Episodes

Episode 17: American Documents

Letting your voice be heard means many things, 

It can be speaking up in a meeting. 

Being the first to speak

Defending your rights. 

Being confident in your value and what you have to offer. 

Asking questions to keep the conversation going. 

Speaking with curiosity instead of judgment,

Speaking clearly and concisely.

Contacting your elected officials.

And voting in our elections.

This episode of the Traversecityist presents voices of our region reading the words of noted Americans.

Episode 17: American Documents is sponsored by the law firm of Williams & Associates.

Performance Order 

Jessie Bobenmoyer of Hail Your Highness, The Suffrage Flag, melody of Irish Jaunting Carr, Traditional Irish Folksong

Sue Kurta, words of Rachel Carson, 1963

Frederick Stig-Nielsen, words of Muhammad Ali, 1967

John Coleman, words of John Adams, 1780

Lisa Thauvette, words of Cesar Chavez 1976

Michael Jon Watt, words of Harvey Milk, 1978

John Gessner, words of Sitting Bull, 1890

Agnes Su, words of Jimmy Carter, 1979

Larry Mawby, words of Chief Tecumseh, 1879

Madison Meter, words of Adrienne Rich, Alice Walker, and Audre Lorde, 1974

The Suffrage Flag, Reprise

John Coleman, Words of Abraham Lincoln,1863

Paul May, words of Sitting Bull, from Collected Speeches

Larry Mawby, words of H.L. Mencken, 1929

Norm Wheeler,  Hail To the Chief, Scottish Gaelic Melody, Adaptation by James Sanderson, 1815

Members of Full Tilt Comedy, an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence, 1776

Amy McKay, words of Bella Abzug, 1990

Ty Schmidt, words of Eleanor Roosevelt, 1951

Michael Jon Watt, words of Michelle Obama, 2016

Sue Kurta, words of Cameron Kasky, 2018

Hank Bailey, words of Chief Joseph, 1879

Norm Wheeler, America the Beautiful, Samuel A. Ward, 1882

Voices and music were recorded October of 2024 in Elberta, Empire, Grayling, Kingsley, Leland, Suttons Bay and Traverse City.

Episode 16: Michigan History

Matthew Fletcher, Harry Burns Hutchins Collegiate Professor of Law at Michigan Law

Author, The Eagle Returns: The Legal History of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

What do you remember learning in United States or Michigan History classes?  Matthew Fletcher explains the timeline of events that occurred after the signing of the Declaration of Independence up to the present time. Fletcher is the Harry Burns Hutchins Collegiate Professor of Law at the University of Michigan. He teaches and writes in the areas of federal Indian law, American Indian tribal law, Anishinaabe legal and political philosophy, constitutional law, federal courts, and legal ethics. He also sits as the Chief Justice of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, the Porch Band of Creek Indians and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Matthew is also the author of The Eagle Returns, The Legal History of the Grand Travers Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. This interview was recorded on July 17, 2024.

Episode 16 is sponsored by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians Tribal Council.

Episode 15: The Artists Part III, Agnes Su

This is the third in a series, entitled, “The Artists.” Agnes Su is a 14 year old singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and folklorist based in northern Michigan. The Traversecityist sat down with Agnes to learn about her inspirations for songwriting, her independent study of folk music history, her weekly program on WNMC, the clothes she makes for her performances and her upcoming benefit concert at the Commongood Bakery. She’ll begin her freshman year this fall at Interlochen Arts Academy’s acclaimed singer-songwriter program.

Episode 14: The Artists, Part II: The V Gallery

This is the second in a series entitled, “The Artists.”

The V Gallery in Omena, celebrated their grand opening on Friday, May 24 with a curated exhibit featuring over 20 artists.

How does this new exhibit represent the evolving culture of northwest lower Michigan? Traverse City writer, Patrick Sullivan offers his take on the show.

---

Episode 13: Nibi

In the Anishinaabe way of life, the women are called to work for the health of the water. Members of the Anishinaabe community spoke with the Traversecityist about their sacred relationship with water, and how there is a growing body of law that incorporates Anishinaabe values and culture.

Episode 13 is sponsored by FLOW.

---

Episode 12: The Artists Part I: Kevin Summers

This is the first in a series entitled “The Artists,” a sort of  cultural survey, profiling emerging and established regional artists from diverse backgrounds and identities, representing all disciplines.

Kevin Summers is an interdisciplinary artist. His experience of growing up in Traverse City included a series of prolific moments in his creative growth and development.  Will his latest work, Piggery Pete’s Perchten Parade, part-social sculpture and part-performance art piece, become a new Traverse City tradition?

Piggery Pete’s Perchten Parade

• Saturday March 2, 2024 at Noon

• Historic Barns Park. March from Colantha Statue to Perry Hannah Statue, (approximately 2 miles).

• Come dressed as your favorite spirit, creature, deity or create your own magical identity. For inspiration this parade draws on a variety of pagan and folk traditions that incorporate marches, costumes, sound, songs, street theater and dance. In some ways this parade is a way out of the winter and into the spring.

• Read more here

Episode 12 is sponsored by Common Good Bakery

Episode 11: Winter

Winter requires more.

More planning.

More clothing.

More sleep.

More nourishment.

More movement.

And, more community.

In Traverse City, there are many individuals who have harnessed their passions and resources, resulting in strong communities, big and small. Those communities help us power through the winter.

Episode 11, Winter is sponsored by Burritt’s Fresh Markets.

Episode 10: The Handstanders

The Traversecityist is in love with a new band. Meet The Handstanders; Jamey Barnard, Yali Rivlin, Casey Chinnock, Trevor Hobbs, and John Storms Rohm.  Together these five northern Manistee County residents have created a new regional sound that they describe as fun, raw, expansive, and in the moment. They just released their first single, Happiness, available on Spotify and iTunes. Their first album is coming soon.

 

Episode 9: Strongheart

In 2001, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians collaborated with internationally acclaimed architect Douglas Cardinal to create the Strongheart Civic Center, a place where tribal members could continue to carry on their traditions and culture. Douglas Cardinal recalls his journey in  becoming an architect, and the process of envisioning Strongheart with this Anishinaabek community.

Episode 9, Strongheart is sponsored by Ken Richmond, Architect, AIA

Episode 8: The Architects

Five Traverse City architects, Suzannah Tobin, Ray Kendra, Peter Smith, Michael Fitzhugh and Ken Richmond took part in a live conversation entitled, Architecture Design and Community Influence. The dialogue focused on elevating awareness for enduring design and the importance of community involvement. The production was recorded on October 17, 2023, at The Alluvion in Traverse City, and made possible with the support of Boomerang Catapult and Tusen Takk Foundation.

Episode 8, The Architects is sponsored by Sarah Bourgeois, Architects

Episode 7: Northern Delights

In 1982 DeAnne Loll decided she wanted to start her very own natural foods restaurant in a place that had more trees than people. After starting the deli at the Oryana Food Co-op, she partnered with Robin Webb-Bransky and Betty Demers to create Northern Delights, in the heart of Benzie County. The restaurant was hailed as an ‘oasis in the middle of nowhere.’ Northern Delights was later sold to a young Jim Barnes who hired a vibrant group of students that ended every shift with a communal meal, and a cool plunge in Lake Michigan. That oasis in the middle of nowhere became somewhere, and now the Grand Traverse region is recognized as one of the premiere culinary destinations in the United States.

Episode 7, Northern Delights is sponsored by Oryana Food Co-op.

Episode 6: The Winemaker

Sean O’Keefe’s identity is rooted in the landscape of the Old Mission Peninsula. What does he observe when he surveys our cultural landscape?

Episode 6, The Winemaker is sponsored by Trattoria Stella.

Episode 5: Captain Ger

Gerry Shiffman believes the most important investment is the one we make in youth.  He credits his personal, creative and financial success to meaningful relationships. A father of four and a grandfather to fifteen, Gerry maintains a busy schedule in his retirement years, devoting time to his grandchildren, and making a difference for at-risk and children in our community.  In 2021 he founded Seaside Sailing Excursions and Charity Charters LLC, a sailing company with the mission of providing free of charge sailing excursions for youth who may otherwise not have such an opportunity.

Episode 5, Captain Ger sponsored by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan

Episode 4: Public Art

For over a century, artists have come to the Traverse City region for inspiration. In that time, our region has become the home of multiple arts organizations, galleries and prominent independent artists.  The National Center for Arts Research lists Traverse City as one of the most vibrant arts communities in the country. But some feel we are not quite there yet, and we need to have more art of all mediums in our public spaces.  

What does Traverse City’s  public art say about who we are as a community  and as a culture? 

Episode 4, Public Art is sponsored by McMillen’s Custom Framing

Episode 3: The Neighborhoods

Traverse City is a city of neighborhoods. Within these neighborhoods are residents who love the convenience of living in a 15-minute city, and the relationships they have with their neighbors. The City is rewriting its Master Plan, and part of the process includes asking the residents what they want to preserve, enhance or transform within their own neighborhood. Over 240 residents of Traverse City and beyond participated in the sessions led by City Planning Director Shawn Winter and his colleagues on April 19, 20 and 22, 2023. The Traversecityist attended each session and pulled out the highlights.

Episode 3 of the Traversecityist is sponsored by Dr. Christopher Moon, in memory of Clara Moon and her love for the Traverse City community.

Episode 2: Citizen Lois

Episode 2, Citizen Lois sponsored by Oryana.

Episode 1: Geography

What do Abu Dhabi, the Namibian Desert and the Leelanau Peninsula have in common?  Rob Karner discusses his connection to the land around him, and how it has influenced his identity and values.

As one of the world’s most easily identified geographical boundaries, Michigan’s lower peninsula is commonly called  “the mitten.”  Michiganders often reference where they live by displaying their open right hand.  Between the pinky and the ring finger is Traverse City, Michigan.  The geography of this midwest American region is the common denominator that influences the values and collective identity of the people here.

Last summer, I was walking down Front Street in Downtown Traverse City, and there in the center of the window display of my favorite book store was a world atlas. The cover for this atlas was a satellite image of the Leelanau Peninsula, or as Michiganders  call it, the pinky finger.   I immediately wanted to know the back story.  How was this corner of the world selected for the cover of the Eighth Edition  Oxford Essential World Atlas? I contacted the Oxford University Press Art Department,  and their staff was  able to share the story behind the selection process.

Episode 1 of the Traversecityist is sponsored by Common Good Bakery.