May 21, 2026

Rachel Pasche | Author


Eight Memorial Day Events Up North

May 16, 2026

Memorial Day is both a day of remembrance and the unofficial start to northern Michigan summer. School is nearly out, the days are longer, the water is warming up (slowly, mind you), and the sun is making more frequent appearances.

We’ve rounded up eight festive events across … Read More >>

Sustainable Shopping Meets High (and Fun) Fashion

May 9, 2026

Traverse City Fashion Weekend is a celebration of old-fashioned fashion. Not fast fashion rooted in trends that could change by the next month, but timeless styles sourced with intention.

Creators Katie Asher, Grace Guba, and Lizzie Lane are all passionate about sourcing clothing fr… Read More >>

Colorful, Functional, Joyful

April 11, 2026

If you’ve ever been strolling through Suttons Bay or Fishtown and noticed a shop window bursting with colorful patterns or an outdoorsy item that grabbed your attention, chances are you walked by Wild Lettie.

The store originally opened in Fishtown as Compass Paper Co. in July… Read More >>

Big Brothers Big Sisters Looking to Grow Presence in Emmet and Charlevoix Counties

March 14, 2026

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan (or “Bigs” for short) is a mentorship program based in Traverse City with branches that spread throughout the region in Grand Traverse, Antrim, Emmet, Charlevoix, and Kalkaska counties. The program is all about connection, pairin… Read More >>

11 St. Patrick’s Day Events in Northern Michigan

March 7, 2026

Say “sláinte” at one of the festive pub crawls, grab your lucky shoes for some Irish dancing (or a leprechaun race!), hit the slopes, or enjoy one of several festivals. However you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Up North, just don’t forget your green!

Read More >>

A Mystery Set Just a Stone’s Throw Away

Jan. 17, 2026

Meet one of Traverse City’s sort-of-secret authors, Grace Edinger. You may recognize her pen name, Eloise Corvo, from her first (but not last!) published novel, Off the Beaten Path, a cozy mystery set in a fictional town that closely resembles northern Michigan. The book was … Read More >>

Seven Stops for History Buffs

Jan. 17, 2026

When you’re not in the mood for bundling up and going outside, winter is a great time to learn about local history. We headed to Benzie and Leelanau counties to find the museums, galleries, and other hotspots that tell the tales of days gone by.

BENZIE

Stop #… Read More >>

O, Christmas Tree!

Dec. 13, 2025

’Tis the season for big, brightly lit trees in downtowns across northern Michigan. Whether you’re driving through town on your way to visit family for the holidays, stopping into your favorite shop to grab gifts for loved ones, or enjoying dinner out, odds are you’ll encou… Read More >>

Farm to Glass with Ethanology

Dec. 13, 2025

When Elk Rapids distillery Ethanology committed to locally-sourced ingredients for their products, it seemed like they’d have an uphill battle ahead. But eight years into the business, one hundred percent of the plants and honey they use still comes from within a 50-mile radius. Talk … Read More >>

What to Do Up North This November

Nov. 1, 2025

The cooler months are upon us and the holidays aren’t quite here, but there’s still plenty to do in northern Michigan. Whether you want to push your limits with a challenging race, chill out at a craft beverage festival, or see a show, November is full of events to keep busy.Read More >>

The Thrill of the Thrift

Oct. 11, 2025

Step into Penny Lane, where old clothes find new life as they do in any consignment shop. The difference, you’ll soon notice, is the immense variety within the curated booths you won’t find elsewhere. Forty booths line the walls and fill the space with an eclectic and ever-chang… Read More >>

Getting Back in the Saddle with Equine Therapy

Sept. 13, 2025

It’s no secret that animals can help us in myriad ways; consider how uplifting it is when a dog approaches you and gently asks for a pet, or when a cat perches on your lap, purring. Two organizations in northern Michigan have taken that same concept and transformed it into something i… Read More >>

Yoga in the Great Outdoors

Aug. 16, 2025

Combining time in the outdoors with the meditative calm of a yoga class is a recipe for restoration and relaxation during the busy summer season. Northern Michigan offers several ways to take your practice out of the studio and into the great outdoors, whether that’s at a vineyard or … Read More >>

Cherry Festival Competitions

June 28, 2025

Not only does the National Cherry Festival serve up some of the best cherry delicacies, but it also dishes out friendly competition throughout the week! Get sporty, spitty, sandy, or splashed at the various contests held all week, with something for every age group. 

Saturday,… Read More >>

Creating Your Own Ecosystem

May 31, 2025

According to the USDA, Michigan is home to around 44,000 farms, several of which are in the part of northern Michigan we call home. These farms comprise 9.4 million acres of land, all dedicated to providing fresh food for the state and country.

The Lively Farm sits on two acres near… Read More >>

Feels Like Home, Looks Like You

April 26, 2025

The feel of the English countryside—think Narnia-worthy wardrobes, sleigh beds, and farmhouse tables—is closer than you might think. Elk Rapids’ House on Horizon specializes in designing and furnishing spaces meant to evoke feelings of old-world England and a slower pace o… Read More >>

Go Green for St. Patrick’s Day

March 8, 2025

There’s no wrong way to enjoy St. Patrick’s Day, which has evolved from religious feasts into a celebration of all things Irish. (In fact, historians say St. Patrick’s color was actually a blue—called St. Patrick’s blue—that can still be found on some anc… Read More >>

14 Ways to Celebrate Valentine's Day Up North

Feb. 8, 2025

Whether you’re celebrating a new relationship, enjoying the company of a long-time partner, or flying solo, there are plenty of ways to get out and feel festive during Valentine’s Day. Learn something new, enjoy a candlelit dinner, or go out with the gals—there’s no … Read More >>

Winter Traditions in 2025

Jan. 18, 2025

Summertime means the National Cherry Festival, Elk Rapids Harbor Days, Alpenfest, and the dozens of other celebrations scattered between June and August. But wintertime holds its own beloved traditions. They may be a little smaller—and a little colder—but you can count on locals… Read More >>

New Year’s Up North: 15 Ways to Celebrate 2025

Dec. 21, 2024

Staying up to ring in the New Year? Welcome 2025 with a ball (or other object!) drop, a staycation at a resort, festive fun at a local restaurant or bar, or a dinner party that’s sure to wow. We’ve rounded up some of the best places to celebrate the end of one year and the start… Read More >>