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3 weeks ago | 
northernexpress.com | Abby McKiernan |Ross Boissoneau |Anna Faller |Ellen Miller
Two ways to explore Grand Traverse Bay By Abby McKiernan | June 7, 2025 With over 100 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and some of the clearest freshwater in the world, it’s no surprise that getting out on the bay is a summer tradition in Traverse City. But how you choose to experience the water can vary just as much as the lake itself—calm one minute, lively the next.
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3 weeks ago | 
northernexpress.com | Geri Dietze |Abby McKiernan |Quinn De Vecchi |Jillian Manning
Q&A with Matt Hamilton of the East Jordan Shoe Club By Geri Dietze | May 31, 2025 By now, there are few who don’t know of social studies teacher Matt Hamilton, or his labor of love, the East Jordan Shoe Club. The educator has, since 2008, helped his 7th and 8th graders discover their own value, and that of others, through acceptance, empathy, and civic spirit.
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4 weeks ago | 
northernexpress.com | Abby McKiernan |Quinn De Vecchi |Jillian Manning |Art Bukowski
May 31, 2025 We know her as the Michigan Secretary of State (and announced 2026 gubernatorial candidate), but Jocelyn Benson has added another item to her resume with the publication of her new book, The Purposeful Warrior: Standing Up for What’s Right When the Stakes Are High.
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4 weeks ago | 
northernexpress.com | Anna Faller |Abby McKiernan |Quinn De Vecchi |Jillian Manning
Bottoms Up By Anna Faller | May 31, 2025 We’re pretty sure The Chiffons misspoke in their hit song when they sang “he’s so fine”—they really meant to say she’s so fine and were clearly talking about the eponymous (and punny!) cocktail at The Good Bowl in Traverse City! A twist on traditional Vietnamese flavors, the Shiso Fine ($14) features a base of Gypsy Vodka shaken with delicate soju (a Korean spirit distilled from rice), fresh lemon juice, and a homemade syrup made from turbinado sugar...
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4 weeks ago | 
northernexpress.com | Abby McKiernan |Quinn De Vecchi |Jillian Manning |Art Bukowski
May 31, 2025 Thinking of putting your house on the market next year? Despite being the Great Lakes State, Michigan is the only state in the country without a statewide septic code. But recently, Grand Traverse County joined neighboring counties Leelanau and Benzie in creating its own regulations, which will go into effect January 1, 2026, and require septic evaluations whenever properties within 300 feet of surface water (including lakes, ponds, streams, or rivers) are sold or transferred.
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4 weeks ago | 
northernexpress.com | Abby McKiernan |Quinn De Vecchi |Jillian Manning |Art Bukowski
Tastemaker May 31, 2025 National Chocolate Ice Cream Day approaches—mark your calendar for Saturday, June 7!—and in honor of this beloved (if little-known) holiday, Kilwins has launched an extra special treat. According to their team, the Chocolate-on-the-Inside Waffle Cone took five years to perfect.
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4 weeks ago | 
northernexpress.com | Jamie Kauffold |Abby McKiernan |Quinn De Vecchi |Jillian Manning
By Jamie Kauffold | May 31, 2025 Help kick off Less Cancer’s Hike and Bike America 2025 at Mt. Holiday in Traverse City on Saturday, June 7, with a free concert starring northern Michigan’s own Drew Hale! Blending country, blues and rock and roll, Hale brings his high energy show from noon-3pm. Donations are welcome. For more info on registering for Hike and Bike America 2025, a nationwide cancer prevention fundraiser paired with an emphasis on outdoor recreation, visit LessCancer.org.
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4 weeks ago | 
northernexpress.com | Ren Brabenec |Abby McKiernan |Quinn De Vecchi |Jillian Manning
Up North Pride talks June programming, Michigan protections, and federal attacks By Ren Brabenec | May 31, 2025 The Movement Advancement Project (MAP) ranks Michigan in the top 20 U.S. states for policies supporting LGBTQ+ residents’ lives, experiences, and equality. Michigan is an island in this category because, without going to either the East or West Coast, the only states in the U.S. with better rankings are Colorado, Minnesota, and Illinois.
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4 weeks ago | 
northernexpress.com | Rachel Pasche |Abby McKiernan |Quinn De Vecchi |Jillian Manning
Second-gen farmer Jane Lively on working the land and building community By Rachel Pasche | May 31, 2025 According to the USDA, Michigan is home to around 44,000 farms, several of which are in the part of northern Michigan we call home. These farms comprise 9.4 million acres of land, all dedicated to providing fresh food for the state and country.
The Lively Farm sits on two acres near Empire and is run by 27-year-old Jane Lively.
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4 weeks ago | 
northernexpress.com | Stephen Tuttle |Abby McKiernan |Quinn De Vecchi |Jillian Manning
Spectator By Stephen Tuttle | May 31, 2025 I think that I shall never seeA poem lovely as a tree.
So begins Joyce Kilmer’s classic ode to our leafy friends. He’d likely be displeased if he was still alive and lived around here these days; we’ve found plenty of reasons to remove plenty of trees from plenty of locations.
This lament should be prefaced with the acknowledgment that people are not marauding with chainsaw in hand, felling trees at random for no reason.
