Jillian Manning | Author

April 9, 2022

This Saturday kicks off National Parks Week. To celebrate, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is waiving their $25 entrance fee on April 16, making it the perfect day to visit the park in early spring. At this time of year, the sand is still chilly and compressed, which means you can ex… Read More >>

List a Job, Find a Job

April 9, 2022

It’s that time of year again, employers! Northern Express is looking ahead to our “Now Hiring” issue, which will be online and on newsstands May 16. We dedicate a special portion of the issue, sponsored by Hagerty, to job listings from across the region, so this is your ch… Read More >>

The Outdoors Are for Everyone

April 9, 2022

Northern Michigan is a golden goose of the great outdoors, with thousands of miles of trails that offer scenic views of lakes, rivers, and forests. As our region continues to attract more residents and tourists—and a large segment of our population ages—the need for accessible t… Read More >>

Art in the Castle

March 26, 2022

Two of our favorite things—art and castles—come together in Charlevoix April 9 and 10. This juried, fine-art fair features work from artists across the Midwest and is the perfect time to find a gift for the hard-to-shop-for person on your birthday or holiday list. (Or just treat… Read More >>

C-SPAN Recognizes Interlochen Student

March 26, 2022

Each year, C-SPAN hosts a national “StudentCam” competition, which invites middle school and high school students to create a short documentary film in response to a prompt. The 2022 competition garnered over 1,400 entries from 41 states (plus Washington D.C., Morocco, and South… Read More >>

The Dish Cafe in Traverse City to Be Sold

March 26, 2022

Owners Patty Hickman and Randy Waclawski announced on March 22 that after 15 years of running the downtown Traverse City restaurant, they will be selling The Dish Cafe on April 8. Their Facebook post says, “15 years ago on April 9, we took over and re-opened The Dish Cafe. This year, … Read More >>

From the Mitten State to the Sunshine State

March 26, 2022

About 17,000 passengers will fly in and out of Traverse City in the two-week period surrounding spring break, according to Kevin Kline, CEO of Cherry Capital Airport (TVC). Many of those folks are headed south for warmer weather, especially since TVC boasts three nonstop flights to Florida … Read More >>

Scovie’s Bordeaux Panini

March 19, 2022

Scovie’s Gourmet in Charlevoix has one of northern Michigan’s most mouthwatering lunch menus. With more than 40 options between their salads, burgers, wraps, paninis, and deli sandwiches, you could eat something new every day for the rest of March and all of April. But, if you&r… Read More >>

Brews on the Farm

March 19, 2022

Raise a glass on Monday, March 21, at Farm Club’s Beer Gathering. This relaxed evening at the Leelanau County restaurant will feature brewing tips and beer storytelling from Farm Club brewer Corey Valdez alongside four beer tastings and a sampling of food. Attendees will get to know t… Read More >>

Gaylord’s Saturn Booksellers Announces Closure

March 19, 2022

Saturn Booksellers of Gaylord announced Wednesday (March 16) that the bookshop will close its doors in April. Owner Jill Miner had hoped to find a buyer for the store but instead had to make the difficult decision to end the store’s 29-year run before the lease renewal at the end of n… Read More >>

Welcome Spring!

March 12, 2022

Sunday, March 20, is the first day of spring, and whether it’s 25 degrees or 45 degrees, we’re celebrating the return of warmer, longer days. (Though let’s be honest—we’re ready to get the temps well above freezing.) The Little Fleet in downtown Traverse City i… Read More >>

Grand Traverse Pie Company’s Michigan ABC Crumb

March 12, 2022

If you haven’t already had this pie, do you really live Up North? An oldie but a very goodie, the Michigan ABC (apple, blueberry, cherry) Crumb has everything you love in a pie: a flaky, melt-in-your-mouth crust on the bottom; globs of toasty crumb topping; and a delicious blend of No… Read More >>

Making Maple Syrup

March 12, 2022

’Tis the season for syrup in Bellaire! The sap is officially flowing, and you can get up close and personal to see the syrup in the making at Grass River Natural Area between 11am and 3pm on Saturday, March 19. At “MapleFest,” GRNA staff will be tapping trees, hanging buck… Read More >>

New Name, Same Problem

March 12, 2022

One of northern Michigan’s peskiest, pestiest insects is now operating under a new name. Introducing the Spongy Moth, previously known as the European Gypsy Moth. Why the change? According to a statement from the Department of Natural Resources, the name switch was made by the Entomol… Read More >>

Make a Splash

March 5, 2022

This Saturday (March 12), Otsego Resort in Gaylord welcomes back Splashdown, the watery celebration that marks the transition from winter to spring. A full day of St. Patrick’s Day-themed activities will be happening around the resort, including live music, a costume contest, and Iris… Read More >>

Light the Way at Duncan Bay

March 5, 2022

Join the Little Traverse Conservancy, Cheboygan Brewing Company, and Friends of Island Lake State Recreation Area for a peaceful evening stroll along Lake Huron. On March 12, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., folks are invited to register for a lantern-lit hike at the Duncan Bay Nature Preserve. These &… Read More >>

A New Season at Great Lakes Center for the Arts

March 5, 2022

Five years ago this summer, the Great Lakes Center for the Arts (aka the Center) in Bay Harbor opened their doors. Since then, they’ve seen more than 75,000 visitors and presented 150 events—no small feat given two of those years were eaten up by the pandemic. They’ve also… Read More >>

Michigan Magic

Feb. 26, 2022

Retired elementary school teacher Debbie Watson sat down at her desk in May 2020 and began to write. It was early morning, and she’d just woken from a dream about a girl and a polar bear and a dragon on the shores of Lake Superior. She knew there was something magical brewing in her m… Read More >>