Geri Dietze | Author

Witches on the Water: A Northern Michigan Tradition

Oct. 26, 2024

A group of like-minded women paddleboarders have spent the last 10 years meeting up on area waters every Monday evening from Memorial Weekend to Labor Day to enjoy the great outdoors and good vibes. (Not to mention the low-impact, full-body workout targeting cardio, core, balance, endurance… Read More >>

PEcado: Petoskey’s Global Fashion Hub

Oct. 12, 2024

It's not easy to make a fashion statement, over and over again, with clothes, shoes, and accessories so fresh, so interesting, and so unexpected that it causes us to say, “I want that!” Petoskey’s PEcado might be the exception, with its large collection of under-t… Read More >>

Savor the Flavors of Fall at Walloon Lake Inn

Sept. 28, 2024

Starting in 1981, when it was given its current name, the Walloon Lake Inn enjoyed a long run as a highly regarded, upscale but unpretentious dining destination. In 2014, the Inn changed hands and underwent a total renovation, as part of the overall renaissance of Walloon Lake Village.

The Happy Troll Lives Under the Blue Bridge

Aug. 31, 2024

Summer 2024 marked Dennis and Paige O’Leary’s second anniversary as proprietors of The Happy Troll, Charlevoix’s busy café/pub/bakery/dinner spot, just steps from the town’s famous bascule bridge, at the confluence of Pine River channel and Round Lake harbor.<… Read More >>

Suzy’s Seafood Boils: Have Pot, Will Travel

Aug. 17, 2024

Of all the inventive business and lifestyle ideas that were birthed—whether by accident or necessity—from the pandemic, Suzy Brown’s might be one of the most serendipitous.

In her quest to host an 80th birthday party—during a time when restaurants were operat… Read More >>

Things Are Heating Up at Dreloco Taco

July 27, 2024

Great food, authentic Mexican recipes with up-to-date twists, a fun atmosphere, dedication to product quality, and a laser-like focus on the customer experience—that sounds like a foolproof recipe.

But Traverse City’s Dreloco Taco, after a great start in November 2023, w… Read More >>

Going Coastal at Pacificoast

July 20, 2024

“Coastal” is a food trend and a design trend, but the coast can be anywhere, including right here in northern Michigan, where we enjoy some pretty awesome freshwater coasts.

In a restaurant town such as Traverse City, it’s hard to imagine a theme that hasn’t … Read More >>

Come for the Golf, Stay for the Meal

June 22, 2024

Trovato, found at the lodge at Hidden River Golf and Casting Club in Brutus, north of Petoskey, has a location as impressive as its many five-star ratings.

Hidden River is a nationally recognized course, ranked among GolfWeek’s “Best Courses You Can Play” … Read More >>

A Main Street Metamorphosis

May 25, 2024

Today Boyne City is a thriving four-season destination, a Master Level Main Street community, and is nationally recognized as a model for the Michigan Main Street initiative (MMS), part of a national effort to help communities reclaim their historical roots and revitalize their downtowns.Read More >>

Brandy’s Harbortown Sails into Bay Harbor

May 4, 2024

The Morrisons—Bryant and Jamie, Philip and Laura—are the inventive restaurateurs behind Bay Harbor’s popular Maple + Batter, home to superior offerings for breakfast and brunch, and NOMAD., elevated, shareable plates inspired by world flavors.

Now the Morrisons, al… Read More >>

The Same, But Different at Boyne River Inn

March 23, 2024

For several years, Boyne City residents and visitors were impatiently waiting for the reopening of the Boyne River Inn, a popular downtown landmark for a good drink, a great meal, and a river view. After a seemingly endless round of will it/won’t it, the iconic eatery finally reopened… Read More >>

From the Hands of the Artists

March 16, 2024

Is it easy for an artist to switch mediums? In the case of Make Believe Pizza, absolutely. Em Randall is a self-taught northern Michigan artist with a solid following in and outside of Michigan; now, with musician husband Jack Senff, she’s taken their creativity into the kitchen.

Have Love Your Way: 14 NoMi Events Around Valentine's Day

Feb. 3, 2024

Candy, flowers, and poetry—that’s how we traditionally think about Valentine’s Day, and it hasn’t changed much since Geoffrey Chaucer was writing about love in the 14th century.

But like all origin stories, this Hallmark holiday’s history is more compli… Read More >>

A Getaway for Your Tastebuds, by Way of Mexico

Jan. 13, 2024

Traverse City foodies probably know that Happy’s Taco Shop recently vacated its long-term berth (since 2015) at The Little Fleet to concentrate on its Petoskey and Boyne City operations. Happy’s is a fixture at The Back Lot in Petoskey, Boyne Mountain in Boyne Falls, and Happy&r… Read More >>

A Chef-Worthy, Shareable Feast

Dec. 16, 2023

We all know that when winter arrives, it’s here for the long haul. Some of us love it; some, not so much. But the shared experience of breaking bread, especially in the chilly season, is a beloved tradition that helps the short days and long nights pass that much faster.

Indee… Read More >>

Coffee, Community, and Conscience

Nov. 11, 2023

If you’ve been to Commongrounds Coop in Traverse City, you’re familiar with its mission to combine “food, family, arts, and wellness” in one inviting space. If you’ve yet to visit, your timing is perfect, coinciding as it does with the recent opening of NoBo Mr… Read More >>

Dammm. Good. Food. (and That’s a Quote)

Oct. 28, 2023

The Foundry Craft Grillery celebrated its Elk Rapids opening this summer in the space previously occupied by American House Pizza and, before that, Siren Hall. Here you’ll find upscale bar food in generous portions, with craft cocktails, wine, and brews—all in a no-nonsense indu… Read More >>

Hoop’s Pet Food Pantry

Oct. 21, 2023

No one should go to bed hungry, including our pets. To help financially strapped pet owners—and to keep fur babies in their homes rather than being surrendered—Hoop’s Pet Food Pantry steps up to feed between 250 to 300 pets per month at their Saturday Pet Pantry. The nonpr… Read More >>

Heart, Soul, and Saltimbocca

Sept. 30, 2023

The Golden Stag in Manistee opened its doors July 2023 to glowing reviews and enthusiastic repeat customers. In fact, first timers not only returned to the Mediterranean restaurant, and returned quickly, but they brought their friends along as well.

“The response was overwhelm… Read More >>

Where Old and New, Renovation and Regeneration, Meet

Sept. 2, 2023

Something’s been blooming on the corner of Northport’s Mill and Third streets, and it’s not just the gardens. Yard & Lake, an eclectic, quirky, wonderfully inventive collection of spaces and experiences, is the result of a four-stage business plan, thoughtfully planned… Read More >>