NORTHERN
express
Su
m
northernexpress.com
esta r r ur e an m
t gu
i de
+ Cherry crop report, recipes, and must-visit food trucks! NORTHERN MICHIGAN’S WEEKLY • july 20 - july 26, 2026 • Vol. 36 No.29 Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 1
2 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
letters CONTENTS The Price of Gambling Mr. Tuttle made a very strong statement about the marked increase in gambling nationwide. It has been reeling up for 20 years. The problem begins with our own state. You cannot watch any TV without seeing a Michigan Lottery commercial; you can’t walk into a gas station or party store without being bombarded with colorful posters. I have never seen anyone denied purchasing a lottery ticket no matter their age. My son started playing poker in high school—he graduated in 1999. By 2015, we had to fly to California to bail him out of jail. He wasn’t arrested for theft to feed a gambling habit; he bounced checks in Las Vegas. Now gambling has become so perverse, pro athletes are gambling at a record pace. And why not? The advertising at stadiums outnumbers the Budweiser signs. The team owners now own casinos! The Ilitch family owns Motor City Casino and is making bids to purchase more! They own the Tigers and the Red Wings. Tilman Fertitta of the Golden Nuggets owns the Station Casinos in Vegas, has a large investment in Wynn Casinos, and just purchased Caesar’s. The Adelson family owns the Sands and the Dallas Mavericks. As a parent of a gambler, we attended Gam-Anon. We heard people talking about their spouse gambling away their home, their kids’ college money, stealing friends’ wallets. Until lottery profits stop going in the state’s coffers and advertising is banned, the gambling problem will continue. Fred L. | Harbor Springs
features Nine Food Trucks to Try This Summer...............11 Inside the Ingredients........................................14 The 2026 Cherry Crop Report.........................17 Acorn Kitchen.......................................................20 Summer Restaurant Guide..............................22 Restaurants & Road Construction....................24 Crafting Wine and Cultivating Community........28 Horses on the Move........................................30
columns & stuff Top Ten.........................................................4 Spectator/Stephen Tuttle..................................7 Guest Opinion/Smith........................................9 13Questions (sponsored content)....................13 Astrology.......................................................18 Guest Opinion/Steeves...................................27 Dates..........................................................33 Weird............................................................45 Crossword.....................................................47 Nitelife...........................................................48 Classifieds....................................................50
Northern Express Weekly is published by Eyes Only Media, LLC. Publisher: Luke Haase PO Box 4020 Traverse City, Michigan 49685 Phone: (231) 947-8787 Fax: 947-2425 email: info@northernexpress.com www.northernexpress.com Editor: Jillian Manning Creative Director: Kyra Cross Poehlman Finance Manager: Libby Shutler Sales: Lisa Gillespie, Kim Murray, Kaitlyn Nance, Abby Walton Porter, Michele Young For ad sales in Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Boyne & Charlevoix, call (231) 838-6948
Contributors: Ross Boisonneau, Art Bukowski, Anna Faller, Rachel Pasche, Nora Rae Pearl, Rachel Soulliere, Lauren Sprenger, Stephen Tuttle
For Traverse City area news and events, visit TraverseTicker.com
Distribution: Marc Morris, Gerald Morris, Dave Anderson, Joe Evancho, Jason Ritter, Sherri Ritter, Roger Racine, Sarah Racine, Brandy Grames, Rachel Cara, Jackson Price, Lisa Price, Peggy Bell Listings Editor: Jamie Kauffold
Copyright 2026, all rights reserved. Distribution: 36,000 copies at 600+ locations weekly. Northern Express Weekly is free of charge, but no person may take more than one copy of each weekly issue without written permission of Northern Express Weekly. Reproduction of all content without permission of the publisher is prohibited.
U-PICK BLUEBERRIES 231-360-9964 7187 E Harrys Rd, Traverse City bulldogberries.com * Blueberries available mid July
Donate or Volunteer Today! Books shape how we see the world. Find handpicked reads for curious & compassionate minds, and fresh coffee & tea to keep you moving inside Commongrounds Cooperative! 414 E Eighth Street in Traverse City
www.thefoldedleafnomi.com
Tues-Fri 8am to 8pm Sat 10am to 6pm
2026
Alden Days Festival
July
On beautiful Torch Lake
July 24th July 25th
24-25
FRIDAY 5pm Start SATURDAY 8:30am Start Community Activities Beer Tent Live Music Food Trucks Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 3
this week’s
top ten
Finding Our Way in the Milky Way
Pickle Fest 2026
Photo credit: Luke Peterson Photography 2011
Which way is up? Find out and get to know constellations to navigate the Milky Way! You can also take a shot at winning a free desktop telescope, binoculars, or an astronomy guide. It all takes place at Headlands International Dark Sky Park near Mackinaw City with Norbert Vance, professor of astronomy at Eastern Michigan University, on Thursday, July 23, at 8pm. midarkskypark.org
Hey, watch It! Every Year After
Sure, you know about the Cherry Festival in Traverse City, the Asparagus Festival in Empire, and the Apple Festival in Charlevoix, but do you know about the Pickle Festival in Honor? You’d be forgiven if you don’t, as this is the second year—aka Pickle Fest, the Sequel—that the Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre has celebrated the “dilllight” of your favorite vegetable turned vinegary-y treat. This year’s brine bash takes place July 24 and 25, complete with local pickle vendors whipping up everything from classic spears to chocolate-dipped concoctions, games, merch, and even a costume contest. Oh, and did we mention a Pickle Queen and Pickle King will be crowned? All of that is followed by a night at the movies under the stars. (Movies to be announced as we get closer.) Learn more at cherrybowldrivein.com.
2 tastemaker
If you need a little lakeside romance for your summer viewing, head to Amazon Prime for Every Year After, the TV adaptation of bestselling author Carley Fortune’s Every Summer After. After a tragedy strikes in the small town of Barry’s Bay—an idyllic Canadian beach town that feels a lot like some of our favorite NoMi hamlets—old friendships, romances, and rivalries are brought to the surface. The show follows Percy, a novelist hopeful turned obituary writer who spent her summers in Barry’s Bay next door to the Florek boys, Charlie and Sam. As the kids grew up, their allegiances and entanglements changed, and eventually Percy and Sam fell in love. But something that transpired between the two of them caused Percy to leave town and never look back…for a full decade. When she returns for a funeral, all those feelings are still fresh and finding ways to make life more complicated. Will they? Won’t they? And just what exactly happened ten summers ago?
BAKERY
Songbird Provisions’The Cinnamon Roll
What defines the ultimate cinnamon roll? Does it melt in your mouth? Is it loaded with filling? Will you need a nap when you’re finished? If your answer is yes to all of the above, we’ve found your final pastry pursuit: it’s The Cinnamon Roll—capital “The”— from Songbird Provisions in Glen Arbor. Featuring a scratch-made dough that falls somewhere between fluffy brioche and milk bun (though the 24-hour minimum fermentation is non-negotiable), these indulgent anytime treats are bursting with gooey cinnamon butter, baked with a splash of caramelizing cream, and the final flavor boss, slathered in a pillowy layer of browned buttercream frosting. Totally over the top in the best way? You bet! In fact, we dare you not to lick your fingers. Roll into Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co. (6443 Western Ave) in Glen Arbor to grab one, or get in touch for pop-ups and private orders! instagram.com/songbirdprovisions
4 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
7738 N LONG LAKE RD 7AM-1PM EVERY DAY
6 Triple the Art
Three days, three art shows! First, head to Harbor Springs for the Nub’s Nob Art Fair on Wednesday, July 22, from 9am-4pm. Shop 100 booths inside and out and support local artists, the Harbor Springs Area Chamber, and the Northern Michigan Women’s Club. Admission is $5; learn more at nmiwomensclub.com/annual-art-fair. Next, it’s off to the 26th annual Bay Harbor Arts Festival, July 25 and 26. In addition to art in all mediums and live music, the festival offers a juried show and an artist’s reception (Saturday evening). Details at bayharbor.com/bay-harbor-arts-festival. And last but not least, make your way to the Emmet County Fairgrounds for the Petoskey Midsummer Art & Craft Show, also held July 25 and 26. Admission is free; keep up to date on the event at facebook.com/daniellesblueribboneventsllc.
Stuff We Love: Swimming Lake Charlevoix Could you swim 14 miles? (Neither could we.) But Kathy Bradshaw, a native Michigander now living in Tennessee, is taking the plunge on July 24 to swim Lake Charlevoix from one end to the other…about 14 miles. Though she’s a veteran open water swimmer, this will be the longest swim Bradshaw has ever attempted. Here’s how her journey will go: At 7:30am, she’ll begin in Round Lake, then make her way southeast along the shore until she reaches Boyne City in the late afternoon. (Weather and conditions could require swimming in the opposite direction, so cross your fingers for smooth sailing!) Bradshaw is expecting to be in the water for about eight hours, with a support crew aboard a boat and kayaks. Now, you must be wondering, why undertake such an adventure? Bradshaw is hoping to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association via her fundraiser at https://alzm.org/fquzj.
Wildwood Harbor Nature Area Expands Earlier this month, the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy announced that they purchased an additional 30 acres of land—including forest and wetland habitat—as part of their Wildwood Harbor Nature Area. The nature area was established in 1998 and is now 133.5 acres, with hiking trails and opportunities for other outdoor recreation. The new purchase was made up of two adjoining parcels in the southern portion of the Walloon Lake watershed, and will be called the Hyde-Young Preserve and Dingman Preserve in honor of the parcels’ previous owners. Per a press release, the additional land will connect “Wildwood Harbor Nature Area with Ellis Woods Preserve and Unni’s Forest Preserve. Together, these properties now form a contiguous 285-acre block of protected land owned and managed by WLAC.” Learn more at walloon.org.
8 bottoms up Aurora Cellars’ Luminous According to the winemaker notes on this semi-sweet white, “This wine is the ultimate oxymoron; It’s a planned improvisation. We always know what we want Luminous to be in terms of aromatic style and palate, but which of our vineyards the fruit comes from depends on how the vintage is developing.” Well, whatever they’re doing, they’re doing it perfectly! This wine is an ultimate summertime crowd-pleaser that will tempt dry and sweet drinkers alike. It’s refreshing, it’s smooth, and it pairs well with everything on the picnic table. Truthfully, the wine sounds like its name, with bright flavors and a bright finish. Pick up a bottle ($22) at Aurora Cellars in Lake Leelanau (7788 E Horn Road), or enjoy a glass on their quiet hilltop overlooking the rolling hills of the county. auroracellars.com
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 5
Brunch
Wardrobe Essentials for a Brilliant Summer!
* accessories * footwear * apparel
ARTISAN WELCOMES CHEF KATE WILLIAMS: A Summer Guest Chef Residency This summer, join us Saturdays and Sundays from 9 AM–2 PM as James Beard–nominated Chef Kate Williams, founder of Detroit’s celebrated Lady of the House, brings her signature ingredient-driven cooking to Artisan. Reserve your table today. 231-421-2150 | artisantc.com
Toby’s Dog House & Two Sons Pizza available daily at our 8th street location!
2 locations! 439 E Eighth St. Traverse City 2770 e silver lake rd Traverse City 6 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
231-271-5462 • Open 7 Days thelimabean.net 222 N Saint Joseph Street Downtown Suttons Bay
Open 7 days 25 S Lake Leelanau Dr. Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
231.994.2223 | peninsulaprovisionsmi.com
TRYING SOMETHING NEW
spectator By steven Tuttle It has become clear at least part of the Republican mid-term election strategy is to refer to self-described progressive Democrats, or self-described democratic socialists, as communists. The alleged communists have recently unseated incumbent Democratic members of Congress in primary elections in New York, Washington, D.C., Seattle, and Denver. It’s not a huge gain by their movement but, buoyed by young, disaffected voters and angry traditional liberals, they are making progress. What do they want? Actually, the platform of some is so radical there is little chance of it expanding anywhere beyond their very safe bright blue congressional districts. Some
state. The elaborate social welfare programs they enjoy—free education at every level, free healthcare, long maternity and paternity leaves with job guarantees upon return, weeks of paid vacation and so on—are paid for by a nearly 50 percent tax that accelerates for those in the highest income brackets. That was a decision not imposed by a government greedy for power but by a vote of the public. Our democratic socialists are not communists or socialists. They’ve made no entreaties about absolute control of the media or means of production or taking over everybody’s private property. They haven’t said they should decide where we work and live or where we can travel. They have not proposed doing
Our democratic socialists are not communists or socialists. They’ve made no entreaties about absolute control of the media or means of production or taking over everybody’s private property. advocate no police, no ICE, no borders, free housing, free mass transit, Medicare for all, and a guaranteed income. Some might argue the abandonment of common sense is the biggest plank in their platform. But those ideas, radical as they seem, were supported by a majority of their Democratic primary voters. The political philosophy of democratic socialists doesn’t actually fit into any known -ism other than nihilism, and it almost guarantees anarchy. What it most assuredly is not is communism. Have you noticed, for example, neither North Korea nor China have abandoned police or their borders? In fact, one could make a stronger argument that communism is a virtual police state with surveillance everywhere and aggressively protected borders. Communism is supposed to be a classless, stateless society in which resources and production are controlled by the collective state. There is no private property and no accumulation of wealth. The state will determine what businesses can operate and succeed and in which you will work. There will be no freedom of much of anything since the power of the state is absolute. The old Marxist maxim, “From each according to his ability, to each according to his need,” looked great on paper and in theory but in reality has always become a top-down oligarchy: “From each according to his ability, to each according to the needs of those in control in the Central Committee.” Socialism isn’t much better with collective ownership and production and state control of everything else, including the media. We like to point to Scandinavian countries as examples of how social democracy works, but they aren’t quite as purely socialist as we think. For example, according to GlobalEconomy.com, nearly 75 percent of Sweden’s gross domestic product (GDP) is generated by their private sector, not the
away with the Constitution and replacing it with some kind of Marxist manifesto. Some of what they claim to support—the free everything paid for by somebody else—has a hint of socialism in it, but we already have that. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, WIC, and everything Traverse City likes to subsidize are all programs with at least a foot inside socialism, as money is being taken from the many to benefit fewer. While these newly minted candidates, and all of them are likely to be elected in November given the party breakdowns in their districts, aren’t easily identifiable with any traditional -ism, their philosophy isn’t likely to spread much farther. Those countries with ineffective or non-existent law enforcement quickly devolve into violent anarchy. Somalia, DR Congo, and Myanmar are just three current examples of nearly lawless countries. And even our liberal Scandinavian friends are pretty strict about their borders, as only island countries have no land borders. Democrats are nominating some candidates with limited rather than broad appeal. We saw this with the reliably progressive Graham Platner in Maine who was a damaged candidate from the start but with a real chance against a weak incumbent Republican opponent in Susan Collins. As the accusations against Platner mounted, and there were plenty, the Dems did nothing and then more nothing until they formed one of their favorite things: the political circular firing squad. Platner was forced to drop out incredibly late, giving new progressive candidates virtually no time to establish themselves or a campaign. The Democrats claiming to be democratic socialists are having a kind of political dawn with voters so sick of business-as-usual politicians they’re willing to try something completely new. It’s not clear this movement will last even until dusk.
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 7
TR AVERSE CITY
OAK AGED WILD BEER | PIZZAS | SALADS SANDWIC HES | TRUFFLE FRIES & MORE!
13512 PENINSUL A DR - OLD MISSION J O L LY P U M P K I N . C O M | @ J O L LY P U M P K I N TC 2 31. 2 2 3 . 4 3 3 3
8 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
AI AND OUR HUMAN VALUES
A Whimsical World awaits
GUEST OPINION
pins,, plants, jewelry, and so much more
by Isiah Smith, Jr. Whenever I sit down to write, whether it’s an essay or a text to one of my grandchildren, AI tries to intervene. Auto-correction and suggested rewrites pop up so often that I sometimes forget what I intended to say. I may not be James Baldwin or Proust, but I’ve grown accustomed to my pace, style, and intelligence (or lack thereof). The concept of intelligence is central to our idea of who we are. That is one reason we refer to ourselves as homo sapiens, or “wise ones.” Irrespective of how much or how consistently we use our wisdom, we like to think of ourselves as intelligent beings. That conceit is one reason I, and I suspect other intelligent people, spend so much time thinking about artificial intelligence (AI). The development and proliferation of artificial intelligence is nothing short of an examination and autopsy of our values as humans. One of the most uncomfortable truths in human history is the near certainty that whatever technological advances humans make can be used for evil as readily as for good. Think: Nuclear energy. In his book, Human Compatible, Stuart Russell argues that the core AI challenge isn’t building intelligence but ensuring it remains aligned with human values. Russell says the classic approach, fixing a goal and optimizing hard objectives, can be dangerous because the system doesn’t truly grasp what we want. His proposal is that AI should operate under specified goals, because systems that rigidly optimize a target can cause massive unintended harm. Russell proposes building machines that remain uncertain about what people truly want to learn from human behavior and defer when unsure. The book reframes AI as an alignment problem and calls for urgent research to keep powerful systems reliably beneficial. I guess he’s talking about alignment with human values, or alignment with the human values we profess to have, but with a twist. He doesn’t want machines to assume they know our values—he wants them to stay uncertain and keep checking back with us for alignment with humanity. Basically, the system should treat human preferences as something to be learned, not declared. My interest in artificial intelligence was piqued after reading Dr. Fei-Fei Li’s book The World I See. Dr. Li, best known for establishing ImageNet, the dataset that enabled rapid advances in computer vision in the 2010s, highlighted a fundamental problem in artificial intelligence: the underrepresentation of women and minorities in the emerging field. She recounted how a facial recognition program misidentified Black faces as apes. That monstrosity may not bother you until you remember that the president of the
United States posted an AI-generated video online depicting President Obama and his wife as dancing apes. We should not be surprised, therefore, that AI’s generative power, in the wrong hands, can do great harm. So clearly, any artificial intelligence we develop and employ will operate within the limitations of our prejudices and shortsightedness. Any technology that can be used for good may also be used for evil. When one considers the United States and its current values, it seems impossible not to conclude that one of our most prominent values is predatory behavior. This behavior leads us to attack smaller countries that lack nuclear weapons, and our leader muses about taking Greenland, a Danish territory, by “whatever means necessary, one way or another.” This predatory behavior has already driven our leadership to invade Venezuela and to promise that “Cuba is next.” Dr. Li, affectionately named “the godmother of AI,” warns that decisions regarding AI will profoundly impact our healthcare, our employment, and every other aspect of our future. So, it is imperative that we develop clarity and understanding about what is happening and develop the tools to help shape what comes next. Another book, Supremacy: AI, ChatGPT, and the Race That Will Change the World, by Parmy Olson, warns us of the real threat of AI that its top creators seem to be ignoring: the predatory profit motive is allowing the spread of flawed and biased technology across all aspects of our lives, including education and media. Olson has extensive experience covering and writing about technology, and she illustrates how the exploitation of the greatest inventions in human history has affected humankind. Everyone who is interested in AI and its potential impact on our lives should read the books mentioned here. Knowledge is power. So much fearmongering is going on, much of it based on misinformation and incomplete understanding, that it prevents us from fully appreciating both the upsides and downsides of AI and how it can benefit and harm us. What should concern us the most is AI’s potentially economic and social impacts. This technological change is occurring within the current environment of extreme wealth and political inequality. And this pre-existing condition will continue: The haves will continue to have more, and the have-nots will continue to have less. Isiah Smith, Jr. is a retired government attorney.
Located in Traverse City’s former state hospital ,Explore shops, dining, hiking, and history
Open 7 days a week
800 CotTageview Drive suite 40
FIGHTING FOR AN AFFORDABLE LIFE IS FIGHTING FOR OUR DEMOCRACY
LET'S MAKE SURE THAT POWER BELONGS TO THE MANY, NOT THE FEW.
VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS Like this ad? See others like it at Antrimdems.com. These ads are not copyrighted and can be reprinted.
PLEASE DONATE TO ANTRIMDEMS.COM/DONATE. Paid for with regulated funds by Antrim County Democratic Party, PO Box 331 Elk Rapids MI 49629 - AntrimDems.com
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 9
eat that awesomeness
DETROIT STYLE PIZZA SALADS + SANDWICHES WEEKLY SPECIALS DINE IN OR ORDER OUT LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN TC
113 e state street | (231) 252-3497
Get all the goods for your viral beach sandwich. Build your own version of the internet’s favorite beach sandwich! Find crusty breads, crispy greens, flavorful spreads, and more from local growers and makers to elevate your lakeside picnic with nourishing fuel for the whole group chat.
Wholesome finds, one nook at a time...
COME VISIT AND SHOP IN-STORE
835 S Garfield Ave Traverse City
10 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK TO SERVE YOU
Monday-Friday, 7:30am-7pm Saturday & Sunday, 9am-6pm
d o o F e Nin s k c Tru s i h T y r T o t r e m m u S Pictured: Aiko Street Food's truck
Mexican, Japanese, Polish, Jamaican, and other cuisines await across the North By Rachel Pasche Northern Michigan has a robust food truck scene, with entire food truck courts in places like The Little Fleet in Traverse City and the Back Lot in Petoskey, where customers have their pick of cuisines. Even if you aren’t visiting one of those locations, you can still find exciting trucks with unique menus scattered throughout the region, serving up unique menu items and fresh flavors from around the world.
Sabores Y Colores, Elk Rapids
If authentic Mexican fare and creative tacos call to you, Sabores Y Colores is right up your alley. The menu at this food truck rotates often but includes items like classic street tacos, burritos, elote, tortas, quesadillas, pozole, tostadas, and nachos. Menu items can get creative, so visitors can expect things like Asian fusion tacos alongside a carnitas burrito. Sabores Y Colores is located in Elk Rapids and is currently found at Townline Ciderworks in Williamsburg from Thursday through Sunday from 3-8pm.
Mim’s Mobile Grille, Petoskey
Though Mim’s has an actual restaurant north of Petoskey—Mim’s Mediterranean Grille—their food truck, Mim’s Mobile Grille, is open at The Back Lot in Petoskey during the summer season. This food truck serves up a variety of gyros and other Mediterranean fare like tabbouleh, grape leaves, salads, and baklava. Mim’s Mobile Grille is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30am-9pm.
The Big Hot Woody, Northport
Also known as North End Pizzeria, this food truck is permanently parked at The Mitten Brewing Co. in Northport. The truck slings 12-inch woodoven-fired pies, all fired to order. Make sure you come prepared: The Big Hot Woody is a cash-only establishment, but the pizzas are well worth making the stop at an ATM. You can find the Big Hot Woody cooking up fresh pizzas from Thursday through Monday from 12-8pm.
De Food Truck, Mesick
With a menu that spans the global culinary gamut from Korean to Dutch to classic American, De Food Truck keeps things fresh with creative dishes inspired from around the world. The entire menu is always gluten-free and Celiac-safe without compromising on big flavors. De Food Truck is often parked at the Mesick Roundabout and sometimes goes on the road to other locations. They’re open Thursday to Monday from 11am-8pm (weekdays) or 11am-9pm (weekends).
Polish Countryside Kitchen, Cedar
Farm-to-fork food isn’t limited to restaurants, a concept proven by Polish Countryside Kitchen food truck. The owners operate a local farm and Polish import goods store in Cedar and have expanded their dedication to Polish culture with the food truck, which dishes up classic Polish dishes using pork they raise themselves and other local ingredients. No need to wait until Polka Festival to find great Polish food! Polish Countryside Kitchen is parked behind the Polish
Art Center (owned by the family!) and has picnic tables, corn hole, and views overlooking a local farmstand. The food truck operates from 12-7pm on Friday through Monday.
The Dig’s, Rotating Locations
After spending some years stationed in Korea and Japan in the Marine Corps, The Dig’s owner Devin Schaedig combined his degree in culinary arts and his time spent overseas to open an eatery on wheels with a menu brimming with authentic Asian flavors. Menu items include classics like orange chicken alongside fan favorites like beef bulgogi and breaded pork tonkatsu. The Dig’s operates in Petoskey, Gaylord, and Onaway, and frequently participates in festivals and other events. You can find their full schedule and hours of operation on their website, digsfoodtruck.com
Cooked to Order, Cadillac
Island Grillers, Charlevoix
Jamaican food, anyone? Island Grillers brings tropical heat and flavors to northern Michigan with its exciting menu, which includes jerk chicken smoked for at least six hours, red snapper, coconut shrimp, crab cakes, wings, salads, and more. Owner Karl Salmon grew up in Jamaica surrounded by a family of great cooks. After moving to the United States in 1999, he knew he wanted to bring the flavors of the island to his new home, and jumped at the opportunity to start Island Grillers. Now, the food truck is a family business that’s open seven days a week in Charlevoix. Stop by 230 Ferry Avenue between 12–8pm and experience a taste of Jamaica for yourself !
Aiko Street Food, Bellaire
Sometimes you crave a burger, and that’s where Cooked to Order shines. With an extensive menu full of smashburgers, wraps, wings, and other favorites like fried pickles, onion rings, fries, and even corn casserole bites, Cooked to Order is perfect for anyone looking for some Americana eats. Some of the more notable smash burgers include the Pizza Burger (two beef patties with pepperoni, provolone, marinara, and jalapeño peppers) and the Flying Dutchman (two beef patties sandwiched between grilled onion stacks in lieu of a bun, with cheddar cheese and house sauce). Parked out in the parking lot of Skeggox Axe Throwing, this food truck operates from Monday through Saturday from 11am– 7:30pm.
What started as a pop-up concept by Chef Ryan Mateling has now blossomed into an entire mobile eatery, with a menu that continues to pay homage to Ryan’s Japanese heritage. (The name of the truck itself comes from his grandmother.) The menu focuses on foods inspired from Japan, the Midwest, Europe, and Mexico and prepared in traditional Japanese style, with an emphasis on shareables. Visitors can expect to find things like butter soba noodles, bao buns, taiyaki (a fish-shaped waffle filled with Nutella), fried rice, and more. Aiko is parked at the M-88 food court in Bellaire and is open Tuesday– Thursday from 11am–9pm and Friday and Saturday from 3–11pm.
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 11
12 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
SPONSORED CONTENT
{ 13 Questions }
LOCAL EXPERTISE, RESTAURANT RISKS & COVERAGE QUESTIONS on Insuring Traverse City’s Restaurant Industry
David Ford, Ford Insurance President
1 > What makes restaurants different from other small businesses when it comes to insurance?
6 > What should restaurant owners know about liquor liability?
expedited equipment delivery or temporary operations at another location.
Restaurants are unique in the insurance world. They move fast, involve many employee roles, use open flames, deep fat fryers and sharp tools, and must meet health code and regulatory standards. Many also have liquor liability exposure. That combination needs careful attention.
Liquor liability coverage is more readily available today than it has been in the past. For most restaurant operators, it is not especially difficult coverage to place. However, recent liquor liability losses, violations from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission or poor payment history can lead to much higher premiums or a declined application. The type of restaurant also matters. A drinking bar, where most revenue comes from beer, wine or liquor sales, will usually pay more per dollar of revenue than a family restaurant with more food sales. Fine dining can be different because higher-priced wine and cocktails may create a higher alcohol-to-food sales ratio. That context should be clearly explained to the insurance carrier. Estimated annual food sales and bar sales are among the first items an advisor will review.
10 > How do delivery, catering and off-site events change insurance needs?
2 > What are some of the most common risks restaurants face? One of the biggest risks is being underinsured on furnishings and equipment. Construction costs are high, and kitchen equipment, furniture, flatware, lighting, plumbing and décor often cost more to replace than owners expect. A restaurant may have found good deals over time, but after a fire or major loss, there is usually no time to wait for another deal. Operators should review replacement costs each year and ask, “If we lost everything, what would it cost to rebuild and reopen?” 3 > What do restaurant owners often overlook? Business income coverage is often overlooked. A restaurant owner should work with an insurance advisor to estimate how long the business could be closed after a loss and how much money would be needed to stay afloat. These costs may include payroll, taxes, mortgage payments, rent and installment debt. Having the right amount of business income coverage can improve the chance of reopening. 4 > How does seasonality affect restaurants in Northern Michigan? Insurers generally prefer year-round operations, but seasonality is a reality in tourist areas like Northern Michigan. Insurance companies can often make accommodations for seasonal restaurants, but good shut-down practices are important. Owners should winterize properly, keep enough heat in the building, monitor snow load and ice accumulation, and use security cameras to watch the property when the business is dormant. 5 > Why should restaurant owners think carefully about outdoor dining? Outdoor dining is usually not a major insurance problem by itself, but weather is always uncertain. Owners should think about customer traffic flow, furniture, umbrellas, tents, heaters and how quickly the space can be secured. A well-managed outdoor area helps reduce preventable claims.
7 > How important is workers’ compensation for restaurants? Workers’ compensation is the sole remedy for onthe-job injuries and illnesses to employees. Restaurant employees work around knives, slicers, hot surfaces and heavy boxes, so the risk of injury is real. Loss prevention measures such as knife safety, proper lifting techniques and situational awareness are important. Many insurance carriers provide these services to policyholders. 8 > How can food spoilage or contamination affect a restaurant? Food costs are high, and refrigeration problems can create a major loss quickly. If power goes out or a refrigeration unit fails, the restaurant has a short window to save or sell product before meat, dairy and produce must be discarded. Some items may also be difficult to replace right away. Food spoilage coverage is not automatic on all restaurant policies, so owners should ask whether it is included and at what limit. 9 > What is business interruption coverage and why does it matter? Business interruption and extra expense coverage should be a major part of any restaurant insurance program. It helps keep the business afloat while repairs are being made after a covered loss. Business income coverage can help pay continuing costs such as rent, taxes, payroll and mortgage payments. Extra expense coverage can help pay added costs to reopen faster, such as
A restaurateur has more control inside the restaurant than at an off-site location. Catering often requires food, tables, linens, silverware and service equipment to be moved by truck to an unfamiliar setting. Weather and wind can also create challenges. Some catering companies bring in temporary workers for larger events, and many employee injuries happen early in employment. Unfamiliar work patterns can increase the chance of injury. 11 > Why should restaurants think about cyber coverage? Cyber thieves are clever, relentless and constantly looking for credit card numbers, bank information and private personal information. Restaurants can have websites held hostage, payment systems interrupted or accounting systems locked down. When that happens, owners may face the difficult choice of paying the hacker, hiring IT help to unlock the system or rebuilding from scratch. Each option can be expensive. 12 > When should a restaurant review its insurance coverage? Restaurant owners should review coverage limits at least annually. They should also review sales and payroll projections at least twice a year to avoid large end-ofpolicy audit adjustments. An audit reconciles actual sales or payroll against the projections used for general liability and workers’ compensation policies. If actual numbers are higher, the owner may receive an additional invoice. If they are lower, the carrier may return premium based on the policy formula. 13 > What should restaurant owners look for in an insurance advisor? Restaurant owners should work with an insurance advisor who has deep experience in the food service industry. This is not an area for on-the-job learning because mistakes can be expensive. A knowledgeable advisor and team can help identify coverage needs, share loss prevention ideas and help owners avoid gaps that may only become obvious after a claim.
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 13
Sun-sational Summer Salads Inside the Ingredients
By Nora Rae Pearl No one wants to turn on the oven on a hot summer evening, so to accompany grilling and picnic days aplenty, we have tossed up two quick and refreshing salads to take on the go with you. For local ingredients, we love TLC Farms basil and lettuce. You can find them at a farmers market near you. When sweet corn comes into season, we recommend pulling over at the closest roadside stand to you—it doesn’t get fresher than that. And for all your melon needs, Cherry Street Market has you covered.
CORN PESTO SALAD Fresh sweet corn shines in this recipe. Great on its own or served with salty tortilla chips. Pesto Ingredients • 2-3 oz. baby spinach or arugula (2 large handfuls) • 2 oz. basil (or 1 large clamshell) • 1/2 cup toasted walnuts • 1/3 cup lemon juice • 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil • 1 teaspoon minced garlic • 1/4 teaspoon salt Salad Ingredients • 1 large or 2 small shallots, finely diced • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar • 4 ears fresh young corn, shucked, and kernels cut from the cob • 2 avocados, cut into a small dice • 1/3 cup pesto • Salt to taste To make the pesto: Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Blend until smooth. Refrigerate until ready to use. To make the salad: In a medium bowl, combine the shallot and apple cider vinegar. Allow to sit for 10 minutes (this gives the shallots a chance to mellow out). Add the remaining ingredients and toss gently to combine. Season to taste.
14 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
CUCUMBER MELON SALAD This addictive tri-colored melon salad is refreshing and bright, a perfect accompaniment to any summer meal. Ingredients • 1 tablespoon sugar • 1/2 cup apple cider or white wine vinegar • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced • 1 English Cucumber, cut into 1/2 inch pieces • 3 cups of balled watermelon • 3 cups of balled cantaloupe • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil • Zest of 1 lime • 3 tablespoons lime juice • Maldon flaky sea salt • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese To make the salad: In a small cup, add the sugar and vinegar. Microwave 30-40 seconds to heat up. Stir to dissolve the sugar, then add the thinly sliced onion. Let sit for at least 20 minutes. In a large bowl, combine the cucumber, balled melon, quick pickled onions, olive oil, lime zest, and lime juice. Toss gently to combine. Sprinkle it with flaky salt and feta just before serving.
To God Be The Glory
Plath’s Meats
CHOICE CHOICE NEW NEW YORK YORK STRIPS, STRIPS, RIBEYES,TOP TOPSIRLOIN, SIRLOIN,FILET FILETMIGNON MIGNON& RIBEYES, SKIRT&STEAKS. LONDONFLANK BROIL,&FLANK SKIRT STEAKS. (CUT FRESH TO ORDER)
BUFFALO BUFFALO Ground,New New York York Strip Ground, Strip && Ribeye RibeyeCuts Cuts ELK & VENISON EPH 2:7-9
15 VARIETIES GroundOF or HOT StewDOGS Meat & BRATS CHEESE & APPLE 14 INCLUDING VARITIES BLUE OF HOT DOGS & BRATS HABANERO MANGO, INCLUDING BLUE CHEESE HABANERO CHEESE & MANGO BRATS & APPLE, HABANERO BUFFALO BRATS MANGO
BACON AND PORK SAUSAGE SMOKED PORK LOIN • HAMS EBT Cards accepted BACON • SAUSAGES • SMOKED FISH
CURBSIDE PICKUP AVAILABLE!
www.PlathsMeats.com
231-348-8100 2200 East Mitchell Rd., Petoskey Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 15
Leelanau Wine Experiences
LIVE MUSIC & LAKE VIEWS
Tuesday & Friday 5:30-7:30pm + 25% off pizzas Saturday & Sunday 3:30-5:30pm
CULINARY EXPERIENCES
bellago.com | @bellagowinery | 6530 S. Lake Shore Drive, Cedar, MI 49621
VINEYARD TOURS
WINE, BEER & CIDER LIVE MUSIC MONDAY & THURSDAY • 4-7PM featuring special guest performances by
i.am.james • Hannah Laine • The Insiders • Looking Forward Tom Petty Tribute
CSN&Y Tribute
fvvineyard.com • @fvvineyard • 3655 S. French Road, Cedar, MI 49621
GUIDED TASTINGS
SERVING WINE + ESPRESSO ACTIVITIES
LIVE MUSIC THURSDAY + SUNDAY | 3-6PM FOOD TRUCK POP-UPS ON SELECT SUNDAYS dunebirdwinery.com | @dunebirdwinery | 5620 N. Manitou Trail, Northport, MI 49670
HARMONY ESTATE WINERIES OF LEELANAU
16 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
STAYS
BOOK YOUR EXPERIENCE TODAY leelanauwineexperiences.com
The 2026 Cherry Crop Report Tart cherries lost, sweets in good shape
By Art Bukowski How did this year’s cherry crop shape up? While it depends on who you ask, what they’re growing and where they’re growing it, the answer is mostly not great for the region’s cherry farmers. “Depending on who you talk to, the news is either bad or very bad,” says Nels Veliquette, whose family grows cherries on more than 2,200 acres in the region. Northwest Michigan produces far more tart cherries than sweet cherries, and the region’s output is the reason why the state ranks number one in the country for tart cherry production (they’re also grown in lesser numbers downstate). Unfortunately, a late frost event in April decimated the tart cherry crop, with regional losses estimated at 70-80 percent and even worse numbers down south. Sweets, which develop and blossom at a different time, were largely spared. High Hopes Dashed As coordinator of Michigan State University’s Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Center (the “Hort Center”) in Leelanau County, Nikki Rothwell is in constant contact with dozens of cherry farmers. What she’s seeing and hearing is not good. “The tarts look really rough,” she says. “I think we’re estimated to harvest 40 million pounds, and our carrying capacity is probably 180.” The situation is far better for sweets, though they aren’t entirely unscathed. “The thing about sweet cherries is it depends on what variety they have,” Rothwell says. “We’ve got some stuff that’s light and then stuff that looks great. It’s all about the variety and the stage it was in when we got that cold weather in April.” This is especially frustrating because the
weather seemed to be shaping up perfectly. “We were really hopeful [because] it was a cool spring, which is typically good,” says Juliette King-McAvoy of King Orchards in Antrim County. “We were slow to come out of dormancy, and we didn’t really have that up, down, up, down as far as it getting hot and cold again.” That fluctuation in temperature— particularly when it gets warm enough for the trees to blossom and then cold again, zapping and killing the blossoms, which turn into fruit—has been to blame for several major crop failures in the last quarter century. This year was a little different. It stayed cool and got warm gradually, just as everyone hoped. And even though most of the trees hadn’t begun to blossom, the cold zapped ’em anyway. “I thought this was gonna be a great year. We had a cold winter and kind of a slow start to spring, and I thought things were going to gradually come out of dormancy,” Rothwell says. “But it just got so cold [in April]. At Stony Point south of Suttons Bay, it was 18 degrees. So even though the blossoms weren’t out per se, the trees were far enough along that the cold caused damage.” Pricing, Picking, and More In an interesting and depressing twist, the other main tart cherry growing region of the country—Utah—also lost most of its crop to weather damage. This means that tarts will be in low supply across the board. “There’s no doubt there won’t be enough cherries for everybody this year, and that includes imports,” Veliquette says. “There just won’t be enough cherries for everybody to have them.” That does mean, however, that there is a silver lining of sorts. “The positive side is that for those farmers that have anything over 30 percent of a crop, they’re actually going to make
Juliette King-McAvoy
more money this year because the price is going to be high because of the supply and demand situation,” says Mark Santucci, who grows cherries on Old Mission Peninsula. “When you have a short supply, everybody’s scrambling to try to fill their processing plants, and that’s when the farmers get a nice return. It’s unfortunate that it takes a short crop for that to happen.” A bad year in Michigan last year might only serve to drive prices higher for those who actually have a crop. “We’re really low in the freezer and we don’t have a lot of stock, so I think tarts are going to be worth some money if you got ’em,” Rothwell says. Even with high prices, though, it will be a struggle to justify harvesting a severely diminished crop. “Those cherries will be valuable, certainly, but…are they valuable enough
to shake and harvest?” King-McAvoy says. “You have to judge how many pounds do I think I can get out of a block and how much does it cost me to go in there and get them? Some farms might be bad enough that it’s not even worth trying to get those cherries off the trees.” There’s been a lot of discussion on that front this year, Rothwell says. Decisions will have to be made on how much can actually be picked and sold. “What’s the cutoff point? What’s that back of the napkin math that by the time you get your harvest crew in there and incur all those costs associated with harvest, are you going to make enough money?” she says. “So yeah, let’s say the price is good, how does that price have to be for you to actually get your harvest equipment, your trucks out, everything that you need and [still make a profit]?”
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 17
lOGY
JULY 20 - JULY 26 BY ROB BREZSNY
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Oak trees produce far more acorns than
could ever grow into trees. Squirrels bury thousands and forget many of them, preparing the way for the next generation of forest. The trees succeed through strategic overproduction. I invite you to adopt their method, Leo. In the coming weeks, overproduce. Make more than you can track. Release more than you can manage. You don’t need to be perfect, just abundant. PS: This expansive capacity is yours to explore with delight and confidence, I guarantee it.
For Traverse City area news and events, visit TraverseTicker.com
GIVE YOUR KIDS A 1990'S SUMMER Swimming Sailing Campfires Climbing Ropes Campcraft Hiking
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In the 19th
century, Virgo naturalist Alexander von Humboldt helped launch the modern science of ecology. While exploring South America, he came to a revolutionary conclusion that’s obvious to us now: Nature isn’t a collection of separate objects but an intricate web of relationships. Mountains shape the weather. The plants and pollinators rely on each other. Underground mycelial networks perform many services for the trees. I propose that you channel your inner Humboldt, Virgo. Shift your focus away from isolated problems and instead observe the larger systems. Solutions may be elusive when you’re bound to a narrow view but strikingly clear when you perceive the wider pattern. If you’d like to take bold action, rely on the spacious perspective.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): The coming months
will be a favorable time to triple your devotion to the art of rowdy fun. I urge you to attend more revels and celebrations than usual, and always be ready to energize social functions with infusions of festive wit and gleeful conviviality. You will also have extra power to inject buoyant amusements into your intimate liaisons. Therefore, dear Libra, I designate you to be the Party Maestro of the Zodiac. I hope you will carry out your role with maximum exuberance, ingenuity, and joy.
For over 100 years
Camp Westminster on Higgins Lake www.campwestminster.com
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): What if I
told you that your most personal and potent dream can come true—but only through months of persistence, disciplined sacrifice, and stretches of bewildering but fascinating uncertainty? Would you reorder your priorities to chase it with every ounce of creativity you have? Or would you set it aside in favor of a safer and easier possibility? Between now and the end of October, I predict the moment will arrive to choose one path or the other.
Come home to clean.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): On some
Again and again.
occasions, you just don't have the power to act with impeccable integrity and do the totally right thing. Doing the partially right thing may, however, be a useful and compassionate option. I bet this will soon be helpful advice for you. Blunt truth: There are moments when the “perfect” ethical, emotional, or practical choice simply isn’t available: The timing is off, resources are thin, or someone else’s limits block the ideal outcome. In those situations, waiting around for the flawless solution is a kind of paralysis that keeps you stuck in guilt or indecision. Instead, you can aim for the best available good.
Recurring cleaning that keeps your home feeling its best.
CONSISTENTLY CLEAN, ALWAYS WELCOMING Enjoy a home that’s always ready.
TRUSTED, RELIABLE & DETAIL-FOCUSED The same care every time.
NOW WELCOMING NEW RECURRING CLEANING CLIENTS
CAPRICORN
(Dec. 22-Jan. 19): In botany and gardening, there is a practice called “companion planting.” Certain plants thrive when grown near each other because they share nutrients, repel or distract pests, or improve soil and microclimate. Here’s an example: Indigenous peoples of the Americas planted the “Three Sisters” together: Corn gave beans a living trellis, beans added nitrogen to the soil, and squash shaded the ground to hold moisture and deter weeds. This principle may be useful for you to contemplate now, Capricorn. The people, tools, and influences you place near one another will influence your productivity and well-being. By blending complementary energies, your efforts will flourish without strain.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Author Alain
orchardcleaningservices.com | 231-943-1489
18 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
fear or distrust your own desires? Are you suspicious of achieving “too much” success? Do you ever feel starved for hope, but belittle yourself for wanting it? Do you go emotionally blank in the face of possibilities that should thrill you? If so, the coming weeks could bring healing and a breakthrough. You will have a chance to perform a rare kind of exorcism—not of garish demons or foolish ghosts, but of the quiet defeatism and lack of faith that dull your brilliance. Seize this moment, dear Pisces! Purge the automatic doubts that the world has trained you to mistake for wisdom.
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Authentic love
Unplugged, Back Unplugged, Back to to Basics Basics Ages 7-17 Ages 7-17
WEEKLY, BIWEEKLY OR MONTHLY Choose what works best for you.
PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): Do you ever
de Botton observed that “the person we marry is always far more remarkable, frightening, and complex than we quite realized when we first declared our love.” Rather than feeling alarmed by this revelation, I invite you to find it thrilling
songs are rare. Much of contemporary music leans toward infatuation, sex, heartbreak, and fury, while few artists seem interested in singing unabashedly about unique expressions of tenderness and enduring devotion. In the months ahead, Aries, your inner life will be gloriously out of step with that trend. Your heart is poised to wake up in sometimes surprising ways. Even if you’re not a trained vocalist, you may feel regular urges to express your passion and adoration in song. If I could give you a gift, it might be a curated playlist packed with the most radiant love songs of the last 60 years, so you’d have a soundtrack worthy of the lush emotions that I suspect will bloom in you.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Nobel Prize-
winning Taurus physicist Richard Feynman kept a notebook titled “Things I Don't Know About.” When he came across a question he couldn't answer, he added it to the collection. I recommend a similar discipline for you now, Taurus, but with a twist. Keep a log of “Beautiful Mysteries I Don't Really Need to Solve.” Rejoice that not every paradox and puzzle needs resolution. Savor the fun fact that some riddles enrich your life precisely because they remain open-ended. Hooray for not knowing! My theory is that some of your finest qualities will flourish in the presence of productive uncertainty.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In the early
days of radio broadcasting, engineers sometimes spoke of “tuning the receiver.” Even when a station was transmitting clearly, a listener might hear static until their radio dial was adjusted to exactly the right frequency. The message was present and clear; the challenge was homing in on it. There’s a similar phenomenon going on in your life, Gemini. Useful information, fun inspiration, and interesting possibilities may be circulating in your vicinity. But you will need to adjust your attention so you can actually receive it. To bring the signals into focus, listen differently. Or pose alternate questions. Or pay attention to sources you don't usually notice.
CANCER
(June 21-July 22): Neuroscientists have found that remembering the past and imagining the future rely on many of the same brain networks. That overlap helps explain why vivid visualization may influence our emotions and behavior. When we repeatedly simulate alarming scenarios about what could conceivably happen, our brains treat them much like memories. This makes us prone to spotting “threats” in places that may be relatively safe. The good news is that the coming months will be an excellent time to retrain this habit, Cancerian. More than ever, your imagination can be a precision instrument you use to recalibrate yourself away from fear and toward possibility. Fantasize about wonderful possibilities with the same intensity that in the past you have dwelled on scary speculations.
TRAVERSE CITY’S ORIGINAL IRISH PUB WHISKEY | BOURBON | DRAFT ALES C R A F T C O C K TA I L S | P U B G R U B P O O L | D A RT S | L I V E M U S I C
- lo cated below n or th p ea k b rewin g c o m p a ny -
4 00 W. FRON T ST, TRAVER SE CITY @ K ILK EN N YS_IRISH _ PUB | 231.941.7325 | K I LKENNYSPUB .COM Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 19
A Little Whimsy Goes a Long Way at Acorn Kitchen Fun and food meet in this TC eatery
By Lourin Sprenger Seven months after opening its doors, Acorn Kitchen already feels like the kind of neighborhood spot that’s been part of Traverse City for years. Tucked inside the Atomic Marketplace off Cass Street, the restaurant is equal parts gastropub and culinary playground, serving everything from shawarma to inventive weekly specials that are the brainchild of owner and chef Zachary Anderson. “I’ve always wanted this,” Anderson says of Acorn Kitchen. “Ever since I was a teenager, when I first started cooking, I had this vision that one day I would have a little kitchen where I could kind of cook whatever I want.” That creative freedom is exactly what Anderson spent decades working toward, but the journey to opening Acorn Kitchen was anything but linear. Always Cooking Anderson was encouraged to cook from an early age by his grandmother from Lebanon and his mother, a first generation American. When he was old enough to start earning money mowing lawns, Anderson spent his earnings on eating out. “Any money that I would earn, I would go out and buy Chinese food…and candy,” Anderson admits. “I am still spending my money on the same things today.” A Flint native, Anderson is equally as passionate about words as inventing culinary masterpieces. His initial dream was to be a writer, earning an English degree while cooking his way through college to cover his bills. The idea of cooking as a career took time to form after continued coaxing from mentors. For two decades, Anderson intentionally moved from restaurant to restaurant (working at more than 25 in that time!), taking in new techniques, cuisines, and even management styles, developing his own food philosophy along the way. It was this itch for lifelong learning that helped him discover that food was where his creativity belonged. “I don’t love cooking as much as I love dreaming the next thing I want to eat,” Anderson says with an eye-crinkling laugh. “That’s the
main part of my job where I can add value.” Anderson’s life bottomed out a few years ago, when he unexpectedly lost his job, a long-term relationship ended, and plans to invest in his first home fell through. He was then diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. Seeking extra support, Anderson made the move north in 2019 to Traverse City to be with his parents. Quickly, the storm clouds parted, after additional testing revealed Anderson’s tumor has a high cure rate. With radiation, the tumor disappeared, along with a linked mood disorder that Anderson felt was holding him back. “After that, my whole life got better,” Anderson says. “I’ve never been this happy in my life.” That fresh perspective reshaped more than his health; it transformed how he wanted to cook and the kind of restaurant he hoped to create. After working at several Traverse Cityarea restaurants, including Fiddleheads in Leelanau County, Anderson knew he needed a place where he could fully express his creativity. That was something he would have to do on his own. While exploring a few options—including a food truck—Anderson discovered the space at Atomic Marketplace, already home to Seismoto Coffee Bar and Nocturnal Bloom Brewing. Immediately, the fully equipped kitchen, that had never been used, felt like home. “I came in, I tried the beer, and when I looked at that place, I knew it was mine.” Kindness in the Kitchen Acorn Kitchen isn’t built around culinary rules. Anderson describes it simply as “a shawarma shop,” but that hardly captures its personality. Nature inspired nearly every aspect of the concept—including its name. The acorn represents the white oak, a tree Anderson admires for supporting an entire ecosystem by feeding wildlife both directly and indirectly. “The white oak will feed the whole forest,” he says. “So, the acorn is its offering. That’s why we are the Acorn Kitchen.”
20 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
The intimate dining room, complete with warm wood finishes, greenery, and a tree incorporated into the décor, feels inviting rather than polished or pretentious. The restaurant offers both indoor seating and a spacious outdoor patio shared with the neighboring brewery, creating a relaxed place where guests can linger over food and drinks. Anderson also wanted to create something he felt was missing from many professional kitchens: kindness. “I wanted to make a place where everybody is nice to each other,” he says. “Then that would radiate outward to everybody so that we can all interact with the customers and show them we love what we’re doing.” Curiosity Driven Menu The menu begins with one simple question: What can’t Anderson find anywhere else? “When I develop a menu, first I look for what no one else is doing,” he says. For him, that meant bringing authentic shawarma, a longtime favorite he struggled to find after moving north to Traverse City. It quickly became one of Acorn Kitchen’s signature offerings. The permanent menu is intentionally small enough to allow room for constant experimentation. Weekly chalkboard specials appear whenever inspiration strikes,
whether that’s a globally inspired sandwich, an unexpected burger, or a completely new creation dreamed up by Anderson and his staff. “I don’t rotate the whole thing,” he says. “But we change stuff all the time. As whimsy will dictate.” That sense of playfulness has become part of Acorn Kitchen’s identity. On the menu when we visited—aside from Acorn’s signature shawarma and smashburger—was what Anderson calls “pure nostalgia,” like a peanut butter and fried banana sandwich, topped with marshmallow fluff. “We’re just little kids playing around with food,” Anderson says. “I hope that people who come here once or twice go once or twice a week and always find something new.” The menu evolves naturally with the seasons, staff inspiration, and whatever ingredients (often local) spark an idea. Rather than following trends, Anderson cooks the food he genuinely wants to eat and trusts that others will enjoy the journey alongside him. “Ourself,” he jokes with a laugh. “We’re cooking for ourselves for you.” For Anderson, that’s ultimately what Acorn Kitchen is all about: sharing creativity, hospitality, and a little whimsy with every plate that leaves the kitchen. Find Acorn Kitchen at 3344 Cass Rd. in Traverse City.
Camping Season! Explore all the flavors that make summer so sweet! From quality burgers and brats to elevated s'more ingredients, Oryana Community Co-op has your cookout covered.
J J
Find all your summer favorites in the crossword and in-store!
E T E N T H S T | M A R K E T P L A C E C I R | O R YA N A C O O P
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 21
Your Summer 2026 Restaurant Guide Seven eateries to explore in northern Michigan
By Northern Express Staff & Contributors For summer dining, you may want the lively bustle of a food truck, the cool quiet of a steakhouse, or the light and bright ambiance of a riverside bar. Perhaps you’re hungry for a creative small plate, a healthy snack, or a slice of pie. Maybe you just want something you can’t find anywhere else in town, like a raw bar or Korean BBQ. Good news for any of the cravings above: You can find them at these seven establishments in our Summer 2026 Restaurant Guide. Enjoy! Pretty Penny Steakhouse Traverse City Dean Sparks had an idea for a restaurant. A couple of them actually, starting with the eponymous Sparks BBQ. It debuted first as a food truck, then moved into the cozy space at 439 E. Front Street (now home to Chubby Unicorn). He then found a larger space at 201 E. Front, where he debuted the nightclub Encore 201, while Sparks BBQ morphed into Enclave 201 in 2025, which emphasized pub fare and classic American dishes alongside some Sparks BBQ favorites. Now he’s banking on another traditional concept, one which he feels is currently underserved. Welcome to the Pretty Penny Steakhouse, which opened in February 2026 for Traverse City Restaurant Week. On the Menu While the prices might indeed be a pretty penny in the traditional concept of the phrase—the prime ribeye comes in at $68, prime New York strip at $59, and the porterhouse for two is $145—they’re in line with market prices at such inspirations as Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse or Morton’s The Steakhouse. As for the rest of the menu, starters keep things classic, with two options for oysters (chilled or Rockefeller), calamari, and shrimp ceviche, among others. More seafood awaits for the mains, with salmon, scallops, and whitefish. To accompany the entrees and aforementioned steaks, family-style sides range from Brussels sprouts and Parmesan fries to mashed potatoes and risotto. Though it is a steakhouse, vegetarians will find some tasty options, like the burrata and Whipped Feta Dip in the appetizer section to Caesar salad and an Asian Chopped Salad with napa and red cabbage, carrot, scallion, water chestnuts, peas, cashews, broccolini, and crispy wontons. There’s even an alfredo on the entrees section that could be made without shrimp. To round out the menu, choose from
craft cocktails, a list of wines at various price points, and other go-to beverages.
… fat and meat. It’s thick and juicy, and pairs well with any lettuce wrap you make.”
Colibri Wine Bar Traverse City
Find The Pretty Penny Steakhouse at 201 E. Front St. in Traverse City. (231) 642-5032; theprettypennysteakhouse.com
Find The Three Pigs at 221 Garland St D. in Traverse City.
Guillaume HazaëlMassieux and Bastien Le Guen both have a soft spot for hummingbirds, thus the name of their recently opened wine bar in the Commongrounds building in NoBo, complete with small plates and decadent desserts. (“Colibri” is the Spanish, French, and Italian word for hummingbird.) Hazaël-Massieux is known for his French eatery La Bécasse near Glen Lake and the former Bistro Fou Fou in Traverse City. But it was due to meeting Le Guen and discovering they shared a mutual dream that HazaëlMassieux really embraced the idea of opening another location again. “I have a working partner. That makes a big difference,” he says.
The Three Pigs Traverse City During a decade spent in South Korea, Chad Perrault took classes, learned about Korean street food, and found a calling. He returned to his home state, and decided Traverse City was fertile ground. He started cooking and serving Korean BBQ from his food truck, Heart N Seoul at Earthen Ales. While it was a success, he wanted to go bigger and better. He opened The Three Pigs in the Warehouse District in Traverse City this spring. On the Menu As is to be expected, Korean BBQ pork is the star of the show. Moksal Pork Shoulder and Hangjeongsal Pork Jowl kick things off, along with a local favorite: Polish Heritage Farm’s pork belly from the farm’s Hungarian Mangalitsa pigs, known for their wooly coats, rich marbling, and high-quality fat. While the menu is heavy on pork, it is surprisingly diverse. It includes stews, such as kimchi jjigae, a spicy stew made with aged kimchi, pork belly, tofu, and yellow onions. Corn Cheese is sweet corn mixed with butter, mozzarella, and a touch of mayo, served sizzling in a hot skillet. Seafood Pajeon is a scallion pancake packed with squid and shrimp. For veggie eaters, Perrault offers a selection of “Plant-Based Grill” items. They include Tempeh & Sweet Potato, Assorted Mushroom, featuring a trio of lion’s mane, portobello caps, and oyster mushrooms, and Squash & Eggplant, sweet kabocha squash and smoky eggplant slices brushed with soy and sesame and caramelized on the grill. There’s dessert too. Red Bean Porridge is gently sweetened red azuki beans, garnished with nuts and fruit. Hotteok is a hot, crispy pancake with a soft, chewy center, filled with warm brown sugar, walnuts, sesame seeds and cinnamon, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Patbingsu consists of finely shaved ice topped with sweet red beans, soybean powder, and chewy rice cake. Perrault’s own favorite is the restaurant’s namesake dish. “My favorite is the pork belly,” he says, referring to the Samgyeopsal Pork Belly. He says it represents the essence of his restaurant. “The name of ‘Three Pigs’ is meant for this cut of meat. It’s perfectly layered
22 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
Sweet and Savory Pie Company Alanson and Petoskey Sweet and Savory opened in Alanson in 2022 in the former House of Pies, with an offshoot in Petoskey in 2025. (The Alanson site also serves as the production kitchen.) The eatery was founded by a couple of skilled hobby bakers who baked for family and friends long before they chose it as a fulltime profession. The finished products are “artisanal with a rustic spirit.” “There’s something inviting about a pie that looks clearly made by hand—beautiful, but approachable. That balance reflects our broader style as bakers: thoughtful and detail-oriented, while still warm, generous, and rooted in comfort,” coowner Deon Benito Cardillo says. On the Menu On the sweet side, we dare you to choose just one option: Fruit pies, made with at least three pounds of fresh organic filling, include Apple, Classic Cherry, Peach Raspberry, Four-berry, and Strawberry Rhubarb. There are also Key Lime, Chocolate Silk, and Black Bottom Lemon Pie, anchored with housemade chocolate ganache made with only “the best dark chocolate.” (Some flavors are available by the slice.) Believe it or not, that is not a complete list. Oh, and don’t forget cookies: Classic Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, Macadamia White Chocolate, and Macadamia Chocolate and Coconut; or choose Peanut Butter, Red Velvet, and Kitchen Sink (which speaks for itself). And, if this doesn’t move you, there is also a gorgeous Carrot Cake. A savory favorite is the South African Curried Beef Pie, based on the Bobotie. Patrons also love the Steak and Guinness pie, an Irish tradition with quality cuts of beef slow-cooked in a dark gravy made with Guinness stout, onions, and root vegetables, topped with a golden crust. Classic Chicken, BBQ Pork Mac & Cheese, Bacon Mac & Cheese, Vegetable Curry, and Butter Chicken Curry are other choices. Customers also rave about the three-cheese Lobster Mac & Cheese, with a very generous portion of premium Northeast lobster. Find The Sweet and Savory Pie Company at 4577 Oden Road in Alanson (231-347-6525) or in D&W Plaza at 1147 US-31 N in Petoskey (231-622-8822). sspiecompany.com
On the Menu Though the emphasis is on wine, the food menu isn’t lacking. Cold plates (froid) include such options as a charcuterie and/ or cheese plate, deviled eggs, oysters on the shell, shrimp cocktail, crab salad New Orleans style, and tomato and olive tapenade with goat cheese. Warm (chaud) plates feature frites (fries served with aioli), flat breads, masala with spicy lamb meatballs, and both Asian and Moroccan bites. Got a sweet tooth? Colibri offers lemon bars, almond pear and other tarts, crème brûlée, panna cotta with fruit coulis, and other choices. Hazaël-Massieux does note that while the menu is well-rounded, there won’t be more than 15-20 items available at any one time. While it is first and foremost a wine bar, Colibri offers some beers and cocktails, as well as flavorful non-alcoholic mocktails. “We call it a wine bar, but we want it to be a nice place for adults to hang out,” Le Guen says. Colibri features both local wines, from such wineries as Left Foot Charley, Shady Lane Cellars, and Black Star Farms, and wines from across the country and the world. “Wine from France, the Old World—Spain, Germany, Austria, Slovenia. South America, Australia, South Africa—we want to bring things people are not used to having. There’s an amazing wine from Greece,” Hazaël-Massieux says. All told, there are some 60 wines available by the glass. Find Colibri Wine Bar at 414 E. Eighth St. in Traverse City. instagram.com/colibriwinebartc The Golden Beet Frankfort If you know Benzonia’s Cold Creek Farm, its organic produce, and its line of hot sauces, you’ll be pleased to find that
the new storefront, The Golden Beet, has opened in Frankfort with an impressive and expanded product line, fresh vegetarian takeout, and a collection of vinyl for groovin’ during business hours. “[This will] be a fun, family-friendly, year-round space for locals and tourists to stop in and grab a snack, a meal, or a kombucha,” explains co-owner Julie Cramer. The new digs replace the little red store at 529 Main St. and will be bigger and brighter, with vibrant colors, live-edge wood counters, and a lighted, glass brick focal wall. An open commercial kitchen does active service in small-batch production, keeping everything fresh, anticipating customer preferences, and experimenting with new favors. On the Menu The Golden Beet’s offerings include a rotation of green salads with fruit or vegetables and fresh dressings, plus grain bowls, seasonal soups, sandwiches, wraps, baked goods, and kombucha on tap. In keeping with the music theme, Saturday Jazz Vinyl Brunch lets you listen to curated jazz while choosing from breakfast wraps, breakfast salads, baked goods, yogurt cups, quiche, and fresh brewed coffee from Manistee’s Five Five Coffee. We love these fresh juices in the cooler: Green Juice (kale, celery, cucumber, parsley, apple, pear), and the Golden Beet Juice (golden beet, carrot, apple, ginger, lemon juice). Don’t skip the India-inspired Ayurvedic beverage mixes, which include the famous antiinflammatory Golden Milk with turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper. Patrons will also find Cold Creek’s hot sauces, Tropic Like It’s Hot Mustard, Asian Style Hot BBQ Sauce, and Steak Sauce. Look for 20 varieties of spice blends, including the popular Superspice, healthy Ramen Blend, Taco, and Betsie Bay (for seafood and veggies), plus blends for beef and chicken. Find The Golden Beet at 1048 Main St., Frankfort, behind Family Fare, in front of the food trucks. Learn more about Cold Creek Farm at ccfbenzonia.com. Umbo Traverse City Sarah Welch and Cameron Rolka wanted to create their niche restaurant in a fashion so they weren’t over-extended, but could still be profitable. “What’s the smallest we can be and make enough money?” Welch says the duo asked themselves. Armed with accolades and experience downstate and a desire to become part of the food scene in one of their favorite places to visit, the twosome scouted around for a location. “A year and a half ago we started to look at buildings. It helped that our downstate seafood person was expanding up here,” says Welch. Umbo debuted in May, featuring a menu like nothing else locally, heavy on oysters and tinned fish. On the Menu Of course, oysters are the star of the show at Umbo. “At any point we have between eight and 14 varieties,” Welch says. “They’re high in protein, great for you.” She compares them to wine, noting that the specific environment in which they grow impacts their taste. For wine, it is the terroir; for oysters, it’s the merroir that affects their quality. “We think of it a lot like wine and encourage people to think about it like wine,” Welch says. She adds that seafood isn’t the only thing on the menu at Umbo. “It’s not just an oyster bar.
We have steak on the menu, roasted veggies.” Surf & Turf Tartare features big eye tuna and Moraine Park Farm beef. Roasted Shishito peppers are served in preserved lemon aioli, and there’s the Bok Choy a la Plancha (aka cooked at high temps on a metal plate). And there’s tinned fish. Welch explains that many specialty seafoods are only in season for a short while and/or don’t ship well. So the best way to preserve them for those in distant locales to enjoy is to harvest them at the peak of flavor and can them. But these are not like the sardines or smoked oysters available on grocers’ shelves. There’s Tinned Mackerel from France, Regalis Cockles in Brine from Spain, and Island Creek Littleneck Clams from Cape Charles, Virginia, all served with toasted house-made bread, seasoned saltines, pickles, oyster cream cheese, and hard-boiled egg. Various ice creams, strawberry shortcake, and beverages round out the menu. Find Umbo at 430 E. Front St. in Traverse City. (231) 944-2797; eatumbo.com Flannigan’s Goat Elk Rapids Garth and Joy Parish have been working in the BBQ biz for years, but the foundation of the business was in place long before the duo took their show on the road. The Parishes were known by friends and family in the Sault Ste. Marie area as great cooks, and in 2016 they were invited by their friends at Bird’s Eye Outfitters to set up a food tent at a street festival. They were so well received that they started selling their BBQ out of the Outfitters’ coffee shop and lounge. The idea of a food truck began to take shape, resulting in the design and purchase of the sleek 34-foot, fully-equipped kitchen on wheels with a smoker in the back. This summer, Flannigan’s Goat, the go-to source for Michigan BBQ, has set up at Short’s Pull Barn and Production Brewery in Elk Rapids. On the Menu Flannigan’s Goat BBQ is called Michigan style for a couple of reasons: one is that Parish sources just about everything from Michigan, so the name is a good fit. The other is to gently counter the patrons from other BBQ regions who want to tell him how to do his job. But Parish knows his way around a smoker. “Michigan style is what we do,” he explains. Every rub and sauce is house made, as are the slaws and pickled accompaniments. The beef rub is based on his father’s all-purpose seasoning, and the pork rub is original to a friend’s Tennessee grandmother, both modified by Parish. The sauces are “all pretty close to every style” of BBQ, from Texas, to Tennessee, to Kansas City and beyond. Start with one of the beef-based classics, like the Brisket Sandwich topped with Kansas City BBQ sauce and pickled onions or the Burnt Ends on Garlic Toast, with tender charred brisket, cheddar, pickled onions, and Kansas BBQ sauce on a grilled French roll. On the pork side of the menu, we like the Lexington Pulled Pork Sandwich topped with Eastern Carolina BBQ sauce and pickles and the Tennessee Pulled Pork Sandwich topped with Maple Bourbon BBQ sauce and apple vinegar-style slaw. Special sandwiches must be reserved for weekdays on a rotational basis when there is time to do them properly. And don’t forget the sides, as many are a meal in themselves. Find Flannigan’s Goat at Short’s Pull Barn at 211 Industrial Park Dr., Elk Rapids. facebook. com/flannigansgoat
HARBORTOWN
Open 7 Days a Week! Live Music Daily! Downtown Bay Harbor brandysharbortown.com
MAPLE + BATTER bay harbor, mi
OPEN EVERY DAY 8am - 2pm STOP IN FOR A MIMOSA OR BLOODY MARY! CHECK OUT OUR COCKTAIL MENU AT: MAPLEANDBATTER.COM
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 23
Restaurants & Road Construction Major closures stifle business during the high season
By Ross Boissoneau It’s been said that Michigan has two seasons: winter and road construction. For restaurants that already face challenges of surviving the former, adding the negative impact of the latter can be devastating. Losing business during the time of year they count on for the bottom line can make or break a restaurant. “I’m grateful MDOT is fixing the roads, but when I look at Interlochen, it’s a twoyear process,” says Todd Bruce. Bruce is founder and co-owner of A Papano’s Pizza, which has locations in Beulah, Frankfort, Thompsonville, Kingsley, and right on the stretch of US-31 being rebuilt in Interlochen. The intersection at J. Maddy Parkway is also being reconstructed into a roundabout. “Summer is when we make our money, and it’s when road construction happens. The second year is devastating—a 40 percent drop in volume. Our business is on the highway … because that’s where it’s busy,” Bruce says. Ups and Downs in Interlochen Interlochen has been busy this summer, but not with the kind of traffic likely to stop in for lunch or dinner. Instead it’s been highway workers and trucks roaring by as they rebuild the road from the ground up.
Randy Wright, who owns and operates the Interlochen Papano’s with Alex Moreno, says the first couple months were especially tough. That’s when South Long Lake Road, another access point, was closed. “People didn’t know how to navigate,” he says, not just for Papano’s but also the nearby Dollar General and Subway. “Business dropped 40 percent. South Long Lake opened, but it’s still down 20 percent.” John Ockert knows exactly how they feel. While Papano’s is located just west of the intersection of US-31 and J. Maddy Parkway, Ockert’s Oaky’s Tavern is located east of the intersection. He’s a bit more forgiving than Bruce and Wright. “We knew the road needed to be closed. When we bought the business we knew it was coming through,” Ockert says. He and his wife Melissa purchased the tavern six years ago. Even with going through road construction two years in a row, Ockert says business has been good. “Every year business has grown. We have six years to compare,” he says. “We ran a report from January 1 to April 15, when it [construction] started. We were up. Then June to June, we were down about $180,000 in sales, all from April 15. “I know we will bounce back,” Ockert adds. Bruce isn’t so sure. “It gives the
24 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
competition a leg up. People get used to a habit, then [with the road construction] develop new habits,” he says. He anticipates making what he calls a massive investment to get customers back when the road is finished. Till then, Papano’s and Oaky’s are among those trying to get by. “The shutdown of South Long Lake Road and the Parkway was tough. Campers from the campground [Interlochen State Campground] will dodge it,” Ockert says. Traverse City’s US-31 Like Ockert, Dan Summers at Francisco’s Bayside Market at 1532 US-31 North believes the end of construction (for him the Traverse City State Park) will be a boon. But getting there has been tough. While he declined to put a number on the construction-related downturn, he said it’s been significant. “Even if it’s five percent, it’s bad,” Summer says. “It’s not been as bad as people would think, but if the perception is it’s bad,” then people will avoid it, he says. Summers, who serves as the general manager for the deli and eatery, agrees that the newly refurbished road will make things easier. “A new left turn lane will be helpful,” he says. Work continues at the State Park just down the road, so he’s not completely out of the woods yet.
The A Papano's pizza flag flies with construction equipment in the background.
It’s not just customers who have to deal with the roadwork challenge. Employees at places like Oaky’s, Papano’s and the like also have to find their way to and from work. And when Summers signed his son up for Little
League, he made the mistake of signing up for a league on the west side of Traverse City. “It’s at Interlochen, Grawn, Elmwood, so we’ve got to navigate multiple layers [of construction].” Petoskey’s Howard/Mitchell Intersection Victoria Conklin, who with her husband Chad owns and operates Sam’s Graces in Petoskey, says she is glad to see the construction there done. But it could have been worse. “It wasn’t terrible,” she says. The couple opened the breakfast and lunch spot in Harbor Springs in 2014, moving to Petoskey in 2020. They managed to survive the move, the pandemic, and road construction, though it hasn’t been easy. “One block up it was inaccessible. A sign at the end said all businesses were open, but people thought our street was closed as well.” The result was a dropoff in business.
“Our numbers weren’t as good,” she says. The downturn was even reflected in the demeanor of many of those who did come in. “People as a whole are just really mad,” she says. The construction there ended a few weeks ago, and Conklin is optimistic both business and attitudes will improve as a result. How Long Before Things Turn Around? Last year, Bray and Brittney McCabe had a front row seat to the action on M-22 west of Tom’s Market. The owners of Glendale Burger Shop saw their business drop due to the construction as the road was rebuilt and the intersection of M-22 and M-72 was remade into a roundabout. “Most of the July traffic [to the restaurant] was quiet. It was hard to get to us on your lunch hour and make it back to
work,” Bray says. As traffic started moving again, so did business. “The shift in September was night and day different.” The McCabes aren’t sure what a summer without road construction will be like at Glendale Burger Shop. “We’ve always been in a construction zone,” Bray says, noting that July 4 marked the beginning of their third year in business. “We don’t have a pre-construction baseline. We were up 20 percent in May. That’s a sizable amount for our business.” Fortunately, once the construction is over, things can return to normal. But Papano’s Bruce warns that the new normal may not look like the old one. He says MDOT’s focus on traffic flow and safety is important, but that doesn’t mean the finished product will bolster his business. “It may make it more difficult to make a
left turn into businesses,” he warns. Ockert is also optimistic about the end of road construction potentially heralding a growth in the local economy overall. “The new road will invite new business,” he says, looking long term. “It’s huge for business growth. I’m excited.” While some like Bruce may invest in marketing dollars, others are introducing new products or menu items, though not necessarily just as a response to road construction. “We’re doing breakfast. That’s a new thing,” says Summer at Francisco’s Bayside Market. “We have more sandwiches, burgers, pizza. Our grab-and-go lunch has expanded.” Otherwise, he’s depending on the market’s reputation and the upswing in summer traffic to help business rebound.
THERE’S A PLACE FOR YOU ON THE WATER Learn new skills, Make friends, Experience the joy of sailing
Six-Time James Beard Award Winner Ruth Reichl AUG 20 | 4:00 P.M.
ALL PROGRAMS. ALL AGES.
TC Food & Wine Tent @ The Open Space
YOUTH LEARN TO SAIL HIGH SCHOOL & MIDDLE SCHOOL RACING ADULT LESSONS & PRIVATE WOMEN ON THE WATER ADAPTIVE OPEN SAIL & RACING NIGHTS
TRAVERSE AREA COMMUNITY SAILING
SUMMER PROGRAMS NOW OPEN! tacsailing.org
Winner of the 2023 Great American Baking Show Martin Sorge AUG 21 | 4:00 P.M.
TC Food & Wine Tent @ The Open Space
Tickets available at NationalWritersSeries.org Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 25
Don Orr is the proud sponsor of the newly crowned 2026-27 National Cherry Queen, Magdalen Kleinrichert.
CONGRATULATIONS MAGDALEN!
231-946-8810 • 890 Munson Ave Traverse City DONORRSKIHAUS.COM 26 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
BETTER EVALUATIONS, BETTER REPRESENTATIVES guest opinion by Bill Steeves If elected representatives provide entrusted leadership to our nation and constituents, maybe we should evaluate them as leaders, not politicians or legislators. Using selected leadership criteria to evaluate representatives, incumbent or fledging, could help determine their qualifications and worthiness for elected office. Fundamentally, leaders pursue missions, representatives follow their sworn oaths, no human grouping produces smarter or better leaders, and we voters can elect and reject those in or vying for office. Assess them objectively from leadership’s complex evaluative elements. Gregory Nazianzen, circa 362 CE, described leading as “guiding,” a leader’s resources as “the art of arts and science of sciences,” and humans as “the most variable and manifold of creatures.” Nazianzen highlighted, not defined, leadership’s complexities, indicating leaders need to know themselves and those they lead to enable appropriate use of resources. Hundreds exist, but no single definition fits leadership. The French Foreign Legion describes its leadership style and leadership,s complexities aptly in one word, “Mystique.” Arousing curiosity and encouraging discovery, Mystique implies a leader’s knowledge of self and others, acumen to estimate situations accurately, and ability to initiate the correct course of action with the proper resources. The time-tested U.S. Marine Corps Leadership Principles and Traits provide important evaluation criteria. Adapt them, they are appropriate to all professions. You can review and consider them for leader assessments online. One link is military, the other reflects program management. (44riskpm.com/blog/leadership-principles and tecom.marines.mil/Portals/90/HQBN/ Directives/Leadership/Leadership%20 Traits%20and%20Principles.pdf.) Connecting scholarship and education to leadership principles and traits is vital. Because, if “Stupidity is the deliberate cultivation of ignorance,” per William Gaddis, its antidote is scholarship. For a nation, Peter Brougham said, “Education makes a people easy to lead but difficult to drive; easy to govern, but impossible to enslave.” John F. Kennedy was emphatic: “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” Dr. Ernest Boyer in Scholarship Reconsidered: Priorities of the Professorate, identified four academic functions he called Scholarships. There is Discovery, acquiring knowledge through research; Integration, connecting facts across disciplines; Application, applying useful information; and Teaching, merging all factors to instruct and learn interactively to enable practical application. Boyer’s Scholarships should be incorporated with leadership to become every leader’s asset.
Discovery, to the late management guru Peter Drucker, meant intellectual integrity, objectivity, and uncovering facts to determine truth. Max Hastings’ WWII research, presented in The Secret War concluded, “democracies handled intelligence better than the dictatorships . . . because they understood the merit of truth, objective assessment of evidence, not as a virtue, but as a weapon of war.” Integration considers alternatives. Drucker believed effective decisions are judgments based on diverging views, not consensus. Much like the aphorism, “It is not the risk to a critic, it is the risk to an organization or a society if there are no critics,” Alfred Sloan, former General Motors CEO, pushed for other viewpoints. After reaching complete agreement, he halted discussion and forced thought by directing staff to take time to find opposing views to better understand the agreement. Application avoids inattentiveness to history and trends, and means expanding and updating capabilities within a profession. General S. L. A. Marshall in The Officer as a Leader said one’s depth of thought comes from intensive continuous study, consulting with academics and experts to determine which works most engaged their thinking, and then read them. To Ash Carter, “The dominant mental methodology of real policymakers is historical reasoning.” President Harry Truman said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.” Teaching is a key leadership competency because leaders instruct, inform, and train those they lead. Competent instruction uses systems thinking to create understanding how components function separately and collectively. Leaders cannot allow themselves, individuals, and units to be outsmarted by rivals, or overtaken by market forces or neglect. General Marshall said instructors should study harder than students, prepare beyond content being taught, and think deeply. (A caveat: there are no dull subjects, only dull instructors.) From leadership’s traits, principles, and scholarships, evaluation criteria from one or more categories appropriate to each representative can be selected. Traits identify individual qualities, behaviors, words, and actions that highlight a person’s character. Principles, applied or ignored, demonstrate the positive and negative results of a leader’s functional obligations to achieve goals. And scholarship’s assets will determine if a leader used them or not to build knowledge, analyze data, and determine truth to serve their country and constituents and follow their sworn oaths. Selecting people for elected office evaluated as leaders just might improve government. From Bridgeport, CT, Bill Steeves, Ed.D., is a retired U.S. Marine (1954-1974) and educator in academe and industry.
SCAN FOR INFO
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 27
Crafting Wine and Cultivating Community Wineries on giving back with charitable programs, bottles, and events
By Rachel Soulliere The 45th parallel is known around the world for ideal grape-growing conditions and terrific terroir. While some of these European regions have been producing wine for nearly 3,000 years, the 45th parallel in the Grand Traverse region only started growing its local wine scene in the 1970s. Now, there are nearly 50 wineries between Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsula taking advantage of glacial soils and lake-effect weather to craft wines that reflect northern Michigan’s unique terroir. But the wineries and winemakers aren’t just cultivating grapes— they’re cultivating relationships too.
Dune Bird
“Wine, from its inception, has always been communal. It’s something that brings people together, celebrates communities, and creates meaningful change. Wine is community, wine is place, wine is story,” says Bekah Bell, former brand culture and wine club manager for Dune Bird Winery and current director of sales and hospitality for Suttons Bay’s newest winery, Lee Creek Vineyard. During her time at Dune Bird, Bell helped create their winery giving program. She was responsible for finding a community partner whose mission aligned with Dune Bird’s philanthropic views. “My brother was born with cerebral palsy and lives in Ohio, but we make it a priority for him to come up here at least once a year. During one of his visits, we rented the new beach wheelchair, provided free of charge, by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes as part of their accessibility program. This was the first time he was ever able to touch Lake Michigan, and it was such a special moment for us all,” says Bell. “The way Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes approach and lead accessibility, community, and environmental protection is unmatched. When it was time to pick a nonprofit partner for Dune Bird, they were my first choice.” The team at Dune Bird then decided their new rosé would be their philanthropic wine and wanted to work with Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes to benefit piping plover conservation. The aviation theme was an instant connection and Dune Bird ended up naming the new wine Pink Plover. They pledged to raise $15,000 over one year and met that goal through merch and bottle sales, general donations, and a successful Pink Plover launch event attended by 500 people. A year later, Dune Bird is still supporting Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes and piping plover conservation with Pink Plover wine. To expand on their giving, they are now supporting the restoration efforts of Northport’s Woolsey Airport through sales of their Woolsey Red wine—another perfectly themed local aviation partnership. “While I was a small part of getting this giving program started, seeing it continue is what really matters and what we need in all our communities. Someone to light the torch and then for others to carry it forward,” says Bell.
28 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
MAWBY
While newer wineries and giving programs are emerging in northern Michigan, some winemakers have been working to give back to the community for decades, including MAWBY. From yearly partnerships and donations, to founder Larry Mawby starting Peninsula Housing in 2021 (a nonprofit with the mission of providing affordable housing in Leelanau), MAWBY has had giving on its mind for the last 50 years. “Good work can be hard work. At MAWBY, we know this as makers of sparkling wine. We also know the value of nonprofit organizations doing meaningful work in our community, and we want to amplify their impact,” says Mike Laing, owner of MAWBY. Through their program MAWBY Gives, they select a few partners each year to support. Their 2026 partners are Peninsula Housing and Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) Student Support Network due to the continuous rising need from local families and students. MAWBY provides financial assistance through donating a percentage of proceeds from each “Build Your Own Flight” in the tasting room, along with hands-on support in the form of volunteering with Student Support Network pop-ups and hosting an event in the fall for Peninsula Housing. “Giving back to the community is part of who we are at MAWBY,” adds Laing.
Empowering teen parents today for a healthier tomorrow.
Scan the QR code to learn more about our services, to donate, or ways to get involved.
Chateau Chantal
Affordable housing has also become a priority for the team at Chateau Chantal. In advocating for housing in northern Michigan, Chateau Chantal has built an ongoing partnership with Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region to move the needle for affordable housing support in Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Kalkaska counties. “A few years ago, we attended a community conversation focused on local housing and how it impacts our workforce,” says Brian Lillie, vice president of hospitality operations and distribution at Chateau Chantal. “Being located on Old Mission Peninsula, a majority of our team members live in Grand Traverse County, and we know things aren’t getting any cheaper. This quickly drove us towards wanting to make a difference.” Their winery even has a historical link to affordable housing, as founder Bob Begin was a pastor in Detroit who studied HUD financing and rehabilitation. “Between our values inside Chateau Chantal and evaluating what is important in our communities, we couldn’t let go of our passion and historical connection to housing, but we didn’t know how to make a difference on our own. What we do know is that a single bottle of wine can bring people together: share with a friend, enjoy a sunset meal, collaborate, and converse. As we continued conversations and connections in the housing realm, we were able to meet Wendy Irvin from Habitat for Humanity and started talking. It felt right to build a partnership with them in order to truly make an impact together,” says Lillie. In the first year of partnership, Chateau Chantal created a Welcome Home wine that welcomed families into homes made possible through Habitat for Humanity. This wine was then released in local retailers, such as Tom’s Food Markets, and gained some partnerships, including Traverse City Tourism, leading to three times the contributions than what was initially expected. Funds raised from this wine supported the New Waves Community project, which brought 14 new homes to families in Leelanau County. “At Habitat for Humanity, we’ve worked with so many wonderful partners in the community, but the vision, action, and passion brought forward by the team at Chateau Chantal have helped us spread awareness, generate revenue, engage in our mission, and meet goals we’ve been aiming to achieve,” says Wendy Irvin, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region. Now, Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region is celebrating their 40th anniversary this year and Chateau Chantal is continuing their support with their newest philanthropic wine: Cheers! Through a $1 donation from each bottle of sparkling wine, Chateau Chantal has already been able to raise more than $1,000 since launching the wine this May. Funds raised will support an eight-home townhouse project in Kalkaska. Habitat for Humanity is currently seeking homeowner applications for this affordable housing project called Court Street Station. “It’s so powerful that we have neighbors who want to utilize their talent, time, and treasures to help with one community crisis and support our organization to build more affordable homes in northern Michigan. We are so grateful for the entire team at Chateau Chantal for being present, involved, and engaged in our community to give back. Their vision, hard work, and drive to support something that is real and challenging in our region have been a beautiful experience for us all,” says Irvin.
or visit GenerationsAhead.org
Online Ordering Dine-In or Takeout Gluten-Free, Vegetarian & Vegan Options Available 1333 Yellow Dr • Traverse City (231) 943-1453 • spanglishtc.com Located at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons
SINCE 2013
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 29
Photos provided by Traverse City Horse Shows.
Horses on the Move What does it take to coordinate the travel of 3,000+ horses for the Traverse City Horse Shows?
By Anna Faller It’s that time of year again, folks, that season from June to September when the population of Williamsburg grows by thousands of residents, many with hooves, for the Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS). “There are equestrian communities throughout the country,” TCHS Event Director Matt Morrissey says, “and I think we have the next equestrian community developing right here on the showgrounds.” With entrants arriving from around the globe and small armies of horses, their riders, barn staff, and scads of equipment to finagle, what does it take to transport the whole production to Flintfields Horse Park every year? The answer is plenty of—pardon the pun—horsepower. By the Numbers Though final numbers for the 2026 TCHS season are still developing—per Morrissey, the show is sold out in July, but they’re still taking entries for August and September— the team anticipates a full-tilt turnout similar to the 2025 season, which saw more than 3,100 horses compete with 2,600 riders, and demographics representing a whopping 27 countries and 48 U.S. states (though, this year’s FEI World Championship in Germany might make for a slightly smaller swell). That’s some serious ground for competitors to cover, and as you might have guessed, horseback isn’t an option! Instead, says Morrissey, about 95 percent of TCHS participants arrive via ground
transportation, nearly half of whom opt for private shipping—i.e., a trailer system or semi they own, which the park has dedicated several acres to housing. The other half, he estimates, leave the travel to the professionals through services like Brook Ledge Horse Transportation, which is the largest of its kind in the country and the official transport outfit for the show. “We try to make it a first-class ride for these horses,” says horse show operations representative Christina Sappington. “We want it to be as direct, safe, and comfortable as possible.” A Barn Full of Stuff Like any other road trip, the process of putting horses on wheels actually begins days or even weeks before by laying out a blueprint of needed equipment. For smaller businesses or more prestigious events where fewer horses qualify, this might entail a minimal load, aka a “carrier convenience” ride, where one truck hauls horses from multiple barns. Or, for equestrians like Jacob Pope, a professional rider and nine-year veteran of the Traverse City Horse Shows, it could mean multiple semis move an entire business—from stables to gear and even office equipment—to Michigan for the season duration. “We’re really a competition barn, so we tend to pack and move wherever the best shows are,” he explains. “Traverse City is so wonderful, so everything comes up here for the summer!” The co-owner of prestigious barn Hickory Ridge, Pope estimates that his
30 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
contingent typically rolls 20-30 horses deep, all of which are accompanied by students, riders, grooms, and stable staff. Each rider in the company can expect to travel with their own tack trunk, a coffeetable-sized chest packed to the brim with all of their riding essentials from helmets to bridles, brushes, horse treats, and beyond. “That’s [already] 10-15 trunks, which of itself, is a lot to move!” Pope notes. Then there are the equipment lockers that outfit frequent flyer horses, as well as saddles and show goodies like jumps, favorite furniture, tools for stall maintenance, and even smaller vehicles, like golf carts and dirt bikes for navigating the park’s many rings. Last but not least, there are the horses themselves, each tucked snugly in their own travel stall (which come in several sizes, and for longer tips, might even let them lay down), along with plenty of water and feed for the ride. Per Sappington, the Brook Ledge fleet of more than 60 semis and “goosenecks,” or smaller rigs, also feature shock-absorbing air-ride suspension, as well as in-cabin fans and meticulously-oriented windows for the comfort of each vehicle’s four-legged passengers. “Even after long trips, the horses get off the truck looking healthy and ready to go,” she says. There are, however, protocols if a horse’s health does take a turn en route, including at least two drivers per truck, both of whom are experienced equine handlers, a live camera system, and a nationwide network of veterinary clinics for emergency stops. As Sappington explains, all traveling horses
must also present a clean bill of health (complete with a Coggins test to rule out Equine Infectious Anemia), while some with specific health conditions or medications might even come with a groom or stable member. “We really care for these horses,” adds Pope. “We want to make their lives and the travel as easy as possible. We’re there for them every step of the way.” When Horses Fly Air travel is a common method of equine transport for international riders, though an overall less-frequent choice for most TCHS participants. Flying is often much more expensive and requires more specialized gear than ground transportation. Consequently, one-way air tickets for horses can easily run in the fourto-five figure range; meanwhile Morrissey estimates commercial travel rates, though situation-dependent, at a few thousand dollars per horse. The key for many equestrians, he explains, often comes down to striking a balance between distance and cost. “When you’re coming from [hubs like] Florida or California,” the latter of which could easily equate to multiple days of highway travel, he says, “there’s a point where the benefit of flying, for timing, really is the key decision.” There are, however, certain transatlantic shows and qualifiers—notably, global championships, and if it’s the right year, the Olympics—as well as riders whose farflung locations make flying non-negotiable.
Airport access is also a factor, as only a handful of U.S. air hubs are properly equipped to handle equine passengers, among them, Louisville (KY), JFK (NY), Indianapolis, and Chicago. Morrissey says that TCHS has discussed the possibility of collaborating with Detroit Metro Airport, though the machinery there is yet unavailable. There’s also additional paperwork, like equipment manifests, vet assessments, and in the case of especially well-traveled steeds, horse passports, involved in crossing borders; though this is also true of ground travel. Transnational quarantines are also a factor to consider (which are often compulsory to manage disease and invasive species, like the recent plague of the New World screwworm),
th
16
as are hours- or days-long rest periods for animals making longer trips. “There’s not really one way to do it,” Pope adds. “Every year looks a little different.” Fuel Prices & Housing Similarly, TCHS’s new crop of riders and classes each year makes for an increasinglydynamic operation. There is, however, one trend in particular that continues to remain consistent: it’s getting bigger. “People love to spend time [in Traverse City],” Morrissey says. “They hear how great the town is, how great the show is—it’s the total package.” Even with climbing diesel prices (which, per the Bureau of Transportation Statistics,
have spiked by about 50 percent since 2025), the group agrees that equestrian travel remains a bustling industry, with only the occasional small barn or solo rider thus far reducing their typical schedules. Instead, says Morrissey, the more pressing issue is cost of local accommodation, which has proven a very real deterrent for show participants without their own barn setup. “It’s shortening people’s stays for sure,” he says. “Some competitors can afford it, but the trainers paying for themselves and their staff to be here are absorbing that high cost of housing.” To help mitigate this dilemma, and by extension, maintain the show’s accessibility, Morrissey highlights upcoming plans
to implement TCHS-backed housing options—“that’s something we’re working on internally,” he says. There’s also a growing investment among riders vying to approach the season the same way Pope does: rent, or if possible, purchase farm property and make it a summer-long affair! “[TCHS] is one of the nicest shows in the country,” adds Pope. “That’s what I look forward to—just enjoying our summer and knowing our horses are happy here.” Find the Traverse Horse Shows at Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg (6535 Bates Rd.). For more information, including ticket purchases and event schedules, visit traversecityhorseshows.com.
Annual
Port Oneida Fair History comes alive at five historic sites!
Friday and Saturday August 7 & 8, 2026 Saturday, August 1st Port Oneida Heritage Center
10:00 a.m to 4:00pm Port Oneida Rural Historic District (4 miles N. of Glen Arbor)
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
5k
1 k
1 arathon
“Great Location, Great Courses!”
AWARDS IN 9 AGE CATEGORIES
231-334-6103 Pro eeds su ort Slee ing
4 MILES N. OF GLEN ARBOR ear
ore#er, ational Park Partner
Over 60 presenters including blacksmithing, timber framing, antique cars, threshing, spinning, basket weaving, farm animals, barn tours, old fashioned games, horse and wagon rides, music, food, and more! For details contact: 231-326-4700 or scan R code Hosted by the National Park Service in partnership with Sleeping Bear Forever.
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 31
VETERANS, COME IN TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR BENEFITS!
LEELANAU VETERANS AFFAIRS TUESDAYs ONLY 9a.m - 3:30p.m. Call 231-995-6070 To schedule an appointment Leelanau County Government Center
In-home care that brings on smiles. We’re northern Michigan’s premier senior in-home care provider. 866-929-9044 • ComfortKeepersTC.com
Compassionate in-home care • Personal Care • Companionship • Housekeeping • Errands & Transportation
32 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
• Delicious Meals • Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care • Medication Oversight • Private Duty Nursing
8527 E. Government Center Dr, Suttons Bay
july 18
july
Saturday MACKINAC BRIDGE
SWIM: SOLD OUT: 7am, Mackinaw City. Swim across the Straits of Mackinac alongside the Mackinac Bridge. This is a swim to benefit First Responders of Michigan. It is about 4.5 miles across with the swim starting in Mackinaw City & ending at Bridgeview Park in St.Ignace. runsignup.com/Race/MI/ SaintIgnace/MackinacBridgeSwim -------------------------------2026 GAYLORD ALPENFEST: July 14-18. Today includes the Alpenfest Run, Alpenfest Grand Parade, Petoskey Steel Drum Band Concert, Grand Traverse Pipe & Drum Band, La Promenade Des Biscuits, Reptile Show, live music by Attaboy & much more. gaylordalpenfest.com/2026-schedule -------------------------------ART SPLASH, CHEBOYGAN ART FAIR: 8am-4pm, downtown Cheboygan. This twoday juried fine art fair is on a grass lot with accessible sidewalks, free parking, & coincides with the Saturday Farmer’s Market. Free. artvisioncheboygan.org/artsplash -------------------------------FRIENDS OF FISHTOWN 5K: 9am, Historic Fishtown. $45-$52. runsignup.com/Race/ Events/MI/Leland/Fishtown5K -------------------------------13TH ANNUAL MUSTANG STAMPEDE: 10am, Mackinaw Crossings, Mackinaw City. Celebrate the Ford Mustang with a Mustang Car Show & the Mustang Stampede Parade across the Mighty Mac. There will be a fireworks display over the lake at 10pm. -------------------------------5TH ANNUAL UP NORTH BUSKER FESTIVAL: Downtown East Jordan. Jugglers, stunt performers, acrobats, sword swallowing, mermaids, magicians, trained dogs, human statues, hoop dancing & more. Find ‘Up North Busker Festival!’ on Facebook. -------------------------------ART IN THE PARK: 10am-5pm, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. Featuring about 120 artists, including painters, sculptors, potters, jewelers, photographers, mixed media artists & more. Crooked Tree Arts Center will also present a children’s painting activity in the gazebo. -------------------------------BOARDMAN RIVER SUMMER ART & CRAFT SHOW: 10am-5pm, Medalie Park, TC. -------------------------------FRIENDS OF THE CADILLAC LIBRARY USED BOOK SALE: 10am-noon, Cadillac Wexford Public Library, Cadillac. Bag Sale today. Books: $1-$2. friendsofthecadillaclibrary.wordpress.com/upcoming-programs -------------------------------PETOSKEY ART IN THE PARK: 10am5pm, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. Includes 120 booths with items ranging from pottery to jewelry, paintings to photographs, & much more. -------------------------------SHAY DAYS: 10am-3pm, Harbor Springs History Museum, Ephraim Shay Works Museum, & Shay Park. Celebrate inventor Ephraim Shay’s 187th birthday & enjoy live steam model trains, crafts & games, a sailboat regatta, electric model train layouts, & wood carving demonstrations. Donation. harborspringshistory.org -------------------------------EMPIRE ANCHOR DAY: Downtown Empire, July 17-18. Today includes the Anchor Day Parade down Front St. at noon (line-up at 11:30am at Johnson Park); a Pop-Up Book Sale at Glen Lake Community Library, & a Lions Club BBQ chicken dinner at Johnson Park from 1-7pm; bonfire, free hot dogs & s’mores at Grocer’s Daughter from 6-8pm; followed by a street dance with music by Doc Probes from 8:30-11:30pm at the library plaza. Free. empireareacommunitycenter.org
18-26
send your dates to: events@traverseticker.com
Witches, mystics and black cats! TC author, journalist and editor Jillian Laine reveals her first novel, “Henry Tudor Must Die,” a feminist historical fantasy that reimagines the tale of Henry VIII, at a National Writers Series event presented by Sue and Jon Kinne – “Fiction” Author Conversations – Weds., July 22 in Milliken Auditorium, Dennos Museum Center, NMC, TC at 7pm. Joining Laine in conversation will be The Ticker’s head writer, Beth Milligan. Tickets range from $12$55. nationalwritersseries.org/author-event/jillian-laine. If you miss her at Dennos, you can also catch Laine at Horizon Books, Tues., July 21 at 6pm or the Traverse Area District Library, Weds., July 29 at 6pm.
-------------------------------DISNEY’S THE LITTLE MERMAID JR: 2pm & 7pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. The mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home - & her fins - behind & live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to deal with her father, an evil sea witch, & a handsome prince. Performed by students in the OTP Young Company’s 4-Week Performing Arts Camp. $15. oldtownplayhouse.com/youth-learning/ performances/little-mermaid-pac.html -------------------------------ONE OF TC’S SIGNATURE SUMMER WEEKENDS: 4pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Featuring the $116,000 World Wide Technology CSI3* Grand Prix. Tickets available online or at the gate. traversecityhorseshows.com/visit. $15 & up. -------------------------------THE SERIES AT LAVENDER HILL FARM: BOBBY ALU: Lavender Hill Farm, Boyne City. Ride the groove spectrum from Polynesian folk, through roots, reggae, harmony laden soul to tropical pop with Australian/Samoan singer, ukulele strummer, & drummer, Bobby Alu. Opening for him is local singer/songwriter David Lawston. 5:30pm: Arrival & Preshow Experience; 6-7pm: Local Ground Live Music; 7:30pm: Main Stage Performance. $34.50$49.50. lavenderhillfarm.com/series-lineup -------------------------------GENE RANTZ MEMORIAL PLEIN AIR PAINT OUT & WET PAINT SALE: Featuring up to 50 artists who spend the week painting on location throughout the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. The public can attend the culminating Wet Paint Sale & reception on July 18 from 6-9pm at the Northport Arts Association. Guests will enjoy a selection of appetizers & a cash bar while viewing/purchasing freshly created works. $20/person. mynorthtickets.com/?query=gene+rantz&date_ range=&category=
-------------------------------SATURDAYS IN THE PARK: THE SETH BERNARD QUARTET: 7pm, GT County Civic Center, Amphitheater, TC. Genre-defying troubadour energy with masterful chops. Free; donations welcome. scullytour.com -------------------------------ZOLTAN KASZAS: WORLDWIDE(ISH) TOUR: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. An award-winning stand-up comedian known for his sharp, observational humor & love of cats. Starting at $37. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/zoltan-kaszas -------------------------------TC PIT SPITTERS VS. KALAMAZOO GROWLERS: 7:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traversecity-pit-spitters/2026-schedule -------------------------------SIMPLY QUEEN. SIMPLY SPECTACULAR.: 7:30pm, City Opera House, TC. North America’s most adored recreation of Queen - the magic & the music. Featuring the worldrenowned Freddie Mercury impersonator, Rick Rock. $44-$64. cityoperahouse.org -------------------------------TCHAIKOVSKY & ABELS DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. Jader Bignamini leads the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in a program of intensity & emotion through the full power of the orchestra. Featuring Michael Abels’ “Global Warming” & Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4. Tickets start at $54. interlochen.org -------------------------------BOOGIE WONDER BAND: 8pm, Bay View Association, John M. Hall Auditorium, Petoskey. Enjoy this disco band who has performed more than 3,500 shows around the world. $0-$49. onthestage.tickets/show/ bay-view-association/69bc4ad615ddb92e62 da56bf/tickets#/productions-view
NOW OPEN! This artisanal cidery is thoughtfully designed for intimate experiences, small batch authentic ciders, and a place to feel connected to our region in Leelanau County. Cider tasting and small plates inspired by Taproot Farmstead, menu changes seasonally as the gardens ripen OPERATING HOURS Open Fridays & Saturdays at Noon Final seating at 6 PM Reservations recommended. Just 5 miles from downtown TC Plan your next visit at Taprootcellars.com
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 33
MEad • beeR • wine • food live music • disc golf • family fun
IndooR/outDooR seating • open eveRy day SCan foR music & events 34 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
231.383.4262 • stambRosecellaRs.com 841 s pioneeR Rd • beulah, mi
MUSIC IN MACKINAW: NMC CONCERT BAND: 8pm, Conkling Heritage Park, Roth Performance Shell, Mackinaw City. -------------------------------STAR PARTY & CANDLELIGHT HIKE: 9pm, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Dune Climb. Join the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society for public stargazing. Free program; park entrance pass required. nps.gov/planyourvisit
july 19
Sunday 40TH ANNUAL
RIDE AROUND TORCH BICYCLE TOUR: 7am, Elk Rapids High School. The RAT is a 1-day recreational bicycle tour around Torch Lake. Enjoy food stops, volunteers, & a buffet picnic at Veteran’s Park in Elk Rapids with live music. $75 before 7/9; $85 DOE; $40 under 12. cherrycapitalcyclingclub.org/RAT -------------------------------FORMULA 1 FREE WATCH PARTIES: BELGIUM: 9am, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Experience the races on the big screen. Doors open an hour before the start of each race. Featuring Formula 1 games. thebaytheatre.org/home-page -------------------------------BOARDMAN RIVER SUMMER ART & CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., July 18) -------------------------------ARTIFACT I.D. DAY: 1-4pm, Samels Farm, Williamsburg. Archaeologist Dr. Michael Hambacher will identify up to five of your local artifacts at no charge. All Great Lakes artifacts are welcome. samelsfarm.org -------------------------------MONTY COMMUNITY OUTING: 1pm, Turtle Creek Casino, Williamsburg. A free community afternoon with Monty, the beloved mascot of the TC Pit Spitters baseball team. Meet right outside the front entrance to hang out with Monty, snap photos, enjoy food truck eats, exclusive prizes, & more. turtlecreekcasino.com/events -------------------------------TC PIT SPITTERS VS. KALAMAZOO GROWLERS: 1:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traversecity-pit-spitters/2026-schedule -------------------------------A MIDSUMMER’S DAYDREAM: 2pm, Hindle-Ross Trails, near Cross Village. Enjoy an afternoon of poetry, music & art. Stroll over 2 miles of rolling hills, through fields & forests & encounter poets, musicians, an analemmatic sundial, & a lookout tower with views of Waugoshance Point & the Upper Peninsula. Free. goodhartartistresidency.org/midsummers-daydream -------------------------------AN AFTERNOON WITH PAULA MCLAIN: 4pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Paula will celebrate her newest novel, “Skylark.” $20. mcleanandeakin.com/ event/2026-07-19/paula-mclain-skylark -------------------------------SUNDAY MUSIC IN THE PARK: KIRBY: 4-6pm, Marina Park, Harbor Springs. -------------------------------BAYSIDE CONCERT SERIES: CHRIS MICHELS: 5-7pm, Bayfront Park, Petoskey. A fusion guitarist, Chris blends folk & jazz into his jamming & songwriting. Bring a picnic & blanket or lawn chair. Free. bigwatercreativearts.org -------------------------------JADER BIGNAMINI CONDUCTS TCHAIKOVSKY: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. The World Youth Symphony Orchestra performs side by side with members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under the baton of acclaimed conductor Jader Bignamini. Featuring Michael Abels’ “Emerge” & Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. $21-$28. interlochen.org
july 20
monday 2ND ANNUAL
ENCHANTED ART MARKET: 10am-5pm, Castle Farms, Charlevoix. July 20-23. Set in the King’s Grand Courtyard, shop unique art & creative crafts. Sculpture, glass, metal, Batik art, fudge, Michigan rock art, paintings & more. $5/person. castlefarms.com/events/enchanted-art-market-2 -------------------------------FAMILY YOGA: 11am, Glen Lake Community Library, Empire. Kids & parents will enjoy this introduction to yoga with instructor Amy White. She’ll help participants learn basic poses & explore breathing & mindfulness techniques. Bring a mat or a towel. glenlakelibrary.net -------------------------------NUB’S NOB SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: SARAH DARLING: 5:30pm, Nub’s Nob, Harbor Springs. Singer-songwriter Sarah Darling draws inspiration from the allure of freedom & beauty. She channels the spirit of 70’s California. $0-$25. shop.nubsnob.com/concertseries -------------------------------BACH CELLO SUITES ON STAGE: 7-8:30pm, GT County Civic Center, Amphitheater, TC. Jeffrey Lastrapes brings Bach’s masterful Cello Suites to the stage in an intimate evening of pure musical expression. $15-$47. tcphil.org/events/bach-cello-suites-on-stage -------------------------------YACHT ROCK THE DOCK: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. Featuring the original artists in concert playing some of the most iconic hits from one of Rock’s greatest eras. Ambrosia, John Ford Coley, Peter Beckett (The Voice of Player), & Walter Egan will come together for a night performing all of their 1970’s & 1980’s Billboard Top 40 Hits. Tickets start at $28. interlochen.org/ events/yacht-rock-dock-2026-07-20
july 21
tuesday MEET AUTHOR JILLIAN
LAINE: 6pm, Horizon Books, TC. Journalist, author and editor Jillian Laine brings her first novel, “Henry Tudor Must Die,” a feminist, witchy fantasy that reimagines the tale of Henry VIII. horizonbooks.com -------------------------------2ND ANNUAL ENCHANTED ART MARKET: (See Mon., July 20) -------------------------------COPING AS A CAREGIVER: 5:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Join The Michigan Parkinson Foundation with Candice Peggs, LMSW, to gain support with other caregivers. Registration required. Free. tadl.org/CopingCaregiver -------------------------------LEELANAU WRITERS’ SERIES: 7pm, Leelanau Twp. Library, Northport. Northport author Dennis Turner discusses “An American Yankee in King Alfred’s Court,” latest book by Dayton University Law School Professor. A tale of two lawyers from different legal traditions (US & England) who clash & then forge friendship in a collaborative effort to achieve justice in a British criminal court. Free. leelanautownshiplibrary.org -------------------------------THE BARRICADE BOYS – BROADWAY PARTY: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Direct from London, these four performers are taking the world by storm with their show that will have you tapping your feet, belting out your favorite tunes, & grinning. Starting at $50. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/barricade-boys-broadway-party -------------------------------STRAITS AREA CONCERT BAND: 8pm, Conkling Heritage Park, Mackinaw City.
Wardrobe Essentials for a Brilliant Summer!
* accessories * footwear * apparel 231-271-5462 • Open 7 Days thelimabean.net 222 N Saint Joseph Street Downtown Suttons Bay
Your favorite lake is calling...
BOATS DELIVERED TO MORE NORTHERN MICHIGAN LAKES THAN ANYONE ELSE.
Bentley Tritoons & Lunds • Easy online reservations • Towable tubes & add-ons Fast pickup • Friendly local service
Reserve Today!
northshoredock.com | (231) 313-2627
Use code Summer2026 for 10% off booking
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 35
july 22
FULL TILT COMEDY: 8pm, The Bay Comtalks, tractors, & activities. Featuring live muing weekends. traversecityhorseshows.com/ wednesday munity Theatre, Suttons Bay. Enjoy a comedy sic by Dags und Timmah! Free. visit. $15 & up. ANNUAL NUB’S NOB ART variety show featuring improv, sketch, stand---------------------------------------------------------------
FAIR: 9am-4pm, Nub’s Nob Ski Area, Harbor Springs. Includes about 70 indoor & outdoor booths, live music by Pete Kehoe, & more. Suggested $5 cash donation. -------------------------------FREE WATERCOLOR POSTCARD WORKSHOP W/ RESIDENT ARTIST EILEEN LYONS: 9am-1pm, West Main St., downtown Harbor Springs. Held at the Harbor Springs Farmers Market. All ages can experiment with watercolor painting using local flower arrangements as inspiration. -------------------------------CSA’S ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR: 9:30am3pm, Assembly Ball Field, Crystal Lake. Includes more than 90 artistans & vendors. summerassembly.org/art-fair/information.html -------------------------------2ND ANNUAL ENCHANTED ART MARKET: (See Mon., July 20) -------------------------------SENIORS ON THE T.A.R.T.: BUFFALO RIDGE & GT COMMONS: Higher Grounds, The Village at GT Commons, TC. Explore the TART Trails & local coffee spots. All activity levels welcome. 10am start; 11am coffee social. -------------------------------BABY SPROUTS GARDEN WALK: 10:30am, Lakeview Hill Farm, TC. A gentle, flower-filled experience designed for babies & their caregivers. Connect with other mamas, get outside, & enjoy a peaceful walk through the market gardens. Register in advance. Free. lakeviewhillfarm.com/eventsandfarmtours -------------------------------CONCERTS IN THE PARK: HOLLY KELLER-THOMPSON: Noon, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. Holly blends original folk-influenced songs with select cover material. Free. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/event s/?page=1&location=petoskey#class-list -------------------------------BUILDING A NATION IN THE AFTERMATH OF REVOLUTION: THE NORTHWEST ORDINANCE & THE CREATION OF NEW AMERICAN STATES: 6pm, Leland Public School, Performing Arts Center. This lecture by Philip J. Deloria is hosted by the Leelanau Historical Society. Philip is the Leverett Saltonstall Professor of History at Harvard University & one of the nation’s leading scholars of American Indian history & culture. Free. leelanauhistory.org/events -------------------------------EVENING ON RIVER STREET: RIVER STREET ROOTS: 6-9pm, River St., downtown Elk Rapids. Help us tip our hats to our roots with local farms, agriculture, history
EVENINGS AT THE GAZEBO: BILLY MCALLISTER: 6-8pm, Old City Park Gazebo, Boyne City. -------------------------------JOHN WEMLINGER AUTHOR EVENT: 6pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Local author John Wemlinger will talk about his new book, “Finding Innocence.” Free. tadl.org/ JohnWemlinger -------------------------------ELLSWORTH CONCERTS ON THE SQUARE: SUNSHINE STRING BAND: 7-9pm, Ellsworth Community Square. Bring a blanket or chair. Free. -------------------------------MULEBONE: 7pm, The Music House, Williamsburg. Enjoy this acclaimed blues duo during an evening of soulful acoustic blues, folk, & roots music. $25 online; $30 door. mynorthtickets.com/events/mulebone-returns-to-the-music-house-on-july22-2026-at-700-pm-7-22-2026 -------------------------------MUSIC ON THE MOUNTAIN: 7-9pm, The Homestead Resort, atop the ski hill, Glen Arbor. Featuring Randy Marsh & Cat Daddy. $22. tickettailor.com/events/musiconthemountain/2192963 -------------------------------NWS PRESENTS: JILLIAN LAINE: 7pm, Dennos Museum Center, Milliken Auditorium, NMC, TC. This event is presented by Sue & Jon Kinne – “Fiction” Author Conversations. Journalist & author Jillian Laine brings her first novel, “Henry Tudor Must Die,” a feminist, witchy fantasy that reimagines the tale of Henry VIII. Joining Laine in conversation will be Traverse City Ticker’s head writer, Beth Milligan. $12-$55. nationalwritersseries.org/author-event/jillian-laine -------------------------------MOVIE SCENE MASHUP: “A SALUTE TO HOLLYWOOD”: 7:30-9pm, AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Held with the AuSable Community Theatre in partnership with Gits & Shiggles. Part scripted, part improv. Free. artisanvillage. org/events -------------------------------ST. VINCENT LIVE WITH ORCHESTRA: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. Conducted by Jules Buckley wsg Arooj Aftab. St. Vincent constantly reinvents her audio & visual personae & has won six GRAMMY Awards along the way. Her acclaimed albums include “Marry Me,” “Actor,” “Daddy’s Home,” & more. Tickets start at $48. interlochen.org/events/stvincent-live-orchestra-2026-07-22
36 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
up, & song parody. $15. thebaytheatre.org/ movie/live-at-the-bay-full-tilt-comedy
july 23
thursday
NORTHERN MICHIGAN A N T I Q U E - F LY W H E E L ERS TRACTOR, ENGINE & CRAFT SHOW: 00145 US 131 North, Boyne Falls. Working demonstrations include saw mill, veneer mill & basket shop, a one-room schoolhouse, threshing, plus a parade of power at 2pm. Large flea market, two museums, arts & crafts. There is a Kiddie Train ride, scavenger hunt & sawdust penny pile. Thurs: Senior’s Day: $5; Adult: $7 donation; Under 12: Free w/ adult. walloonlakeflywheelers.com -------------------------------2ND ANNUAL ENCHANTED ART MARKET: (See Mon., July 20) -------------------------------COFFEE @ TEN, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Gilbert Gallery, Petoskey. Benjamin Cheney, founder & artistic director of Croft Residency, will share through dialogue & movement about the emotional & visceral weight of embodied expression. Free. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/event s/?page=1&location=petoskey#class-list -------------------------------SUMMER READING EVENT WITH GREAT LAKES CHILDREN’S MUSEUM: 10:30am, North Park Pavilion, Suttons Bay. Unearth your joy with hands-on fun. For all preschool, elementary & middle-school students. Sign up for the Unearth a Story Summer Reading Program & get a free book & reading kit. Free. sbbdl.org -------------------------------PLANT IT WILD FIELD TRIP: 11am12:30pm, Birdsfoot Native Nursery, South Boardman. The nursery specializes in wildflowers, grasses & shrubs, propagated from Michigan genotypes. Tour the green houses & have an opportunity to shop. plantitwild.net -------------------------------GENEALOGY PROGRAM: 1-3pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Join the Grand Traverse Area Genealogy Society for their July program featuring Jessica Trotter presenting “Your Results Are In! Using DNA in Your Genealogy Research.” Free. gtags.org/events -------------------------------NATIONS COMPETE IN TC: 1pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. This Olympic-style team competition brings an international atmosphere to northern Michigan during one of the summer’s premier sport-
HARBOR SPRINGS STREET MUSIQUE: SUMMER SMORGASBORD: 6:30-8:30pm, downtown Harbor Springs. Featuring The Unwashed Nasty Cherries, Hipps & Ricco, Eliza Thorp, Jeff Socia, face painting with Elixir Art Studio, & Magic by Jania. -------------------------------A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM AT THE LAKESIDE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: 7pm, Tank Hill, Frankfort. Professional Chicago actors perform Shakespeare in the park in Frankfort. A Midsummer Night’s Dream, a family-friendly romantic comedy, is a story of mixed-up lovers & mischievous fairies, & in this version, directed by Sarafina Vecchio, is set at a tropical resort. Pay-whatyou-can, suggested $30 for adults, $10 for kids. theworldsastage.org/events -------------------------------COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WITH AREA JOURNALISTS: 7pm, Elberta Heritage Center. Hear from Colin Merry, a reporter for the Benzie County Record Patriot, & Austin Rowlader, a freelance reporter & producer for IPR. RSVP requested as seating is limited: ElbertaHeritage@gmail.com. Free. elbertalaborheritagecenter.org/event/community-conversation-with-local-journalists -------------------------------CONCERTS ON THE LAWN: MIRIAM PICO & FRIENDS: 7pm, GT Pavilions, TC. Free. gtpavilions.org/news-events/2026-concertson-the-lawn -------------------------------SUMMER CONCERT: 7pm, Peninsula Community Library, TC. Doc Probes & the Riptides are All About Jimmy Buffet. Pack a picnic, chairs or blanket. Free. -------------------------------SUMMER SOUNDS CONCERT: REBEKAH JON: 7pm, Michigan Legacy Art Park, Amphitheater, Thompsonville. Enjoy psychedelic pop-rock & atmospheric folk. $15-$20. crystalmountain.com/events-activities/events/eventcalendar/summer-sounds-concert -------------------------------THE LIGHTNING THIEF: 7pm, Cadillac Community Auditorium, Cadillac High School. The Percy Jackson Musical. Presented by Cadillac Footliters Theatre. $12$15. cadillacfootliters.com -------------------------------EMMYLOU HARRIS & GRAHAM NASH TWO LEGENDS. ONE LEGENDARY EVENING.: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. A 14-time Grammy Award® winner & Billboard Century Award recipient, Emmylou Harris has recorded more than 25 albums & was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008. Graham Nash is a founding member of both
the Hollies & Crosby, Stills and Nash, & is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Tickets start at $58. interlochen.org/ events/emmylou-harris-graham-nash-twolegends-one-legendary-evening-2026-07-23 -------------------------------JORDAN VALLEY COMMUNITY BAND: 7:30pm, Memorial Park Bandshell, East Jordan. -------------------------------OPERA: DON GIOVANNI: 8pm, Bay View Association, J.M. Hall Auditorium, Petoskey. The only fully staged opera production in the region boasts a fantastic cast & orchestra in a story of deception, mystery, & romance as only Mozart’s music could tell it. $29-$36. bayviewassociation.org/events/opera-dongiovanni/?occurrence=2026-07-24
july 24
friday NORTHERN
MICHIGAN ANTIQUE-FLYWHEELERS TRACTOR, ENGINE & CRAFT SHOW: (See Thurs., July 23) -------------------------------THE 26TH UGOTTA REGATTA: Harbor Springs, July 24-26. Hosted by the Little Traverse Yacht Club, the Ugotta brings some of the best sailboat racers in the country to sail in one of the world’s best sailing venues in Little Traverse Bay. See web site for times & more info. ltyc.org/ugotta-regatta -------------------------------TORCH AREA ARTISANS GUILD QUILT & ART SHOW & MARKET: 10am-4pm, Helena Twp. Community Center, Alden. Held during Alden Festival. 231-331-4318. Free admission. -------------------------------CONCERTS IN THE PARK: SEAN MILLER: Noon, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. Sean blends folk, rock & country influences with an emphasis on storytelling & strong live performance. Free. crookedtree.org/events-andexhibitions/events/?page=1&location=petos key#class-list -------------------------------SUMMER GARDEN WALK: 4-8pm, 9059 Nelson, Cedar. Join Fr. Kenneth Stachnik as he shows his beautiful 2-acre garden of floral vistas. Luke Woltanski will perform live music from 4-7pm. 231-326-5255. $15. -------------------------------ALDEN DAYS FESTIVAL: Helena Twp. Park, Alden. July 24-25. Tonight includes a beer tent with Short’s beer, live music by Joshua Silas, & food trucks from 5-10pm. Find ‘Alden Days Festival 2026’ on Facebook. -------------------------------PAWS, POURS & PUNCHLINES: 5-7pm, Crooked Vine Vineyard & Winery, Alanson. The Dean’s List takes the stage for a comedy show benefiting homeless pets in northern Michigan. $30; includes a drink ticket. givebutter.com/pawspourspunchlines -------------------------------DIALOGUE & MOVEMENT WORKSHOP: 5:30pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. Benjamin Cheney - performer, founder & artistic director of the Croft Residency - will lead a body-awareness & movement workshop that explores how we physically express emotions, vulnerability, guardedness, & connection using dance & movement practices. RSVP. Free. crookedtree.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/ crookedtree/event.jsp?event=26193 -------------------------------THE SERIES AT LAVENDER HILL FARM: UNSPOKEN TRADITION: Lavender Hill Farm, Boyne City. Inspired by their own influences & the roots of traditional & newgrass music, Unspoken Tradition’s music carries the soul of Appalachian storytelling. Opening for them will be Two Track Mind, who brings Americana music, but also plays rock, country, bluegrass, & beyond. Arrival & Preshow Experience: 5:30pm; Local Ground Live
Music: 6-7pm; Main Stage Performance: 7:30pm. $34.50-$49.50. lavenderhillfarm. com/series-lineup -------------------------------AUTHORS VISIT: 6pm, McLean & Eakin Booksellers, Petoskey. Travis Mulhauser & Sara Maurer will be celebrating their books, “Fair Chase” & “A Good Animal.” Travis & Sara will be in-conversation, followed by a time for questions & book signing. Wine & cheese will be served. RSVP by emailing: events@ mcleanandeakin.com. Free. mcleanandeakin.com/event/2026-07-24/travis-mulhausersara-maurer-fair-chase-good-animal -------------------------------MACKINAW AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY - ANNUAL PET PARADE & COMMUNITY COOKOUT: 6-8pm, Heritage Village, Mackinaw City. mackinawhistory.org/pet-parade -------------------------------FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC IN THE PARK: 6:308:30pm, Marina Park, Harbor Springs. Featuring i.am.james. -------------------------------BOOT SCOOTIN’ LINE DANCE NIGHT: 7pm, The Friendship Community Center, Suttons Bay. Kick up your heels & learn some new steps at Up North Pride’s monthly Boot Scootin’ Line Dance Night featuring line dance instruction set to pop music! All ages & dance experience levels welcome. Free. upnorthpride.com/listevents -------------------------------DOWNTOWN GAYLORD SUMMER CONCERT SERIES: 7-9pm, Claude Shannon Park, Gaylord. Featuring Dueling Pianos. -------------------------------EAST JORDAN MUSIC IN THE PARK: KEVIN WOLFF BAND: 7-9pm, Memorial Park, East Jordan. Bring a chair or blanket. Free. -------------------------------HADESTOWN TEEN EDITION: 7pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. Presented by Old Town Playhouse Young Company & teen students in the Advanced Musical Theatre Workshop. Inspired by traditions of classic American folk music & vintage New Orleans jazz, this musical pits industry against nature, doubt against faith, & fear against love. $15. oldtownplayhouse.com -------------------------------MACBETH AT THE LAKESIDE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: 7pm, Tank Hill, Frankfort. Professional Chicago actors perform Shakespeare in the park in Frankfort! Macbeth, directed by Christy Arington, is the gritty tale of a general’s ambition & rise to power, featuring witches & prophecies galore. Paywhat-you-can; suggested $30 for adults, $10 for kids. theworldsastage.org/events -------------------------------MUSIC IN NORTHPORT PARK: 7-9pm, Kent Holton Pavilion, Marina Park, Northport. Featuring Igor and the Red Elvises. -------------------------------THE LIGHTNING THIEF: (See Thurs., July 23) -------------------------------JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. Coming off his solo album “Foxes in the Snow,” Jason Isbell reunites with the 400 Unit to mix soulful songs like “Hope the High Road” & “Cumberland Gap” with crowd favorites such as “If We Were Vampires.” Tickets start at $54. interlochen.org/events/jasonisbell-and-400-unit-2026-07-24 -------------------------------SOO OPERA: CINDERELLA: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. The apprentice artists of the Soo Opera theater present Viardot’s opera “Cendrillon,” composed in 1904 & based on the story of “Cinderella.” This 70-minute production will feature a live orchestra, original sets, & a cast of talented young college vocal students. $20. theoperahouse.org -------------------------------THE RHUBARBARY HOUSE CONCERT SERIES: 7:30pm, The Rhubarbary, 3550 Five Mile Creek Rd., Harbor Springs. Star-
NEW AND USED VINYL, CDS, TAPES, TURNTABLES, June 12th21, & July 17th APRIL 2018 SPEAKERS, OPEN ATSTEREO 8AM EQUIPMENT AND WITH SPECIAL RELEASES RECORDSTOREDAY.COM ACCESSORIES
Greyscale: K 100% / K
Buying Collections & Equipment
1015 Hannah Ave.Ave. 1015 Hannah Traverse City Fonts: Gotham Black / Century Expanded Traverse City 231-947-3169 231-947-3169 • RPMRecords.net www.rpmrecordstc.com
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 37
HOUSE-BREWED BEERS & HEARTY PUB FARE LOCATED IN TRAVERSE CITY 400 W FRONT STREET • TRAVERSE CITY NORTHPEAK.NET • @NORTHPEAKBREWINGCO 231.941.7325
38 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
ring The Nephews & Da Niece, featuring Tim Joseph, Bryan Joseph & Marlene Wood. Enjoy this folk, old-time country, & acoustic blues band. RSVP: 231-499-8038. $20 donation is requested. dalescottmusic.com/dale-scottcalendar -------------------------------MUSIC IN MACKINAW: BLUE WATER RAMBLERS: 8pm, Conkling Heritage Park, Mackinaw City. -------------------------------OPERA: DON GIOVANNI: (See Thurs., July 23) -------------------------------TADL: TEEN LIBRARY LOCK-IN: Traverse Area District Library, TC. Teens 13-18 years old are invited to spend the night at the library. Arrival time is 8-8:30pm. Featuring laser tag, capture the flag, games, crafts, music, movies & more. Registration & permission form required. Free. tadl.org/summerlockin -------------------------------MOVIES IN THE PARK AT DARK: 9:30pm, Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey. Featuring “Over the Hedge.” petoskeydowntown.com/ events/movie-in-the-park-at-dark-2
july 25
saturday CLYDE’S PLACE 31ST AN-
NUAL SALMON TOURNAMENT: 6am-2pm. Depart from Mackinaw City Docks. All boats must be back in the Harbor by 2pm & cooler dropped off on trailer. All boats must be at Clyde’s Place, Carp Lake by 3pm for weigh in. Fish fry following at Clyde’s Place. Entry fee: $100 per boat. mackinawchamber.com/event/clydes-place31st-annual-salmon-tournament -------------------------------NORTHERN MICHIGAN ANTIQUE-FLYWHEELERS TRACTOR, ENGINE & CRAFT SHOW: (See Thurs., July 23) -------------------------------THE 26TH UGOTTA REGATTA: (See Fri., July 24) -------------------------------GREAT LAKES CANCER FOUNDATION 5K & 1 MILE FUN RUN: 8am, Eastern Elementary School, TC. Help raise awareness, funds, & hope for any & all who have been affected by cancer. $40 5K; free kids mile. runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/GreatLakesCancerFoundation5k -------------------------------ALDEN DAYS FESTIVAL: July 24-25. Browse local vendors, enjoy community favorites, cheer on the Alden Run, grab a bite at the South Torch Lake Fire & Rescue Roast Beef Fundraiser, watch the parade, listen to live music from Kenny Thompson & more. Find ‘Alden Days Festival 2026’ on Facebook - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -. CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER ART
FAIR: 9am-4pm, GT County Civic Center, south end, TC. Browse & shop from 100 juried artists from across the country. Includes sculpture, jewelry, glass, fiber, painting, pottery, metalwork & more. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/events/art-fairs.html -------------------------------2026 HISTORIC FESTIVAL AT HERITAGE VILLAGE: 10am-2pm, Heritage Village, Mackinaw City. Includes a lumberjack show, vintage baseball game, historic buildings & docent tours, & kids games & activities. Free. mackinawhistory.org/lecture-series -------------------------------26TH ANNUAL BAY HARBOR ARTS FESTIVAL: 10am-5pm, Bay Harbor. Enjoy a variety of fine artists, an artisan market, children’s art activities, live music & much more. bayharbor.com/bay-harbor-arts-festival -------------------------------COASTAL CARAVAN ART FAIR: 10am4pm, Oliver Art Center, Frankfort. Featuring more than 20 juried participating artists & craftspeople. Red Top Hot Dogs food truck, drinks, live music by The Nephews, & familyfriendly activities. Free. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org/coastal-caravan-art-fair -------------------------------MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: 10am-6pm, Washington Park, downtown Cheboygan. More than 30 crafters & artists will be displaying jewelry, stuffed animals, blankets, home decor, wooden signs, fresh desserts & much more. facebook.com/madeincheboygan -------------------------------MIDSUMMER ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: 10am-5pm, Emmet County Fairgrounds, Petoskey. Art, crafts, gourmet food & food trucks! Featuring sculpture, glass, metal, Batik art, fudge, Michigan rock art, paintings, crochet stuffies, plants & locally foraged wellness items. blueribbonevent.com/michigan-shows -------------------------------NMC EXPLORE HISTORY DAY: 10am, NMC, TC. A day of celebration honoring 75 years of NMC history. Reconnect with the campus, celebrate traditions, & discover what’s next for NMC. Experience a full day of activities, from the opening of the 2001 time capsule to live performances & a self-guided, interactive campus tour. Free. nmc.edu/75/history-day.html -------------------------------TORCH AREA ARTISANS GUILD QUILT & ART SHOW & MARKET: 10am-4pm, Helena Twp. Community Center, Alden. Held during Alden Festival. 231-331-4318. Free admission. -------------------------------IN CONVERSATION WITH AMERICAN TREE EXHIBITORS: 11am, Glen Arbor Arts Center, Main Gallery. Four artists represented in the American Tree exhibit will talk about the inspiration behind, & creation of, their work. Free. glenarborart.org/product/exhibit-american-tree -------------------------------SATURDAY FAMILY CONCERT: WEST SIDE STORY: 11am, TC Philharmonic Cen-
ACTION WATER SPORTS IN TRAVERSE CITY IS YOUR HOME FOR THE MOST FUN ON THE WATER.
Traverse City, MI
ter, MSUFCU Desk Drawer Foundation Hall. Featuring music from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein. With TC Phil musicians Tina Chang Qu on violin & Carol Man Lee on piano, plus Director of the Community Music School, Angela Lickiss Aleo, as narrator. Part of the Masterworks in Miniature series, this educational program integrates storytelling with music & movement. Free. tcphil.org/events/ saturday-family-concert-west-side-story -------------------------------DOCK DOGS: Noon, K&A Hop Dogs, TC. Dog Days of Summer DockDogs Event. Dock diving, drinks, vendors & more. Watch dogs make a splash! Free. kahopdogs.com -------------------------------HADESTOWN TEEN EDITION: (See Fri., July 24, except today’s times are 2pm & 7pm.) -------------------------------5TH ANNUAL CHERRY RUMBLE ROYALE MIXED SCRIMMAGE: 3-9pm, GT County Civic Center, Howe Arena, TC. Hosted by Traverse City Roller Derby. Skaters from all over the state come together to play. Juniors Bout at 3pm; All Gender Bout at 5pm; & Rookie Bout for 1-2 yrs. Derby Experience at 7pm. $10-$12. tcrollerderby.com/events-2-1/ cherry-rumble-696kz-m5nrn -------------------------------LET’S GO FLY A KITE: 3-5pm, Frankfort Beach turnaround. Register at the event. The first 100 participants will receive a free kite to fly. 231-352-7251. -------------------------------TCDP SUMMER TOUR: KALKASKA: Railroad Square Pavilion, Kalkaska. The Traverse City Dance Project returns with a six-stop summer tour celebrating dance & live music, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Live music begins at 3pm with the Charlie Millard Band, & the performance starts at 4pm. Arrive early to secure a seat under the pavilion. Free. tcdanceproject.org -------------------------------SUMMER EVENINGS AT THE HORSE SHOW: 5pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. International riders return to TC for this evening event featuring hospitality, food, shopping, & competition under the lights in northern Michigan. traversecityhorseshows. com/visit. $15 & up. -------------------------------A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM AT THE LAKESIDE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: (See Thurs., July 23) -------------------------------CHRIS BOTTI: 7pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Enjoy Baton Rouge Theater GRAMMY-winning trumpeter Chris Botti. Starting at $127. greatlakescfa.org/ events/detail/chris-botti-26 -------------------------------FLAGSHIP ROMANCE AND THE ROUGH & TUMBLE: 7pm, City Opera House, TC. Two internationally touring folk/Americana duos, Flagship Romance and The Rough &
Tumble combine for a night of high energy, four part harmonies, masterful songwriting, infectious hooks & a roomful of laughter. $15$30. cityoperahouse.org/node/758 -------------------------------POPS IN THE PAVILION: 7pm, The Pavilion on Court, Gaylord. Bring a lawn chair. Free. -------------------------------SATURDAYS IN THE PARK: THE MIGHTY TUNDRA TONES: 7pm, GT County Civic Center, Amphitheater, TC. Infectious jazz, pop, & blues grooves built to move you. Free; donations welcome. scullytour.com -------------------------------THE LIGHTNING THIEF: (See Thurs., July 23) -------------------------------EPIC EAGLES: THE DEFINITIVE EAGLES TRIBUTE: 7:30pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Enjoy a masterful presentation of Eagles classic hits & Don Henley favourites with a rock n’ roll game-changing song catalogue. $25-$40. theoperahouse.org -------------------------------MUSIC IN MACKINAW: CHERRY CAPITAL MEN’S CHORUS: 8pm, Conkling Heritage Park, Mackinaw City.
july 26
sunday NORTHERN MICHIGAN
A N T I Q U E - F LY W H E E L ERS TRACTOR, ENGINE & CRAFT SHOW: (See Thurs., July 23) -------------------------------THE 26TH UGOTTA REGATTA: (See Fri., July 24) -------------------------------FORMULA 1 FREE WATCH PARTIES: HUNGARY: 9am, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Experience the races on the big screen! Includes Formula 1 games. Doors open an hour before the start of each race. Free. thebaytheatre.org/home-page -------------------------------26TH ANNUAL BAY HARBOR ARTS FESTIVAL: (See Sat., July 25, except today’s time is 10am-3pm.) -------------------------------MIDSUMMER ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW: (See Sat., July 25) -------------------------------MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: (See Sat., July 25, except today’s time is 11am-3pm.) -------------------------------DOCK DOGS: (See Sat., July 25) -------------------------------DISABILITY NETWORK ADA CELEBRATION WITH JUSTICE BERNSTEIN: 12:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Join for an Americans with Disability Act Celebration & reception for Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Bernstein. Including free
SERVICE
PROSHOP
DOCK & LIFT
Keeping you on the water and out of the garage.
Backed by the Midwest’s largest selection of premium watersports gear
Multiple brands and styles of dock and lift options for your dream lakefront.
611 Olesons Commerce Dr. Traverse City, MI 49685 | (231) 943-3434
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 39
Peace of Mind Auto • Home • Life • Health Locally Owned, Community Focused Great Rates • Serving All of Michigan
Susan Soffredine Rauser
tastings of a special Moomer’s ice cream flavor created specifically for this celebration! Free. tadl.org/ADA2026 -------------------------------THE LIGHTNING THIEF: (See Thurs., July 23, except today’s time is 2pm.) -------------------------------BAYSIDE CONCERT SERIES: LARA FULFORD: 5-7pm, Bayfront Park, Petoskey. -------------------------------TC PIT SPITTERS VS. ROCKFORD RIVETS: 5:05pm, Turtle Creek Stadium, TC. northwoodsleague.com/traverse-city-pit-spitters -------------------------------TCDP SUMMER TOUR: BELLAIRE: Short’s Brewing, Beer Garden, Bellaire. The Traverse City Dance Project returns with a sixstop summer tour celebrating dance & live music, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country. Live music begins at 6:30pm with the Charlie Millard Band, & the performance starts at 7:30pm. Free. tcdanceproject.org -------------------------------MACBETH AT THE LAKESIDE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL: (See Fri., July 24) -------------------------------KEITARO HARADA CONDUCTS ORCHESTRAL FIREWORKS: 7:30pm, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Kresge Auditorium. Conductor Keitaro Harada leads the World Youth Symphony Orchestra in this program that includes Dukas’ “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” Verdi’s “Aida,” & much more. $21-$28. interlochen.org/events/keitaro-harada-conductsorchestral-fireworks-2026-07-26
231-421-9596 • 874 E Eighth Street
ongoing BOYNE CITY’S STROLL THE STREETS:
FEATURED ON
AMERICA’S BEST RESTAURANTS!
TWINBIRCHGOLF.COM KALKASKA, MI
40 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
Downtown Boyne City. Held Fri. evenings from 6-9pm. Enjoy live music, children’s activities, & much more. -------------------------------LELAND COMMUNITY SUNDAY NIGHT SING: Sundays, 7:30pm at Leland Country Club. A summer tradition for over 100 years. Join to sing your favorites with scores of your closest friends. “Leelanau, Leelanau, land that I love!” facebook.com/share/g/1BXL9Pu9bo -------------------------------COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PICNIC PARTY: Palmer Park Pavilion, Mancelona. Grand Traverse Industries of Mancelona is hosting this series of live entertainment on Tuesdays through Aug. 4 from 11:30am1:30pm. Featuring live music & storytelling, arts & crafts, face painting & more. grandtraverseindustries.com -------------------------------BALANCE BIKE MEET UPS (ER): Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am, Rotary Park, Elk Rapids. For first-time riders, ages 2-5. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone. No need to bring your bike; Norte has plenty to lend out. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar/ balance-bike-meet-ups-traverse-city-7z4k7ps3n5-7xkbm-je4by-3g2fj -------------------------------BALANCE BIKE MEET UPS (TC): Wednesdays, 10:30-11:30am, Norte Clubhouse, GT County Civic Center, TC. For first-time riders, ages 2-5. These low-key, drop-in affairs are fun for everyone. No need to bring your bike; Norte has plenty to lend out. norteyouthcycling.org/calendar/balance-bike-meet-upstraverse-city-7z4k7-ps3n5-7xkbm-je4by-3g2fj -------------------------------OUTDOOR STORY TIME: Tuesdays, 10:30am, held outside the Suttons Bay Bingham District Library, overlooking the beach. Please bring a blanket for your family to sit on. These story times are geared toward prek to second graders & their caregivers, but fun for all who attend. sbbdl.org --------------------------------
PROTEST ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE AGAINST PALESTINE: Saturdays, 11am, Grandview Parkway + Union St., TC. Israel continues committing brutal genocide in Gaza & stealing more Palestinian land in the West Bank. Elected leaders are owned by Israel as the Epstein files show. It’s up to ordinary people to insist on justice. Stand together every Sat. mideastjustpeace.net -------------------------------NORTE: BIKES FOR ALL: Tuesdays, 10:3011:30am, Norte Clubhouse, GT County Civic Center, TC. Open to anyone, regardless of age or ability. Offering adaptive bikes specially modified to accommodate individuals with special needs, disabilities, or mobility challenges, so that everyone can enjoy the thrill of riding. norteyouthcycling.org -------------------------------WEEKLY WILDFLOWER WALK: Tuesdays, 10:30am, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Nature Area alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the variety of wildflowers & learn to identify their unique beauty. Keep an ear out for the melodies of the birds that call Grass River home. grassriver.org -------------------------------CHARLEVOIX VENETIAN FESTIVAL: July 18-25. Aquapalooza, Air Margaritaville, “Cornetian” Corn Toss, Rayder Roundball Classic, Cottage Croquet Tourney, Venetian Rhythms, Junior Sailing Regatta, Sailing Regatta, Venetian Art Auction, Pinter Whitnick, Bridge Street Block Party, Pine River Jazz Big Band, Drenth Memorial Footrace, High School Miles, Ryan Shay Mile, Jill Jack, The Kenny Rogers Band, Venetian Lighted Boat Parade, & much more. venetianfestival.com
farmers markets BELLAIRE: Fridays, 8am-noon through mid-
Oct. at 102 S. Maple St. localdifference.org/ partner/bellaire-farmers-market/ -------------------------------BOYNE CITY: Wednesdays & Saturdays, 8am-noon through mid-Oct. at Veterans Park, Boyne City. Featuring an array of goods from local small-scale farmers, artisans & entrepreneurs. boynecityfarmersmarket.org -------------------------------DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY: Fridays, 8:30am1pm through Oct. 2, on Howard St. between Mitchell & Michigan streets. facebook.com/ PetoskeyFarmersMarket -------------------------------EAST BAY CORNERS: Thursdays, 2-6pm, East Bay Twp. Offices, TC. Shop fresh local produce, baked goods, handmade items & more while connecting with neighbors & supporting regional farmers & small businesses. Special events each week. eastbaytwp.org/ residents/food_security.php -------------------------------EMPIRE: 10234 Front St., next to post office, Empire. Held every Sat. through Aug. 29 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com -------------------------------GLEN ARBOR FARMERS MARKET: Tuesdays, 9am-1pm through Sept. 15 behind Glen Arbor Twp. Hall, 6394 W. Western Ave. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com -------------------------------HARBOR SPRINGS: Downtown Harbor Springs. Held every Weds. & Sat. throughout the summer, 9am-1pm, through Aug. 26, & Saturdays continue through Oct. 10. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food producers & more. Select dates will have music & Kids Days. petoskeyarea.com/events/harborsprings-farmers-market-2026 -------------------------------HONOR: Tuesdays, 9am-2pm, June – Aug., Maley Park, Honor. --------------------------------
CELEBRATING OVER
IF YOU HAVE A KITCHEN... GET IN HERE! With over 41 custom blends to choose from, you will be sure to find that special mmm.. your taste buds have been longing for.
DOWNTOWN ALDEN OPEN 7 DAYS 10am-5pm May thru Dec (231)331-4711• (800)226-5481 Visit us online: www.aldenmillhouse.com
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 41
2 0 2 6 JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT THE “HAPPY TOGETHER” TOUR 2026
THE REVIVALISTS BRIT FLOYD
DANIEL DONATO & MARTY STUART
JEFFERSON STARSHIP DAVID FOSTER & KATHARINE MCPHEE
BRET MICHAELS
THE ROCK ORCHESTRA: ARENA OF FIRE ST. VINCENT LIVE WITH ORCHESTRA
JOE BONAMASSA AND GOV’T MULE
GEORGE THOROGOOD & THE DESTROYERS
WEST SIDE STORY
A TRIBUTE TO ABBA RENÉE FLEMING A.J. CROCE
DETROIT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA EMMYLOU HARRIS & GRAHAM NASH BRAXTON KEITH THE STRAY CATS
42 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
AND E! R O M
interlochen.org/ArtsFestival
THURSDAY AFTERNOON INTERLOCHEN: Thursdays, 2-7pm through Aug. 27, 2112 J. Maddy Pkwy., Interlochen. -------------------------------LELAND: Immanuel Lutheran Church Parking Lot, Leland. Held every Thurs. through Sept. 3 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com -------------------------------LONG LAKE: Haywood Park, TC. Runs every Thurs. through Oct. 1 from 9am-1pm. Held near the bocce ball courts. NORTHPORT FARMERS MARKET: 105 S. Bay St., Northport. Held every Fri. through Sept. 18 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com -------------------------------OLD TOWN EMMET FARM MARKET: 1322 Anderson Rd., Petoskey. Held on Saturdays from 9am-1pm through Oct. 10. facebook. com/oldtownemmetfarmmarket -------------------------------SARA HARDY DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 7:30am-noon & Wednesdays, 8am-noon at Rotary Square, downtown TC. dda.downtowntc.com/farmers-market -------------------------------SUTTONS BAY FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 9am-1pm, North Park corner of M22 & M204, Suttons Bay. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com
art “FOR THE BIRDS” ART EXHIBITION: Lee-
lanau Twp. Library, Northport. Featuring local & international artists whose work explores diversity among birds & their importance to our shared ecosystem. Runs through Sept. 18. -------------------------------ROOTS: Jordan River Arts Council, East Jordan. This exhibition explores history, heritage, & the experiences that define us. The works reflect personal, cultural, family, & environmental connections—examining how traditions, places, & pivotal moments influence identity & creativity. Runs through Aug. 29. jordanriverarts.com -------------------------------REFLECTIONS OF THE AUSABLE: AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Runs through July 26. Held during the Annual Canoe Marathon, this exhibition showcases artwork inspired by the beauty & spirit of the AuSable River. Featuring the diverse talents of AuSable Artisan Village artists. artisanvillage.org/event/reflections-ofthe-ausable-art-exhibition -------------------------------5TH ANNUAL GREAT BODIES GROUP EXHIBIT: Higher Art Gallery, TC. Featuring more than 25 artists, this exhibit celebrates the abundance of freshwater found throughout Michigan. Runs through Aug. 8. higherartgallery.com -------------------------------CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY: - CRAFT: FOLK ART: Held in Atrium Gallery. This exhibition highlights artists who reinterpret folk traditions in fresh & meaningful ways, blurring the lines between art, craft, & storytelling. Runs through July 25. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-andexhibitions/exhibits/craft-folk-art.html - “MODERN MOVEMENT: MARTHA GRAHAM & BARBARA MORGAN”: Held in Bonfield Gallery. Featuring original Barbara Morgan photographs of Graham & her company in the 1930s & 40s. Runs through Oct. See web site for hours. crookedtree. org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/modern-movement.html - IN MOTION: MAKING ART DANCE: Held in Gilbert Gallery. A juried exhibition of movement inspired visual art pieces, sharing works that address questions such as, “How do art-
ists today show the energy of moving bodies in paintings, sculptures, or films?” Runs through Sept. 5. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/in-motion.html -------------------------------CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, TC: - PAINT GRAND TRAVERSE: EXTENDED EXHIBIT: Held in Cornwell & Carnegie Galleries. Experience the beauty of northern Michigan through the eyes of 31 acclaimed plein air artists from across the country. This extended exhibit features a selection of available artwork created during Paint Grand Traverse 2026. Runs through Aug. 22. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/events-andexhibitions/exhibits/pgt-extended-exhibit.html - CONTAINER: Held in Carnegie Galleries, this exhibit explores the many meanings of containment through both sculptural & two-dimensional works. Runs through Aug. 22. An artist talk will be held on July 18 at 11am. An Ekphrastic Reading happens on Aug. 20 from 5:30-7pm. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/ exhibits/container.html - CHERRY STATE OF MIND: Runs in Cornwell Gallery from through Aug. 22. This exhibit celebrates the 100th anniversary of the National Cherry Festival & honors the fruit that has helped define northern Michigan’s landscape, economy & identity for generations. Artist talk on Aug. 15 at 11am & ekphrastic reading on Aug. 20 from 5:30-7pm. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/cherry-state-of-mind.html -------------------------------DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC: - “AMERICANS”: This is a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street & the National Museum of the American Indian, which explores how deeply intertwined American Indians are in the culture of the United States. Runs through Sept. 6. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/ upcoming-exhibitions - CAROLINE MONNET: “THIS OLD HOUSE IS ALL WE HAVE”: Through the interplay of image & object, Monnet foregrounds the deep entanglement of economy, development, & the natural environment. The exhibition serves as a reminder that economic prosperity & urban expansion have historically been built upon the exploitation of land & the Indigenous peoples who have lived in relationship with it for generations. Runs through Sept. 6. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions - XAVI BOU: “ECHOES OF FLIGHT”: Artist Xavi Bou invites visitors to reconsider how we see the natural world—& how that way of seeing shapes our relationship to it. This exhibition bridges art, science, & environmental awareness through Bou’s innovative use of digital chronophotography. Runs through Sept. 6. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org/art/upcoming-exhibitions -------------------------------GLEN ARBOR ARTS CENTER, FRANKFORT: - POETIC VISIONS OF PORT ONEIDA: PAINTING AND POEMS THAT REIMAGINE: Held in Lobby Gallery. Enjoy this series of oil paintings & corresponding poems created by Grand Traverse County artist Wendy McWhorter. Runs through Aug. 27. GAAC is open Mon. through Fri., 9am-3pm; & Sat. & Sun., noon-4pm. glenarborart.org/product/exhibit-poeticvisions-of-port-oneida - AMERICAN TREE: BUILDING A UNITED STATE OF TREES: Held in Main Gallery. American Tree is an exhibit that explores the role trees played in the formation of the United States 250 years ago -- & the role trees will play moving forward into this nation’s next 250 years. This exhibition runs through Aug. 13. See web
site for hours. glenarborart.org/product/ exhibit-american-tree -------------------------------OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT: - JUBILEE, AN ODE TO THE CHERRY: Jubilee! is an ode to the cherry in all its glory. In northwest Michigan, we celebrate cherries both tart & sweet as a major crop, a summer delight, & a shared heritage. Runs through July. See web site for hours. oliverart.org - NANCY FOSTER RETROSPECTIVE: Nancy’s paintings have been exhibited throughout the western & midwestern United States. Travel across America through Foster’s eyes: taking in humble midwestern landscapes, romantic landscapes of the Great Lakes, the edges & shadows of urban Chicago, & the majesty of nature from Michigan to the west coast. An opening reception will be held on Sat., July 18 from 5-7pm. Exhibit runs through Aug. 21. See web site for hours. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org
Deadline for Dates information is Tuesday for the following week.
MEDICAL OFFICE BUILDING FOR VIRTUAL Level is 5,299 Sq/Ft and Features aSale! Large Medical Office Building ForSALE! -11,486 11,486 Medical Office Building For Sale! - Open TOURw/Picture ONLINELevel – Windows MLS# 1929654 – $1,499,000. Area providing lots Walkout of natural Lower Sq/Ft. Main is 6,187 Sq/Ft. Sq/Ft. Main Level is 6,187 Sq/Ft. Walkout Lower light. isExcellent for Physical Therapy, As- Open Level 5,299 Sq/Ft Sq/Ft andFeatures FeaturesPatient Large Level is 5,299 and a aLarge sessments, Gym Related Activities! Current ten-Open Area w/Picture Windows providing lotsoflevel ofnatural natural Area Windows providing ant w/Picture (month to month) is utilizing the lots lower light. Excellent forand Physical Therapy, Patient Aslight. Excellent for Physical Patient (some lab space), approx.Therapy, 2/3's of the main Assessments, Gym Related Activities! Current tenfloor. The owner is using approx. 1/3 of the main Medical Office Building For Sale! 11,486 sessments, Gym Related Activities! Current ten&Main shared common Owner leaseback Sq/Ft. Level is 6,187 Sq/Ft. Walkout Lower antfloor (month month) isutilizing utilizing the lowerlevel level ant (month toto month) isareas. the lower is negotiable or Sq/Ft buyer could use the Level is 5,299 and Features a entire Large Open (some lab space), and approx. 2/3's themain main (some lab space), and approx. 2/3's ofofbuildthe ing needed. Many individual offices Areaif w/Picture Windows providing lots of of various natural floor. The ownerfor using approx. 1/3 the main floor. The owner isisusing approx. 1/3 ofofthe main sizes. Close to Munson Hospital surrounded a light. Excellent Physical Therapy, PatientbyAsfloor && shared common areas. leaseback floor shared common areas. Owner leaseback variety of Medical Practices. VirtualOwner tour Online – sessments, Gym Related Activities! Current tenisis MLS# negotiable buyer could use the entire buildnegotiable could use the entire build1919691 -buyer $1,499,000. ant (month toorormonth) is utilizing the lower level ing ifif needed. Many offices lab space), andindividual approx. 2/3's of theofmain ing(some needed. Many individual offices ofvarious various floor.Close The owner is using Hospital approx. 1/3 of the mainbybya a sizes. toto Munson surrounded sizes. Close Munson Hospital surrounded floor &of shared common areas.Virtual Owner tour leaseback variety Medical Practices. variety of Medical Practices. Virtual tourOnline Online– – HIGH PROFILE CORNER MLS# 1931618 is negotiable or buyer FOR couldSALE use –the entire buildMLS# 1919691 $1,499,000. MLS# - $1,499,000. – ing$589,900 if 1919691 needed. Many individual offices of various
sizes. Close to Munson Hospital surrounded by a variety of Medical Practices. Virtual tour Online – MLS# 1919691 - $1,499,000.
MIXED USE COMMERCIAL - Great Opportunity - One Building a Large (40x44) Insulated Warehouse -15 ft Sidewalls -14x20 Sliding Doors for Large Storage Second Building has a Reception - Office - Restroom Area and aOffice Unique Building Building Attached with 11 ft SideMedical For Sale! - 11,486 walls - Main Epoxy Level Floors is- Steel Ceilings 3 Sink Stainless Sq/Ft. 6,187 Sq/Ft.- Walkout Lower FOR SALE -COMMERCIAL FORMER AFCFOR CAMPUS/HOMES – USE SALE! – VIRTUAL -MIXED Double Doors for Deliveries Main Workspace w/4 Level is1942070-69-68 5,299 Sq/Ft and$799,000 Features a- Large Open MIXED USE COMMERCIAL -inGreat Opportunity - One MLS# $1,598,000 TOUR ONLINE – MLS# 1931686 – $449,900 Individual Work Rooms. Could be Opened up for One MIXED USE COMMERCIAL Great Opportunity - One Area w/Picture Windows providing Warehouse lots of natural-15 Building aUSE Large (40x44) Insulated ft VIRTUAL TOUR ONLINE Large Space. Light Manufacturing could be a great MIXED COMMERCIAL Great Opportunity One light. Excellent for PhysicalInsulated Therapy,Warehouse Patient As- -15 ft Building a Large (40x44) Sidewalls -14x20 Sliding Doors for Large Storage Contractor orGym Woodworking Workshop! Rental orft Building a Large (40x44) Insulated Warehouse -15 sessments, Related Activities! Current tenSidewalls -14x20 Sliding Doors for Large Storage Second Building has a Reception Office Restroom Cleaning Business, etc. etc. US-31 Highway Frontage Sidewalls -14x20 Sliding Doors for Large Storage ant (month to month) is utilizing the lower levelSecond Building has a Reception Office Restroom & Exposure for Signage on Building. Improvements Second Building has a Reception Office Restroom Area andlab a Unique Attached ft Side(some space), Building and approx. 2/3's with of the11main Area Unique Building Attached 11 ft Sideinclude phase electric both buildings -ftPaved Area-and and Unique Building Attached with 11 Sidewalls Epoxy Floors -using Steelinapprox. Ceilings - 3ofwith Sink Stainless floor. The3aaowner is 1/3 the main & Plumbed w/ New Drainfield, System. walls Epoxy Floors - -Steel Ceilings -Security 3 Sink Stainless - &-Epoxy Floors Steel Ceilings -Workspace 3leaseback Sink Stainless floor shared common areas. Owner -walls Double Doors for Deliveries in &Main w/4 MLS# 1922900 $459,900. - Double Doorsorfor Deliveries inuse Main Workspace w/4 w/4 is negotiable buyer could entire build- Double Doors for Deliveries in the Main Workspace Individual Work Rooms. Could be Opened up for One Individual Work Rooms. Could be Opened up various for One ing if needed. Many individual offices of Individual Work Rooms. Could be Opened upa for One Large Light Manufacturing could great LargeSpace. Space.to Light Manufacturing could be be a great sizes. Close Munson Hospital surrounded by aa great Large Space. Light Manufacturing could be Contractor or Woodworking Workshop! Rental or Contractor or Woodworking variety of Medical Practices. Workshop! Virtual tour Rental Online or – Contractor or Woodworking Workshop! Rental or Cleaning Business, etc. etc. US-31 Highway Frontage Cleaning Business, etc. etc. US-31 Highway Frontage MLS# 1919691 - $1,499,000. & Exposure for Signage Signage Business, etc. on etc. US-31 Improvements Highway Frontage &Cleaning Exposure for onBuilding. Building. Improvements phase electric ininon both buildings - Paved & include Exposure for Signage Building. Improvements include 3 3phase electric both buildings - Paved & Plumbed w/ New Drainfield, & Security System. &include Plumbed w/ New Drainfield, & Security System. 3 phase electric in both buildings - Paved COMMERCIAL & MLS# 1922900CORNER $459,900. COMMERCIAL CORNER & BUILDING BUILDING FOR FOR SALE SALE ––
MLS# 1922900 $459,900. & VIRTUAL Plumbed w/ONLINE New Drainfield, & Security System. TOUR – MLS#1946786 VIRTUAL TOUR ONLINE – MLS#193186 –$349,900 $389,900 MLS# 1922900 $459,900.
RETAIL/OFFICE FOR LEASE. Blair Plaza Offers Great Visibility - Great Parking - Great Space for Retail MIXED USE COMMERCIAL - Great Opportunity - One Businessor Service Oriented Office. Big Windows & Building a Large (40x44) Insulated Warehouse -15 ft Interior Improvements. Service Door to Back Lot for Sidewalls -14x20 Sliding Doors for Large Storage Deliveries & Employee Parking. Chums Corner Area Second Building has a Reception - Office - Restroom has Exploded with Growth. Many National & Regional Area and a Unique Building Attached with 11 ft SideCompanies Open In & Around Blair Plaza. Tenant Pays walls - Epoxy Floors - Steel Ceilings - 3 Sink Stainless Rent -LEASE Utilities (+W&S $47 monthly) Share 11440 approx SF WAREHOUSE – -MANU-FOR Double Doors– for Deliveries in Main Workspace w/4 FACTURE – RETAIL! VIRTUAL TOUR ONLINE – Great MLS RETAIL FOR LEASE. Blair plaza. – -VIRTUAL of SnowOFFICE Removal (approx $300 annually) Liability RETAIL/OFFICE FOR LEASE. Blair Plaza Offers Individual Work Rooms. Could be Opened up for One 1943202 $7,950/MO TOUR ONLINE – MLS#1933154 – $1,695 Monthly. Ins. Check out! MLS# -Space $1,695 Visibility -- itGreat Parking1926773 - Great forMontly Retail Large Space. Light Manufacturing could be a great Businessor Service Oriented Office. Big Windows & Contractor or Woodworking Workshop! Rental or Interior Improvements. Service Blair Door Plaza to BackOffers Lot forGreat RETAIL/OFFICE FOR LEASE. Cleaning Business, etc. etc. US-31 Highway Frontage Deliveries & Employee Parking. Chums Cornerfor AreaRetail Visibility Great Parking Great Space & Exposure for Signage on Building. Improvements RETAIL/OFFICE LEASE. Blair Plaza Offers Great has Exploded withFOR Growth. Many National Businessor Service Oriented Office. Big& Regional include 3 phase electric in both buildings -Windows Paved & Companies Open InParking & Around -Blair Plaza.Space Pays Visibility - Great for & Plumbed w/ New Drainfield, &Door Security System. Interior Improvements. ServiceGreat toTenant Back Lot Retail for Rent - Utilities (+W&SOriented approx $47 monthly) - Windows Share Businessor Service Office. Big & MLS# 1922900 $459,900. Deliveries & Employee Parking. Chums Corner Area of Snow Removal (approxService $300 annually) - Back LiabilityLot for Interior Improvements. Door to hasIns. Exploded Growth. Many National & Regional Check it with out! MLS# 1926773 - $1,695 Montly
Deliveries &Open Employee Parking. CornerPays Area Companies In & Around Blair Chums Plaza. Tenant has Exploded Growth. Many Rent - Utilities with (+W&S approx $47National monthly)&-Regional Share Companies Open In & Around Blair Plaza. Tenant Pays of Snow Removal (approx $300 annually) - Liability RentCheck - Utilities $47- $1,695 monthly)Montly - Share Ins. it out!(+W&S MLS# approx 1926773 of Snow Removal (approx $300 annually) - Liability Ins. Check it out! MLS# 1926773 - $1,695 Montly FIRST CLASS CONDO FOR SALE. 2BD-2.5BA – VIRTUAL TOUR ONLINE – MLS#1946905 - $589,900.
RETAIL/OFFICE FOR LEASE. Blair Plaza Offers Great Visibility - Great Parking - Great Space for Retail Businessor Service Oriented Office. Big Windows & Interior Improvements. Service Door to Back Lot for Deliveries & Employee Parking. Chums Corner Area has Exploded with Growth. Many National & Regional Companies Open In & Around Blair Plaza. Tenant Pays Rent - Utilities (+W&S approx $47PRIVATE monthly)WOODED - Share HOME, SHOP, NEW BARN 2019, of Snow Removal (approx $300TOUR annually) - Liability 5 ACRES, BIG VIEWS! VIRTUAL ONLINE! Ins. it out! $869,900. MLS# 1926773 - $1,695 Montly MLSCheck # 1947804
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 43
DID YOU SERVE IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY?
2026
SUMMER TOUR 7/25
KALKASKA Railroad Square Pavilion
7/26
BELLAIRE Short’s Brewing Company
7/28
FRANKFORT The Garden Theater
7/30
CHARLEVOIX Odmark Pavilion
8/1
TRAVERSE CITY Open Space
8/2
PETOSKEY Great Lakes Center for the Arts - Rooftop Terrace
In its 15th Anniversary Season, the Traverse City Dance Project, under the leadership of Artistic Director Brent Whitney, returns with a vibrant six-stop summer tour celebrating live music and dance, featuring seven professional dancers from across the country and live music by the Charlie Millard Band! All performances, except Petoskey, are FREE! tcdanceproject.org
44 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
ARE YOU THE WIDOW OF A VETERAN WHO SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY? Did you know the VA has a benefit to help pay for a nursing home, assisted living facility or in-home care? Our office also assists in filing claims for VA disability, VA pension and financial assistance.
NEED HELP NAVIGATING VETERANS’ BENEFITS? CONTACT GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY VETERANS AFFAIRS 2650 LaFranier Rd. Traverse City Mon-Fri 8-4:30 (closed 12-12:30) www.gtcveterans.com 231-995-6070
In the Heights A pair of Russian climbers have been charged with burglary, reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, criminal tampering, criminal trespass and disorderly conduct after climbing to the very top of the Empire State Building spire, some 1,454 feet (443 meters) above the ground. Reuters reported that around 12:30 p.m. on July 1, daredevils Angela Nikolau, 33, and Vanya Beerkus (also known as Ivan Kuznetsov), 32, raised a black banner with white lettering that read, "When the power of love beats the love of power the world knows peace." Their daring feat concluded with Beerkus appearing to propose to Nikolau and the couple embracing. NYPD closed the streets below the building, and the couple was taken into custody. The building has an observation deck on the 102nd floor, and official policy is that visitors are not allowed to go higher than that. How the pair gained access beyond that remains a mystery. An Empire State Building spokesperson called it an "unauthorized incident." Meanwhile, Nikolau's father, an acrobat himself, had a more relaxed take on the climb. "I think it is normal to climb up a roof in any country, including the United States, according to any constitution," he said. "Why should I be worried? I climb up roofs myself." [Reuters, 7/1/26] Spooky A company in China is ready to take the next step in robotics: humanoid robots powered by A.I. On July 2, Oddity Central reported that UBTECH plans to massproduce the robots, complete with synthetic skin and humanlike facial expressions. The machines are about 5 feet, 6 inches to 6 feet tall, but weigh half as much as the average human adult. The company says it has received 10,000 orders and that each robot retails for up to $145,000, depending on its features. The humanoids will be delivered in September and are "designed to support a wide range of consumer and commercial applications, including daily companionship, emotional support, lifestyle enhancement, and social assistance, as well as reception and hospitality services, elder care, psychological support, tourism and exhibitions, research and education, and premium domestic service applications," a UBTECH press release said. [Oddity Central, 7/2/26] News You Can Use Two teens in San Mateo were detained by police after their Waymo vehicle reported their unruly behavior, KLTV reported on July 8. The robotaxis are equipped with interior cameras that allow Waymo personnel to observe passengers. A Waymo representative contacted police when they saw a live feed of the 15-year-olds drinking and firing a gun that shot Orbeez gel pellets. "We got a call from a Waymo rep saying there were two people in their vehicle, and they saw them shooting out of the vehicle," Jeanine Luna of the San Mateo Police Department said. "And then they also described the passengers maybe being intoxicated as well." A Waymo rep told the passengers that the car was having trouble and disabled the vehicle until police arrived. The teens cooperated with law enforcement, and no one was hurt. They await charges from the district attorney. [KLTV, 7/8/26]
Silly Criminals On July 2, Jalen Godard, 29, of Odenton, Maryland, robbed a Verizon store ... and then promptly called police to report his vehicle stolen. The two robberies were called in separately but within minutes of each other. When officers arrived, they observed blood on Godard's glasses, hands and shirt, as well as blood on the store's window, and put two and two together. "That's some karma right there, dude," one officer said in the body cam footage. Godard denied being at the store, but the stores cameras show him robbing it. No word yet on a suspect in the vehicle theft. [Fox 5, 7/2/26] A South Korean bank manager stole an unspecified but large amount of money from his bank's vault by replacing the stolen cash with play money printed with cartoon animals, Oddity Central reported on July 2. As manager, the man ensured he was the only one depositing bills in the vault, pocketing the real money for himself and replacing it with the cartoon copies. A bank employee eventually reported his odd behavior to the credit union, and the matter was handled internally. The man returned all the money and was fired from the bank, and the theft was never reported to the authorities. [Oddity Central, 7/2/26] Nature Gone Wild You've probably heard of iguanas falling out of trees when it gets cold in Florida, but how about bats stuck on the ground when it's too hot in Kansas? According to a July 2 report from KCWH, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment says that hot spells stress bats, and they fall, unable to take flight in the intense heat. Experts say not to try picking up the bats without protective gear. "They will try to bite you if you pick them up," Blake Nash, an animal control technician, said. "They're just going to be scared and try to defend themselves." He also says to be wary of bats that appear dead. "Even if they're alive, they can sit there and almost seem like they're dead, so they may not make any sounds or move until you touch them," he said. If the bat must be moved, he advises wearing thick, protective gloves and using a bucket or blanket to cover the nocturnal creatures. [KWCH, 7/2/26] A different kind of Tasmanian devil is wreaking havoc on the island. Neil, a 2,200-pound elephant seal, has visited Tasmania every year for the last five years, causing destruction to personal property and even stopping traffic in southern towns, UPI reported on July 2. "At the moment, we don't have a complete understanding of the damage Neil has caused to public infrastructure, but he has obviously knocked over a number of poles and bollards," one mayor, Brendan Blomeley, said. "He's broken fences, he's harassing people's cars -- that's just a function of his size," seal expert Jane Younger added. Neil has become a bit of a local celebrity, but officials urge the public to give the seal his space. "I understand that until he completes his molting process, he'll continue to scratch up against things to help shed his old fur," Blomeley said. "Until then, I encourage everyone to please give Neil the space he needs and not to attempt to visit him. While he is of great interest, he is also potentially dangerous and does pose a risk to the community." [UPI, 7/2/26]
CURATED PRIVATE WINE TOURS ON THE OLD MISSION PENINSULA AND LEELANAU PENINSULA WINE TRAILS, WITH PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL MAGAZINE-CALIBER PHOTOGRAPHS AS A SIGNATURE ADD-ON ALSO AVAILABLE FOR AIRPORT TRANSFERS, PRIVATE CHAUFFEUR SERVICE, AND SELECT SPECIAL EVENTS
231-668-2016 veercharters.com
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 45
Summer and Fall ad packages now open info@northernexpress.com
46 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
See it made at Two stores
CHERRY FUDGE
• BLACK CHERRY the original since 1964 o CHOCOLATE CHERRY
Assorted Flavors of Fudge, Sugar-free... Old Fashion Peanut and Cashew Brittle, The finest line of Cherry Products Stop in for a Free Sample
DOWNTOWN TRAVERSE CITY
EAST BAY • ACME
TOY HARBOR
The Original Location Since 1964
116 E. Front St. • 947-4841
The Landmark with the Huge Box on Top since 1965
4500 US-31 N • 938-2330
1-800-238-3432 • www.murdicksfudge.com
“Jonesin” Crosswords "Worry Free"--a freestyle puzzle is in order.by Matt Jones
ACROSS 1. Jail-adjacent phrase? 13. Coleridge's seafaring subject 16. Consideration without cons? 17. Hard out, e.g. 18. Bit by bit 20. "The Joy of Cooking" author Rombauer 21. Three-mo. period 22. Twill suit fabric 23. Acute 24. Spa offerings 27. Buck 28. TV composer Kalehoff (known for "The Price is Right" and "Double Dare") 29. Was in charge of irons, perhaps 31. It may precede Caps or Cat 32. "Black Mirror" creator Charlie 33. "You, Me & Tuscany" actress Vardalos 36. Optimal, to an old-school rapper 37. Like nine 40. "It's ___ ever wanted" 42. Sixth note in an F minor scale 43. San Francisco feature 44. Owen of "Sin City" 46. "El Pibe de ___" ("The Golden Boy"), Diego Maradona's nickname 47. Dakota's younger sister 48. Personal enforcer in "The Godfather" 51. Throws (off) 52. Ticklish spots, perhaps 54. Gets set, in a way 55. Victorian-era waterproof leggings (socalled from Greek because they protect against wet mud) DOWN 1. Adjective for some carnivorous plants that snap shut 2. Not on the payroll yet
3. Did some smishing, perhaps 4. "Ecce Homo" painter (1543) 5. Suit part 6. Wayside building 7. Stayed over briefly 8. Post-slump comment 9. Wealthy "Soap" family surname 10. 1980s Camaro 11. TV's younger Dr. Crane 12. Garden guardians 14. Turns inside-out 15. Subject of the video for Genesis's "Land of Confusion" 19. Brand with a Carlsbad, Calif. theme park 21. Showed leniency 25. Line repeated in a 2016 Bishop Briggs song 26. Follows through on 29. Hemp ingredient infused into some beers 30. "___ & the Women" (2000 Altman film) 33. Salt, but more specific 34. Abbr. near an artist's name, in print 35. Former MLB infielder and coach Luis (it's a woman's name if you drop the last letter) 37. Engine leak-preventing device 38. West Coast Mexican chain with a sun in its logo 39. Shifts, e.g. 41. "How Do You Solve a Problem Like ___?" (2017 Politico article about the First Daughter) 43. ___ Vision (eye care chain) 45. Buddy who played TV's Barnaby Jones 49. Robbie who played TV's Cousin Oliver 50. "Bonne fÍte ___" (Canadian birthday song) 51. Cartoonist Al 53. "___ Beso (That Kiss!)" (1962 Paul Anka hit)
CREATIVE & QUALITY TOYS IN DOWNTOWN TRAVERSE CITY JELLYCAT • LEGO • NEEDOH PLAYMOBIL • BRUDER • CRAZY AARON SCHLEICH • BREYER • ART & CRAFTS OUTDOOR TOYS • PUZZLES & GAMES
SINCE 1984 • 231-946-1131 •
the MARKET
SHOP • SIP • snack CRAFT MARKET EVERY MONDAY 12PM - 7PM
BEER • MEAD • WINE • FOOD • LIVE MUSIC • DISC GOLF OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK • OUTDOOR DINING 841 S PIONEER RD • BEULAH, MI • STAMBROSECELLARS.COM Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 47
Leelanau & Benzie 9 BEAN ROWS, SUTTONS BAY 1-3: 7/19 – Ted Alan & Ron Getz 7/26 – The Stonefruit Collective BEL LAGO VINEYARD, WINERY & CIDERY, CEDAR 7/18 -- Andre Villoch, 3:30 7/19 -- Luke Woltanski & John Piatek, 3:30 7/21 -- Loose Change, 5:30 7/24 -- Rhett & John, 5:30 7/25 -- Dominic Fortuna, 3:30 7/26 -- Chris Smith, 3:30 BOATHOUSE VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU TASTING ROOM: 7/19 – Bryan Poirer, 4-6:30 7/22 – Jim Hawley & His Band, 5:30-8 7/26 – Pinter Whitnick, 4-6:30 CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE LEVEL4 LOUNGE, 8:30-10:30: 7/18 – Fred Drachus 7/22 – Luke Woltanski 7/23 – Jason Locke 7/24 – David Lawston 7/25 – Luke Woltanski 7/26 – Nick Vasquez THE YURT, 6-9: 7/22 – Sean Baldwin DUNE BIRD WINERY, NORTHPORT 3-6: 7/19 -- Emily Faber 7/23 -- Touch of Grey 7/26 -- Highway North FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR 4-7: 7/20 -- Rhett & John 7/23 -- Jakob Abraham THE BARN: 7/18 -- i.am.james & Hannah Laine, 5-8 GILCHRIST FARM WINERY, SUTTONS BAY 7/19 -- Reggae Music w/ I-Taweh, 2-5
HOP LOT BREWING, SUTTONS BAY 5-8: 7/18 -- Empire Highway 7/20 -- Billy & The Kid 7/21 -- Prima 7/22 -- Chris Smith 7/23 -- Stone Travelbee 7/24 -- Zak Bunce & Denny Richards 7/25 -- Mike Moran IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE 7/19 -- Thomas Ellis, 1-3; Drew Hale, 5:30-7:30 7/23 -- Luke Woltanski, 5:30-7:30 7/24 -- The Gemini Moon Band, 5:30-7:30 7/25 -- The Real Ingredients, 5:307:30 7/26 -- Jimmy Olson, 5-7 LAKE ANN BREWING CO. 7/18 -- Classics in the Country w/ Small Ensembles of Benzie Symphony Orchestra, 2-4; Andy Six, 4-6:30; Stereobabe, 7-10 7/21 -- New Third Coast, 6:30-9:30 7/22 -- Andy Six, 6:30-9:30 7/23 -- Drew Hale, 6:30-9:30 7/24 -- Chris Skellenger & Paul Koss, 3-6; The Dune Brothers, 7-10 7/25 -- Luke Woltanski, 3-6; Rock Bottom Remedy, 7-10 LITTLE TRAVERSE INN, MAPLE CITY 7/24 – Thomas & Hyde, 6-9 BEER GARDEN, 4-7: 7/19 – The Mighty TundraTones 7/26 – Miriam Pico RIVER CLUB, GLEN ARBOR 6-9: 7/18 -- Drew Hale 7/19 -- Johnny P 7/20 -- Clint Weaner 7/21 -- Jesse Jefferson 7/22 -- Rhett & John 7/23 -- Skellenger & Koss 7/24 -- Broom Closet Boys 7/25 -- Empire Highway 7/26 -- Rob Coonrod
SOUL SQUEEZE CELLARS, LAKE LEELANAU 4-7: 7/18 -- Jazz Cabbage 7/23 -- Laura Thurston 7/24 -- Highway North 7/25 -- SNAP Band
BELLE TOWER OF PETOSKEY 7/25 -- Levitator + The Marsupials, 6-10:30 BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY 7/18 – Michelle Chenard, 2-6 7/23 – Seasonal Road (w/ Two Track Mind), 4-7:30 7/24 – Chris Calleja, 4-7:30 7/25 – Two Track Mind, 2-6 BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, PATIO, BAY HARBOR 7/18 -- Patrick Ryan, 6 7/19 & 7/21 -- Nick Visconti, 12:30 7/20 -- The Tweed Tones, 6 7/22 -- Derek Boik, 6 7/23 -- Chris Calleja, 6 7/24 -- Michael Hozz, 12:30 7/25 -- Continuous Imposition,
12:30 7/26 -- Jeff Schlehuber, 12:30 CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY 7/17-18 -- Huckleberry Groove, 8 7/24 – Annex Karaoke, 9:30 COUNTRY CLUB OF BOYNE, HARBOR SPRINGS 7/24 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6-9 NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY 7-10: 7/18 -- Lara Fullford 7/23 -- Michelle Chenard 7/24 -- Todd Aldrich 7/25 -- Brett Harfert NORTHERN LIGHTS RECREATION, HARBOR SPRINGS 7/18 -- Two Track Mind, 5:30-8:30 7/23 -- Trivia, 6:30 7/24 -- Sean Bielby, 5:30-8:30 7/25 -- Bill Oeming, 5:30-8:30
Send Nitelife to: events@traverseticker.com
7/26 -- Rob Coonrod RIVER CLUB, GLEN ARBOR 6-9pm
STORMCLOUD BREWING FRANKFORT PARKVIEW TAPROOM, 6-8: 7/23 -- Blue Footed Booby 7/25 -- The Nightcrawlers
CO.,
SUTTONS BAY CIDERS 7/19 -- Chris Smith, 5:30-8 7/23 -- Thurs. DJ Trivia, 6:30-8 7/26 -- Nick & Rokko, 5:30-8
Grand Traverse & Kalkaska
TANDEM CIDERS, SUTTONS BAY Sun -- The Nightcrawlers, 1-4 THE BAY COMMUNITY THEATRE, SUTTONS BAY 7/22 -- Full Tilt Comedy, 8 THE CABBAGE SHED, ELBERTA 7/18 -- Jake Frysinger, 5-8 7/22 -- Vinyl Vednesday, 5 7/23 -- Open Mic Night, 6:30-9 7/24 -- Gabrial James, 6-9 THE HOMESTEAD RESORT, GLEN ARBOR WHISKERS, 6-9: 7/18 & 7/25 -- Bryan Poirier 7/23 – Billy & The Kid 7/24 – Laura Thurston
ALEXANDRA INN, TC BLUSH: ROOFTOP TERRACE: Mon -- Fridays Music (John & Madeline Piatek), 5-7 CHATEAU CHANTAL, TC WEST PATIO: 7/23 -- Jazz at Sunset w/ Jeff Haas Trio & Laurie Sears, 7 EAST PATIO: 7/24 -- Friday Night Live Music w/ Garrison Wilson, 5-8 CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE, TC 5-8: 7/18 -- DJ Marco 7/23 -- Zinnia Dungjen 7/24 – Jesse Jefferson 7/25 – Genna & Jesse ENCORE 201, TC 9: 7/18 & 7/24-25 -- DJ Ricky T
ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES: 7/18 -- Class of ’98, followed by DJ Hotkeys, 8 POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS 7/18 -- The Driftless Revelers, 5-8 7/19 -- Greg Nagy, 3-6 7/22 -- Open Mic Night w/ Kirby, 5-8 7/23 -- Igor & The Red Elvises, 5-8 7/24 -- Second Wind Band, 5-8 7/25 -- Twilight Tunes Full Band, 5-8 7/26 -- Luke Woltanski, 3-6 THE HIGHLANDS AT HARBOR SPRINGS SLOPESIDE LOUNGE: 7/25 -- Nelson Olstrom, 6
FANTASY’S, TC DJ JACOB'S FARM, TC 6-9: 7/19 -- Stereobabe 7/22 -- Larz Cabot 7/24 -- G-Snacks KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC 7/17-18 -- Lucas Paul, 9:30 7/20 -- DJ Trivia, 7-9 7/21 -- The Will Harris Trio, 8 7/22 -- The Pocket Band, 8 7/23 -- DJ Leo, 9:30 7/24 -- Peril, 9:30 7/25 -- The TC Knuckleheads, 9:30 KINGSLEY LOCAL BREWING 7/18 -- Mason Gratton, 7-9 7/21 -- Open Mic Night, 6-9 7/25 -- Blair Miller, 7-9 LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM: 7/20 – Open Mic w/ Rob Coonrod, 6-9 PATIO: 7/26 – DJ Ras Marco, noon-3
48 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
edited by jamie kauffold
ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH 7/18 -- Yankin' Covers, 1-4; Blair Miller, 5-8 7/19 -- Brian Curran & Ivas Johns, 3-6 7/20 -- Kevin & Darrin, 5-8 7/21 -- Genna & Jesse, 5-8 7/22 -- Porcelain Train, 5-8 7/23 -- Eric Nassau, 5-8 7/24 -- Jason Locke, 5-8 7/25 -- The Nightcrawlers, 1-4; Audrey DuPuis, 5-8 7/26 -- Jesse Jefferson, 3-6
Emmet & Cheboygan BEARDS BREWERY, PETOSKEY ROOT CELLAR: 7/18 – Karaoke, 9-12
nitelife
july 18- july26
TASTING ROOM: 7/24 -- Randy Reszka, 5-7 LIL BO'S, TC THE YARD, 7-10:30: 7/22 -- Bob Roberts 7/23 -- TC Knuckleheads MIDDLECOAST, TC 7/18 – Clint Weaner, 6-9 7/22 – Trivia Night, 7-9 7/23 – Open Mic Night, 7-9 7/24 – Hot Flat Pop + Dad, 6-9 7/25 – Sean Megoran, 6-9 NOCTURNAL BLOOM BREWING, TC Thu -- Trivia, 6 NORTH BAR, TC 7-10: 7/22 -- Mallory Ramage 7/23 -- Beans & Cheese OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS: 7/18 -- Erik Burke & Mark Daisy, 6:30-9:30 7/19 -- Jeff Socia, 7-9 7/22 -- Jimmy Olson, 7-9 7/23 -- The Fridays, 7-9 7/24 -- 2Bays DJ's, 6:30-9:30 7/26 -- Bauer Jones, 7-9 STONE HOUND BREWING CO., WILLIAMSBURG 7/18 -- Stonefolk, 6:30-9:30 7/24 -- Protea, 6:30-8:30 7/25 -- Trent Breithaupt, 6:30-9:30 TC WHISKEY CO. THE STILLHOUSE, 8: 7/18 -- DJ E-Knuf 7/25 -- Cody Stewart & the Traverse City Troubadours THE ALLUVION, TC 7/20 -- Big Fun & Funky Uncle w/ DJ Ras Marco, 7 7/20 -- Funky Uncle + DJ Ras Marco, 7-10 7/24 -- BUNKERMAN & Scott Pellegrom, 8:30-10:15 7/26 -- Mandolin Carnival feat. Don Julin, Brian Oberlin, Don Stiernberg & Carlo Aonzo, 7:30-10
THE HAYLOFT INN, TC 7:30-11: 7/18 – Truck Driver Bingo 7/24 – M22 7/25 – One Hot Robot THE LITTLE FLEET, TC 6-10: 7/17-18 – The Daylites 7/25 – The Broom Closet Boys THE PARLOR, TC 8-11: 7/22 -- Rob Coonrod 7/23 -- Jimmy Olson THE PUB, TC 7/18 & 7/25 -- DJ Producer AJ, 10 7/19 & 7/26 -- David Márton, 7-10 7/20 -- Karaoke w/ DJ Shawny T, 8-11 7/22 -- Zeke Clemons, 8-11 7/24 -- DJ Vai, 10 THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC 7/20 – USS Comedy Open Mic, 8-9:30 7/22 – Jazz Jam w/ Ron Getz, 6-9 7/23 – DJ Trivia, 7-9 7/26 – Full Tilt Comedy – Comedy Lab, 7-9 THIRSTY FISH SPORTS GRILLE, TC 7/24 -- Jet Beasley, 7-10 PATIO, 6:30-9:30: 7/18 -- MI Sane Asylum 7/23 -- Coral Stone Michigan Jam 7/25 -- Chris Sterr Project TOWNLINE CIDERWORKS, WILLIAMSBURG 6-8: 7/18 -- Jesse Jefferson 7/24 -- Tom Morrell 7/25 -- Nick Vasquez TURTLE CREEK CASINO, WILLIAMSBURG WATERFALL, 8: 7/18 -- Petty Thieves 7/24 -- DJ Mr. Markis 7/25 -- Drew Hale Band
nitelife
Continued...
Otsego, Crawford & Central
ALPINE TAVERN & EATERY, GAYLORD 7/18 -- Nelson Olstrom, 5-8 7/24 -- Mike Ridley, 6-9 7/25 -- Brian Curran, 1-4; David Lawston, 5-8
VANDERBILT VINES WINERY & TASTING ROOM 7/18 – Lou Thumser, 4-7 7/25 – Gabe Couch, 3-7
BLU DOT FARM & VINEYARD, CHARLEVOIX 4-7: 7/18 – Joel Jacobson 7/25 – Jessica Dominic
Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee BLUE SLIPPER TAVERN, ONEKAMA 7/18 -- Vic Trip Rocks, 7-10
NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA 7: 7/18 -- Brian Curren & Ivas John 7/24 -- Chief Jam-Open Mic 7/25 -- Scott Pellegrom Trio
Antrim & Charlevoix
THE GREENHOUSE - WILLOW/ PRIMOS, CADILLAC 7/22 -- Trivia & Music Bingo, 6-9
BOYNE CITY TAPROOM 7: Thurs. – Adam & the Cabana Boys Fri. – Josh Raber & Patrick Ryan Sat. – Patrick Ryan BOYNE RIVER INN, BOYNE CITY 7/23 -- Nelson Olstrom, 7 ETHANOLOGY DISTILLATION, ELK RAPIDS 8-11: 7/18 – Luke Woltanski Band 7/25 -- Harmolodics
MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY 7/22 -- Karaoke Night, 9 7/24 -- SAXU4IA, 6-9 SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE BEER GARDEN: 7/18 -- HWT, 7-9:30 7/19 -- Trivia, 6-8 7/24 -- Brother Hyde, 7-9:30 7/25 -- GLO, 7-9:30 7/26 -- TC Dance Project w/ Charlie Millard Band, 6:30-9:30 SHORT'S PULL BARN, ELK RAPIDS 7/18 -- Levitator, 6-9 7/19 -- John Richard Paul, 2-5 7/21 -- Mulebone, 6-9 7/23 -- Porcelain Train, 6-9 7/24 -- Derek Boik, 6-9 7/25 -- Highway North, 6-9 7/26 -- Blair Miller, 2-5
THE DAM SHOP, ELK RAPIDS MARINA PATIO: 7/18 -- Joe Domanick, 6-9 7/19 -- Chris Edgington, 5-8 7/24 – John Piatek, 6-9 7/25 – Gemini Moon Band, 6-9 TORCH LAKE CAFE, CENTRAL LAKE Thu -- Nick Vasquez, 6 Fri. & Sat. -- Leanna Collins & Ivan Greilick, 7 WATERFIRE VINEYARDS, KEWADIN 7/18 -- Steve Brown, 4-7 7/23 – Joel Jacobson, 2-5 7/25 – Zeke Clemons, 4-7
E AT . P UTT. D RINK. REL AX BY T HE R I V E R . LIVE MUSIC 7 DAYS A WEEK 6-9PM SCAN HERE FOR OUR FULL MUSIC CALENDAR
JUST MINUTES FROM SLEEPING BEAR DUNES
231-835-2016
rcglenarbor.com
Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 49
NORTHERN EXPRESS
CLA SSI FIED S GARDEN WALK - Fr. Ken’s Garden, Cedar, Mi: Garden Walk 4-8 PM LUKE Woltanski performing 4-7 PM 9059 Nelson, Cedar $15 adult _____________________________________
READING SPECIALIST TO TUTOR STRUGGLING READERS: Help your child achieve reading success!! Moderate Rates. Catherine 231-392-6773 ___________________________________
SEWING, ALTERATIONS, MENDING & REPAIRS. Maple City, Maralene Roush 231228-6248 ___________________________________
LAWN CARE CREW MEMBERS: 29 yr lawn care co looking for full time Lawn Crew Leader and a Crew Member to mow lawns Mon thru Thurs. with Fri/Sat rain makeup, call 231-9381990 to apply. ___________________________________
FREE WEEKLY ORIGINAL HOT YOGA COMMUNITY CLASS: EVERY WED. @ 7:30PM - 845 S. GARFIELD AVE. ORIGINALHOTYOGATC.COM 231-392-4798 ___________________________________
NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE IS HIRING A STUDENT LIFE OFFICE MANAGER Are you looking for a job with real local energy? Break the corporate grind and run the fun side of campus as NMC's Student Life Office Manager! Great NMC benefits & amazing team. $49,039.00 Starting Salary Apply: nmc.edu/ jobs NMC is EOE nmc.edu/nondiscrimination https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/nmc/ jobs/5410906/student-life-office-manager?pag etype=jobOpportunitiesJobs
easy. accessible. all online.
GUITAR LESSONS IN TRAVERSE CITY: All ages, all levels, Robert Abate, 231-421-1401, robertabatemusic@gmail.com
s s e r p x e north
NORTHE
RN
"PAINT A PICASSO" (with your favorite people!): High-brow Sip-&-Paint events held at your locale. Leelanau painter & entertaining art storyteller brings her vast experience hosting upscale art parties at wineries, NMC, Senior Center, etc. Now booking high-quality 2+ hour Fall events for groups up to 20. Jackie Freeman, Master of Arts & Bachelor of Fine Arts. Prefer initial contact via text (231) 342-8792 ___________________________________
RARE 2004 MAZDASPEED MX-5 MIATA: Turbocharged, 6-speed, 178hp, 63,280mi. Titanium grey metallic, black leather interior, tinted glass. $15,500 obo. Call 231-499-9244 or text 231-499-7150. ___________________________________
CARPET INSTALLERS NEEDED: Bodamer Brothers Flooring is looking for 1 full-time carpet installation person or team. Paying $10 yard + extras. Paid once a week. Insured and experienced only. 231-941-8446 Dan ___________________________________
press
s s e r p x e express r e restau p r u r Fred anTours me m e u d i s u Ea g Food ERN
nort
WWW.NORTHERNEXPRESS.COM/SUBSCRIPTIONS/ORDER/
F oo K n o w s d aughli iEs
Fred L
You In
side N
MC ’s
n Tak
Culin
es
ary
NORTH
t!
He
Whe re DIne Should I Ton IghT ?
Yourre’s W ha Che Favor i te t At H F eats om e
l Poeh
lman
Photog
raphy
NORTH
ER
graphy
an Photo
l Poehlm
Michae
Michae
northe
rnexpr
ess.co
m
NORTH
SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
50 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
.com
N
DELIVERED RIGHT TO YOUR DOOR.
ernex
NORTHER
COMPUTER PROBLEMS? I WILL COME TO YOU!: I can fix your digital issues. Phone, TV, tablet, computer set up. AND show you how to use them! Call James Downer, Advent Tech. Your high tech handyman. 231-492-2087 ___________________________________
NIGHTLY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY STAYS NEAR TC!: “The Suites” Turnkey Homes & Motel. Travelers/Construction crews 231-633-5464 ___________________________________
H IG A N E R N M IC
’S W E E K
LY • ju n
e 13
hern
expr
ess.c
om
9, 201 - ju n e 1
6 Vol.
26 No.
24
Road
tripp i
n
For ’
20
ur treprene Serial En GE 18 y PA Troy Dail
PLUS
& Fall Summer dar PAGE 30 n le a Race C
Music Outdoor er Lon All Summ - ju n e 17
• JU n e 11 Northern Express Weekly • oct 19, W EE K LY • 17 IG A N ’S2020 ER N M IC H
EatE VisitriEs ed
N OR TH
, 20 18 •
Mike Annelin Enthusiastic & Experienced
231-499-4249 | 231-929-7900
G
IN IST
L
NEW
$575,000 | 210 Cinnamon Lane | MLS 1948092
5 BR, 3.5 BA bedroom / Elevated cul‑de‑sac lot / Spacious living room with a gas fireplace, oak hardwood floors, cathedral
ceiling / Updated kitchen / Main‑floor primary suite and laundry / Partially finished lower level with a large family room, two bedrooms, full bath / Heated 936 sq. ft. attached garage / Just 15 minutes from downtown Traverse City
NT FRO
ER WAT
1275 Nanagosa Trail, Suttons Bay $1,295,000 | MLS 1945245 G
IN END
P
9006 Peninsula Drive $1,150,000 | MLS 1944760
URY
LUX
LD
UI WB
NE
4186 Aquila Court $1,150,000 | MLS 1945224 G
IN END
P
610 Lake Avenue $775,000 | MLS 1946854
AN
IG ICH
EM
LAK
14935 N Cathead Bay Dr, Northport $595,000 | MLS 1941736 IAL
RC ME
COM
5168‑5200 N US‑31, Williamsburg $2,200,000 | MLS 1947502
MIKEANNELIN.COM Northern Express Weekly • july 20, 2026 • 51
The best prices out there.
AND IF NOT— WE’LL PRICE MATCH.
TRAVERSE CITY: FRONT ST. & MUNSON ST. HONOR | PETO SKEY PE R KS O N YO U R FIRST T HR EE VIS ITS : F I RST V ISIT FREE choice of Shake oz, 200mg Gummies, or 510 1g Distillate cart SE C ON D V ISIT 40% OFF when you spend $20+ THIRD V ISIT 50% OFF when you spend $20+
FOR USE BY INDIVIDUALS 21 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER ONLY. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. IT IS ILLEGAL TO DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF MARIHUANA. NATIONAL POISON CONTROL CENTER 1-800-222-1222.
52 • july 20, 2026 • Northern Express Weekly
FREE GOODIES FOR NEWCOMERS