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Articles by Meg Weichman
Happiness in a Box
In a world turned upside down, a few life-affirming documentaries can ready us for the coming new year By Meg Weichman | Jan. 1, 2022 New year, new you. That’s the old adage, right? Well, how about this year it’s new year, new world — or new circumstances, or new human condition? Maybe after going through nearly two years of “unprecedented times” it’s not you that needs to change, it’s everything else. Nevertheless, the start of a new year does still give us reason to pause and look to the future.
Witch Cinema
Double, double toil and trouble By Meg Weichman | Oct. 23, 2021 Like clockwork, when the calendar hits October, so begins the annual onslaught of Hocus Pocus-related content. Originally released to little fanfare in July of 1993, the story of three witch sisters who are brought back to life one Halloween night became a cult classic on VHS and cable, and then grew to become a full-blown phenomenon in the social media age. But are we approaching a point of oversaturation?
Dreaming of Foreign Lands
The plight of Peace Corps volunteers By Patrick Sullivan | Feb. 20, 2021 In this time of a shut-down world with borders closed and travel brought to a halt, Kama Ross has been thinking a lot about the Peace Corps, and she said she believes that the institution — which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year ‚ has perhaps never been more vital.
Framing Britney Spears
Hey, Watch It By Meg Weichman | Feb. 20, 2021 You might think you know the story, and even if you do know the story, it’s time to get outraged all over again. Tracing the life of Britney Spears from her rise as a pop princess to global phenomenon and then her tragic downfall as a national punching bag, the documentary Framing Britney Spears revisits Britney’s story a now-unbelievable 13 years into a legal conservatorship that has taken away her most basic rights.
The Oakwood Proper Burger
Tastemaker By Alex Tank | Feb. 20, 2021 The aptly named Oakwood Proper Burgers seems to do it all right. This newly opened hot spot at the corner of Traverse City’s Eighth Street and Garfield serves up smash burgers, hand-cut fries, and classic milkshakes, with a sizeable splash of midcentury style on the side.
Tiny Pink Bubbles
Bottoms Up By Lynda Wheatley | Feb. 20, 2021 Hey, ladies, do we have the pink drink for you: Aerie’s Tiny Pink Bubbles. With a taste and body as delicious as its name and presentation is darling, this fanciful concoction masterminded by manager Alex Truck is utterly worth our obsession.
Have Yourself a Small-Screen Christmas
New releases to watch on winter break By Meg Weichman | Dec. 19, 2020 With all the changes to our holiday plans and traditions this year, it’s nice to look for the silver linings. And one good tiding of comfort and joy is that there has never been a better time to be an at-home movie watcher than right now.
Rethinking the World Come January
Guest Opinion By Jack Segal | Dec. 5, 2020 On Dec. 14, each state’s electors will cast their vote, and on Jan. 6, 2021, Congress will name Joe Biden president of the United States. End of story. Over the next weeks, the Biden transition team will develop its first policies aimed at addressing our most urgent crises. There are many — all shaped by actions taken, and not taken, by the outgoing Trump administration. The highest priority is, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Nov.
Local Nurses Speak Out
Four nurses share what it's like at work and at home as they fight to save us from COVID-19 — and ourselves. By Todd VanSickle | Dec. 5, 2020 Ask any nurse right now; there’s a good chance he or she has a story about crying in the bathroom while at work.
TV of Comfort & Joy
Hunker down for the best of Hallmark, Lifetime & Hulu's holiday movies By Meg Weichman | Dec. 5, 2020 In a year when our holiday celebrations will look a little different, it’s extra comforting to be able to turn to some of our most beloved traditions. And one thing that remains a treasured constant is the onslaught of Christmas movies that flood our televisions the moment the Thanksgiving dishes are cleared.
An Uncertain Christmas
Local businesses struggle to adapt amid a COVID-19 surge during the holiday season. By Patrick Sullivan | Dec. 5, 2020 Like small businesses everywhere, shop owners in downtown Petoskey want to see just as many customers this year as they do any other year. They’d just prefer if they didn’t all come at once. “If they could come in shifts that would be so wonderful,” said Becky Goodman, downtown director for the City of Petoskey.
Mama Lu’s Taco Tote
Tastemaker By Lynda Wheatley | Dec. 5, 2020 At Traverse City’s ever-pivoting Mama Lu’s, there are Taco Kits, and there are Taco Totes. The $60 Taco Kit feeds five to seven folks. The Taco Tote theoretically feeds a couple or small family, but if you’ve ever eaten Mama’s tacos or drank her secret-recipe margs, you know this is a lie. Because, really, for only $20 a tote, do you really need to share with anyone else?
Disappointing the Progressives
Spectator By Stephen Tuttle | Dec. 5, 2020 President-elect Joe Biden is likely to disappoint the more progressive folks in the Democratic Party. Some are already complaining.
Stream It: Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy
A Celtic Family Christmas At Home By Lynda Wheatley | Dec. 5, 2020 We don’t know about you, but one of our favorite things about pandemic life is the opportunity to peek inside the personal spaces of newscasters and celebrities taping their shows from homes. This month, you’ve got an opportunity to peek internationally, with Celtic hubs-wife fiddle-playing masters Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy taking the “stage” from their home in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.
Hey, Watch It
Saved by the Bell By Meg Weichman | Dec. 5, 2020 “I’m so excited” to report that the ultimate ’90s teen sitcom, Saved by the Bell, is back! And before you roll your eyes at yet another TV revival, reunion, reboot, or what have you, we promise you that this continuation of the beloved show not only will delight its grown fans but also happens to be one of the best new sitcoms this year.
Esperance’s Prosecco & Panettone
Bottoms Up By Lynda Wheatley | Dec. 5, 2020 Full disclosure: We once bought a panettone from a CVS. It was still delicious. But if you want to up your game substantially, consider splurging on this perfect pairing from Charlevoix’s longtime purveyor of some of the most lovely local and international food and wine available in northern Michigan. This classic panettone — a buttery, tender, golden-vanilla dome, dotted with raisins and candied fruit — hails from Abruzzo, Italy.
Special Touches for an Unforgettable Meal
Your holiday entertaining hot list By Lynda Wheatley | Dec. 5, 2020 Whether you’re sending dinner to someone you love, hosting an intimate with your immediate, or supping alone, you should celebrate the occasion with as much gusto as you’ve done in years past. Gone is the hustle and bustle, the many obligations to go to and fro.
Chefs' Holiday Table
Local chefs share their favorite family recipes By Janice Binkert | Dec. 5, 2020 One might imagine that professional chefs go all out for holiday meals at home with family, preparing all manner of elaborate festive fare, plated and garnished exquisitely. That’s not always the case, most say, but when they do cook on these occasions, what is more important to them than getting fancy is sourcing as many ingredients as possible locally — just as they do when they cook in their respective restaurants.
Netflix & Change Your Life
Films to motivate and inspire for 2020 By Meg Weichman | Dec. 21, 2019 Now, we’re not saying you need to make a New Year’s resolution. Any kind of growth or personal change should not be based on something as arbitrary as calendar date. Yet as clichéd as it’s become, the end of the year is naturally a good time for some thoughtful introspection and reflection as you look back on the past and look forward to the future.
Must-See Made-for-TV Holiday Movies
Tis the season to tune into TV’s most reliable holiday tradition By Meg Weichman | Dec. 14, 2019 Living in northern Michigan, we have some pretty magical holiday traditions. Like getting your Christmas tree at a picturesque local farm, a street that brings the 12 Days of Christmas to life, or attending small-town light parades and tree lightings.
Beulah’s Lucky Dog Restaurant and Cool Cat Ice Cream Bowl
Sit down, get a treat. By Ross Boissoneau | July 20, 2019 Cool cats and lucky dogs, all in the same place. Thanks to Rich and Karen Allen, the downtown Beulah’s former bowling alley has been reborn as a rustic bar and grille, dubbed Lucky Dog, and ice creamery, Cool Cat Ice Cream Bowl. “Cool Cat came first,’ said Rich, crediting his daughter for the name, noting it played off the name of an establishment in Elberta.
Clark Gets Psychedelic
Modern Rock By Kristi Kates | July 20, 2019 Singer-guitarist Gary Clark Jr. has borrowed the likenesses of a shortlist of well-known cultural icons — including John Lennon, Nelson Mandela, Bruce Lee, James Brown, Bob Marley, and Martin Luther King Jr. — as positivity references in his new music video for his latest single, “Got to Get Up.” The icons, and, of course, Clark himself, traverse a lengthy road in the ’60-inspired, partially animated clip, which finds its characters traveling via...
The Raconteurs - Help Us Stranger
FourScore By Kristi Kates | July 20, 2019 The Raconteurs — White Stripes frontman Jack White, along with Brendan Benson, Jack Lawrence, and Patrick Keeler — haven’t released any studio music in a decade, but it feels like the band never really left the scene, such is its skillful hold on current soundscapes.
Leadership Lost
Spectator By Stephen Tuttle | July 20, 2019 This isn't your grandfather's Republican Party or Robert Griffin's or William Milliken's, or Ronald Reagan's. It is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Donald Trump. That's a shame, because Republicans are now part and parcel of his fear-mongering, race-baiting ignorance. They fear his tweets and look the other way at his lies and outrageous assaults on people and propriety. We have to assume they agree with him.
Michigan’s Davy Rothbart is Coming Home
And he's bringing his film, his adopted D.C. family, and 50 or so kids from the inner city with him. By Patrick Sullivan | July 20, 2019 There are several reasons why this year’s appearance at the Traverse City Film Festival will be special for filmmaker and FOUND Magazine founder Davy Rothbart. The Ann Arbor native will host the Michigan premiere of his film, 17 Blocks, a project that’s been in the works for 20 years. He’s also bringing 50 or so guests with him to northern Michigan.
5 Questions with Weird Al
Yankovic bringing big show, schtick — and symphony — to Interlochen By Ross Boissoneau | July 20, 2019 When Alfred Yankovic was six years old, he began taking accordion lessons. No one knew then that only one decade later he’d unleash his talents on an unsuspecting world, playing his accordion to parodies of popular music of the day. Today, Weird Al is an institution.
So. Many. Gigs.
Newly married musicians Jim and Sam performed 365 shows in a year. Then they made a film about it. By Craig Manning | July 20, 2019 A duo of singer-songwriters, who just so happen to be married, embark on a worldwide tour with one goal: Play a show every day for 365 days straight. Along the way, they experience the ups and downs of touring life, the power of music to transcend boundaries, and whether their commitment to music (and to one another) can weather miles and challenges alike.
Resurrecting the Family Spirits
Steve Beam (yes, that Beam family) talks about his upcoming Traverse City tour and many whiskey-sipping events. By Eric Cox | July 20, 2019 Steve Beam was in elementary school when he became aware of his family’s good name. But it would take several more years before he understood its value in the spirits world — not the ether, mind you, but the fiery-smooth realm of high-quality bourbon. “Growing up with that name in Kentucky could be like growing up with the Hershey name in Pennsylvania.
Black Star Farms' 2017 Sur Lie Chardonnay
Bottoms Up By Lynda Wheatley | July 20, 2019 Maybe you think you don’t like Chardonnay. Understandable. Although it’s a malleable grape that springs well from just about any growing region in the world, its ubiquitousness seems to have branded it a wine that is — and sometimes tastes — all too common. Thankfully, Black Star Farms has reminded us that Chardonnay isn’t always of the rich, buttery, oaky character that permeates even pizza menus. That style is, in fact, but one of dozens.
Safe, Legal, and Timely
Guest Opinion By Tom Gutowski | July 20, 2019 Despite current divisiveness on the abortion issue, most Americans are somewhere in the middle: They think abortion should be legal but would like there to be less of it, especially after the first trimester. That’s actually been the trend for a while now. Abortion rates are at their lowest level since Roe v Wade.Teenage pregnancy, birth, and abortion rates have all been dropping since the 1990s.
Coming Soon: TCFF's Must-See Movies
Weichman's Watchlist By Meg Weichman | July 20, 2019 In preparation for this year’s Traverse City Film Festival, I probably watched somewhere over 400 films, and the following films are not only among those that made the cut but also some of my favorites. While I have to watch hundreds of films regardless of how I’m feeling the moment I push play on each, you get the luxury of a little leeway.
An Audacious Goal for Leelanau County
An Audacious Goal for Leelanau County A local group plans to power the entire county with 100 percent renewable energy — within 10 years. Northport Energy was founded a decade ago with a singular mission: to make the tip of Leelanau County completely green. The group hasn’t gotten there yet, but it’s had some significant achievements. Members have helped establish one of the first “net zero” golf courses in the country.
The Escape Artist
The Escape Artist Why Paul King ditched Royal Oak for an Up North trout stream and got back to his drawing board. Paul King has always had an interest in art. So it’s probably not a surprise that he’s drawn caricatures of popular musicians, from Dave Brubeck to Stephen Tyler. What is a surprise is how he got there — and here, meaning his riverside abode and studio outside Beulah. “I was pre-med at MSU. I wanted to be a thoracic surgeon,” said King.
New Super App for Seniors
New Super App for Seniors Like Skype, but even easier Sharon has multiple sclerosis and it’s difficult for her to attend regular church services. Ninety-two-year-old Mavis gave up her car, which meant giving up her beloved volunteer work at a grade school. Gladys, who lives in a senior housing facility, enjoys making video calls to her daughter in Sweden and to her granddaughter who serves in the Peace Corps.
How Does it End?
How Does it End? Crossed Scott’s Statement What a story we are, evolving as bipedal mammals with opposable thumbs, rising to extraordinary biological “success” on the benefits of brains capable of language and cooperation. We are often critical of ourselves as a species — focusing on our violence, selfishness, and reckless deployment of technologies. Grim views of humanity exist because we compare ourselves to visions of what we could be, but we are always resetting the scale.
Quirk It, Girl!
Quirk It, Girl! Kalkaska entrepreneur proves big things come from little (monthly) packages For self-described “quirky girl” Rochelle Nevedal, it was a case of need meeting opportunity. She needed a job, and she didn’t see any subscription boxes that were designed with someone like her in mind: fun-loving, colorful, eclectic. So she created one, and Quirky Crate was born. “I was working a corporate job and was not happy with the lifestyle.
Mumford and Sons - Delta - Glassnote
Mumford and Sons – Delta – Glassnote FourScore Of course critics are going to be stomping around about Mumford and crew’s latest: How dare an established, successful band attempt to evolve? But thankfully, the band deftly does its own thing here, combining its earlier acoustic sensibilities and third album’s pop turn for an appealing, if more serious, melange of both styles.
Charli XCX Pops Into a Rockumentary
Charli XCX Pops Into a Rockumentary Modern Rock Charlotte Aitchison, aka Charli XCX, is the latest singer featured in a new radio rock documentary from the BBC. The doc follows Charli on both her own recent tour, Pop 2, and went along with her as she served as opening act for Taylor Swift’s Reputation stadium tour.
Michigan: A Land of Opportunity in the Uncertain Times Ahead
Michigan: A Land of Opportunity in the Uncertain Times Ahead Guest Column On the Friday after Thanksgiving, the White House released the National Climate Assessment, a quadrennial report mandated by Congress to be prepared by 13 government agencies on climate science. This report details the coming risks, costs, and interconnected impacts that will cascade through our natural, built and social systems.
North Arm Noir
North Arm Noir Bottoms Up Used to be that wine lovers and makers alike sneered at reds made of hybrid grapes; high quality red wines, it was thought, could come only from tried and true vinifera grapes — like cabernet francs and sauvignons. That’s been steadily changing in the north-central reaches of lower Michigan.
Hop Lot's Chicken Tacos
Hop Lot's Chicken Tacos Tastemaker On a cold winters day when you question whether the sun has abandoned the skies of Northern Michigan, never fear! There is a place in the woods where the party continues in any season. And like any good party, it has tacos. (As if you needed another reason to go.) Hoplot — home of the heated igloos, S'mores kids roast over an open fire, and tacos that make you forget about any gloomy atmospheric conditions.
I’m Dreaming of a Trite Christmas
I’m Dreaming of a Trite Christmas The best of the worst made-for-TV holiday movies, now streaming The start of the holiday season is signaled by many different traditions. For some, it’s putting up a tree or decorating cookies. For others, singing Christmas carols.
California Mesmerizes Wolf Alice
California Mesmerizes Wolf Alice Modern Rock London indie-rock band Wolf Alice has been named the 2018 Mercury Music Prize winner for its second album effort, the critically and fan-acclaimed Visions of a Life. The band recorded the album throughout 2017, having transplanted themselves temporarily to Los Angeles, California, for the project.
Can’t Make it to the Movies?
In its first 13 years, the Traverse City Film Festival has brought over XXX films and filmmakers to northern Michigan. In anticipation of the 14th edition of the festival, arriving July 31 and running until Aug. 5, here are some greatest hits and unsung gems from festival past — all of which are available at the Traverse Area District Library. (Check out the awesome TCFF section in the library’s Sight & Sound Department.) Don’t live locally?
Incidentally Christmas
Whether you’ve already overdosed on Hallmark Christmas movies, are completely yuletide-phobic, or just want to celebrate the season with something that brings some less obvious tidings of comfort and joy, a Christmas movie that isn’t really a Christmas movie (i.e., Christmas is only tangential to the plot) might be just the ticket. So consider mixing things up and expanding your holiday horizons.
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