother, or best friend? Would you feel their death was justifiable? Or would you be angry?
What is happening in our country brings back memories of war. War against our own. Be sad.
Be angry. But don’t lose your humanity— because once we do that, we become what we claim to hate. Teach Peace.
Tim Keenan | Traverse City
Trump Denigrates Military Veterans
On Jan. 22 in Davos, Switzerland, President Trump said the following about NATO allies: “We never needed them. We have never really asked anything of them. They’ll say they sent some troops to Afghanistan and they did—they stayed a little back, a little off the front lines.”
3,500 NATO coalition troops died in support of the United States’ war in Afghanistan. Roughly 2,500 U.S. troops, 457 UK troops, 160 Canadian troops, 378 other Allied troops were killed.
Trump received five draft deferments during the height of the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. Four deferments because he was enrolled in college at Fordham University and University of Pennsylvania. After graduation Trump obtained a 1-Y medical disqualification from service due to alleged bone spurs in his heels.
At Fordham, Trump played collegiate squash, tennis, and football.
Congressman Jack Bergman is the highest-ranking combat veteran elected to the United States House of Representative. I expect it pains Congressman Bergman to hear President Trump’s words denigrating Allied veterans’ military service.
I encourage people in leadership, elected officials, and the citizens of Michigan’s 1st Congressional District to join the Allied leadership and veterans in condemning President Trump’s disparaging statement.
Christopher Wright | Empire
NATO and Northern Michigan
Perhaps our northern Michigan Congressman “Where Is Jack” Bergman should note his First Congressional District has a similarly named neighboring Canadian Sault Ste. Marie.
With President Trump’s recent disparaging comments about NATO, just a reminder: 40,000 Canadians served in Afghanistan with U.S. forces with an unfortunate 158 casualties.
Time for Congressman Bergman to get out of the partisan GOP foxhole and set “Bone Spurs Donald” straight on military history.
George Golubovskis | Traverse City
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this week’s
top ten
Through the Ice and Snow
Two NoMi festivals are going all in on winter this weekend. In Harbor Springs, the annual Ice Fest returns Feb. 6 and 7. Expect 50+ ice sculptures around town, a scavenger hunt, horse drawn wagons giving free tours, and a live drone show over the bay on Friday night. Plan your fun at downtownharborsprings.com/ice-fest. Meanwhile, over in Cadillac, the Midwest Snowkite Jam runs Feb. 6 through Feb. 8 on (and off) Lake Mitchell. There’s a rider welcome party Friday, a free ride and race on Saturday (followed by an afterparty with a food truck), and then a casual Sunday with events based on conditions. The jam also serves as a pledge-based fundraiser, with riders logging miles in January and early February to support Project Koru, an organization that aims to enrich “lives through community and the outdoors as a way to move forward beyond cancer.” Register and see the schedule at midwestsnowkitejam.com.
2 tastemaker
Oakwood Proper Burgers’ Breakfast Fries
Did you know that TC’s Oakwood Proper Burgers now does equally proper breakfast every day of the week? The retro burger joint made the expansion from weekends late last year, and there’s now plenty to choose from Monday through Sunday. The Breakfast Fries ($11) are a must, filling that potato-sized hole in your belly and then some. The fries are topped with sausage, bacon, shredded cheese, and then leveled up with spicy ketchup and rosemary gravy. Whether you pair the fries with a breakfast sandwich or go for something a little sweeter—we’re fans of the Cinnamon Biscuit ($5), made fresh with Bay Bread biscuits— you’ll be glad you started your day under that pink and gold awning. (P.S. On Sundays, breakfast is served all day!) Find Oakwood at 1108 E Eighth St. in Traverse City.
Sisters of Soul
Lead vocalist of northern Michigan’s Barefoot, Jenni Rae brings a love letter and tribute to the songs and stories of Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James in a “Sisters of Soul” concert, Saturday, Feb. 7, at 7:30pm at the Garden Theater in Frankfort. Joining Rae are musicians Phil Tarczon, Jason Hargreaves, Eric Joslin, Carter and Logan Hargreaves, Markus Messina, Brian Ferriby, and Phil Coryell. Tickets are $25; a table (four people) with champagne is $250. gardentheater.org/comingsoon
Hey, read It! The Age of Calamities 4
Prepare for a rousing game of “what if?” in short fictionist Senaa Ahmad’s debut story collection, The Age of Calamities. Ahmad beckons readers through the literary looking glass to a speculative world of possibilities where history, among other things, took an alternate route. What if Anne Boleyn, for example, came back from the grave? (“Let’s Play Dead”) What drama might ensue at a dinner party with attendees including Marilyn Monroe, John Adams, and Captain Blackbeard? (“Inside the House of the Historian”) Could Lizzie Borden’s murderous motives actually just have been misunderstood (“The Houseguest”), and what terrible government secrets might you uncover while navigating the Manhattan Project (“Choose Your Own Apocalypse”)? Everything’s deeper and more absurd in Ahmad’s world of the almost-familiar. Laced with social and cultural issues that resonate into the present and future, this genre-bender of a read packs just enough preposterousness to shatter your worldview and reassemble it—at a different angle—by the end.
FEBRUARY 17, 2026 5PM - 8PM FEBRUARY 17, 2026 5PM - 8PM
Photo by Midwest Snowkite Jam
Expectations
Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor is gearing up for a double-header weekend. First up on Thursday, Feb. 5, is A Midsummer Night’s Dream. GLCFA calls the Shakespeare favorite a “fast-paced, crowd-pleasing comedy … [b]ursting with mirth, music, magic, and mayhem.” Then, on Saturday, Feb. 7, Dickens comes to life in Nikki Massoud’s stage adaptation of Great Expectations. The hook this time? The classic becomes “a bingeable dramedy” that is “uproarious, thrilling, and surprisingly relatable.” Both shows are put on by The Acting Company, which was founded in 1972 by Juilliard grads and has since performed around the world. Showtimes are at 7pm (doors at 6:30pm), and tickets start at $37. (Pro tip: GLCFA is running a deal where if you buy tickets to one show, you get the other 50 percent off!) Head to greatlakescfa.org.
Hockey Team Heads to National Playoffs
The Bay Reps Girls Hockey Team is coming off an undefeated league record, and they’re ready to put their skills to the test on the national stage. The team, which is only in its third year, will be headed to Minnesota in March for the USA Hockey National High School Playoffs. Per a Bay Reps Girls press release, the team “is made up of players from multiple area high schools, unified by a shared commitment to competitive hockey, teamwork, and representing Northern Michigan with pride.” As the team gears up for the big tournament, they are also seeking sponsors and community support to help fund transportation, tournament fees, and lodging to get the team from here to Minnesota. Learn more about the team and their fundraising efforts at facebook.com/bayrepsgirlsvarsityhockey.
Stuff We Love: Snow Skirts
It’s that time of year when a throw blanket becomes an important part of your wardrobe around the house. Wear it like a shawl, a cape, a skirt, a toga—whatever keeps you warmest. But when you have to leave the house for work or play, might we recommend a snow skirt? The Outfitter of Harbor Springs has at least four brands on hand—Smartwool’s Smartloft ($110; pictured), Mountain Hardware’s StretchDown ($150), Skhoop’s Sandy Short Skirt ($99), and KUHL’s AeroLight Skirt ($119). All of the above are meant to keep you plenty warm with wool, down, fleece, or other cozy quilting whether you’re hitting the slopes or just running errands around town. Take it from this blanket-wearer: These are a game changer. And as a bonus, they look cute too! Stop in at 153 E Main St, Harbor Springs or shop online at outfitterharborsprings.com.
We’ll happily brave treacherous blizzard conditions for the promise of sweet and chocolatey treasure at the end of our trek! It’s all about pure dessert bliss at this Traverse City ice creamery, as their cakes, confections, and coffees are all free of GMOs and artificial additions. That means this deeply-chocolatey sip comprises only grass-fed milk and a heaping scoop of homemade chocolate ice cream (ingredients: locally and regeneratively farmed dairy, organic sugar, pink sea salt, vanilla extract, and two types of top-tier chocolate). It’s the creamy, richly cocoa-y answer to our sweetest dreams, made even more indulgent with a dollop of vanilla-spiked whipped cream on top. Oh, and don’t forget a finishing drizzle of house chocolate sauce! Your confectionary quest begins at Milk & Honey (240 E. Front St.) in Traverse City. milkandhoneytc.com
Just 1 mile from downtown Traverse City
Experience the former Northern Michigan Asylum now home to boutiques, restaurants, tasting rooms, and more Guided historic tours available daily.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING FANTASIES
spectator
By Stephen Tuttle
We are told, ad nauseam, there is a housing crisis or a housing shortage or a housing affordability crisis or something. It’s true enough that housing, especially locally, has become expensive well beyond normal increases and well beyond inflation.
Inflation ended 2025 at 2.7 percent, but according to the Joint Center for Housing Studies, home prices increased 5.2 percent nationally and 5.6 percent locally.
Tariffs are not helping one bit, adding as much as $10,000 to the cost of new homes, according to the National Association of
Most of California and the Pacific Northwest are in a real housing crisis. The average cost of a new home statewide in California is now $900,000, and in San Francisco it’s a ludicrous $1.44 million. Los Angeles, New York City, Silicon Valley, and Sun Belt cities are reaching price points only the top income earners can afford.
At the other end of the housing price point disasters, according to Rocket Mortgage, are West Virginia, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Ohio with most homes priced below $300,000 and many below $200,000.
It’s true enough that housing, especially locally, has become expensive well
beyond normal increases and well beyond inflation.
Home Builders, because of the extra costs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada on items like steel, aluminum, drywall, cabinets, fixtures, and various kinds of fasteners. The recent threat of a 100 percent tariff on all imports from Canada would make things substantially worse as we import 12 billion board feet of lumber, about 24 percent of all we use, from Canada annually. Doubling the cost of a quarter of all the lumber we use would add substantial costs.
As it is, homes are already overpriced and not likely to come down any time soon. According to Redfin, the median listing price for a home in Grand Traverse County at the end of 2025 was $498,000, with the actual average sale price closer to $385,000.
(It should be noted here that while average and median listing and sale prices should be a fairly straightforward exercise for several companies, Zillow, Redfin, and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis all claim different numbers for those categories because they all include different geographical areas.)
Benzie and Antrim Counties are similar to Grand Traverse County for median, average, and sale price figures. Our Leelanau County neighbors win the housing-is-too-expensive sweepstakes with the average sale price of a whopping $841,000 according to our sister publication The Ticker. At the other end of the pricing spectrum is Kalkaska County with average sale prices ranging from $170,000 to $210,000 according to Redfin.
Adding to the costs are some lingering supply chain issues and the immigration crackdown that has deported or discouraged many experienced construction workers from ever entering so we have an acute labor shortage in the home building industry.
Northern Michigan is not alone in this dilemma. We’re joined by the West Coast and the Sun Belt, where affordable home ownership has gone from the American dream to the impossible dream in less than two decades.
Yes, a significant part of the issue is simple cost, but there is also a desire-outstrippingreality component. Many believe housing is a human right, though we can’t find it in the constitution or in statute. Maybe so, but that right would never include housing where we want it in the residence we want at a price we can afford.
We’re certainly not getting much help from the White House, though the president said he wants to prevent hedge funds and insurance companies from buying up single-family homes as investments. It’s not clear if he can do such a thing and might have just been one of his bits of rhetoric. We’re not hearing from the invisible Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), whose name you likely do not know without a Google search. It’s Scott Turner, former NFL defensive back and head of the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council. Turner has been oddly quiet as the housing debate swirls around him.
What we seem to want to do locally is simply subsidize everything while encouraging ever greater density. (Density advocates should take an aerial look at some new construction and ask if five to six houses per acre with no yard, no trees, no nothing, and your neighbors practically close enough to touch is what folks coming to Traverse City really want.)
Here, it seems we all have to pay for everybody’s housing. We have programs that reduce the amount of property tax that would have gone to the general fund, another program that “captures” taxes that would have gone to the general fund, and we have pots of taxpayer money available in many circumstances. It’s hard to imagine that as a sustainable system over time. We can’t have what we can’t afford, and we can’t keep asking other people to help us pay. We’ll need a new paradigm that might not include trying to shove everybody into downtown Traverse City.
TROUBLE IN PARADISE
Guest Opinion
by David Page
Shorelines are hazardous, polluted, and unsafe. Is this really Pure Michigan?
Let’s consider this context throughout the following story from a neighbor named Kevin. A few years ago during a rainstorm:
“I was slowly driving down Union Street in the rain. The torrential downpour had ended, but the streets and watershed was raging with stormwater. At Union and Front I came upon an astonishing sight: a manhole cover blew off the road in front of me and floated for moment on a column of up-swelling water, and then was cast aside like a toy frisbee. If that wasn’t unusual, along with this water came a family of bedraggled, soggy raccoons, washed out of the system and up through the manhole like they were on a water park ride.”
This eye-witness account reveals an underappreciated aspect of summer beach closings. We are enduring the consequences of poorly designed stormwater management systems from several decades ago. Thus, for generations, wildlife has enjoyed easy access and happily reproduce (overpopulating) in these places with well-documented results.
A principal culprit is the cartoonishly cute raccoon, admired for their adaptability, beloved for their antics. However, they are a polluting menace; lots of them, lots of daily feces. The excrement builds up in stormwater systems, eventually joined by foo d scrap, other pet and wildlife waste, and the trash decorating our yards, parks, and surface areas. It’s mixing together in rainwater drainages, then dumping into our watershed. We could use a census count on the animals in these systems and an expanded schedule of water sampling at all drainage outflows for a more complete picture.
It’s true, waterfowl are chief contributors to contamination on beaches. After all, it’s where they commonly live and poop. It would serve us well to clean it up regularly before it leaches into soils and water. It would also serve us well for shoreline owners to reduce or remove turf grass at the waters edge and install buffer zone plantings. These cost-effective remedies mitigate erosion impacts and contamination.
Now let’s consider an ambitious attempt by Traverse City and the State of Michigan to mitigate stormwater pollution back in 2014. Three Fabco Helix treatment systems, specifically designed and tested to kill E. coli and similar pathogens (essentially on contact) were installed at East Bay outflows. Anyone wanting detailed explanations of this equipment should visit Falco’s website.
This trail begins and grows cold with a memo from Angela Brennan, USGS, dated 20 Oct. 2015. She’s recommending some followup after water sampling results
indicated no improvement (after the installation of these filter assemblies):
“Preliminary microbiological results of this study suggest that it may be useful to look into the installation and engineering specs of the Fabco Helix stormwater filters which were installed at East Bay. I found a link that roughly explains the design of the filters, however it may be worth contacting the manufacturer to obtain more information such as; are the filters supposed to be submersed in water, or can they dry out and still function properly?”
These systems were not working as advertised in 2014—are they still not working today? What happened? We’re approximately 10 years past due for some explanation. With warranties and contracted guarantees likely lapsed, our proposal is simple: Let’s get back on path, get to the bottom of this stain upon our region, and achieve an honorable measure of victory.
That victory will only come when we treat contaminated shorelines as a systemwide problem with multiple sources of contamination.
We have yet to confront the dirtiest secret in the beach pollution dilemma. When water samples are drawn, most laboratories require a minimum of 24 hours to process. So, it’s a rainy-day Monday and stagnant polluted water from stormwater surge starts washing onto the beaches. Tuesday morning a technician draws the water samples and drops them off at the lab.
Meanwhile, the sun is out again and it’s beautiful! Cheerful families repopulate the beaches and frolic in the shallow waters without concern…the next day lab results post and beaches are closed. Too late to do any good for the thousands of people exposed during the period between samples drawn and results posted.
Ear infections, upset tummies, and other common symptoms of exposure flourish among beach-going residents and guests alike. Why are we waiting for lagging laboratory results when it’s widely known that beaches routinely close after heavy rains?
Two problems: Closing beaches should embarrass and alarm all of us. Not closing beaches when it’s obvious stormwater surge is occurring is an even bigger problem. Let’s rally and do better.
David Page is a resident of Traverse City, an advocate for health and safety, and cleaner air and water. A military veteran experienced in nuclear, chemical and biological warfare, hazardous materials, and explosive devices. Dave is collaborating with a local geologist, firefighter, and civil engineer. They’ve formed a volunteer citizens’ group seeking renewed analysis and followup actions.
The Passing Parade (Literally)
On Jan. 14, as Spaniards gathered for the Official Carnival Groups Competition in Cadiz, 12 men dressed as scientist Stephen Hawking performed a choreographed musical number in motorized wheelchairs, the New York Post reported. The men were wearing wigs and outfits typical of the disabled genius, who died in 2018 of ALS, as they performed. "Don't be offended, this is just for laughs," said Miguel Angel Llull, who wrote the lyrics to their songs. After the competition, the group planned to donate the dozen wheelchairs to ALS patients in need. "They are real chairs that cost us 400 euros each," Llull said.
Recent Alarming Headlines
Police in Yeadon, Pennsylvania, wrapped up a months-long investigation with the arrest on Jan. 6 of Jonathan Gerlach, 34, who was accused of robbing graves in the Mount Moriah Cemetery & Arboretum. The Reading Eagle reported that Gerlach was caught red-handed as he returned to his car from the cemetery carrying a "burlap bag, crowbar and other assorted items." In the bag were "human remains to include two mummified remains of small children, three skulls and other assorted bones," the arrest affidavit states. Gerlach later admitted to stealing about 30 sets of human remains from the cemetery, some of which were in his basement, while others were in a storage unit. Authorities haven't determined what Gerlach was doing with the remains. He faces a total of 574 criminal counts and is held on $1 million cash bond.
Bus passengers traveling from New York City to Washington, D.C., had a memorable ride on Jan. 19, Fairfax Now reported. The driver was supposed to take passengers from Penn Station to Union Station and Dupont Circle, but instead, he dropped everyone at the Vienna Metro station after police intervened. One passenger said the driver was going really fast and wouldn't listen to reason; "he screamed that he doesn't get paid enough and is refusing," the passenger said. When representatives of the bus company tried to call him, he repeatedly hung up and told passengers he "has family to go home to and doesn't have time to stop in D.C." "I'm the captain of this ship," he said. Passengers stranded at the Metro station were picked up by another bus and refunded their bus fare.
Spending too much time staring at your phone? Olivia Yokubonis would like a word, the Associated Press reported on Jan. 18. Using her screen name, Olivia Unplugged, Yokubonis urges people to stop their mindless use of social media. "People will comment and they'll be like, 'Oh, it's ironic that you're posting.' And I'm like, 'Where else am I supposed to find you, Kyle? Outside? You're not outside. You're here,'" she said. Yokubonis actually works for a screen time app called Opal, which people use to "reclaim their focus." "It's a fine line and a balance of finding a way to be able to cut through that noise but also not adding to the noise," she added.
Unclear on the Concept
As a boat captain in the Florida Keys, Bradford Todd Picariello, 65, is well-placed to (allegedly) find huge amounts of cocaine just floating in the sea. So it was no surprise
that Picariello had the goods; his mistake was in selling a kilogram to an undercover officer from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. According to CBS12-TV, Picariello was arrested on Jan. 19 after meeting with the cop, whom he told to bring a cooler to "make it look like he was getting fish." He also bragged he had another 100 pounds of cocaine for future buys. Officers also found $8,000 in cash and a handgun. Picariello faces three felony counts.
That's Creative
On the morning of Jan. 13, a woman in Nassau, New York, found a stray dog, WNYTTV reported. She took the dog to a veterinarian, who noticed that a GPS monitoring device had been attached to the dog's collar. But the dog wasn't a criminal: The ankle bracelet was assigned to Lamont Alexander Holmes, 47, of Albany, who had been charged with felony possession of a loaded weapon and was scheduled to appear in court that morning. Holmes is still on the lam; no word on the pup.
We're Gonna Need a New Category ...
Another robot bites the dust. On Jan. 15 in Miami, a food delivery robot met its ignominious end on a Brightline train track after becoming stuck, Fox5Atlanta reported. Witness Guillermo Dapelo took video as the train struck the robot. "I was walking my dogs ... and that's when I saw the food car standing on the train tracks," Dapelo said. RIP.
Goals
For the low, low price of $250,000, you can be one of the first to reserve a room at a luxury moon hotel, The Philippine Star reported on Jan. 21. GRU Space, a startup founded by Skyler Chan, hopes to deploy the hotel to the moon by 2032. It will be built on Earth. "The hotel offers views of the lunar landscape and Earth, along with ... surface experiences including Moonwalks, driving, golfing and other activities," GRU claims. The first hotel, which is expected to last 10 years, will be an inflatable habitat. After that, a more permanent and expanded facility will be placed. "We live during an inflection point where we can actually become interplanetary before we die," Chan said. GRU believes likely customers will include adventurers, couples looking to honeyMOON in an exotic locale and recent spaceflight participants.
The Continuing Crisis
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is nothing if not helpful. On Jan. 20, the group sent a letter to Punxsutawney Groundhog Club President Tom Dunkel, offering to donate a "state-of-the-art" 3D groundhog projection -- a hologram -- for the big event coming up on Feb. 2. "Let Phil and his family retire," the group said, according to Fox News. "Pixelated pop stars are headlining concerts and long-departed celebrities are attending conventions, so why not put that technology to good use: on a hologram that lets the real Phil hibernate in peace," PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk reasoned. "Give Gobbler's Knob a glowup with a phantom prognosticator." PETA noted that groundhogs are naturally shy and avoid humans. "Every year, this terrified little animal is subjected to loud announcers and noisy crowds." Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro responded with a post on X, featuring a "Don't Tread on Me" flag, but with Phil replacing the snake.
Writing for Escape, Resilience, and Queer Joy
Author TJ Klune comes to the opera house near the almost-frozen bay
By Jillian Manning
TJ Klune has written books about robots, aliens, werewolves, and wizards. He’s written about ordinary people, about parents and children, about superheroes and villains, about friends and lovers. But no matter what genre he’s exploring or which characters he’s bringing to life, there’s one goal at the center of it all.
“First and foremost, I think about my queer audience,” Klune says, “because all I have to do is remember me being a kid in the ’80s and ’90s, and if queer people were in books written by queer people at the time, it was HIV and AIDS … which was absolutely necessary, because we had to tell the stories of what our community was going through.”
But Klune wanted to share a brighter side to the queer experience. “I told myself when I was a kid that if I grew up being a writer like I wanted to be, I was going to tell stories about queer people where they got to have the same sort of hope and joy and success that their straight counterparts got to have.”
A Blob of Sunshine
Klune is best known for his New York Times bestselling and award-winning novel The House in the Cerulean Sea , which follows a lonely, rule-abiding caseworker who goes to an island to inspect an orphanage for magical children and instead, finds a true family.
That family includes the eccentric orphanage caretaker and six children: a wyvern, a gnome, a were-Pomeranian, a sprite, the Antichrist (aka Lucy), and a green blob of unknown origin named Chauncey who, above all else, dreams of being a bellhop.
When asked which character—from any of his books—Klune would choose to be, he answers quickly.
“Chauncey is one of my favorite characters I’ve ever written. Chauncey is sunshine—a blob of sunshine,” Klune says, smiling. “He understands the bigotry and the negativity towards him, but he’s also one of those people who says, ‘Well, if you don’t like me, then that’s not my fault. That’s your thing. So work on that.’”
That same resilience comes into play in Klune’s life as an author. For example, the paperback edition of The House in the Cerulean Sea has a glowing blurb from
bestselling author V. E. Schwab: “I loved it. It’s like being wrapped up in a big gay blanket. Simply perfect.”
“I’ve gotten messages from people who say, ‘Don’t you think it’ll diminish who wants to pick up the book, because if they see the word gay on the cover, they won’t want to pick it up?’” Klune tells us.
“And I thought to myself … ‘What if somebody refuses to pick it up because they see the word gay?’ But then I thought, ‘Do I want somebody like that reading my book?’ Because if they’re going to be prejudiced and make a snap decision because of a single word that’s on the cover, then what are they going to get from a book like mine?”
As it turns out, even the most unlikely readers can get a lot.
“I’ve had dads come to me in my signing lines with copies of my book, saying their kids gave them those books to help them understand their sexuality better, and they would come and get the book signed and say thank you to me for helping me and helping them understand their kids better,” Klune says.
Platform Over Stories
Centering queerness is not a simple or sometimes even safe goal these days. In 2025, the American Civil Liberties Union tracked 616 anti-LGBTQ+ bills in the United States, up from 533 in 2024. (They’re currently watching 345 active bills already this year.)
“I use my platform … to speak up for my community,” Klune says. “If I use my platform to just tell stories, I’d be doing it wrong. Because it is so important for people to hear from the queer community itself that, hey, we’re in trouble here, especially our trans brothers and sisters and nonbinary pals that are that are being told [by the government] that they don’t know their bodies, that they don’t know their minds.”
He points to another rising form of homophobia, found in book bans that target LGBTQ+ books and authors. The American Library Association reports on the Top 10 Most Challenged Books each year (the latest year with complete data is 2024), and of those 10 books, four were challenged for their LGBTQ+ content.
“It makes you wonder, why? What is in these books—what is in books like mine— that is so harmful that they need to be banned?” Klune asks.
New Books Ahead
In 2026 and 2027, Klune has two new novels on the horizon. Neither will be out before he visits Traverse City on Feb. 4 for a National Writers Series appearance, but he did give us a sneak peek.
First up is We Burned So Bright, which releases April 28.
“It is about the end of the world,” Klune says, “and it’s the shortest novel I’ve ever written,” done so purposefully to challenge and elevate his craft. But Klune fans will still find many of the hallmarks of his longer works.
“It’s a story about two men in their 70s. They’ve been together for 40 years, and then they, like the rest of the world, gets the news that in a month’s time, the world will be gone because of a black hole that is coming for our galaxy. Their final task is to travel from one side of the country [to the other] to fulfill a promise.”
Klune says he uses the book to “explore the aspects of humanity,” and that each chapter includes “a different type of story with a different type of meaning with different types of people.” He also warns that the book “is going to make everyone cry.”
But he’s going to make up for it with his January 12, 2027, novel The Stars Look Like Home. Klune frames this book—which has a dog main character based on Klune’s own pup—as an homage to the stories of his childhood, like Homeward Bound. (Never fear: He promises the dog lives.)
The plot of The Stars Look Like Home was predicated on the question of what a dog would say if he could speak, and is billed as “a funny and moving adventure about finding one’s place in the universe, told from the perspective of a dog.”
Meanwhile, the title comes from lyrics of the Britney Spears song “Alien,” which happened to be playing when the muse struck.
“So the book is dedicated to my dog and to Britney Spears,” Klune jokes.
About the Event
An Evening with TJ Klune is presented in partnership between the National Writers Series, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and City Opera House on Feb. 4 at 7pm. Tickets range from $12 for students and teachers to $27 for premium seating. Books are not included with the ticket but can be purchased through Cedar bookstore The Folded Leaf. Brittany Cavallaro, bestselling author of the
Charlotte Holmes series (among other titles), poet, and Interlochen alum and instructor, will guest host the event. Learn more and purchase tickets at nationalwritersseries. org/author-event/tj-klune.
Lightning Round with TJ Klune
Express: What’s the last great book that you read?
Klune: “The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. Good writing makes me smile. Great writing gives me goosebumps. And through that entire book, I had goosebumps.”
Express: Which of your books are you the proudest of?
Klune: “How to Be a Normal Person [which] is getting re-released by my publisher now at some point in the future. And the reason this book is so important to me is because I wrote that book when I was figuring out my asexuality, and that book is an asexual romance. I wanted to be able to put that out into the world, because I’ve learned that the older you get, you still have to figure yourself out. You still have to learn about yourself.”
Express: What’s giving you hope these days?
Klune: “I’ve been able to talk to so many kids all over the world, and I have learned very quickly that kids today are smarter, more worldly, more empathetic than we ever were at their age. … Young people today are going to change the world for the better.”
Express: What do you hope to share with the NWS audience this week?
Klune: “We live in 2026, but you don’t know if there’s somebody that comes to one of these events who has never spoken a word out loud about their queerness, or they’re scared to or they would lose friends, or their family would disown them. … I get to speak directly to them and tell them, I see you, I hear you, and I love you more than you could possibly know. The world is a better place because you exist.”
Up North Staycation Deals for Winter 2026
Why
go anywhere else?
By Geri Dietze
When you want to get away from daily life and enjoy a little winter fun, you don’t have to drive too far. These northern Michigan resorts and hotels have the amenities and the discounts for a snowy staycation.
Highlights: Crystal Mountain continues to evolve according to its master plan, with thoughtful updates and expansions. Winter guests can stay right in the heart of the village in the upgraded Hamlet Hotel, or choose from bungalows, townhomes, and cozy cottages. In between downhill runs and shredding the terrain parks, check out the trails for cross-country, fat-tire bikes, and snowshoes. New this year is indoor golf with two high-tech TrackMan simulators.
Deals: Discounts up to 25 percent on select dates make staycations an attractive mid-winter option. (And youngsters six and under stay, ski, and enjoy breakfast free—two kids per paying adult.) Get in on lift ticket discounts on select days, including Sunday Funday from 1pm-6pm; Woo-Hoo Wednesdays for discounted open-to-close lift tickets; and Z93 Nights with great music plus discounts on lift tickets and rentals from 5pm-9pm. Plus, seniors get 10 percent off on lodging, and current military personnel and veterans will realize a wide variety of savings ranging up to 50 percent off for weekday skiing and cross-country day passes.
Highlights: You don’t have to be a skier or boarder to get some big air: Stroll across SkyBridge Michigan, the world’s longest timber frame suspension bridge, by day for a birds-eye view of the ski action below, and come back at night when Skybridge glows with 150,000 lights. On the far side, visit the new family-friendly Iglu bar, an icy grotto inspired by the igloos found in European resorts and crafted just for Boyne by international experts.
Deals: Book two nights midweek and enjoy 20 percent off, or book a three-night trip at a 30 percent discount. Boyne’s Splash & Stay plan includes a discount up to 45 percent off at Avalanche Bay, with full-day passes starting at just $30. P.S. Locals feel the love at Avalanche Bay every Thursday night for just $20.
Highlights: Ski and board on 32 runs, two graduated terrain parks, and expanded glades, or choose to cross-country on 6.5 miles of dedicated trails through the Sturgeon River Valley. Join the Winter Wine Walk on Feb. 7, with curated wine stations and warming fires while you walk to the Beaver Dam on the Sturgeon River. Or bring your valentine to Murder Mystery Dinner, on Feb. 14, with a curated buffet, characters, and intrigue.
Deals: The Stay and Ski package on Wednesdays and Thursdays is only $83.35 per person/double occupancy, per day, for lodging and lift tickets. Plus, check out Wednesday and Thursday Bump Days with
The cross-country trails at Crystal Mountain.
$20 skiing and boarding plus $20 rentals and half-off deals on apps, wine, cocktails, and beers at the award-winning Duck Blind Grill.
Highlights: Treetops thinks of itself as a basecamp for winter fun, and with 27 runs among 1,500 acres of snow-covered terrain, guests will find options for beginner to mid-level skills. Choose full-service dining at Legends on the Hill; slopeside snacks, sandwich baskets, and sweet treats at the Halfway Café; and classic and inventive mixology at the recently renovated Bar 81, in a partnership with Iron Fish Distillery.
Deals: The Ultimate Stay and Ski package includes two nights lodging, daily breakfast, and dinner vouchers. Add-ons include lift tickets, extreme tubing, snowshoeing, and sleigh rides. Check the rates for the Weekend Stay Getaway, including discounted lift-ticket option. Romantics can choose the Serenity Weekend Package, with one night standard hotel accommodation, spa pedicure and massage, plus access to pool, hot tubs, and fitness center. Or go big with the Lucky You Two! Package with one night lodging, in-room amenity, and onehour couples massage.
Shanty Creek Resort
5780 Shanty Creek Rd, Bellaire | (866) 6955010, shantycreek.com
Highlights: The Shanty Creek collection of villages spans over 5,500 acres for a
singular winter experience. Choose from four winter settings, each with its own vibe: Summit, (the original Shanty Creek), Cedar River, Schuss, and Hawk’s Eye. Ski and board, or skate, snowshoe, fat-tire bike, and cross-country ski on dedicated trails. Resort-wide transportation moves guests here and there, and the shuttle to downtown Bellaire is for off-piste excursions.
Deals: Try the updated Lakeview Hotel, the original mid-century modern lodge for a two-night stay with 50 percent off daily lift tickets. Check out Super Sunday's program at Schuss Mt., with lift ticket, rental equipment, and beginner group lesson for just $60. Thank You Thursdays are for current military and veterans, educators, emergency personnel, and service industry employees, with $46 lift tickets and $46 rentals, or $22 night lift tickets and $33 night rentals. And Wednesday KHQ Ski Nights broadcasts from the slopes of Schuss, with $22 lift tickets and $33 rentals.
Highlights: Those who love the resort during warmer seasons will love the cozy vibe during a snowy weekend. Stunning views of Lake Michigan, Glen Lake, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore add to the winter wonderland with skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and cross-country on its slopes and trails. Stop by the village of Glen Arbor for the Feb. 19 chili cook-off, or enjoy or ice fishing, conditions permitting. Deals: Winter packages include lodging and lift tickets (minimum two-night stay).
Super Seniors (80+) ski free, as do children five and under.
Highlights: This stunning inn, completed in 1911, glows with over a century of careful stewardship. Upgrades enhance the guest experience without altering the inn’s historical significance, and the common areas retain their Victorian charm, like the 1911 Restaurant, home of artisanal dishes. The Inn sits within the Bay View cottage community, founded in 1875 by Michigan Methodists and now listed as a National Historic Landmark. It’s an easy drive to Harbor Springs and ski destinations Nubs Nob and The Highlands.
Deals: Book early and save 25 percent for all stays Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. And if marriage is in the works, check out the Elopement Package, witnesses included.
Grand Traverse Resort and Spa
100 Grand Traverse Village Blvd. Acme | (231)534-6000, grandtraverseresort.com
Highlights: You would have to travel well beyond Traverse City to find the soaring panorama found atop Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, so book a stay and get ready to be wowed, not just by the views, but by the amenities and the stylish comfort.
Deals: The Valentine’s Day Package includes a two-night stay, $200 in resort
credit, a voucher for a glass of champagne at Aerie Restaurant & Lounge, and a late check-out (Feb. 12-16, and Feb. 20-22). The Stay Your Way package offers big savings on two nights of lodging plus a $250 credit good for spa, dining, shopping, and winter golf lessons. Winter spa packages are offered at attractive rates, and Wine Down Wednesdays feature 25 percent off spa services and 25 percent off a glass of wine or mocktail.
A Few
More Deals
Winery lovers, book a two-night stay Sunday through Thursday at The Inn at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay and enjoy 50 percent off your second night when you use promo code BOGO at checkout through April 30. Veterans, active duty military, and first responders can get 50 percent off a midweek visit at Old Mission Peninsula’s Chateau Chantal November through April. A complimentary breakfast and coupons for wine tasting are included.
And mark your calendars for the TC Comedy Fest (April 15-20), when you’ll find lodging deals at the Sleep Inn & Suites Bay View and Pointes North Beachfront Resort; and the Fresh Coast Film Festival: TC Edition (April 30-May 4), with a 20 percent off rate at the Baywatch Resort.
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The Express does its quarterly check-in with Cherry Capital Airport Executive Director Kevin Klein, who takes a moment out of his busiest season ever to talk air travel, expansion and more.
1 > You must be one of the busiest people in all of northern Michigan right now.
Klein: There’s certainly a lot going on and there will be for the next two years. We’re not only really busy from a passenger perspective, but also from a capital development perspective.
2 > We saw the [Grand Traverse] County Commission vote 5-4 to move forward with bonding for the airport expansion. But how close that vote was was a big surprise, wasn’t it?
Klein: I was shocked, actually. Very appreciative it went our way, but I did think 7-2 at the worst or likely 8-1. But what I think happened is some influential groups challenged the commissioners on their vote at the last minute. But the reality is, gone are the days of unanimous votes. So we’re moving forward.
3 > So now the bonding is final?
Klein: We’re approved and moving forward. The process starts in late March and will be complete in April. All green lights from here. Now we’re working to earn more grant dollars from the State of Michigan and some private sources, trying to generate interest in the terminal development.
4 > Are you on schedule for your projected timeline for the new terminal?
Klein: Yes, we’re hitting all our marks. The next step is bids will go out this month to get final numbers, and we will also bid out the concrete apron work and around the building. We’ll continue to proceed and we’ll have shovels in the ground – if winter ends normally – in April. But if it’s a long winter, that might delay us a bit.
5 > Are all the interior designs complete too?
Airport Expansion Getting Real
Key milestones on the runway
Klein: Yes, they’re all locked in.
6 > And vendors?
Klein: Well, there are two ways I’ll answer that. For concessionaires, we go out for bids in February. We’ll be looking for concession for a sports bar and also some remote or self-service concession opportunity. Of course our current cafe operator will be very interested. But there will be two new spaces vendors can bid on. And then [The Christman Company] is our construction manager at-risk. They held a vendor meeting with all the local construction firms in late December.
7 > Any preference given to local construction partners?
Klein: They do naturally give preference to local companies and also to those that have worked here before, but that will all be their responsibility. They’ll be bidding out soon and we’ll review at our February [Airport Authority] meeting.
8 > What else is new on-site?
Klein: Our new police department started operating on Jan. 4. By the beginning of February, the operation of our new economy parking lot will begin. Delta is expanding their service to Atlanta starting May 23, which is about a month longer than previous years. And Ron and Cindy Lemcool are expanding and redefining their café and adding more storage and prep space and more seating, so there will be some reconfiguring going on until probably Memorial Day there.
9
> What about the proposed hotel on-site?
Klein: Yes, that’s been approved and we’ll be working with them this spring to hopefully get shovels in the ground in 2026.
10 > Curious about the hotel. Where did that idea and need come from?
Klein: We had heard a lot from the general public about a need for a hotel at the airport, mostly from those who come from Leelanau who fly out on early flights. That’s really how it started. Then as different operators dug into the concept, they started looking at crew opportunities for lodging and also for travelers from all of northern Michigan. It started adding up to enough room nights to justify it, and then also looking at uses like Costco shoppers who come from farther away and businesses who want to fly in for the day for a meeting. So Socks Construction started working and looking at “How would a hotel look at all of this?” And they realized it could work very well. So we will operate it with them; they will go out and seek a hotel brand. Our lease will be with them, with a percentage of revenue model.
11 > Understood. What else is happening?
Klein: Another thing is that AvFlight, our fixed base operator, is rebuilding their lobby and hangar, a $5M investment in that area. They will have invested over $12 million here since 2021, which is great. We’ll also be updating the lighting in our public area and Concourse A, a $2 million project just underway.
12 > Looking back at the big storm over the holidays, how bad were the disruptions?
Klein: A lot of what we experienced during what I’ll call the “holiday storm” was due to very substantial winds. And that did cause difficulty with deicing; it just causes havoc for the person out there spraying. But we were on top of clearing the runways and I think overall December turned out flat for us overall.
13 > And you’re constantly approaching airlines with new plans and ideas, correct?
Klein: Oh, I have all kinds of ideas for them! Yes, we’re mostly pitching to them in the fall, when we met with Southwest, JetBlue, United, American. It was a busy time. Another good thing about our expansion is we’re now having monthly meetings with the air carriers, so we’re getting more opportunities to be heard!
14 Winter Trails to Explore THIS SEASON
Hike, snowshoe, fat tire bike, or cross-country ski these snow-covered pathways
By Drew VanDrie
Northern Michigan is laced with miles upon miles of trails, and you don’t need to be a fair-weather fan to enjoy them. We scoured local conservancies for some of the best winter hiking spots where you can enjoy a peaceful hike, a snowshoe, or some blissfully brisk cross-country skiing in the heart of winter.
1. South Long Lake Forest Natural Area (Grand Traverse County)
Located just outside of Traverse City, this 229-acre natural area offers winter solitude close to home. Open to hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing, the parcel features a 1.3-mile main loop with a few offshoots on the eastern edge for an extended venture. Full of hardwoods, pines, and wetlands, this quiet escape is great for a short excursion. Also open to bow and arrow hunting during season; check with Long Lake Township for full regulations at (231) 946-2249.
2. Kehl Lake Natural Area (Leelanau County)
Sequestered at the northern tip of Leelanau County is Kehl Lake Natural Area. Consisting of 279 acres and 2 miles of trail,
this tranquil property situated alongside Kehl Lake is ideal for winter wandering. Consisting of old growth hemlocks, white pines, and extensive marshland along the lake, the natural area is a haven for migratory birds and makes for excellent bird watching. Permitted uses include hiking, snowshoeing, hunting, and, of course, birding!
3. Empire Bluff Trail (Benzie County)
Not exactly a trail that’s “off the beaten path,” the allure of Empire Bluff trail is still undeniable. Consisting of a brief 1.5-mile round trip trail, the pathway strolls through an extensive beech and maple canopy before opening to an unbeatable panoramic view of Lake Michigan and dunes to the north. Watching the winter waves crash far below and hearing the wind whistle through the dune grass is a stark and peaceful vantage not to be overlooked! A friendly reminder that a National Parks entrance pass (or day pass) is required. The trail features rolling terrain and some hills that can be icy in the event of a freeze-thaw, so plan accordingly.
4. Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area (Antrim County)
An exceedingly bio-diverse parcel, Glacial Hills features hardwood forests,
wetlands, shrub thickets, and more. The natural area is a substantial 765 acres and boasts an impressive 31.5 miles of trail available for exploration. Portions of the property are groomed, making it an ideal venture for some extended cross-country skiing. Also open to hiking, snowshoeing, and hunting; anyone seeking up-to-date usage and regulations are encouraged to contact Antrim County at (231) 533-6265.
Arcadia Dunes is an astoundingly large parcel consisting of 3,800 acres and over 15 miles of trail which winds through the dunes, forest, and other natural landscapes. The popular Overlook Trail is accessible from the Baldy Trailhead and offers universal access (UA) to the overlook of Lake Michigan. Another and more secluded overlook is located on Baldy Dune to the north and can be accessed by a half-mile connector trail from the first outlook. Nature seekers can also select a more circuitous route through the multitude of interconnected trails.
6. Big M Cross Country Ski Trails (Wexford & Manistee County)
Situated in the heart of the sprawling
Manistee National Forest, the Big M is a crosscountry skier’s delight. Completely volunteer run, the area features an extensive network of trails varying in length and difficulty and all groomed for classic style cross-country skiing. (Participants are advised to not walk/ hike on the groomed trails to maintain optimal conditions.) Those with a penchant for pedaling will be pleased to know the Big M also features a separate portion of trails that is groomed and intended specifically for fat tire biking. And finally, for those looking for a midnight jaunt through winter woods, the Shoreline Cycling Club and Big M Cross Country Ski council hold occasional moonlit treks to join!
A multi-use, year-round trail system, the draw of the Cadillac Pathway does not diminish during the off season. This parcel runs through state owned lands managed by the Department of Natural Resources and offers 10 miles of various trail loops that allow participants to pick their suitable excursion length. Groomed and maintained for cross-country skiing, fat tire biking, and open to hiking and snowshoeing, this parcel is tailor made for winter recreation. Split into an East and West Side portion
The outdoor firepit and warming cabin at Big M Cross Country Ski Trails.
by Seeley Rd, the trails wander through hardwood forests, quiet woodlands, and a charming stint along the Clam River.
8. Upper Manistee Headwaters: Milock Family Preserve (Kalkaska County)
Opened fairly recently to the public in 2020, the Upper Milock Family Preserve has become popular to outdoor enthusiasts, and for good reason! This former Boy Scout property is a sprawling preserve offering 1,357 acres of wildlife habitat and nearly 6 miles of explorable trail. Contained within the property is a 130-acre spring fed lake, wetlands, and several kettle hole ponds making it a perfect locale to spot deer, birds, and other woodland denizens making their wintery commutes.
9. Mason Tract Pathway (Crawford County)
Located 15 miles southeast of Grayling is the remote and pristine Mason Tract Pathway. Carving through the immense 4,493 acre Mason Tract special management area, this single track offers nearly 9 miles of trail. Open and partially groomed for cross-country skiing, the trail is also ideal for winter hiking and snowshoeing. The winding pathways navigate through pine forests and runs parallel to the renowned Au Sable River. Adventurers looking to catch their breath should pause at the Mason Chapel, an open air chapel that overlooks the river below. The Mason Tract is open to hunting, hiking, and skiing, but camping is not allowed (outside of designated state campgrounds), and the trail is designated as intermediate difficulty so outdoor wanderers should know their ability. Visitors must possess a state recreational passport.
10. Shingle Mill Pathway (Otsego County)
Parsing through the scenic Pigeon River Country, the Shingle Mill Pathway is a perfect midwinter escape. Containing 11 miles of pathway broken into five separate loops (ranging in length from 0.75 miles up to the full 11), the trail is a favorite with cross-country skiers and snowshoers. In addition to conifer stands, hardwoods, and cedar bottomlands, the trail has significant portions running along the Pigeon River and loops around Grass Lake on the northern end. Those looking to tackle the full loop should be aware that it can take upwards of six to seven hours. The parcel is open to hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and hunting with a state recreational passport.
11. St. Clair Lake-Six Mile Lake Nature Preserve (Charlevoix County)
Also known as the Mary Behrens Sorrell Trail, this 246-acre preserve encompasses a 1-mile undeveloped stretch of the Sinclair River. Offering a pleasant 0.25-mile universally accessible trail, the property allows nature enthusiasts of all ages and abilities to experience winter’s splendor. Complete with a river overlook along the water frontage, this is a great option for those looking to get outside among unspoiled streamside wilderness.
12. Agnes S. Andreae Nature Preserve (Cheboygan County)
Situated along the pristine Pigeon River and backed against the Boyd B. Banwell Preserve, this 81-acre parcel offers more than 5 miles of winter fun. Portions of the trail may be groomed for cross-country skiing, but some trailblazing can be expected. While the Andreae is closed to hunting, the adjacent Banwell is not and allows hunting on its property. Perhaps one of the most popular attractions is the Nature Megaphone, a large wooden structure allowing listeners to stand at the receiving end and listen to the amplified notes of song birds and snow sifting through pine boughs.
13. Allan and Virginia McCune Nature Preserve (Emmet County)
The McCune Nature Preserve consists of 172 acres and offers roughly 4 miles of trail for enjoyment and exploration. Accessible from the east and west boundaries of the property and containing a variety of loops and lengths, the property consists of hardwood forest, red pine stands, meadows, and 3,400 feet of frontage along Minnehaha Creek. The preserve is a great place to glide through a snow glade or pause atop the boardwalk bridge while the partially frozen creek glistens below.
14. DeYoung Natural Area (Leelanau County)
Close to Traverse City but with enough wilderness to feel out in the elements, the DeYoung Natural Area is well known and for good reason. Featuring 191 acres and 2.3 miles of trail, the preserve straddles Cherry Bend Road and is easily found by the barn situated on the east side of the road. Open to birding, hiking, snowshoeing, hunting, and cross-country skiing, the preserve also has a 0.5-mile universally accessible trail leading to a lookout and fishing pier on the edge of Cedar Lake.
Cruise
A Hive, a Bird, and a Boat
Three operations, two towns, and one couple behind it all
By Art Bukowski
Business is business. But for Landon McDaid, business needs to mean more. That’s why Landon and his wife, Nicole McDaid, want the impact of their three Leelanau County operations to go beyond their own pocketbooks.
The McDaids’ Hive Coffee Co. in Suttons Bay supports mental health and honeybee conservation. Little Boat Coffee in Leland supports the Great Lakes. Birdie’s Sandwiches in Suttons Bay supports Michigan wildlife. The latter two businesses opened less than three months ago.
Northern Express sat down with Landon to see how it started, how it’s going, and what’s next.
A Buzz in Suttons Bay
Landon and Nicole (now a full-time nurse at Munson Medical Center) met while in school at Ferris State University not long before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Landon initially majored in environmental biology before switching to hospitality, working chef and bartending jobs in Big Rapids while he attended school.
“We were in college and I was working about four part-time jobs taking 15 credit hours, so my wife and I were just not able to hang out a lot,” Landon says. “We were like ships crossing in the night.”
But they found connection and peace after Landon bought a nice espresso machine.
“I just started making us coffee every morning, and it became a ritual where we would sit together every morning and talk about life, talk about how we wanted to go forward, go through our mental health for the day, and kind of prepare ourselves for the day,” he says.
Fast-forward a few years to when the McDaids came north to live with Nicole’s
sister and brother-in-law, Kat and Tony West, during COVID. West was managing the Leland Lodge at the time, and Landon went on to work in various hospitality positions at the Lodge, Dune Bird Winery, and elsewhere.
They moved up here full time, and the opportunity in 2023 to open Hive—which had been a Mundos location—was too great to pass up. In the back of Landon’s mind was just how important that morning coffee conference was to his mental and emotional health.
“That’s kind of where Hive started, because I wished everybody had that ritual to fall back on and have it launching them into their day,” he says.
While the McDaids are certainly proud of the coffee and other drinks and treats they provide at Hive, it’s the mission that means the most.
“I want a heart behind my business. I know I can’t wake up in the morning every day and go make coffee just for money,” Landon says. “So our mission for Hive is to support local mental health and honey bee conservation. That part of me that likes environmental biology is still in there.”
Hive has made various donations to causes in this vein and has hosted several events to raise awareness and offer support, particularly for mental health.
More Opportunities
Birdie’s and Little Boat opened on Nov. 20 and 21, respectively, just a few short weeks after the McDaids got the keys to those spaces. Both openings were less about a desire for expansion and more the result of the couple jumping on two opportunities.
Birdie’s is in a separate space toward the back of Hive that was formerly occupied by Bay Burrito. Landon had his eyes on it with a specific plan in mind, should it ever be available.
“I thought it would be really nice to offer a grab-and-go sandwich option in Suttons Bay. It was a niche that my old manager and I had talked about all last summer,” he says. “We had talked about if that space ever becomes available, that’d be an awesome thing to do there.”
In the meantime, Landon heard a rumor that Madcap Coffee was planning to vacate its space in Leland. He approached the Madcap folks and said he’d like to be the first person they called if that was indeed the case. They later called him with an offer to sell, though the two parties had to hammer out a price.
“We were in the middle of negotiating price for equipment, and I had to wait about two weeks for them to [pull together a price for equipment],” he says. “In the time I was waiting for them to give me a final amount, Bay Burrito said they were leaving.”
So here the McDaids were, working to open up two new operations in a matter of weeks and then finding a way to run all three at once. It was stressful, but mostly the good kind of stress, surrounded by friends and family.
“I’m definitely the rip-the-band-aidoff kind of person,” Landon says. “It’s been challenging, and honestly, without my wife, I’d probably be going insane. And without both of our parents, my parents doing a bunch of remodeling, and the support from her parents, it wouldn’t be possible at all.”
And before the concepts and menus of these two new operations were fully fleshed out, Landon was already thinking about the heart behind both businesses.
“With Little Boat, our cheeky little slogan or whatever you want to call it is that you can still make waves with a little boat,” he says. “We want to have some impact on Lake Michigan and Michigan waterways, and also the Fishtown Preservation [Society].”
The impact for Birdie’s is still taking shape.
“The heart behind Birdie’s is to support
Michigan wildlife, and we’re still trying to figure out how we can target that, but I’ve got some friends that are going to get me in contact with the Piping Plover Project,” he says.
Doing It Well
Idealism is great, of course, but it only gets you so far in the competitive world of consumer-focused business. That’s why Landon and his staff have gone a long way toward making the best cup of coffee they can at Hive and Little Boat (Mundos and Madcap continue to roast the coffee for both locations, though Landon hopes to roast his own soon).
“What I’m really most proud of is a saying that I learned in hospitality, which is that if you’re going to do something, do it well,” he said. “So everything we do, we have a standard for. Every shot of espresso we pull is exact weight, exact timing, and dialed in to exactly how we want it to taste. Our syrups are all made in-house…Our staff takes 15, 20 minutes out of their opening procedures just to make sure our coffee is tasting right.” Over at Birdie’s, the sandwiches are second to none, Landon says.
“We’re most proud of the flavors that are coming out of there. We’ve got really good sauces that we’re putting on sandwiches and really good creations that are super fun. We’ve got an amazing muffalata there. We’ve got a great turkey club that features our bird sauce, which is a Calabrian chili mayonnaise,” he says. “We’ve got so many good, different, unique sandwiches.”
Customers have warmly welcomed both new businesses, Landon says, even though it’s the off-season. He looks forward to warmer months ahead.
Find Hive Coffee Co. at 206 N St Joseph St, Suttons Bay, in Suite B and Birdie’s Sandwiches in Suite D, and Little Boat Coffee at 106 N Main St in Leland. hive-coffee.com
The staff at Little Boat Coffee in Leland sling coffee six days a week.
Two Concerts Worth the Winter Drive
Throw on the parka (and your dancing shoes) for these February performances
By Ross Boissoneau
Winter time is concert time. True, there aren’t nearly as many shows as in the summer, but it’s still a good time to catch your favorites or have your ears opened to new discoveries. While you don’t have to brave the crowds, you do have to brave the weather. So here are a couple picks to make the drive worthwhile, whether that drive is 20 minutes or two hours.
Worth the Drive #1
Full Cord, with special guest Robin Lee Berry Freshwater Gallery, Boyne City, Feb. 14
“It’s not quite progressive and it’s not quite traditional,” says bassist Todd Kirchner of Full Cord’s brand of bluegrass. The band’s mix of Western Swing, rock and roll, jazz, and traditional bluegrass provides virtually every audience with something familiar and something new.
“We’re not pigeonholed into one thing,” says Kirchner.
That gives the group the ability to
switch up its set based on the venue and the audience. If it’s an older audience, the group might lean a little more traditional. On the other hand, “If it’s people wearing tie-dyes, we pull out our rock and roll,” says guitarist Eric Langejans.
Kirchner and Langejans met years ago and immediately forged a connection. “I met Eric at a bluegrass festival and we started picking. We hit it off. We hung out the whole night and said, ‘We need to do this on the regular,’” remembers Kirchner.
Together with mandolinist Brian Oberlin and Max Allard on banjo, they make up the core of Full Cord. Fiddler Chase Potter will be joining the group in its incarnation as a quintet. That’s another way in which the versatility of the group manifests itself: It can play as a trio, quartet, or quintet depending on the venue or who’s available.
The group is based primarily in West Michigan. Langejans lives in Holland, while Kirchner is from Grand Haven and Oberlin calls Grand Rapids home. Allard is originally from Chicago but now resides in Ohio, while Potter flies into gigs from his
home in Nashville.
Full Cord won the prestigious 2022 Telluride Bluegrass Band Competition in Colorado, and followed that up being named the Momentum Award Band of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association. Kirchner says that recognition has helped propel them into more and bigger gigs.
Still, it’s the versatility that marks the band. Asked what their favorite song to perform is, Kirchner says “I like funky songs.” He opts for “Stealin,’” an old jug band song also covered by the Grateful Dead (Kirchner cites Jerry Garcia as his earliest inspiration).
Langejans goes a little farther afield: “I kind of like the songs people don’t see coming. ‘Ride Like The Wind’ by Christopher Cross. When people hear that, they’re like, ‘What?’” he says.
Opening the show is Robin Lee Berry. She and her husband Tony Williams own Freshwater Gallery. Even though she’s a familiar face around the region, Berry has only played at the gallery a couple other
times, opting to present other artists. “It’s quite an opportunity. I’m in front of a really hot bluegrass band,” she says. “How do I put a set together?”
Apparently by mixing and matching. Berry is a seasoned folk performer, but also boasts a jazz background, including time spent fronting the Bay Area Big Band and with the Northwestern Michigan College Vocal Jazz Ensemble. So she’ll be looking to include some jazz standards—she says it’s likely “My Funny Valentine” will be in her set—as well as some of her originals.
She’s looking forward to becoming part of the audience after her set. “Full Cord is different and exciting. It’s high energy, they keep it moving. They’ll throw in some Pink Floyd, bluegrass style. It’s kind of a new sound.”
It’s also worth the drive to hear Full Cord in Traverse City. The group is playing two shows in the region: Feb. 13 at Milliken Auditorium and the Feb. 14 show at Boyne City, though Berry is only performing at the latter.
Tickets are $45. Call (231) 582-2588 to reserve.
Full Cord
Worth the Drive #2
Keith Hall Brazilian Jazz Trio, with Chico Pinheiro The Alluvion, Traverse City, Feb. 27
Professor of Jazz Drum Set at Western Michigan University Keith Hall spent a dozen years touring worldwide and recording with singer and saxophonist Curtis Stigers. Hall has also performed with other jazz royalty, including Randy Brecker, Betty Carter, Wynton Marsalis, New York Voices, Janis Siegel, and many more.
He lived and worked in New York City for nine years, performing in a multitude of musical contexts, including as a regular sub for Tommy Igoe on Broadway’s The Lion King. Hall was also a member of the Latinjazz quartet Grupo Yanqui, chosen by the U.S. State Department and Jazz at Lincoln Center to represent the country in the American Music Abroad Program.
It was all in keeping with his love affair with the drums, which started in fifth grade. “It was always about the drums. It’s always been my focus and passion,” says Hall.
Even when he was landing gigs with jazz artists and touring the world, the Battle Creek native had another almost secret desire: to return to his home state, and maybe even teach at the college he attended. “I always thought I might slide into teaching. In New York in the ’90s, I earned my Masters at the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College,” Hall says.
“I thought someday I might want to teach at college and pass on the things I didn’t get earlier in my career. My dream was to move back to Michigan and teach at my alma mater. Now 22 years later here I am, a tenured professor.”
A professor who still performs whenever he can. Hall has jammed with The Alluvion Big Band, and he’s excited about bringing his own music to Traverse City. “This trio is special,” he says of bandmates Carlo De Rosa
(bass) and Matt Fries (piano). “They’re my colleagues at Western. I’ve known Matt over 30 years, and Carlo for a long time.”
The music will be a mix of bossa novas, sambas, and other Brazilian jazz, which Hall has been studying the past few years. That includes his time in the country when he took a sabbatical from teaching at Western. “I’ve been studying the music intensely for two years. I took lessons in Brazil and continue online.”
Guesting with the trio will be Brazilian guitarist Chico Pinheiro. “He’s a Brazilian jazz star,” says Hall. He’s been nominated for two Grammy Awards and performed with the likes of Placido Domingo, Kathleen Battle, Kurt Elling, Herbie Hancock, and many others. “We’ll do some of his music. All three are world-class musicians,” says Hall. Hall hopes to record this year with all three musicians, and possibly others. Till then, he’ll continue performing and teaching the next generation.
Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door at thealluvion.org.
OWNERS CAN TAKE AN ADDITIONAL OFF ANY ONE SHOPPING TRIP IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY
Keith Hall
Chico Pinheiro
NMCAA Working to Build Communities that Thrive
Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency on housing, childcare, food insecurity, and more
By Anna Faller
We’re all familiar with the adage that says “it takes a village” to reach a long-term goal. For the team at Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA), that goal is eliminating poverty and empowering local families, and their growing network of community-focused programs is the verifiable village.
“Our goal is really to help people achieve stability and self-sufficiency so the communities in beautiful northwest Michigan that we live in will continue to thrive,” executive director Kerry Baughman says.
But what does a thriving community look like in the context of larger social issues? We talked with NMCAA about the housing crisis, economic instability, childcare deserts, and food insecurity.
Housing & Financial Stability
First and perhaps foremost on the NMCAA docket is the ongoing issue of housing stability.
In fact, according to the organization’s 2024 Community Needs Assessment (CNA), all but one of the 10 counties NMCAA serves reported a clear deficit in affordable housing. Several counties, including Wexford and Emmet, were in the red by more than 300 units, while Grand Traverse County was short by upwards of 1,000 units
and counting.
As Housing Stability Department operations manager Grant Card notes, a big part of the problem comes from a vicious combination of steadily increasing housing prices paired with limited units and ALICE numbers (asset-limited households) holding steady between about 30 and 45 percent across the region.
“People have literally been priced out of their unit just so the market can maintain [it] as a stable source of income,” he says. “That’s been the huge piece—just sheer lack of housing and increased prices.”
In fact, the last few months alone have seen over 150 people utilize NMCAA homeless prevention programs (94 percent of whom were stably housed upon completion!).
To mitigate this growing housing chasm, NMCAA highlights a recent merge between its Homeless Prevention and Homeownership and Financial branches, providing clients with the critical budgeting, counseling, and management tools necessary to obtain and maintain housing.
“We see the need increasing every day,” Card adds. “Plans for expansion are definitely underway, and we’re doing our best to stay ahead of the tide.”
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, call the coordinated call center at 1-844-900-0500.
Housing & Energy Efficiency Services
Also under the finance umbrella is the Housing and Energy Efficiency arm, which encompasses federally-funded weatherization assistance (think: HVAC system updates, air sealing, insulation, etc.) and emergent housing restoration, like roof replacement and well or septic repairs.
Though Housing and Energy Efficiency Services director Tish Stave notes that overall demand for these services tends to follow the weather—the March 2025 ice storm is a prime example here, as is the division’s increased winter call volume— other contributing factors include the region’s aging housing stock (an especially prominent issue for counties like Wexford and Manistee) and a highly-competitive market for the units that do become available.
Consequently, the program has wait lists in place for all 10 of its counties, which NMCAA hopes to complete through increased partnerships with skilled contractors, though this often poses another hurdle, as many of these professionals are already committed to other builds.
“The demand is up—it doesn’t go down,” Stave says. “We could always serve more if we could build more capacity.”
Economic Stability
A third column of NMCAA’s finance
initiatives is the Economic Stability program, with year-round efforts headlined by a recently-launched free tax preparation service.
Per tax program coordinator Justin Marcum, the service is funded by the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance initiative, aka VITA, through the IRS. NMCAA, with 40 volunteer preparers in tow, completed just over 3,700 returns for the 2024 fiscal year, an effort that secured over five million dollars in refunds.
Though he remains optimistic in terms of future program growth—the goal is to hit, or even exceed, 4,000 returns for 2025—Marcum says that those increased numbers arise from local households vying with higher living costs, especially when we consider that clients’ average adjusted gross income is around $30,000.
The majority of the program’s users also fall into the over-50 age bracket, many of whom are on a fixed income or have dependents to support, which makes obtaining and understanding reimbursement opportunities even more critical.
“Affordability is such a barrier. Every penny counts,” Marcum says. “[A possible] credit or refund can allow [clients] some breathing room to help meet other needs.”
NMCAA is hosting their Super Saturday tax day on Feb. 7 from 10am-2pm at
Northwest Ed (800 Parsons Rd. in Traverse City). The event will include “free on-site tax filing, community resources, lunch, activities, and giveaways in one convenient place.”
Child
& Family Development
Access to educational opportunities for northwest Michigan households is another big focus for the organization.
According to NMCAA’s 2024 CNA findings, total area childcare capacity for kids under five meets less than 28 percent of demand. Add to that sky-high care expenses, which account for more than 30 percent of average household income in several counties, and early childhood services become a make-or-break for many families.
To help bridge that gap, NMCAA operates a range of family-centric programs, from resources for expectant parents to services for school-aged children, all of which cater to supporting a kiddo’s developmental growth and school readiness.
These include Early Head Start for infants and toddlers; Head Start and the Great Start Readiness program, both preschool initiatives; and more recently, the School Success Partnership Program, which provides tailored support to K-12 students (all with plenty of parent-involvement opportunities).
However, Child and Family Development director Shannon Phelps says the birthto-three age range has yet to reach its full potential, due in large part to lack of funding. Other pressure points include program staffing and the roller coaster of budget cuts, headlined by a multi-milliondollar reduction in state funds for Great Start Collaboratives in late 2025.
“As long as there are families and children, there’s going to be a need for early childhood education,” Phelps tells us. “These services are important, and I see the demand continuing to grow.”
Food Programs
NMCAA’s food programs represent another key area of community need—in particular, its partnership with the national Meals on Wheels program, which provides nutritious, frozen meals to homebound seniors within its 10-county scope.
“Each year, we certainly see increasing numbers of homebound seniors in need of this kind of support,” director Baughman says, not only in terms of proper nutrition, but also the companionship and resources that enable aging in place.
NMCAA data reflects that calls for food assistance are also up: 2024 surpassed the previous year by a staggering 16,000 meals, and the nonprofit served over 48,000 from October to December 2025 alone.
In that time, the organization also delivered an estimated 5,000 emergency food packages through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). NMCAA works directly with local pantries who can distribute the boxes or combine them with
other supports. Per the organization’s annual data, 2024 saw a spike of more than 3,500 TEFAP participants and 235,000 pounds of food provided through its Commodity Supplemental Food Program, which also serves seniors.
“We just continue to see this growth trajectory in terms of need around food security,” Baughman says.
Find NMCAA’s main branch at 3963 Three Mile Rd. in Traverse City. (231) 947-3780. nmcaa.net
Where to Start
Interested in connecting with NMCAA’s services? Start with whichever program is most urgent.
As marketing manager Erica Austin explains, “it’s not irregular to hear of one [client] moving on to another department or program,” because NMCAA services are designed to meet people where they are.
Stave, for instance, recalls a recent home repair patron whose involvement with the NMCAA began with homeless prevention in 2012. After working with the organization to secure stable housing, he attended a homebuyer workshop, purchased a house, and was later able to replace a leaky roof through the nonprofit’s Emergency Home Repair services.
“It’s really illustrative of how we walk alongside clients all the way through a journey,” she says.
Similarly, one Head Start parent highlights the educational tools the program provides as “invaluable in preparing for the future,” while another recalls how the NMCAA’s child development network connected them to local supports.
“Before going here, we weren’t able to afford daycare. Since then, we’ve had help with different community resources and have been able to save money to work on [buying] a home.” (A number of Head Start staff members even began as parents!)
“Every story is unique,” Austin adds, “and every program is individualized by the client.”
Artisan Happenings
Tuesday | Burger & Brew
Thursday | Locals Night
Nightly | Chef’s Tasting Menu
Get the details: artisantc.com
NMCAA does within the community.
by Joseph beyer
Train Dreams
If the January snowstorms have you hibernating at home and looking for meaningful distractions (and if, like me, you appreciate a soft-spoken but profoundly moving cinematic journey), this critic highly recommends you clear a little time, make yourself a hot toddy, and cuddle up for the magnificent drama Train Dreams, now streaming on Netflix after a brief theatrical run last year.
Train Dreams is a lyrical and patient story that follows the highs and lows within one man’s brief life as he struggles to make sense of love, loss, and our complex human condition. Far from being existential and academic, the film sometimes roars with intense energy even as it holds moments so quiet and tender, you may hear your own breath.
For fans of successful literary adaptations, Train Dreams is one of those rare synergies between the written word and the magic of cinema, and it blends together the best of both formats into something unique and precious. Published by writer Denis Johnson as a short story in The Paris Review starting in 2002, it was adapted into a novella and published again in 2011, eventually becoming a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction in a year the committee famously deadlocked and failed to issue the award to anyone.
Over a decade later, filmmaker and director Clint Bentley would adapt the story yet again, working with screenwriter Greg Kwedar to bring the turn-of-the-century romance of words into images, and the result has been a haunting and powerful success earning awards buzz for the many talents involved.
A sprawling portrait of times and places, Train Dreams begins after the dawn of the 20th century with men cutting lumber with
crosscut saws, and ends after astronauts are standing on the moon decades later; illuminating both the powerful longevity and temporality of the universe at the same time.
In plot, the story is elegantly simple as we follow the pedestrian day laborer and logger Robert Grainier, who begins as a drifter of sorts with no fulfilling future. When he unexpectedly finds love and a family with his wife, Gladys, the new husband and father begins to feel a change within (or it is revealed to him by nature, depending on your interpretation).
When a tragic event derails everything he has worked so hard for and costs him everything he has loved in his life, Grainier is forced to exist alone and find meaning in his own hermetic isolation—a perfect metaphor of the human condition and one that I think will resonate deeply with any engaged viewer.
Led with true conviction by actor Joel Edgerton as Grainier, along with supporting performances from the fiercely talented Felicity Jones as Gladys and legend William H. Macy as a philosophical wanderer drifting in and out of Grainier’s life, Train Dreams delivers some genuine acting craft that carries you away.
In a poetic turn as a narrator we never see, Will Patton joins the ranks of such other notable voice-overs as Robert Redford in A River Runs Through It or Morgan Freeman in The Shawshank Redemption.
With gorgeous and imaginative cinematography, a restrained score, and moments of silent power you’ll find yourself remembering, this 1 hour and 42 minute experience will have you rethinking the physical and natural world we live in… and what matters most.
Cocktails, Canapés, & Comedy
UNNE
at Willowbrook Mill • 201 Mill St, Northport
$60 ticket includes appetizers & dessert, show, coffee/tea/water
FRI., FEB. 13 & 20 • SHOWTIME 7PM DOORS OPEN FOR FOOD & DRINK 6PM
SAT. & SUN., FEB. 14, 15, 21, & 22 • SHOWTIME 4PM DOORS OPEN FOR FOOD & DRINK 3PM
SPONSORS
KAL Excavating • Sherry Koenig • Northport Building Supply
The Northport Highlands • Northport Stor-All, Mike & Kathryn May
Thomas & Milliken Millwork • Tom’s Food Markets
Kimberly Bork of Venture Properties
Supported by a grant from Leelanau Township Community Foundation
Produced by special arrangement with Playscripts, Inc. (www.playscripts.com)
Sail where summer begins Community Sailing in the heart of Traverse City
Traverse Area Community Sailing provides opportunities from first-time sailors to lifelong lake lovers, connecting people to the water through accessible, community-powered sailing experiences for all ages and abilities.
traverse area community sailing Plan Your Sailing Experience tacsailing.org
No Bad Hair Days
Northwestern Michigan Woodturners support local cancer patients with custom wig stands
By Art Bukowski
More than anything else, Susan Bianchi just wanted to feel like herself again.
A few years ago, Bianchi was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. Fighting cancer is already hard enough, but looking in the mirror and seeing a bald head staring back at her just added insult to injury.
“With losing your hair, you lose your identity. Everything changes. You’re already going through so many changes, and losing your hair is just one more thing that you’ve lost control of,” she says. “At that time I was trying
to work part time, and I just wanted to blend in as much as possible. I didn’t want to have to explain over and over again what was going on in my life. I just wanted to feel normal.”
A wig allowed her to regain some of that precious normalcy, and a beautiful, handcrafted wooden wig stand carved by someone at the Northwestern Michigan Woodturners (NMW) club helped her keep the wig in great shape and within quick reach.
Beyond the stand’s actual function, it served as a great reminder that there are plenty of people out in the community who
were supporting her in the fight against this dreadful disease.
“It means so much. The diagnosis is very frightening, and you’re facing a lot of uncertainty at times,” she says. “[It means a lot] to have someone caring when you’re going through this.”
An Ethos of Sharing
Since 2019, NMW has donated nearly 300 wig stands to patients at Munson Healthcare’s Cowell Family Cancer Center.
“A gift like a wig stand really shows [patients] how much the community
is thinking about them,” says Heather Busch, coordinator for health and wellness services at Cowell. “We don’t go a day without discussing how grateful we are for the donations from our greater community, and specifically for the woodturners group.”
NMW is a group of about 90 woodturning enthusiasts in the Grand Traverse region. A woodturner’s signature tool is a lathe, which spins wood as they use hand tools to shape this wood into a variety of items, not unlike a potter uses a potter’s wheel.
“It’s a really neat club,” says Pete Meyer,
Pete Meyer and Richard Foa
a longtime club member and particularly skilled craftsman. “The backgrounds are so diverse, but we all have a lathe and an interest in woodworking. So this one thing brings us all together.”
This hobby, turners say, is imbued with a sense of hospitality and support for fellow craftsmen and the community at large. Creating wig stands for people who need them just makes sense, and they’re tremendously proud to do it.
“If you go anywhere in the country and you meet woodturners, as a group, they are the most generous craftsmen I have ever encountered anywhere,” NWM member and retired neurologist Richard Foa says. “The whole ethos of woodturning is to share, and I think this is just an extension of that ethos. It’s sort of built into our craft.”
Giving Back
Dennis Ferguson, a longtime club member, Cedar resident, and retired Ford
employee, spoke of his sense of responsibility when asked about why he makes these stands. Ferguson referenced a Hohokam Native American story about a man in a maze toward the end of his life.
“As you go through life, you go through a maze and its circular paths. At the center of the maze is a larger spot that allows you to look at your life, look at what you’ve done and evaluate things before you pass over to the Great Spirit,” he says. “At 85, I feel like I’m at that point in the maze where I can give back, and this allows me to give back and not just take. It’s just a small way that I can support these people as they go through this struggle in their life.”
The woodturners don’t do it to be thanked, of course. But it’s still nice to get those thoughtful notes of gratitude.
“With these things, it really gets me what they do for people,” Meyer says. “I’ve tried to read some of the thank-you cards in front of the club and I get all choked up. I’ve lost a lot
of family and friends to cancer, and to feel like you can do something to help [cancer patients] is an incredible feeling.”
The wig stands aren’t the only way this club helps the community at large. Another notable example of their support is that of the Empty Bowls fundraiser for the Northwest Food Coalition. Club members donate beautiful, handcrafted bowls that are used to raise money for the coalition.
Beautiful and Functional
While the wig stands have to be the same basic shape, these wood turners each impart their own twist on the stands, adding to the charm of this endeavor. Across nearly 300 stands, no two are exactly alike.
Busch says women at the cancer center
“Women are often very surprised that beyond the fact that they will receive a wig that the wig stand is also a gift,” she says. “It’s something they can take with them on their journey and their healing process.”
Ultimately, Busch says, these wig stands are tools for empowerment.
“Women have shared with me that that instead of hiding that wig away, having it be something to feel bad about, they want that wig on display to know that they have something that can help them feel themselves again,” she says. “They can feel like themselves. They can feel beautiful. They can have their confidence back.”
Bianchi is thrilled with her “gorgeous” stand, which allowed her to clean and care for her wig without worrying about a flimsy
“It doesn’t look medicinal—it looks like a piece of art,” she says. “They’re sturdy, they hold the shape of the wig. The wig just looks
THE NEXT CHAPTER FEELS LIKE HOME
Saturday
MICHIGAN BIRDS: 10am, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Join Austin Heslinga, private lands biologist with the American Bird Conservancy, to learn how to better manage your property for better bird habitat. This interactive presentation will also include a walk on the trails to look at bird habitat. RSVP: james@grassriver.org. Free. grassriver.org
NOMIWOMAN WINTER & WINE SNOWSHOE EVENT: 10am-noon, Aurora Cellars, Lake Leelanau. Enjoy a snowshoe through the vineyard, followed by an indoor gathering with a glass of wine, seasonal soup, warm bread, & light nibbles. Connect with other women in the area. $25-$35. northernmichiganwoman.com/events
ARTIST TALK - SELECT ARTISTS FROM “BETWEEN US” EXHIBITION: 11am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Cornwell Gallery, TC. Each artist will share the personal lens through which they interpreted the theme connection, distance, & the many spaces that exist between people, places, & moments. Free. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/events/traverse-city-lectures.html
ICE WINE FESTIVAL: 11am, Chateau Chantal, TC. Events range from family-friendly snowman building & ice sculptures to outdoor fire pits with roasted treats. The winery’s walking trail will be open for snowshoeing or skiing. Bring your own snow gear. There will also be an ice wine vineyard tour, ice wine production & cellar tour, & Fire & Ice Wine Dinner. chateauchantal.com/ice-wine-festival
GREAT LAKES CINEMA SERIES: THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON: 11:30am, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. A heartwarming adventure about a young man with Down syndrome who runs away to pursue his dream of becoming a professional wrestler, forming an unexpected friendship along the way. Pay what you can admission. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/the-peanut-butter-falcon
PETOSKEY’S BANANA BREAD SHOWDOWN: 1pm, Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts, Petoskey. Bakers gather to compete for this year’s title of Best Banana Bread recipe. There will be categories for amateur bakers, professional chefs & child bakers (14 & under). Those competing can bring their homemade banana bread to Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts between 9-11am on the day of the event. There will be a $15 entry donation to the Manna Food Project. Each participant will receive a $25 gift certificate to Grandpa Shorter’s stores. Judging begins at 1pm. For more info, visit web site. grandpashorters.com
KIDS MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE: 2-4pm, The Highlands at Harbor Springs. A threepart mountain adventure. Leg 1: Ski Racetest your speed on the Camelot Race Arena. Leg 2: Obstacle Course - climb, hop & dash your way through. Leg 3: Disc Golf - disc golf challenge. Registration runs from 9am-noon at the Brew Bar, located in the Day Lodge. 855-631-5137. highlandsharborsprings. com/events/kids-mountain-challenge
NWS: AN AFTERNOON WITH SUZANNE METTLER: 2pm, City Opera House, TC. In “Rural Versus Urban,” Suzanne Mettler & Trevor Brown argue that political polarization is not just about red states & blue states, or coastal elites who alienate those in fly-over country. Instead, polarization has become organized through a harmful rural-urban division. Mettler will be joined by NWS cofounder & #1 NYT bestselling author Doug Stanton. Doors open at 1:30pm with live music. The event includes a Q&A session & an author signing immediately following. $8$23. cityoperahouse.org
GROWN UP BOOK FAIR: 3-7pm, Right Brain Brewery, TC. A Book Fair for Adults. Hosted by The Crooked Nook & the reading friends at Right Brain. Browse stacks of fresh reads while sipping craft beverages. There will also be bookish merch & you can even make your very own bookmark. rightbrainbrewery.com/103/grown-up-book-fair
DOWNTOWN SOUND: JEFF HAAS QUINTET: 7:30-9:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. This jazz ensemble led by acclaimed composer & pianist Jeff Haas play jazz, funk, Judaica & world music with a message of love & peace. $10-$35. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/ events/downtown-sound.html
WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY?: 7:30pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Ken Harrison, a successful sculptor, is paralyzed & kept alive by support systems. Outwardly he’s cheerful, but he does not want to live only as a medical achievement. However, his physician is determined to preserve his life. $25. oldtownplayhouse.com/performances/studiotheatre/whose-life-is-it-anyway.html
Sunday
AIRSOFT BIATHLON: 1-3pm, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Join for a fun 3-5KM loop starting at the Cross-Country Center. You’ll pause at two dedicated stations along the way to test your accuracy, firing airsoft guns at targets. Groups of up to four participants will begin the loop every five min-
Get outside with your community! Embrace the snow at the Sledding Party at Grace Macdonald Park, TC, Sat., Feb. 7 from 1-3pm. This free, weather-dependent event also gives you a chance to warm up with hot chocolate, coffee, and sweet treats! No sled? No problem… the East Bay Township Parks Commission provides sleds for public use. Just return to the bin after use. For more details & event updates, find ‘East Bay Charter Township’ on Facebook.
utes. $25/person; includes rentals for the event only, plus a Cross-Country day pass. Awards ceremony & post-race campfire to follow. crystalmountain.com/events-activities/events/event-calendar/airsoft-biathlon
WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY?: (See Sat., Jan. 31, except today’s time is 2pm.)
100-YEAR ANNIVERSARY SCREENING OF BUSTER KEATON’S “THE GENERAL”: 3pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. With live piano accompaniment by George Krawczyk. Dress up in your best period attire & enjoy seeing this silent movie from 1926. 25 cents. theoperahouse.org
monday
VALENTINE CARD MAKING: 3-5:30pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Stop in during this craft pop-up to make your special someone a unique Valentine card or booklet. All supplies & assistance provided. RSVP. 231-2237700. Free.
THE COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES: “BOKA THE COOKBOOK”: amical, TC, Feb. 2-7. Since 2003 BOKA has solidified its place as one of Chicago’s most iconic & award-winning restaurants. amical.com/boka
SOUP & BREAD: TC STREET OUTREACH: 6-8pm, The Little Fleet, TC. Local restaurants donate soup. You pay what you want. All money raised goes to a local non-profit. This month’s non-profit is TC Street Outreach. thelittlefleet.com/events/soup-and-bread-2
tuesday
GUIDED WINTER NATURE HIKE: 1-4pm, Leo Creek Preserve, Suttons Bay. Guided wetland walk to learn tree ID, age the massive fallen white pine, & enjoy fresh pine needle tea. Wear warm layers & boots. Bring a charged phone to contribute to the iNaturalist project. Free. schoolship.org/news-events/guided-nature-hike
land Twp. Public Library, Munnecke Room. A five-part community conversation series focused on disability, accessibility, & equity. Hosted by Derenda LeFevre of Open Your Eyes To Access. Today’s topic is: Your Lens on Disability. RSVP. lelandlibrary.org
THE COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES: “BOKA THE COOKBOOK”: (See Mon., Feb. 2)
STRING ART WORKSHOP: 5pm, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. Explore your crafty side in this fun workshop with Holly Lang & Casey Kilian. They’ll help you create delicate string art hearts, just in time for Valentine’s Day. All supplies provided. Space is limited, so contact the library in advance to register. Free. glenlakelibrary.net/events
IMBOLC & FULL MOON PARTY: 6-9pm, Blessed Be Tea and Apothecary, TC. Presented by the Conscious Community Coven. Come & go as you please at this gentle gathering rooted in hope, renewal, & community connection. Imbolc marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice & the Spring Equinox. It is a time to honor the light returning, both in the world & within ourselves. Free. blessedbetea.com
FIRESIDE CHAT: SARA CRAFT: 6:30pm, Gaylord Area Council for the Arts Gallery. Sara is a viola player & vice president of the Gaylord Community Orchestra. Learn about her & her creative path. Free. gaylordarts. org/calender.html
wednesday
“THE LIBRARIANS”: AN INDIE LENS POP-UP SCREENING: 4-7pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. Documentary examines the evolving role of libraries & librarians in public life. When Texas lawmakers seek to review a list of books, librarians find themselves on the frontlines of a national battle. Following the film will be a community reflection on how the film’s themes connect to our local libraries from 5:30-6pm, followed by a reception & informal conversation in the Sculpture Court from 6-7pm. simpletix.com/e/the-librarians-anindie-lens-pop-up-screen-tickets-247335?utm_ source=cision&utm_medium=email&utm_ campaign=dmc-winter-2026
THE COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES: “BOKA THE COOKBOOK”: (See Mon., Feb. 2)
WINTER GETAWAY RECESS AT CHERRY CAPITAL AIRPORT: 5-7pm, Cherry Capital Airport, TC. Enjoy socializing in the airport lounge area at this after-work happy hour, along with food including a hot chili bar, corn bread & sweet treats provided by Cherry Country Cafe. Local beer/wine & cocktails from TC Whiskey Co. will be served. There will be a chance to win prizes including two $500 airline vouchers, a $100 downtown TC shopping spree, a onenight staycation at Hotel Indigo, & an annual subscription to the TC Business News, plus host prizes valued at over $250. $15 entrance fee; parking validation in the gift store. Save the date for other upcoming Recess events on June 3, Sept. 2, & Dec. 2! Recess 2026 is brought to you by Grand Traverse County, a Grand Place to Live, Work & Play. Find on Facebook.
FEBRUARY COMMUNITY DINNER: 6pm, The Center, Suttons Bay. Join for a tailgate party themed potluck in honor of the upcoming Super Bowl. There is no cost to join & donations are welcome. Bring a friend & a dish
to pass. thecentersb.com/communitypotlucks
EXPAND STORYTELLING #10: 6:30pm, The Alluvion, TC. Storytellers include Ella Skrocki, Sleeping Bear Surf; Dana Falconberry, artist, musician & chef; Ryan Hannon, Central United Methodist. They will share their life stories around how they find fulfillment from the inside out wherever they are. $15 on Eventbrite or $18 at door. expandstorytelling.com/events/expand-10
AN EVENING WITH #1 NYT BEST SELLING AUTHOR TJ KLUNE: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. TJ will talk about his contemporary fantasy, “The House in the Cerulean Sea.” In this heartwarming fantasy, Linus Baker is a by-the-book caseworker in the Department in Charge of Magical Youth. He’s tasked with determining whether six dangerous magical children are likely to bring about the end of the world. Guest host Brittany Cavallaro, Ph.D., teaches creative writing at Interlochen Arts Academy & is a #1 NYT bestselling author. $12-$27. cityoperahouse.org/tjklune
thursday
COFFEE @ TEN, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. At Home & On Ice: A Walk-Through of CTAC Winter Exhibitions. Sheila Ruen, visual arts director at CTAC offers a talk & walk through two of the current exhibitions, “On Ice” & “At Home.” Free. crookedtree.app.neoncrm.com/ np/clients/crookedtree/event.jsp?event=24015
THE COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES: “BOKA THE COOKBOOK”: (See Mon., Feb. 2)
NMRPOA MEETING: 5pm, The Elks Lodge, TC. The Northern Michigan Rental Property Owners Association will hold a dinner meeting. Please text your RSVP: 23l.7l4.9568. Featuring a speaker from the RPOA of Michigan. Free.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. The Acting Company presents this fresh take on one of William Shakespeare’s most popular & widely performed plays. Full of mirth, music, magic, & mayhem, this uplifting tale of illusion & love comes to life with a cast of New Yorkbased artists. Starting at $37. greatlakescfa. org/events/detail/a-midsummer-nights-dream
HERE:SAY STORYTELLING & FLOW PRESENT “WE ARE MADE FROM RIVERS”: 7pm, The Village at GT Commons, Kirkbride Hall, TC. Flow Water Advocates is teaming up with Here:Say Storytelling to present a night of true, first-person stories about water, from ice hockey to fishing, to why you love boating with your grandma. The Great Lakes are more than just a natural wonder - they shape who we are. $30/person. flowwateradvocates.org/story
SINGER-SONGWRITERS & POPULAR MUSIC ENSEMBLE: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Interlochen Arts Academy’s singersongwriter students team up with the school’s Popular Music Ensemble to share a selection of original songs. $10-$25. interlochen.org/ events/singer-songwriter-and-popular-musicensemble-city-opera-house-2026-02-05
friday
HARBOR SPRINGS ICE FEST: Featuring more than 50 ice sculptures throughout downtown Harbor Springs,
Valentine's Day
along with multiple live carvings & the Dueling Chainsaws Show. There will also be an interactive ice park in Zorn Park with large sculptures that are perfect for photo ops & play, a scavenger hunt, games & two horse drawn wagons giving free tours. There will be a live drone show on Fri. at 6:30pm, where 100 drones will fill the sky over the bay, flying to the accompaniment of a music sound track you can hear through your phone. Free. downtownharborsprings.com/ice-fest
PETOSKEY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE’S 21ST ANNUAL STATE OF THE COMMUNITY: 1-3:30pm, Odawa Casino Resort, Ovation Hall, Petoskey. This is a fast-paced, interview-style program where attendees get to hear from local officials, employees, & business owners as they learn more about what is going on in northern Michigan. Speakers include Cassandra Hernandez, Dean of Workforce and Continuing Education at NCMC; Kristen Korth-White, East Region President of Munson Healthcare; Denneen Smith, Executive Director of Emmet County Friendship Center; Gail Kloss, Executive Director of Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, & many others. $25. 231-3474150.
STOP THE BLEED: 2pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Peninsula Fire Department will conduct free training on how to respond effectively to bleeding emergencies. Email ctaylor@peninsulafire.org to register.
THE COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES: “BOKA THE COOKBOOK”: (See Mon., Feb. 2)
DINNER THEATER: NANA’S NAUGHTY KNICKERS: 6:30pm, Eagle’s Hall, Cheboygan. A silly play about Bridget’s energetic Nana & her secrets & a tricky stage set that reveals them. Northland Players production. Call 231627-4051 for reservations. $30. nlplayers.org
WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY?: (See Sat., Jan. 31)
feb 07
saturday
GRASS RIVER 5K/10K SNOWSHOE RACE: 10am, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Put on your snowshoes & run or walk for this fundraiser for Grass River Natural Area programs. $45. grassriver.org
VINTAGE VALENTINE’S DAY CARDS & CRAFTS: Harbor Springs History Museum. Tour the museum & create handmade Valentine’s cards & crafts inspired by historic designs. Stop in any time between 10am-3pm. Cookies & hot chocolate will be served. You are welcome to make an online donation. harborspringshistory.org/events/calendar/ programs/vintage-valentines-day-cardsand-crafts-open-house.html
HARBOR SPRINGS ICE FEST: (See Fri., Feb. 6)
MUSICAL STORYTIME WITH THE TC PHIL: 11am, Traverse Area District Library, TC. Featuring: Trombone. Instrument petting zoo, story reading, movement, & crafts. Recommended ages: 7 & under. Free. tcphil. org/concerts
TEA PARTY & HISTORY TALK: 11am, Ephraim Shay Works Museum, Harbor Springs. Curator Beth Wemigwase will give a History Talk exploring the history of the Shay Hexagon House as a longtime tearoom & talk a little about the history of Valentine’s Day. For the first time in over 60 years, you
can experience the Shay House’s tea room for yourself! During the talk, you will enjoy a sampling of handmade teas from local company Jordan’s Teas, along with fresh scones & other baked treats. $30; must register in advance. harborspringshistory.org/events/calendar/programs/tea-party-and-history-talk.html
WIENER SKI: 11am-6pm, Shady Lane Cellars, Suttons Bay. Free access to two freshlygroomed trails, just steps from the tasting room. Visitors can take the 5K loop for cross-country skiing & hiking or choose a separate 1.5K trail made for snowshoeing on the estate winery’s property. Bring your own equipment or rent skis or snowshoes from Suttons Bay Bikes. Rentals will be arranged in advance. Leelanau Cheese will be serving their beer brats. shadylanecellars.com/event-home/events
PARENT & CHILD RACE: 1-3pm, The Highlands at Harbor Springs. A fun NASTAR giant slalom challenge designed for families who love a little friendly competition. Each team is made up of one parent & one child. Each racer takes one run, & the combined handicaps determine the team score. Registration runs from 9am-noon in Brew Bar in the Day Lodge. highlandsharborsprings. com/events/parent-and-child-race
SLEDDING PARTY: 1-3pm, Grace Macdonald Park, TC. Enjoy sledding, hot chocolate, coffee & sweet treats. 947-8647. Free.
OTP’S STAGED READING GROUP’S SPECIAL PERFORMANCE OF “SAM SHOVEL – PRIVATE EYE”: 4pm, The Music House Museum, Williamsburg. This performance is a fundraiser for The Music House Museum. It’s a hot & sultry day in the gritty city, & Sam Shovel has a dead man sprawled in her office, stabbed in the back with a yardstick. Ends up this is just the first of a string of murders happening in the fashion industry. $25 online; $30 door. purchase.oldtownplayhouse. com/EventAvailability?EventId=22801
THE COOKBOOK DINNER SERIES: “BOKA THE COOKBOOK”: (See Mon., Feb. 2)
ALL HEARTS DANCE PARTY: 5-7pm, The Curiosity Place, GT Mall, TC. Featuring familyfriendly D.J. Ryan Shrock of Shoreline Sound bringing tunes, lights, bubbles & more. Tickets: children - $13 members; $15 non-members. $5 adults. Tickets include activities, snacks, full museum admission, & an entry into a door prize raffle. greatlakeskids.org/news
DINNER THEATER: NANA’S NAUGHTY KNICKERS: (See Fri., Feb. 6)
GREAT EXPECTATIONS: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. The Acting Company reinvigorates Charles Dickens’ novel with a stage adaptation full of unexpected hilarity & romantic heart. Starting at $37. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/great-expectations
BLISSFEST TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY
DANCE: 7:30pm, Littlefield/Alanson Community Building, Alanson. Music provided by Peacemeal, with Cynthia Donahey calling. All dances taught (circles, contras, squares & more). No need to bring a partner. Potluck at 6:30pm. Bring table service & a dish to pass. $10/person; $5/student; 12 & under, free. blissfest.org
DESMOND JONES & MARK LAVEN-
GOOD: 7:30pm, City Opera House, TC. Five-piece rock band from Grand Rapids, Desmond Jones brings their groove-driven original music, joined by dobro master Mark Lavengood. $20-$30. cityoperahouse.org
WHOSE LIFE IS IT ANYWAY?: (See Sat., Jan. 31)
feb 08
sunday
DWELLING: A CONVERSA-
TION ABOUT LIVING WELL: 1pm, Glen Arbor Arts Center, Main Gallery. How can we live better, & dwell more thoroughly in our homes? Two northern Michigan interior designers explore that question. This conversation takes place as part of the GAAC’s INteriors exhibition. Free. glenarborart.org
GREAT LAKES CINEMA SERIES: PADDINGTON IN PERU: 2pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. A new adventure filled with humor, heart, & plenty of mishaps as Paddington travels to his homeland. Pay what you can admission. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/paddington-in-peru
WRITING & INVESTIGATING: HOW THE TWO COME TOGETHER: 2pm, Helena Twp. Community Center, Alden. Presented by Mardi Jo Link, award winning author. Step into the research & writing process of crime writing. 231-331-4318. Free.
art
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY: - CROOKED TREE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY ANNUAL EXHIBITION: Held in Atrium Gallery, this exhibition features recent work by members of the Crooked Tree Photographic Society. The photographs included in this show were self-selected by the group through peer review. Featuring intricate details from nature, evocative scenes & moments, & creatively constructed composition. Runs through Feb. 21. Opening reception on Jan. 31 from 2-4pm. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/crookedtree-photographic-society.html
CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC: - 2026 ARTIST GUILD MEMBER SALON SHOW: Held in Carnegie Galleries through Feb. 21. This exhibition showcases the work of 118 Guild Members, representing Greater Northern Michigan & beyond. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/guild-member.html
DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC: - NEW PERSPECTIVES: RECENT AQUISITIONS FROM THE DENNOS PERMANENT ART COLLECTION: Held in McFarlane Gallery through May 31. From new paintings & works on paper gifted through the Museum Exchange program to generous donations on behalf of museum members, friends, & NMC alumni, New Perspectives seeks to highlight convergent, as well as, divergent perspectives on contemporary art & collecting practices in the 21st century. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org
GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER:
- INTERIORS EXHIBITION: An exploration of inner spaces, both real & imagined, spaces of the home & of the mind. Runs through March 12. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org
OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT: - SPECTRUM EXHIBIT: Interactive exhibition showcasing artwork that makes it immediately evident that color is the major characteristic of the piece. Wide variety of work by regional artists. Runs through Feb. 6. See web site for hours. oliverart.org
- ANDREW JAGNIECKI: WILD IMPRESSIONS: Featuring woodcut, intaglio & linocut prints. Runs through Feb. 13. See web site for hours. oliverart.org
“Jonesin” Crosswords
"Orbit-rary" a sphere, divided. by Matt Jones
ACROSS
1. Race with batons
6. Fitting
9. More sagacious
14. GIF, e.g.
15. Old-timey cheering word
16. Really amazed
17. Degraded
19. Escorted from the outside
20. The "S" in RSVP
21. Scoundrel
23. 180 deg. from WSW
24. Study unfamiliar material, say
28. Place to go in England?
29. Stoop
30. Scarecrow's desire
33. Inkling
36. Measure with a stopwatch
39. They may be laminated to protect against spills
42. Eight, to Einstein
43. Right behind in line
44. State of dread
45. "The Time Machine" leisure class
47. Pacers' st.
48. Disco, early punk, funk, etc.
55. Foe of Frazier and Foreman
56. Place to pamper poodles, perhaps
57. ___ el hanout (North African spice mix)
59. "The Hobbit" hobbit Baggins
61. Like the circled letters in the long entries (or the clustered groups)
64. Actor's parts 65. Barrett who cofounded Pink Floyd
Smart group
Bothered
Sweet suffix
Pamphlet
2. Message from a server
3. Soup server
4. Questionnaire topic
5. Archery bow wood
6. Scottish island with a namesake whisky brand
7. Outdated
8. Network with LeVar Burton hosting "Trivial Pursuit"
9. First half of a suspenseful decision-making phrase, maybe
10. Plastic follower?
11. A weepy movie often has one
12. "Dallas" surname
13. Descartes and Lacoste
18. "Deal ___ Deal"
22. Awaiting the pitch
25. Not much
26. Slangy term for COVID-19
27. Means (to)
30. Car grille protector
31. Suggestion, casually
32. North Carolina city home to the Biltmore Estate
33. Soreness
34. Actor Shepard of "Idiocracy"
35. Otitis doc
37. Greek consonants
38. Superlative suffix
40. Bring together
41. English Premier League club, to fans
46. Acting as sentry
47. Apple model since 1998
48. Hummus brand
49. "The Waste Land" poet
50. "___ great to see you!"
51. Annual awards for athletes
52. Black playing card
53. Twist in a tale
54. Activist's focus
58. Vietnamese flag feature
60. Dorothy portrayer on '80s TV
Band with the 1991 album "Schubert Dip" 63. ___ Taco (fast food chain)
FEB 02 - FEB 08
BY ROB BREZSNY
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The coming weeks will challenge you to think with tenderness and feel with clarity. You’ll be called on to stay sharply alert even as you remain loose, kind, and at ease. Your good fortune will expand as you open your awareness wider, while also firming up the boundaries that keep mean people from bothering you. The really good news is that cosmic forces are lining up to guide you and coach you in exactly these skills. You are primed to explore intriguing paradoxes and contradictions that have valuable lessons.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): In traditional Korean jogakbo, scraps of fabric too small to be useful alone are stitched together into a piece that’s both functional and beautiful. Every fragment contributes to the whole. I encourage you to treat your current life this way, Leo. Don’t dismiss iffy or unfinished experiences as "wasted time.” Instead, see if you can weave all the bits and scraps together into a valuable lesson or asset. Prediction: I foresee a lovely jogakbo in your future.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The Maori people of New Zealand practice mirimiri, a form of healing that works not by fighting disease but by restoring flow. The technique involves removing blockages so life force can move freely again. I think you need the equivalent of mirimiri, Virgo. There’s a small but non-trivial obstruction in your life. The good news is that you now have the power to figure out where the flow got stuck and then gently coax it back into motion. Let the healing begin! Here’s a good way to begin: Vow that you won’t hold yourself back from enjoying your life to the max.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): ): In the coming weeks, I encourage you to prioritize mirth, revelry, and gratification. For starters, you could invite kindred spirits to join you in pursuing experimental forms of pleasure. Have fun riffing brainstorming about feeling good in ways you’ve never tried or even imagined before. Seek out stories from other explorers of bliss and delight who can inspire you to expand your sense of wonder. Then, with your mind as open as your heart, give yourself the freedom to enjoy as many playful adventures and evocative amusements as you dare.
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): In alchemy, solve et coagula is a Latin phrase translated as "dissolve and coagulate.” It means that transformation must begin with the process of breaking down before any building begins. You can't skip over the dissolving phase and jump straight into creating the new structure. I mention this, dear Pisces, because I believe you're now in the dissolving phase. It might feel destabilizing, even a bit unnerving, but I urge you to stick with it. When the moment comes to construct the beautiful new forms, you will know. But that time isn't yet. Keep dissolving a while longer.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): I'm thrilled by your genius for initiating what others only dream about. I celebrate your holy impatience with fakery and your refusal to waste precious life-force on enterprises that have gone stale. I'm in awe of how you make fire your ally rather than your enemy, wielding it not to destroy but to forge new realities from the raw materials of possibility. Everything just described will be in your wheelhouse during the coming weeks.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): How do I love you? Let me count some of the ways. 1. Your patience is masterful. You understand that some treasures can't be rushed and that many beautiful things require slow nurturing through your devoted attention. 2. You have a knack for inducing the mundane world to reveal its small miracles and spiritual secrets. 3. You practice lucid loyalty without being in bondage to the past. You honor your history even as you make room for the future. 4. You know when to cling tightly to what needs to be protected and preserved, and you know when to gracefully loosen your grip to let everything breathe. In the coming weeks, all these superpowers of yours will be especially available to you and the people you care for.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): In the Inuktitut language of the Intuit people, the word ajurnarmat is translated as “it can’t be helped.” It acknowledges forces at work beyond human control. Rather than pure resignation, it reflects an attitude of accepting what can’t be changed, which helps people conserve energy and adapt creatively to challenging circumstances. So for example, when hunters encounter impossible ice conditions, ajurnamat allows them to refrain from forcing the situation and notice what may actually be possible. I suspect you're facing your own ajurnarmat, Scorpio. Your breakthrough will emerge as soon as you admit the truth of what’s happening and allow your perception to shift. What looks unnavigable from one angle may reveal a solution if you approach it from another direction. Practice
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Your hunger for meaning is admirable! I love it. I never want you to mute your drive to discover what’s interesting and useful. But now and then, the hot intensity of your quest can make you feel that nothing is ever enough. You get into the habit of always looking past what's actually here and being obsessed with what you imagine should be or could be there. In the coming days, dear Sagittarius, I invite you to avoid that tendency. Rather than compulsively pursuing high adventure and vast vistas, focus on the sweet, intimate details. The wisdom you yearn for might be embedded in ordinariness.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In carpentry, there's a technique called "kerf bending.” It involves making a series of small cuts in wood so it can curve without breaking. The cuts weaken the material in one sense, but they make it flexible enough to create shapes that would otherwise be impossible. suspect you're being kerf-bent right now, Gemini. Life is making small nicks in your certainties, your plans, and your self-image. It might feel like you're being diminished, but you're actually being made flexible enough to bend into a new form. Don't interpret the nicks as damage. They're preparation for adjustments you can't see yet. Let yourself be shaped.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): In Irish folklore, "thin places” are situations or areas where the material and spiritual worlds overlap. They aren't always geographical. A thin place may be a moment: like the pre-dawn hour between sleeping and waking, or the silence after someone says "I love you" for the first time. I believe you're living in a thin place right now, Cancer. The boundary between your inner world and outer circumstances is more porous than usual. This means your emotions may affect your environment more directly. Your intuitions will be even more accurate than usual, and your nightly dreams will provide you with practical clues. Be alert. Magic will be available if you notice it.
Grand Traverse & Kalkaska
CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE WINERY, TC
4-6:
1/31 -- Jesse Jefferson
2/7 -- Christina Teresa
ENCORE 201, TC
1/30-31 -- DJ Ricky T, 9
IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC
2/6 -- Rebekah Jon, 6-8
KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC 9:30:
1/30-31 -- Lucus Paul
2/6-7 -- The Off Beat Band
KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING
2/3 -- Open Mic Night w/ Kevin & Sierra LaRose, 6-9
2/5 -- Trivia Night w/ Marcus Anderson, 6:30-8:30
2/7 – Zie Simmons, 6-8
LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC
BARREL ROOM:
2/2 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9
MARI VINEYARDS, TC
1/31 -- Jim Hawley, 4-6
MT. HOLIDAY, TC
T-BAR & GRILL:
1/31 & 2/7 -- Apres Ski Live Music w/ Matt Mansfield, 2-5
2/3 -- Ship Yard Series - Jacob Ramseyer & Blinker Fluid, 6-8:30
2/4 -- EXPAND Storytelling #10, 6:308:30
2/5 -- The Jeff Haas Sextet feat. Laurie Sears, Rob Smith & Chris Glassman + Lisa Flahive, 6-8:30
Antrim & Charlevoix
THE HAYLOFT INN, TC
1/30-31 -- Dance Mix, 7:30-11
THE LITTLE FLEET, TC
1/31 -- Sosohifi wsg Jonathan Timm, 7-10
THE PARLOR, TC
2/3 -- Jesse Jefferson, 8-11
2/4 -- Rob Coonrod, 8-11
2/5 -- Mallory Ramage, 8-11
2/8 -- Music Bingo, 7-9
THE PUB, TC
1/31 -- Mallory Ramage, 8-11
2/2 -- Karaoke Mondays w/ DJ Shawny T, 8
2/4 -- Zeke Clemons, 6-9
2/5 -- Music Bingo, 7:30-10:30
2/7 -- Jim Hawley, 8-11
THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC
1/31 -- Snapp, 7
2/1 – “STRETCH” - A Comedy Survival
Open Mic, 7
2/3 -- Open Mic w/ Zak Bunce, 6-9
2/4 -- DJ Bingo, 7-8:30
2/5 -- DJ Trivia, 7
2/6 -- Jazz Jam w/ Ron Getz Trio, 6-9
2/7 -- Mason Gratton, 7
2/8 -- Full Tilt Comedy presents: Comedy Lab, 6-8
UNION STREET STATION, TC
1/31 -- Split Decision, 10
2/5 -- DJ DomiNate, 9
2/6 -- Bob Marley B-Day Bash Hosted by Salecta Nesta, 10
2/7 -- The Jay Hawkins Band, 10
BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY
2/7 -- Michelle Chenard, 2-6
BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, BAY HARBOR
5-8:
1/31 -- Sean Miller
2/6 -- Brian Thomas
2/7 -- Lee Fayssoux
CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY
2/3 -- Trivia Night, 7-9
2/6 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30
GYPSY DISTILLERY, PETOSKEY
2/7 -- Jelly Roll Blues Band, 6-9
INN BETWEEN, INDIAN RIVER
2/5 -- Mike Ridley, 4-7
NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY
1/31 -- Brian McCosky, 7-10
2/2 -- Quiz Runners Trivia, 6-8
2/4 -- Singo Bingo: One Hit Wonders,
Emmet & Cheboygan
6:30
2/6 -- Lee Fayssoux, 7-10
2/7 -- Eric Jaqua, 7-10
NORTHERN LIGHTS RECREATION, HARBOR SPRINGS
2/5 -- Trivia Night, 6:30-8:30
2/6 -- Michelle Chenard, 6:30-9:30
ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY
VICTORIES, 9:
1/31 & 2/6 -- DJ Hotkeys
2/7 -- DJ Big Ton
POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS
1/31 -- Two Track Mind, 5-8
2/6 -- SINGO, 6-8
2/7 -- Chris & Jeff Duo, 5-8
2/7 -- Chris Calleja & Jeff Schlehuber Duo, 5-8
THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN
1/31 -- Evan Archambo, 7:30
Leelanau & Benzie
2/6 -- Musician's Playground, 7 2/7 -- The Beau House Band, 8
THE HIGHLANDS AT HARBOR SPRINGS MAIN LODGE BACKYARD, noon-4 : 1/31 & 2/7 -- DJ T-Bone 2/8 -- DJ Michael Wilford SLOPESIDE LOUNGE, 6-9: 1/31 -- Chris Koury
2/7 -- Brian Thomas ZOO BAR: 1/31 -- Chris Calleja Trio, 4-8
2/6 -- Chris Michels Band, 6-9 2/7 -- Dr. Smith, 4-8
THE QUEENS HEAD, CHEBOYGAN
2/7 -- Mike Ridley, 5-7
THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER 1/31 -- The Darwin Project, 8 2/5 -- Dominic Fortuna, 7:30-9:30
Thu -- Nick Vasquez, 6 Fri. & Sat. -- Leanna Collins & Ivan Greilick, 7
TOWN CLUB, ELK RAPIDS
2/4 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9
Wexford & Missaukee
2/6 -- Lynn
2/7 -- Dobroleles
BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU
TASTING ROOM:
2/6 -- Dominic Fortuna, 6-8
CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE
SLOPESIDE TENT, NEAR CRYSTAL CLIPPER CHAIRLIFT, 3-5:
1/31 -- Rhett & John
2/7 -- Cole Caspers
VISTA LOUNGE:
1/31 -- Drew Hale, 2-5; Broom Closet Boys, 8-11
2/1 -- Jesse Jefferson, 2-5
2/6 -- Billy & The Kid, 2-5; Scarkazm, 8-11
2/7 -- Jim Hawley, 2-5; Scarkazm, 8-11
ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD
2/6 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9
2/8 -- Chris Smith, 2-5 FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH
6-8:
2/2 -- Monday Music Trivia
2/5 -- Trivia Thursdays
FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR
2/5 -- Luke Woltanski, 3-6
IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE 5:30-7:30:
1/31 -- Brian Curran
2/6 -- Levi Britton
2/7 -- Jakob Abraham
LAKE ANN BREWING CO.
1/31 -- Stefanie Clark Harris & Vince DeWald, 6:30
2/4 -- Open Mic Night Hosted by Johnathon North, 6:30-9:30
2/5 -- Trivia Night w/ Host Tom Kaspar, 7-9
2/6 -- 1000 Watt Prophets, 6:309:30
2/7 -- Drew Hale, 6:30-9:30
LITTLE TRAVERSE INN, MAPLE CITY
2/6 -- Chris Skellenger, 6-9
ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH
1/31 -- Barefoot, 5-8
2/5 -- Open Mic Night, 6-9 2/7 -- Cheryl Wolfram, 5-8
Otsego, Crawford & Central
C.R.A.V.E., GAYLORD
2/6 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6
SNOWBELT BREWING CO., GAYLORD
2/5 -- Trivia Night, 7
NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA
7: 1/31 -- Tali Snowden
2/5 -- Chief Jam - Open Mic Hosted by Andy McQuillen
Callihan
Duo
TOWNHOME FOR RENT Enjoy comfortable living at Manitou Woods. A 2 bed/1 bath townhome will be available mid-February. Rent is $1,700/month plus utilities. Call 231-922-0771 for details or tour! https:// manitouwoodsapartments.net/
SUMMER CONSERVATION JOBS WITH THE LAKE LEELANAU LAKE ASSOCIATION Join our passionate team to protect Lake Leelanau from invasive species. Hiring multiple summer positions. Must be 18 years old or older. See website to learn more and apply. http://www. lakeleelanau.org/employment
SCOUT PACK 27 OPEN HOUSE Scouts Pack 27 open house February 9th at 7pm at Long Lake Friends Church. Enjoy a campfire with smores, games and activities, make your own trail mix, hear about events, & more. pack27cubscoutstc@gmail.com
COMPUTER PROBLEMS? NEW TV, PHONE OR TABLET?: Old device too slow? I can fix them all and show you how to use them. I'LL COME TO YOUR HOME OR OFFICE. Call James Downer-Advent Tech. Your high tech handyman. 231-492-2087
TRAVERSE CITY COTTAGE FOR RENT: 1 BR, Full Bath, Well Furnished, All Utilities Included, New Appliances, W/D, Parking, Nice Setting, Month-to-Month - One Year, A/C, No Pets; $1,600 per month. Call (231) 631-7512.
SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231228-6248
FREE WEEKLY ORIGINAL HOT YOGA COMMUNITY CLASS: EVERY WED. @ 7:30PM - 845 S. GARFIELD AVE. ORIGINALHOTYOGATC.COM 231-392-4798
WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY JANUARY
Lot #6 N Cathead Bay Drive, Northport | $595,000
Build your dream home on one of the last vacant parcels along beautiful Cathead Bay in Northport. This slice of paradise boasts one hundred feet of private Lake Michigan frontage with a sandy shoreline in a protected cove. Enjoy walks, swims, kayaks, and bonfires on the beach with spectacular sunset views. The approximately one acre lot of wooded land includes a waterside building envelope on the bluff with an expansive view from your new home.
1229 Santo Street | $270,000
2 BR, 1 BA, low-maintenance home centrally located on a large city lot in TC with detatched garage. Enjoy comfortable living spaces, a centrally located kitchen, and a spacious backyard with alley access. New carpet, new paint, new gutters, new hot water heater, up-to-date electrical panel, and new roof in 2019. IN TOWN TC
