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Featured Blog Posts – July 2009 Archive (43)

Kindred Spirits

Today, I received a very special package in the mail.

An unexpected package. Which, is the very best kind.

From Donna. Donna from the dairy state.

We met last fall, when she and her husband, James, attended our Full Moon Fall Fling. (Now re-named Meet the Mushers since we pushed the date into August.)

Donna, through an act of… Continue

Added by Sherry Sutherby on July 14, 2009 at 6:30pm — No Comments

brides, grooms and the petoskey pier: a wedding up north

Overheard while I was snapping these shots of a lovely wedding party at dusk on the Petoskey pier, “I was looking at my mom’s wedding pictures. They were funny. The guys were wearing velvet bow ties.”

“Do you think we’ll look back at these photos someday and laugh about something like that?”

"I don't know. At least no one’s wearing a velvet bow tie.”

Please include your snaps of beautiful weddings Up North on… Continue

Added by Rachel North on July 14, 2009 at 6:30pm — No Comments

Beaver Dams, Alpena, and the Trail Ahead

By the time you read this, the DNR will have pulled or cut the trees off the Petoskey to Mackinaw City Trail and done something with the beaver dam (see photo) that caused what looked to one user like a “washout.” From the original complaint, that would leave only the weeds that in some sections can reach hip high on adults but which might seem creepy to small children. So my judgment is that although the trail is “unimproved” it is still generally… Continue

Added by Tom Stanley on July 13, 2009 at 2:41pm — No Comments

Gatsby in Harbor Springs!

When I was invited to attend the Harbor Springs Historical Society’s gala event, I jumped at the chance to go. Any opportunity to drive to this sweet resort hamlet on Little Traverse Bay is a treat, but when the occasion was a 1920’s Great Gatsby-themed party, who could resist?

I rounded up a black, fringed flapper dress and a pair of fishnet stockings and last night my husband and I took off from our home in Glen Arbor for the Birchwood Farms Golf and Country Club in Harbor… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Edwards on July 12, 2009 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Windy City (that'd be Manistee)

Gray and gusty, just how the Windspire vertical wind turbine likes it.

This is the fourth installment in a series of blogs about the entrepreneurial mettle that Manistee is relying on to move forward in Michigan’s changing economy.

Sometimes, when a company has to work its way out of a jam, it pays to just do the obvious thing. For John Holcomb, general manager at the MasTech Manufacturing plant in Manistee, that… Continue

Added by Jeff Smith on July 10, 2009 at 11:00am — 1 Comment

2009 Ultimate Up North Kitchen Tour: Saturday, October 24

I can't believe it, but the second annual Ultimate Up North Kitchen Tour is rolling around again. Mark it on your calendar: Saturday, October 24.

The first tour was an incredible success. After spending the day yesterday reviewing photos and designer statements for this year's 25 kitchens, I can tell you to expect another spectacular tour.

These kitchens, located from Manistee to… Continue

Added by Elizabeth Edwards on July 9, 2009 at 2:00pm — 8 Comments

I'm going to Green Cuisine. See you there!

Back when the morels and the leeks were just popping out of the forest floor, I spent a whole day foraging with the Young family. Tim and Kathy Young operate the all-organic Food For Thought preserves and wild foods company in Honor. We had such a blast together. While Tim and their two children hunted for the elusive morel—they got a few!—Kathy and I followed behind in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore forests with just the tinges of chartreuse… Continue

Added by Emily Betz Tyra on July 9, 2009 at 9:00am — No Comments

Food Inc., the movie

Food Inc - Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms and his grass fed herd. Photo courtesy Food Inc

I'm writing off topic. Instead of talking about conservation development, I want to let you know about our food.

From the Food, Inc. media kit: "In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation’s food… Continue

Added by Kirt Manecke, Smile book on July 9, 2009 at 6:05am — 2 Comments

Pavlov's Cow

It didn't happen with Mama Cow.

It didn't happen with Papa Cow.

And it didn't happen with baby cow, Luna.

Who, incidently,… Continue

Added by Sherry Sutherby on July 8, 2009 at 10:30pm — No Comments

What If ... They Made Movies in Manistee

Harold Cronk, a partner in Manistee's new 10 West Studios

This is the third installment in a series of blogs about the entrepreneurial mettle that Manistee is relying on to move forward in Michigan’s changing economy.

Anyone looking for evidence that Michigan’s film tax credits are generating business for Northern Michigan should have been in Manistee last week when the filming of What If was in full swing.… Continue

Added by Jeff Smith on July 8, 2009 at 8:30am — 2 Comments

Pow Wow at National Cherry Festival in Traverse City

Today held not nearly as perfect weather as yesterday. It was raining on my way to Traverse City this morning, so when Lissa (Managing Editor of Traverse Magazine and my “boss”) told me I was to go check out Heritage Day at the National Cherry Festival, I tried not to be skeptical. Luckily, it didn’t rain on my way there, or… Continue

Added by Whitney Duque on July 7, 2009 at 1:30pm — No Comments

of horses, hills and bays: a tour of traverse city's horseshows by the bay

A few days ago I visited the Horses By the Bay venue. It's one of those times where biz and my own curiosity were sated by one trip. Alex Rheinheimer and I have enjoyed the occasional cup of coffee and some happy conversations about collaborating further on her events. Among many of her responsibilities, she heads up the marketing and promotions of the event, co-producing with her husband… Continue

Added by Rachel North on July 6, 2009 at 10:30pm — 1 Comment

Back to the Future, Downtown Manistee

Moving Spirit wine shop and art gallery

This is the second installment in a series of blogs about the entrepreneurial mettle that Manistee is relying on to move forward in Michigan’s changing economy.

There is a phenomenon that historic preservationists talk about, how an economic downturn can actually help preserve the character of a place. Intuitively we can see how this makes sense. When a community faces closed… Continue

Added by Jeff Smith on July 6, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

Summer on the Ranch

It's good to have friends who share your dream, such as AC (Animal Control) Ellen.

In visiting her ranch, it confirmed to our grandboys that we (Nana and Papa) weren't the only ones who liked to farm.…

Continue

Added by Sherry Sutherby on July 6, 2009 at 7:35am — 2 Comments

urban buzz up north

All year round there is a sophistication in Traverse City. A recent spotlight on the foodie scene here may have drawn some national attention to a vibe known to residents and suspected by visitors. It's a mix of northern nonchalance and worldliness. If I may be so bold as to attempt to describe it in a metaphor. Imagine a closet where Prada and Carhart share space comfortably. Now imagine the restaurant where both would be welcomed with a knowing nod from the host. That's Traverse City.… Continue

Added by Rachel North on July 5, 2009 at 9:44pm — 1 Comment

Terror in Taffeltown 1.1

Very early in my boyhood, Taffeltown found a special place in my heart.

Even today, saying this name elicits an unexplainable joy in me. It has a nice ring about it. And, takes me back to a time, when covering your hands with butter and pulling taffy was a family event.

But now, terror had totally griped me. I was watching a 120 foot tall White Pine tree, which I had weakened with my chain saw, sway in the wrong direction,… Continue

Added by Dave Duncan on July 4, 2009 at 10:47am — No Comments

Good Things Going on in Manistee County

This is the first installment in a series of blogs about the entrepreneurial mettle that Manistee is relying on to move forward in Michigan’s changing economy.

As Michigan continues the fight to right itself economically and scrambles to find models to follow and examples that inspire, our business and government leaders should take a look at a few things happening in Manistee County. I recently had the good fortune of taking a day to check out some of the success stories… Continue

Added by Jeff Smith on July 3, 2009 at 8:00am — No Comments

Organic farms and conservation developments

Developers are creating subdivisions around organic farms to attract buyers according to the article Organic Farms as Subdivision Amenities in the New York Times. According to the article, these subdivisions have been treating farms as an amenity.

LandChoices' member Ed McMahon is quoted in the article: “Open space improves the return for a developer,” Mr. McMahon… Continue

Added by Kirt Manecke, Smile book on July 2, 2009 at 7:14am — 2 Comments

cushion crisis averted garden bliss on the horizon

My friends, the balance of the previously ordered patio cushions mysteriously arrived at our local Pier 1, unannounced, unexpected and oddly paid for, meaning my account had not been immediately credited when they thought the order couldn't be filled.

For those of you tuning in to this miniseries at the last hour on the thrilling Sunday-night conclusion, I have searched far and wide looking for patio cushions to fit my hubby's childhood patio furniture set. And I've been thwarted… Continue

Added by Rachel North on July 2, 2009 at 12:00am — No Comments

A Bit about Boats

My father owns a small, 15 foot sailboat, an International 470, that I named “Blue Eyes.” I’m the only one that calls the boat that, my family calls it blue boat, and now I never understood why I had my own name for it. But, it’s not about the name. It’s about the structure—the thing that carried us out onto the water.

It is a small boat made of fiber glass that my dad bought several years ago. It has been around since before I was… Continue

Added by Lauren Marmion on July 1, 2009 at 11:00am — 3 Comments