Matt Dursum | Author

Cleaning Up Trail by Trail

April 26, 2025

A historic ice storm ravaged the northern Lower Peninsula from March 28 to March 30. Freezing temperatures, damaging winds, and severe ice accumulation caused widespread damage in several northern Michigan counties. Besides the damaged electrical grid, which left thousands of people without… Read More >>

Preserving the Craft, Preserving History

April 19, 2025

In addition to turquoise waters, old-growth forests, and awe-inspiring views, you’ll find several historic buildings within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. When these buildings—some over 175 years old—need repairs, participants and craft workers from the National P… Read More >>

Michigan’s Marijuana Tax at Work

April 12, 2025

Cannabis has become a big business in northern Michigan, and local governments are putting tax dollars earned from dispensary sales to good use.

Lawmakers passed the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA) in 2018. Through the act, local cities collect a 10 percent… Read More >>

A Taste of the Iberian Peninsula in Northern Michigan

Feb. 8, 2025

On Old Mission Peninsula, winemaker Barry O’Brien tends to his rows of tempranillo and graciano grape vines. Vine-by-vine, he clips away excess growth and inspects the plants for diseases while his two German Shorthaired Pointers, Bowie and Luna, frolic in the dandelions.

O&rs… Read More >>