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Trivia Question❓Which island, located in Grand Traverse Bay, is known for its historic lighthouse and is the largest island in the bay? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
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Excitement is building at the Emmet County Fairgrounds as preparations get underway for the highly awaited Emmet-Charlevoix County Fair.
This annual event draws crowds from both Emmet and Charlevoix counties, with 2026 expected to introduce new attractions and updated experiences for all ages.
Petoskey’s fairgrounds are receiving upgrades focused on safety and family comfort, ensuring smooth festivities.
With the fair’s schedule expanding, locals can look forward to lively carnival rides, livestock competitions, and favorite traditions like the 4-H animal shows and vibrant arts displays.
Organizers are bringing in fresh food options from local vendors, reflecting Emmet County’s growing culinary spirit.
The talent show and demolition derby remain must-see staples, while improvements to parking and access aim to make the event more welcoming than ever.
These investments ensure the fair continues as both a cherished tradition and a sign of local growth. Read More... |
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Cherry Buzz Weekend Outing Guide: August 21–23
Day Outing: Traverse City Food & Wine Weekend
This is the big local flavor weekend. Traverse City Food & Wine runs August 19–23, showcasing the region’s agriculture, restaurants, chefs, wineries, craft beverages, and Up North food culture. For a full-day outing, build your plan around festival events, downtown Traverse City, Open Space Park, and nearby food-and-wine stops. The festival describes the weekend as a celebration of local bites, 100+ wines and craft beverages, chefs, restaurants, and Northern Michigan ingredients. Link: https://www.traversecity.com/food-wine/ Afternoon Outing: The Grand Tasting
The top Saturday afternoon pick is The Grand Tasting at Open Space Park on Saturday, August 22 from 1–4 PM. Tickets include 25 tasting tokens, unlimited bites, and non-alcoholic drinks. Ticket options listed include General Admission $157.35, Early Entry $188.75, and VIP $369.00. Link: https://tickets.traversecityfoodandwine.com/events/2026/the-grand-tasting2 Evening Outing: Interlochen Arts Festival
For a strong evening outing, head to Interlochen Center for the Arts. Gladys Knight performs Friday, August 21 at 7:30 PM in Corson Auditorium. On Saturday, August 22, The Accidentals FAMgrove Festival is scheduled at 6:30 PM at Interlochen Bowl with special guests. Link: https://www.interlochen.org/concerts-and-events/interlochen-arts-festival Family Fun Outing: Sara Hardy Farmers Market + Downtown Traverse City
For a simple family-friendly plan, start Saturday morning at the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market. The market runs Saturdays and Wednesdays from May through October, 7:30 AM to noon, in downtown Traverse City. After the market, walk the waterfront, grab lunch downtown, visit shops, or stop by Open Space Park to enjoy the Food & Wine weekend atmosphere. Link: https://www.traversecitymi.gov/calendar/approved-sara-hardy-downtown-farmers-market.html Rainy Day Alternative: Crooked Tree Arts Center
With storms and showers possible Friday afternoon and Saturday, keep an indoor option ready. Crooked Tree Arts Center – Traverse City has several exhibits running through August 22, including Paint Grand Traverse Extended Exhibition, Container, and Cherry State of Mind. Link: https://www.crookedtree.org/events-and-exhibitions/exhibits/ This weekend around Grand Traverse is packed with local flavor, live music, family-friendly stops, and rainy-day backup options. Make Traverse City Food & Wine the centerpiece, spend Saturday afternoon at The Grand Tasting, or head to Interlochen for an evening concert. Families can keep it simple with the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market and a downtown waterfront walk. If the weather turns wet, Crooked Tree Arts Center offers an easy indoor stop with local exhibits running through Saturday. |
Gas Prices |
Start here: Today's Grand Traverse Gas Prices Click Here
More county fuel-price links:
Fuel Prices in Antrim County, MI |
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Traverse City’s community spirit is thriving across Grand Traverse Bay, driving a wave of neighborly kindness and vital charity programs.
Locals unite each week, sharing time and resources so no resident faces hunger alone.
Glad Meals has become a central pillar—showing what’s possible when schools, volunteers, and businesses rally around a cause.
Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools lead Saturday community meals, rain or shine, while local businesses provide ingredients and generous Traverse City food donations.
Hands-on volunteering is every bit as valued as donations, bringing real connections to the effort.
Word of mouth and social media continue to draw new donors and helpers, keeping the support network growing.
Even with climbing food costs, Traverse City charity organizations adapt and flourish thanks to unwavering generosity.
From volunteer shifts to store drives, small acts here truly add up—and strengthen this remarkable network of care. Read More... |
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Northern Michigan is emerging as a stronghold for Michigan football prospects who want to achieve college dreams without leaving their hometown roots.
Rising numbers of Charlevoix and Grand Traverse Bay athletes are catching recruiters’ eyes, reflecting the area’s growing profile in collegiate sports.
Recent seasons have seen local football talent shine on Friday nights, with several making the leap to Division I programs and earning immense pride for their communities.
Central Michigan has become a favored destination, welcoming recruits from Charlevoix and Traverse City West.
The pathway for local stars to play high-level football while staying close to home is stronger than ever, inspiring younger athletes and energizing school spirit.
With more scouts attending local games and youth programs flourishing, northern Michigan’s football future shines brighter. Read More... |
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Late-Summer Cherry Peach Crisp
A simple seasonal recipe using ingredients that fit the Grand Traverse area in August: Michigan peaches, local cherries, blueberries, oats, and a buttery crisp topping. IngredientsFruit Filling
Crisp Topping
DirectionsPreheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix peaches, cherries, blueberries, brown sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, flour, cinnamon, and salt. Pour into a greased 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish. In another bowl, mix oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the topping looks crumbly. Stir in nuts if using. Sprinkle topping evenly over the fruit. Bake for 35–45 minutes, until the fruit is bubbling and the topping is golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving. Serving IdeaServe warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or a drizzle of local honey. Cherry Buzz BlurbLate summer around Grand Traverse is the perfect time for peaches, cherries, blueberries, and farm-market finds. This Cherry Peach Crisp is simple, cozy, and made for sharing after a beach day, backyard dinner, or weekend outing Up North. |
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My Name is Tunka |
Are you ready to meet a sweet puppy? Tunka is ready to meet you!
At just 4 months old, Tunka is a well-balanced puppy with a bright future ahead of her. She may be a little shy when meeting new people, but give her a few minutes (and maybe a tasty treat!), and you'll see her playful, affectionate personality shine. This curious girl loves to explore the world with her nose, chase squeaky toys, and happily work for treats. She's already learned "sit" and is eager to keep learning. Like all puppies, she'll thrive with continued positive training, socialization, and plenty of opportunities to build her confidence. Tunka can get excited during playtime with her people, but she settles down nicely once the fun winds down. She has the potential to do well with children, other dogs, and dog-savvy cats when introduced appropriately. If you're looking for a sweet, smart puppy who's ready to grow alongside her forever family, Tunka might just be the perfect match. With a little patience, lots of love, and ongoing puppy guidance, she's sure to blossom into an amazing lifelong companion. |
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AI Prompt of the Week: After-School Helper
After school can get busy fast — homework, snacks, activities, chores, screen time, dinner, and bedtime all start competing for attention. This week’s Cherry Buzz AI Prompt helps families build a calmer after-school routine that actually works. Copy and paste this prompt into ChatGPT or any Free AI Platform: Act as a calm after-school routine helper for a busy family.
Help me create a simple after-school plan that includes:
1. A snack and reset routine for when kids first get home
2. A homework plan that fits my child’s age and attention span
3. A screen-time rule that feels fair and realistic
4. A simple chore or responsibility checklist
5. A way to handle sports, clubs, or after-school activities
6. A calm transition into dinner and bedtime
7. Tips for reducing arguments, rushing, and after-school stress
Make the plan easy to follow, family-friendly, and realistic for busy school nights. Ask me any questions you need to customize it for my household.
Cherry Buzz Tip: |
💡 Answer to Trivia Question: Power Island |
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this week’s newsletter. We truly appreciate your interest and support, and we’re grateful to have you as part of our community. Your engagement inspires us to keep bringing you the latest updates, insights, and stories. We hope you found today’s edition valuable and enjoyable. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead! We can’t wait to connect with you again in our next issue. Until then, take care and thank you for being with us. |