West Shore Bank Launches $250 Instagram Follow-Us Contest to Celebrate Community Engagement

West Shore Bank Launches $250 Instagram Follow-Us Contest to Celebrate Community EngagementLudington, MI – October 6, 2025 — West Shore Bank is excited to announce the launch of its $250 Instagram Follow-Us Contest, a fun and easy way for community members to connect with the bank on social media and win a $250 Visa® Gift Card. From October 1 to November 30, 2025, eligible participants can enter the contest by simply following @westshorebank on Instagram. No purchase is necessary to enter or win, and each

Grand Traverse State Bank to Launch in Early 2026 with Local Ownership and Strong Leadership Team

Plans are underway for the launch of Grand Traverse State Bank (GTSB), a new locally owned financial institution. With investors from all over the state, the majority of our individual investors reside in the Grand Traverse region. Loan-production operations have already begun, with the first branch office scheduled to open in downtown Traverse City in early 2026.  Grand Traverse State Bank is owned by GTSB Financial, Inc., a bank holding company headquartered in Traverse City. Founder Gregg Bigger is

JOIN OTHER TRAVERSE CITY BUSINESSES BY BECOMING A RECOVERY FRIENDLY WORKPLACE

Join us for an interactive 1/2 day training, designed to equip your organization with the tools and knowledge to become officially recognized by MDHHS as a Recovery Friendly Workplace. This training will be held at Faith Reformed Church Intersection building, 1139 E. Front St. Traverse City, MI 49686 on Monday, October 20th 2025, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm with a 30-minute break with lunch provided. You can also attend on Zoom with Meeting ID: 833 5832 3281 and Passcode: 403528Why Attend? Understand what it

Munson’s New High-Risk Breast Cancer Clinic Takes a Proactive Approach and Provides Personalized Guidance

Munson’s New High-Risk Breast Cancer Clinic Takes a Proactive Approach and Provides Personalized Guidance  New service is expected to benefit approximately 6,000 patients across the region.    Munson Healthcare’s (MHC) High-Risk Breast Cancer Clinic at the Cowell Family Cancer Center in Traverse City is bringing a new resource to Northern Michigan focused on earlier detection and intervention for those with an elevated risk for developing breast cancer.    As part of this initiative, MHC radiology

Aevitas Medical and Crystal Mountain tapping into the rucking trend with inaugural Longevity Challenge

THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (October 6, 2025) – Crystal Mountain and Aevitas Medical are teaming up for the first-ever Longevity Challenge at Crystal Mountain on October 25. This unique event combines outdoor adventure with longevity science and is suited for anyone looking to challenge themselves physically and mentally while also learning about their current health status and how to prolong their life. Inspired by the popularity of rucking (walking with a weighted vest), the Longevity Challenge has two

'Flowing Like a Freakin' River:' Cedar Community Embraces Folded Leaf

By Art Bukowski | Oct. 3, 2025It’s not often that rage and relief occupy the same headspace, but Rachel Zemanek pulled it off. Here she was this past winter, peering inside a vacant space in Cedar that would be just perfect for the bookstore she thought she wouldn’t own and operate until retirement.But things hadn’t gone as planned, thus far, for the Cedar native and St. Mary School graduate. After time in California, Colorado and North Carolina, first as a massage therapist and then for many years as an

Munson Healthcare Board Approves Construction of a New Neonatal Critical Care Unit in Traverse City

Munson Healthcare Board Approves Construction of a New Neonatal Critical Care Unit in Traverse City  The project is part of a $40 million investment in women’s and children’s services.  Traverse City - Munson Healthcare is excited to announce board approval for construction of a new 22,000 square-foot, 24-bed Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Munson Medical Center (MMC) to begin this coming spring.  The new one-story building is part of a $40 million investment in women’s and children’s services that

Elizabeth Moore, MD, Joins Munson Healthcare Frankfort Medical Group

Elizabeth Moore, MD, Joins Munson Healthcare Frankfort Medical Group Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome Elizabeth Moore, MD, to the family medicine team at Frankfort Medical Group.   Prior to becoming a physician, Dr. Moore worked in Anchorage, Alaska as a geophysicist interpreting seismic data. A passion for caring for people inspired her to move back to Michigan and pursue a career in medicine. Dr. Moore attended medical school at Wayne State University School of Medicine and completed

Honoring Lisa Baldyga, JMG’s October Specialist of the Month

Networks Northwest is proud to celebrate Lisa Baldyga, a dedicated Jobs for Michigan’s Graduates (JMG) specialist who serves students at Northwest Education Services Career Tech Center and Northwestern Michigan College. Lisa has been honored by JMG, a program of Youth Solutions, as the October “Specialist of the Month.” For more than seven years, she has supported youth through JMG with a combination of experience, compassion, and creativity that sets her apart.  Before becoming a JMG Specialist, Lisa

Intro to Hosting on Airbnb for the Rural Community

Intro to Hosting on Airbnb for the Rural Community Thursday, October 30, 2025 | 2:00 PM PT Online | Free to attend The Airbnb Academy provides practical tools, skills, and guidance to help people get started as hosts and earn extra income. This session will include: An introduction to Airbnb and the hosting opportunity Hosting best practices with an Airbnb Superhost Ambassador A fireside chat with 2 Airbnb Superhosts from rural communities  Q&A session Access to online resources Register here!

LochenHeath Golf Club Director of Instruction, Adam Schriber, Named Top 50 by Golf Digest

LochenHeath Golf Club is celebrating a summer of historic achievement as J.J. Spaun, coached by Director of Instruction Adam Schriber, captured the 125th U.S. Open Championship at Oakmont Country Club. In recognition of his impact on the game, Schriber was also recently named one of Golf Digest’s Top 50 Best Teachers. He was ranked the #1 instructor in Michigan and #25 in the United States.  Adam Schriber has served as LochenHeath’s Director of Instruction since 2014 and has been working with Spaun since

How Can We Improve Trash, Recycling, and More in Your Community?

What if your recycling bin or drop-off site could accept more, or you had access to new ways to start composting? Networks Northwest is working with Antrim, Charlevoix, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford County on their Materials Management processes, and are actively seeking responses from residents and visitors to the Northwest Lower Michigan Materials Management Plan Resident Survey. The anonymous survey can be completed in 5-10 minutes with responses directly impacting the goals and objectives and action

Young Professionals Welding & Firefighting Programs Forge Skills, Confidence, and Career Pathways for Local Youth

The Young Professionals program—an initiative providing work experience, job skills, and career exploration for youth ages 14–24—celebrates a landmark summer of achievement with its 2025 Welding and Firefighting cohorts. Funded by the State of Michigan and delivered in partnership with local school districts, the program connects students with businesses and training in high-demand fields such as welding, construction, IT, and public safety to reduce youth unemployment and build long-term career

Traverse City Horse Shows to Celebrate Local Nonprofits During the 55th American Gold Cup

Traverse City Horse Shows to Celebrate Local Nonprofits During the 55th American Gold Cup Event will celebrate local charities and crown one of show jumping’s most prestigious champions Traverse City, MI – September 17, 2025 — This Sunday, September 21, the 55th American Gold Cup will close the season at Flintfields Horse Park with world-class show jumping and a celebration of community impact. Traverse City Horse Shows (TCHS) will honor its 14 Charity Ticket Program partners, presenting a

John Fanta, MD, Joins Munson Healthcare Neurology

Munson Healthcare is pleased to welcome John Fanta, MD, to the Neurology team in Traverse City and Manistee.  Dr. Fanta attended medical school at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine and completed an internship in Internal Medicine at the Indiana University School of Medicine.  Dr. Fanta is fascinated by neurology and the variety of conditions he is able to treat within the specialty. He has a special interest in electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies.  Dr. Fanta

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Traverse City Country Club Approves Golf Course Improvement Plan

The membership of the Traverse City Country Club has approved a Golf Course Improvement Plan, slated to begin in Fall 2025. The improvements, designed by Traverse City based Renaissance Golf Design, will accomplish several golf course design goals throughout the 110-year-old course, which serves about 560-member households. Besides improving tee, fairway, and green turf quality, the renovation will boost architectural interest, the variety, and the strategy involved by members and their guests while

Brand Like You Mean It: Foundational Moves for Small Business Owners

A logo won’t save you. Neither will a slick font. Branding is a decision—not a decoration. When you’re starting a business, everything feels like it needs to happen at once. But brand work? That’s not extra. It’s structural. Every conversation, every pitch, every page on your site builds from this foundation. Get your brand right, and things start sticking. Get it wrong—or ignore it—and every next step slips through your fingers.Define Who You Are Before Anyone Else Does You don’t start with colors—you

New adventures and amenities this summer at Crystal Mountain

Media Use:Photos THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (July 15, 2025) – Crystal Mountain is excited to welcome locals and visitors alike to experience an impressive array of new attractions and enhanced offerings. Emphasizing adventurous family fun and unparalleled convenience, the 1500-acre resort is inviting guests to embrace the magic of long summer days, sparkling fresh water, and unforgettable experiences. "Summer in northern Michigan is remarkable, and there are so many ways people can embrace the season on

Ecovillages and Intentional Communities Tour Coming to Crystal Mountain

Michigan Ecovillages and Intentional Communities Tour: July 17-24, 2025 Discover sustainable living practices on Michigan's first "Ecovillages and Intentional Communities Tour," running July 17-24, 2025. This free, eight-day event offers a unique opportunity to explore existing and developing ecovillages and intentional communities across Michigan, highlighting successful community-building and ecological innovations. Organized by Tom Stanton of Community Energy Solutions, LLC, the tour aims to showcase

Scroll-Stopping Stories: Visual Marketing for a Generation Raised Online

In the loud, over-saturated amphitheater of social media, attention isn’t earned through logic—it’s sparked through feeling. For younger audiences who live and breathe in pixels and scrolls, what’s seen matters more than what’s said. They’ve grown up immersed in visual content, fluent in meme-speak and trained to detect inauthenticity faster than a banner ad loads. For brands, this doesn’t just require aesthetic savvy; it demands cultural fluency and a willingness to trade control for creativity. Emotion

Field Trip/Career Day

FIELD TRIP/CAREER DAY! Lake City Trojans took a day to come to Traverse City and see what it takes to make a career as an MMA Fighter! Coach Chris touched on each aspect of MMA, as well as the conditioning it takes to get you there. If you, or someone you know is interested in shadowing, or learning more about the sport of Boxing, Jiu-Jitsu or MMA, reach out to admin@significantstrikes.com to schedule an appointment! We are so grateful for the staff at Lake City for investing in each student to

Crystal Mountain welcomes two dynamic leaders to the Groups Sales team

THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (April 24, 2025) – Crystal Mountain, northern Michigan’s premier four-season resort, is thrilled to announce the hiring of two accomplished individuals to its sales leadership team. Ashley Curd and Skye Lemmen have joined Crystal Mountain as Group Sales Managers, bringing a wealth of experience and a shared passion for the region to their new roles.Ashley Curd, a Northern Michigan native, returns to her roots with a strong background in client management and engagement. Most recently,

CRYSTAL NEWS: A collaborative effort between non-profits brings metro-Detroit students to Crystal Mountain

THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (March 10, 2025) – A collaborative effort between Crystal Community Ski Club (CCSC), Detroit Outdoors, SOS Outreach, and Bus for Outdoor Access and Teaching (BOAT), is set to bring a group of students from Hamtramck High School to Crystal Mountain for an unforgettable winter adventure. The initiative is to break down socio-economic barriers and provide access to snowsports for students who might otherwise miss out on the joys of winter in Michigan. This trip, March 12-14, marks the

Crystal Mountain hires Julie Oatman as Director of Sales

THOMPSONVILLE, Mich. (Dec. 20, 2024) – From conferences by the casino to slopeside meetings and events, Julie Oatman has been named the new Director of Sales at Crystal Mountain. Oatman comes to Crystal after working in sales for more than 25 years at the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant, Mich. She began as Corporate and Incentive Sales Manager in 1998, implementing effective sales strategies, managing key client relationships, and driving customer engagement. In 2017 she was promoted to

TBA Credit Union Celebrates 69 Years by Paying it Forward

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. – TBA Credit Union (TBACU) celebrated 69 years of providing services to its members. Every year, to celebrate TBA Credit Union’s birthday, the Credit Union conducts a Pay-it-Forward celebration. The Credit Union donated a total of $6,000 to the community throughout the month of November. Six teams were formed, consisting of team and board members, and six non-profits were selected to receive a $1,000 donation.  Recipients includedCherryland Humane SocietyRainbow Hope FarmReining

Steps to Build and Sustain a Profitable Home Services Business

Have you ever dreamed of turning your knack for fixing things or your passion for home improvement into a lucrative business? Launching a home services enterprise could be your gateway to financial independence and professional fulfillment. However, the journey from concept to thriving business involves more than just good intentions – it requires strategic planning, insightful market analysis, and meticulous execution. Whether you’re aiming to become the go-to handyman in your neighborhood or the

The Innovator’s Mindset: Cultivating Creativity in Your Business

In today's fast-paced and increasingly digital world, small and mid-sized business owners are presented with unique opportunities to drive growth and enhance efficiency through digital innovation. The dynamic landscape of digital technology offers various tools and strategies to revolutionize the way businesses operate and interact with their customers. By embracing these technological advancements, you can not only streamline operations but also stay competitive in a rapidly-evolving

Taking the Reins: How to Direct Your Own Marketing Campaigns

In the fast-paced world of business, having a direct hand in your marketing efforts is not just an advantage; it's a necessity for growth and sustainability. Whether you are spearheading a startup, managing a small business, or forging ahead as a solo entrepreneur, understanding and executing effective marketing strategies internally can significantly impact your success. This comprehensive guide provides you with the steps to take charge of your marketing, allowing you to craft a message that resonates

Adobe Acrobat AI Assistant: All You Have to Do Is Ask Acrobat’s Generative AI Document & PDF Tool

Adobe Acrobat has long been an invaluable tool for business owners, entrepreneurs, and employees all over the world thanks to its wide array of PDF generation and editing tools. Now, Acrobat AI Assistant offers new benefits for businesses of all sizes. Acrobat AI Assistant’s revolutionary software can transform your business with its incredible features:   Intelligent Search and Retrieval: Entrepreneurs frequently need to access specific information buried within a vast collection of documents. The

Protecting Your Construction Business: Tips for Financial Resilience

In the world of construction and home services, financial stability is the cornerstone of success. Whether you're a construction business owner or a contractor in the home services industry, safeguarding your business from financial downturns is essential. In this article, we peek into practical strategies that can help you fortify your business against economic challenges without overwhelming your budget.   Keep a Close Eye on Your Financial Records with PDF Document Management   Construction

Unveiling the Impact of Data Visualization: A Guide to Business Insights

In today's data-driven world, the ability to harness the power of data is essential for businesses seeking a competitive edge. Data visualization, the strategy of simplifying complex information by converting it into compelling visual formats, has emerged as a critical tool in this endeavor. In this article, we will explore the core elements of data visualization and its profound impact on businesses.   What Is Data Visualization?   At its core, data visualization is the art of transforming