East Bay Township resident Shirley Bowman has been going to the Grand Traverse County Senior Center Network for over 20 years, but this past year has been different. “I actually haven’t been in the Senior Center since everything was shut down,” Bowman said. “We’re coming close to a year now.” The Coronavirus pandemic has changed a lot of our lives,…
Times have been tough for local businesses, but that hasn’t stopped some from getting creative. Sandcastles Children’s Museum in Ludington has shifted from in person to online fun. “Sandcastles has been closed since March 13,” said Kristin Korendyke, executive director for Sandcastles Children’s Museum. “Honestly, it’s been really hard to not have kids in here.” In the spring of 2020,…
Housing instability in Northern Michigan is a widespread issue, especially for those under the age of 25. “We know that homelessness is a terrible thing for anyone to experience, especially for a young person,” said Ryan Hannon, Street Outreach Manager for Goodwill Northern Michigan. In 2017, the Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness started calculating how many 16 to 24-year-olds…
Gov. Whitmer recently announced the state’s goal to get all students back to in-person learning. Now districts like Suttons Bay Schools are making sure they can do that while keeping their students and staff safe. “We’ve been super excited to get back here,” said Suttons Bay Middle/High School Principal Andy Melius. “We know how important it is for kids to…
A senior at Central Lake High School is headed to the Big Apple for a pretty amazing opportunity—modeling at New York Fashion Week. “I’m looking forward to the experience,” Desiree Herrst said. “Modeling was never a door I thought was going to be open to me.” Desiree started doing pageants 11 years ago, winning first runner up, and even a…
A historic site located in Glen Haven is getting new life thanks to a nonprofit. The 150-year-old Sleeping Bear Inn and Garage will be renovated to a Bed and Breakfast through the nonprofit BEAR, or Balancing Environment and Rehabilitation. “We feel that we want to preserve a legacy of what is here, the legacy of Glen Haven altogether,” said BEAR…
With schools back in session, and even sports teams playing, there’s still one after-school activity that’s been asked to stay closed—dance studios. “We are at our wit’s end,” said Sue Buck, co-owner of Dance Arts Academy in Traverse City. “We are noticing school programs going back, sports going back. Once again, the arts are overlooked.” The studio has been closed…
This past year has been difficult for businesses, especially restaurants, but one burger restaurant in Traverse City is thriving. Bergstrom’s Burgers started as a food truck in the summer of 2020, and, thanks to loyal customers and support from the community, they opened a storefront in December, just a few months later. They serve burgers, sliders, and sides such as…
Michigan’s Great Lakes Winter Trails are full of snow sport adventures for winter sports enthusiasts of all ages and abilities. This year, the Trails are celebrating their 34th year of operation. Crystal Mountain Resort in Thompsonville is one of the many resorts that are near these trails. From cross country skiing on their network of trails, to snow shoeing at the…
Blood and plasma donations are always needed, but the winter months are some of the hardest times of the year for blood centers to get donations. That’s why January has been National Blood Donor month since 1970 to bring awareness to the need for donors. Versiti’s Main Donor Center in Traverse City is in need of both plasma and blood…
