Beth Milligan | Author

TC State Park Reopening in October

Sept. 26, 2026

Construction work on the Keith J. Charters State Park in Traverse City is wrapping up early, according to the Michigan DNR, which will allow the park to reopen for fall camping next month. The park was originally supposed to be closed until next spring. Reservations are now open for 151 cam… Read More >>

The Latest on Short Term Rentals in Grand Traverse County

Sept. 26, 2026

Grand Traverse County—with Traverse City at its core—is often cited as one of the hottest short-term rental (STR) markets in the state. AirDNA, a STR data tracking company, shows over 4,400 unique listings in the region (extending into Leelanau) that each had at least one bookin… Read More >>

Please Dink Responsibly

Sept. 5, 2026

2025, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. Pickleball participation has grown 479 percent in just five years—an astronomical ascent, driven during the pandemic by the game’s accessibility as a socially distanced outdoor activity with minimal gear and easy-… Read More >>

Kalkaska Public Schools: Then & Now

Aug. 29, 2026

In March 1993, the Kalkaska school district made a decision stunning enough to attract national attention. Faced with a budget shortfall, the district decided to end school 10 weeks early rather than cut more programming.

At that point, Kalkaska had already slashed its art, sports, … Read More >>

Ooh La La, Chez Amie

Aug. 22, 2026

New Jersey native and Seattle Culinary Academy alum Eric Fritch has come a long way from being an upstart chef in Seattle dreaming of moving to Michigan with his wife, Amy, to open a patisserie. The couple did just that 30 years ago, launching the tiny Patisserie Amie on East Front Street i… Read More >>

Buchan’s Blueberry Ice Cream

Aug. 8, 2026

There’s no shortage of ice cream options in northern Michigan, especially in the summer. But Buchan's Blueberry Hill has a secret weapon: growing its own ingredients. The fifth-generation farm on Traverse City’s Old Mission Peninsula handcrafts its ice cream in small batches usi… Read More >>

The Battle Against Aquatic Invasive Species

Aug. 8, 2026

Tens of millions of recreators enjoy Michigan’s waters every summer—swimming, boating, fishing, and kayaking in the Great Lakes and the state’s numerous inland rivers, streams, and lakes. But just below the surface, other visitors are present: invasive aquatic species that… Read More >>

A New Chapter for The Folded Leaf: Indie bookstore moves from Cedar to TC and becomes a nonprofit

July 4, 2026

Rachel Zemanek has dealt with her share of plot twists since opening a cozy, community-focused bookstore called The Folded Leaf in downtown Cedar in April 2025.

Zemanek, 34, hadn’t planned on being a bookseller until retirement. While she’s always loved reading—&ld… Read More >>

The Good Bowl’s Dim Sum

June 27, 2026

Leave yourself room—both timing and stomach-wise—when you roll into The Good Bowl for Sunday Dim Sum. That’s because seating can be at a premium on this popular restaurant day. But once you’ve got a pencil in hand and order form in front of you, the choices are endle… Read More >>

Summer at the Museum

June 27, 2026

It’s a big year for the Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City. In addition to celebrating its 35th anniversary—as well as the 75th anniversary of parent institution Northwestern Michigan College—the arts and cultural center will unveil a new look and four new exhibits this… Read More >>

Grand Traverse Brewing Company's Glen Lake IPA

Oct. 9, 2021

Since moving to Traverse City and opening Grand Traverse Brewing Company in 2018 – bringing over 20 years of brewing experience with him from the Pacific Northwest – Michigan native Pete Bishop has been quietly producing high-quality craft beer at a local production facility on … Read More >>