The Betsie Current

08/28/2026

THROWBACK: Sometimes, we end up with some last-minute space to fill in our pages, for various reasons--a story needs a little more time to be completed or a big ad comes in on short notice, and we have to bump from 8 pages to 12, or 12 to 16, etc.

And when this happens, we are very fortunate to have a bevy of historical pieces that never seem to get old--for instance...

For more than 100 years, Glen Eyrie has been a neighborhood on the north shore of Crystal Lake. Originally purchased in 1904 for a whopping $350, there are multiple cottages and a few year-round residents in the 29 acres with 1,700 feet of shoreline.

But how was Glen Eyrie connected to the Congregational Summer Assembly (CSA), and what dit the Civil War have to do with it? How did legal infighting impact the group, and what is a Town Crier?

Want to know this amazing history?

Read more in our recently republished story, originally in our pages back in 2018: https://bit.ly/46pDw34 .

Glen Eyrie going strong for a century and more

08/27/2026

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Sometimes, we end up with some last-minute space to fill in our pages, for various reasons--a story needs a little more time to be completed or a big ad comes in on short notice, and we have to bump from 8 pages to 12, or 12 to 16, etc.

And when this happens, we are very fortunate to have a bevy of historical pieces that never seem to get old--for instance...

For more than 100 years, the Congregational Summer Assembly (CSA) has been a small hamlet of cottages, cabins, and community spaces, clustered along the western shore of Crystal Lake, just north of the City of Frankfort, Michigan, situated on a strip of land that is approximately 200 acres.

Founded by Congregational ministers in the early 20th century, the CSA has since provided religious, musical, athletic, and other activities to promote the welfare of its constituents.

But how did the CSA come to our small corner of Northern Michigan, and what did the Ann Arbor Railroad have to do with it? How many people partake in their summer events, and what percentage are "year-round" locals vs. summer folks nowadays?

Want to know this amazing history?

Read more in our recently republished story, originally in our pages back in 2018: https://bit.ly/4wQYp1M .

The Congregational Summer Assembly

08/12/2026

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've probably seen the news that Gwen Frostic Prints--a beloved Benzie County staple, located between Benzonia and Frankfort, that was started in 1964 by the celebrated Michigan nature artist, author, and entrepreneur--has recently sold.

But who are the new owners, and what makes them tick?

We have an exclusive interview with Amy and Sarah Blessing, whose extended family have been summering in Benzie County dating back generations.

The sisters remember fondly when their grandmother took them to Gwen Frostic's on rainy summer days, a tradition they have continued with their own children--and now, as the third owners after Gwen Frostic herself, they hope to revive the studio and grounds to their former glory, all while continuing to employ the same knowledgeable staff.

Want to learn more?

Read the full Q&A here: https://bit.ly/4c5k5Qz .

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Also mentioned: DePauw University, DePauw Alumni and Friends, Denison University, Denison Alumni, Congregational Summer Assembly, Crystal Lake & Watershed Association, Western Michigan University, WMU Frostic School of Art, The Garden Theater, Stormcloud Brewing Company, Murphy's Markette

08/12/2026

We ❤ Monthly Movie Club... and the 1990s outlaw couture, obviously. 😉

Did you attend our free showing of Thelma & Louise last night?

WOW! Last night, at our Monthly Movie Club that we co-sponsor with The Betsie Current at The Garden Theater, we had 250 people show up to our free showing of Thelma & Louise--the only film we've had more attendance for in the almost three years that we've been doing this was Top Gun in July 2025, which had 255 in attendance!

Also, even though it was technically a "free" movie, we told folks that we would take donations for Women's Resource Center for the Grand Traverse Area, since sexual assault is depicted in the film--and we raised $422 for that wonderful organization!

What a great night... and do you love our costumes? (Two Louises!)

08/11/2026

"Celebrating a national anniversary is kind of similar to looking ahead at a milestone birthday—with good, bad, and sometimes ugly aspects," writes Linda Engelhard.

Earlier this year, she and her husband, John, contemplated what a genuine celebration of the 250th year after the signing of the Declaration of Independence might look like for them.

Ultimately, they settled on a quest to learn more American history and visit 250 historic sites by the end of this year—as of July, they were nearly halfway to the goal, with 114 sites visited.

Will they make their goal by the end of the year? And what have they learned along the way?

Read our cover story here: https://bit.ly/4wMEPoi .

08/09/2026

We ❤ Monthly Movie Club... and the 1970s couture, obviously. 😉

Did you attend our free showing of Dazed and Confused last month?

WOW! Last month, at our Monthly Movie Club that we co-sponsor with The Betsie Current at The Garden Theater, we had 155 people show up to our free showing of Dazed and Confused.

We handed out brownies, with frosting made from our shredded chocolate--it's not just used to make hot drinking chocolate! (Aubrey from The Betsie Current brought mint from her garden, and she added it to the top of your brownie, if you asked to "make it magic," haha.)

Also, even though it was technically a "free" movie, we told folks that we would take donations for Benzie Area Youth Initiative, since there is so much bullying depicted in the film--and we raised $311 for that organization!

What a great night... and do you love our costumes?

08/09/2026

NINTH ISSUE OF THE YEAR: Our 7th issue of the 2026 season is out on shelves!

If you haven't yet picked up a hard copy, you can read it online here: https://bit.ly/TBC-2026-9

Released July 16, this 12-pager features a Q&A with the new owners of Gwen Frostic Prints; a couple that is finding a unique way to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States; and three historical pieces about related communities--the Congregational Summer Assembly (CSA), Crystal Highlands, and Glen Eyrie.

And per usual, we have a two-page calendar of events!

Let us know in the comments what you think of our 9th issue of our 15th year in business!

08/09/2026

SAVE THE DATE: We're so excited to be partnering with The Garden Theater to showcase To Catch A Thief(PG, 1955).

We can't wait to see you on Tuesday, August 18, at 6pm--bring your friends!

Learn more at the FREE "To Catch A Thief" Showing - Garden Classic Movies event.

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To Catch a Thief is a 1955 American romantic thriller film, directed by Alfred Hitchcock from a screenplay by John Michael Hayes, based on the 1952 novel of the same name by David Dodge.

The film stars Cary Grant as a retired cat burglar who has to save his reformed reputation by catching an impostor preying on wealthy tourists--including an oil-rich widow and her daughter, played by Grace Kelly--on the French Riviera.

The film drew mixed reviews from critics, with some enjoying Grant and Kelly in the lead roles, as well as the French Riviera setting, while others expressed disappointment at the lack of suspense, compared to earlier Hitchcock films.

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 92% based on reviews from 53 critics, with an average rating of 7.9/10, with the critical consensus reading:

"It may occasionally be guilty of coasting on pure charm, but To Catch a Thief has it in spades -- as well as a pair of perfectly matched stars in Cary Grant and Grace Kelly."

Robert Burks won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography, while Hal Pereira, Joseph McMillan Johnson, Samuel M. Comer, and Arthur Krams were nominated for Best Art Direction, and Edith Head was nominated for Best Costume Design.

In 2002, American Film Institute included the film as #46 in AFI's "100 Years... 100 Passions."

08/09/2026

SAVE THE DATE: We're so excited to be partnering with The Garden Theater to showcase Thelma & Louise (1991, R)!

The showing is FREE to all guests, and if you dress up in your best 1990s "outlaw" outfit, you get a free treat from Kilwins Frankfort! (Limited to first-come, first-serve basis.)

We couldn't BELIEVE the turnout to our free showing of Practical Magic back in October 2023 when we first started this thing; we had around 125 of you show up, and probably 90% of you were dressed up as a witch!

So we decided we'd like to make this a MONTHLY event, and we're calling it "Monthly Movie Club," where we will feature great nostalgic flicks!

January 2024: Grumpy Old Men - 75 people
February 2024: Casablanca - 130 people
March 2024: The Big Lebowski - 105 people
April 2024: A League of Their Own - 105 people
May 2024: The Great Outdoors - 70 people
June 2024: The Goonies - 210 people
July 2024: Dirty Dancing - 170 people
August 2024: Overboard - 100 people
September 2024: Clueless - 65 people
October 2024: Beetlejuice - 75 people
November 2024: Planes, Trains, & Automobiles - 85 people
December 2024: Love Actually - 125 people
January 2025: The Shining - 55 people
February 2025: Sleepless In Seattle- 80 people
March 2025: The Shawshank Redemption - 70 people
April 2025: You've Got Mail - 60 people
May 2025: Best In Show - 70 people
June 2025: Stand By Me - 155 people
July 2025: Top Gun - 255 people
August 2025: Now & Then - 60 people
September 2025: Ferris Buhler's Day Off - 115 people
October 2025: Practical Magic - 130 people
November 2025: The First Wives Club - 65 people
December 2025: A Christmas Story - 70 people
January 2026: Fargo - 75 people
February 2026: Shakespeare In Love - 45 people
March 2026: Boondock Saints - 30 people
April 2026: Purple Rain - 75 people
May 2026: Steel Magnolias - 35 people
June 2026: The Birdcage - 210 people
July 2026: Dazed & Confused - 155 people

We can't wait to see you on Tuesday, August 11, at 7:30pm--bring your friends! Learn more and RSVP at the FREE "Thelma & Louise" Showing & Party event and "invite" your friends to the Facebook event, too!

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Thelma & Louise is a 1991 American buddy comedy-drama film, written by Callie Khouri, directed by Ridley Scott, and starring Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon as Thelma and Louise, two friends who embark on a road trip that ends up in unforeseen circumstances. The supporting cast includes Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Christopher McDonald, and Brad Pitt.
Filming took place in California and Utah from June to August 1990.

Following its premiere at the 44th Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 1991, Thelma & Louise was theatrically released in the United States on May 24. It became a critical and commercial success, receiving six nominations at the 64th Academy Awards, with Khouri winning Best Original Screenplay. Scott was nominated for Best Director, and both Sarandon and Davis were nominated for Best Actress.

Thelma & Louise has influenced other artistic works and became a landmark of feminist film. In 2006, the American Film Institute ranked it 78th on its list of most inspiring films. In 2016, the Library of Congress selected the film for preservation in the National Film Registry, finding it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".