Ross Boissoneau | Author

From Interlochen to India … and Back

Aug. 11, 2018

Will Marsh and Josh Mellinger are looking forward to returning to their hometown of Traverse City from their adopted homes in California. But this isn’t just a chance to touch base with family and friends. Marsh, a guitar major when he attended Interlochen, and Mellinger, who studie... Read More >>

Underground Fashion

Aug. 4, 2018

In a basement setting just off Front Street, Michael Wahlstrom is creating an identity. Not a secret one, but one for those who want to feel Superior — with a capital S. His company’s name, Gitche Gumee, is derived from the Native American name for Lake Superior, and he stitch... Read More >>

From Annie, With Love

Aug. 4, 2018

“I did not want to be a librarian. I wanted to be a writer.” So said Annie Spence.

Funny how life works. The onetime librarian at the Traverse Area District Library now fills the same role downstate. But, yes, she’s also a writer. A published writer, writing abou... Read More >>

School, Now Tailored to Suit

Aug. 4, 2018

Trying to fit sports and other extra-curricular activities into a school day can be difficult. For Zoë Vande Kieft, it was impossible. She found her love of and aptitude for hockey was at odds with the typical school day. So she opted to study online, and just graduated from Great La... Read More >>

Destination Empire

July 28, 2018

The tiny village of Empire, due west of Traverse City at the terminus of M-72, offers more than just a beachfront on Lake Michigan (though that’s lovely too). There are some great nearby hikes, a gorgeous drive, and other lakefront options, all within the Sleeping Bear Dunes Nationa... Read More >>

Pit Stop: Empire’s Grocer’s Daughter

July 28, 2018

Bright green building façade? Check. Delectable chocolates, incorporating everything from lavender to liquor? Check. More visibility and more space? Check and check.

Looks like everything is set for a bigger summer than ever at Grocer’s Daughter Chocolates in Empire. ... Read More >>

Into the Pines

July 28, 2018

As an artist, Judy Jashinsky knew how important it was to have a studio where she could do her work without interruption. Her dream and that of her husband was to have such a place in the woods of northern Michigan. After he passed away, she went ahead with their plans. The result is Pine... Read More >>

Pianist Jeff Babko

July 28, 2018

When Steve Martin and Martin Short bring their comedy show “An Evening You Will Forget For the Rest of Your Life“ to Interlochen Aug. 11, they won’t be alone. Martin is bringing along the Steep Canyon Rangers, the crack bluegrass outfit with which he’s toured and p... Read More >>

Michael Taillard, The Econozombist

July 21, 2018

 

Most people don’t consider the economic underpinnings of horror movies and the coming zombie apocalypse.

Michael Taillard does.

Of course, as The Econozombist, that should be expected.

Taillard is a Beulah resident, husband, and father of four,... Read More >>

A Human Film About Hockey Players

July 21, 2018

 

When The Russian Five opens at the Traverse City Film Festival, there are sure to be loads of people in the audience familiar with the story: How a group of players from Russia helped the Detroit Red Wings win the club’s first Stanley Cup in 42 years. After a... Read More >>

If You Only See One Film Next Week

July 21, 2018

The Traverse City Film Festival always brings a host of movies the general public knows virtually nothing about. So how to decide which ones to seek out? Which are good and which are really good?

We’re here to help. OK, some of the staff at the Film Fest are here to... Read More >>

Don’t Miss This

July 21, 2018

So you know you want to “do” the Traverse City Film Festival, but you’re a first-timer (gasp!) and/or you just aren’t sure what — among the many films and events happening simultaneously — you absolutely must experience.

Take it from the e... Read More >>

Come On, Get Happy (Hour) at Suttons Bay Wineries and Cidery

July 14, 2018

In the Suttons Bay area, they’re taking the concept of Happy Hour to a whole new level — the hilltop level. Three wineries — Willow Vineyards, Ciccone Vineyard and Winery, and Chateau de Leelanau — and Suttons Bay Ciders are working together to promote Hilltop Happ... Read More >>

Michigan’s Jeremy Kittel to Return to Manitou

July 14, 2018

Fresh off a performance at Blissfest, violinist and fiddler Jeremy Kittel is returning to one of his favorite places to play: the Manitou Music Festival. “I’m excited for both,” he said from the road, prior to this past weekend’s annual celebration of folk and root... Read More >>

Dine at Kewadin's Pine Hill ... Nursery?

July 14, 2018

There aren’t many restaurants where you can order a pizza, a glass of beer, and a forsythia bush. But that’s the thing at Pine Hill Nursery in Kewadin: What started as a nursery has morphed over the years into a gift shop, greenhouse, music venue, and yes, a restaurant. It off... Read More >>

Behold the Dragon Boats

July 7, 2018

According to the Chinese zodiac, we have to wait until 2024 for the next year of the dragon. But in Charlevoix, that year is already here: the Charlevoix Circle Of Arts will host the inaugural Charlevoix Dragon Boat Festival on Lake Charlevoix Aug. 4.

The concept of dragon bo... Read More >>

Rock Royalty to Play Benzie Barn

June 30, 2018

 

It’s about 150 miles from Detroit to Cleveland, but Billy Davis’s road was so circuitous it took decades to get from one to the other. Now the celebrated musician and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is adding another 250 miles to the journey, ending up ... Read More >>

The Bard’s the Thing

June 30, 2018

 

Of course people will show up for a free outdoor performance of plays by Shakespeare. Yes, in rural Benzie County. Who would doubt that?

Turns out the very people who put the play on. “We had no idea,” said founding member Jeff Christian. No idea what pe... Read More >>

Pyro Guy

June 30, 2018

Like so many youngsters, Bruce Tyree was fascinated by fireworks. Unlike most, however, he failed to outgrow his obsession. So he made the most of it. Today he’s surrounded by Roman candles, display shells, and barrage cakes on a daily basis as the head of the northern division of G... Read More >>

The Truth Behind the Cherries at the Nat'l Cherry Fest

June 30, 2018

The Traverse City National Cherry Festival celebrates the cherries grown here, in the cherry capital of the world, right? So why, every Fourth of July week, do you hear at least a few festival-goers snipe, “These aren’t Traverse City cherries! They ship ’em in &mdash... Read More >>