Ross Boissoneau | Author

Education, Faith & New Frontiers

Sept. 4, 2021

Who knew there was a college hidden away in the wilds of western Grand Traverse County back in the 1800s? Students of history do, though even some of them might not realize that the Mills House in Benzonia — the only building still standing from that long-ago social and educational ... Read More >>

Second Wind

Aug. 28, 2021

 

Jon Zickert thought he had it made. 

He attended school for hospitality management, then almost immediately got a job with Marriott, eventually settling in Cleveland, Ohio with his wife.

But the Wisconsin native and his wife, originally from Reed City, ... Read More >>

Don’s Drive-In

Aug. 21, 2021

It’s hard to determine exactly what it takes for someone or something to be dubbed an icon. Yet it’s clear that whatever those requirements are, Don’s Drive-In has met them.

Located on US-31 in East Bay Township, the eatery opened in 1958. While the world around ... Read More >>

Small Towns, Big Screens, High Hopes

Aug. 21, 2021

For many small cities and towns, a key to a vibrant downtown has often been the draw of a movie theater. That's proven especially true in northern Michigan.

In the latter part of the 20th century, many of our screens went dark as huge multiplexes and a rapidly expanding sele... Read More >>

Donate Groceries From your Doorstep Aug. 23-27

Aug. 14, 2021

Groceries coming, groceries going. That’s the fresh idea behind Stocked, the brainchild of Zach Hite and Broc Crandall (pictured). Though Stocked’s main gig is delivering groceries to your door, for one week each quarter, they up the ante and provide the easiest opportunity to... Read More >>

Breathe Owl Breathe in Traverse City

Aug. 14, 2021

The downtown Traverse City venue Studio Anatomy is welcoming the Michigan alt/acoustic trio Breathe Owl Breathe for a concert Aug. 20. The group formed 20 years ago when Micah Middaugh and Andrea Moreno-Beals were introduced by a mutual friend at an ice cream stand. Middaugh is a songwrit... Read More >>

Mayfair Tavern for Sale

Aug. 14, 2021

If you like history, small-town life, and the beautiful blue waters the area is known for, then Kari King has a deal for you. The Realtor with Century 21 Northland is representing the Mayfair Tavern of Elberta, now for sale at $549,900. The popular watering hole lies just across the stree... Read More >>

Welcome to Ellie’s Dairy-free Kitchen

Aug. 14, 2021

While living in the nation’s capital and finishing her master’s degree from Georgetown University, Ellie Kebler had an idea.

She would leave Washington, D.C., move to a place she’d never been before and, while working full-time at a law firm, write about food. &n... Read More >>

COVID-Proof Platforms for Local Musicians & the Listeners Who Love Them

Aug. 7, 2021

 When COVID struck, Nate VerBerkmoes and his longtime pal Dan Smiddy (i.e., Sideshow Nate and Dan Strait) came up with an idea: Why not expand their South of the Straits podcast about Michigan music, comedy, and “all around Michigan BADASSERY” — to include a concert... Read More >>

Jack Conners’ Perfect World

Aug. 7, 2021

 

You might not have heard Jack Conners. But if you’ve ever attended a live show at Northwestern Michigan College or Glen Arbor’s Manitou Music Festival, if you’ve listened to Interlochen Public Radio or albums by the likes of Peter Erskine or Jeff Haas, you... Read More >>

The Singular Stoll Vaughn

Aug. 7, 2021

Like virtually every other performer, Stoll Vaughan is excited to get back on the road. Relieved. And a little concerned. “It’s still not the same. You just don’t know,” says Vaughan.

The Kentucky-based singer-songwriter will be performing in northern and W... Read More >>

The Double Life of Tobin Sprout

Aug. 7, 2021

Tobin Sprout has two different audiences. As a painter, his work graces private collections and displays at places like the Cincinnati Zoo and Ford Motor Company. Meanwhile, his music has been positively reviewed by Rolling Stone and garnered fans nationwide.

So which cam... Read More >>

Foreigner Returns to Interlochen Aug. 14

July 31, 2021

Sure, you can expect  “Double Vision,” “Urgent” and the rest of the band’s hits when Foreigner hits the stage at Kresge Auditorium Aug. 14. What you might not expect is the sense of urgency lead singer Kelly Hansen promises he and the rest of the band wi... Read More >>

Have Stage, Will Travel

July 31, 2021

Sometimes you can’t get to the dance, can’t easily afford to attend — or maybe just aren’t sure you’ll even like it. Traverse City Dance project is solving all three of those problems this summer. It’s bringing the dance to you.  

This mont... Read More >>

Up North's Least Wanted Invasive Species

July 31, 2021

You won’t see them on posters at the post office. But make no mistake, these threats to our fields and forests, lakes and streams are most unwelcome. A huge number of plants, animals, and insects are recognized as non-native threats to the state. Many of them are even prohibited to ... Read More >>

Best News on Two Wheels

July 24, 2021

After a year in which the world closed and/or went virtual, in-person biking events are again a thing. That means that it’s time for people to pedal to get the medal. Or at least enjoy one another’s camaraderie on area trails.

More and more are doing so. Of the many tr... Read More >>

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers on Way to Interlochen

July 24, 2021

People attending the Chicago show at Interlochen Aug. 3 may feel like they’re traveling back through time. The band will be opening the show with the first song from the band’s first album, Chicago Transit Authority, released in 1969. It will then move on to its hits from the ... Read More >>

All-Access Fun Up North

July 24, 2021

One trend we can all get behind: the great strides made in creating and adapting recreational options Up North so people of all abilities can access and enjoy our extraordinary outdoors. Local, and regional groups alike have spearheaded efforts to build or retrofit playgrounds, install mo... Read More >>

Alpine Chocolat Haus' Awesome in a Bag

July 24, 2021

If you ask someone — or at least the right person — at Alpine Chocolat Haus in Boyne City what the best treat in the store is, you might be surprised with the answer. It’s not one of the truffles. Not the dizzying variety of coated apples. Not even the chocolate-covered ... Read More >>

Local Movie Wins Best Comedy in Big City Film Fest

July 17, 2021

Filmmaker Rich Brauer typically lets his distributors showcase his movies however they think best. But with his distributor headquartered in Chicago, he was inspired to enter his film Frozen Stupid 2: Open Water in the Chicago Independent Film Festival. He’s glad he did: Much to his... Read More >>