Northern Express - June 01, 2026

Urge EGLE to Consider Carefully

As a concerned Michigan citizen, I was disappointed to learn that EGLE plans to reissue the permits requested to construct their planned Line 5 Tunnel and is drafting them as we speak. There is still time to ask them to reconsider, though, and I urge fellow constituents to do so.

EGLE is currently holding a public comment period on the draft through June 30th, and they will hold a virtual public hearing on June 18th at 6 PM. You can learn more here: https://www.michigan.gov/egle/ newsroom/press-releases/2026/05/19/line5-draft-npdes-permit

To those concerned about meeting the current need for propane, consider that Enbridge could easily build smaller, sturdier pipelines to states which would provide the share that their larger lines offload en route to Sarnia, which receives the bulk of their product. To those wanting work, decommissioning the pipes will provide many well-paying jobs. For the long term, I hope you will encourage our state leaders to market and subsidize alternatives to gasoline, propane and plastic.

In any case, what Enbridge promises is hardly worth the national security risks that either the increasingly fragile lines or the messy construction process of a possibly explosive tunnel would pose in the Straits of Mackinac and the connected lakes.

On a related note, thank you to Northern Express for the piece on Whitney Gravelle, who is a leading advocate in these cases. I hope that inspired readers to consider a world beyond needing, or at least needing nearly as much, what companies like Enbridge sell. Thank you all for your help.

Emily Baker | Traverse City

Oil Money

Your paper does a great job of highlighting the joys of living here in northern Michigan. I am deeply sorry that you accepted advertising dollars from Enbridge, whose Line 5 and pipeline tunnel proposal severely threaten this area. I hope their slogan “Tomorrow is more memories in the making” does not include oil spills from pipeline ruptures, construction sludge dumped into the Great Lakes, or a catastrophic spill such as the one Enbridge was responsible for in Kalamazoo.

Did you really need Enbridge's money at the expense of the pristine beauty of this area?

Lorri Coburn | Traverse City

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Art Beat Returns

One of our favorite “first signs of summer” is the annual Art Beat in Elk Rapids. For 21 years, local galleries have banded together twice a year to create an Antrim County adventure for art lovers. Stops include Mullaly’s 128 Studio & Gallery in downtown Elk Rapids, Blue Heron Gallery on Ames Street, and Twisted Fish Gallery & Sculpture Gardens on US-31. All of the above feature art in just about every medium from local, Midwestern, and national creators. Expect fun treats (like the chance to win a $100 gift certificate), demonstrations, and a welcoming atmosphere for all ages. This year’s iteration will be held from 10am-5pm on Saturday, June 6. Learn more at twistedfishgallery.com. (P.S. While you’re in the area, be sure to explore the Walk of Art Sculpture Park in Elk Rapids Day Park, home to more than 30 works.)

2 tastemaker

Grocer’s Daughter’s Gelato Flights

You know summer is here when Grocer’s Daughter Chocolates of Empire opens up the gelato case. It’s their fifth season of serving up the creamy Italian dessert alongside their artisan chocolates, and we’re ready to join the line out the door. The good news is, you needn’t make up your mind about which flavor to try…because you can just order a flight! Here’s what’s on the menu this year: Madagascar vanilla bean, milk chocolate brownie swirl, strawberry rhubarb, pistachio, mocha, cherry chocolate swirl (with a gastrique made with cherry vinegar from Red Truck Orchards), cookie dough, and Meyer lemon olive oil with Black Mission fig swirl (made with Fustini’s olive oil). There are also sorbet in Ecuadorian heirloom 70 percent dark chocolate, blueberry lavender, mango, and strawberry. Try as many as you can and keep coming back for more at 11590 S Lacore Rd. in Empire. grocersdaughter.com

Fabulous FenFest

Let’s show some appreciation for the wetlands of northern Michigan at Grass River Natural Area’s FenFest, June 4-7 in Bellaire. Learn to identify sedges, kayak along Grass River, go for a bird or wild orchid walk, stop by the Native Plant Sale, and much more! Free events include a family playgroup, backyard restoration info with CAKE-CISMA, and an old-growth forest walk. To see the full calendar and register, head to grassriver.org and click Classes and Programs.

Hey, read It! Yesteryear 4

From the outside, “tradwife” influencer Natalie Heller Mills has the perfect life: a sprawling ranch in the Idaho mountains whimsically dubbed Yesteryear; a squeaky-clean Christian family; and the organic cherry on top, millions of social media followers whose comments fund her every move. Unbeknownst to her fans, however, everything behind Natalie’s picturesque posts—from her political powerhouse in-laws and live-in staff to the meticulouslyhidden appliances—is all a 21st-century lie. That is, until she wakes up one morning to the unedited 1850s (but still eerily familiar) version of the life she’s curated. Is this the Lord’s twisted way of answering her prayers? Is she the butt of some publicity gag? Could she be losing her mind, and more importantly, how does she escape? Traditional gender roles, the pressures of success amid modern societal expectations, and toxic influencer culture are all on the chopping block in Caro Claire Burke’s debut novel, Yesteryear—and appearances are more than deceiving.

7AM-1PM EVERY DAY

A Splash of Summer Fun

Stuff We Love: Seeing Double

The waters of Lake Michigan are still a bit too chilly for swimming, though they’re perfect for dipping your toes in and then scampering back as you laugh (or scream). Still, the Tip of the Mitt Watershed knows that warmer days are coming, so they’re putting on their Summer Celebration on Saturday, June 6, at the Watershed Discovery Center from 12-2pm. All ages are welcome for hands-on activities, educational science, and beachy crafts. You can even meet Fin Diesel, a lake sturgeon who lives with other aquatic animals in the nonprofit’s stream tank exhibits! Per their mission statement, the Watershed Council’s work focuses on “local water quality monitoring and pollution prevention, invasive species management, shoreline restoration, education, and much more.” Find the center at 426 Bay St. in Petoskey, and learn more about the event at watershedcouncil.org/event/summer-celebration-2026.

DEI Still at Work

There’s been a lot of shade thrown at diversity, equity, and inclusion work lately, but that hasn’t stopped the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation. Their DEI grants have awarded over $250,000 to local organizations in northern Michigan. “With these grants, we’ve supported 80 unique organizations, funding a variety of areas of work such as substance use recovery, inclusive theater performances, disability inclusion education, and Anishinaabe community programs, among others,” says Kristina Pepelko, GTRCF’s director of strategic communications. So far, 2026 grantees include groups like the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, Suttons Bay Public Schools, and Up North Pride. The foundation is kicking off a fundraising campaign for an endowment for the DEI grants this month, which will allow the fund to provide support for many years to come. Learn more at gtrcf.org/grants/diversityequity-inclusion-grants.html.

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According to the Shelter Animals Count (a program of the ASPCA), total pet adoptions in the U.S. reached 4.2 million animals in 2025, a 0.7 percent increase from 2024. That may not sound like much, but that means nearly 300,000 more animals found their forever homes! Great Lakes Humane Society in Traverse City is trying to keep the good vibes going, and they’ve been getting artistic when it comes to promoting dog adoptions. To help shelter pets find their forever families, local artist and GLHS volunteer Carrie Betlyn-Eder has been creating papier-mâché replicas of adoptable pups. (Pictured here is Pongo meeting his double.) More of Betlyn-Eder’s works are featured at her Burdickville Studio. Scope out the adoptable cats and dogs at greatlakeshs.com, and BetlynEder’s art at carriebetlyneder.com.

bottoms

up Old Mission Tavern’s Off-Season Piña Colada

Whether you take yours blended, layered, or virgin, it’s never the wrong time for a piña colada. To go with spring’s not-quite-swimsuit weather, our go-to version is the OffSeason Piña Colada at Old Mission Tavern in Traverse City. This riff on the classic tiki drink combines both white and dark rums—Planteray 3 Stars and Original Dark, respectively— with pineapple juice, a squeeze of fresh lime, and the defining ingredient, scratchmade coconut crème (ingredients: coconut milk, sugar, a pinch of salt, and dehydrated coconut milk powder for that creamy texture). Shaken, served over ice, and topped with a molasses-y float of Cruzan Black Strap Rum and a plump Luzardo cherry, it’s all things caramelly, refreshing, and tropical, minus the sunburn. Belly up to the bar at Old Mission Tavern (17015 Center Rd.) in Traverse City. oldmissiontaverntc.com

YOU ARE BEING AUDITED

spectator

By steven Tuttle

We’re being audited, but not by the IRS.

More and more there are now among us folks with cell phones and/or digital video cameras and microphones standing outside post offices, banks, cannabis dispensaries, restaurants—any place people are likely to gather or come and go. Often calling themselves First Amendment auditors, they do nothing but record people coming and going and are sometimes confronted by those people or, rarely, by law enforcement.

The public frequently fails their audit.

The auditors have popular social media sites in which the world can view their interactions. As long as they are on public property—think

license plate. (A little confusing why people are upset about the license plate thing since it can be easily viewed by anybody every time you are in public.)

The dispensary employees are the best, often claiming their “patients” are protected by HIPAA and can’t be recorded. HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, passed in 1996, has nothing to do with protecting the identity of someone in public entering a weed dispensary.

Then they call the police, and the well-trained and wise officers will kindly explain that the auditors are within their rights no matter how offended somebody might be. It’s the offended party who approached the auditor and started

There is something called the Plain View Doctrine that basically says there is no expectation of privacy when we are in public.

sidewalks, easements, parking lots—and the people they are recording are in public, what they are doing is legal whether those being recorded agree to it or not.

There is something called the Plain View Doctrine that basically says there is no expectation of privacy when we are in public. There are some obvious exceptions like public bathrooms, but not many. Leave the privacy of your home or business, and your expectation of privacy ends.

These auditors should be distinguished from those who follow people sticking a cell phone in their face as part of some ill-conceived “prank.” Auditors typically find one spot and simply stand there. They are well-versed in the law and their constitutional rights, and they tend to leave people alone who leave them alone.

All of this comes to mind because one of these semi-famous folks mentioned in passing his family “vacations in northern Michigan,” and it’s possible he’ll be auditing here. If so, just ignore him.

Not everybody is happy to see folks standing outside their post office or bank or dispensary recording them. Some decide it would be a good idea to confront the auditor, which is usually a mistake. They often start their complaint with one of the most ironic of comments. Walking directly up to the camera, they say they do not want to be recorded. That’s a bit like saying you don’t want to get wet after jumping in the bay.

That complaint is almost always followed by “You do not have my consent to record me.” Or, its companion, “I did not sign a release saying you could record me.” Let’s revisit this; you are in public, they are on public property, they can legally record you all they want, including your vehicle and its

the kerfuffle. Occasionally, a tyrant officer will attempt to bully the auditor to leave or, in a worst case, arrest the auditor, almost guaranteeing his or her jurisdiction, or their insurance company, will be gifting the auditor a financial settlement.

If you make physical contact with the auditor or attempt to grab their equipment, there’s a pretty good chance you will receive a face full of pepper spray for your efforts and then be arrested for assault. If that seems backwards to you, remember the auditors are engaged in a legal activity and attempting to stop them is not. For your efforts, you will be recorded, pepper-sprayed, arrested, and all of it will be posted online and viewed by anyone who wants to view it.

To be fair, when confronted, many of the auditors feel no need to be polite and are willing to be every bit as verbally aggressive as those confronting them. They literally do this for a living, know their rights, and baiting you into even greater anger only increases their online views.

The bigger issue here is our naive assumption we have any privacy left. Those complaining so loudly about the auditors seem to have forgotten there are now cameras everywhere. According to SafeHome.org, there are nearly 59 million doorbell or front door cameras on private homes and slightly more than 39 percent of all homes have at least one outward facing camera. Many, many businesses now have cameras both inside and outside their stores, warehouses, or factories. Neither the homeowners nor the businesses have our permission because they don’t need it.

Passing a First Amendment audit is more important than someone’s temporary annoyance. If the auditors come to Traverse City, just ignore them, and they will ignore you.

PRIDE IS MORE THAN A PARTY

GUEST OPINION

by Chelsea Bentley

“During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis we buried our friends in the morning, we protested in the afternoon, and we danced all night. It was the dance that kept us in the fight, because it was the dance we were fighting for.” – Dan Savage, American author, media pundit, journalist, and LGBT community activist

How can you be a good ally, not just during Pride month, but all year round?

Show up for more than just the big parties. Support smaller programs like Up North Pride’s game night, art night, or women’s sports watch parties. Get to know people in our local community, and

Pride is more than a party. Pride is a protest. Pride is a political statement. Pride is a proclamation that we are here, and we will not be erased.

There is a new shape to the dark days we find ourselves in as queer and trans people, but the truth remains the same. The dance, the joy, the embodiment of liberation is still what we are fighting for.

As we face attacks on our rights, our dignity, and our safety, we keep showing up for each other. We build community and connections that sustain us when the systems we live in continue to let us down.

Over the past year, Up North Pride saw the community’s needs and responded with smaller, more accessible yearround programming. As a volunteer and community partner, and now as a member of the board, I’ve seen the impact this shift in organizational priorities has had.

One of the things I’m most proud of is our Youth Group. It is a gift to spend time with these young people every week, and to watch them affirm each other and stand in their truth. We get to witness their fierceness, their softness, and their silliness, and we get to stand beside them and imagine a better world into being.

As we continue to move through these dark days, we need allies who are ready to help us fight for a better future, and being a good ally means being willing to step outside your comfort zone.

It’s more than hanging a rainbow flag outside your house or business in June. It’s more than posting supportive things on social media. It’s not performative. It’s putting in the work, and it’s stepping up to stand side by side with us in the darkness.

ask what they need or what good allyship looks like to them. Shop at queer-owned small businesses, and if you’re going to purchase Pride merch in June, buy from them and not big corporations.

If you’re a parent or caregiver, educate your kids, and make sure they know how to be good allies to their peers. Create a safe, accepting atmosphere in your home. Read your kids books by LGBTQIA+ authors, or books that positively represent people of all different identities. Show up for school or library board meetings when people try to ban those books. Push back against the idea that queer and trans folks are a threat to children.

Be aware of local, state, and federal policies that impact the rights of queer and trans people. Pay attention to how your elected officials vote on these issues, and hold them accountable. Call and/or write to them, and remind them that, as your representative, you expect them to promote inclusion, equality, and safety for all people.

Pride is more than a party. Pride is a protest. Pride is a political statement. Pride is a proclamation that we are here, and we will not be erased.

We will fight for our rights and the safety of our communities. We will stand in our dignity, our truth, and our joy. We will dance, we will sparkle, and we will imagine our way to a more liberated future for all.

We hope you will join us.

Chelsea Bentley is an Up North Pride board member and Youth Group facilitator.

STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE MONTH

BROOKLYNN FRAZEE

Brooklynn is the 2026 Buckley Class Salutatorian. She is also freaky-fast on the track! She’s a six-time all-stater, owns seven school records, and has early-qualified for the state finals in five events this spring. She currently ranks top 5 in the state and is on the early watchlist for the MITCA Division 4, Ms. Track Field award. However, those closest to her know her best qualities are her smile and empathy.

Art Exhibition(ism)(ish)

Visitors at the Fondation Beyeler, an art museum in Switzerland, recently had the option to peruse the art while wearing only bathing suits, Yahoo! News reported on May 1. "It's a rather unusual experience," said one visitor in a colorful sequined bikini, noting that "You're always looking" to see if other visitors are wearing swimwear. Visitors could change into their bathing suits in changing rooms at the museum, or they could show up in their onepiece, bikini or trunks and have the entry fee waived. Some roamed around barefoot, while others donned swimming caps. A few could be found sunbathing in the museum's garden. Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, who headed up the project, was inspired by artist Paul Cezanne's paintings of people bathing. "You can feel from Cezanne paintings that he wants to be inspired by nature and expose that organic experience of the nature, of the people," Ana Lopes, a 34-yearold architect, said. "Dressing in swimwear is close to that, because you are almost naked." [Yahoo! News, 5/1/26]

Unclear on the Concept

ABC Perth on May 17. The Australian man, unnamed in the report, opened the lettuce and discovered a small frog among the leaves. "He's the most casual Australian ever, and he's like, 'Bro, I've got a lettuce, like a frog in my lettuce,'" his roommate Laura Jones, a native New Zealander, said. Jones shared a video on TikTok, where millions of viewers caught a glimpse of the amphibious stowaway. "It's quite a decent-sized frog for a big adventure," Billie Le Pine, another roommate, said. "The bag of lettuce does have holes in it to keep the produce fresh, so he had a snack and some air on his way over." The trio named the frog Greg and released him at a nearby dam. Woolworths said the incident is under investigation and called it "an isolated event with no other reported cases." "I'm just glad Greg is back in his natural habitat," Le Pine said. [ABC, 5/17/26]

Owl Be Seeing You

Antone Gilonna, 25, of New York, was arrested for driving while intoxicated when he drove to a local police station to pick up a friend who had been arrested for ... wait for it ... driving while intoxicated. Fox 8 Cleveland reported on May 20 that when Gilonna arrived at the police station, he drove into a restricted area. An officer came to check on him and quickly issued a field sobriety test before placing him under arrest. Gilonna's license was revoked, and he is expected to appear in court at a later date. [Fox 8 Cleveland, 5/20/26]

Vernus Mayhew, 45, of Dixton, Maine, was arrested after calling 911 four times to request a beer delivery, WGME reported on May 7. "I was drunk, and I was trying to be funny," Mayhew said. The Penobscot County Sheriff's Office was not amused. "This was a serious matter that negatively impacted public safety resources including the regional communications center and deputies," Sheriff Troy Morton said. Mayhew is also charged with assault, but says that part didn't happen. Video recorded by Mayhew's daughter shows a physical altercation with police, but a few seconds are out of frame, with differing accounts of what transpired. Police say Mayhew attempted to put one of them in a headlock; Mayhew denies it. He was released from the Penobscot County Jail after paying a $750 bail.

[WGME, 5/7/26]

Class of 2026

Jericho High School in Nassau County, Long Island, will have not one, not two, but 21 valedictorians to represent the 300 seniors graduating in June, UPI reported on May 18. The school determines valedictorians based on unweighted letter grades. "It shows a lot of success," co-principal Brian Cummings said. "Historically, this is the way we've done it with letter grades. The difference between a 99.8 and a 99.83 is insignificant, so letter grades really capture what we represent." With such a large number of valedictorians, not all of them will be able to give a commencement speech, so school officials have had to get creative. "We're going to put them at the front of the procession," Cummings said. "We're [also] creating a video that we're going to share with the community about their accomplishments."

[UPI, 5/18/26]

Wrong Order

A man who purchased a bag of greens from a Woolworths in Western Australia found more green than expected inside, reported 102.5

An owl in Utah is soaring to new heights after undergoing surgery to repair its concretedamaged feathers, UPI reported on May 19. The owl was found inside a concrete mixer in St. George, Utah, back in November, and taken to a rehabilitation center at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab. Workers gave the owl a series of 20-minute baths to remove the concrete, which covered 25% of its body. Despite the team's care, the owl's feathers were damaged in a way that would have kept it from flying silently, a survival necessity for great horned owls. "That led the Wild Friends team to take a training course about a procedure they had never done before: imping, which requires using donor feathers and adhesive to replace the raptor feathers," the sanctuary said in a news release. "A wildlife rescue in Northern Utah gave Wild Friends feathers from a great horned owl of similar size who had passed away." Four staff members worked for 90 minutes to reconstruct the feathers, replacing 10 primary feathers and one secondary feather on the bird's right wing. "The first few feathers were extremely nerve-wracking, but as we got into the groove, the imping became more comfortable, and everything went smoothly," supervisor Bart Richwalski said. After the owl came out of anesthesia, Richwalski used a decibel reader to measure the sound of the owl's flight. With all looking good, staff released the owl and it flew away on its own. "I don't know that my heart was beating until I saw him leave. I was beside myself, knowing that after all this time, he was healthy and back in the wild," Richwalski said. "It was such a good feeling." [UPI, 5/19/26]

Round and Round They Go

An Atlanta neighborhood is dealing with an unusual kind of pest: empty Waymo vehicles -- autonomous, driverless cars owned by Alphabet Inc. -- circling cul-de-sacs, ABC News reported on May 15. "I think yesterday morning, we had 50 cars that came through between 6 and 7," one resident said. "It's almost every little cul-de-sac in our area, so I think it's a problem," said another. The glut of robotaxis worries residents. "We're families, we have small animals and pets, got kids getting on the bus in the morning and it just doesn't feel safe to have that traffic," one resident said. One neighbor even tried putting up their own sign to deter the vehicles, but it caused a traffic jam of Waymos turning around to get out. Residents have attempted to reach out to local and state officials, as well as to Waymo itself. In a statement, Waymo said that it is "committed to being good neighbors" and "we take community feedback seriously and have already worked with our fleet partner to address this routing behavior." [ABC News, 5/15/26]

CELEBRATING PRIDE MONTH IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN

12 events happening this June

As June arrives, Pride Month arrives alongside it with a rush of color and community. Check out this year’s round-up of Pride events happening across NoMi, from coffeehouse gatherings, to dance floors, to quiet circles of understanding, to the glittering joy of a drag show.

1. Pride in the Park — Saturday, May 30 | 1–3pm Lions Pavilion, First Street Beach, Manistee Pride Month starts early in Manistee! Pride in the ’Stee’s annual Pride in the Park celebration is designed for maximum community vibes: an ice cream sundae bar, games, and activity tables that make it easy to mingle even if you’re a wallflower.

2. Get Tie-Dyed for Pride — Monday, June 1 | 4–6pm Marquette Park, Mackinac Island Straits Pride is kicking off June with a tie-dye gathering in Marquette Park on Mackinac Island and inviting attendees to create their own uniquely designed Straits Pride tee. Plain white Straits Pride shirts will be available for $15 each, and all dye materials are provided. The best part: it’s open to all ages and identities, which makes it a great option for families, visitors, and locals who want a relaxed way to join in.

3. Youth Group (Ages 13–17) — Thursdays | June 4 | 4:15–5:45pm UUCGT, 6726 Center Road, Traverse City Pride Month isn’t only about parties. This teen-focused Youth Group is designed specifically for ages 13–17, offering a consistent weekly space to connect. A special thanks goes to 3 Owls, who will be facilitating and available to provide free, confidential support for any teens who need it.

4. “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything!” Viewing Party — Thursday, June 4 | 6–10pm State Theatre, 235 E. Front Street, Traverse City Traverse City’s State Theatre is hosting a screening party for the iconic camp classic To Wong Foo, Thanks for

Everything! Julie Newmar, complete with drag performances, community energy, and special appearances from Deija Vaton and Mercedes Benz-Over. Doors open at 5pm, the event starts at 6pm, and tickets are $10. Proceeds benefit The Trevor Project.

5. Spoken Word Showcase — Friday, June 5 | 7–8pm Lucky Bean Coffeehouse, Mackinac Island

If you love Pride events that leave you feeling both inspired and a little more human, put this one on your list. The Spoken Word Showcase at Lucky Bean Coffeehouse brings together local creatives for dramatic readings, monologues, and poetry, all centered on LGBTQ+ topics and the theme of queer experience. Expect a range of tones and genres: educational, entertaining, heartfelt, and occasionally hilarious. The event is free and open to the public.

6. Tarot Workshop — Monday, June 8 | 5:30–7pm

The Crow’s Nest at Commongrounds, 414 E. Eighth Street, Traverse City

If you’ve ever wanted to explore tarot without the pressure of “doing it right,” this workshop is for you. This isn’t a lecture or a memorization session, it’s a collaborative exploration of tarot for self-care and inspiration. Decks and books by queer creators will be available to interact with, and all you need to bring is a pen, paper, and curiosity.

7. TC Pit Spitters Pride Game — Monday, June 8 | 7–9pm Turtle Creek Stadium, 333 Stadium Drive, Traverse City

The TC Pit Spitters Pride Game invites fans to celebrate Pride Night alongside the Up North Pride community. Whether you’re there for baseball, the atmosphere, or the simple joy of seeing rainbow gear in the stands, it’s a fun summer evening out.

8. The Open Page: A Queer Writers Circle — Tuesday, June 9 | 6–7:30pm

The Folded Leaf, 414 E. Eighth Street, Traverse City

Not every Pride event needs a

stage. The Open Page is a monthly writing circle hosted in collaboration with Up North Pride and The Folded Leaf. It’s designed for LGBTQ+ writers, questioning creatives, and allies who want a soft, supportive place to write, explore, and connect. Each gathering begins with a short prompt inspired by queer literature, memory, identity, place, imagination, or joy followed by quiet writing time and optional sharing. Bring your journal, a scrap of paper, or your Notes app. All forms are welcome: poems, fiction, essays, memoir, journaling, letters, fragments, unfinished thoughts.

9. Drag Brunch — Tuesday, June 16 | 11am–2pm Community Hall, Mackinac Island Brunch is already a celebration. Add Pride Month, a lilac theme, and world-class drag performers, and you’ve got a mid-June event that’s designed to become one of your favorite memories! Straits Pride’s lilac-themed Drag Brunch pairs mimosas and a full meal with Midwest drag talent that knows exactly how to work a room. If you’ve never been to a drag brunch, this is your sign. If you have been, you already know: go with friends, show up early, and be ready to cheer.

10. Rainbow Run — Saturday, June 20 Hull Park + Boardman Lake Loop Trail, Traverse City

If your ideal Pride celebration includes movement, fresh air, and a little bit of color chaos, the Rainbow Run is your event. Hosted by TART Trails and Up North Pride, this annual color fun run and fundraiser celebrates

Northern Michigan’s 2SLGBTQ+ community while highlighting the trail systems that connect us. Expect music and refreshments at Hull Park before and after the run. Packet pickup/check-in: Friday, June 19, 4–7pm (Fleet Feet, downtown Traverse City); Race day: Saturday, June 20, 8am late pick-up/check-in; 9am run/ walk start (Hull Park). More info: runsignup.com/Race/MI/TraverseCity/ TraverseCityRainbowRun

11. Pride Ride — Thursday, June 25 | 6–7pm

Meet at F&M Park in Downtown Traverse City

Want to celebrate Pride in motion without needing to train for anything?

Join the Pride Ride, a spirited, allages community bike ride through downtown Traverse City led by Norte. Show up in your bike gear and your Pride gear, and arrive a little early to rally before the 6pm start.

12. Queer Adult Prom — Saturday, June 27 | 8pm–11:59pm Hotel Indigo Ballroom, 263 W. Grandview Parkway, Traverse City

Some of us didn’t get the prom we deserved the first time around. Luckily, Pride Month is a great time to fix that. Queer Adult Prom is back in Traverse City, taking over the Hotel Indigo Ballroom for a night of dancing, dressing up, and reclaiming a classic rite of passage, this time with the freedom to be fully yourself. Go full glam, thrift-store fabulous, or “I just want to dance.”

For more events, visit upnorthpride.com and straitspride.org.

THE UPS AND DOWNS FOR UP NORTH PRIDE

The northern Michigan organization navigates another year under increasing attacks on the LGBTQ+ population

By Jillian Manning

Around this time each year, we check the ACLU’s “Mapping Attacks on LGBTQ Rights in U.S. State Legislatures” dashboard. As of late May 2026, there were 529 anti-LGBTQ bills active in the U.S. That includes 23 here in Michigan, which range from bans on students participating in school sports and facilities to book and curriculum censorship to healthcare age restrictions.

Note that we’re less than halfway through the year. In 2025, there were a total of 616 bills, per ACLU’s reporting, while 2024 had 533 and 2023 had 510.

But those challenges aren’t the whole story. When we sat down with Adrienne Brown-Reaser, executive director of Traverse City’s Up North Pride, she had plenty of bright spots to highlight, from new support groups to exciting events in June and beyond. And her overall takeaway was that despite the new pressures put on our LGBTQ+ friends and neighbors, the northern Michigan community is still showing up in ways big and small.

Read on for our interview with Adrienne, which has been edited for length and clarity.

Express: You started a temporary community center last year, utilizing space in the old Copy Central on Eighth Street. How did that go?

Brown-Reasner: Last [summer] we had been given the opportunity to pilot what it’s

like to have our own community space and moved into space on Eighth Street. It really allowed us the chance to throw everything at the wall and see what kind of things people are interested in. We were able to start a few different social groups; we started having an art night, we started doing a line dancing night, we started a senior coffee meetup. And then we also were able to launch a couple of other support groups, including a youth group, which started back in November.

We were very fortunate to be able to have that opportunity to launch some of those programs. Unfortunately, our time at that space has come to an end. We knew it was going to be temporary, and the property has been sold. But now that we’ve established a lot of these groups, we’re able to figure out where else they can take place.

Express: Where can folks find you now?

Brown-Reasner: We’ve been able to create some new partnerships with, for example, Artemis Books hosting our Art Night now. We’re working with the Friendship Center out in Suttons Bay to hold this month’s game night and line dancing night because they have a much larger space. … We are continuing the youth group, and we’ve got some weeks that we’re meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Church, some weeks we have a space reserved at the library. We are really, truly getting back to the mission of creating supportive, inclusive spaces around the region, not just of our own.

Express: Speaking of events, what are some of your highlights from UNP during Pride Month in June?

Brown-Reasner: We’ll be again partnering with the TART Trail folks and team for the Rainbow Run on June 20. It’s around the Boardman Lake Loop, and I know registration is still available for runners or walkers, and we definitely need volunteers to help make that event happen. That’s always such a really fun day just to be outside, and it’s a very colorful day by nature!

Then June 25 we are doing the Pride Ride with Norte, meeting at F&M Park for a guided loop around downtown. We’re also still working out details, but working on a poetry event that will be at TC Whiskey later in the month, with some spoken word artists from downstate who reached out and said that they really wanted to do something up here.

Express: And then you’re on track for the big celebration in September?

Brown-Reasner: Pride Week will be Sept. 23-26, and we’re bringing back a lot of the things that people have gotten used to. So we’ll have a storytelling event. We have our sign-making party. We will have a comedy night. … Intimi will be hosting a fashion show, the Intimi Affair. … And then our big day is Saturday, so we’ll have a rally and the visibility march, starting from F&M Park around noon and ending at the Open

Space, going right into our Resource Fair. And then our everyone’s favorite drag night and silent disco, with performances starting around 6pm.

Express: You’ve added other events to the calendar throughout the year too.

Brown-Reasner: [May 30] we have our first LGBTQ plus health fair. We’ve started a trans and nonbinary support group, which started last year and has continued to have a full list every single time that they meet, which is really exciting. We’ve got the partners of trans group that started, and we just were awarded a grant that’s going to help us launch a parents’ group too.

We are always listening to the community for what it is that people want, whether that is a social event, if it is a support group, if it’s an educational event. We’ve held a couple of name change clinics and know your rights events, just in response to hearing questions that people were asking.

Express: What other questions are you hearing being asked? What are some of the big concerns for the LGTBQ+ community?

Brown-Reasner: I think the biggest things that we’re hearing and the biggest list of questions I’m getting is really focused on access to healthcare, specifically for trans and nonbinary folks, and explicitly for minors who are trans. … There’s many, many other issues facing the community as well, but those are the biggest and loudest,

and so that’s part of why the trans and nonbinary support group has gone so well and been so successful. It’s just providing a space for people to be able to talk about what they’re scared about, or talk through the anxieties that they’re having or issues that they’re running into.

A big part of getting the [parents’ group] started was because of parents coming to me and saying that they’re scared. They are worried about how their other kids are treated in school, how their kids are treated by their doctors. It’s sad that we’re at a day and age where that’s even something we have to talk about—these are very private conversations that have been made very, very public, and for no reason.

Express: What role do you see UNP

playing in the community as a whole as you navigate these uncertain times?

Brown-Reasner: I’ve kind of had this mantra of the only way we’re going to get through things is together. So that that is more where our focus is—that community building, and that nobody feels alone, and that people know there’s someone that they can reach out to if they have questions, or if something happens and they need to report something, or if they run into an issue that they’ve never seen before… We have this network here that can help connect you with whoever you need or whatever resource you might need.

Express: How has the atmosphere felt here in northern Michigan lately?

Brown-Reasner: It feels different. …

There’s not been a lot of outward negativity or hate toward us. … Certain sponsors, certain partners, are a little quieter, just because, like their DEI programs may have been cut, and so they can't partner in the same way. But at the same time, we’ve had others who saw that this was happening and jumped up and said, “Can we fill in this gap?”

We are then also seeing a lot of supporters, a lot of allies, step up and ask, “How can I help? How can we do more? How can we be more supportive?” Which is a really beautiful thing about this area, is that that is a much stronger feeling than the negative side.

Express: How can the community show up for you?

Brown-Reasner: It can be anything from wearing a rainbow pin on your jacket to come

to an event and hold a sign. Come along with your friends or your family to some of our events. Just be in the room. Be part of the conversation. It is already showing your support that you want to be there.

We’re in a very tumultuous time, and none of us have a real firm grasp of what’s going to come next. So just check on your friends, check on your family, and just be there in whatever way that means to you. And again, if it’s having a rainbow flag on your front porch, even if it’s just for June, or if it’s, making a donation and volunteering for an Up North Pride event—whatever your capacity is to do it. Just don’t be afraid to do it.

To learn more about Up North Pride’s events and programs, visit upnorthpride.com.

THE WORDS AND SOUNDS OF THE ANCESTORS

By Ren Brabenec

The mission statement of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) states that the tribe will “reach out to the next seven generations by holding to cultural values of Wisdom, Love, Respect, Bravery, Honesty, Humility, and Truth. We will utilize our Tribal assets to provide the necessary tools to become successful, hardworking community members who proudly represent our culture.”

The tribe works to accomplish that mission across all its operations, key among them being the teaching and practice of drum circle music, a traditional indigenous art form.

Drum circles are sacred gatherings for indigenous tribes across North America. The drumming connects participants to what tribal members believe is the spiritual pulse of their ancestors and of Mother Earth. The music centers on the rhythmic beating of a very large community drum, typically made of rawhide and wood. Musicians gather around the instrument in a circle and beat the drum in synchronized choreography while singing and chanting.

Bear Creek Drum Group Wins 2026 Juno Award

Recently, a prominent North American drum group with roots at the LTBB took home a major prize at Canada’s Juno Awards. The drum circle members used the event to highlight the importance of carrying Native American traditions forward.

Playing music since 1998, Bear Creek is a highly celebrated, Grammy-nominated, traditional Ojibwe pow wow drum group based out of the Batchewana First Nation in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Sault Ste. Marie may be the group’s home base, but its members hail from across the Great Lakes region. For example, Selese Syrette is a vocalist with Bear Creek and an LTBB tribal youth. Joe Syrette, her father, is the co-lead singer and serves as a visiting traditional healer at LTBB. Mother and wife Heather Syrette is the LTBB Child Welfare Commissioner.

In March, Bear Creek took home a Juno Award for Traditional Indigenous Artist or Group of the Year. The Canadian equivalent of the Grammy Awards, Junos are presented to highly talented musicians as recognition for outstanding achievements within the Canadian music industry.

Bear Creek won the award for their latest album release, On the Move, which readers can listen to on streaming outlets or music apps.

“A long time ago, we were all little boys and little girls who were looking up to heroes, different singers that we admired for what they did,” Joe Syrette said to an audience of fans as he and his fellow band members accepted the award. “So here we’ve been together since 1998. This is the first time we’ve done this, so we’re sending this award to all Indigenous kids. Young people, if you believe in our ways, this is what can happen, so ‘chi-miigwech!’ (thank you very much!)”

Syrette believes that maintaining traditional drum circle music across generations is essential to Native American identity, which, in turn, is critical to mental health, spiritual encouragement, and cultural knowledge. “Through [that] identity, we can reclaim our own path in life by living a Mino’biimaadiziwin (good life) that was always intended for us to live,” Syrette says.

Telling the Story Through Language

Bear Creek drum group preserves culture and language through music

A big part of what drives Bear Creek is the preservation of not just traditional music, but of indigenous language. The band members feel their ancestral language, brought forth through song, intimately ties them to culture, tradition, and knowledge.

Theresa Chingwa, Cultural Services Specialist at LTBB, works closely with Bear Creek. According to Chingwa, everything about indigenous life, even down to each tribal member’s name and how they introduce themselves to each other, is deeply rooted in language.

“For example, folks call me Theresa Chingwa,” Chingwa begins. “But my formal introduction is Binesi Kwe Nindigo (Thunder bird Woman) of Mkwa Ndodem (Bear Clan).”

Chingwa continues. “When our people make introductions, we also identify where we are from and who we are connected to, as discovering these connections fosters a greater ability for us to relate to one another For example, my tribes are Cheyenne Arapaho, Choctaw, Odawa, and Ojibway, or I would say, ‘Waganakising Odawa, Ndodabendaagwaz, (I am a member of Land of the Crooked Tree Odawa).’ And I would also say, ‘Odawaawiin ndonaangzhe, (I work for my tribe, Odawa).’”

Chingwa tells us that the indigenous peoples of Turtle Island (North America) believe the intersection of music and language is the keystone to preserving knowledge and traditions that, for centuries, were repressed and often openly attacked by Euro-American colonists.

“The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians preserves its musical heritage and teaches it to the next generation,” Chingwa says. “We do this through mentoring, language immersion, cultural events, pow wows, and community-based workshops to pass on traditional music like hand drum and shaker making songs, dance, and traditional clothing.”

Chingwa speaks highly of Bear Creek, saying the group’s success at Canada’s Juno Awards shines an international spotlight on Great Lakes Indigenous tribes and their contributions to North American culture, music, and storytelling.

When and Where to Catch Bear Creek Live

Bear Creek has been traveling the continent and performing at pow wows for almost 30 years, which means there are many YouTube videos available. But the best way to experience Bear Creek’s drum music is to witness it live. The group’s Facebook page has a roster of upcoming pow wows Bear Creek is performing at, including:

Feeding the Fire Within Pow Wow: June 6 and 7 on the shores of the North Channel on Manitoulin Island, five minutes west of Little Current on HWY 540.

Fourth of July Pow Wow: July 3, 4, and 5 at Owyhee, Nevada.

Biigtigong Nishnaabeg Annual Traditional Pow Wow: July 10, 11, and 12 at Heron Bay, Ontario.

Thunderchild: July 24, 25, and 26 at the Thunderchild Pow Wow grounds, Saskatchewan.

Ada Wilson “Grey Cloud Woman” Pow Wow: August 4, 5, and 6, at Fisher River Cree Nation, Manitoba.

EAT MORE PIE

The Sweet and Savory Pie Company offers so many delicious flavors, even pie skeptics will become converts

By Geri Dietze

How do you like your pie? Sweet and fruity or savory and comforting? The smart money goes for both, because these creations from the Sweet and Savory Pie Company don’t stay long in the display case.

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 full-time profession.

Co-owners and spouses Deon BenitoCardillo and Oreste Cardillo talked to Northern Express and shared some, but not all, of their bakers’ secrets.

The Road to Michigan

Deon Benito-Cardillo hails from Cape Town, South Africa, and had a long professional career in corporate human resources, including 10 years in England. Brooklyn-born Oreste Cardillo was a formally trained metalsmith with a background in fine jewelry retailing. Seeking a change, he moved to Cape Town, eventually meeting and marrying Deon. The pair’s design and management skills translated nicely into the pie business. For

Oreste, design and pie-making “ask for technical skill, consistency, visual balance, and an understanding of how small choices affect the finished product, [with] both rooted in the same values: artistry, discipline, and care for the finished experience.”

Adds Deon, “HR and running a pie business may seem…very different, but the people side of any business is enormous. [A] positive workplace, [clear] expectations, managing schedules, supporting staff, and [promoting] teamwork…are all essential to day-to-day operations.”

In 2021, in part due to COVID, the pair moved to Chicago and set up shop in the thriving East Lakeview neighborhood on the city’s North Side. The result was Empanada Mama and the Pie Guy, a small, take-out-only storefront dealing in their signature empanadas, the half-moon shaped pastries filled with savory meats and cheeses, and their delicious pies. (Yelp reviewers practically swooned over their favorites.)

Empanada Mama did very well during COVID’s restaurant disruptions, but they outgrew their space at the same time they were developing a growing attachment to northern Michigan and the possibility of building a life there amid the beauty, peace, and the sense of community. And so they left Chicago for Alanson and began baking again.

In the Kitchen

The first step of any good pie is the crust, and you should know that the guys at Sweet and Savory have spent years perfecting it.

“We…[experimented] with recipes, refining techniques, and learning what made certain pastries and pies really memorable. Looking back, those early years of baking for family and friends gave us the foundation,”

says Deon. “We pay close attention to both texture and flavor, which means we place great importance on high-quality ingredients,” he adds. “For example, we use a special butter that’s richer in milkfat and has a creamier consistency.” And, he continues, “The texture has to be balanced just right—flaky, tender, and sturdy enough to support the

filling without becoming heavy. [It can] … seem simple, but in reality, it requires a lot of discipline and consistency.”

The resulting crust has a deep golden sheen which speaks for itself: Someone cared enough to make it the best.

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,” Deon says.

And, it goes without saying that the Cardillos source top tier ingredients from a coterie of local and regional providers, paying special attention to the seasonal bounty found during Michigan’s growing season.

“Using local ingredients…allows us to highlight the quality of what farmers and producers in the region are growing.” But even past the growing season, the pair remains focused on “quality, seasonality, and…ingredients that align with our standards,” says Deon.

On the Menu

Ready to eat? Patrons can purchase onsite or submit orders several days to a week in advance for holidays, busy seasons, or for large orders, and the team at Sweet and Savory will always try to fill special orders to personalize a celebration or occasion. (Do remember that summer often requires the production of hundreds of pies daily, so ordering early is a must.)

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 North East lobster.

The business cannot ship products at this time, so plan on coming north to try them in person. Catering, for small to medium groups, is possible, as long as the bakers know they can maintain the same level of “freshness, quality, and presentation that customers expect from us in the shop.”

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

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Our office also assists in filing claims for VA disability, VA pension and financial assistance.

BETTER TOGETHER

An update from Northern Michigan E3

By Art Bukowski

The folks at Northern Michigan E3 just want to get the conversation started…and keep it going.

The organization’s mission is to create an “anti-racist northern Michigan through education, elevation and engagement.” All of these Es are important, but engagement— through events, gatherings and more—is designed to foster a sense of community, generate meaningful dialogue, and be a catalyst for change.

This summer will see the return of the group’s popular Juneteenth celebration on June 19, and by the end of the year the group hopes to form a book club to further spark conversation within the community. Its 12-member council is always looking for more ways to deploy those Es.

“In a time when division can feel so common, creating spaces where people can connect, learn from one another, and celebrate together is powerful and necessary,” says Chris Stone, an E3 council member.

From 2020 to 2026

The organization was born in 2020 in the wake of the George Floyd murder in Minneapolis, which sparked widespread outrage across the country. Those who went on to formally found E3 first organized a Black Lives Matter rally at the Open Space in Traverse City that was attended by over 1,000 people.

In the years since, the group has become known for its MLK day and Juneteenth events, among other events and activities. There is much to celebrate, the group says, especially as more people acknowledge problems with racial disparity and are willing to do something about it.

“I think we have more and more people seeking how to participate in making our

collective lives better,” says Wendy von Courter, an E3 council member. “Our community is recognizing that fellow neighbors are hurting and they aren’t waiting for ‘someone’ to fix it. They’re working to fix it themselves.”

But it’s still an uphill battle.

“There’s so much work to do,” von Courter says. “There are constant threats, and it’s hard to keep up. No one group or person can do it all.”

Among the group’s notable initiatives is to award scholarships to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) students in the area. Von Courter says they’ve awarded about $20,000 such scholarships so far, in increments of $1,000 per student.

“One of the things we’re proudest of is that we’re trying to not say no to any BIPOC student that comes forward looking for assistance, and we’re not putting any requirements on it in terms of what they use the funds for, because we recognize that any higher education experience is costly in any number of ways,” she says.

On the Horizon

Everyone at E3 is looking forward to this year’s Juneteenth events, which will span from 5-9:30pm on Friday, June 19.

The first part of the evening will include music, food trucks, face painting, scholarship awards, a performance by Crystal Woodward-Turner, and a talk by guest speaker Tyasha Harrison. All of this will occur on the lawn outside Northwestern Michigan College’s Innovation Center.

Then the party heads over to the Grand Traverse County Civic Center for an open skate in partnership with the Traverse City Roller Derby. For up-to-date information, head to E3’s website or Facebook page.

“I look forward to helping create an event that not only commemorates

the significance of Juneteenth, but also strengthens relationships within our community through culture, dialogue, education, and shared experiences,” Stone says. “Being involved in this effort is both an honor and an inspiration, and I am proud to work alongside others who are passionate about building a more inclusive and united future.”

The organization is also hoping to launch a book club before the end of the year.

“It’s going to have an offering that is for very specifically for white people, and then one that is for BIPOC folks, and then one that is cross-cultural and open to anybody,” von Courter says. “We want to engage people in talking about these topics around race, power, and privilege and cross-cultural competency.”

Other ideas are additional fundraisers throughout the year—perhaps a block party or mini carnival—and forging better relationships with community organizations.

“We’re very interested in solidifying our partnerships with other groups that are doing work for the community,” von Courter says. “It’s not about any political agenda other than strengthening our community and being better together.”

Better Together Events

Speaking of being better together, E3 in April held its second annual Better Together event at Milliken Auditorium. Stone and von Courter were delighted by the event’s two speakers: Deena Hayes-Greene and Chris Crass.

“Deena is a committed community organizer focused on building collective power and promoting racial equity,” Stone says. “She is the co-founder and Managing Director of the Racial Equity Institute (REI) and a Partner at The Groundwater Institute, where she helps lead systems-level change efforts nationwide.”

“[Chris Crass is] one of the leading voices in the country calling for and supporting white people to work for racial justice and men to work for feminism,” Stone adds. “He’s a social justice educator who leads political education courses and workshops on courage for racial justice, feminism for men, class analysis, lessons from past movements, and creating healthy culture and leadership for progressive activism.”

This comes after a movie showing last year. But these Better Together events (the series will continue next year) are about community dialogue more than anything else.

“So we had a model that we thought worked well: Have an experience that is truly invitational to our larger community across differences, And then grab a few bites to eat and sit and talk with one another, especially people that you’ve never met before,” von Courter says. “That’s why we decided to call it ‘Better Together.’ We thought we truly are better together and we need to make who we are together bigger. It can’t just be the folks that have already done all the antiracism training and have already identified themselves as allies. How do we reach out?”

Stone agrees, and he sees Better Together as a great way to cast a larger net and have important conversations.

“One of the goals is to bring more of the community in and show them something different besides Juneteenth and MLK day,” he says. “And after the event, you get to express how you felt about that event and we can get your perspective and discuss how you viewed it and how we view it. And it’s a very good conversation because…you’re finding out how a person looks at something through a different lens.”

Learn more about Northern Michigan E3’s work and upcoming events at northernmichigane3.com.

Meet the “Rainbow Realtors”

How a queer-led realty group is making home ownership more inclusive

By Rachel Pasche

It’s never too late to discover (and pursue) your passions, just take it from Kimberly Kambrow and Rebecca Tippett, who started KIRE Realty in November 2022 and haven’t looked back. Their aim is to make real estate accessible for anyone, especially for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. With bright, rainbow-focused marketing and lots of resources for home buyers, KIRE is giving real estate a new look and approachable feel.

Kambrow’s career path started in the restaurant and retail industries, eventually leading her to work for Cracker Barrel at a corporate level. She moved to Hawaii in 2008 and received a degree in disaster management, which was hyper-relevant in Hawaii—less so in Traverse City, where she moved almost immediately after completing her degree.

“I didn’t want to go back to restaurants, or retail, or to work for someone else. So I got into real estate. I understood what it meant to put your feet on the floor every morning and find the fuel to get out there and make it happen.”

Once her kids were out of the house and COVID hit, Kambrow said she felt like she had lost her purpose. “I had been following the safe route. Conformity felt safe, and I was going along the path that I thought was the best option. I had to sort of deconstruct what I thought the ‘correct’ path was for me in order to understand what it could be.”

Kambrow and Tippett met around that time and decided to start their next chapter together. Tippett was living in Ohio at the time and had a background in operations. She had owned a floor covering store, worked in big box retail, and had recently completed her training to become a medical massage therapist. Despite the timing, the obstacles, the fact that Tippett had just finished training for a different profession, the two women decided to take a leap of faith together.

Driven by Data and Heart

The decision to start KIRE wasn’t

random. It stemmed from a concerning dataset the founders had read, and a long car ride where they discussed what a different future might look like.

When the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released a dataset on queer homeownership, the statistics were disheartening to Kambrow and Tippett. One of the findings was that LGBTQIA+ homebuyers purchased smaller and older homes than non-LGBTQ buyers and sellers.

“The Traverse City housing market is difficult enough to navigate on its own, and the additional statistics made a call to action sort of necessary. It made it easy to understand that this is who we are, this is our community, and we have a responsibility to impact positive change in terms of those data metrics on a local level,” Kambrow says.

In 2022, on a drive to Tennessee, the two of them mapped out what a real estate group that was more inclusive of members of the LGBTQIA+ community might look like. “We dreamt of creating a real estate company, a community, a vision of greater things for the future. And we landed on KIRE.”

The name KIRE is shared with their French Bulldog (and the company’s Chief Dog Officer), a combination of Kambrow and Tippett’s names. In building this company, they “threw the traditional playbook out the window,” deciding to do things their way and basing the company in their mission, values, and community.

“It’s evolved into something we’re very proud of,” Kambrow says.

The company is openly LGBTQIA+ friendly, with rainbow graphics on marketing materials and “heart-lead messaging” that conveys who Kambrow and Tippett are and what they believe in. “The way we’ve been embraced has been nothing short of amazing. It’s not necessarily for everyone, and that’s okay, but for those who know us and understand us, it’s fantastic.”

Growing and Reinvesting

The team at KIRE has grown to include two additional team members. “Mackintosh W. Joy (they/them) recently joined the

team as a Buyer’s Agent and has already become such an incredible reflection of the energy and inclusivity we want people to feel when they work with KIRE,” Kambrow says. “Frank Swinehart (he/him) is our Celebration Ambassador, which honestly says everything you need to know about our KIRE philosophy.”

Though getting a new real estate group off the ground and running has taken up a majority of their time, Kambrow and Tippett still participate in other activities, including coaching and training for other queer realtors.

“A lot of people in the queer community were feeling sort of adrift, and we realized we were in a position to provide a lot of valuable resources for people looking to navigate the decision-making process of making a change or a pivot,” Kambrow says. “Mentoring these ‘rainbow realtors’ has been such a great way for us to give back and build the community we dreamt of when we were coming up with KIRE Realty. We’re helping people feel like they have a place and a voice in this community.”

When they’re not mentoring or working on their business, Tippett loves to paint, while Kambrow is into graphite drawing,

crocheting, and house projects. Kayaking and travel are two things they try to make time for, regardless of how hectic their schedules may become. Even during this busy season of their lives, both are grateful for where their paths have taken them.

“It really is true, what they say: love what you do and you won’t work a day in your life,” Kambrow says with a laugh. “We find our joy in our work, in our clients, in seeing them step into something that some of them thought would never be possible. Some of them are first-generation homeowners, and being part of that process is amazing.”

A few houses KIRE has on the market this spring include two single-family homes in Traverse City (one on the Boardman River, another in a charming cul-de-sac) and a single-family home in Gaylord that was originally the first courthouse of Otsego County. Looking forward, KIRE Realty is hoping to expand their team and market. The goal is to bring on new agents, train them from the ground up, and break into other markets around Michigan to ensure inclusive real estate is available for everyone in the state.

Learn more at kirerealtygroup.kw.com.

Saturday

BIKE BENZIE TOUR: 7am, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. Enjoy a bicycle tour of Benzie County. Choose from 62, 40 or 30 mile tours. See web site to register & for various start times. $65-$90. bikebenzie.org

“WEAR ORANGE” - PLANT ORANGE FLOWERS: 9-11:30am, Child & Family Services, 3785 Veterans Dr., TC. Presented by Moms Demand Action. Plant orange flowers in observance of the Wear Orange event, which honors the 46,000 Americans who are killed with guns & the 97,000 more who are shot & wounded from gun violence every year. Bring gloves, small shovels & watering cans, if able. Accepting donations.

FRESH COAST FIBER FESTIVAL: 9am4pm, GT County Civic Center, Howe Arena, TC. Yarn & fiber vendors for folks who knit/ crochet/weave/spin, animals, food trucks, coffee bar, & more. freshcoastfiberfestival.com

MY SISTER’S CLOSET FREE POP-UP CLOTHING BOUTIQUE: 9am-noon, Lighthouse Missionary Church, East Jordan. Bring your donations of gently used, modest clothing during the month of May to Lighthouse Missionary Church any day or time, or to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, M-F, 8am-3pm. Girl’s size 6 through all women’s sizes clothing, jewelry, purses, shoes, etc. Then join on May 29-30 for free shopping & snacks.

26TH ANNUAL SPLASH OF COLOR FUN RUN & VISIBILITY WALK FOR MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS: Festival Place Shelter, 200 Wachtel, Petoskey. The run starts at 10am, & the walk at 10:30am. Benefits the North Country CMH Client Special Needs Fund. There will be door prizes & giveaways. $15. norcocmh.org

BUILDING BRIDGES WITH MUSIC BREAKFAST PERFORMANCE: 10am, Oakwood Proper Burgers, TC. Building Bridges with Music is a TC based nonprofit celebrating 30 years of impact in 2026. Experience an assembly program while enjoying snacks & community connection. Free, RSVP requested: becky@buildingbridgeswithmusic.org. facebook.com/events/2736895506670518

CAN YOU IDENTIFY THE 10 MOST HISTORIC TREES IN DR. MUNSON’S ARBORETUM?: 10am-noon, Historic Front Lawn at Cuppa Joe entrance, The Village at GT Commons, TC. Join Friends of Historic Commons & Matthew Ross, Friends board member & executive director of the Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park, to witness & learn about the newly installed interpretive signs

that explain the history of the former State Hospital & highlight the significant trees in Dr. Munson’s therapeutic arboretum. Free. facebook.com/events/1870751277214137

NATIVE POLLINATOR PLANTING WORKDAY: 10am-noon, Voran Family Preserve. Continue building pollinator friendly landscapes across WLAC preserves with this hands-on planting event. walloon.org

UP NORTH PRIDE HEALTH FAIR: 10am2pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. Learn about the resources & services available to the community at Up North Pride’s first LGBTQ+ Health Fair, presented by Traverse Bay Internal Medicine, with special thanks to wellness partner Thomas Judd Care Center, & Traverse Area District Library. Free. upnorthpride.com/listevents/2026/5/30/lgbtq-health-fair

ARTIST TALK: CALVIN BOULTER & RAGNAR AVERY: 11am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, TC. Photographers Boulter & Avery will share the inspiration behind their work from the exhibit “Connection and Flow.” They will also discuss the role of mentorship in their creative journeys, & offer insight into their photographic techniques & artistic process. Free. crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/events/?page=1&location=traversecity#class-list

FRIENDS OF THE CADILLAC LIBRARY PROGRAM BY BOB VAN DELLEN ON WILLIAM KENT KREUGER: 11am, Cadillac Wexford Public Library, Cadillac. Free. friendsofthecadillaclibrary.wordpress.com/ upcoming-programs

PROTEST ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE AGAINST PALESTINE: 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

SRP REGISTRATION EVENT: PET ROCK ADOPTION PARTY: 11am-1pm, Bellaire Public Library. Register for summer reading, paint your own pet rock, & get a sneak peek at the prizes up for grabs. bellairelibrary.org

TASTE OF THE PAST WITH REENACTORS NICK & CATHRINE BARBER: Noon-2pm, Raven Hill Discovery Center, East Jordan. Step back in time & see how meals were prepared before modern kitchens. Taste of the Past is a hands-on cooking class that explores historic foodways & traditional methods of preparing simple, nourishing meals over an open fire or hearth. Free; get ticket. miravenhill.org

Before you choose from a massive menu of local asparagus dishes, toe the line at the Kick-yer-Assparagus 5K at the pavilion at Empire public beach, Sat., June 6 at 10am. The Empire Asparagus Festival, a day of peace, music and food, offers a recipe contest, Asparagus Eats (featuring local breweries, food vendors, and live music with Zinnia Dungjen, Andre Villoch and 5th Gear Band), an “Ode to Asparagus” Poetry Contest, and more, all beginning at noon. facebook.com/ EmpireMichigan/

“LOVE LETTERS”: 7pm, The Leelanau School Community Auditorium, Glen Arbor. Presented by the Glen Arbor Players, this play follows the lifelong relationship of two childhood friends through letters, celebrating the joys & challenges of what it means to be human. Minimum of $10 donation appreciated. glenarborplayers.org

SKETCH AND RELEASE W/ FULL TILT COMEDY: 7pm, The MATCH, Cherryland Center, TC. $12. fulltiltcomedy.org/shows THE INSIDERS - A TRIBUTE TO TOM PETTY: 7-9pm, AuSable Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, Grayling. Enjoy a premier Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers tribute experience. Featuring six veteran musicians with decades of combined touring & stage experience, The Insiders are truly running down the dream. $40. artisanvillage.org/events

THE MAD ANGLER TRIO & GUEST VIOLINIST JEREMY COHEN: 7pm, The Music House Museum, Williamsburg. $25 online; $30 door. mynorthtickets.com/events/themusic-house-welcomes-the-mad-anglertrio-with-guest-violinist-jeremy-cohen-may30-at-700pm-5-30-2026

THE RHUBARBARY HOUSE CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS TRILLIUM: 7:30pm, The Rhubarbary, 3550 Five Mile Creek Rd., Harbor Springs. Enjoy Trillium’s traditional Irish music. They blend lively tunes with stories & moments that invite audiences in. Please bring a folding chair if able. RSVP: 231-499-8038. $20 donation requested.

may 31

Sunday

FRESH COAST FIBER FESTIVAL: (See Sat., May 30, except today’s time is 10am-3pm.)

FREE PANCAKE BREAKFAST: 11amnoon, Lake Ann United Methodist Church. Donations welcome.

“LOVE LETTERS”: (See Sat., May 30, except today’s time is 2pm.)

HEALTH BENEFITS OF THE CLEAN ENERGY TRANSITION: PANEL DISCUSSION: 3-4:30pm, Traverse Area District Library, TC. This lecture will be given by Dr. Debra Hendrickson, MD, author of “The Air

AN AFTERNOON WITH JEFF DANIELS

by the Northport Community Band

Saturday, August 23, 7:30pm •Northport Auditorium

Sunday, August 9 • 3pm NPAC Auditorium

Adults $15/Students $5/Northport students accompanied by an adult Free Northport Community Band & Village Voices Holiday Concert

Sunday, November 30, 2:00pm

Northport Auditorium•Cookie Afterglow in the lobby

Adults $15/Students $5/Northport students accompanied by an adult Free Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre Presents The Nutcracker Saturday, December 13, 7:30pm• Northport Auditorium

Main Stage Sponsors:

SHERRY KOENIG • CHERRY REPUBLIC

Northport Performing Arts Center 104 S. Wing Street, Northport, MI NorthportPerformingArts.org

OUTSOLD

Adults $20/Students $5/Northport students accompanied by an adult Free

WITH GRANT SUPPORT FROM:

MUSIC IN THE PARK 2025:

June 27, 1000 WATT PROPHETS - soul

July 4, No Concert

July 11, Ivan Powers Band - dance rock

July 18, Luke Woltanski Band - folk rock

July 25, Igor and the Red Elvises - dance to russian rock

We will also celebrate the LTCF’s 80th birthday

August 1, Broom Closet Boys - danceable covers

August 8, Benzie Playboys - cajun zydeco

August 15, Looking Forward - CSNY their music our way

August 22, Fabulous Horn Dogs - dance to the horns

August 29, Tundra Tones - funk rock swing

Sound: Jonah Powell

They Breathe.” She will be followed by a panel of local experts on health & community action, including Dr. Mark Elliott, MD, retired cardiologist, Dr. Lisa Del Buono, MD, retired diagnostic pathologist, & Dr. Lisa Franseen, PhD, clinical psychologist.

DANCES OF UNIVERSAL PEACE: 3:30pm, Llama Meadows Eco Farm, Benzonia. Presented by the Sacred Earth Tribe. Blending chants, live music & simple movements into a living experience of unity, peace & joy. Vegetarian potluck (optional) to follow, & then Rumi Cafe - sharing poetry, singing, music & more. Asking for an offering of $10-$20 with all proceeds benefitting Safe Harbor Homeless Shelter, TC.

AN AFTERNOON WITH RUTA SEPETYS: 4pm, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Theater, Petoskey. Celebrate Ruta’s newest book, “A Fortune of Sand.” This book is set against the crumbling grandeur of 1920s Detroit & inspired by actual, long-buried historical events. Free. mcleanandeakin.com/ event/2026-05-31/ruta-sepetys-fortune-sand

AN ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH SIDEWALK PROPHETS: 7-9pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. This Dove Award winning band is known for their Christian music, including Gold certified hits “The Words I Would Say,” “You Love Me Anyway,” & “Live Like That.” Tickets start at $22.04. eventbrite. com/e/an-acoustic-evening-with-sidewalkprophets-spring-2026-cheboygan-mi-tickets-1917645482259

TASSELS & TAILGATES: 7pm, Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre, Honor. Class of 2026 graduates get in FREE, get special discounts on food & drinks, can participate in the Graduate Parade in cap & gown around the drive-in before the movie, can submit baby & graduate photos at least a week before the event to be displayed on the big screen before the movie begins, & more. facebook.com/events/979525194548376

monday

SMART COMMUTE WEEK: TC. Join for events from June 1-5 promoting cycling, walking, taking the bus & carpooling. Free daily breakfasts are hosted at various locations around town for smart commuters from 7-9am. Every year community members challenge each other to a friendly competition known as the Commuter Cup Challenge. The Challenge is open to all & free to participate. Free. traversetrails.org/event/smartcommute-week

YOUR BRAIN ON ART - BOOK DISCUSSION: 5:30-7:30pm, Good Hart Artist Residency, Harbor Springs. This discussion is led by Trina Hayes. Food & drink provided. Free. eventbrite.com/e/your-brain-on-art-book-discussion-registration-1985450460775?aff=od dtdtcreator

DEEP RELEASE YOGA: 6:30pm, The Friendship Community Center, Suttons Bay. Held every Mon. This is a yin-inspired class with relaxing & passive postures held between 3-7 minutes, using props in order to allow for a deeper relaxation. Drop-ins welcome. Donation based. thecentersb.com/events

MONDAY NIGHT MOVIES: 7:30pm, Bay View, Voorhies Hall, Petoskey. Featuring “Hidden Figures.” Three female African-American mathematicians play a pivotal role in astronaut John Glenn’s launch into orbit while dealing with racial & gender discrimination.

tuesday

SMART COMMUTE WEEK: (See Mon., June 1)

NORTHPORT WOMEN’S CLUB: 1pm, Trinity Church Social Hall, Northport. The program is “Fun Flower Arrangements” presented by Christina Pfeifer, owner of Field of Flowers North. 231-631-8084.

OUR SHARED FUTURE: CENTERING DISABILITY STORIES: 3:30-5:30pm, Leland Twp. Public Library, Munnecke Room. A five-part community conversation series focused on disability, accessibility & equity. This month’s conversation is “Building Ally Culture & Community.” RSVP on web site. lelandlibrary.org

RR HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF NW MICHIGAN JUNE MEETING: 6:55pm, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, GT Mall. Anyone interested in railroad history is invited to attend.

wednesday

COMMUTE WEEK: (See Mon., June 1)

SENIORS ON THE T.A.R.T.: 10am, Aroma Coffee & Tea (West Bay), Leelanau Trl. & TART Bayfront West. A weekly get-together for seniors to help them become more active & find social connections. Walk, run, jog, bike, rollerblade, skateboard, or come with wheelchair. All activities & abilities welcome. Join for a coffee social time after. Free.

POSITIVE APPROACH TO CARE: 1pm, Traverse Area District Library, McGuire Community Room, TC. This workshop is fueled by Accelerate the Care, & presented by Lisa George, a certified Positive Approach to Care trainer. Accelerate the Care is a local nonprofit dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for caregivers & for people challenged with Alzheimer’s & other types of dementia. Free. tadl. org/event/accelerate-care-workshop-31078

PICNIC IN THE PIAZZA SUMMER KICKOFF RECESS: 5-7pm, The Piazza at The Village at GT Commons, TC. Join The Ticker for an outdoor picnic with food, drinks, bocce & prizes. Featuring craft beverages from Earthen Ales, Left Foot Charley, & ŌBrien Vineyards, & food from Village restaurants. Attendees will be entered to win great prizes including the grand prize of a Private Village tour for up to 15 people ($525 value) & a $100 Village gift certificate; an annual subscription to the Traverse City Business News & a $100 downtown TC shopping spree; Village merchants gift basket; & Botanic Garden gift basket & family membership to the gardens. Recess will be held four times a year - one every quarter. Find ‘Picnic in the Piazza Summer Kickoff Recess’ on Facebook. Admission is $15.

SUMMER KICK-OFF FAMILY FESTIVAL: 5-7pm, The Friendship Community Center, Suttons Bay. Enjoy a barbecue & gathering with kids activities & games, live music & more. Hosted by The Center & Suttons Bay PTO. Free. thecentersb.com

SLOW ROLL TC - SMART COMMUTE WEEK: 6pm, Oryana Community Co-Op, 260 E. Tenth St., TC. Free community bike rides designed to provide a fun, social experience on two wheels. Show up, slow down, & explore your community at an entirely new pace. These family bike rides are typically just a few miles along a safe,

thu rsday

SMART COMMUTE WEEK:

(See Mon., June 1)

COFFEE @ TEN, PETOSKEY: 10am, Crooked Tree Arts Center, Petoskey. Join CTAC (461 E. Mitchell St., Petoskey) every Thurs. at 10am for complimentary coffee & pastries & a talk! This week, CTAC School of Ballet’s video crew will discuss student screendance works inspired by some of Martha Graham’s original choreographies & the process dance creators go through to bring their choreography into the medium of video. Free. crookedtree.org/coffeeatten

FENFEST: Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire, June 4-7. Get out & enjoy nature! Learn to identify sedges, kayak Grass River, go for a bird or wild orchid walk, stop by the Native Plant Sale, & much more! Free events include a family playgroup, Backyard Restoration with CAKE-CISMA & an old-growth forest walk. To see the full calendar & register, head to grassriver.org, & click under Classes and Programs. grassriver.org

NORTHERN MICHIGAN FOOD DONATION WORKSHOP: DOUBLING IMPACT BY 2030: 3pm, King Orchards Home Farm & Orchards, Central Lake. Michigan Sustainable Business Forum, Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan, & Goodwill Northern Michigan for a focused, solutions-oriented convening designed for food businesses, farms, institutions, food rescue organizations, community partners, & local leaders interested in increasing food donation in northern Michigan. RSVP. Free. misbf.org/ blog/misbf_events/northern-michigan-fooddonation-workshop-doubling-impact-by-2030

FOOD IS MEDICINE: 5pm, Burritt’s, TC. Less Cancer is hosting a community workshop titled Food Is Medicine, focused on the powerful relationship between nutrition, environmental exposure, & long-term health. This event will explore how everyday food choices can influence cancer risk & overall wellness. Free. lesscancer.org/events/foodis-medicine-workshop

NMRPOA MEETING: 5pm, The Elks Lodge, TC. Northern MI Rental Property Owners Association (NMRPOA), a non-profit organization assisting landlords & real estate investors, will hold their dinner meeting. The guest speaker will be from Grand Slam Investigations. RSVP: gkroush@charter.net. Free with dinner purchase.

LET’S MAKE A MUSICAL - FREE SHOWCASE!: 6pm, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. Enjoy a performance of “The Trouble with the Thompson Triplets,” an original musical by Frankfort Elementary students, with help from Teacher Leo & Teacher Tim. gardentheater.org/comingsoon

ROBERT DOWNES PRESENTS “STORIES & SONGS” MULTIMEDIA PERFORMANCE: 7pm, Chalfonte Theatre, Elk Rapids. A fundraiser to support the Chalfonte Theatre Capital Campaign. TC author, singer-songwriter & storyteller Robert Downes brings his Stories & Songs multimedia show. Downes will tell stories from his nine books, perform original songs to match, along with projected films & photos on the big screen. Featuring Mark Cantrell on percussion. Free; suggested donation of $10 encouraged. chalfontetheatre.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

friday

SMART COMMUTE WEEK: (See Mon., June 1)

FENFEST: (See Thurs., June 4)

MACKINAW STEEL ANTIQUE CAR SHOW: Noon, Mackinaw Crossings Mall, Mackinaw City. Runs June 5-7. First annual showcase of vehicles spanning years of automotive design - from pre-war to 1973 classics & 1974 to present day show cars. Also featuring live music, swap meet & vintage parts market, judged competition & much more. Free admission. mackinawcity.com/ event/mackinaw-steel-car-show

SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING: Noon, Cowell Family Cancer Center, TC. Less Cancer presents If You See Something, Say Something, a unique cancer prevention program designed to empower trusted community professionals to recognize visible warning signs of cancer & other serious health concerns. Free. lesscancer.org/events/if-you-seesomething-say-something

BACKYARD RESTORATION: 1pm, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Learn about how healthy ecosystems don’t stop at the edge of a preserve; they extend into our own backyards. This talk by CAKE-CISMA explores how individual actions can collectively support biodiversity across the region. Learn how to replace invasive species, incorporate native plants, & create functional habitat that supports wildlife & improves water quality. Free, donations appreciated. grassriver.org

AN EVENING AT THE CHEBOYGAN OPERA HOUSE: 5pm, The Cheboygan Opera House. Support the programs of the Cheboygan Opera House with an evening on stage that includes drinks, hors d’ouevres, a silent auction, raffle, & more. Explore parts of the theater that are usually off limits to all but the performers, with a scavenger hunt that includes prizes throughout the Opera House. Enjoy live music by Nathan Towne & other special guests, & a live collaborative painting with Nola Creative Arts. $75. ci.ovationtix.com/36618/production/126944 1?performanceId=11784265

DOWNTOWN TC ART WALK SERIES: 5-7pm, Downtown TC. Experience art in every direction during the Downtown TC Art Walk Series, May 29 & June 5, 5-7pm, with local artists in select shops & restaurants alongside demos & treats. Explore & catch live music at Horizon Books: A to Z performs May 29 & Stefanie & Vincenzo on June 5. Arts & crafts at the Crooked Tree Arts Center station at the J. Smith Walkway. Free. downtowntc.com/downtown-art-walk

MESSTIVAL: SUMMER READING KICKOFF: 6-8pm, Petoskey District Library, Outdoor Space. Make a mess with chalk, bubbles, paint & shaving cream, plus: a juggling performance with Clark Lewis at 6pm, a human ‘slop’ machine at 7pm, a visit from Gibson’s monster truck, & more. Pick up your all-ages summer reading booklet!

“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS”: 7pm, Old Town Playhouse, TC. OTP’s youth performers offer a musical version of “The Princess and the Pea.” Full of humor, quirky characters, & catchy songs, this comedic retelling of the classic fairy tale is a lighthearted look at love & defying ex-

pectations. $15-$22. oldtownplayhouse.com/ youth-learning/performances/once-upon-a-mattress.html -

DOWNTOWN GAYLORD SUMMER CON-

CERT SERIES: 7-9pm, Claude Shannon Park, Gaylord. Featuring Dig A Pony.

EJ MUSIC IN THE PARK: 7-9pm, Memorial Park, East Jordan. Bring a chair or blanket & listen to live music by Delilah DeWylde.

GREEN DOOR FOLK SCHOOL BARN

DANCE: Twin Lakes, Gilbert Lodge, TC. Enjoy an evening of lively music & joyful dancing. The event runs from 7-9pm, with a beginner’s lesson starting at 6:30pm to walk through the basics. Free; suggested donation of $10-$20. greendoorfolkschool.com/ class/green-door-folk-school-barn-dance-2

JERSEY NIGHTS: 7:30pm, City Opera House, TC. A night celebrating Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Featuring dynamic choreography, vocal harmonies & exceptional musicianship. Includes the hits: “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Walk Like A Man,” “Oh What a Night” & more. Doors open at 6:30pm. $39$69. cityoperahouse.org

SPECTRAL SILHOUETTE RADIO SHOW: 7:30pm, The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts, Manistee. This suspense-filled original audio drama is brought to life in a live theatrical performance complete with voice actors, sound effects, & a haunting musical score performed by the Black and Blue Hearts. Inspired by old time radio programs such as The Shadow, The Whistler, & Green Hornet. $15-$35. ci.ovationtix.com/35295/pro duction/1265756?performanceId=11766864

saturday

10TH ANNUAL CHEESE CUP FLY FISHING TOURNAMENT: 7am. Benefits Child & Family Services NW MI’s Suicide Prevention Program. Two person teams will compete for largest & smallest bass, bluegill, pike & carp caught on a fly. Sign up your at The Northern Angler in TC or online. $100 per two person team. thenorthernangler.com

NORTH MITTEN HALF MARATHON, 10K, 5K & 1 MILE FUN RUN: 8am, Crystal Mountain, Slopeside Tent, near Crystal Clipper Chairlift, Thompsonville. Featuring a combination of paved roads, dirt roads & trails. Mostly flat, open trails. Visit web site to register & see various start times. $15-$95. crystalmountain. com/events-activities/events/event-calendar/ north-mitten-half-marathon-10k-5k

MACKINAW STEEL ANTIQUE CAR SHOW: (See Fri., June 5, except today’s show starts at 8:30am.)

ROCK THE LIGHT: PIRATE DASH 5K RUN/ WALK & CAPTAIN WOOLSEY 10-MILER: GT Lighthouse Gift Shop, Leelanau State Park. 10-Miler starts at 8:30am & 5K at 9:15am. $30-$40. grandtraverselighthouse. com/events/rock-the-light-5k-10-miler

“WEAR ORANGE” - PLANT ORANGE

FLOWERS: 9-11:30am, Central United Methodist Church & Grace Episcopal Church, TC. Presented by Moms Demand Action. Plant orange flowers in observance of the Wear Orange event, which honors the 46,000 Americans who are killed with guns & the 97,000 more who are shot & wounded from gun violence every year. Bring gloves, small shovels & watering cans, if able. Accepting donations.

DISCOVER FISHING PROGRAM: FULL;

JOIN WAIT LIST: 9am, Discover Pier, TC. Youth learn basic fishing skills including casting & knot tying, food web study, & pier-based fishing techniques. discoverypier.org/fishing

HANSON HILLS CHALLENGE TRAIL RUN: 9am, 7601 Old Lake Rd., Grayling. Featuring 5 mile & 3 mile-ish runs. $20-$25. runsignup.com/Race/Events/MI/Grayling/HansonHillsChallenge5MileTrailRun

FENFEST: (See Thurs., June 4)

2026 EMPIRE ASPARAGUS FESTIVAL: 10am, Empire. A day of peace, music & food. Featuring the Kick-yer-Assparagus 5K Fun Run/Walk, Glen Lake Community Library Pop Up Book Sale, Recipe Contest, Asparagus Eats with food vendors, local breweries & live music with Zinnia Dungjen, Andre Villoch & 5th Gear Band. Also catch the Asparagus Queen on Stilts, The Magic Lady Family Magic Show, & Ode to Asparagus Poetry Contest. Find ‘Empire Asparagus Festival’ on Facebook. $10; under 16, free.

ART BEAT GALLERY TOUR IN ELK RAPIDS: 10am-5pm. Celebrating beatiful fine art in Elk Rapids for 21 years. Join Blue Heron, Mullaly’s 128 & Twisted Fish galleries for this festive & interactive gallery tour. Meet artists, mingle with friends & enter a chance to win a $100 gift certificate. Free. twistedfishgallery.com/event/ art-beat-gallery-tour-with-blue-heron-mullalys128-twisted-fish-galleries-of-elk-rapids

CONSERVATION CENTER PUBLIC TOUR: 10am, The McMullen Family Conservation Center, TC. Explore the 243-acre preserve’s diverse habitats, including wetlands, meadows & forest areas, & learn about ongoing restoration work, while traversing the universally accessible Looyenga Family Trail. From the trail, you can also watch the invasiveplant-eating goats enjoying their job with gusto! Free. gtrlc.my.salesforce-sites.com/es/ event/home/conservationcentertour060626

JAPANESE BARBERRY TRADE-UP: 10am-noon, ISN offices, off Veterans Dr., TC. Trade-in your invasive shrubs for a $5 coupon. Free - registration required. habitatmatters.org/ japanese-barberry-trade-up-day.html

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

OUTDOOR CRAFT & VENDOR SHOW: 10am-3pm, The Village at GT Commons, Front Lawn, TC. thevillagetc.com/events/junecraft

TC SPRING ART & CRAFT SHOW: 10am5pm, Open Space, TC. Enjoy this boutique, juried event featuring handmade items from up to 85 artists & creators. Free admission.

PROTEST ISRAEL’S GENOCIDE AGAINST PALESTINE: (See Sat., May 30)

GREAT LAKES CINEMA SERIES: SOUL: 11:30am, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Pixar’s Soul follows a jazz musician on a magical journey to discover what truly makes life worth living. Pay what you can admission. greatlakescfa.org/events/detail/soul

FREE DREW HALE CONCERT: GT County Civic Center, TC. Drew Hale, known for his powerful voice & authentic acoustic style, will headline the event with a live performance from noon-3pm. The concert will serve as both a celebration & a call to action encouraging people to take part in the Hike & Bike America initiative & support the mission of cancer prevention through healthy living &

community engagement. Free. lesscancer.org/events/less-cancers-hike-and-bikeamerica-rolls-on-788se-ktgwl

KINGSLEY ADAMS FLY FESTIVAL: Noon5pm, Brownson Memorial Park, Kingsley. Fly tying & casting demos, Au Sable river boat displays, live music with Drew & Cher and Chris Sterr, historic Mayfield Pond tours, live & silent auctions, & much more. GA is free. facebook.com/AdamsFlyFestival

SUMMER CELEBRATION 2026: Noon-2pm, The Watershed Discovery Center, Petoskey. Celebrate northern Michigan’s freshwaters! Meet Fin Diesel the lake sturgeon & other aquatic animals living in the stream tank exhibits, & enjoy hands-on activities that bring the science of clean water to life. Free. watershedcouncil.org/event/summer-celebration-2026

OLD GROWTH FOREST WALK: 1pm, Grass River Natural Area, Bellaire. Join for a brief presentation by Great Lakes Regional Manager for the Old-Growth Forest Network Leona Addie, followed by a hike to learn about old-growth forests, their characteristics, & importance. Free, donations appreciated. grassriver.org

ADULT SPELLING BEE: 1:30pm, Suttons Bay High School Cafeteria. This event benefits ShareCare of Leelanau, Inc. Deadline for team registration is May 20. dawn@ sharecareleelanau.org or 231-256-0221, ext. 302. $75/team (up to 3 people); spectators: $5-$10. sharecareleelanau.org

“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS”: (See Fri., June 5, except today’s times are 2pm & 7pm.)

WORLD-CLASS HORSE JUMPING IN TC: 2pm, Flintfields Horse Park, Williamsburg. Watch top riders & horses compete in the $116,500 Four G Surfaces CSI3* Grand Prix. Spend the day enjoying international show jumping alongside a relaxed summer setting. Explore food & beverage options, shopping, & open spaces throughout the venue. From $15. app.gopassage.com/venues/8654?refe rral=TCTourism26

LIVE AT THE BAY: GARNET ROGERS: 7pm, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Rogers has been described as a “brilliant songwriter” & “one of the major talents of our time” by Boston Globe. He has performed on many TV & radio programs, including “All Things Considered” & has shared the stage with performers like Mary Chapin Carpenter & Guy Clark. $25-$35. thebaytheatre.org/ movie/live-at-the-bay-garnet-rogers-2

RIVERS, SEARS & CHOWN: 7pm, The Music House, Williamsburg. Enjoy Still Standing: A Musical Journey with the Lookout Cats. $25 online, $30 door. mynorthtickets.com/ events/the-music-house-welcomes-riverssears-and-chown-for-a-concert-on-saturdayjune-6-at-700-pm

AN EVENING OF ABBA & THE BEE GEES: 7:30pm, City Opera House, TC. This tribute show features favorite hits from these two disco bands, including “Staying Alive,” “Mamma Mia,” “Night Fever,” “Dancing Queen” & much more. $39-$69. cityoperahouse.org

sunday

FORMULA1: MONACO GRAND PRIX: 9am, The Bay Community Theatre, Suttons Bay. Watch the F1 race on the big screen featuring the Bay’s state-of-the-art 4K laser projection, providing total immersion into the thrilling world of racing. Free. thebaytheatre. org/movie/formula-1-monaco-grand-prix

AUDITIONS FOR UPCOMING PRODUCTION OF “COME FROM AWAY”: 10amnoon, The Garden Theater, Frankfort. Presented by the Benzie County Players. Looking for actors, singers & stage crew. facebook.com/BenzieCountyPlayers

MACKINAW STEEL ANTIQUE CAR SHOW: (See Fri., June 5, except today’s show starts at 10am.)

TC SPRING ART & CRAFT SHOW: (See Sat., June 6)

FENFEST: (See Thurs., June 4)

MADE IN CHEBOYGAN CRAFT SHOWS: (See Sat., June 6, today’s time is 11am-3pm.)

STREAM MONITORING EVENT: 1-5pm, Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don & Jerry Olson Nature Preserve, TC. Participants will receive a brief intro to the Adopt-A-Stream program before heading into the field to collect aquatic macroinvertebrates from tributaries of Mitchell Creek. After sampling, participants will work together to sort & identify their findings with guidance from experts, helping determine a stream health score for each site. Advance registration required. gtbay.org

THE VERTICAL CHALLENGE CLIMBING COMPETITION: 1-5pm, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville. This is a new climbing wall competition designed to test your limits & crown the ultimate vertical athlete. For ages 10+. Registration is $40-$55 & includes a Crystal Mtn. water bottle, coupons for discounted food at the Beach House & vouchers for a return visit to the Climbing Wall. Plus, unlimited warm-up climbing races on Walls 1 & 2. crystalmountain.com/eventsactivities/events/event-calendar/the-verticalchallenge-climbing-competition

“ONCE UPON A MATTRESS”: (See Fri., June 5, except today’s time is 2pm.)

5TH ANNUAL PROJECT FEED THE KIDS SPRING CARNIVAL: 4pm, J&S Hamburg, TC. Games, food, family fun, swag bags, t-shirts, poker run, cake walk, auction & more. Every dollar raised helps keep coolers stocked & meals going out to local children & families in need. $10-$18. facebook.com/ events/1929487004364782

AN AFTERNOON WITH JESS WALTER: 4pm, Great Lakes Center for the Arts, Bay Harbor. Join Jess to celebrate the paperback release of his newest novel, “So Far Gone.” $15. mcleanandeakin.com/ event/2026-06-07/jess-walter-so-far-gone

MOVIE MUSIC MAGIC CONCERT: 7pm, Suttons Bay High School Auditorium. The Northport Community Band presents this concert featuring highlights from the stage & screen. Featuring local singer Emma (Grant) Megill. Free-will donations to the Don Wilcox Music Education Fund for area students are appreciated.

ongoing

BELLAIRE FARMERS MARKET: Fridays, 8am-noon, mid-May through mid-Oct. at 102 S. Maple St. localdifference.org/partner/bellaire-farmers-market/

EMPIRE FARMERS MARKET: 10234 Front St., next to post office, Empire. Held every june

BOYNE CITY FARMERS MARKET: Wednesdays & Saturdays, 8am-noon, midMay through mid-Oct. at Veterans Park, Boyne City. Featuring an array of goods from local small-scale farmers, artisans & entrepreneurs. July 4 & July 11 will be held at Old City Park. boynecityfarmersmarket.org

Sat., June 6 - Aug. 29 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com

HARBOR SPRINGS FARMERS MARKET:

Downtown Harbor Springs. Held every Weds. & Sat. throughout the summer, 9am1pm, from May 23 - Aug. 26, & Saturdays continue through Oct. 10. Featuring local farmers, artisans, food producers & more. Select dates will have music & Kids Days. petoskeyarea.com/events/harbor-springsfarmers-market-2026

-

HONOR FARMERS ARTISTS & MAKERS MARKET: Tuesdays, 9am-2pm, June – Aug., Maley Park, Honor.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON INTERLOCHEN FARM MARKET: Thursdays, 2-7pm, June 4 - Aug. 27, 2112 J. Maddy Pkwy., Interlochen.

LELAND FARMERS MARKET: Immanuel Lutheran Church Parking Lot, Leland. Held every Thurs., June 4 - Sept. 3 from 9am1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com

LONG LAKE FARMERS MARKET: Haywood Park, TC. Kicks off June 4 & 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., June 5 - Sept. 18 from 9am-1pm. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com

DOWNTOWN PETOSKEY FARMERS

MARKET: Fridays, 8:30am-1pm, May 29Oct. 2, at parking lot of old Petoskey News Review building on corner of Howard & Michigan streets. After the first few markets, it will eventually be located on Howard St. between Mitchell & Michigan streets. facebook.com/ PetoskeyFarmersMarket

SARA HARDY DOWNTOWN FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 7:30am-noon through Oct. at Parking Lot B, Cass St. & E. Grandview Parkway, TC. Also held here on Wednesdays starting in June from 8amnoon. It will take place on the ground floor of the Old Town Parking Deck during the National Cherry Festival. dda.downtowntc.com/ farmers-market

SUTTONS BAY FARMERS MARKET: Saturdays, 9am-1pm, May 23 - Oct. 17, North Park corner of M22 & M204, Suttons Bay. leelanaufarmersmarkets.com

PETOSKEY REGIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY HOSTS SAT. MORNING BIRD WALKS: Saturdays, 8-11am through May at Waldron Fen Nature Preserve, Alanson. Volunteers will help participants see & hear birds. Meet at the parking area off Banwell Rd. petoskeyaudubon.org

WILDFLOWER WALK: Tuesdays, 10:30am through June. Take a leisurely stroll through the scenic trails of Grass River Nature Area, Bellaire alongside knowledgeable docent Lyn Petty. Discover the stunning 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

art

2026 NORTHPORT PHOTO EXHIBIT: Village Arts Building, Northport. This annual exhibit, now in its ninth year, continues to grow in both artistic reach & visual diversity. It runs through June 13 with gallery hours Tues. through Sun., noon-4pm. Free. northportartsassociation.org/events-exhibits

17TH ANNUAL JURIED PHOTOGRAPHY

EXHIBITION: Charlevoix Circle of Arts. Runs through May 30. This exhibition showcases the talent & creativity of local photographers & members of the Charlevoix Photography Club. It will feature a diverse range of photographic work across seven categories: Landscape, Animals, Flora, People, Still Life, Black & White, and Creative. Charlevoix Circle of Arts’ hours are Mon. through Fri., 11am-4pm; & Sat., 11am-3pm. charlevoixcircle.org

CROOKED TREE ARTS CENTER, PETOSKEY:

- “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/modernmovement.html

- PLEIN AIR ADVENTURES: STUDENTS OF SUSAN GLASS: Held in Atrium Gallery. This exhibition of unframed works brings together years of weekly painting, capturing the spirit & shifting seasons of northern Michigan’s landscapes. Runs through June 13. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/plein-air-adventures.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 artists 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:

- GUILD POP-UP EXHIBIT: JENNIFER

TOBIAS: Held in Libragallery. My 45th Parallel Lives explores the landscapes & agricultural traditions of two places the artist calls home: Northern Michigan & Southwest France. Runs through June 13. See web site for hours. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/guild-popup-exhibit-jennifer-tobias.html

- “350: IMAGINING THE WORLD IN 2126”: Held in Cornwell Gallery. As communities across the country reflect on America’s 250th anniversary, 350 artists look forward instead of back — to imagine the world one hundred years from now. What might life look like in 2126? Through painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, & beyond, artists contribute their unique perspective on the century ahead. Runs through May 30. See web site for gallery hours. crookedtree.org/events-andexhibitions/exhibits/350.html

- CONNECTIONS & FLOW: Held in West Gallery. This exhibit brings together the work of photographers Ragnar Avery & Calvin Boulter in an exhibition that reflects both artistic dialogue & personal mentorship. Runs through May 30. An artist talk will be held on May 30 from 11am-noon. See web site for gallery hours. crookedtree.org/events-andexhibitions/exhibits/connection-and-flow.html

- THE ART OF CONNECTION: Held in East Gallery. Grand Traverse Industries Client Artist Exhibit. Runs through May 30. See web site for gallery hours. crookedtree.org/ events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/the-art-ofconnection.html

- TOMORROW’S ARTISTS TODAY: Held in Carnegie East. Featuring: 2026 High School Portfolio. This exhibition features the work of eight emerging artists, showcasing a fresh & dynamic collection developed under the guidance of Royce Deans. Focused on building strong portfolios for future opportunities, this exhibit highlights each student’s growth, creativity, & unique artistic voice. Runs through May 30. See web site for gallery hours.

crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/tomorrows-artists-today.html

DENNOS MUSEUM CENTER, NMC, TC:

- NMC HOSTED HIGH SCHOOL ART EXHIBITION: Runs through May. The NMC High School Art Exhibition, juried by NMC Art & VisCom faculty, features artwork in a variety of media & styles by juniors & seniors from regional high schools. Reception & awards on May 31 from 2-4pm. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 11am-4pm. dennosmuseum.org/art/now-on-view/nmc-student-art.html

- NEW PERSPECTIVES: RECENT AQUISITIONS FROM THE DENNOS PERMANENT ART COLLECTION:

Gallery through May. From new paintings & works on paper gifted through the Museum Exchange program to generous donations on behalf of museum members, friends, & NMC alumni, New Perspectives seeks to highlight convergent, as well as, divergent perspec tives on contemporary art & collecting prac tices in the 21st century. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org

- TRILOBITE TREASURES:

May. This exhibit presents Paleozoic crea tures in a way that tells a story of the prehis toric life in the ancient seas. The collection, assembled over 35 years, provides a unique snapshot of life in the ancient seas from 250 to 500 million years ago. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org

- IMPRESSIONS OF AN ERA: PRINTS FROM THE DENISON MUSEUM COL LECTION between 1970 & 1990 by nationally & in ternationally recognized contemporary artists, reflects two transformative decades in contemporary printmaking. Artists include Dee Shapiro, Barbara Kohl-Spiro, KUDO Muramasa & James Rizzi. Runs through May. See web site for hours. dennosmuseum.org

DAVID CROSS

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-poetic-visions-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 na tion’s next 250 years. This exhibition runs June 5 - Aug. 13. An opening reception will be held June 5 from 5-7pm. See web site for hours. glenarborart.org/product/exhibitamerican-tree

OLIVER ART CENTER, FRANKFORT:

- 2026 SUMMER MEMBER SHOW

June 6 - July 10. Opening reception on June 6 from 5-7pm. Featuring a wide vari ety of media & styles from OAC’s talented member artists, this fan-favorite show has something for everyone to enjoy. Open Mon. through Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon4pm. oliverart.org

- BEYOND THE PRINT: Runs through June 19. Featuring works by regional artists who push the boundaries of printmaking. Hours are Tues. through Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon-4pm. Closed Mon. until June 1. oliver art.org

- LOCAL COLOR A TO Z: Showcase of works in oil, acrylic, watercolor & mixed me dia created by a talented local artist group. Runs through May 30. Open hours: Tues.Sat., 10am-4pm; Sun., noon-4pm; & closed Mon. until June 1. oliverart.org

“Jonesin” Crosswords

"The Potato Eaters"--a tasty work of art. by Matt Jones

ACROSS

1. Positive votes

5. Barcelona appetizers

10. Haggis vendor, usually 14. Hurting

15. Without ___ in the world

16. Base for poi

17. Mennen aftershave brand

19. Strummed instruments

20. Like U.S. phone numbers (including area codes)

21. YouTube offerings

23. Royal flush need

24. Fish nets

26. Some fast food freebies

30. #42

33. Numerical suffix

34. It contains the id

36. Brand of tea once owned by Starbucks

37. Adidas rival

39. Sign of summer

40. Rachel Maddow's network, as of late 2025

41. Car sold at auction, maybe 42. Brief outline

44. Stranded material

45. Ozzy's band, for short

47. Patrick who played McDreamy

49. Become fixated

51. "Aladdin" monkey

52. 2026 Winter Olympics country, locally

54. Ingrid Bergman's "Casablanca" character

59. Golden Tempo's mother, e.g.

60. Divisive political topic

62. Env. data

63. Owe ___ of gratitude

64. "The Incredibles" fashion designer Mode

65. "California Dreamin'" singer Elliot

66. "Say ___ the Dress" (TLC reality series)

67. Grains at the shore

DOWN

1. Helper, for short

2. Ox connector

3. Brockovich portrayed by Julia Roberts

4. "Where the Wild Things Are" author

5. Goals

6. Three-syllable berry

7. Agreements

8. "Where ___ you going with that thing?"

9. Submissive

10. Class members

11. Flat trays for weddings

12. Vegan and kosher cookie

13. Chuck

18. Arm muscle

22. Ending for some pasta varieties

25. It's major when there's a G#

26. Some custard fruits

27. Offshore

28. Recycled paper products used for backing

29. Air dwellers of folklore

31. O3

32. "That's impossible!"

35. Intro to chemistry?

38. Fruit desserts

40. Bollywood's home

42. Eroded

43. Words before "exist" or "be"

46. "___ was about to say ..."

48. Heartbeats

50. Entree go-withs

52. Colorful tech product of the late 1990s

53. Sound of a big reveal?

55. Pride letters

56. Meat package letters

57. Actor Bill or director Trevor

58. Completely out of power

61. Stamp ending?

lOGY

JUNE 01 - JUNE 07

BY ROB BREZSNY

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Neurologist Oliver Sacks said, "I am haunted by the density of experience." He meant that every moment contains far more richness than we can fully register or remember. This observation will be especially relevant for you in the coming weeks. Your mind (and heart!) will be flooded with an abundance of stimuli, ideas, feelings, and impressions. It might initially feel overwhelming, but will ultimately be a boon—especially if you prepare yourself for the intensity and abundance. Imagine yourself standing next to a fountain and feeling cheerful about getting soaked.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): The ancient Library of Alexandria contained over half a million scrolls. If you devoted eight hours a day to reading, you could finish about 5,000 books over the course of your life. The librarians back then knew they would never read all the texts they managed and protected. Their job wasn't to consume all knowledge but to be stewards of abundance. They’re good role models for you, Virgo. The wonderful fact is that you don't have to master every single thing that attracts your attention. Your far more relaxing task is to curate with care and wisdom. Your growing edge is to know what to preserve and what to release. One of your noblest projects is to commune pleasurably with the intriguing mysteries that life brings you, not obsess on them.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libra psychologist Carol Dweck distinguishes between fixed mindsets ("I'm not smart enough") and growth mindsets ("I can become smarter"). When you have a fixed mindset, obstacles weigh you down. With a growth mindset, they motivate you to develop. What determines your trajectory isn't your current skill level but how you relate to your edge. With this in mind, Libra, invite you to monitor your self-talk as you encounter challenges. Are you prone to thinking that limitations are permanent, or do you see them as temporary states you can use as opportunities? You now have a good chance to instill the latter as a root habit.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): What’s something you wish you could change about yourself? Is it a trait, pattern, fear, or story about your body? And what exactly tells you that this can never change? Is it loyalty to old expectations or a rotting prophecy someone laid on you? Consider the possibility that maybe the “can’t” is really a “won’t,” or a “don’t know how yet,” or “I’m afraid of who I’d be without this.” Then imagine that you don’t have to transform this thing instantly, but, for starters, need only shift it by 10 percent in the direction of mercy and freedom. What small, specific action would generate that 10 percent?

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): What’s your most vital relationship? I dare you to surprise each other in the coming weeks. Refresh your bond with playful experimentation. Here are adventures you two could explore: 1. Take a walk together with no destination in mind, letting curiosity guide you. Talk about the paths you have not yet taken in life but might like to. 2. Describe the most beautiful future you can imagine for each other. Share practical steps you could take to make these scenarios happen. 3. Choose a food treat you both love, speak a blessing over it, then eat it slowly together as you name what you are most grateful for in your connection.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Chess masters and accomplished musicians practice differently from amateurs. They focus most intensely on their weak points, less so on rehearsing what they already do well. It’s uncomfortable to confront inadequacy, but they’re better for it. In my astrological opinion, Capricorn, you should specialize in a similar courage during the coming weeks. I invite you to direct your generous attention toward your shakiest skills and most uncertain territories. Glorious growth will happen at the edge of your competence.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Be more like a lightning storm over a green meadow and less like a porch light attracting moths. Be more like a spiritual riddle in an ecstatic poem and less like a slogan printed on a T-shirt. Be more like a Miles Davis improvisation and less like

a tune played note-for-note from the sheet music for a formulaic pop song. Can you stretch yourself into more fertile wildness, Aquarius? Will you expand your future with adventures that thrill your imagination? believe you can and should. For bonus magic, be more like a dream of wandering in a rowdy paradise and less like the old version of yourself. Trust the frontier signals that make your pulse quicken, and speak less about the obvious truths that make everyone nod in agreement.

PISCES (Feb 19-March 20): Are you ready to assess the state of your emotional pain? Every few years, I invite you to take stock. ask you to reflect on how well you’ve been cultivating meaningful stress while avoiding useless pain and misery. So, how’s your progress since our last check-in? Have you improved at sidestepping dull torments you’ve relived a thousand times? Are you less vulnerable to being wounded by ignorant or thoughtless people? Can you more swiftly shake off the sting of minor troubles? Most importantly, are you increasingly magnetized to the intriguing dilemmas that challenge you to grow wiser and more resourceful?

ARIES (March 21-April 19): You are often the best possible remedy for stale, unoriginal thinking that’s festering in your vicinity. And you are especially so these days. Others might have the gall to disrupt the deadening status quo, but you have the charm to do it without scorching every bridge and laying waste to the land. So I invite you to step into the role of cheerful troublemaker. Unleash your iconoclastic sparks with the intention of making life friskier and more imaginative, not more tangled and irritating.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): In many farming cultures, including parts of India, growers speak or sing to their crops as they walk through the fields. It’s a gesture of personal care that mirrors growing scientific interest in how plants respond to sound and vibration. Some studies suggest that plants exposed to sustained speech and song may grow more vigorously. Your assignment in the coming weeks, Taurus, is to speak to the growing things in your life with similar devotion. Talk to your projects. Sing to your relationships. Tell jokes to your dreams. The universe is extra responsive to your sweet voice.

CANCER (June 21-July 22): You have superpowers that hardened hearts and tough guys can’t fathom. Receptivity is a key part of your genius, for example. Emotional fluency is at the root of your intelligence. Your ability to feel so much and so deeply makes you dangerous to status quos managed by people who overthink everything. Wait! There’s more. You can nurture without smothering and protect without imprisoning. You wield the powers of memory without being enslaved by nostalgia. You make home a verb, not a noun, as you build shelter for yourself and your tribe. I hope you will express these gorgeous talents to the max in the coming weeks and months.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): An astrologer rooted in older traditions might claim that now is an ideal time to promote your personal agenda through sly, gossipy maneuvering. But since I am devoted to building a new culture grounded in compassionate values that nourish the soul, my message is different. I’m pleased to tell you that the coming weeks will be a potent phase to engage in elevating gossip that serves the greater good, to celebrate unsung heroes, and to call attention to everything that is thriving. For practical dreamers like you and me, carelessly speaking ill of others undermines our own aspirations. One of the most effective ways to expand our own possibilities is to use the power of language to boost other people’s chances for joy and success.

Grand Traverse & Kalkaska

ALEXANDRA INN, TC

BLUSH: ROOFTOP TERRACE:

Mon -- Fridays Music (John & Madeline Piatek), 5-7

APACHE TROUT GRILL, TC

5/31 -- Jim Hawley, 6-9

BONOBO WINERY, TC

6/5 -- DJ Ras Marco, 6:30-8:30

CHATEAU GRAND TRAVERSE WINERY, TC

5-8:

5/30 -- Luke Woltanski

6/4 -- Jeff Socia

6/5 -- The Fridays

6/6 -- Jeff Linsell

ENCORE 201, TC

5/29-30 -- DJ Ricky T, 9

JACOB'S FARM, TC

6-9:

5/30 -- Highway North

5/31 -- The Hey Makers

6/3 -- Jabo

6/4 -- Kevin Paul

6/5 -- Midnight Blue Band

6/6 -- Silver Creek Revival

6/7 -- Twilight Tunes

KILKENNY'S IRISH PUBLIC HOUSE, TC

9:30:

5/30 -- Timberline

6/5-6 -- Ex Theory

LEFT FOOT CHARLEY, TC BARREL ROOM:

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

TASTING ROOM: 6/5 -- Jeff Socia, 5-7

MIDDLECOAST BREWING CO., TC

6/3 -- Trivia Night w/ Steveo, 7-9

6/4 -- Open Mic Night w/ Joe Domanick, 7-9

6/5 -- Rob Coonrod, 6-9

MT. HOLIDAY, TC BEER GARDEN: 6/5 -- Scott Baker, 6-9

NORTH BAR, TC

5/30 -- Nick Vasquez, 7-10

6/6 -- Craig Jolly, 7

OLD MISSION DISTILLING, TC SEVEN HILLS:

5/30 -- Erik Burke & Mark Daisy, 6:30

5/31 -- Chris Smith, 7

6/3 -- Jimmy Olson, 7

6/5 -- A to Z, 6:30

6/6 -- Highway North, 7

TC GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

6/5 -- Jim Hawley, 6-9

TC WHISKEY CO. - THE STILLHOUSE

5/30 -- Silverstiles, 6

6/5 -- Loren Kranz, 8 6/6 -- DJ Zeb, 8

THE ALLUVION, TC

5/30 – “Folkroom” w/ Emilee Petersmark, i.am.james. & Loren Johnson, 7:30-10

5/31 -- The Alluvion Big Band, 3-5

6/3 -- Dan Rickabus Album Release wsg Hannah Laine, 7:30

6/6 -- Allman Brothers Ball w/ The Alluvion Brothers Band & Super Nuclear, 7:30

THE HAYLOFT INN, TC

5/29-30 -- DanceMix, 7:30-11 Tue -- West Bay Shufflers, 7-9

THE LITTLE FLEET, TC

6/5 -- Zuz, 6-10

THE PARLOR, TC

5/30 -- Sean Miller, 9

5/31 -- Music Bingo, 7-10

6/3 -- Rob Coonrod, 8-11

THE PUB, TC

5/30 -- Henry Herig, 7-10; DJ Producer AJ, 10-1

6/1 -- Karaoke, 8-11

6/5 -- DJ Vai, 10-11:30

THE WORKSHOP BREWING CO., TC

5/30 – The Mighty Tundratones, 8

5/31 – Full Tilt Comedy – Comedy Mixtape, 6-8

6/1 – USS Comedy Open Mic, 8-9:30

6/3 – Ron Getz, 6-9

6/4 – DJ Trivia, 7-9

BEARDS BREWERY, PETOSKEY ROOT CELLAR:

6/6 – Karaoke, 9

Emmet & Cheboygan

BOYNE VALLEY VINEYARDS, PETOSKEY

5/30 -- Chris Calleja, 2-6

6/5 -- Nelson Olstrom, 4-7:30

6/6 -- Two Track Mind, 2-6

BRANDY'S HARBORTOWN, BAY HARBOR PATIO:

5/30 -- Derek Boik, 5-8

5/31 -- Hanna Von B, 12:30-3:30

CITY PARK GRILL, PETOSKEY

6/5 -- Annex Karaoke, 9:30

NOGGIN ROOM PUB, PETOSKEY

5/30 -- Holly Keller, 7-10

6/3 -- Singo Bingo (70's Night), 6:30

6/5 -- Will Springsteen, 7-10

6/6 -- Lara Fullford, 7-10

NORTHERN LIGHTS RECREATION, HARBOR SPRINGS

6/4 -- Trivia, 6:30

6/5 -- Pete Kehoe, 5:30-8:30

ODAWA CASINO RESORT, PETOSKEY VICTORIES, 9:

5/30 – Rock the Lot After Party w/ DJ Hot Keys

6/5 – DJ Big Ton

6/6 – DJ ODZ

POND HILL FARM, HARBOR SPRINGS

5/30 -- Grateful Dead & Phish Tribute Show by Seasonal Road, 5-8

5/31 -- The Real Ingredients, 3-6

6/4 -- Singo Night, 6-8

6/5 -- Underleaf, 5-8

6/6 -- Jeffrey Joseph, 5-8

6/7 -- Double Play, 3-6

THE BEAU, CHEBOYGAN

5/30 – Dale Rieger, 7

6/5 – Musicians Playground, 7

6/6 – The Beau House Band, 7:30

THE DAM SHOP, ELK RAPIDS MARINA

6/6 -- John Piatek, 6-9

THE WIGWAM, INDIAN RIVER

6/4 -- Dominic Fortuna, 7:30-9:30

6/5 -- Karaoke, 8-11

6/6 -- The Whitmore 4, 8

WALLOON LAKE WINERY, PETOSKEY

6/4 -- Chris Koury, 6-8

Manistee, Wexford & Missaukee

BUCKSNORT SALOON, MESICK

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

MANISTEE NATIONAL GOLF & RESORT THE BACKYARD: 6/5 -- Backwoods Band, 7

NORTHERN NATURAL CIDER HOUSE & WINERY, KALEVA 7: 5/30 -- Brian Curran & Howard Wilson

6/5 -- Chief Jam-Open Mic 6/6 -- Freshwater

nitelife

Antrim & Charlevoix

BLU DOT FARM & VINEYARD, CHARLEVOIX 4-7:

5/30 -- Andy Kline

6/6 -- Melissa Welke

BOYNE CITY TAPROOM 7: 5/30 – Adam and the Cabana

Boys

6/5 -- Josh Raber & Patrick Ryan

6/6 -- Patrick Ryan

BOYNE RIVER INN, BOYNE CITY

6/4 -- Nelson Olstrom, 7

BRIDGE STREET TAPROOM, CHARLEVOIX

6/2 -- Patrick Ryan, 7

CELLAR 152, ELK RAPIDS

6/6 -- Blair Miller, 6-9

ETHANOLOGY DISTILLATION, ELK RAPIDS 8-11:

5/30 -- The Bootstrap Boys

9 BEAN ROWS, SUTTONS BAY

5/31 -- Billy & The Kid, 1-3

AMORITAS VINEYARDS, LAKE LEELANAU

6/4 -- Billy & The Kid, 4-7

6/6 -- The Tweed Tones

LOST CELLARS, CHARLEVOIX 4-7:

6/5 -- Jeffrey Joseph 6/7 -- Shannon Christie

MUSKRAT DISTILLING, BOYNE CITY

6/3 -- Karaoke Night, 9

6/5 -- The Lavender Lions Duo, 8-11

SHORT'S PUB, BELLAIRE BEER GARDEN, 7-9:30: 5/30 -- Ynotplaymusic

6/5 -- Rock Bottom Remedy

6/6 -- Electric Flower Company

SHORT'S PULL BARN, ELK RAPIDS

5/31 -- Jen Sygit, 6-9

6/6 -- Short's Fest w/ Melophobix, Big Greasy Funk Band, Shortstop,

Leelanau & Benzie

CEDAR TAVERN

5/30 -- Bay Tripper, 3-6

6/5 -- Loophole, 8-11

6/6 -- Jim Hawley, 2-5

Braxton Hicks & The Contractions, & The Vibe Tribe, 1

STIGG'S GARAGE, CHARLEVOIX

6/6 -- Nelson Olstrom, 5-8

THE DAM SHOP, ELK RAPIDS

MARINA 6-9: 5/30 -- Rhett & John 6/5 -- Zeke Clemons

TOONIE'S, BELLAIRE 5/30 & 6/6 -- Karaoke, 8

TORCH LAKE CAFE, CENTRAL LAKE

Thu -- Nick Vasquez, 6 Fri. & Sat. -- Leanna Collins & Ivan Greilick, 7

WALLOON HOTEL, WALLOON LAKE 6/5 -- Randy Reszka, 7-9

DUNE BIRD WINERY, NORTHPORT 3-6:

5/31 -- Rhett & John

6/7 – Larry Perkins

FRENCH VALLEY VINEYARD, CEDAR 4-7:

6/1 -- Billy & The Kid

6/4 -- Keith Scott

GILCHRIST FARM WINERY, SUTTONS BAY

6/4 -- Elizabeth Landry, 3-6

HOP LOT BREWING, SUTTONS BAY 5-8:

5/30 -- Uncle Z

6/6 -- Rock Hat

IRON FISH DISTILLERY, THOMPSONVILLE

5/31 – Jakob Abraham, 4-6

6/5 – Levi Britton, 5:30-7:30

6/6 – Jeff Socia, 5:30-7:30

6/7 – Brett Mitchell, 5:30-7:30

LAKE ANN BREWING CO.

CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN, THOMPSONVILLE

LEVEL4 LOUNGE, 8:30-10:30:

5/30 -- Dave Barth

6/5 -- Drew Hale 6/6 -- Sydni K

5/30 -- Daydrinker's Series w/ Jim Crockett Band, 3-6; GSnacks, 7-10

6/2 -- Levi Britton, 6:30-9:30

6/3 -- Andre Villoch, 6:30-9:30

6/4 -- Mike Moran, 6:30-9:30

6/5 -- Happy Hour w/ McKellar,

3-6

6/6 -- Daydrinkers Series w/ Prima, 3-6; Andy Perrin & The Show Buds, 7-10

LEELANAU SANDS CASINO, PESHAWBESTOWN SHOWROOM:

5/30 – Hairball, 8

LITTLE TRAVERSE INN, MAPLE CITY

6/5 -- Mary Sue Wilkinson, 6-9

NORTHERN LATITUDES DISTILLERY, LAKE LEELANAU

6/5 -- Jesse Jefferson, 4:456:45

RIVER CLUB, GLEN ARBOR

5-8:

5/30 -- Drew Hale

6/5 -- Prima

6/6 -- Loose Change

SHADY LANE CELLARS, SUTTONS BAY

6/5 -- Liz Landry, 4-7

SOUL SQUEEZE CELLARS, LAKE LEELANAU

5/30 -- Faceless Jay, 4-7

5/31 -- Rebekah Jon, 3-6

6/4 -- OK Serafina, 4-7

NORTHERN EXPRESS CLASSIFIEDS

3 BEDROOM | 2.5 BATH TOWNHOME$2,025 Available early June. Rent is $2,025 per month plus utilities. Unit is pet friendly, has a private entrance, and full unfinished basement. Schedule a tour or apply today! https://manitouwoodsapartments.net/

PAID INTERNSHIP AT TRAVERSE AREA

DISTRICT LIBRARY

The Library is hiring two interns this summer for our local history dept. The Petertyl Archival Summer Interns will advance the processing of our archives and will receive educational experience in a variety of archival methods and collection care. 10 hours per week from 7/21-8/13/26, with 5 hours each on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pay rate is $16.90 per hour. https://www.tadl.org/jobs

NORTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE

SEEKS FOOD SERVICES OFFICE

MANAGER Join our Food Services team and assist with clerical support, including accounts payable and student meal plans for the Hagerty Event Center and Hawk Owl Cafe! $49,039.00 Full-time, year-round with full benefits including tuition waiver, 160 hours of paid time off within 1st year of employment, paid holidays, and affordable health, vision, and dental insurance. NMC is EOE nmc.edu/non-discrimination

NMCAA EARLY LEARNING CENTER

MANCELONA: Center Assistant- Position begins as a substitute role, with potential to transition to full-time in August. High school diploma; CDA preferred. $18.05/hr. EOE. For more details go to www.nmcaa.net select Careers/Search Jobs

BERNEDOODLE PUPPIES !: F 1

Standard B ernedoodle Puppies born March 24 and now ready for their forever homes! Both parents are AKC registered. $1800 includes first vaccines, Vet health checks with certificate, microchip and health guarantee. 12 years breeding experience -Michigan Mountain Doodles. com Pictures and videos on Instagram MiMountainDoodle 248 891-6672

FRANKFORT PERIWINKLE GARDEN

CLUB PLANT SALE: June 6 10am-12 MineralSpringsPark Frankfort Plant & Cookie Sale & free coffee

DOCKS, LAWN-CARE, WEEDING, LOADING/UNLOADING MOVES: Our Team

has many talents. Affordable rates. Cash discounts. Call (231) 499-3822

WANT TO RENT: House long term - pet friendly 231-434-2367 vsusanpudlo@yahoo. com rural area ok

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

FREE WEEKLY ORIGINAL HOT YOGA COMMUNITY CLASS: EVERY WED. @ 7:30PM - 845 S. GARFIELD AVE. ORIGINALHOTYOGATC.COM 231-3924798

Nightly, Weekly, Monthly Stays near TC!: “The Suites” Turnkey Homes & Motel. Travelers/Construction crews 231-633-5464

ST. AMBROSE CELLARS, BEULAH

5/30 -- Jen Sygit, 1-4; John Piatek, 5-8

5/31 -- Aaron Dye, 3-6

6/1 -- Reminisce, 5-8

6/2 -- Luke Woltanski, 5-8

6/3 -- Jesse Jefferson, 5-8

6/4 -- Hannah Laine, 5-8

6/5 -- Andy Six, 5-8

6/6 -- Cosmic Knot, 1-4; Jake Frysinger, 5-8

6/7 -- Howard Wilson, 3-6

SUTTONS BAY CIDERS

5/30 -- Moonrise Over the Bay, 8-11

5/31 -- Loose Change, 5:30-8

6/4 -- DJ Trivia, 6:30-8

6/7 -- Larry Perkins, 3-6

6/7 -- Jonathan North & Rock Hat, 5:30-8

THE BAY COMMUNITY THEATRE, SUTTONS BAY 6/6 -- Garnet Rogers, 7

THE HOMESTEAD RESORT, GLEN ARBOR WHISKERS, 6-9:

5/30 & 6/5 -- Craig Jolly Trio, 6-9

TWO K FARMS, SUTTONS BAY

5/30 -- Blair Miller, 4-6