Ross Boissoneau | Author
Block(s) Party!
Aug. 31, 2019
What would you call an afternoon of music hosted throughout a neighborhood, including musicians both from that area and from outside it? Music that runs the gamut from Americana to classical, punky bluegrass to party pop to — wait a minute, is that a circus act?
In ...
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Weekend Warriors Unite
Aug. 24, 2019
As part of the effort to highlight the dangers of Line 5, a group of people will be taking to the waters of the Mackinac Straits Saturday of Labor Day Weekend. The 5th Annual Pipe Out Paddle Out Flotilla and the Water Is Life Festival, which immediately follows on land, will welcome any a...
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Frankfort's OAC Opens Up the Possibilities
Aug. 24, 2019
Oliver Art Center in Frankfort is expanding, but not with more space. Instead, it has begun utilizing its library in a new way, establishing a permanent community creative space for young artists and their families to explore.
“We’ve always had a library, but...
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Leland Gal: Better by Design
Aug. 17, 2019
Maggie Mielczarek had an idea. Take what she loved about northern Michigan, combine that with her love of painting and art, and create a brand that reflected it all: clothing, accessories, even the fabric she cuts from.
That’s how Leland Gal became a thing. And it w...
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What We’re Drinking This Summer
Aug. 10, 2019
What kind of alcoholic beverage is most popular in northern Michigan? Does it differ from Manistee to Harbor Springs, Leelanau County to Otsego?
Two quick answers: White Claw, and not much.
In an admittedly non-scientific study, we called two dozen party ...
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’70s Era Bandmates Reunite on stage at age 70
Aug. 3, 2019
When old friends gather together, the years slip away. On Aug. 8, it won’t be years, it’ll be decades, as pals Jim Crockett and Fred Ball will be joined onstage at the Old Art Building in Leland by a musical compadre from their past.
“I’m looking forward wi...
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Leelanau’s Rove Estate Raised Thousands to Fight Childhood Cancer
Aug. 3, 2019
When Creighton and McKenzie Gallagher host the Third Annual St. Jude Sunset in the Vines at Rove Estate later this month, it will be about more than just raising some money for a good cause. The event has become even more personal for them.
“My family always support...
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TC-raised Filmmaker Brings his Award-Winning Movie Home
July 27, 2019
Lije Sarki is coming home, and he’s bringing some friends with him: Shia LaBeouf, Dakota Johnson, Zack Gottsagen, and more.
Sarki, who was born in Michigan and spent most of his junior high and high school years in Traverse City, was one of the producers of The Peanut Butter...
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Tales from the Green Room
July 27, 2019
We’ve all heard the stories about high-powered touring performers demanding specific, sometimes ridiculous things in their performance contracts (looking at you, Van Halen, and your infamous “no brown M&Ms” rider). So has that been the case in northern Michigan?
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Catching Up with Petoskey Filmmaker, now Berliner, Emily Manthei
July 27, 2019
Catching Up with Emily Manthei
Petoskey native began making films in the sixth grade. We tracked her down in Berlin to see what this wunderkind is making now.
By Ross Boissoneau
Emily Manthei was hooked at an early age. Growing up with an interest i...
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Beulah’s Lucky Dog Restaurant and Cool Cat Ice Cream Bowl
July 20, 2019
Cool cats and lucky dogs, all in the same place. Thanks to Rich and Karen Allen, the downtown Beulah’s former bowling alley has been reborn as a rustic bar and grille, dubbed Lucky Dog, and ice creamery, Cool Cat Ice Cream Bowl.
“Cool Cat came first,’ sa...
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5 Questions with Weird Al
July 20, 2019
When Alfred Yankovic was six years old, he began taking accordion lessons. No one knew then that only one decade later he’d unleash his talents on an unsuspecting world, playing his accordion to parodies of popular music of the day.
Today, Weird Al is an institution...
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Legendary Detroit Artist to be Honored Up North
July 13, 2019
Charles McGee is a legend in the Detroit art scene. His work is found in many contemporary art collections around the world, as well as the permanent collections of the Detroit Institute of the Arts, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit, and t...
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Ludwa's "Codeswitch" Chronicles Life, Music and Murder of Mr. Soul, Sam Cooke
July 13, 2019
Sam Cooke’s mellifluous voice, undeniable stage presence, and talent took him to the top of the charts and to stages across the country. That all came to an abrupt end when he was shot and killed Dec. 11, 1964.
Now audiences will have a chance to hear some of his be...
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Golden Retriever Bash!
July 13, 2019
Each year, Golden, Colorado, holds a gathering of golden retrievers. Which gave local Golden canine owner Jeff Rabidoux an idea. Why not host a group in this area, giving the dogs and their owners a chance to socialize?
A Realtor at Crystal Mountain, where his dog, Fisher...
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Good Bowl's Bánh Mì & Goi Ga Box
July 6, 2019
Don’t waste a minute prepping a picnic for a sunny day on the boat or the beach — just order your crew a Good Box (our term) from the Good Bowl. Partners Soon Hagery and Tony Vu have put some of the favorites from their Vietnamese restaurant into handy-dandy kit form. There ar...
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Beulah’s Cherry Hut
June 29, 2019
Tradition can mean many things. For vacationers and residents around Crystal Lake and nearby, it often means a mandatory visit to the Cherry Hut. In an industry where 90 percent of independent restaurants close during their first year and 70 percent of those that make it past the first ye...
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Not Your Mom-n-Pop’s Hotels
June 29, 2019
Owning a hotel is hard enough. But building another? Then buying a third?
Welcome to the world of Peter and Megan Schous, among a number of hoteliers bringing new life to old hotel traditions across the area. They’re joined by Cooper and Emily Heston, who continue t...
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Equestrian Fest, Real-Life Horse Whisperer & Bliss' Secret Polo Grounds
June 29, 2019
The competition will be fierce. That’s to be expected; they’re some of the greatest athletes in the world. And the people riding on them aren’t exactly slackers, either.
The Great Lakes Equestrian Festival attracts thousands of riders and trainers, ...
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Grocer’s Daughter Fudgesicles
June 29, 2019
Fudgesicle (fuj-sikl) noun. The melding of chocolate ganache with various flavors in a delicious confection, served frozen on a stick. See Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate for details. Or just go there yourself and pick one (or more) up. The confectionary in the bright green bui... Read More >>