Northern Express - January 26, 2026

Learning from Anne Frank I [recently watched] a beautiful but horrifying movie, The Diary of Anne Frank (1959), at the State Theatre in Traverse City. I am shaken to the core but motivated to write to my fellow citizens.

It is a gripping portrayal of the Jewish outcasts of Amsterdam being hunted down like criminals by Nazi soldiers going door to door to round them up and ship them, like animals, to an unknown fate abroad. Men, women, and children, often separated from their families. Living in fear every day. Good people. Hardworking people. Lawabiding people.

I could not stop thinking of the several million immigrants living and working hard jobs here in our country, some of them our neighbors for many years. How fearful they must be, never knowing when our version of the Nazi storm troopers will get them on the way to school or at work. “If” ICE is not active here in northwest Michigan yet, it will be soon.

Jim McCormick (retired judge) | Traverse City

We Must Stop Lying

As Steven Tuttle makes clear in the Jan. 12 issue of Northern Express, lies can be dangerous, even deadly. They can cause us to believe our economy is healthy, that climate change is a hoax, that Social Security is stable, and that incursions into other sovereign countries won’t result in dire consequences.

Everyone lies at some point and to some extent. People lie for various reasons, including to avoid punishment, to gain social acceptance and a sense of belonging, to bolster self-esteem, and—in more extreme cases of fraud or betrayal—for personal gain. We see all of these motivations at work in the flagrant lies from the White House and from the sycophants in our highest positions of government.

Lying, which was once heavily stigmatized as unacceptable, especially for those in high office, has become routine, with each day’s lies more blatantly preposterous than those of the day before. This pervasive deception has real consequences for the liars themselves, who are likely to suffer from internal conflict and guilt, shame and low self-esteem, and even mental and physical health disorders.

People who are continually lied to also suffer. Confusion, loss of confidence, lack of trust, and broken relationships are common outcomes for those on the constant receiving end of lies.

Considering that nearly everything we’ve been promised and told by our leaders in the last two Republican administrations has been twisted, distorted, or outright demonstrated to be false, it’s not surprising that we are struggling, both with each other and with our own mental health. It’s as if we are lost in a dense fog of toxic gas, with more spewing out every day. Let us work to make the poisonous lies and threats end at last and keep our country and democracy alive.

Greta Bolger | Thompsonville

Minnesota & Michigan

I am deeply troubled about what is happening in Minneapolis. The deployment of ICE agents to this city troubles me more than the previous invasions in Chicago, Portland, Washington D.C., Memphis, Los Angeles, and New Orleans.

Why? Perhaps because Minnesota is the northern Midwest: a place filled with trees and lakes, a few urban cities and lots of small towns. It has harsh winters and idyllic

summers. Its people work hard and mind their own business. It has a good higher education system, and an interest in protecting the environment. It has a democratic governor, but its politics are not radical.

Minnesota is a lot like Michigan. Except for one thing: Michigan has more fresh water than any other state in America. In fact, onefifth of the world’s fresh water borders our shoreline.

Trump has demonstrated that he is comfortable invading other countries for their natural resources, like his takeover of Venezuela and his threats to Greenland. He wants their oil. And he’s shown this past year that he has no qualms sending in armed paramilitary troops into democratically led states for various (and highly suspect) reasons.

Luckily for us, Trump is short-sighted. He does not realize that the most valuable natural resources in the future may not be oil, but fresh water. But even if he doesn’t figure this out, someone will. And if the Republican/MAGA party continues to be in power, Michigan is at risk.

Because fresh water matters. Corporations want it, big agriculture and golf courses need it, data centers require it, and people must have it. And, as climate change continues, these needs will only increase

No one wants federal agents in their cities—for political or economic reasons. Please, support Minnesota in removing ICE agents from Minneapolis, because Michigan may be next on the list.

Helen Raica-Klotz | Bellaire

Woke and Hope from the Twin Cities

In a past life I spent a lot of time in the Twin Cities. I have been around Midwestern kindness my entire life, and Minnesotans do it on another level.

What is happening there is gut wrenching. My system is shocked daily by the atrocities being carried out in the streets by ICE.

What is not shocking to me is the community response. Mass peaceful protests, mutual aid stations, and organized groups of citizens keeping one another safe. When I see videos and read accounts of the response, memories of the time spent and the people that I met there come flooding back.

Here are the kind of things I experienced working there in education. For meetings, food was brought in from local, familyowned ethnic restaurants. Schools had wraparound services for families with healthcare, legal care, and job placement. Information sessions had translators for at least three languages. Organizations I encountered were undergoing deep DEI work and when you had business with them, they included you and held you to their standards even if it was uncomfortable. Meetings started with land acknowledgements, conversation about family, and genuine connection. Everyone spoke proudly about the growing Hmong and Somali populations, and it was understood that welcoming them was not only the kind thing to do, but the best thing for the community as a whole.

That must sound like a haunted house of wokeness to the MAGA world. But to me those experiences tell a story about the fabric of the Twin Cities that has led to this moment, on the national stage, showing the rest of us how loving thy neighbor is done.

Minnesota is giving me hope that we will get through this dark period in our history.

Deirdre Griswold | Traverse City

top ten

Beer & a Grown-up Book Fair

Knowledge is power and beer…is a welcome addition to a cold winter’s night. So it makes perfect sense that Traverse City’s Right Brain Brewery is teaming up with roving bookstore The Crooked Nook for a Grown-up Book Fair from 3-7pm on Jan. 31. The Crooked Nook hails from Laingsburg, MI, but travels around the state for events just like this one. They’ll have a curated selection of new books from your favorite authors and ones you haven’t yet discovered. Meanwhile, Right Brain promises “craft beverages scientifically designed to make you think you need just one more book.” (Who doesn’t?) There will also be bookish merch and a station to create your own bookmark. Entry is free, and books and beer are for sale. Learn more at rightbrainbrewery.com/103/ grown-up-book-fair.

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tastemaker Brotherton Farm’s Everything But the Bagel English Muffins

At Brotherton Farm, an organic produce haven and small-batch bakery in Bellaire, the guiding philosophy on new menu items is “what would we want to eat?” While it’s easy to get stuck waffling between the buttery scones and artisan sourdough breads, we know exactly what we want to eat: the Everything But the Bagel English muffins. Featuring the onion-garlic-sesame-poppy seed combo of the eponymous bagel, which gets blended right into the dough, these pillowy breakfast bakes are made with organic ingredients and local honey. Baked up in a double pan for an impossibly moist and tender crumb, they’re a savory vehicle for, well, whatever you want to eat! Get the goods online at brothertonfarm. com—don’t miss the Bread Share CSA!—or stock up at their wholesale partners, including Edson Farms in Traverse City and Providence Organic Farm in Central Lake.

A Week of Inspirational Speakers at the Ramsdell

Sabrina Little shines the light on how sports can shape character as part of the January Series at The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, Friday, Jan. 30, at 12:30pm. Little is a five-time U.S. National Champion and World Silver Medalist in trail and ultramarathon running, not to mention a philosopher and author. This free series runs Jan. 26-30. Monday features David Brooks with The Path to Cultural Repair; Tuesday brings Dr. Samantha Nutt: The World of War/Conflict; Wednesday includes Wu Man: The Pipa-A Musical Bridge Between Cultures; and Tom Medema explores how America’s National Parks serve as living classrooms on Thursday. ramsdelltheatre.org/event

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Hey,watch It! The Night Manager

It only took 10 years, but award-winning The Night Manager is back for season two! Loosely based on the 1993 novel by John le Carré, season one (no spoilers) was a six-part series that followed Jonathan Pine, a (you guessed it) night manager and British Army vet working at a hotel in Cairo during the Arab Spring of 2011. The original cast starred Tom Hiddleston, Olivia Colman, Hugh Laurie, and several other across-thepond stars, some of whom return in the new season. This time around, Pine (Hiddleston) is off to Colombia to infiltrate the operation of an arms dealer. There’s intrigue, danger, violence, and plenty of ripped-fromthe-headlines drama to sink your teeth into as the night manager gets a promotion to…spy? (We hope he still gets benefits in this new job.) Tune in for new episodes on Amazon Prime.

Which Martini are you sipping? Espresso - Matcha - Chai $10 all day

We all love a good igloo for outdoor dining, but what about a tent? Farm Club has one final Shepherd’s Tent Dinner on the books for Jan. 31, where you can cozy up with your group of six to 12 of your favorite folks and enjoy a family-style meal that rotates monthly. The tent sits just steps away from the restaurant and market (where you can shop local produce, products, and merch) and is well heated to keep you nice and warm. The January menu includes a trio of skewers (lamb, chicken, veggies), a massive hummus and naan spread complete with pickled onion, lime cabbage, radish salad, and more, and then honey lemon cheesecake for dessert. Tickets are $55 per person and must be made 48 hours in advance; drinks and gratuity not included. Get all the details at farmclubtc.com/events.

Earlier this month, the Little Traverse Conservancy made a big announcement: 2025 was their best conservation year ever in the 53 years the organization has operated in Chippewa, Mackinac, Emmet, Cheboygan, and Charlevoix counties. Per their press release, “the Conservancy partnered with private landowners, communities, and agencies on 33 conservation projects, permanently protecting 11,143 acres across its five-county service area.” A large chunk of that—8,850 acres, to be exact—came from a partnership with the State of Michigan to protect land in the Pigeon River State Forest. Among the more than 30 projects the conservancy undertook in 2025, notable ones included a new nature preserve on Beaver Island and trail access improvements in Sault Ste. Marie. Learn more about their efforts and what’s to come in 2026 at landtrust.org.

This week, you’ll start to see some activity happening at 120 and 122 W. State St. in Traverse City. The buildings are scheduled to be demolished the week of Feb. 2 to make way for a downtown parking expansion. The week of Jan. 26, “the properties will be utilized for training activities by the Traverse City Fire Department,” per the City of Traverse City. The city has already adjusted access to 16 parking spaces in Lot P along the west side of the property, and this week, Lot W will close until the project is wrapped up. Predictably, the sidewalks are closed, and the 100 block alley between Front and State will be single-lane only, with flaggers active during daytime hours to direct traffic. At this time, the city is anticipating the demolition and clean-up will be “substantially complete” at some point in the week of Feb. 9.

On Jan. 28, 2026, Traverse City’s Taproot Cider House will celebrate its 10th anniversary. (Cheers!) In honor of the milestone, they’ll be hosting a party that day, with a wreath-making class from Lakeview Hill Farm from 5-7pm and live music from Stonefolk from 7-9pm. When you stop in, be sure to order a made-in-Michigan cider flight to taste the restaurant’s namesake wares. Here’s what Taproot owner Jen Viren recommends (pictured, from left to right): Blueberry Apple from Uncle John’s of St Johns, MI; the Cherry Ginger, a Taproot specialty made with local apples, Montmorency cherries, and ginger for a crisp and tart sip; the Rosé from Two K Farms in Suttons Bay; and the Madagascar Vanilla Bean Bourbon Barrel Aged Cider, a semi-dry cider aged in Iron Fish Distillery bourbon barrels. Find them all at 300 E Front St #104 in Traverse City. taproottc.com

HEADING BACKWARD

spectator By Stephen Tuttle

No, snow in Florida does not mean climate change was just a hoax all along. We were told, and told and told, that extreme weather events would become the norm— you know, like snow in Florida.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix area is having no winter at all, with temperatures still around 80; the Sierra Nevada snowpack is below average; Lake Mead, on which 25 million people in the southwest rely for their water, is at a critically low 33 percent of capacity; and Arizona, Colorado, and California may start water restrictions. All of it is well outside norms and is part of the consequence of climate change. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2025 was the third warmest year humans have ever recorded on our little planet.

We know the gunk we are spewing into the atmosphere by our burning of fossil fuels is exacerbating these climatic changes, and we know that reducing those emissions would help. Much of the rest of the world seems to understand these facts while our current administration does not.

reducing our dependence on coal for electricity production from 48 percent of production in 2000 to just 16 percent today. Unfortunately, that trajectory has now stopped.

Now we hear we’ll need more coal production, not less, to power the gigantic data centers being constructed for all of our artificial intelligence needs. Plants scheduled to be closed in Indiana, Colorado, and Washington state have been instructed to either reopen or remain open. (The plant in Washington is the state’s largest air polluter, and they might decide to defy the DOE order.)

The good news here, and it all comes from sources other than the current crew in the White House or Congress, is that we continue to make major improvements in the development and delivery of renewable energy.

Here in the United States, we’re actually increasing those emissions. Our carbon dioxide byproducts increased by 2.5 percent last year and other greenhouse gas emissions increased, too. The primary culprit continues to be coal-fired power plants. Coal is now and always has been the dirtiest and most dangerous of the fossil fuels from their extraction, transportation, and right up until we burn it, releasing carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, methane (mostly released during extraction), and particulate matter that, according to Earth.org, contributes to as many as 200,000 premature deaths from various lung ailments annually in the U.S. alone.

Nevertheless, we are plunging ahead with coal-fired plants, even reopening some that were shuttered and ordering the continued operation of some we planned to shutter. It’s a bizarre decision predicated on exactly zero science and the lie there is such a thing as “clean coal.”

T he coal currently being mined is the same dirty stuff it has always been, though we have found ways to reduce the emissions at least somewhat by installing elaborate smokestack scrubbers and finding ways to burn it more efficiently. But coal is still dirtier and more expensive than oil or natural gas and far more expensive than any of the current renewable energy sources. According to our own Department of Energy (DOE), even unsubsidized renewable sources like solar and wind are cheaper than coal or other fossil fuels.

We had made significant progress in closing these polluting behemoths,

Both solar and wind power are now considerably cheaper to produce and both provide reliable power less expensively than any fossil fuels. It is true enough that the production of solar panels, 80 percent of which are made in China according to the U.S. Department of Labor, comes with their own set of environmental concerns given the rare earths needed to construct them. But the manufacturers are doing better, and according to our DOE, about 95 percent of solar panel modules by weight are recyclable now.

Even better, the development of flexible solar panels has advanced significantly and they will soon be available on electric vehicles of all sizes and other uneven surfaces. Battery storage has also improved dramatically, and solid state batteries are nearing widespread availability, which means fast recharging and longer battery life.

We’ve also discovered agrivoltaics, combining agricultural uses with both wind and power. Some growers have discovered solar arrays provide needed shade for some crops and their evaporative properties also help cool the panels. Farmers in Europe have learned they can help boost their income by leasing land for wind or solar without sacrificing much farmland.

Unfortunately, the federal government under its current leadership has canceled subsidies and tax breaks for both solar and wind installations for individual or industrial-scale use. We already get nearly 24 percent of our electric production from renewables and we could get more, but we have an administration marooned in the 1950s when oil was still king.

The future was looking bright but instead, we’re headed backward to a darker past.

DEMOCRACY OR AUTOCRACY: IT’S UP TO US

Guest Opinion

by Walt Wood

Our nation may not have been this divided since before the Civil War. Party politics are tearing us apart, escalating the threat of American-on-American violence.

However, when I look around Bellaire, Central Lake, and other villages in Antrim County, almost all people of every political stripe are decent human beings who support one another. Peacefully, we go about our business, saying “excuse me,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome.” We hold doors for one another. When our cars are stuck in snowbanks or have dead batteries, we come to the rescue. We treat one another with dignity and respect, or we simply mind our own business.

The numerous values we share with our neighbors far outweigh our differences. We are, in short, good citizens.

Some of us participated in “No Kings” rallies across the country. Our displeasure with our federal government is rooted in opposition to Project 2025, the lengthy policy proposal document written by the Heritage Foundation. The contributors include Russell Vought, the current head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and Brendan Carr, the current FCC chairman.

Project 2025 was deeply unpopular—only 4 to 10 percent of Americans supported it before the 2024 election, according to numerous polling. At the campaign debate, our current president said, “I have nothing to do with Project 2025.” Yet, according to Project 2025 Tracker, a community-driven initiative that tracks the implementation of Project 2025’s policy proposals, his administration has implemented 51 percent of them as of this writing, January 18, 2026.

Our forebearers fought and died to protect democratic ideals that are now being shattered by the implementation of Project 2025. Concentrating power in the executive branch, a goal championed by Vought and a linchpin of the project, has led to an authoritarian takeover of our government. We did not consent to this, and responsible Republicans, Democrats, and Independents will continue to oppose this assault on our representative republic.

So what? Or, more to the point, now what? Trust in our political leaders and institutions have been eroding for decades. It seems that our federal government is utterly corrupt, on both sides of the congressional aisles, and in the Supreme Court. How are we, in northern Michigan, supposed to respond to this dysfunction in any substantive way that leads to genuine improvement, while sustaining self-governance and thwarting the rise of a fascistic police state?

The far-left insists that this is a struggle between working people and the billionaire class. The far-right oligarchy seeks to subjugate and rule over the rest of us. We must unite in this class war and not get

distracted by the culture wars they use to divide us.

There are two overarching emotions that guide the human race: love and fear. The dividers use fear to motivate us to oppose one another, diverting attention away from their misdeeds. Love, compassion, and empathy must be the antidotes to their strategy of “divide and conquer.” We must unite and cooperatively build a better way forward that embraces our humanity, democratic ideals, and the common good.

But how? Well, first, we must recall that our founding fathers did not want a twoparty system and warned us about the concentration of wealth and power in “incorporations.” Moving forward might require an approach that transcends political parties, relying instead on our shared values at the community level.

Thomas Jefferson advocated for “wardrepublics” comprised of no more than 100 citizens, believing that if we failed to practice direct democracy in our neighborhoods, America would lose its representative form of government. For Jefferson, it wasn’t enough that each citizen vote: We had to exercise public freedom, discussing and debating issues face-to-face with our neighbors, in order to develop consensus in our decision-making.

The infrastructure already exists. Think of townships as ward-republics. You live in a township. So do I, and we are called at this critical juncture in our nation’s history to serve our democracy directly through our township governance. This is the way to strengthen the bonds of trust, collaboration, and shared responsibility while cultivating democratic values that work for everyone.

As good citizens, we can build stronger communities at the township and county levels wherein every resident has a voice and a role in shaping our common future.

Democracy is not a spectator sport, and we have taken it for granted for far too long. We must now reassert our right and our duty to govern ourselves from the ground up in our townships. This requires voices of all tribes to come together in the spirit of cooperation. Building consensus through discussion and debate can only move our common goals forward in such a way that serves all of us.

Our democracy is on the ropes, folks. If we are to preserve our way of life in peace and prosperity, we must evolve through nonviolent, nonpartisan, local self-governance. Should we lose our representative republic, we’ll have no one to blame but ourselves.

Walt Wood is a retired mailman, current Lutheran, and essayist focused on political philosophy and the intersection of religion and democracy.

The Librarians

Librarians across the U.S. examine how restrictions on library content are shaping communities.

Free Film Screening

& Community Conversation

Milliken Auditorium at The Dennos Wednesday, February 4 | 4:00 PM, Reception 6:00 PM

The Dennos has partnered with NMC Library, Traverse Area District Library, and other regional librarians for this event We would like to thank NMC Library for their sponsorship of the reception following the screening

LITTLE CHEF FAVORITES

Inside the Ingredients

By Nora Rae Pearl

Sometimes we all need to take a break from the seriousness of cooking and remember why we enjoy it in the first place. For these recipes, we’re welcoming in little chefs to inspire us for some creative eats.

We’ve come up with a “kidcuterie” board that takes tic-tac-toe to a new level. And for those looking for breakfast for dinner, we turned the tables and brought pizza to breakfast with a vanilla scented dough and a sweet cherry filling. To make these recipes sing, we’re highlightingLeelanau Cheese’s Raclette in homemade cheesy crackers, Red Truck Orchards Cherry Vinegar for quick pickles, and Cherry Republic’s Mamma Mary’s Top Secret Cherries for a breakfast pizza you won’t forget.

WINNER TAKES ALL CHARCUTERIE

Who says playing with food isn’t fun, especially when there are prizes involved?

Cheese Crackers Ingredients

• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 2 cups finely grated Leelanau Cheese Raclette (1/2 lb. wedge)

• 1 1/2 cups flour

• 3/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon mustard powder

• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 tablespoon water

Charcuterie Ingredients

• Fruit: apples, mango, pineapple, strawberries

• Vegetables: carrots, peppers

Quick Pickles Ingredients

• 1 cucumber, sliced

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup Red Truck Orchards Cherry Vinegar

• Water, enough to fill container

To make the crackers: Beat the butter in a medium bowl until creamy. Add the cheese, flour, salt, mustard powder, and paprika. Mix until well combined and holds together when squeezed. Drizzle over 1 tablespoon of water and mix until a dough comes together. Divide dough in half.

Place one half on a large piece of parchment. Lightly dust with flour and pat into a rectangle. Roll until it is 1/8 inch thick. Cut into small, 1-inch cookie cutter shapes, or cut into squares or triangles. Carefully transfer cut shapes to a parchment lined baking sheet. They can be very close together, just not touching (they will not spread when they bake). Freeze for 30 minutes. Repeat the process with remaining dough. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Bake for 13 to 17 minutes, until golden brown on the edges and bottoms.

To make the pickles: Fill a pint container with as many sliced cucumbers that will fit in the container—you may not use them all. Add the sugar, salt, and vinegar. Add enough water to submerge the cucumbers in liquid. Cover and give a few shakes to combine. Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.

To assemble the charcuterie board: Arrange the carrot sticks in the center of your serving platter into a tic-tac-toe board. Cut fruit and vegetables into small sticks, circles, or squares so they can be used as playing pieces. Artfully arrange around the carrot sticks with the crackers and pickles.

PIZZA FOR BREAKFAST

We switched things up and turned savory dinner into sweet breakfast.

Dough Ingredients

• 3/4 cup milk, warmed to 105-110 degrees

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

• 2 1/4 teaspoons yeast (one 7-gram packet)

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 1/2 cups flour

• 1 large egg

Topping Ingredients

• 1 cup Cherry Republic Mamma Mary’s Top Secret Cherries

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/4 cup flour

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes

• Pinch of salt

• 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

• 1-2 tablespoons milk

To make the dough: In a medium bowl, combine the milk, butter, yeast, sugar, salt, and vanilla. Give a brief stir to combine, then add the flour. Mix until a shaggy dough comes together, then knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth, about five minutes. Try to be minimal with the amount of flour you add, use just enough to keep it from sticking but not too much that it will dry out the dough.

Place into a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rest for 45 minutes at room temperature, then refrigerate overnight. The next day, bring out the dough and let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.

Make the topping: In a small bowl, mix together the sugar, flour, butter, salt, and cinnamon until crumbly. Mix in the sliced almonds, set aside. This can also be made and refrigerated a day ahead.

To assemble: Cut off a quarter of the dough and set the remainder aside. Cut the quarter piece into four equal pieces. Roll into long ropes, measuring around 3036 inches long. Set the ropes aside. Roll out the larger piece of dough on a piece of parchment paper to a 12-14 inch circle. Lightly dock the center of the dough with a fork, being careful to not poke through the dough completely. Beat 1 egg in a small bowl. Brush the edge of the pizza crust with beaten egg.

Take two ropes and twist together, then place onto the crust to cover one half. Repeat with the remaining ropes, then place onto the other half of the crust and weave the two ends together. Lightly press the twists down to stay in place. Brush the top of the ropes with beaten egg.

Spread the Top Secret Cherries over the center, all the way until they touch the edge of the rope. Sprinkle crumble over the cherries. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until golden brown. Cool for at least 15 minutes on a wire rack. Mix together the powdered sugar with a 1 tablespoon of the milk until you have a thick glaze (add a little more milk if needed to achieve consistency). Put into a piping bag and drizzle over pizza. Best served the morning it is made!

READY, SET, CAMP!

Summer camp registrations are off to the races

By Northern Express Staff & Contributors

Yes, it’s January, but many summer camp registrations are now open or will soon be available. Below, we’ll share dates and details for more than 25 Up North camps, but first, let’s learn a bit more about what goes into creating these summer experiences for kids

CAMP SPOTLIGHT:

Grand Traverse Bay YMCA, Traverse City

Ninety seconds: That’s approximately how long it took the Grand Traverse Bay YMCA to sell out 10 weeks of summer camp programming in 2025. Such is the state of summer camp demand in northern Michigan.

Last year marked the first time the local YMCA offered online sign-ups for its summer camps, rather than in-person registration. YMCA will keep the online application system in place for the 2026 summer camp season, with sign-ups set to go live at 7am on Monday, Feb. 16. As in the past, the application window will prioritize parents with active YMCA family memberships.

The YMCA has also been working to prepare members for the sign-up process, sharing the layout of this year’s application and a (currently inactive) registration URL, so that parents are ready to go the moment the clock strikes seven on sign-up day.

That promptness will be vital for parents hoping to score slots, as the YMCA system is designed to filter submissions based on timestamp, which means the quickest parents will be the ones to get spots.

The good news? This year, the YMCA has (slightly) expanded its numbers, going from 240 campers per week to 250.

YMCA camps are among the most in-demand in northern Michigan thanks to their near-comprehensive schedules, which run from 7:30am to 5:30pm, five days per week, for 10 weeks of summer, from June 15 through August 21. Camp experiences include a traditional day camp, a “K-Camp” for kindergartners, a leaders club, and camps themed around sports, art, and science with options for kids in grades K-9.

CAMP SPOTLIGHT:

Little Big Adventures, Harbor Springs

Last year, Little Big Adventures (LBA) kicked off their first summer of day camps in Emmet County.

Run by “The Sarahs”—aka Sarah Koetje and Sarah Mayhew—the camp is billed as a nature and adventure-based learning program for youth. The Sarahs describe themselves as “passionate outdoor educators” with “20 years of experience teaching outdoor education across various sectors including government and non-profit organizations.”

Mayhew jokes that their program is old-school, not just because they’re disconnecting from tech but because their home base is the Five Mile Creek Schoolhouse along the Tunnel of Trees.

Per the LBA website, here’s what families can expect during summer camp: “Mornings are packed with exciting learning and hands-on experiences that bring history and nature to life, and afternoons balance creative expression, practical skills, and invigorating outdoor activities.”

Camps run Monday-Friday from 10am-3pm June 15 to Aug. 14. Registration is now open online at little-big-adventures.com.

CAMP DATES TO KNOW

The list below is not exhaustive, but we selected a smattering from our 13-county coverage area!

ARTS & EDUCATION CAMPS

Camp Invention: A nationally-recognized STEM-focused camp developed by the National Inventors Hall of Fame will be offered at multiple local schools this summer, including Old Mission (June 15-18), Cherry Knoll (June 15-18), and Westwoods (June 22-25). Programs can be searched at invent.org/program-search. Registration is now open.

Crooked Tree Arts Center: Explore a slate of youth art camps for K-12 students. Traverse City registration opens in late January, while Petoskey registration opens in late February.

Interlochen’s Arts Discovery Day Camp: Sessions are one week in length and will be offered for seven weeks this summer, starting Monday, June 22 and ending Friday, Aug. 7. All camps are for ages 7-12 and are held at the Interlochen Community School building. Registration is now open.

Northwestern Michigan College’s College for Kids: The community college offers a broad range of immersive programs across disciplines like culinary, art, recreation, music, STEM, and writing for littles ages 3-4 and youth grades K-12. Registration opens Feb. 2.

Old Town Playhouse’s Young Company: Half-day (ages 5-8) and full-day (ages 8-16) camps are available for a fourweek summer program that culminates in end-of-summer performances. Registration typically opens in March.

Ramsdell Creativity Art Camp: Held at the historic Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts in Manistee, this camp offers two sessions: July 6-10 (ages 6-10) and July 13-17 (ages 11-15). Check back on their website for 2026 registration.

DAY & OVERNIGHT CAMPS

Camp Carvela: Discover summer 2026 sessions geared toward kids aged 7-13 that run weekly from June 15 to Aug. 21. The overnight camp on the shores of Bass Lake in Traverse City has 1-, 2-, and 3-week options beginning June 14. Registration is now open.

Camp Daggett: This camp in Petoskey offers both day (age 5-12) and overnight (ages 7-14) camp options. They also offer “Adventure Camp” for teens 13-15 to go on four-day expeditions. Registration is now open for new local campers.

Camp Lookout: Registration is currently open for this overnight camp in Frankfort focused on experiential learning and camper-led experiences starting June 14.

Camp Tanuga: This camp in Kalkaska offers a variety of sessions—mini-mini (four; grades K-1), mini (11 nights; grades K-6), partial (32 nights), and full summer (45 nights)—of overnight camping for children. Registration is now open for new campers.

Camp Torenta: Cadillac YMCA’s annual camp opens registration on Feb. 15. This day camp’s activities include swimming, boating, hiking, archery, sports, games, arts & crafts, and special events.

City of Petoskey Kids Camp: This camp for local Petoskey children offers recreational fun, nature and creative exploration, plus field trips! Currently accepting limited full-time enrollment.

Elk Rapids Schools Summer Kids’ Club: Registration packets for this program have historically been sent in April. Open to school-age students, entering kindergarten through 5th grade, running June, July, and August.

Northern Blooms Montessori: The school’s summer camp will be back for a third season this year, running June 9 to Aug. 22. Applications open in the spring.

Old Mission Peninsula School: The charter school’s camps all take place in July and are open to students heading into grades 1-6 (Camp Island View) or kiddos age 3-6 (Preschool Camp). Contact the school for registration.

Otsego County Sportsplex: This Gaylord spot has been offering a summer day camp since 2008 with a variety of activities for campers ages 5-12. Registration typically opens in March.

Pathfinder: This camp offers programs for four age ranges—Explorers (going into preK and kindergarten), Discovery (going into first and second grade), Voyagers (going into third and fourth grade), and Adventure (going into fifth through seventh grade)—for eight week-long sessions running from June 15 to Aug. 7.

Shady Trails Camp: Northport’s day camp serves children aged 5-14 and allows campers and counselors to co-create their programming and schedule. Check back for 2026 dates and registration.

TCAPS Summer Explorers Club: This camp is for TCAPS students in grades K-5 and runs June 22 to Aug. 21. The camp has two sites with approximately 70 TCAPS students per site. Registration opens Feb. 5.

YMCA’s Hayo-Went-Ha Camps: HayoWent-Ha Camps serve youth from third through eleventh grade with overnight sessions that run two to four weeks for a variety of outdoor adventures. (Some campers will even travel to Canada!) Registration is now open. Their Sparks Day Camp is curated for ages 5-10.

SPORTS & OUTDOORSY CAMPS

ELEV8 Summer Program: The Traverse City climbing gym offers “climbing, outdoor time, arts and crafts, and games” during 2-, 3-, and 5-day camps, with separate instruction for 6-9 yearolds and 9-14 year-olds. Registration is now open.

Grand Traverse Conservation District’s Nature Day Camp: Geared toward kids 6-11, the camp will run for 10 weeks, from June 15 to Aug. 21, with each week following a different theme. Registration opens Feb. 2 at 8am.

Grand Traverse Tennis Camps: Offered by long-time Traverse City Central High School tennis coach Larry Nykerk, this camp will run throughout the summer and include programming opportunities for all ages, including adults. Registration is now open.

Grass River Natural Area: The Bellairearea nonprofit will offer four nonconsecutive weeks of summer camps this year (June 22-25, July 6-7, July 20-23, Aug. 3-6), with openings for ages 6-11. Registration opens in March.

Human Nature School: Get outdoors with their programs for ages 5-12. Camp meets Monday through Friday from 9am-3pm, and sessions run June 22 to Aug. 21. Registration opens Feb. 2.

Norte Youth Cycling: Get cycling around Traverse City with Norte, whose Summer Program registration is now open for first through eighth graders who meet Monday through Thursday for 3.5-hour or 6-hour sessions in June, July, and August.

Traverse Area Community Sailing: Summer 2025 camps have programs available for ages 8-17. Check back on their website for dates and registration.

$10 a month provides a child in foster care something to hold onto

STAYING THE COURSE WITH COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS

Meet the organization guiding NoMi students to graduation

By Kierstin Gunsberg

It’s not often you get to spend a lunch break belting out the lyrics to your favorite song while friends cheer you on, though the world would certainly be a brighter place if that were true. Then again, for students at Kalkaska Middle School (KMS), it actually is, thanks to Shyenne Stapleton, who started hosting monthly karaoke breaks at the start of the 2025 school year.

“It may seem silly to some,” says Stapleton, but as the KMS site coordinator for Communities in Schools Northwest Michigan, she sees it as a simple way to help the middle schoolers let loose while building confidence—both in themselves and in the support around them—and to remind the students that they’re capable of doing hard things “in and out of the classroom.”

Which pretty nicely sums up the overarching mission of Communities in Schools, or CIS, a national organization founded in the late 1970s to champion kids through (and to) graduation, an accomplishment that research hails as a strong predictor of adult success.

Today, CIS works in more than 3,500 schools nationwide, 13 of which are right

here in northern Michigan, led by Northwest Michigan chapter Executive Director Amy Burk.

How It Started

CIS landed Up North about 25 years ago after a push to bring human services closer to families kicked off between Mancelona Schools and the Mancelona Family Resource Center. CIS fit right into that effort and eventually added mentoring and afterschool programs too.

By 2017, Mancelona Public Schools’ graduation rate ballooned from 64.4 percent in 2002 to 86.8 percent, leading CIS to expand into even more districts. As time went on and the organization proved itself successful, national grants, an Impact 100 award, and collaboration with the Michigan Department of Education helped CIS reach more students every year.

“Honestly, during our second expansion, schools started calling us,” says Burk. “They saw the need and wanted CIS in their buildings.”

The programming works like this, explains Burk: a CIS site coordinator is placed in each participating school to work alongside school staff in identifying what’s

getting in the way of student success and how to address it before their academics start to seriously suffer and derail their path to graduation. Most students who participate in CIS are referred by teachers or community partners, though students are now reaching out for support independently too.

How It’s Going

Last year, 100 percent of CIS participating students met college and career readiness benchmarks, 96 percent achieved both attendance and behavior goals, 93 percent met social-emotional goals, and 90 percent met their academic goals.

Getting students to hit certain benchmarks isn’t the only win though. “It’s a whole child approach,” Burk says.

Every activity or outreach initiative starts with cultivating strong relationships between students and their peers, coordinators, and school staff. Once those connections are made, it’s easier for the kids to express their challenges and for the adults to know how to come alongside them.

As for what challenges students are up against in the years leading up to graduation, many are tangible and urgent, and notes Burk, amplified by the realities of living

rurally. CIS Northwest Michigan serves eight districts across Antrim, Charlevoix, Kalkaska, and Otsego counties, where demand for healthcare, employment, and affordable housing outweighs access as more families across all of northern Michigan slip into ALICE status. (That is, households where the parents work but there still isn’t enough money to make ends meet.) Of those four counties, Kalkaska has the highest share of households at or below the ALICE threshold, at 44 percent.

Other hurdles that kids face during school hours are more nuanced as they ride out the ups and downs of self-esteem and friendships. As they do, one of the biggest disparities Burk sees for students across her network is “mental health services, hands down,” she says. “Even with social workers in schools, there aren’t enough providers.”

“Anything They Need

to Be

Successful”

While CIS coordinators can’t solve larger systemic issues like a shortage of healthcare access, they can act as anchors. Providing students with “anything they need to be successful inside and outside the classroom,” is what coordinators like East Jordan Elementary’s Chelsea Martin aim for each week.

That could mean offering in-school social and emotional skill building classes to kids sitting on a counselors waitlist, getting properly fitted shoes to a student who outgrew their last pair, or connecting parents with community resources that keep the heat running and put food on the table.

“Specifically to rural areas, I think resources are often spread out and can be difficult to access if you don’t know where or who to go to,” says Martin.

Meanwhile, Mancelona High School site coordinator Amy Derrer knows nearing the graduation finish line is the beginning of an all-new set of goals and

challenges for students.

“Seniors this year are struggling with ‘what do I do after high school?’” Derrer hopes they’ll find an answer during the college fair that she organizes with more than 40 college representatives or at the school’s annual career fair that brings more than 30 local employers to her students and a peek at all of the different paths that lay before them.

She also coordinates college visits and employment site tours. And for students pursuing college—this year, 40 students submitted 112 total college applications— Derrer is there to help with the FAFSA process, free federal funding many of them

don’t even realize they qualify for.

“Some students [and] families have always seen post-secondary as a barrier for them and never dreamed that college was an option,” says Derrer.

Some barriers, though, are a lot harder to work around.

At Kalkaska Middle School, Stapleton says that housing is scarce. “We have so many students and families trying to overcome homelessness.” And though she’s navigating DHS red tape with families, “Waiting lists are forever long,” leaving her students in limbo.

While Stapleton works to make a dent in those big-picture problems, she’s buffering

them with the things she can control like handing off gifts for a parent to give to their kids on Christmas morning or delivering groceries to a student’s home to help nourish them before a big test.

“Those are the little things that matter and truly make a difference,” says Stapleton, who calls those moments her biggest work wins. “Relationships matter and being present matters,” she adds. “Our goal is to help not only our students but the families as well. Give them a step up to help them get back on track when needed.”

Learn more at cisnwmi.org.

Building Resilience, One Family at a Time

A Generations Ahead alum shares her story

By Lourin Sprenger

When 19-year-old Felicity Martines found out she was pregnant, her life changed overnight.

The mom-to-be was living in a camper in her parent’s backyard with no heat and no running water. Winter was coming, and she didn’t know where she and her baby would go. She was still learning to care for herself as she transitioned into adulthood and was not prepared to be a parent.

“I reached out because I needed help,” Martines says. “I didn’t know what else to do.”

That one decision—asking for help— changed the trajectory of her life and connected her to Generations Ahead (GA).

Generations Ahead offers free support services to pregnant and parenting teens and their infants, serving two generations at once. They provide support throughout the Grand Traverse region; services range from one-on-one mentorship to financial help and parenting programs.

“Our philosophy is that we put them in the driver’s seat,” explains Marjie Rich, the outgoing executive director of Generations Ahead. “They decide what their priorities are and how we can help them move forward.”

From Survival to Stability

Martines took the wheel at a time marked by emotional and physical abuse in her relationship. “I really leaned into the support from GA,” she says. “Being able to lean on the other parents around me was fulfilling.”

Generations Ahead worked quickly to connect Martines with housing through Northwest Michigan Action Agency NMCAA. Soon, she and her new daughter, Lucy, moved into a fully furnished twobedroom apartment in Kalkaska.

“There was a crib. Diapers. Wipes. Towels. Dishes,” Martines recalls with emotion. “Everything was already there. It was amazing.”

Lucy is now almost three years old. Martines still remembers how it felt to walk into that apartment for the first time. A feeling of relief, safety, and the realization that she wasn’t alone anymore.

Making sure teen parents don’t have to walk alone is a priority for Generations Ahead. Rich says this sense of belonging is essential, especially because teen parents are often unseen in northern Michigan.

“They’re young, they’re vulnerable, and many don’t have family who can support them,” Rich said. “So, we walk alongside them.”

Beyond housing and baby supplies, Generations Ahead focuses on teaching life skills that build long-term independence.

“There were so many things I didn’t know,”

Martines says. “If I really needed something right now, I have six moms I can text. I still talk to these women.”

When she navigated a divorce, that support deepened. Although she was nearing the age limit for the program, Generations Ahead made sure she didn’t fall through the cracks.

“I was supposed to age out at 22,” she says. “Because of my situation, they kept me on longer. One of my social workers even wrote a witness statement for my divorce.”

Rich says that flexibility is intentional. “This work isn’t fast,” Rich explains. “We’re not putting a Band-Aid on something. We’re building resilience over time.”

Supporting the Whole Family

“Our philosophy is that we put them in the driver’s seat,” explains Marjie Rich, the outgoing executive director of Generations Ahead. “They decide what their priorities are and how we can help them move forward.”

Martines says. “My electric bill, my rent, those kinds of things. They were willing to sit down and walk me through it.”

Over time, with the help of a mentor and support from Generations Ahead, Martines became and remains financially independent.

Growth & Lifelong Connection

After Lucy was born, Martines began attending every Generations Ahead event she could.

“I made it a priority,” she says. “I needed that connection, for me and for her. The other moms understood. I wasn’t explaining myself all the time.”

The connection led to friendship and a network of support and relationships Martines is confident will last forever. “I made friends. I still have those friends,”

Generations Ahead also makes space for fathers, something Martines believes matters deeply.

“My relationship was toxic, but him having support from other dads was helpful,” she says. “It’s important we support fathers too. Someone made an effort with him—that mattered.”

In 2025, GA mentored and supported 88 parents, including 51 mothers, 17 fathers, and 20 alumni. They’re working on expanding their reach to fathers in the area.

“This organization is bigger than one person,” Rich said. “It’s about the families and making sure they’re supported long after they walk through our doors.”

Generations Ahead is currently winding down its 2024-2026 strategic plan and exploring future growth, including expanded reach into surrounding counties. A perfect

time for transition, with a promising future ahead, according to Rich.

After years as executive director, Rich is preparing for retirement with confidence, not only in the organization she helped shape, but in the leadership that will carry Generations Ahead forward. Following a national search that drew 115 applicants, the organization has named Yarrow Brown, previously the director of local housing nonprofit Housing North, as its incoming executive director. Brown will step into the role in the coming months.

Building Confidence through Consistency

Today, Martines describes herself differently than she did when she first reached out for help. “I’m more confident now,” she says with pride. “I work hard.”

She balances DoorDash, housekeeping, and is in the early stages of starting her own painting business. She’s saving money. She’s planning for the future. She’s even working toward buying her own home, something that once felt impossible.

“My caseworker told me she felt confident leaving me on my own,” Martines says of graduating from Generations Ahead. “That meant everything to me.”

Martines doesn’t sugarcoat her journey when sharing her experience with others, but she doesn’t regret it either. It’s a part of who she is. “I wouldn’t change anything,” she says. “I’m pretty happy with my life right now.”

Her advice to other young parents is simple: to ignore the stigma and to step forward—if not for yourself, for your child.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” she says, “not just from GA, but from the people around you. You don’t have to do this alone. Generations Ahead helped me figure my life out.”

To learn more, refer a teen parent, or to volunteer or donate, contact Generations Ahead at (231) 590-2262 or generationsahead.org.

FINDING AUTISM ANSWERS UP NORTH

North Arrow ABA founder Jonathan Timm on treatment, legislation, and misinformation

By Todd VanSickle

Jonathan Timm will never forget his first client as a behavior analyst.

“My first client was so challenging,” Timm says. “He was a preschooler. I think three years old.”

Timm recalls sweating and nervously giggling trying to make a connection with the young boy. “I remember him running away, throwing stuff, and I’m all over the place trying to keep him on task,” Timm says. “I almost stepped out of my master’s program because of how challenging it was.”

Instead, Timm stuck with it, and the boy went on to graduate from the program within a year and was back in a more traditional classroom.

“I’m not solely responsible for that, but I feel like just having a part in that kind of outcome where a kid can lead an independent and happier life is the coolest thing,” Timm says. “Behaviorism challenges you to look at failures as learning opportunities.”

Achieving Independence

In 2020, Timm founded North Arrow, an autism services provider specializing in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), to help children and young adults with autism achieve functional independence.

North Arrow has grown to over 200 clients throughout northern Michigan and

has staff members servicing the region from seven locations including Traverse City, Cadillac, Grayling, Gaylord, Petoskey, Cheboygan, and Sault Ste. Marie. That team includes 15 administrative staff and 40 board certified behavior analysts who have each completed more than 2,000 hours of supervised fieldwork.

“It’s a pretty rigorous training standard,” Timm says. “I am super proud of our team of BCBAs. I think they are world class. It’s just cool to see the growth of that staff base, as well as having this collective knowledge base.”

North Arrow offers its services in various settings, including homes, schools, and at its headquarters on Cherry Bend Road in Traverse City.

“I was fortunate enough to find space in the Grand Traverse’s Regional Arts Campus,” Timm says. “It’s a perfect space for what we do. It’s a former elementary school, so parents are really excited about that. It resonated with families who wanted a place where they could bring their kids to an environment that feels like a school, that will prepare them for an eventual transition to a school environment, which is our goal.”

North Arrow meets clients almost anywhere. Sometimes it is recommended that treatment be conducted at the client’s home as long as there aren’t too many distractions.

“Homes can be great treatment

The Behavioral Health Index is a standardized, outcomes-focused measurement tool used in Applied Behavior Analysis services to evaluate meaningful clinical progress for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

environments as well,” Timm adds. “But if you have siblings running around and you have life happening in every room, it does create a little bit of a barrier to creating those optimal outcomes. So sometimes we’ll recommend we do services in the center.”

Working in Schools

Ultimately, North Arrow would like to offer more of their services in schools.

“We’re working through that right now,” Timm says. “There is some legislation that has been introduced at the state level that

will particularly ask schools to have a policy about whether ABA services can be involved in that setting. … So we want to be able to help in schools. It’s just going to take a little bit of collaboration and clarification of what is possible.”

Michigan introduced House Bill 5044 in late 2025. The law would require school districts to create policies allowing students to receive medically necessary treatments, like ABA, in a school setting when prescribed by a healthcare provider to improve access and reduce conflicts between education and healthcare for students with autism and other disabilities.

The legislation aims to integrate therapy with learning by allowing private providers to deliver care in schools, which is supported by the Autism Alliance of Michigan.

However, some lawmakers and educators oppose the bill and say it conflicts with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Others argue that students would be taken away from the classroom setting and/ or the goals of private behavior technicians and schools may not be aligned.

Proponents of HB 5044 say the law would be integrated with Individualized Education Program (IEP) services, not replacing the existing program.

The law would require all public schools to adopt a written policy by July 1, 2026, for accommodating prescribed treatments. The bill has not been voted on as of January 2026.

A Two-Year Timeline

North Arrow clients range in age from two to 20 years old. They also serve older clients with different needs and behaviors, such as aggression, self-injury, and elopement (wandering away from caregivers).

Treatment starts with a comprehensive client assessment, and then intensive treatment plans consist of 10-40 hours per week with ongoing behavioral data recording. The goal is to transition clients back to their natural supports within two years, Timm says.

AUTISM MISINFORMATION

“We start discharge planning from day one,” Timm tells us. “Our goal is to work ourselves out of a job as soon as possible. There are varying degrees of that timeline. I would love for every kid in our company to not require services after two years of treatment. That is not a hard and fast rule.”

Medications are not used in North Arrow’s treatments.

“We’re not psychiatrists or medical practitioners,” Timm says. “I like my kids when I work with them to not be medicated for behavioral issues. That gives me a better understanding of what the actual function of behavior might be.”

Improving Lives

North Arrow receives most of its referrals through pediatricians, the internet, and Community Mental Health. North Arrow is part of the Michigan Autism Alliance.

“When I started in the field 16 years ago the autism rate was 1 in 68,” Timm says. “Now, I think 1 in 36 is diagnosed with autism.”

However, he doesn’t attribute the growth of North Arrow’s services to the increase of people with autism.

“The more people with autism, the more need there is for services,” Timm says. “But really, what it comes down to in northern Michigan is getting the word out about our services.”

About 16 years ago, there was a big insurance reform movement in Michigan that allowed coverage for ADA services, Timm says.

“When that happened, people started to learn about it,” Timm says. “There’s a lot of education and outreach necessary to make sure that families, and agencies know that we can help. We have data to prove we’ve improved the lives of many kids. It’s a really fascinating and fun thing to see.”

Learn more about North Arrow at northarrowaba.com.

Timm says that he has been in the field, misinformation about autism is at an alltime high. He relies on peer reviewed articles and studies that have disproven the link between vaccinations, circumcision, and autism.

“It all stems from a 1998 paper published by a British doctor who falsified the results,” Timm says. “He was banned from practicing medicine because of his falsified data. And here we are 27 years later and that stuff still continues to make its way into the perception of national leaders. I feel like we scientists are kind of drowned out by the volume of the misinformation.”

For self-preservation purposes, Timm tries to block out most of the lies and theories that circulate. However, he took it personally when he heard certain government officials state that individuals on the spectrum can’t lead a productive life.

“It really shook me up in terms of the hundreds of families I have worked with in the past,” he says. “There is hope for every individual diagnosed with autism. It does take a lot of work. Our interventions can be effortful and time intensive. To say that every family that has a kid on the spectrum is doomed for life is just not true. I’m speaking from experience, not just the data.”

Update In the 1970s, the United States made a half-hearted effort to join the rest of the world in using the metric system. You know how that story ends. But one highway between Tucson, Arizona, and Nogales, New Mexico, is hanging on. Interstate 19 still displays mile markers and distances in kilometers, Central Oregon Daily News reported. "It's just kind of a cool little quirky fact about us," said Alejandro Aguilar, who lives in Tubac, Arizona. Now, the U.S. Department of Transportation has declared that "When you're driving in the United States, it should be unmistakably American." As a result, that stretch of interstate may get new signage, although the Arizona DOT has not received direction from the feds. Teacher Elaine Webber isn't on board. "Show me the harm. How many accidents have happened? How many people have been harmed by this?"

Nope The musical duo Bootleg Rascal kicked off their new tour in Brisbane, Australia, on Jan. 10 with a sweet-turned-awkward moment, Metro News reported. Carlos Lara said their manager had informed them that someone wanted to propose on stage during the third song, and sure enough, a man climbed up to take the microphone. He called his partner, Jamie, to the stage and told the crowd they had seen the band two years before and it was their favorite band. "And I thought today, why not, maybe today is the time," the man said. Then he got down on one knee ... and that's when it all went wrong. The woman started shaking her head and trying to pull him back up, then ran off the stage. Lara said, "I don't think I've ever felt that awkward on stage in my life." The spurned boyfriend stayed on his knee until someone in a ScoobyDoo costume ran up to help him get on his feet and hugged him. Lara said they checked in with him after the show, and he was "definitely searching for a few beers." They gave him some free merch so he wouldn't go away completely empty-handed.

Bright Idea

In Duffel, Belgium, on Jan. 2, police were conducting a sobriety checkpoint when a car crept up to the officers, Oddity Central reported. The driver seemed unusually short and young, which follows because he was, in fact, the 12-year-old son of the front-seat passenger, his dad. "I had drunk too much and so I entrusted the car to my son to drive home," Dad told the police. Mom and two siblings were in the back seat. The boy was fined for driving without a license; Dad was charged with entrusting the car to someone not fit to drive it. After the traffic stop, Mom drove the rest of the way home.

Don't Try This at Home

Brazilian bodybuilder Arlindo de Souza, 55, passed away on Jan. 13, the Daily Mail reported. De Souza became known as the Brazilian Popeye after injecting mineral oil and alcohol into his biceps, resulting in huge, bulging muscles that measured 29 inches around. He had been hospitalized since December for renal failure. Ironically, the injections didn't make him any stronger. De Souza said he had stopped the injections

about 10 years ago, adding, "I advise no one to take this oil."

Government in Action

As if there aren't more pressing issues in New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul has taken on ... dancing in restaurants. The New York Post reported that in Hochul's Jan. 13 State of the State address, she promised to direct the State Liquor Authority to create "a new hybrid restaurant-tavern license," according to her policy book. Under this license, bars and taverns would automatically have the right to showcase dancing, which has been prohibited under earlier licenses. "It creates new opportunity by cutting through red tape," said Restaurant Association CEO Melissa Fleischut.

Shop Till Ewe Drop

Shepherd Dieter Michler had no real answers for why 50 members of his flock split from the 500-sheep herd and made their way into a Penny supermarket in Burgsinn, Lower Franconia, Germany, on Jan. 5. Shoppers and employees quickly took to higher ground, climbing atop the conveyor belts of the checkout lanes to make way for the ovine interlopers, who left broken bottles, droppings and strewn products in their wake when they were eventually removed from the store. Michler told the Main-Post newspaper that he suspected the wandering sheep became distracted by acorns as he led the herd across the industrial area, and, after losing contact with the rest of the group, meandered into the store's parking lot.

Petty Theft

Arianna Moss, 29, coveted a co-worker's 40-ounce light blue Stanley insulated cup, The Smoking Gun reported -- so much that she "was observed on video surveillance looking at a cup numerous times" before nicking it and hiding it in her lunchbox. Moss told a witness earlier in the day that the cup "would be great to hold my breast milk." She quit her job three days after the incident in late December and was arrested on Jan. 11, charged with petit theft under $100. She was released on $150 bond. The Stanley cups retail for about $45.

Smooth Reaction

On Jan. 7 in Phoenix, a passenger in a Waymo self-driving car had to make an unplanned exit, KPHO-TV reported. The car drove onto the tracks of the light-rail system and continued toward an oncoming train on the adjacent track, stopping just before the train got close to it. The passenger, shown on video from a bystander, ran away from the car. A Valley Metro spokesperson said, "Light rail operations staff responded to the scene and Waymo was contacted." They said the scene was clear within 15 minutes.

Unconventional Weaponry

As Fort Walton Beach (Florida) Police officers responded to reports of a battery at the Palms of Emerald Coast Massage Parlor on Jan. 13, employee Fang Wang became hostile, WJHG-TV reported. When they tried to detain Wang, she began "defecating towards officers to evade arrest," they said. She was arrested for battery and resisting arrest and was held in the Okaloosa County Jail without bond.

UNNE

Saturday

BIGFOOT SNOWSHOE

RACE: 9am, Timber Ridge Resort, TC. Featuring 1 Mile, 5K & 10K races. There will be plenty of logs to jump & branches to duck. Gather pre-race in the Timber Ridge Nordic Center. Stay after the race to warm up around a fire with a bowl of chili. Register. $20-$39. runsnow.com -

HBA OF NW MI MANISTEE HOME EXPO

2026: 9am-6pm, Little River Casino Resort, Manistee. The Refresh.Rebuild.Reunite Expo brings homeowners, builders & suppliers together under one roof. Explore exhibits, get expert advice, & find solutions for every project, from updates & repairs to dream builds. eventhub.net/events/HBA-of-NW-MIManistee-Home-Expo-2026_6990

ONE-DAY MEDIA SALE: 10am-4pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. Presented by the Friends of the Traverse Area District Library. Featuring a $5 fill-a-bag sale of media items, including DVDs, CDs, audiobooks & more. tadl.org

WORK OF ART: 10:30am-12:30pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Teens & adults are invited to think summer with a paint by number canvas. All materials provided. RSVP to attend. Free. peninsulacommunitylibrary.org

THE HIGHLANDS ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND: Jan. 23-25, The Highlands at Harbor Springs. Give a nod to the earlier days that have shaped The Highlands at Harbor Springs over generations. Today includes a Winter Market in the Main Lodge Backyard from 11am-6pm. Featuring local makers & small businesses including Birch n Lavender Apothecary, Lakuna Links, Larson Health, & many others; food, drinks & tastings from Short’s Brewing Co.; A Vintage Ski Race on the hill from 1-3pm; & fireworks on the hill at 9:15pm to wrap up the night. For more info visit: highlandsharborsprings. com/events/anniversary-weekend

WINTERFEST: 11am-2pm, GT County Civic Center, TC. An afternoon of outdoor fun & games provided by GT County Parks & Recreation, GT Conservation District, GT County Health Dept., GT County Sheriff, Norte Youth Cycling, Traverse Area District Library, Aloft Disc Golf, & North Sky Raptor Sanctuary. Includes the snowball slingshot (weather permitting) & the bookmobile. Free. gtcountymi. gov/2744/Parks-Recreation

“THE HOBBIT”: 2pm & 7pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. A shy hobbit, Bilbo Baggins is unexpectedly thrust into an epic adventure with a group of dwarves. See what happens to them in their quest to reclaim a stolen treasure from the fearsome dragon Smaug. $15$22. oldtownplayhouse.com/youth-learning/ performances/the-hobbit.html -

TEA TIME & ARTIST TALK: 3:30pm, Art on Union Gallery, TC. Adam VanHouten will present “Capturing the Fleeting Moment; Joys & Challenges of Plein Air Painting.” Free. artonunion.com

IPR PRESENTS A SPECIAL SCREENING OF “DID YOU GUYS EAT?” ¿YA COMIERON?: 4pm, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. Learn about Mid-Michigan’s diverse agricultural landscape. Screening followed by Q&A with Director Stephany Slaughter. Free. gardentheater.org/comingsoon

TORCHLIGHT SNOWSHOE WITH BEARCUB OUTFITTERS: 5-8pm, Camp Daggett, Petoskey. Explore Camp Daggett’s scenic trails by torchlight. Bearcub will be on

site to provide snowshoes & help with sizing, or you’re welcome to bring your own. After your walk, warm up in the lodge with hot cocoa, cookies, & a chance to win raffle prizes. Free. campdaggett.org/events/torchlightsnowshoe-with-bearcub-outfitters

KEVIN WOLFF: 7pm, AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. This award-winning singer/songwriter brings his blend of modern country & rock. Enjoy highenergy anthems, heartfelt ballads & more. $30 advance; $35 door. artisanvillage.org/events

TRILLIUM GROOVE: 7pm, The Music House Museum, Williamsburg. This all-girl trio from northern Michigan met while studying audio engineering through NMC’s audio technology program. They include Ruby Bardenhagen (piano), Keagan Kalbfleisch (percussion), & SkyeLea Martin (guitar, ukulele). $25-$30. mynorthtickets.com/events/ the-music-house-museum-is-happy-to-welcome-back-trillium-groove-in-concert-onjanuary-24-2026-at-700pm-1-24-2026

THE ALLUVION WORLD MUSIC SERIES PRESENTS: HAMILTON DE HOLANDA TRIO: 7:30pm, The Alluvion, TC. This trio from Brazil plays a hip blend of Brazillian funk-jazz-fusion music with a unique groove. $30 advance; $35 door. thealluvion.org

Sunday

THE HIGHLANDS ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND: Jan. 23-25, The Highlands at Harbor Springs. Give a nod to the earlier days that have shaped The Highlands at Harbor Springs over generations. For more info visit: highlandsharborsprings.com/events/anniversary-weekend

PRESENTER’S SERIES: TONY MANFREDONIA: 2:30-4:30pm, Mt. Carmel Centre, Gaylord. Presented by the Gaylord Area Council for the Arts. Singer, songwriter & composer Tony Manfredonia has composed music for major pop culture phenomenons such as Minecraft & The Outer Worlds 2, & his work has been performed by renowned orchestras. $10 member; $15 non-member; $30 family (up to 4). gaylordarts.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/ gaylordarts/event.jsp?event=2878&

monday

SKETCHBOOK PLAY: 5pm, Gaylord Area Council for the Arts. Bring a sketchbook (if you have one). Get creative with pencils, paints or ink. Practice without the pressure to be perfect. Donations suggested. gaylordarts. app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/gaylordarts/ event.jsp?event=1569&

tuesday

REGIONAL HOUSING

PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL MEETING: 9:30am12:30pm, West Shore Bank, Community Room, 400 E. Eighth St., TC. Join for the annual Region D Regional Housing Partnership meeting, hosted by the regional lead, Housing North. Please park in the surrounding public parking lots. Free. eleoonline.net/ Pages/WebForms/Mobile/ShowFormMobile.aspx?id=3a562e36-1fe5-4399-a5e829d11d3b77c5&linkto=1294

WINTER PEEPERS: “CHILLY CRITTERS”: 10am, Boardman River Nature Center, TC.

Get ready to explore how some of the critters around us stay warm, find food, & prepare for Michigan’s cold winters. This is an adultaccompanied program for ages 3-5. Takes place entirely outdoors. Register. $5/child per session; cash only! natureiscalling.org/ preschool-peepers-program

CONNECTING WOMEN IN BUSINESS LUNCHEON: NCMC, Library Conference Room, Petoskey. “2026 Refresh: Your Space for Success.” Featuring Wendy Nellett of Harbor Shores Cleaning Company, Michelle Powell of Spruce Organizing, & Kalin Sheick of Sweetwater Floral. Learn about psychological barriers to letting go & tips for decluttering, organizing, cleaning & more. Registration & networking: 11:30am-noon; lunch buffet at noon; program runs from 12:201pm. $35 CWIB members; $45 others. petoskeychamber.com

TCNEWTECH: FIRESIDE CHAT EDITION: 5pm, Silver Spruce Brewing, TC. Join Josh Scott, co-founder of Craftsy & successful startup operator, as he shares the real story behind building, scaling, & exiting one of the country’s most recognizable creativetech platforms. Hosted by 20Fathoms. Free. eventbrite.com/e/tcnewtech-fireside-chatedition-tickets-1980098009449?aff=ebdssb destsearch

SALT ON THE STREETS, TROUBLE IN THE STREAMS: ROAD SALT & FRESHWATER DEGRADATION WITH THE WATERSHED CENTER GRAND TRAVERSE BAY: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Learn about salt sources & impacts, local salt monitoring projects, & responsible salting practices that can help keep us safe & keep our waters healthy. Free. tadl.org/SaltWater

wednesday

AUTHOR EVENT WITH GENE KELLY: 6:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Hear from local author Gene Kelly as he talks about his reflective works, which include “How I became Irish,” “Three American Men,” & “From there to here.” Free. tadl.org/authorrgkelly

AMERICAN BRASS QUINTET: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Dendrinos Chapel & Recital Hall. One of the premier brass ensembles of our time. Renowned for their rich history of commissioning new works & their extensive discography, the American Brass Quintet continues to captivate audiences worldwide with their dynamic performances. Free. interlochen.org/events/ american-brass-quintet-2026-01-28

thursday

COFFEE @ 10, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Tresa Keys, Quilts of Valor coordinator for Little Traverse Bay Quilters Guild, along with other representatives from the Guild, will share & talk about the quilts they make for members of the community. Free. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/eve nts/?page=1&location=petoskey&search=co ffee#class-list

EMBRACE THE DREAM 2026 READALOUD & CRAFT NIGHT: 4:30-6:30pm, NMC Library, TC. Join to celebrate Black His-

tory Month, diverse characters, & the power of reading to break down barriers. Children ages 3-12 are invited! Free. nmc.edu/library

THE BARN RAISERS: FILM SCREENING & VIEWING OF MICHIGAN BARN PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT: 5pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. “The Barn Raisers” tells the true story of America’s vintage barns & the mysterious men who built them. Barns were constructed by farmer-craftsmen, professional builders who moved from job to job, & even architects like Frank Lloyd Wright. Free. tadl.org/BarnRaisers

BREATHING/RELAXATION CLASS WITH MANDY BUSH: 5:30pm, Bellaire Public Library. Local Yoga, meditation & mindfulness coach Mandy Bush will lead you in relaxation exercises. Learn some ways to stay calm & centered in the New Year. Please register: 231-533-8814. bellairelibrary.org

MEET ME AT THE LOAF: A CELEBRATION OF SUGAR LOAF IN STORIES: 6:30pm, Solon Twp. Hall, Cedar. A live storytelling event presented by the Leelanau Historical Society & Here:Say Storytelling. Featuring scheduled storytellers, including Tom Nelson & Jacob Wheeler, who will share first-person stories inspired by Sugar Loaf Mountain. Guests will enjoy snacks, drinks, historical displays curated by LHS, & door prizes. Doors open at 5:30pm. $20. leelanauhistory.org

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-andexhibitions/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

MONDAYS 5:30 TO 8:30 PM

friday

SELF-GUIDED SNOWSHOE HIKE: 10am, Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve, TC; meet at Boardman River Nature Center. Join Grand Traverse Conservation District for this hike. Bring a mug, & GTCD naturalists will greet you with hot cocoa & help ensure your snowshoes fit properly. $5/person; registration required. natureiscalling.org/events

LUNCHEON LECTURE: DESIGNING HOSPITALS IN TANZANIA: 11:30am1pm, NCMC, Library Conference Center, Petoskey. Architect Verle Hansen will use photos from his adventure to Tanzania to explain his efforts to design hospitals that could meet the real needs of the Tanzanian people, respecting their culture & using the resources that were available. $15. ncmclifelonglearning.com/event-6464525

INVOKE: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. This multi-instrumental quartet brings classical, folk, bluegrass, Americana & more, fueled by a passion for storytelling. $10-$70. cityoperahouse.org/invoke

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

jan 30 jan 31

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

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-peanutbutter-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 read-

THURSDAYS 5:30 TO 8:30 PM

ing 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?: (See Fri., Jan. 30)

sunday

Live. Local. Unforgettable.

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 minutes. $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 Fri., Jan. 30, 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

art

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:

- BETWEEN US - WINTER 2026 EXHIBITION: Held in Cornwell Gallery. This exhibit explores connection, distance, & everything that exists in the in-between. It invites artists to reflect on how we reach for one another & ourselves across emotional, physical, & imagined spaces. Runs through Feb. 21. Visit website for hours. crookedtree.org/eventsand-exhibitions/exhibits/between-us.html

- GUILD POP-UP EXHIBIT: LINDA GARDINER: Held in Libragallery. Runs through Jan. Linda is drawn to the stories found in fabric— the threads, textures, & marks inspired by nature, layered with paint, stencils, & time. Her work brings these elements together to create pieces that are both expressive & functional, blending beauty with everyday use. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-andexhibitions/exhibits/guild-popup-exhibit-lindagardiner.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

- TRILOBITE TREASURES: Runs through May. This exhibit presents Paleozoic creatures in a way that tells a story of the prehistoric life in the ancient seas. The collection, assembled over 35 years, provides a unique snapshot of life in the ancient seas from 250 to 500 million years ago. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org

- TWELVE-BY-TWELVE: Runs through April 1. Created by students & faculty at Interlochen Arts Academy, every participant had to create something that would fit within an imaginary twelve-inch cube. They self-imposed this limit to discover what ideas those boundaries might produce. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org

Lodging Rates Offered, Make a Night of It! For Traverse City area news and events, visit TraverseTicker.com

Hotel Indigo Traverse City partners with Old Town Playhouse to bring a season of bold, fun-filled fundraising events to downtown. All shows in the Hotel Indigo Ballroom Doors open one hour before showtime For show times and tickets: oldtownplayhouse.com

Trouble in Deadwood Wild West murder mystery comedy + costume prizes • Feb 20, 21 & 22 Mismatched Cabaret Musical theatre after dark — irreverent, unapologetic, delightfully inappropriate • Mar 27 & 28 Dueling Pianos High-energy, audience-driven entertainment • Sat, May 9

- 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/crooked-tree-photographic-society.html

- ON ICE: Held in Gilbert Gallery through Feb. 28. Includes plein air icescape paintings by Margie Guyot, winter landscape paintings by Kevin Barton, photographs by Susan Tusa, documentary works exploring the communities & culture of ice fishing by Amy Sacka, photographs exploring ice as an aesthetic & environmental subject, drone shots by Ray Gaynor, & much more. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/eventsand-exhibitions/exhibits/on-ice.html

- OPEN STUDIO: Held in the Visual Arts Room, Saturdays, 10am-1pm. Free drop-in art studio for the whole family. New projects are offered weekly. crookedtree.org

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

- DOUG CANNELL: “SELECTIONS FROM BACKSTORIES”: An introduction to Doug Cannell’s works that merge sculpture, installation, & storytelling into layered experiences. Cannell creates objects that resist easy definition. Runs through April 3. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org

- IMPRESSIONS OF AN ERA: PRINTS FROM THE DENISON MUSEUM COLLECTION: This selection of prints, created between 1970 & 1990 by nationally & internationally recognized contemporary artists, reflects two transformative decades in contemporary printmaking. Artists include Dee Shapiro, Barbara Kohl-Spiro, KUDO Muramasa & James Rizzi. Runs through May 31. 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

- SMALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS BY HARVEY GORDON: Enjoy this exhibition of acrylic paintings held in the Lobby Gallery through April 23. 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

"Best of Five" a quintet of quintets. by Matt Jones

ACROSS

1. Awaiting a pitch

6. "San ___ High School football rules!" ("Bill & Ted" quote)

11. 2002 Olympics host, briefly

14. Scurrying pest

15. Fred's neckwear on "Scooby-Doo"

16. Actor Penn

17. Espagnole (one of five)

19. "This ___ travesty!"

20. "___ alone in thinking this?"

21. Capital of Qatar

22. Many "Frozen"-inspired Halloween costumes

24. Period following sunset

26. Queens (one of five)

29. Middle part of a Shakespeare play

31. Author of the "Goosebumps" series

32. MacGowan of the Pogues

33. Drive an 18-wheeler, say

35. Little bit

36. Michigan (one of five)

40. Pirate's interjection

43. Invisible rope puller, maybe

44. Hall & ___ ("Maneater" duo)

48. Deemed appropriate

51. "Spill the tea!"

52. Styx (one of five)

55. Equal

56. Purplish color

57. They're thrown in some bars

59. Coffee, in diner slang

60. Former "All Things Considered" host Shapiro

61. Yellow (one of five)

65. Former Giants pitcher Robb with a palindromic name

66. Home of the Lightning and the Tornadoes

67. "Biography" network

68. 34th U.S. pres.

69. Word after French or Texas

70. "___, what have I done?" ("Once in a Lifetime" lyric)

DOWN

1. Fleets of warships

2. Excessive

3. Cuban ousted by Castro

4. "Alas!," in Germany

5. Detroit nickname

6. Conspicuously chic

7. "I, Robot" author Asimov

8. Avengers franchise, for short

9. Dem rep. sworn into Congress at age 29

10. Controls the wheel

11. Downhill wear

12. Garfield's favorite food

13. Didn't match

18. Pasta ___ (boxed dinner brand)

23. His wife was turned into a pillar of salt

25. Charles, currently

27. Weird "Dr. Steve" in a 2010s Adult Swim show

28. Pueblo cooking vessel

30. -y, comparatively

33. Dominican Republic neighbor

34. Banking machine

37. Abu Dhabi ruler

38. American photographer/actress Stark, once linked to former Prince Andrew

39. "Good ___" (Alton Brown series)

40. Oregon city known for its Shakespeare festival

41. Showed on TV again

42. Hockey rink divider

45. Joining forces

46. Major Spanish daily

47. Hit with a heavy hammer

49. Museum-funding org.

50. Zelda's husband

51. Three, to Mozart

53. Repeated musical phrases

54. Indianan in India, perhaps

58. Grifter's game

62. Mekong Valley language

63. 1950s Peruvian singer Sumac

64. Beam of light

lOGY

JAN 26 - FEB 01

BY ROB BREZSNY

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): In ecology, there's a concept called "keystone species.” This refers to organisms that have a huge effect on their environment relative to their abundance. Remove them, and the whole ecosystem shifts. I bring this up, Aquarius, because I believe you are currently functioning as a keystone species in your social ecosystem. You may not even be fully aware of how much your presence influences others. And here's the challenge: You shouldn’t let your impact weigh on your conscience. You don’t have to sacrifice yourself as you carry out your service. Instead, ask how you can contribute to the common good while also thriving yourself. Ensuring your well-being isn't selfish; it’s essential to the gifts you provide and the duties you perform.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): To be healthy, we all need to continually be in the process of letting go. It’s always a favorable phase to shed aspects of our old selves to make room for what comes next. The challenge for you Leos is to keep showing up with your special brightness even as parts of you die away to feed new growth. So here are my questions: What old versions of your generosity or courage are ready to compost? What fiercer, wilder, more sustainable expression of your leonine nature wants to emerge? The coming weeks will be an excellent time to stop performing the hero you used to be and become the hero you are destined to become.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The Haudenosaunee people practice "seventhgeneration thinking”: making decisions based on their impact seven generations into the future. You would be wise to incorporate the spirit of their visionary approach, Virgo. Here’s the problem: You're so skilled at fixing what needs urgent attention that you sometimes neglect what’s even more important in the long run. So will ask you to contemplate what choices you could you make now that will be blessings to your future self. This might involve ripening an immature skill, shedding a boring obligation that drains you, or delivering honest words that don’t come easily. Rather than obsessing on the crisis of the moment, send a sweet boost to the life you want to be living three years from now.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): ): Are you open to the idea that new wisdom doesn’t always demand struggle and strain? In the days ahead, I invite you to move as if the world is deeply in love with you; as if every element, every coincidence, every kind pair of eyes is cheering you forward. Imagine that generous souls everywhere want to help you be and reveal your best self. Trust that unseen allies are rearranging the flow of fate to help you grow into the beautiful original you were born to be. Do you dare to be so confident that life loves you?

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Psychologist

James Pennebaker did studies showing that people who write about traumatic experiences for just 15 minutes a day show improved immune function, fewer doctor visits, and better emotional health. But here's a key detail: The benefits don't come from the trauma itself or from "processing feelings." They come from constructing a narrative: making meaning, finding patterns, and creating coherence. The healing isn't in the wound. It's in the story you shape from the wound's raw material. You Scorpios excel at this alchemical work. One of your superpowers is to take what's dark, buried, or painful and transform it through the piercing attention of your intelligence and imagination. The coming weeks will be an excellent time to do this.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In Jewish mysticism, tikkun olam means "repair of the world.” This is the idea that we're all responsible for healing what's broken. But the teaching also says you're not required to complete the work; you're only asked to not abandon it. This is your message right now, Sagittarius: You don't have to save everyone. You don't have to heal everything, and you don't even have to finish the projects you've started. But you can't abandon them entirely, either. Keep showing up. Do what you can today. That's enough. The work will continue whether or not you complete it. Your part is to not walk away from your own brokenness and the world’s. Stay engaged.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): The Talmud teaches that "every blade of grass has an angel bending over it, whispering, 'Grow, grow.'" I sense that you are now receiving the

extra intense influence of your own guardian angels, Capricorn. They aren’t demanding or threatening, just encouraging. Please tune into their helpful ministrations. Don’t get distracted by harsher voices, like your internalized critic, the pressure of impossible standards, or the ghost of adversaries who didn't believe in you. Here’s your assignment: Create time and space to hear and fully register the supportive counsel. It's saying: Grow. You're allowed to grow. You don't have to earn it. Just grow.

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): I foresee a dose of real magic becoming available to you: equivalent to an enchanted potion, a handful of charmed seeds, or a supernatural spell. But owning the magic and knowing how to use it are two different matters. There’s no promise you will instantly grasp its secrets. To give yourself the best shot, follow a few rules: 1. Keep it quiet. Only share news of your lucky charm with those who truly need to hear about it. 2. Before using it to make wholesale transformations, test it gently in a situation where the stakes are low. 3. Whatever you do, make sure your magic leaves no bruises behind.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): In 1953, Edmund Hillary of New Zealand and Tenzing Norgay of Nepal became the first climbers to trek to the summit of Mount Everest. They both said later that the climb down was as important and challenging as the ascent. The lesson: Achievement doesn’t end when you reach the peak. Aries, you may be nearing or have just passed a high point of effort or recognition. Soon you will need to manage the descent with aplomb. Don’t rush! Tread carefully as you complete your victory. It’s not as glamorous as the push upward, but it’s equally vital to the legacy of the climb.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Aurora borealis occurs when highly charged particles from the Sun strike molecules high in the Earth’s atmosphere, causing them to glow. The display that looks like gorgeous magic is actually our planet’s invisible magnetic shield and upper atmosphere lighting up under the pressure of an intense solar storm. Dear Taurus, I think your life has a metaphorical resemblance. The strength you've been quietly maintaining without much fanfare has become vividly apparent because it’s being activated. The protection you've been offering and the boundaries you've been holding are more visible than usual. This is good news! Your shields are working.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): “Nothing in excess” was the maxim inscribed on the ancient Temple of Apollo at Delphi. “Moderation is a chief moral virtue,” proclaimed the philosopher Aristotle. But I don’t recommend those approaches for you right now, Gemini. A sounder principle is “More is better” or “Almost too much is just the right amount.” You have a holy duty to cultivate lavishness and splendor. hope you will stir up as many joyous liberations and fun exploits as possible.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): When sea otters sleep, they sometimes hold each other’s paws to keep from drifting apart. This simple, instinctive act ensures they remain safe and connected. suggest making their bond your power symbol for now, Cancer. You’ll be wise to formulate a strong intention about which people, values, and projects you want to be tethered to. And if sea otters holding hands sounds too sentimental or cutesy to be a power symbol, you need to rethink your understanding of power. For you right now, it’s potency personified.

Grand Traverse & Kalkaska

ENCORE 201, TC

1/23-24 & 1/30-31 -- DJ Ricky T, 9

IDENTITY BREWING CO., TC

1/30 -- Scott Foor - A Good Pair Boot Drive for Jubilee House, 6-9

KARLIN INN, KARLIN/INTERLOCHEN

1/27 -- Speedquizzing Trivia, 7-9

KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC

9:30: 1/24 -- Twilight Tunes Dueling Pianos

1/30-31 -- Lucus Paul

KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING

1/27 -- Open Mic Night w/ Kevin & Sierra LaRose, 6-9

1/28 -- DJ Bingo, 7

1/29 -- Speedquizzing Trivia, 6:30-8:30

1/29 -- Trivia Night w/ Marcus Anderson, 6:30-8:30

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM:

1/26 -- Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9

MARI VINEYARDS, TC

4-6:

1/24 -- Rhett & John

1/30 -- Chris Smith

1/31 -- Jim Hawley

MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC

1/24 -- Celebrating Bob Weir feat. DJ Marco, 6-8; & open stage for local musicians from 8-10

MT. HOLIDAY, TC T-BAR & GRILL:

1/24 & 1/31 -- Apres Ski Live Music w/ Matt Mansfield, 2-5

NOCTURNAL BLOOM, TC Thu -- Thurs. Night Trivia, 6

NORTH BAR, TC

1/24 -- Mallory Ramage, 7-10

1/29 -- Drew Hale, 7-9

1/30 -- Nick Vasquez, 7-10

OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS:

1/24 -- Reminisce: Jim & Dave, 7 1/30 -- Chris Sterr, 6 1/31 -- John Paul, 6

RARE BIRD BREWPUB, TC 1/27 -- Tues. Trivia Night, 7-9

TC WHISKEY CO. - THE STILLHOUSE 6: 1/30 -- Rebekah Jon 1/31 -- Jakob Abraham

THE 231 BAR & GRILL, THOMPSONVILLE 1/30 -- Karaoke & DJ Music, 8

THE ALLUVION, TC 1/24 -- The Alluvion World Music Series Presents: Hamilton De Holanda Trio, 7-9:30

1/25 -- The Alluvion Big Band, 3-5

1/26 -- Big Fun - Funky Fun Mondays, 6-8:30

1/29 -- The Jeff Haas Trio feat. Laurie Sears + Lisa Flahive, 6-8:30

1/31 -- Super Nuclear Presents: Surfedelic w/ Ramble Tamble & Zinc Vacuum, 8 2/1 -- Vocal Opening Workshop

Antrim & Charlevoix

Series w/ Laurel Premo, 2

THE HAYLOFT INN, TC

7:30-11:

1/24 -- Empire Highway 1/30-31 -- Dance Mix

THE LITTLE FLEET, TC

7-10:

1/24 -- Sosohifi wsg Pete Farmer 1/31 -- Sosohifi wsg Jonathan Timm

THE PARLOR, TC

1/24 -- Beans & Cheese, 9 1/25 -- Music Bingo w/ Samantha Dallas & Trevor VanAssche, 7-9

THE PUB, TC

1/24 -- Loren Kranz, 8-11

1/26 -- Karaoke Mondays w/ DJ Shawny T, 8

1/29 -- Music Bingo w/ DJ MC Hammered, 7:30-10:30

THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC

1/24 -- Reese Keelor, 7 1/25 -- Full Tilt Comedy Mixtape, 6 1/27 -- Open Mic w/ Zak Bunce, 7 1/28 -- Straight Forward Bluegrass Jam, 6 1/29 -- DJ Trivia, 7 1/30 -- Jazz Jam w/ Ron Getz Trio, 6 1/31 -- Snapp, 7 2/1 – “STRETCH” - A Comedy Survival Open Mic, 7

UNION STREET STATION, TC

1/23-24 -- Fresh Coast Groove, 10

1/29-30 -- DJ DomiNate, 9 1/31 -- Split Decision, 10

Leelanau & Benzie

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE SLOPESIDE TENT, NEAR CRYSTAL CLIPPER CHAIRLIFT, 3-5: 1/24 -- Fred Drachus

1/31 -- Meg Gunia

VISTA LOUNGE:

1/24 -- Nick Vasquez, 2-5; Life Theory, 8-11

1/25 -- Chris Smith, 2-5

BOYNE CITY TAPROOM

1/29 -- Adam & The Cabana Boys, 7

BOYNE RIVER INN, BOYNE CITY

1/29 -- Nelson Olstrom, 7-10

CAFE SANTÉ, BOYNE CITY

1/24 & 1/31 -- Sean Bielby, 7-10

1/26 -- The Shifties, 6-9

1/30 -- Nelson Olstrom, 7-10

ETHANOLOGY DISTILLATION, ELK RAPIDS

1/25 -- Vinyl Record Crate Dig Hosted by DJ Franck & DJ Yakob,

1-5

MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY 8-11: 1/28 -- Karaoke Night 1/30 -- Dave Cisco

SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE 1/29 -- Trivia w/ DJ Trivia, 6-8 1/31 -- Kanin Wren Apres Ski Party w/ Shortstop, 7-8 & Kanin Wren, 8:30-10:30

SHORT'S PULL BARN, ELK RAPIDS

6: 1/29 -- Karaoke Night w/ Taylor & Rybo 1/30 -- Elk Rapids Band Trivia

TOONIE'S, BELLAIRE 1/24 & 1/31 -- DJ/Karaoke, 8

TORCH LAKE CAFE, CENTRAL LAKE Thu -- Nick Vasquez, 6 Fri. & Sat. -- Leanna Collins & Ivan Greilick, 7

1/30 -- Jim Hawley, 2-5; Levi & Chris, 8-11

1/31 -- Drew Hale, 2-5; Broom Closet Boys, 8-11

2/1 -- Jesse Jefferson, 2-5

FIVE SHORES BREWING, BEULAH

6-8: 1/26 -- Music Trivia

Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee

BUCKSNORT SALOON, MESICK

1/26 -- Open Mic w/ Vic Trip, 6-9

NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA

7: 1/24 -- Nick Veine

1/29 -- Chief Jam - Open Mic

Hosted by Beejay Reffitt

1/30 -- Howard Wilson

1/31 -- Tali Snowden

ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD

1/30 -- Brian Curran, 6-9

TRAILSIDE TAVERN, MESICK

1/26 -- Speedquizzing Trivia, 6:30-8:30

Otsego, Crawford & Central

SNOWBELT BREWING CO.,

GAYLORD

1/30 -- Rhett & John, 6-9

BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY 1/24 -- Michelle Chenard, 2-6

BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, BAY HARBOR

5-8: 1/24 & 1/30 – Chrais Calleja 1/31 – Sean Miller

CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY

1/27 -- Trivia Night, 7-9

1/30 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30

NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY 1/24 -- Brian Thomas, 7-10 1/26 -- Quiz Runners Trivia, 6-8 1/28 -- Singo Bingo: Modern Rock, 6:30 1/30 -- Michelle Chenard, 7-10 1/31 -- Brian McCosky, 7-10

1/28 -- Open Mic w/ Nathon Lane

1/29 -- Trivia Thursdays

IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE

5:30-7:30:

1/24 -- Rebekah Jon 1/31 -- Brian Curran

LAKE ANN BREWING CO.

1/24 -- Luke Woltanski & John Piatek, 6:30-9:30

1/28 -- Open Mic Night Hosted by Johnathon North, 6:30

1/29 -- Trivia Night, 7

1/30 -- BooneDoggies, 6:30

1/31 -- Stefanie Clark Harris & Vince DeWald, 6:30

Emmet & Cheboygan

NORTHERN LIGHTS RECREATION, HARBOR SPRINGS

1/29 -- Trivia Night, 6:30-8:30 1/30 -- Pete Kehoe, 5-8

NUB'S NOB, HARBOR SPRINGS

NUB'S PUB: 1/24 -- Mike Ridley, 3-6

ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES, 9: 1/24 -- DJ T-Bone

1/30 -- DJ Big Ton 1/31 -- DJ Hotkeys

POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS 5-8: 1/24 -- Jeff & Rob Duo

LITTLE TRAVERSE INN, MAPLE CITY

1/30 -- The Nightcrawlers, 6-9

ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH

1/24 -- Jakob Abraham, 5-8

1/29 -- Open Mic Night, 6-9

1/30 -- Luke Woltanski, 5-8

1/31 -- Barefoot, 5-8

STORMCLOUD BREWING CO., FRANKFORT

1/24 -- Serita's Black Rose, 7-9

1/31 -- Two Track Mind THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN 1/24 -- M to the B, 7 1/30 -- Musician's Playground, 7-10

1/31 -- Evan Archambo, 7:30 THE HIGHLANDS AT HARBOR SPRINGS MAIN LODGE BACKYARD: 1/31 -- DJ T-Bone, noon-4 SLOPESIDE LOUNGE, 6-9:

1/24 -- Pete Kehoe

1/31 -- Chris Koury ZOO BAR: 1/24 -- Union Guns, 4-8

1/30 -- Yankee Station, 6-9 1/31 -- Chris Calleja Trio, 4-8

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

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.

FREE WEEKLY ORIGINAL HOT YOGA COMMUNITY CLASS: EVERY WED. @ 7:30PM - 845 S. GARFIELD AVE. ORIGINALHOTYOGATC.COM 231-392-4798

NOMIWOMAN ANNUAL WINE & WINTER SNOWSHOE DAY ON SATURDAY, JAN.

31 Snowshoe first. Wine after. It’s all about balance. Join NoMiWoman at Aurora Cellars Jan 31, 10am–12pm for vineyard fun, warm soup, fresh bread & fabulous vibes.

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/

WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY JANUARY