Rachel Pasche | Author

21 July Events

July 6, 2024

It’s no secret that July is a busy month Up North. From the National Cherry Festival to Elk Rapids Harbor Days, it’s wall-to-wall activities, events, and festivals. If you want to get out and about—but without 100,000 of your closest friends—we found 21 can’t... Read More >>

The Vintage Fashionista

June 8, 2024

Nancy Bordine has worn many (stylish) hats over the years—foster parent, psychiatric nurse, author, teacher, quilter, and collector of vintage clothing are just a few of them. It’s that last one that, no matter her day job or latest interest, has always stuck.

Bordine ... Read More >>

Did You Know We're Known for THAT?! Here's What 7 Spots Up North Are (Somewhat) Famous For

May 25, 2024

Everyone knows Traverse City is famous for the Cherry Festival. Leelanau is home to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Mackinac Island has great fudge. But what about some of those lesser-known attractions? The cool, quirky, or downright weird things that define our northern Michigan towns? Let’s... Read More >>

A Fresh Take on Tradition

April 27, 2024

Fusion restaurants are not a new concept; the joining of cultures in unique food creations is a practice that’s been around (and popular) for a while. What is less common, however, is finding a restaurant that creates surprising and distinctive menu items from two cultures that are ... Read More >>

"A Rich and Immersive Experience in the Arts"

March 9, 2024

Freshwater Art Gallery & Concert Venue of Boyne City wears two hats. By day, it’s a popular gallery home to works from Michigan-based artists. By night, it showcases musicians from all around the globe.

Co-owner Robin Lee Berry, a musician herself, admits to knowing almo... Read More >>

Stop In and Smell the Roses

Feb. 3, 2024

More than 250 million—that’s how many roses the Society of American Florists estimates are produced for Valentine’s Day in the United States each year. Red roses take up the biggest piece of the floral-giving pie (65 percent), but other flowers and houseplants are rising... Read More >>

Cold Faithful

Jan. 6, 2024

Since the 1950s, Gaylord has been home to an annual winter tradition that is unlike any other: an enormous ice tree.

Visitors who stop by the northern Michigan village will find an icy structure in front of the county courthouse building, standing as nearly tall as the building it... Read More >>

’Tis the Season for the Stage: Six Must-see Performances

Dec. 9, 2023

Festive performances abound in northern Michigan at this time of year, from yuletide classics like The Nutcracker and Handel’s Messiah to family-friendly showcases. There’s no shortage of holiday cheer to be found at these upcoming events, so get out your cal... Read More >>

Shopping for Joy at Sanctuary Goods

Nov. 18, 2023

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons has come a long way in the past decade, transforming from seldom-used buildings and hauntingly beautiful grounds into a bustling marketplace filled with shops, restaurants, bakeries, and more that brings visitors by the droves. One of our favorite sto... Read More >>

Haunted Houses and Other Spooky Stops: Three Spots to Get Your Scare On

Oct. 21, 2023

’Tis the season to be terrified, and northern Michigan is full of ways to celebrate the approaching holiday. Whether you want to get scared senseless, feel a little frightened, or prefer to skip the haunts altogether, there’s a stop for every comfort level.

Bolt&rsquo... Read More >>

Seven Fall Festivals and Celebrations Around the North

Sept. 30, 2023

If you ask us, it’s impossible to beat the beauty of fall in northern Michigan. Vibrant-hued trees, glowing sunsets, that unmistakable autumnal smell in the air, and the abundant harvests make for an unforgettable season for residents and visitors alike. And what better way to comme... Read More >>

Life Is a Happy Mess

Aug. 19, 2023

While the words “new” and “antique” don’t often find themselves together in the same sentence, there are always exceptions, like in this instance: Alanson’s new antique store, Happymess, is the perfect place to snag a piece of history to take home for y... Read More >>

Taking a Swing at Something New

July 29, 2023

Golf is a quintessential pastime during northern Michigan summers. Is there a better way to enjoy the long days of sunshine and verdant, blooming landscapes than spending a few hours out on the links? For Kwin Morris, owner of the recently updated Twin Birch Golf Club, the answer is defin... Read More >>

What to Plant (and When) This Spring

April 22, 2023

Spring is the time for those of us with green thumbs to break out our trowels and take a trip to our local garden store. But sometimes all those little green shoots in their starter pots can be overwhelming. Which native plants offer the same beauty as popular perennials? When should you ... Read More >>

Spring Break Getaways and Activities in NoMi

March 25, 2023

Northern Michigan may not be the tropical spring break location we all dream of, but that doesn’t mean it’s without its fair share of getaways and entertainment options. In fact, springtime is usually a great way to experience places (or stays) you’ve had on your list fo... Read More >>

From the Classroom to the Kitchen with Brooklyn’s Pepperoni Rolls

Feb. 25, 2023

What happens when a high school senior project transforms into a thriving small business?

When Brooklyn Hall originally had the thought to bake and sell her family’s pepperoni rolls, it was as part of an assignment to finish her high school education. She didn’t antici... Read More >>

B&B Home Sweet Home

Jan. 14, 2023

A vacation is so much more than a pin in the map: It’s a step out of your normal routine into new experiences, with time to enjoy your surroundings and moments to relax and unwind.

Can a staycation replicate that feeling? We talked to the owners of several bed and breakfasts... Read More >>

Au Naturale Beauty

Dec. 24, 2022

As the new year approaches, so does the time for self-care, and for 2023, we’re leaning into all-natural beauty and wellness products. These four Michigan makers have just the thing to make your skin smooth, your nails gleam, and your hair shine…and they found many of their i... Read More >>

Treat Yourself: Local Chocolates, Sweets, and Treats

Dec. 10, 2022

For many of us, chocolate is a source of comfort, a rich and decadent flavor that somehow seems to make any moment just that much sweeter. For others, however, it’s a lifestyle. Artisan bean-to-bar chocolate is making a name for itself in northern Michigan thanks to two local chocol... Read More >>

One-Stop Shops for Seasonal Giving

Nov. 19, 2022

When it comes to the holidays, what is intended as a time of joy and the affectionate exchanging of presents can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. How do you know where to go to find something unique for the people you love? Stress not: The local shops below are boasting shelves full ... Read More >>