Ross Boissoneau | Author
American Dreams, American Nightmare
Sept. 28, 2019
National Public Radio correspondent Aarti (pronounced ar-thi) Shahani is used to talking and meeting with engineers, CEOs, and hedge fund billionaires as part of her job covering Silicon Valley. And she believes that work helped prepared her for a different assignment — exploring her …
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What $150K (or Less) Buys Now
Sept. 28, 2019
Hunting for a home between $100,000 and $150,000? Something in or near town —whatever town that might be?
If so, you probably already know you’re not alone. Across the region, homes at that price point are hard to find. And if you find one, you’re probably…
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Pop Goes the Traverse City Park
Sept. 28, 2019
Q:What is a pop-up park?
A: A temporary park, complete with many of the attributes one would normally expect: benches, greenery, a site for relaxation or recreation.
Q: Why do we need one?
A: It’s better than a hole in the ground.
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Stormcloud’s Pulled Pork
Sept. 28, 2019
Stormcloud is best known for its beers, and justifiably so. The Frankfort brewery now distributes its popular Birdwalker Blonde Ale, Whiled Away IPA, and Rainmaker Aleat hundreds of stores across the state. But its culinary side is just as appetizing. Tops among the Stormcloud fan club: its…
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The Incredible Expanding Mackinaw Trail Winery (and Brewery and Cidery)
Sept. 21, 2019
Some might have said Ralph Stabile didn’t understand some basic scientific/agronomic facts — like the “fact” that wine grapes wouldn’t grow as far north as Petoskey, much less the Upper Peninsula. But that didn’t stop him. Because sometimes facts are fact…
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Killer Kocktails
Sept. 14, 2019
What makes a great cocktail? Well, many things, but among them are premium ingredients, complementary flavor profiles, and a pleasing appearance.
Then what makes a Killer Kocktail? That’s easy. Partnering with local entrepreneur Spencer Joseph and his burgeoning busin…
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Extra Mushrooms, Please
Sept. 14, 2019
Once relegated largely to pizza, soups, omelets, and salads, the modest mushroom — commonly sourced from cans — hasn’t always been a popular part of American restaurant menus. (Morels being the exception Up North, of course.)
But as the public has become more acqua…
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Queen of Cups
Sept. 14, 2019
It’s not like she has a secret identity, but mild-mannered high school teacher Sarah Bernstein does have another side: Taproom Tarot Gal. Bernstein moonlights as a tarot card reader for friends, private events, and publicly at area brewpubs.
Why brewpubs?“Becaus…
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How a Monthlong Festival Honoring C.S. Lewis Took Over Petoskey
Sept. 7, 2019
Petoskey might seem an unlikely location to fete an author who probably had never heard of the city — one who, in fact, had never even set foot in the United States. But that’s not stopped enthusiasts from nearly two decades of explications and celebrations of the life and works…
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Not Only Yacht Rock Cruisin’ into Little River Casino
Sept. 7, 2019
When Ambrosia hits the stage at Little River Casino Resort Sept. 14, no doubt fans will want (and get) to hear “How Much I Feel,” “You’re the Biggest Part of Me” and “You’re the Only Woman.” But those pop hits will be balanced by “Nice, …
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A Rags to Circus Story
Sept. 7, 2019
For most kids, saying “I’m going to run away and join the circus” is an empty threat.
Alyk Fuller isn’t most kids. In fact, at 23, he’s not a kid at all. But he is running away to join the circus.
By the time you read this, the…
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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 Tr…
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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 and…
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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 i…
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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 was…
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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 st…
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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 with…
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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 supported…
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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 F…
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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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