Features

Histories and Mysteries at the Grand Traverse Commons

Are these commonly-told tales about the former asylum myths, facts, or something in between?

By Greg Tasker | Jan. 25, 2025

It’s no surprise that a complex of distinctive aging buildings constructed to house and treat the mentally ill more than a century ago continues to pique the interest and imagination of visitors and locals alike. Old or new, true or false, the former Traverse City State Hospital is a treasure trove of stories. Shut down as a state mental health institution nearly 40 years ago, the complex today is the home of … Read More >>

The Land Can Take Care of You

The Burt Lake Band explores foraging, recipes, and tradition

By Anna Faller | Jan. 25, 2025

For most of us, the answer to an empty fridge or pantry is to hop in the car and head to the grocery store. Here in northern Michigan, though, our forests, streams, and even backyards are chock full of edible plants and herbs…we just have to know where to look. However, for many members of the Burt Lake Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, that connection to the land was compromised by … Read More >>

Chillermaina! Michigan Chillers Turns 25

Author Johnathan Rand takes us back to the beginning of the spooky series

By Ross Boissoneau | 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 first appearance of Johnathan Rand. Rand is the nom de plume of Christopher Tod Wright. The writer behind the series of scary stories for kids had by then already … Read More >>

Two Brothers, Two Worlds

William and George Johnston and their impact on 19th-century Michigan

By Ren Brabenec | Jan. 25, 2025

American history books are filled with the names of people who won battles, invented things, advanced society (or impeded it), and otherwise did something notable to earn their place in the historical record. Unfortunately, less attention is paid to the everyday folks of decades and centuries past, regular men and women who were deeply involved in the business of making the world go round. William and George Johnston, sons of an Irish-born … Read More >>

Film Review: The Last Showgirl

5 Stars

By Joseph Beyer | Jan. 25, 2025

You might be forgiven if, like me, you were suspicious about another independent film directed by yet another director with the last name Coppola. Of course there’s the patriarch Francis Ford (The Godfather), then his daughter Sofia (Lost in Translation), then his son producer Roman (The French Dispatch), and now most recently his granddaughter Gia. Gia Coppola is the revelatory director behind The Last Showgirl, a new film starring an almost unrecognizable … Read More >>

M-72 Closure Coming Soon

Work starts Feb. 3

Jan. 25, 2025

One of Traverse City’s major highways, M-72, is planned to be shut down for four weeks near Tom’s West Bay to allow utility companies to bury their lines/utilities underground. The work was originally planned to start Jan. 13, though permit applications were not submitted until Dec. 20, causing the start date to be pushed back. The project is now slated to begin on Feb. 3. The closure will require significant detours—details on … Read More >>

CHS Pet Calendar Contest Returns!

Stuff We Love

Jan. 25, 2025

Last year, Amanda Lewis Photography helped raise $17,000 for the Cherryland Humane Society (CHS) in Traverse City. Lewis partnered with CHS for their annual pet calendar contest, in which pet owners can submit photos of their furry friends for a chance to win one of 13 photography sessions with Lewis and be featured in the calendar. Back again this year, the fundraiser aims to raise $20,000. Entries are now open; you can … Read More >>

Torch Lake Launches Tastebud Takeover

Jan. 25, 2025

The Toastmakers of Torch Lake, described as “a collaboration of craft beverage makers in the Torch Lake area,” are coming together on Saturday, Feb. 1, for a Sandwich Showdown. From 1-6pm, participating businesses will offer a small-bite sandwich paired with a local beverage for attendees to enjoy and then vote on. Choose from five stops—Townline Ciderworks, Ethanology, WaterFire Vineyards, Torch Lake Cellars, and Cellar 1914—for $12 per visit. This is the first … Read More >>

Go Bananas!

Catch the first-ever Petoskey Banana Bread Festival

Jan. 25, 2025

Every town needs a little friendly competition…with delicious spoils for all involved. So here’s to the inaugural Petoskey Banana Bread Festival which takes place on Feb. 1 at Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts in downtown Petoskey. The premise is simple: Competitors will bring their very best loaf (with a list of ingredients) to Grandpa Shorter’s to be judged by a three-person panel. The bake-off has four categories: professional baker, amateur baker, child baker (ages … Read More >>

No Exit at the Playhouse

By Jamie Kauffold | Jan. 25, 2025

Fans of The Good Place, listen up! Three characters arrive in a windowless room, one by one, realizing they are in hell in No Exit. This one-act play by existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre takes place at Traverse City’s Old Town Playhouse Jan. 31 – Feb. 1 and Feb. 7-8 at 7:30pm and Feb. 2 at 2pm. Expecting physical torture, the characters realize their torment instead is through psychological anguish inflicted by one … Read More >>