Anna Faller | Author

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 >>

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 >>

Being Human in a Wild World

June 20, 2026

If you ask award-winning wildlife artist Kim Diment, humans have far more in common with the world of animals than many of us realize.

“We came from animals,” she notes. “If you’re open to it, we can learn so much from them, [because they] teach us about us.&… Read More >>

The State of Foster Care in 2026

June 13, 2026

In a world of increasing budget cuts and bureaucratic red tape, members of our most vulnerable populations are being left behind. With about 20 counties and hundreds of families and community members under their purview, Traverse City-based nonprofit Child and Family Services of Northwester… Read More >>

WildFlour Bakery’s Tiramisu Vietnamese

June 13, 2026

You could travel far and wide for a little coffee flavor fusion, or you could swing down to WildFlour Bakery in Cadillac for their Tiramisu Vietnamese coffee. Crafted using the traditional phin (aka, a small metal filter on top of the glass), this highly-concentrated coffee brews directly i… Read More >>

The Making of a Community Center

June 6, 2026

Founded in 2005, Crosshatch Center for Art and Ecology is the brainchild of co-founders and co-directors Brad and Amanda Kik, who have long shared a passion for exploring the magic that happens when agriculture and art overlap.

Now in its 21st year of operation, the nonprofit conven… Read More >>

2 The Moon Bakery’s Green Goddess Sandwich

June 6, 2026

With the season’s verdant foliage finally out in full swing, we can’t help but think green—specifically, the Green Goddess sandwich from 2 The Moon Bakery in Lake City. Picture this: two toasty slices of house-made sourdough (which undergoes a 24-hour fermentation for plen… Read More >>

Old Mission Tavern’s Off-Season Piña Colada

May 30, 2026

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 Off-Season Piña Colada at Old Mission Tavern in Traverse City. This riff on the classic tiki dr… Read More >>

The DAM Shop’s Meat Me at the Dam Pizza

May 23, 2026

When it comes to the ultimate day on the water, The DAM Shop in Elk Rapids has pretty much everything, from on-site cocktail and coffee bars (which feature scads of local products) to live music, a marine pro shop, and most recently, a Dam Good pizza selection, the perfect snack to refuel b… Read More >>

Stockist Company’s Dune Runner Medium Roast

May 16, 2026

We’re always on the hunt for a perfect pinch-hitter coffee. You know, that elusive house-style blend that checks all the boxes in one fell brew. Prepare your presses, folks! We’ve found your next go-to cuppa in the Dune Runner Medium Roast from Stockist Company in Traverse City.… Read More >>

The Bistro’s Bloody Mary Omelet

May 9, 2026

We love breakfast food, we love fun drinks, and you bet we love a bite that does both! Enter: The Bistro in Petoskey’s beloved Bloody Mary Omelet. Inspired by the classic brunch sip, this breakfast plate features a fluffy three-egg omelet stuffed with white onion, Meat Monkey’s … Read More >>