Northern Express

01/12/2026

Ethanology Distillation, Bos Wine, Trattoria Stella, and Left Foot Charley Winery have teamed up for a winter full of special events, tastings, and conversations.

The Village at Grand Traverse Commons and the Village of Elk Rapids are about 20 miles apart. Not a long drive on a summer’s day, but a less-travele…

01/12/2026

Things may slow down in the winter compared with summer’s hectic pace, but there is still plenty to do in northern Michigan…and plenty to hear. Here are 40+ shows around the North at venues like The Alluvion, City Opera House, The Bay Theatre, Freshwater Art Gallery & Concert Venue, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and more 🎶

Things may slow down in the winter compared with summer’s hectic pace, but there is still plenty to do in northern Michigan…and plenty to hea…

01/10/2026

The recipes below (Chipotle Enchiladas and Black Bean Soup) highlight a trio known as the Three Sisters long used by indigenous people of Central and North America: beans, squash, and corn. These Meatless Monday features are for anyone looking for fresh takes in the New Year.

In the depth of winter, we’re all looking for warmth, and these new recipes are sure to make you feel full and cozy. The dishes below highlight a tr…

01/09/2026

Bottoms up! We're starting the New Year off with the sparkling Field Blend Perry from Folklor Wine & Cider 🍐

It’s always the season to celebrate local terroir at Folklor Wine & Cider in Charlevoix, but we’re taking the New Year’s festivities…

01/09/2026

We love veggies, we love pasta, and we love cheese, so it's no wonder that the Eggplant Parmigiano from Sorellina is our first Tastemaker of the New Year.

Who else is trying to cut back on meat and eat more veggies in the New Year? So long as you’re cool with your veggies being slathered with delicious…

01/08/2026

OPINION: "In this country, we don’t punish people for their ideas or even their offensive words. We are supposed to focus on actions and if those actions are illegal. But insulting the president, even harshly or profanely, is most definitely protected speech. Investigating groups and individuals because those in power disagree with them is anathema to more than 200 years of freedom of thought and speech in this country." (Stephen Tuttle)

Back in the 1950s, it was Minnesota Senator Joseph McCarthy and his supporters who decided the First Amendment could simply be ignored. He—and his a…

01/08/2026

**Nominations are now open for Fascinating People 2026!**

It’s time to think about the most wonderful, curious, eclectic, fantastic, and fascinating people you know! Each year, Northern Express highlights 20 people in northern Michigan who make our communities better, push the creative envelope, or otherwise capture our imaginations with their talents and quirks.

If you know someone fascinating, send us an email at [email protected] by Jan. 19 with their name, contact info, and a few sentences about what makes them special. Then, stay tuned for our Fascinating People issue later this winter to see who made the 2026 list!

01/08/2026

Ready to get fit this year? If you want to try something other than the usual gym circuit, here's what Manistee Combat Academy and Yoga Fitness Center of Manistee have to say about their approaches to fitness.

"Start with something you enjoy; fitness should be engaging."

"Choose activities that bring joy, and your community will grow from there."

"Keep moving, even on days when you don’t feel like it."

As the calendar turns and wellness resolutions begin to take shape, Manistee residents have more options than ever for getting active, whether they’…

01/07/2026

Retired (or almost retired) Recess kicks off tomorrow, Thursday Jan. 8, at Mt. Holiday! This weekly gathering for folks 50+ is all play and no work.

Mt. Holiday in Traverse City is calling all “older kids” (50+) to Retired Recess! Held every Thursday from noon-4pm, the fun begins Jan. 8 wit…

01/07/2026

For his New Year's wellness story, writer Todd VanSickle tried infusion therapy at Revive Infusions in Petoskey. "Doing something beneficial for my health was appealing, and an infusion at Revive seemed like a right fit for me," he says, especially after battling a chest cold for a few weeks. Here's what he learned about the process.

A snowstorm whitewashed the view of Little Traverse Bay as I sat in a leather recliner with an IV in my left arm at Revive Infusions located in Petoskey&r…

01/06/2026

OPINION: "The words that we use to define ourselves and each other are powerful and can be either hurtful or healing. Politicians have increasingly resorted to name-calling and verbal assaulting each other instead of engaging in rational dialogue and problem solving. What about the words you use? ... Being a student of your own speech—both the intention and the choice of words—can make a world of difference in your life and the lives of others." (Greg Holmes)

One of the worst sayings that I have ever heard in my life is a simple children’s rhyme that goes like this: Sticks and stones may break my bones, b…