Trivia Question❓Which large freshwater lake boat race, covering over 200 miles and finishing in the Grand Traverse region, is considered one of the oldest continuously held sailing events on the Great Lakes? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
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The Nonmotorized Trail Grand Traverse project is transforming how Grand Traverse County residents travel, with construction making safer, more connected pathways along Three Mile and Hammond roads a reality.
By partnering with the Grand Traverse County Road Commission, East Bay Township is prioritizing routes that serve families, commuters, and over 2,000 local students.
Children attending Cherry Knoll Elementary, East Middle School, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Middle School, and Grand Traverse Academy will benefit from safer routes and expanded sidewalk connections to key destinations, including the local library.
The upgraded trail features new lighting, enhanced landscaping, and added safety speed zones near schools, resulting in calmer traffic and greater awareness for young pedestrians.
Inviting rest stops—including a plaza with picnic tables and a bike repair station—invite families and cyclists to enjoy the area.
Though some lane closures are happening, access remains open, with disruption expected to be brief.
Future plans include a three-mile extension by 2029, underscoring ongoing investment in safer, healthier mobility. Read More... |
Interesting Facts |
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Cherry Buzz Weekend Outing Guide: August 7–9 |
Day Trip: Interlochen Arts + Evening Concert
Make it an Interlochen day with music, art, and a summer campus setting. On Saturday, August 8 at 3 PM, the Interlochen Summer Dance Ensemble performs at Dance Center 204. The event is listed as free, no tickets required. Later that evening, Renée Fleming: Voice of Nature — The Anthropocene takes the stage at Kresge Auditorium at 7:30 PM, with tickets starting at $51. (Interlochen Center for the Arts)
Afternoon: Traverse City Horse Shows
Spend Friday or Saturday afternoon at Flintfields Horse Park in Williamsburg for the Traverse City Horse Shows. Friday features the $31,100 CSI3 Speed* from 1–4 PM and Happy Hour and Music Bingo from 2–5 PM. Saturday brings the $116,500 CSI3 Traverse City Grand Prix* from 5–8 PM. Flintfields notes that admission is free on most days, with featured ticketed events available at the gate or online. (Traverse City Horse Shows)
Evening Out: Renée Fleming at Interlochen
For a polished night out, Renée Fleming performs with young artists of the Interlochen World Youth Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, August 8 at 7:30 PM. The program blends music, nature, and visual storytelling, with tickets listed as starting at $51. (Interlochen Center for the Arts)
Family Trip: Farmers Market + Resort Fun
Start Saturday morning at the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market in Traverse City, open Saturdays and Wednesdays from 7:30 AM to noon during the May–October season. Then head to Grand Traverse Resort on Saturday for Mini Field Day at the Beach Club from 3–5 PM, featuring hula hoop contests, water balloon toss, relay races, and more. On Sunday, the resort also hosts a Bubble Party from 10–11:30 AM at Governors’ Pool. (City of Traverse City)
Rainy Day Alternative: Crooked Tree Arts Center
For an indoor backup, visit Crooked Tree Arts Center — Traverse City. Current exhibits include Paint Grand Traverse Extended Exhibition, Container, and Cherry State of Mind, all running through August 22. (Crooked Tree Arts Center)
Weekend Weather Note
Friday and Saturday look strong for outdoor plans, with mostly sunny conditions forecast for Friday and mostly sunny, pleasant weather on Saturday. Sunday may bring a spotty morning thunderstorm before a mix of sun and clouds. This weekend around Grand Traverse offers a bright mix of outdoor fun, live performance, family activities, and local art. Take a day trip to Interlochen for the Summer Dance Ensemble or Renée Fleming at Kresge Auditorium, spend an afternoon at Traverse City Horse Shows, or keep things family-friendly with the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market and Grand Traverse Resort’s Mini Field Day or Sunday Bubble Party. With mostly sunny weather expected Friday and Saturday, outdoor plans look promising, while Crooked Tree Arts Center makes a good rainy-day backup if Sunday starts wet. |
Area Gas Prices |
Start here: Today's Grand Traverse Gas Prices Click Here
More county fuel-price links:
Fuel Prices in Antrim County, MI |
Joke Of The Day |
Why do people in Grand Traverse never get lost in the woods? Because even the trees are polite enough to point you to the nearest cherry festival. |
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Grand Traverse Pie Company has become a beloved staple in Michigan, enchanting locals and visitors for 30 years with its renowned pies.
Inside the lively Traverse City bakery, the scent of freshly baked crust and sweet fruit fills the air, offering a comforting promise of tradition.
Launched by the Busley family with a passion for local ingredients and simple pleasures, the bakery’s journey includes memorable experiments—even a bacon-apple pie mishap—that forged a loyal following.
Travelers and locals flock here for the iconic flavors—tart cherries, crisp apples, and juicy blueberries in golden crusts—especially during the bustling National Cherry Festival.
While new creations like blueberry lemon and chocolate silk keep the menu fresh, the original Traverse City shop remains the heart of the community, where pie is a connection to family and Michigan’s landscape. Read More... |
Secret Little Hack |
Beat the Crowds at the Overlooks If you're exploring the Grand Traverse area and want those stunning bluff or lakeshore views without a busload of tourists, plan your stop at major overlooks during the mid-morning—specifically between 10:15 and 11:00 am. Most group tours and casual tourists either arrive right at opening or closer to noon. You'll not only avoid the bulk of the crowds, but the lighting during this time also makes for richer photos, with fewer harsh shadows than at sunrise or mid-day. |
Grand Traverse hotels are once again earning national recognition, as two local Traverse City wine hotels have been named among the top five wine country destinations in the U.S.
This achievement reflects the region’s unique charm and commitment to genuine northern Michigan hospitality.
Visitors continue to be drawn to these elegant inns for personalized tasting experiences and breathtaking views of rolling vineyards.
New wine hotels and tasting rooms near Traverse City are expanding the area’s appeal, giving guests even more ways to savor regional blends.
The hotels’ close proximity to celebrated wineries and inviting landscapes makes them stand out across the Midwest.
With curated tastings, vineyard tours, and seasonal culinary events, the Grand Traverse wine hotels foster a vibrant sense of community for travelers and locals alike.
The region’s reputation as a premier wine destination continues to flourish amid rising excitement in the hospitality scene. Read More... |
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🍅 Traverse City Sweet Corn & Tomato Skillet
Peak August flavors from Northern Michigan
Serves: 4–6
Ingredients
Directions
Serve warm with grilled chicken, burgers, steak, or fresh-caught whitefish. 🍒 Capt. Cherry's TipNothing says Northern Michigan in August quite like fresh-picked sweet corn and vine-ripened tomatoes. Pick them up at one of the Grand Traverse area's local farmers markets for the best flavor. |
 Need AI help? Click Here. |
🎒 Back-to-School AI Prompt
Get Organized Before the First Bell
Copy and paste this prompt into ChatGPT or into any AI.
I want you to act as my Back-to-School Planning Assistant. First, ask me these questions one at a time:
After collecting my answers, create:
Present everything in clear sections with checklists and tables where helpful. Keep the advice practical, encouraging, and suitable for families with busy schedules. |
Why do people in Grand Traverse never get lost in the woods? Because even the trees are polite enough to point you to the nearest cherry festival. |
💡 Answer to Trivia Question: Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac |
Thank you for spending time with us and being a valued reader of our newsletter. Your support and engagement mean so much, and we’re grateful to be part of your week. We hope you enjoyed this edition and found something useful or inspiring in today’s updates. As always, your presence in our community is appreciated. Wishing you a wonderful week ahead, and we look forward to connecting with you again in our next issue. Until then, take care and see you next week! |