Ross Boissoneau | Author

Where Crystal Lake Meets the Mediterranean Sea

Aug. 2, 2025

The strings of cars on either side of M-22 at Chimney Corners might be your first clue that something special awaits you inside Rock’s Landing. The warmth of the greeting upon entering is confirmation. Then there’s the view—the sparkling waters of Crystal Lake are visible … Read More >>

A Whole Life of Art

July 26, 2025

For more than 40 years, the red schoolhouse six miles south of Charlevoix has been a haven for those looking for pottery, paintings, jewelry, and more. It’s also a haven for artist owners Ray and Tami Bier.

“When I was 15, I was throwing pottery,” says Ray, who att… Read More >>

Straight No Chaser Takes the Stage

July 19, 2025

There’s no truth to the rumor that the words “a cappella” are short for “the singers don’t have enough money to pay a band.” That’s because the singers are the band.

Example A: Straight No Chaser, the vocal group that originated on the campu… Read More >>

15 Under-the-Radar Concerts

July 5, 2025

With concerts at nearly every park, bandshell, casino, winery, and other venue throughout the summer, it’s inevitable that some will slip between the cracks. So we want to provide some direction on a few of these that might not be on your must-see list…but should be.

1.… Read More >>

Always Ready

June 28, 2025

The Coast Guard is perhaps the least well-known branch of the United States military. Some people don’t even know it’s part of the armed services.

“Not everybody knows the Coast Guard is a military organization,” says Commander Ryan Hawn, the base commander i… Read More >>

Alpen Bluffs Goes All In on a Full-Service Experience

June 21, 2025

Go ahead, call it glamping if you must. But please don’t call Alpen Bluffs a glampground. “It’s Michigan’s first outdoor hotel,” says Rob Platt, one of the owners of the newly opened Gaylord facility.

With cabins, yurts, and RV sites that all include ho… Read More >>

Three Years at The Mill

June 14, 2025

The Mill in Glen Arbor is an example of an ongoing evolution. Built over a century ago to serve local farmers and residents, milling their grain into flour, today it is fast becoming a must-stop for visitors and residents alike. It offers freshly baked goods, a concise breakfast/lunch menu,… Read More >>

What’s Playing: Your 2025 Summer Concert Guide

June 7, 2025

For the next three to four months, summertime sounds are everywhere. Rock to folk, country to jazz, classical to pop will be played in auditoriums, listening rooms—even on islands and (local) mountains. So grab your dancing shoes, get out there, and enjoy!

[Editor’s Note… Read More >>

Local VA Offices Not Expecting to Be Impacted by DOGE Cuts

May 17, 2025

The Trump administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE have made cuts to hundreds of agencies across the federal government. Among the cuts that have been in the news are those to the Department of Veterans Affairs. According to accounts in numerous media, the VA is planning to cut 83,000 jobs… Read More >>

Short Courses: The Next Big Thing

May 10, 2025

There are few things more satisfying for golfers than hitting that 250-yard drive long and straight. But that won’t fly on some courses. Like at Threetops, the famed par-3 course at Treetops Resort in Gaylord. Most of the holes come in around 150 yards, and the longest is just over 20… Read More >>

Lasting Impact of March Ice Storm “A Lot to Recover From”

May 3, 2025

When the latest storm of the century ripped through northern Michigan, it was a given that some people would lose power. What no one expected was the fury and breadth of the storm, nor its longevity. Thousands lost power for days, even weeks, with a state of emergency declared across the re… Read More >>

Building "Delightful Surprise By Design"

April 26, 2025

How do you design a bathroom and a kitchenette in a 400-square-foot dome, where there are no walls or straight lines? Apparently the same way you refurbish an aging farmhouse, or transform a house in Ann Arbor into a forever home that maintains a colorful, playful feeling: by hiring SpotLab… Read More >>

50 Years for Mode’s Bum Steer

April 12, 2025

On April 7, 1975, Bob and Anita Mode opened a bar and restaurant that was to bear their name.

A half century later, Mode’s Bum Steer is still going strong, with their daughter Skylar now running the enterprise. That makes it the longest-running family-owned restaurant in Trave… Read More >>

Opening the Green Door

April 12, 2025

School is in session, but don’t look for kids seated in desks or gathered around a lab table with a set of beakers. The students aren’t reading books or studying with iPads. Instead, you’ll find them washing balls of wool, or brewing kombucha, or carving wooden spoons.

Moanin’ Frogs Makin’ Music

March 8, 2025

Chances are you haven’t seen a band like the Moanin’ Frogs. The concept of a sax sextet dates back more than a century, and classmates at the University of Michigan revived the concept in 2011. “The original intention was to pay homage to sax sextets from the early 1900s,&… Read More >>

Car Talk: EVs, Tariffs, Supply Chain, and Trends

Feb. 22, 2025

Black or blue? Car or truck? Combustion engine or electric? Or maybe hybrid?

Welcome to the ever-changing world of automobiles. What’s hot one year is passé the next, and what’s anticipated to be the next big thing may suddenly take a U-turn. For example, who a de… Read More >>

Interlochen's Rising Stars

Feb. 1, 2025

Interlochen’s evolution from a summer music camp to a year-round institution for the arts has brought youngsters from around the world to the rural boarding school. Academy students study a variety of academic subjects, just like students at any other school. But they also spend time … Read More >>

Chillermaina! Michigan Chillers Turns 25

Jan. 25, 2025

For Johnathan Rand, March 2, 2025, is a landmark date. It’s his 25th birthday, after a fashion.

It was on that date in 2000 that Mayhem on Mackinac Island was published, marking the debut of the “Michigan Chillers” series of scary stories—and the fir… Read More >>

Hitting the Big Time: Major Music Stars Who Trace Their Roots to Northern Michigan

Jan. 18, 2025

Those tuned in to the local music scene know there’s a lot of talent in the region. Maybe more than you realize, as a number of people who have lived, studied, and/or regularly performed hereabouts have made and continue to make their mark on the charts, playlists, and stages across t… Read More >>

Cold-Weather Concerts (and Other Shows to Get You Out of the House This January)

Jan. 4, 2025

Trans-Siberian Orchestra is no longer on the radio, but never fear—January offers its own slate of events, one with no worries about running into Santa, Frosty, or any bobtails with ringing bells. While you could doze in front of the fireplace with that cup of hot cocoa on the table n… Read More >>