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"99-Year-Old Skydiver, Cherry Shortage, & Pit Spitters: Traverse City's Hot Topics!"


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"99-Year-Old Skydiver, Cherry Shortage, & Pit Spitters: Traverse City's Hot Topics!"

Cherry Buzz
Archives
"99-Year-Old Skydiver, Cherry Shortage, & Pit Spitters: Traverse City's Hot Topics!"

Cherry Buzz
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Our 1st Edition |
Welcome to the First Edition of The Cherry Buzz!The Cherry Buzz — Grand Traverse’s Local Buzz! We are thrilled to begin this journey with you, celebrating the people, places, businesses, flavors, events, and shoreline moments that make this region so unforgettable. From the vibrant streets and waterfront of Traverse City to the sparkling beauty of Grand Traverse Bay, Suttons Bay, Elk Rapids, Leelanau, and nearby Up North communities, Cherry Buzz is here to keep you connected to what is happening and what is worth discovering. Each edition will bring you a lively mix of local events, weekend ideas, restaurant and food finds, small business spotlights, community stories, seasonal adventures, and special places that deserve a closer look. Whether you call this area home, visit every summer, plan weekend getaways, or simply love Northern Michigan from afar, we hope Cherry Buzz becomes your friendly guide to enjoying more of the region. You may also see two familiar faces along the way: Cap’t Cherry and Gus the Seagull. These cheerful explorers will be on the lookout for fun discoveries, family-friendly adventures, local highlights, and a little extra personality to brighten each issue. Most of all, The Cherry Buzz is about community. It is about supporting local businesses, sharing good news, finding new experiences, and celebrating the character of the Grand Traverse area. Thank you for being here at the very beginning. We cannot wait to explore, discover, and share the buzz with you. To new discoveries and many exciting local stories ahead. Welcome to The Cherry Buzz! |
Interesting Facts |
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What is she going to do for 100th? I want to know. |
A 99-year-old woman from Charlevoix celebrated her birthday by going skydiving with her son and grandchildren. The woman had always wanted to do a tandem skydive and her family made it happen as a special birthday surprise. She described the experience as amazing and said she was not afraid at all. The family plans to make skydiving a tradition for future birthdays. The woman's adventurous spirit and positive attitude have inspired those around her, showing that age is just a number. Read More... |
Michigan’s summer pulses with free outdoor concerts that bring every corner of the state alive with music and community spirit.
From Detroit’s Wild Summer Nights at the zoo—where visitors enjoy music and animal habitats after hours—to Lowell’s Showboat Sizzlin’ Summer Concerts along the Flat River, residents can discover diverse, family-friendly lineups under open skies.
Ludington’s Waterfront Park lights up with 12 weeks of performances, while Brighton’s Live at Millpond Park showcases energetic acts against a scenic backdrop.
In West Bloomfield, families flock to the Kids Komotion Concert Series for music, bounce houses, and more.
Patriotic tunes and special performances anchor Grosse Pointe Farms’ SummerFest, celebrating America’s upcoming 250th Anniversary.
Whether basking in sunsets or dancing with neighbors, Michigan’s concerts deliver unforgettable summer rhythms for everyone to enjoy. Read More... |
Let's take a Walk |
The Downtown TC Art Walk Series is a popular event that takes place on the first Friday of each month. The June 5th event will feature a variety of art galleries and businesses throughout downtown Traverse City, offering a chance for visitors to explore different artists and artworks. Participants can enjoy live music, refreshments, and special discounts at participating venues. The event is free and open to the public, allowing for a fun and interactive way to engage with the local art scene. Attendees are encouraged to start at any of the participating venues and enjoy a leisurely stroll through downtown Traverse City while appreciating the diverse artistic offerings. Read More... |
Art & Crafts |
The Downtown Spring Art & Craft Show in Traverse City features over 80 artists and crafters displaying and selling their unique creations. The event is free for attendees to browse and purchase handmade items such as jewelry, ceramics, paintings, and more. Food vendors will also be available to enjoy during the event. This outdoor show is a great way to support local artists and find one-of-a-kind pieces to take home. Read More... |
Live Music & Events |
Grand Traverse Area |
Not Your Average Pizzeria.We offer freshly baked pizzas with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Our kid-friendly menu provides delicious choices. Pair your meal with Moomers Ice Cream, known for its rich, creamy flavors! |
The Grand Traverse region, known as the Cherry Capital of the World, is facing a major dried cherry shortage after a dramatic drop in tart cherry production.
Output fell from 101 million pounds in 2024 to just 34 million pounds in 2025, leaving local businesses like Traverse Bay Farms working hard to maintain supply.
By prioritizing Michigan-grown Montmorency cherries, they hope to shield customers from severe shortages and unpredictable prices.
Still, the challenge of meeting steady demand remains.
The Cherry Industry Administrative Board recently launched the “True Tart” campaign so shoppers can identify products made with U.S.-grown Montmorency tart cherries, aiming to boost confidence and support local growers.
Despite these efforts, limited supplies and rising costs are expected, as stakeholders await better harvests and the impact of new strategies. Read More... |
Cherry Festival |
The National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan is a celebration of all things cherry, with events including parades, a Cherry Royale pageant, air shows, and live music. Visitors can enjoy cherry-themed foods and drinks, as well as family-friendly activities like pie-eating contests and carnival rides. The festival also features a cherry pit-spitting competition and a cherry farmer's market, showcasing the region's cherry industry. Attendees can explore the picturesque town of Traverse City, located on Lake Michigan, while taking in the festivities of this annual event. Read More... |
Wheels on Rails in Grawn is elevating Traverse City’s outdoor adventures with upgrades debuting for the 2026 season.
The popular attraction, founded by Macie Keffer, invites visitors to pedal unique rail bikes across scenic, disused tracks winding through southern Traverse City’s forests.
New for 2026, pedal-assist motors make the journey even more accessible, catering to riders of all abilities and encouraging more locals and visitors to join.
This family-friendly, non-alcoholic activity stands out in a region known for wineries, offering a memorable way to explore and connect with loved ones.
Keffer credits the community’s warm support with the venture’s success and is grateful to play a part in Traverse City’s vibrant charm.
Reservations for the upcoming season are now open, and high demand is expected.
Wheels on Rails welcomes all to discover the beauty and thrill of rail biking in northern Michigan. Read More... |
The article talks about Traverse City, Michigan being an ideal destination for sports events and meetings. With its beautiful scenery, abundance of outdoor activities, and modern facilities, Traverse City offers a unique and attractive location for meetings and sports events. The city is equipped with a variety of venues, accommodations, and services to host tournaments, team-building activities, and corporate events. Additionally, the city's vibrant downtown area, diverse dining options, and local attractions make it a desirable destination for both participants and attendees. Overall, Traverse City is a great choice for hosting successful and memorable sports events and meetings. Read More... |
Batter, Batter, Batter Up! |
The Traverse City Pit Spitters have announced their schedule for the 2026 season in the Northwoods League. The season will begin in May and conclude in August, with a total of 72 regular season games scheduled. The Pit Spitters will play against teams from across the league, including both home and away games. Fans can look forward to an exciting season of baseball at Pit Spitters Park as the team competes for a spot in the playoffs. Ticket information and promotions for the upcoming season will be available closer to the start of the season. Read More... |
Traverse City stands out as a Midwest fishing haven, celebrated for both its natural beauty and vibrant angling options.
With Grand Traverse Bay opening to Lake Michigan, the Boardman River winding through downtown, and nearby inland lakes, the region offers year-round excitement for those after salmon, trout, bass, or panfish.
Recent upgrades are making waves locally.
May 2024 marked the start of the FishPass project, modernizing the Union Street Dam to help native species thrive while stopping invasive fish from advancing.
At the same time, about 100,000 Chinook salmon smolts were released into the Boardman River, boosting future runs.
Visitors can book local charters for deep-water action, cast from shorelines, or paddle a kayak into tranquil waters.
Always check for licensing and local fishing rules to make the most of Traverse City’s thriving fisheries. Read More... |
AI Prompt of the Week |
ChatGPT Prompt: You are an expert productivity consultant specializing in time management, task prioritization, weekly planning, and executive-level scheduling. Help me create a realistic, actionable plan for the week. I want you to organize my tasks by urgency, deadline, energy level, and available time. Build a clear weekly plan that includes my 9–5 core working hours, time blocks for important tasks, and practical reminders for personal errands. Make sure the plan feels realistic, not overloaded, and includes buffer time for unexpected work. Here are the tasks I need to complete this week: [enter task list] and time-block my 9–5 core working hours. Arrange the final output in a simple weekly table with days, time blocks, tasks, priority level, and notes. |
Left Foot Charley is a Traverse City winery and hard cider maker located at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons. |
Joke Of The Day |
Why did the grape stop in Grand Traverse? Because it ran out of juice! |