Art Bukowski | Author

April 12, 2025

They call it “California sober.”

Generally speaking, this term applies to folks who use marijuana but abstain from alcohol and other drugs, particularly narcotics or other highly addictive substances. People choose this lifestyle for a variety of reasons, though it&rsquo… Read More >>

Looking Back at March 2020

March 22, 2025

It’s been just over five years since the world was turned upside down by the full onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, which by March of 2020 had led to widespread and major restrictions on work, socialization, and much more.

While this may feel like a distant memory for some, the … Read More >>

Passing the Brewery Baton at The Workshop Brewing Company

March 8, 2025

It was February of 2023 when the doors opened at Kingsley’s newest watering hole, giving locals a fresh space to relax, unwind, and enjoy a frosty pint.

Now two years later, Kingsley Local Brewing has settled into a nice little groove. Located right in the heart of the village… Read More >>

(Mostly) Sweet Memories

Feb. 15, 2025

Assembling historical exhibits often involves piecing together items from the distant past. A few grainy photographs, perhaps. Records gathered from old, dusty cabinets or dresser drawers. Artifacts that seem too fragile to touch. The lens through which history is viewed seems to get more f… Read More >>

Community Resolutions

Dec. 21, 2024

Regardless of your profession, there’s something special and refreshing about the promise of a new year. Northern Express asked local civic leaders within our 13-county coverage area about their resolutions for the coming year.

Amy Shamroe, Mayor of Traverse CityRead More >>

20Fathoms Dives Deeper

Dec. 14, 2024

It’s been a big year for Traverse City’s homegrown startup incubator and coworking space, and 2025 promises even more action as key staff and new initiatives are in place.

20Fathoms (named for the 120 feet that Grand Traverse Bay is clear to a depth of) has been helping … Read More >>

No Alcohol, No Problem

Nov. 30, 2024

For a variety of health, financial, and personal reasons, many people reach for non-alcoholic (NA) drinks these days. And while a few companies have popped up in northern Michigan to offer these options exclusively, even outfits that have built their business and reputation around alcohol a… Read More >>

Working in Permanent Ink

Nov. 23, 2024

There are a lot of feelings to feel when you sit down to make lines that will (probably) stay on a person’s body until they die.

Even veteran tattoo artists have a bit of nerves as the needle goes in, they say, as that ink is pretty unforgiving. And there’s a colossal se… Read More >>

On Target with Del Whitman

Nov. 2, 2024

There’s almost too much for gunsmith Delbert “Del” Whitman to love as he settles into another job in his rural workshop near Lake Ann.

Even a short time spent with Whitman reveals a man with a Zen-like connection to every aspect of this craft, from its history (he … Read More >>

Barr Versus Bergman

Oct. 19, 2024

Another election, another challenger for U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman. Will this one garner the votes to pull off an upset?

Bergman is seeking his fifth term representing Michigan’s 1st Congressional District, which includes the entire Upper Peninsula and 20 counties in the northern… Read More >>

70 Is the New 90 for Senior Living

Oct. 5, 2024

The old folks' home isn’t what it used to be.

That’s the loud-and-clear message from leaders at local senior living facilities, where the clientele is skewing younger and the activities are more robust and engaging.

What most people imagine when they think of sen… Read More >>

Two Housing Solutions, Little Funding

Sept. 21, 2024

For a community to be vibrant and active in all four seasons, people need housing that’s available year-round. If employers hope to attract and retain workers, those workers need places to live. If small businesses want to blunt the effects of seasonality, full-time residents will hel… Read More >>

Farewell to Hoxeyville and Earthwork Harvest Gathering

Sept. 14, 2024

Northern Michigan’s music scene was dealt a considerable blow in 2024 when organizers of two popular and long-running music festivals decided to call it quits.

Hoxeyville Music Festival in Wexford County and Earthwork Harvest Gathering in Missaukee County will both come to a c… Read More >>

Striking the Wage Balance

Aug. 31, 2024

A bombshell Michigan Supreme Court ruling stands to change compensation for Michigan workers, including an elimination of the "tip credit" that allows restaurants to pay tipped workers a very low hourly rate.

The Supreme Court in late July issued a ruling that will raise the min… Read More >>

Building Bigger, Better, and Brighter Community Colleges

Aug. 24, 2024

Exciting and impactful changes are planned at two of northwest Michigan’s largest centers of higher education.

While it will take years for the full scope of these plans to come to fruition, students will begin noticing changes in the 2024-25 school year as leaders at Northwes… Read More >>

The High-Tech Future of Farming

Aug. 10, 2024

For thousands of years, crop-based agriculture has operated under the same fundamental framework: Plant something, care for it, and harvest its bounty.

Over time, certain practices, innovations, and implements have led to massive leaps in production. Almost all of these have involve… Read More >>

In the Stables at Traverse City Horse Shows

July 27, 2024

It’s hard to not be impressed by the showmanship, beauty, and strength of the horses that gracefully move around the rings at Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS).

Perfectly dressed riders atop impeccably groomed horses make for a visual feast week in and week out at the equestria… Read More >>