Anna Faller | Author

Rocket Fizz's Americana Huckleberry

March 2, 2024

While you might know Rocket Fizz in Traverse City for its wall-to-wall shelves of snacks and sweets, it’s their effervescent soda stash that’ll have you feeling like, well, a kid in a candy store! Unleash your inner child with vintage-inspired picks like Honey Cream, Cherry Cola… Read More >>

It Takes a Village to Make a Great Start

Feb. 24, 2024

Recent population data reflects that there are more than 7,000 children between the ages of zero and five in the five-county region (Benzie, Antrim, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Grand Traverse). Making sure that those kids and their families have access to the resources they need takes a village… Read More >>

Red Door Coffee House's Loaded Grilled Cheese Panini

Feb. 24, 2024

Tucked in the heart of downtown Lake Ann, Red Door Coffee House is a one-stop shop for all things coffee, lunch, and killer pastries. Our go-to order, though, isn’t on the menu—not the printed one, at least. Enter: the Loaded Grilled Cheese Panini. A bit of a secret amongst gues… Read More >>

Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co.'s Miel Latte

Feb. 17, 2024

Opened in 1993, Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co. has mastered the art of the home-grown cuppa, and their signature Miel latte is a must. It starts with a double shot of the roastery’s own Leelanau Espresso blend (that’s their inky Italian roast, amped up with Indonesian beans), topp… Read More >>

Babcia's Corner's Chocolate and Raspberry Pierogi

Feb. 10, 2024

For Valentine’s Day, our love language is chocolate, and Babcia’s Corner knows just how to speak it with their seasonal Chocolate and Raspberry Pierogi. Inspired by a traditional family recipe dating back generations, this not-too-sweet treat begins with dough made extra flavorf… Read More >>

Northern Latitudes' Hot Chocolate Covered Cherry

Feb. 3, 2024

What's better than a piping hot cup of cocoa on a chilly day? How about one with a boozy kick? Enter: Northern Latitudes Distillery’s Hot Chocolate Covered Cherry cocktail ($10). Inspired by everyone’s favorite snow day treat, this just-released recipe combines NLD’s signa… Read More >>

Sauna Mania

Jan. 27, 2024

We’ve all noticed them by now—parked along local beaches or tucked away in parking lots, surrounded by people in swimsuits and towels, even when there’s snow on the ground.

You guessed it: We’re talking about mobile saunas, and they’re appearing all ove… Read More >>

Two Sons Pizza’s Grand Pepperoni

Jan. 27, 2024

East Coast eats meet Midwest flavor at Two Sons Pizza in Traverse City, where New York-style pies are the name of the game, and it doesn’t get any more quintessential or delicious than the Grand Pepperoni. Built on the eatery’s signature crust (which is delightfully-blistered an… Read More >>

Bowright Whiskey Co.’s Archer’s Moon Bourbon

Jan. 20, 2024

In classical mythology, an archer’s moon portrays the perfect curve of Diana’s hunting bow. Though a perfect bourbon is largely subjective, we think Archer’s Moon Bourbon from Bowright Whiskey Company in Lake City comes awfully close. Distilled from about a 60/40 split of … Read More >>

The Do’s, Don’ts, and Definitelys of Disney Travel

Jan. 13, 2024

We all love a Disney vacation—it’s the most magical place on earth, after all! Planning one, though, can take months of research (not to mention a scary amount of money), especially if you’re new to the process or let some time pass since your last visit.

How do yo… Read More >>

Around the Corner's Community Supported Restaurant Meals

Jan. 13, 2024

For cozy winter nights on the couch, we’ll gladly let Around the Corner Food & Fun in Northport do the cooking with their Community Supported Restaurant (CSR) program. Launched in November, this prepared meal service features scratch dishes made from local ingredients, and all you… Read More >>

Tap 30 Pourhouse’s Iced Cinnamon Roll

Jan. 6, 2024

While you might know Tap 30 Pourhouse in Petoskey for their dozens of rotating craft beer selections, it’s their spin on spirits that’ll have you hooked—and their signature Iced Cinnamon Roll cocktail always hits the sweet spot! A spice-infused take on the classic White Ru… Read More >>

Mental Health First Aid

Dec. 23, 2023

If you witnessed a medical emergency—someone with a broken leg for instance, or a co-worker choking on their lunch—most of us would know just what to do: call an ambulance, administer the Heimlich, and maybe even start CPR.

But, would you be able to pinpoint a person str… Read More >>

Sugar 2 Salt's Chai Coffee Cake

Dec. 23, 2023

Treating yourself is always in season, as is the Chai Coffee Cake at Sugar 2 Salt in the Grand Traverse Commons. An S2S staple and crew creation, this twist on the classic breakfast pastry ups the flavor ante with house-made chai—that’s a milk-powder base mixed with cozy spices … Read More >>

Hill Top Soda Shoppe's Naughty Elf Latte

Dec. 16, 2023

We know Santa’s keeping tabs, but sometimes, it just feels good to be bad. The Naughty Elf Latte at Hill Top Soda Shoppe in Benzonia is so good, it ought to break some rules! Inspired by a house-favorite flavor combo—the cafe is a sugary mecca of donuts, ice cream, and hand-craf… Read More >>

Roasted Cafe's Biscuit Sandwich

Dec. 9, 2023

As the name suggests, everything at Roasted Café in Cadillac—from pastries and coffee, to brunch and beyond—sees a little exposure to heat. Their just-released winter menu is no exception, and the pulled-pork Biscuit Sandwich sure brings the fire! The real star of the sho… Read More >>

Rhuby from Starcut Ciders

Dec. 2, 2023

Forget the boughs of holly—this year, we’re decking our halls with effervescent cider, and Starcut Ciders’ just-released Rhuby is an irrefutable holiday gem. Dreamed up by the flavor masters at Short’s Brewing Co., this juicy dram starts with a bone-dry base of their… Read More >>

Food for Thought's Blueberry Lavender Preserves

Nov. 25, 2023

While we’re all for a little holiday flavor, bonus points go to seasonal treats we can actually feel good about eating. Enter: Food for Thought’s flavor-packed dressings and sauces. Founded more than two decades ago, this Traverse-based company hangs its hat on scratch-made acco… Read More >>

Aurora Cellars' Mulled Wine

Nov. 18, 2023

Celebration is the name of the game at Aurora Cellars in Lake Leelanau, where boutique wines and picturesque views are a haven for weddings and special events. As for a celebratory beverage? We’d go with a steaming-hot mug of Mulled Wine. A fresh take on the cold-weather classic, the … Read More >>

Help for the Holidays: Four Nonprofits Share Their Community Wish Lists

Nov. 18, 2023

In the immortal words of Andy Williams, the holiday season is “the most wonderful time of the year.” For families across northern Michigan who have fallen on hard times, however, it can often be a difficult season of stretching dollars and extra stress.

To lighten that l… Read More >>