Ross Boissoneau | Author

In Lieu of Gifts

Jan. 26, 2019

For Gerald and Shenandoah and their daughter, Sophia, the holidays have become a time for family, though in a different way than the norm. They now eschew buying presents for one another or indulging in a huge meal, and instead take the family time to see sights far distant from northern ... Read More >>

Farm School for All

Jan. 19, 2019

Despite the name, organizers emphasize that the Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference is not just for farmers. Gardeners, homesteaders, and those who want to learn more about growing their own food are wholeheartedly invited. In fact, “It’s also people who just want to learn... Read More >>

Wanna Laugh?

Jan. 12, 2019

If laughter is indeed the best medicine, then folks in northern Michigan must be feeling pretty good. From open mic nights to shows by regional and national comics, the laughs just keep coming.

Chris O’Non is a veteran of the local scene, though he has morphed more ... Read More >>

The Great-White North Way

Jan. 12, 2019

If the play’s the thing, as Hamlet said, then audiences around the region are in luck. A host of local community groups stage dramas, comedies, and musicals throughout the year, in venues from high schools and churches to dedicated theaters and even restaurants. Whether you want to ... Read More >>

Parallel 45’s Latest Coup

Jan. 12, 2019

New season, new shows, and a new venue make this summer a big one for Parallel 45, the professional Traverse City-based theater company that brings high-caliber actors and production and tech pros from around the world (and northern Michigan) to stage innovative new and classic works.
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A Man. A Shirt Collar. And a Dream.

Dec. 29, 2018

Blame it on Obama. No, not any kind of political or policy problems. But when Anthony Pickarski saw the 44thPresident at a news conference in 2012, he was taken by the president’s attire:a dark suit, white dress shirt, and a striking blue tie that really grabbed his attention.

Cheboygan’s Libby’s Café in Overdrive

Dec. 15, 2018

If the food and service are good, restaurants can thrive in most any location. But in an auto dealership? Well, yes. At Fernelius Toyota and Chrysler in Cheboygan, that’s exactly where you’ll find Libby’s Café.

Owner Dave Fernelius came up with th... Read More >>

Your 2018 Holiday Soundtrack

Dec. 15, 2018

No matter how many times we’ve heard “Deck the Halls” or “Winter Wonderland,” each year sees artists trying to (re)capture the holiday spirit by putting their stamp on songs of the season. The appeal of holiday music crosses all genres, from country to pop, b... Read More >>

What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

Dec. 15, 2018

For many, going out on the town is the only way to ring in the New Year. Champagne at midnight, party favors, music, maybe even fireworks. So where to go and what exactly to do? We gathered some unique options from across the region.

Bluebird
It may ... Read More >>

Your 2018-2019 Ski Resort Report

Dec. 8, 2018

Amid the seasonal offerings of song, likely nothing beats the Sammy Cahn/Jule Styne classic for skiers and snowboarders: “Let It Snow” is close to the heart of those in charge of or heading out to the area slopes. From Cadillac to Gaylord, over to Harbor Springs and back south... Read More >>

The Escape Artist

Dec. 1, 2018

Paul King has always had an interest in art. So it’s probably not a surprise that he’s drawn caricatures of popular musicians, from Dave Brubeck to Stephen Tyler.

What is a surprise is how he got there — and here, meaning his riverside abode and studio outs... Read More >>

Quirk It, Girl!

Dec. 1, 2018

For self-described “quirky girl” Rochelle Nevedal, it was a case of need meeting opportunity. She needed a job, and she didn’t see any subscription boxes that were designed with someone like her in mind: fun-loving, colorful, eclectic. So she created one, and Quirky Crat... Read More >>

Carol McKee’s Feral Cat Colony Fight

Nov. 24, 2018

Catch and release has become popular in fishing. In Benzie County, Carol McKee is playing the catch and release game — but with cats.

It’s a little more involved than that. McKee oversees the efforts of Community Cats of Benzie County (BenzieCats.org) to reduc... Read More >>

The Benevolent Order of Up North Service Clubs

Nov. 24, 2018

Elks, Eagles, Lions, Moose, and more — the nation’s longstanding service organizations used to be the place to join and the wayto give. While their popularity among new generations might be waning, their missions to serve are as strong as ever. Here’s a look at some... Read More >>

12 Shows of Christmas

Nov. 17, 2018

Each year, the season brings a host of holiday cheer to stages across the region. And because it’s a heckuva lot easier to get your hands on a ticket than it is on a partridge in a pear tree, we’ve assembled 12 live shows that are sure to make your holiday extra merry and brig... Read More >>

NMC Students Fly to TCNewTech Pitch Night Win

Nov. 10, 2018

For a quartet of NMC students, the future is here. The initial product from their startup company won the $500 prize at TCNewTech’s October Pitch Night.

It’s not just that they won $500, but the win demonstrated the viability of the group’s product: an ... Read More >>

Honor Through Craft

Nov. 3, 2018

Bob DeKorne wanted to give back. So the musician and luthier (that’s a maker of stringer instruments) decided to work on an instrument that was personal to him and would also reflect a special occasion: the annual concert and auction by guitarist Kenny Olson to benefit Mid-Mic... Read More >>

Northport’s Impact on the Civil War

Nov. 3, 2018

Northport's location at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula is a little like that of an island; you don’t pass through on the way to somewhere else. But a century and a half ago, when the primary means of transportation was by water, it was a key port — and one that played... Read More >>

Honor Through Craft

Nov. 3, 2018

The Family Business: Now Run by Women

Oct. 27, 2018

Sons following their fathers into the family business is trope as old as time. But daughters joining their mothers? Thanks in no small part to some post-war revolution and several decades of advancement in women’s rights, we’re seeing generations of women not only rising... Read More >>