Anna Faller | Author

What the Ancestors Say

Sept. 19, 2026

There’s an Anishinaabe belief that the mind, body, and spirit are all interconnected. As such, hurting one inevitably damages the other two. But when you heal one, you also heal the others.

It’s exactly this concept that’s at the core of award-winning Anishinaabe s… Read More >>

Barrel Back’s Smoked Honey Pear Tea-Ni

Sept. 19, 2026

We don’t normally blow smoke when it comes to beverages, but we’re willing to make an exception for the Smoked Honey Pear Tea-Ni at Barrel Back Restaurant in Walloon Lake. Inspired by the crisp-meets-warming flavor palette of early fall (and to echo the kitchen’s house-smo… Read More >>

75 Years of the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society

Sept. 12, 2026

At the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society (LTBHS) in Harbor Springs, their answer, whenever possible, is yes: yes to adoption, yes to sustainable solutions, and most importantly, yes to the dogs and cats in need throughout northern Michigan.

“We use our values to determine sol… Read More >>

SunRise Cottage Bakes’ Peaches and Cream Scone

Sept. 12, 2026

Does it get better than sinking your teeth into a northern Michigan peach on a late summer day? Only if that peach is one of many studded into a freshly-baked treat. Enter: the Peaches and Cream Scone from SunRise Cottage Bakes in Cedar. Brimming with fresh chunks of local peach (often from… Read More >>

Stella’s I Said Good Day

Sept. 5, 2026

We’re all about locking in a last word, and our new favorite form of punctuation—to a meal or a sentence—is the “I Said Good Day” at Traverse City’s Trattoria Stella. A lightened twist on the classic Last Word, this lively sip features Arcane Aquavit from… Read More >>

Grands LC’s Peanut Butter Brittle Butty

Aug. 29, 2026

In the world of sweet flavor combinations, chocolate and peanut butter takes the cake, which is why we’re suckers for the Peanut Butter Brittle Butty from Grands LC in East Jordan. Inspired by an heirloom family recipe for peanut brittle, these hand-dipped “butties” (prono… Read More >>

Ready, Set, Locals Summer! Tourist hot spots become local haunts once more

Aug. 22, 2026

With our dreamy beaches, farm-fresh agriculture, and nationally acclaimed hospitality industries, it’s no secret (especially not to locals) that northern Michigan is becoming an increasingly popular destination for out-of-town tourists.

“Local flavor is what makes a plac… Read More >>

Shady Lane’s 2025 Reserve Riesling

Aug. 22, 2026

If you’ve ever dabbled in Michigan wine, you’ve almost certainly tried a late harvest Riesling— but we’re certain that you have yet to taste anything like Shady Lane’s 2025 Reserve version. Inspired by a fall trip to Germany, this tastebud-bender features estat… Read More >>

Oryana’s Turkey Brats

Aug. 15, 2026

We’re all about squeezing a proper holiday into Michigan’s fleeting summer season—and this month, Thanksgiving’s coming early in the form of Oryana’s turkey brats. Inspired by America’s favorite bird (and our go-to lunch for the dog days of summer), each … Read More >>

Guardians of Lake Michigami

Aug. 8, 2026

It’s a founding belief of most indigenous cultures that caring for the earth is important because the earth cares for us.

Though this concept continues to shift through the modern fog (sometimes literally) of climate change, sudden weather events, and looming industrial threat… Read More >>

Left Foot Charley’s Blanc

Aug. 8, 2026

If you had to choose, what would the signature flavor of northern Michigan be? Is it local whitefish? The famous cherry? If we’re talking wine, Pinot Blanc is the answer—and we’ve found our new favorite in the crispy perfection that is Left Foot Charley’s Blanc. Feat… Read More >>

Leelanau Sourdough Co.’s Blueberry Muffins

Aug. 1, 2026

Though we don’t know the Muffin Man personally, we suspect a similar magic is at play at Leelanau Sourdough Co. in Traverse City, where the scratch-made muffins are the stuff of legend. This time of year, it’s all about the blueberries, which this micro-bakery sources from Bulld… Read More >>

A Mirror, a Myth, and a Lifetime of Art

July 25, 2026

For award-winning multi-media artist and former Traverse City resident Rufus Snoddy, a canvas is more of a mirror for what’s going on in the world than a blank space that needs filling. 

“I’m just trying to mirror things that are going on around me,” he … Read More >>

American Spoon’s Cherry Lime Punch

July 25, 2026

When it comes to filling our summer glasses with options, American Spoon’s cult-favorite Cherry Lime Punch is the cherry on top! Hand-blended a few jars at a time in their Petoskey kitchen, this cocktail mix begins with puréed Michigan Montmorency cherries as the star of the fl… Read More >>

Horses on the Move

July 18, 2026

It’s that time of year again, folks, that season from June to September when the population of Williamsburg grows by thousands of residents, many with hooves, for the Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS).

“There are equestrian communities throughout the country,” TCHS … Read More >>

Songbird Provisions’ The Cinnamon Roll

July 18, 2026

What defines the ultimate cinnamon roll? Does it melt in your mouth? Is it loaded with filling? Will you need a nap when you’re finished? If your answer is yes to all of the above, we’ve found your final pastry pursuit: it’s The Cinnamon Roll—capital “The&rdquo… Read More >>

Three Trees Vineyard’s Goat Shepherd

July 11, 2026

We don’t know about you, but we’re always on the hunt for a red wine suited for warm-weather sipping, and we’ve found our new favorite in The Goat Shepherd Cabernet Franc from Three Trees Vineyard in Suttons Bay. A selection from the 2024 harvest, this sustainably-farmed, … Read More >>

Alley Cat’s Eats’ Classic Smashburger

July 4, 2026

Does it get better than an alfresco lunch on a sunny afternoon in northern Michigan? Only if the Classic Smashburger from Alley Cat’s Eats + Sweets food truck is on the menu! Packed with locally-sourced ingredients, this picnic-perfect handheld features a Michigan Craft Beef smash-sty… Read More >>

The Little Fleet’s No Proof, All Fun

June 27, 2026

This summer, we’re bringing the beach party vibes—and the probiotics!—with the No Proof, All Fun mocktail at The Little Fleet in Traverse City! Built around layers of tropical flavor, this breezy bevvy combines passionfruit puree with Coco López (the quintessential … Read More >>

The Manitou’s Northwoods Crispy Duck

June 20, 2026

Summer tradition awaits at The Manitou Restaurant in Honor, where dining amid Sleeping Bear Dunes gets the seasonal cherry treatment. Enter: the Northwoods Crispy Duck! The perfect rich-but-lighter bite to showcase some cherry good sauce (ingredients: northern Michigan cherries, cinnamon, c… Read More >>